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Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to welcome you all to Telford and Reekins Annual General Mayor and Mayor Making Ceremony. Please can I invite Councillor Hilda Rhodes to read out the declaration on behalf of all members and if you will stand, please. [ Silence ] Colleagues, aware of our responsibilities to promote democracy and the well-being of all local people, on behalf of the council, I make this recommitment to our office as elected representatives. Elect to serve the good. We recognize that the public office is a privilege granted by the people and not a right. We elected representatives of the people of Telford and Reekins declare that we will, to the best of our ability, uphold the council's constitution and serve community above any private or personal interest. [ Silence ] Please can I invite the Kendra Poodle from the Hindu temple Dawley to lead us in prayer? [ Silence ] Good evening, council. Good evening, Lord Mayor. Thank you very much for inviting us. We are from the local Hindu temple and this is the priest who has come all the way from India, so please bear with him with his newly spoken English. Thank you to the interfaith council also for the precious invite to this evening. I'll hand you over to Kendra, our priest. Good evening, our dearest friends. In our Hindu philosophy, we first pray to Lord Ganesha who you may have seen many times. He is the wise elephant who removes problems in all new beginnings. It is with great honor that we stand together here today to welcome in the new mayor and council members, wishing you a year free of problems. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our community and we look forward to welcoming you all to our temple. Thank you. All right, thank you. [ Background Sounds ] Thank you. Agenda item three is the election of mayor. Could I please invite nominations for the appointment to mayor. [ Background Sounds ] Councillor Morgan. [ Background Sounds ] Will it work? There we go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to propose Councillor Ian Priest to be mayor of Telferden-Reakin. Since being elected in 2020, Ian has achieved so much for our community. He served with dignity and grace throughout. He's very well known, not only because of his councilor role and his famously tall hair. He is well known for being kind, compassionate, and a reliable presence, both as borough councilor and town councilor. Ian will make a brilliant mayor and he will give the role his own unique flair. Thank you, Councillor Morgan. Can I ask for a seconder, please? [ Background Sounds ] I second Ian. Ian is an individual who is a colleague in my ward as well, and I'm happy to second him and wish him all the best. He'll make a superb mayor in the borough. Thank you, Councillor Mehta. Are there any further nominations? No? In that case, I'll take that to a vote. Can I have a show of hands in favour, please? That's unanimous and carried. [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Background Sounds ] [ Applause ] [ Background Sounds ] Very sorry about that, Arnold, straight into your chair there. Distinguished guests, fellow members, ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to welcome you here this evening for the annual council meeting and mayor-making ceremony. Having the opportunity to be the mayor of the borough of Telford and Reakin is an honour. Having served two years as the Doreley mayor, I am so excited to build further relationships, not only at engagements, but also with businesses, dignitaries, and charities. In my term of office, I hope to raise further proceeds by doing what I love most, charity challenges. First, I wish to thank all the members for their kind words and best wishes for the next 12 months. Born and bred in Doreley, I have proudly lived here in Telford and Reakin throughout my life. So when the opportunity to be the mayor of Telford and Reakin came up, I was delighted to accept. During my term of office, I wish to lead by example in promoting kindness and community spirit. I also want to promote the importance of keeping active for all age groups. This is something I'm passionate about and keen to do more on. I wish also to recognise the key workers, carers, volunteers, and charity organisations that tirelessly help others. As part of my fundraising appeal, the money raised will be donated to the Seven Hospice, a charity close to my heart. There will be options to support more local charities in the future so the door is not closed. I'm looking to do 12 charity challenges this year. I'm hoping I can count on all your support. I ask you to just watch for further communications from the mayor's office regarding those fundraising activities. Finally, I'd like to thank all the people of Telford and Reakin for their love and support, and I look forward to working with you all in my term as mayor. Thank you very much. [ Applause ] Thank you everybody. Agenda Item 4 is the election of speaker. Please could I invite nominations for the appointment to the role of speaker please. Councillor Middleton. Thank you. I'd like to nominate Councillor Arnold England as speaker. I asked Councillor colleagues what they most liked about Arnold as a speaker in the past, and I think we can all agree with what they said, and Arnold more than most I'd say. They said his use of interesting words and florid language, his sense of humour, his command of the English language, and we all agreed Arnold is a well respected and effective speaker, and also Paul, thank you, you've been a very effective