Transcript

Please be upstanding for the Mayor of Whithaw, Councillor Jevy Williams. Please take your seats. Okay, rise. Good evening everyone and welcome to the Council's annual meeting. Councillors, are there any decorations of interest before I make my announcements? I'm aware of the following apologies Councillor Colin Baldwin, Naomi Graham, Gail Jenkinson, Tony Jones, Ruth Molinew, Amanda Ohmermanner, Jason Walsh and by the Willchstone, are there any further apologies, just to see you. Councillor Gilchrist. Okay, thank you Phil, I'm sorry, Councillor Paul Martin, thanks, thank you. So, right, so I think it's my turn just to do the Mayor's speech, I'll be as quickly as possible in relation to, I'll try, I'll try, I'll try, don't be nasty to me, right? So, Councillors, Chief Executive and Distinguished Guests, welcome to Birkenhead Town Hall. It's been an incredible honour to serve as the Mayor of Whirl for the past year and I would like to begin by thanking my wife Irene for being by my side and supporting me through over 300 plus engagements that we've attended. The engagements have given me an almost unique perspective of life in Whirl and its thriving civic centre, civic life I should say. Like most of the people in Whirl know and guess how important community life is and our borough really couldn't run without it. Some of my highlights from my year in office include, but are in no way limited to the opening of the Landic and Memorial Gardens and the emotional experience of speaking to those affected. In addition, the wonderful visits from the Peruvian Embassy representatives are on several occasions, which as many of you will know are historically so subject close to my heart. We've had the honour of visiting so many groups across the borough. There really are too many to mention, but they range from the guides and scouting groups, 100-year-old birthdays, many school and community groups and many, many well-deserved awards and ceremonies. Finally, individuals at home who have not been up in some cases been unable to get out of their houses and we've been able to call around, but it's a lovely thing to do because you can't call around in the mayoral car and with the chains and suddenly someone's putting the bins out and saying, What's going on here? And I was someone in the porch next door, What's all this? So, you know, it's quite a nice experience. I would like to record my thanks to the incredible team from Will Council who worked tirelessly to host the incredible open golf in July last year. The work involved in delivering such a monumental event is vast and it is with great pride that Will surpassed itself on a truly international stage. Other memorable civic events include Christmas tea dance, the Mayor's Ball, and taking part in the Liverpool Santa Dash. Some here, we did it with me, yes, and which was great fun. Those events were all to raise money from my two wonderful charities of Birkenhead dogs, canals and autism together. A year ago, we started this wonderful adventure when I took the chains of office and in the blink of an eye here with Hill today, ready to pass the honour to the U.mer. But before we do, I would like to publicly thank Irene, who's been a wonderful Mayor of S, let's try not to get emotional. As always, none of this could have happened without the efforts of many people. I would like to thank the Deputy Mayor Sherry and the Council of Sheila for supporting Irene and I superbly well. We do give them our very best wishes for the Mayor of the Year. The Mayor of Staff Offices and other members of staff have also steered Irene and I through a very busy year at an exemplary fashion. Paul, Chris, Sonia, Karen, Tony, and many others have been wonderful and richly deserve our appreciation. I would like to give a special thanks to my family members, friends, colleagues and all of the political parties, all given invaluable support in so many ways. We really do both appreciate all you have done. My running team, I've got to mention, I also deserve a thank you, especially Berhan, Cath, Janade, Gloria, Michael, Misha, Pauline and the Hudson Kirk, who really, you know, keep me going physically and mentally to some degree throughout the year. I'd also like to mention our wonderful heritage and culture groups which have and continue to do so much. Secret Gardens of Oxfordan on Sunday, 90 odd volunteers, totally mind-blowing and what an amazing event for Whirl and encapsulates Whirl in the most wonderful way. And last but not least, Kathmite Pilates instructor who has helped me through my back issues this year. I really don't think I'd have got through such a pact year without Kath. But you need to know that. And that is my Merle year. We've always loved Whirl, but the last 12 months has made us both love it a lot, a lot more. Thank you. [Applause] Right, so here we go now to, yep, sorry to, so turning to agenda item three in the election and may I have nominations for the Office of Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough Whirl for the 2024-25 municipal year, I understand that Councillor Geoff Green wishes to move -- I was hoping that Geoff -- thank you, Mr. Mayor, and it gives me great pleasure to move that cherry-povell be elected as the Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough Whirl for the forthcoming municipal year. Firstly though, if I may before I talk about the many merits of the incoming matter, may I take this opportunity to pay tribute to you, Mr. Mayor and of course Irene and the Mayor as for all your hard work and service to the Whirl over the last 12 months. Being the first citizen of our fantastic borough is I know a huge honour, and with that honour comes a unique civic responsibility, which I know both you and Irene have embraced whole heartedly, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone, that our sincere thanks to you and Irene, you did world proud and I look forward to your heritage updates and comments on the planning department in the Council Chamber as you retake your seat on the Labor Venture, so thank you, Mr. Mayor. You know that you could get the hang of it though, Cherry, it's your fault. Now turning to the incoming Mayor, Councillor Cherry-Povell, Cherry was elected as a Conservative Councillor for Catford Bridge in 2008, but for those of you who either know Cherry well, which I think most of us here do, you will also be aware of her life in public service and the fact it started many, many years earlier. Cherry was born in Derbyshire, just outside Bakewell, and