speaker. So I'd like to nominate Arnold England. Thank you very much, Councillor Middleton. Is there a seconder please? Councillor Overton. Yes, I would like to formally second the nomination of Arnold England as speaker. Arnold has a wealth of experience having served in the speaker role previously, and his charm, wit and knowledge means this role was made for him. Thank you very much. Are there any further nominations for the role of speaker? There are no ones indicating, therefore we'll move to the vote. All those in favour? That's unanimous, and it's carried. Thank you very much. [ Background noise ] [ Inaudible ] Moving on to item five on the agenda, please could I invite nominations for the appointment of deputy speaker? Richard, yes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to move Hilda Rhodes as deputy speaker. Hilda has been a long-serving Councillor and is well respected across the chamber. Hilda's warm personality and her professionalism will mean that she will easily be able to keep us all in line if called to do so. Is that seconded? Councillor Reynolds? Yes, also I'm honoured to second the nomination of Councillor Hilda Rhodes as deputy speaker. As Hilda is my fellow ward member, we've been over the years good colleagues and helped Oaken Gates and Keckley Bank throughout the last 15 years. So I'm honoured to nominate Hilda. Thank you. Are there any further nominations? No? Okay. We will move to the vote. Can all members in favour raise their hands? Thank you. Are there any against? No? That's carried. Hilda? [ Applause ] Okay. Item six, election of deputy mayor please could I invite nominations for the appointment of deputy mayor? Amrik? Mr. Mayor, speaker, respected councillors and ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose Councillor Aynan Kallir as deputy mayor of Telfer and O'Regan borough for 2024 and 2025. I have known Councillor Kallir for over five years. When she was first elected as a borough councillor for theover the board in 2019, we served the board as a team for the full terms of four years. Within a couple of years she was joined the cabinet. Now we are both elected borough councillor for Herley and Montgomery since 2023. She's also chair of Herley Parish and Herley and Montgomery Parish. She's intelligent, caring, hardworking, forward looking and a very committed councillor and she will be -- she will be an excellent deputy mayor. Right. Thank you, councillor. Can I invite a seconder? Councillor Healy? Thank you. Yeah, I'm delighted to second the proposal for Councillor Kallir to be the deputy mayor. In her cabinet roles, Aileen has been a strong advocate for our borough whether that be through championing local businesses and ensuring learning opportunities for our young people as the lead for skills and employment or promoting our wonderful borough as a destination for daytrippers, holidaymakers and business tourism. On cabinet, Aileen has been someone whose guidance and support has been invaluable to me and I know to my colleagues as well and I will miss working with her. But I know that she'll be a wonderful deputy mayor and a great support for our new mayor, Councillor Priest in representing our borough and our council in showcasing the work of our many wonderful community groups and organisations in Telford and Wreaken. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Healy. Are there any further nominations? All right, we will move to the vote. All those in favour, please show. That appears to be unanimous. Thank you. That's carried. Councillor Kallir. [ Applause ] [ Pause ] All right, so that's seven. [ Pause ] Ian. [ Pause ] Can I call upon Councillor Raj Mehta-- sorry. Can I call upon Councillor Raj Mehta to move the vote of thanks to the retiring mayor, Councillor Arnold England. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to thank our outgoing mayor who has done a tremendous job for the borough. With his commitment and motivation, he has served our borough of Telford and Wreaken in a superb and fantastic way. Doing over 153 engagements as well as he's opened a number of businesses as well as having lunch with the Duke of Edinburgh. He's visited schools which he's loved to do and the children have loved and been excited to see the mayor coming to the school, which has been fun for him and the children. He's brought a lot of smiles to them little faces in the schools. As well as that, he's enjoyed going to London several times as well as the Guildhall. And as well as all that, he's attended 103rd birthday party, which I believe he enjoyed. On a personal note, he's the most wonderful person you can ever meet and he always leaves a mark and you never forget you've met Councillor Arnold England. He enjoys regularly going out to see his Baltic Boys, the group he really enjoys, and we always hear about it in the conversation. His sense of humour is unbelievable and as I said, you never forget when you've met him and I've never met a gentleman like him. I wish him all the best for the future and again, thank you very much for being our mayor in Tal emphasizes and leaving the mark that you have. Thank you. [ Applause ] Does-- Oh, sorry. Second-- Can I have a seconder please? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to second Roger's proposal of thanks to Arnold England for his work as our Telford and Reking Mayor for the last 12 months. I know that one of his highlights was being called the Mayor of England, which I'm sure you can all agree was very befitting. He got to shake hands with Princess Anne and meet Queen Camilla and Prince Edward. But most importantly, he raised over 5,000 pound for Telford and Reking CVS. I know he chose his charity due to him being in care himself and a care-leaver causes he champions, in my opinion, with brave transparency and always makes time to share his knowledge and experiences to help others through this. CVS also supports lots of people in the community which is important to Arnold. I know residents and community have been at the forefront of your term as Mayor Arnold. From all of us at Telford and Reking Council and residents, thank you for all you've done representing our communities. Thank you very much. Does anybody else wish to support this motion? Councillor Nelson? Thank you. Arnold, thank you for your services, Mayor, 153 engagements, one of which I attended, which was your Mayor's Ball. So that was good fun. We appreciated that very much. I've known Arnold probably as long as many people in this chamber we met on a planning course a long time ago. I had a chance to learn about Arnold's life, his experience, and his integrity which absolutely shone through. Your colleagues have already referred to me one of your other absolutely key and wonderful characteristics which is your humour. You're able to bring humour to the dead weight of duty and you demonstrate to us that you don't have to be solemn to be serious. So first of all, thank you very much for your services, Mayor, and good luck for your appointment as Speaker. Thank you. Councillor Rachel Terrell. Okay, thank you. I'd like to also congratulate Councillor Arnie Ingell and Donald on a fantastic year, in particular, him attending the Prize Lease Summer Fair where he was posing for pictures with our band and Telford Batman. So there were some unusual pictures there. We also shared some Chinese dancing and I think it was the Festival of Light. So that was another memorable day. But yes, I think the highlight had to be when we posed together as a group at the Mayor's Ball which we were really pleased to attend and support. But we did all get the impression that he was possibly about to cross the floor. But thankfully that didn't happen. But seriously, we've been really pleased to support the Mayor's charity this year and we look forward to continuing to do so. Thank you. Councillor Stephen Bentley. Thank you. I also would like to congratulate Arnold on his year as Mayor. The last thing we attended was the memorial unveiling at High Arkel Air Field where, unfortunately, he did present a bit of a lonely figure, not many people knowing him except for myself, of course. So we had a few chats there. We had a few chats at his Ball as well and over a period of 30, 35 years I've known him, we've shared one or two strange moments, Brighton, Glasgow, where he nearly got us arrested but that's another matter. So yes, congratulations on your year, Arnold. And the money you've raised for your charity. And I also welcome back to speaker. You did an excellent job the last time and I'm sure you will first be able to do the same again. Councillor Bill Tomlinson. Thank you, speaker. I just want to say a big thank you from our group for Arnold's energy, commitment and humour, as others have said. And you've been an excellent ambassador for this borough. Thank you, Arnold. And we look forward to that same humour, energy and commitment in your role as speaker, and utter fairness, obviously. Thank you. Councillor John Thompson. Congratulations, Arnold. We first met at Open Gates Town Hall in the 1980s, and I think Arnold's been an excellent mayor, excellent Councillor. And can we also congratulate him for all his hard work for the local charities? Well done, Arnold, and carry on the good work. Thank you. Thank you. Please can I invite Councillor Arnold England to reply for the vote of thanks. [ Background noise ] Thank you, and thank you for those kind messages. I've always wanted a robe. Distinguished guests, my Lord. Mayors, fellow members, ladies and gentlemen, it has been an honour to serve as the mayor of the borough of Telford and Reekin over the past 12 months. After living in Telford for over 50 years and serving as a local ward Councillor for over 10, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with a number of dignitaries, businesses, communities and charities, building relationships for our much loved town. Throughout the past year, I have had the pleasure to attend a number of engagements. I have loved attending each and every engagement within my term of office. It is hard to identify just a few highlights, but the one which has stood out the most, or those that stood out the most was shaking hands with Princess Anne whilst visiting Harper Adams University which, may I add, has been announced as one of the best universities in the country. Also, lunch with the Duke of Edinburgh in Dawley and dinner with Queen Camilla in the Guildhall in London. What an amazing achievement and asset to the borough for the university. Other memorial moments include being referred to, I was introduced at an event, as they got it all mixed up, Councillor Arnold, Mayor of England. I attended the 103rd birthday party and many of an elderly lady in Wellington, and many children's events. As first citizens of the borough, I have been so lucky to be offered many opportunities. I wish to personally thank everyone who has invited me to attend their events and shown me such hospitality. This year, as part of my charity appeal, I have successfully been able to raise over 5,000 pounds for Telford and Reakin CVS, and as many of you know having been a child in care and a care lever myself, it was important to me to raise