I'm reliably informed, this is where she developed her love, it says here Bakewell Tarts, but I think in Bakewell they call it Puddings, don't they, in fact, so Bakewell Puddings, very handling for making those Bakewell Puddings, Cherry trained as a domestic science teacher and a life of public service began as she taught in schools in Cheshire and Liverpool. She married her beloved Ernie, and once he had left the army they started to build up a portfolio of news agent shops right across Whirl. For one to rest on the laurels, Cherry became the first female regional president of the news agents' federation. Another notable voluntary role for Cherry is that Cherry is undertaken with distinguished and dedicated service in her 33 years as a magistrate, cheering various committees over the years, including this chairman of the licensing committee, I know the time she spent as a magistrate had a profound effect on her and resulted in Cherry achieving a law degree and qualifying as a solicitor. Excellent grounding for the exchanges that will no doubt take place across the chamber, I'm sure colleagues will agree. As many of us here will also know, Cherry has been a long-standing member of the Council's pensions committee, which ensures the prudent and careful stewardship of the merger side pension fund on behalf of its 140,000 members. More recently, Cherry has also served as the vice chairman of the committee, and I'm sure people will not be surprised and Cherry will be pleased to know, I've heard a very strict instructions about what must happen in the interim while she is our acting man and will follow them to the letter. Mr. Mayor, I'm sure you're aware that Cherry's passion lies in improving the life chances of the borough's children. A dedicated member of the Council's children's committee, she's someone who not only talks to talk, but gives selflessly of a time on a near daily basis to improving children's lives. As some of you, as here will know, Cherry has served non-world fostering panel for 14 years, and she works tirelessly to ensure that the children cared for by will council have the best opportunity to reach their full potential in the safety of positive and welcoming homes as they grow up. Cherry's dedication to improving life chances of children is not only related to her role as an elected member. For many years, Cherry and the MRS, Sheila Clark, have been devoted fundraisers. Cherry and Sheila are both surreptomists, not easy to say, both surreptomists, and have made multiple trips to South Africa. These trips not only deliver the financial support to children in the country which they've run the fundraising events for, but I know they become experts at vacuum packing, making sure they take plenty of baby clothes, toiletries, and school stationery to distribute on each trip. Closer to home and continuing a very well-established pattern of contributing their time to improve the life chances of children, Cherry and Sheila are found in trustees of the neo-natal charity Incubabies. It will come as no surprise to those of you who know Cherry well, that Incubabies set up to improve the care provided to tiny and delicate babies by raising funds to provide specialist equipment, training, or improving the world environment is one of the chosen mayoral charities, and I'm sure we can all agree what a fabulous charity Incubabies is. Now, you may think that all this fundraising would leave Cherry with very little time to enjoy herself. For a reliable informed that Cherry has an obsession with markets. Now, whenever Cherry and Sheila venture to Spain, which they seem to spend a fair amount of their time, it is directed by which market is open or is on on that particular day. And of course, those of you who also know Cherry and Sheila, any market trip is followed swiftly by the cocktail or a gin and tonic to sustain them. You may be aware, Councillor Gilchrist, has his shed containing decades of literature. Cherry, I am sure, and I am told, has a lagging cave, a lagging cave of all those items she bought from one of these markets that's not actually been put to any particular use. So, Cherry, I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we wish you and Sheila all the best of the forthcoming year and what a year it will be. I can think of no one better to represent Whirl as its first citizen, 50 years since the creation of the borough. We know you will do an excellent job, and we look forward to supporting you in any way we can. Thank you. Thank you, Geoff. Would any Councillor like to second the nomination? Councillor Paul Stewart will second and speak to the proposition. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Mr. Mah. On behalf of the Labor Group, I would like to thank you, Jerry. And Irene, for your last year in serving as Whirl's first citizen. I am sure you will have met some fantastic people and made some fantastic memories over the past year in what will have been a busy year, but no doubt will have flown by for you. For the last time, Mr. Mah, thank you for your service. Mr. Mah, it is with great pleasure to second the Councillor Cherry Provost for a matter of Whirl and I wish you the very best in the year ahead. Thank you, Mr. Mah. Thank you, Paul. Are there any other nominations? In the absence of any of the nominations, I declare that Councillor Cherry Provost is hereby elected Mayor of the Metropolitan Forum for Whirl. Before Councillor Powell leaves the Assembly Hall to change into the Mayor of Robes, I would like to show a short slideshow of photographs taken during my municipal year. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The Mayor, Councillor Cherry Provost, will now leave the Assembly Hall to enable her to change into the Mayor of Robes and the Council meeting will stand adjourned until her return. She will be accompanied by the outgoing Mayor and the party group leaders. Thank you. Whilst Councillor Powell is being voted, would members and guests please remain seated and enjoy a performance from the Willall Singers Choir? Thank you. When I am down and know my soul's weary, when troubles come, my heart burned me, that I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, you raise me on so I can stand on mountains, you raise me on to walk us from the sea. I am strong when I am on your shoulders, you raise me on to know the night and me. I am strong when you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, that I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, that I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, that I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, that I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and I am still awake, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with you, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in silence, until you come and say to one with me, dear in [silence] [laughter] That would stay good. [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] I would now like to invite the Mayor S. Mrs. Sheila Clark onto the stage so the past Mayor can invest her with the Mayor S's budget office. [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] The Mayor will now present, Councillor Jerry Williams, with the past Mayor's budget. [silence] I would like to invite Mrs. Eileen Williams to the stage so that the Mayor can present her with the past Mayor S's budget. [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] [silence] Members, ladies and gentlemen, the Mayor will now formally make her declaration of office. I invite Councillor Choi Povell to make a declaration of acceptance of office. I, Choi Povell, having been elected to the Office of Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Whirl, declare that I take office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfill the duties of it according to the best of my judgment and ability. I undertake, to observe the Code of Conduct, which is expected of members of the Metropolitan Borough of Whirl. [silence] [silence] Let's meet now, isn't it? Thank you. Members, please sit down. Thank you. [silence] Deputy lieutenants, Alderman, Councillors, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the confidence you have placed in me by electing me to this special office. I hope I can repay you by representing Whirl as the dynamic and positive place that it is. Our Council is in a much better place as I'm sure you are fully aware, working as a much more cohesive unit. We have hopefully seen off the challenge to our precious green belt, and we are on the brink of major transformational changes, which every one of us is willing to happen as soon as possible. The future of Whirl will look very different to what it looks now. Birkenhead is set to be transformed beyond recognition. Out will go the flyovers to the tunnels. A new linear park will be formed along the old railway line from Woodside, and Woodside itself is being transformed into a more leisure-friendly space. Listguard is due for a £10m facelift. New housing and a new school are planned for the Hind Street area, and ideas are being developed in the West Kirby Plan. So we will also see major changes to Whirl Waters, as it continues to develop, eventually giving us a world-class marina, a vision of a very different Whirl. All this made possible with the money from the government's leveling up fund, rather than your Council tax payments. We need to make sure that we grab these opportunities with both hands. Whirl has so much to offer as a peninsula, and I know my predecessor Jerry is passionate about our heritage and desperate to tell the world about it. I am keen to support any ideas that will promote Whirl and improve our visitor economy. Encompassing our hidden heritage, our fantastic coastline and other parts of South and West Whirl that will perhaps not have the same financial input, but are nevertheless important to our peninsular story, and perhaps all the people that contribute to making the Whirl the place that we are all very proud to call home. For and on from this I would like to say I am very keen to encourage volunteering, as many of our local charities would collapse without the aid of so many volunteers. Jerry has watched lyrical at length about this, but this in mind I have chosen to entirely volunteer led charities to be my main charities. Incubabies, which is very close to both myself and Sheila's heart, and also the Blind Sailing School, which is based just a long river from where we are now, and which would love any of you to welcome your visitors right this minute. Of course I hope you will be able to support, and I hope to be able to support many more smaller Whirl charities as well. I would like to say a very big thank you to Sheila, who has kindly agreed to support me as my mayor as both coming to the job as widows, but we have been friends for many years. So be prepared, it looks like you have set Thalmer and Louise free, and we hope to be a formidable team. I would also like to thank Jerry and Irene, who have given us lots of opportunities to be trained up for the job. I am looking forward to a positive year for Whirl, and I hope that many of you here will take the opportunity to contribute in any way you can, no matter how small to help this vision happen. Can I take the opportunity to thank the choir, who are the Whirl Singers for their fantastic contribution tonight, and also the Flower Girls Lilith and Robin. And the Royal Air Force 1123 Hooten Park Easton Air Cadets for their splendid turnout tonight. Thank you. [Applause] And I now ask for the Air Cadets to parade forward to receive a commemorative medal to celebrate 80 years since the D-Day landings as a momento of tonight. Thank you. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Is the appointment of the deputy mayor, may I have nominations for the Office of Deputy Mayor? Councillor Stewart. Does anyone wish to second this nomination? [inaudible] Are there any other nominations? No? Good? There will be no further nominations. I declare that Councillor Brian Kenney is here by appointed deputy mayor. [Applause] [Applause] Councillor Kenney will now take his position on the right of the mayor and for the mayor to invest him with the deputy mayor's chain of office. [Applause] I now invite Councillor Brian Kenney to make his declaration of acceptance of office. [Applause] I don't normally get complaints about your car near me, so I better start again. Councillor Brian Kenney, having been elected to the Office of Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan Board of the will, declare that I take the office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of us according to the best of my judgment and ability. I undertake to observe the code of conduct which is expected of members of the Metropolitan Board of will. [Applause] Sorry, that concludes the agenda for this evening, so I declare the meeting closed. Members, the second part of the annual council meeting to do with business will commence at 6pm on Wednesday the 22nd of May in the Assembly Hall. Thank you. [Applause]