money for those currently in care, children in need, care leavers, and young people across the borough. I very much look forward to seeing the difference all that our amazing charity contributors have made. Please can I ask Telford and Reakin CVS to come forward? Are they here? Okay. [ Applause ] [ Inaudible ] [ Inaudible ] Thank you very much. So, being chosen as the mayor's charity increases funding to all of our projects so that the offer we have has added value to statutory services supporting residents across the borough, and we're absolutely thrilled. Thank you. Thank you. [ Applause ] All right. That amazing donation would not have been possible without all those who have kindly contributed. I would like to thank everyone who has generously donated, in particular, Beolia for kindly donating the money raised from each recycle reuse project event. I would also like to thank my deputy, Councillor Ian Preece, who has provided guidance, continued guidance and support during my term, attending engagements when I have been unable to do so. It has been a pleasure working alongside of you. Where is he? Oh, there. It's behind me. I would also like to give thanks to my fellow Councillors for the trust and confidence they have placed in me to carry out such an important role and also expend my thanks to the events team, in particular Sue Wright, who has worked with the mayoral team to ensure my charity events are a great success, including the Civic Ball. I thank her very much for that. My final thanks goes to the mayor and member support officers, Millie and Lorna. I couldn't have done it without them. Who have not only been involved in this evening's arrangements along with the democracy team, but they have also made sure my time in office has gone as smooth as possible. From managing my diary and me to providing guidance and advice, I have been very fortunate to have such great support. Once again, it has been a great honour and privilege to serve as the first citizen of the borough, and I would like to finish by giving my best wishes to our new mayor for a successful and enjoyable year in office. Thank you. [ Applause ] There now will be a presentation to the outgoing mayor. [ Silence ] I do like photos of me. [ Laughter ] I think I'll put it by the side of my bag. [ Laughter ] [ Inaudible ] [ Silence ] Item nine, thank you. Are there any apologies in advance? I have-- Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There's apologies from Councillors Andy Burford, Janice Jones, Julie Latham-Reynolds, Lindsey Parker, and Jennie Urie. Thank you. Item 10, declarations of interest. Are there any declarations from the floor? If there are any, please press the right hand button on your microphone to indicate you want to speak. All right, nobody is recused. Item 11, can I have a proposer to confirm the minutes from the previous meeting of full council on the 29th of February, 2024. Proposed. Seconded. Right, thank you, Councillor Davies, seconded Councillor Overton. Can I have a show of hands in favour, please? That appears to be unanimous. No abstentions. OK, thank you, that's carried. Now, moving on to item 12, announcements. I will now invite the leader, Councillor Sean Davies, to address the meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My Lord, colleagues, distinguished guests, aldermen, and older women, it is brilliant to see you here today at this most important civic occasion as we come again for our annual general meeting. I would like to add my thanks, Arnold, to you on the work that you've done throughout the last year as our first citizen and our mayor. And I wish Ian well in his year ahead. I'm sure you're going to smash it. Tonight, we appoint for the year ahead. The new cabinet, our committee chairs, our members of committees will bring renewed focus and new energy, a fresh perspective as we continue to build on our mission to protect, care, and invest, to create a better borough. I'd also like to take this opportunity to welcome the new leader of the opposition, Councillor Tim Nelson, to his place. And I look forward to working with him in the weeks or months ahead, or maybe even years together. I'd also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the outgoing leader of the opposition, Andrew Weed, for his work in that post, although I will say, he's had more retirement as leader of the opposition than the cat has lives, so I'm unsure whether or not he'll be back in due course or not. I'll also note the new independent member of the council, Councillor Paul Thomas, to his place. I know how difficult it is and almost to be to move from one political group to sit as an independent, and we look forward to working with you in your new role as we do with all members of the chamber. But the times like this are times for change, and we're seeing that across the country, both in local governments, in parliament, and of course yesterday with the prime minister starting the firing gun on the general election, which will take place on the 4th of July. I know that each and every member of this council will do their civic duty, their democratic duty, to encourage residents across Telford and Reakin to express their right. As Keir Starmer said yesterday, it is important at a time like this that politicians like us realize where power lies, not in chambers like this, not even in parliament, but on the ballot papers of our fellow residents, and they will get an opportunity to make their choice about our country, our town, and our borough, and I look forward to playing my part in that democratic process. When I became leader of this council in 2016, my group had 27 councillors, and this council was under no overall control. Now in 2024, I am proud that the Labour group is the largest Labour group it has been in the history of this council, and we're looking forward to working together with our residents over the next three years to continue to deliver on their priorities. Big changes over the course of the last eight years has also made me reflect on my time as leader in that period, and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved thanks to the skill, the dedication, the tireless team, the politicians, but also our council officers, our residents, our local communities, our third sector, our businesses. I genuinely believe that Telford is one of the best places in this country to live. But those eight years have flown by. It feels like yesterday I experienced my first AGM as council leader, as we marked the Queen's 90th birthday, and that song, Seven Years, dominated a chart with its wit of talking about growing older. Time has flown, and I recognise, just like that song, that time does move on, that there's a passionate new generation snapping at our heels, inspiring us to do even better. That, as of tonight, I can no longer claim to be Telford American Council's youngest ever cabinet member as Ollie takes on that mantle, and I look forward to working with him. But no hard feelings. I still am the youngest LGA chair in the history of the LGA. Time flies, but where has 2024 gone? I can't believe we're already at the end of May. Reflecting on this, it made me wonder whether we as a council are moving fast enough. So rather than reel off the achievements over the last 12 months in this speech, I challenge myself to look what we've delivered over the past two months alone. And I have to say, I'm delighted and proud of what this team has done. We're not only delivering, but we're delivering at a phenomenal pace. Time flies, but so does it does in the council too. In the last two months, we've announced the return of Wellington's Market, incredibly popular late-night events calendar, which promises to be bigger and better than last year, a massive driver for the market traders and businesses owners in town, as well as attracting people from far and wide. In the last two months, myself and my colleagues have been in Leeds at the UK Reef event, showcasing our creative £80 million station quarter regeneration scheme, which will create a new vibrant residential educational and business community at heart. It's helpful we thank the government for the money that they provided, but also recognize that this council, under my leadership, has secured over £100 million of private investment. In the last two months, we've launched the council's pride fund, which is a scheme that we began in 2011, which has enabled over 300 projects to continue in this year alone, benefiting communities in every one of our wards, from the defibrillators in The Rock, Overdell, Old Park and Lawley, and the pride fund in Maitley to access all-year warm and welcoming spaces at St Mary's Church. And I can't wait to hear from members their priorities over the coming year as that money is spent again. In the last two months, we've launched a consultation on our all-age strategy. I want to make sure that Telford and Eriquian is the best place to grow old in. In the last two months, we've initiated and invited applications to our leaders and cabinet member young persons grant scheme. Last year, we supported 67 young people, and we're looking forward to receiving more applications and being part of the future of Telford as they go from strength to strength to realize their dreams. In the last two months, we held our Telford Skills show, attended by 3,000 local people looking for new skills, new jobs. In the last two months, we've had the spring into St. George's Park event at Telford Town Park, one of the best places in this town. In the last two months, we've launched the destination management plan, making Telford the best place to come and visit. In the last two months, we've reopened Holly Head Road after half a million pounds highway improvement project. In the last two months, we've launched our Live Well Hubs. In the last two months, we've delivered holiday activity programs for local children. In the last two months, we've started the fire and gun to improve our theatre. So much takes place, so much. And it's easy to criticize, and it's easy to attack. It's much harder to deliver. But I'm proud of each and every Councillor in this chamber who plays a positive role in making our borough a better place. And I'm proud of each and every Council officer that I've had the privilege of working with over the last eight years as leader and the last 13 years as a Councillor to make Telford and Reekin a good place. And, Mr. Speaker, may I end on this. Whatever comes next, wherever this Council goes, whatever I do, I will always be a fan of Telford and Reekin Council and the work of local government. And I look forward to working with you all in the weeks, months, and years ahead to make Telford and Reekin our place, a better place, the best place to live, work, be educated and to visit. Thank you. Right. Thank you. [ Applause ] I now call upon Councillor Tim Nelson. You have 10 minutes to speak. I'll let you know when you need to draw to a close. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for this invitation to speak. And thank you, Mr. Leader, for your kind words. When the officer briefed me before this meeting, he said you have 10 minutes to speak. This is going to take more like three minutes. But brevity is the soul of wit. And if that's the closest I can get to wit, that's a start. I congratulate those appointed to their roles this evening, yourself, Mr. Speaker, Hilda Deputy, Ian as Mayor, and Ireland as Deputy Mayor. And I wish you success in your roles. I'd also very briefly like to express my heartfelt thanks to Councillor Andrew Eade for his wisdom, for his guidance, most of all, for his friendship. Thank you, Andrew. This is not the occasion for small-p politics from me. I will refer to the role of opposition. When I joined the council nine years ago, I did not expect to be stood here in this role. I didn't expect to be a member of group of seven, either. But these things are cyclical. Lance Armstrong is not necessarily to be quoted for anything good, but could sometimes say things which are true. Sometimes you are the hammer, sometimes you are the nail. Our time will undoubtedly come again locally. People's values do not change, even if their loyalties and allegiances are tested, sometimes sorely. Meantime, we are the main opposition group, and we have a job to do. The administration are very powerful now. Not my statement, but the recent words of a much more acute observer than me. Our democracy depends upon power being effectively and constructively challenged. I am not interested in opposition for its own sake. I and we want the best policies and decisions that serve the greatest number of residents in the most equitable way. We will analyze and dissect, we will question, identify pitfalls, and propose alternatives where we perceive a better way. To achieve this necessary role, we will need access to information, briefing from officers and collaborative debate. And we know this is possible because, to take an example, it's personal to me, environment scrutiny have made some small moves in this direction, and I am supportive. It can be done. The council describes itself as a cooperative council. Being asked to endorse a decision already taken is not cooperation. The co-evolution of policy is. And then personally, I failed my first three selection interviews to be a borough council candidate. I did not expect to be here at all, and I'm sure some of you are already thinking I should have taken the hint. Well, maybe. I am still learning. I want to approach my new position with humility, dignity, and work from my principles and values of freedom, independence, sovereignty, personal responsibility, and social responsibility. I and we are ready and looking forward to working with you all for the good of the borough. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor. I now call upon Councillor Bill Tomlinson. You also have 10 minutes. I'd also like to try and keep this as short and sweet as I possibly could, which I'm sure you'll all be glad to hear. First of all, I want to, my lords and distinguished guests, I want to look forward to working with Councillor Tomlinson, the new conservative group leader, and also with Paul Thomas. I've worked before on the audit committee and looked at the fruitful working in your new role as an independent. It's all the best to you, mate. Our group, if we had to make a pledge, and we've already made one pledge tonight, but the one pledge that we would like to make is that in our four-year term of office, when we look back, that we, in our, in working for our residents and also for the borough, that our wards will be better places than they were when we first started, and the borough would have done everything we can to try and make that a better place as well. And I think that should be like a pledge for all Councillors going forward. I also want to thank all the staff. We always go on as politicians talking about ourselves and how great we are and all what we can do for everybody. But without the fantastic staff that we have in our borough, we wouldn't achieve any of this. We only win awards. We only become the best Councillor in the world. We only become this because of the efforts that those people put in and the sacrifices they have to make for our residents and for all that we want to achieve. So, a huge thank you out there to all our staff. It really is. Change. Well, change is coming. Announcements were made yesterday, and we really are hoping change is going to come forward. This Council has made every effort it can to work within huge tight strictures on money. Across the country, health service is broke. The care system's under tremendous pressure through lack of funding. Councils are going bust left, right and centre. Things have got to be changed. Things have got to be fixed. Whoever comes in, whoever comes into government, the one thought I would all have for them is, they can't wave a magic wand and do it overnight. But we've got to have hope that change will come that will mean that we can all hope to live in a better place than the broken systems that we currently have got now. And it's that's my hope and prayer for the future that we will be in a better place than where we are now. Thank you. Thank you. [ Applause ] All right, leader, Councillor Davies, would you like to reply? You have 10 minutes. Yes, thank you Arnold. And in common with my fellow group leaders, I won't take the full time allocated as I did in my initial remarks as well. I just want to welcome the fresh approach that we've heard this evening about not opposition for opposition's sake, and a real start about constructive dialogue. For anybody who knows me, anyone who knows the group that I'm privileged to lead will tell you that we are our worst, our own worst critics. We want to make sure that things are as good as they can be. I look forward to receiving constructive criticism from the group, the opposition groups over the course of this council year, and it's something that we don't shy away from. And in fact, we will welcome and we look forward to working with you and your colleagues in that regard. And to Bill, that fresh approach, that fresh start, and I hope that you are right. Because after all, we're not here for our own sakes. We're not here to employ a fantastic set of staff, although we do, and those staff aren't here themselves. What we are here for is to look after the young children that we have in our care. Because their own home situation, it means that it would not be safe for them to live in those homes. We're here to look after the most vulnerable adults, whether they are vulnerable because of age or disability, that we offer services to protect and support those older people. We're here to ensure that our streets are clean, safe, and green. We're here to ensure that the businesses that we have, whether large or small, are able to stay in Telford, come to Telford, grow in Telford and prosper in Telford. And those are the things, that is the mission that we set ourselves as councillors. And although there might be differences of opinion and differences of perspectives, that is the thing I hope and I'm sure it is right to say, motivates every single one of us when we put our names forward to represent the part of Telford and Wreakin that we come from. And may that continue going forward. Whatever happens nationally in terms of a change of government or whether there's a returning Conservative government, the reality is that this country needs to be better. It needs to be possible for people to go and see a GP when they are ill. It needs to be possible that families are able to see an NHS dentist when their children need to see a dentist. It needs to be right that when a town the size of Telford is fighting for an A&E, that we get an A&E and let me just be very public in this. Regardless of what job I have now or I may have in the future, I will never stop fighting for the actions of the emergency department and the consultant led women's and children's unit because put simply, it is the A&E that my mum would rely upon. It is the women's and children's unit that my family, my children would rely upon and nothing will change in our fight against those plans that were so cruelly announced on the eve of the general election being called and I will make no apology to highlight to residents across Telford region that there were a number of people that seeked to fool them in calling it an A&E local and people who made the case that actually it was no such thing as an A&E were told they were misleading residents, they were scaremongering and worse, but actually those who of us who warned that downgrade was a closure of our A&E have been proved to be right and we will fight and fight some more to keep it here in Telford and Rieken. And just finally, just finally, Mr. Speaker, when the opportunity comes to serve your community, it's the greatest privilege of anyone's life to do so and like Tim, although I didn't fail my own party selection process three times, I did fail the electorate test twice before I became a borough councillor for Manon's Lee and Dordie Bank and that is very humbling, but trust does not trust, and winning back trust is not automatic, winning back trust takes time and it takes humility and I know from our own political parties recent history over the last four years, which has seen the worst election that we've ever had since 2019, takes time to build that trust back up and there's something about us all that there are times when we have to put party politics to one side and think about the place that we all live and work and I look forward to working with you in that respect. Thank you. Thank you. [applause] Item 13, please can I invite Councillor Sean Davies to notify the appointment of his cabinet? Formally notified, Mr. Speaker. Councillor Overton. Yes, I fully endorse that then, Mr. Speaker. Okay, you have delegated authority. Moving on to Item 14, I will now ask Councillor Sean Davies to reassert the council's delegation scheme in accordance with the constitution. Proposed. Councillor Overton? Formally second. Right, please can I have a show of hands for? Any against? No abstentions? Carried. We're back on. Governance update. This item will be taken en bloc. I invite Councillor Sean Davies to move the report. Formally proposed. And Councillor Overton to second. Formally second. Right, are there any comments? Did somebody indicate? No. No. I will move straight to the vote. Members in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? Thank you. That's carried. A programme of ordinary meetings of the council. Can the schedule be agreed and noted by members? Can I have a show of hands? All those in favour? Appears to be unanimous. Thank you. That's carried. Right, I would like to remind members that there will be a photograph taken immediately after the meeting of all members. So please do stay behind for a few minutes to allow that to happen. A civic reception will take place downstairs in the library on the first floor of the South Water building. And the next full council meeting will be 18th of July, 24, here at the council chamber. Can I ask that members and attendees stand as the mayor and top table, mayor, deputy speaker, deputy Sean, Richard, Anthea and myself. Oh, Anthea and David actually. [inaudible] [ Background noise ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ]