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[BLANK_AUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] Thank you colleagues, honored guests, please be seated. [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our annual council meeting. Item 1, a vote of thanks, Councillor Ooden.

Thank you Madam Mayor, I would like to thank you for your hard work and education as Mayor of St. Helensborough over the last year. Thank you Councillor, is that seconded? I second that Madam Mayor. Thank you Councillor. Councillor Roody, would you like to speak? Yes please, and Madam Mayor, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you who, and you've dedicated your time, energy and passion to serving our community with grace and dignity. As Mayor of St. Helens, over the past year, Councillor Clark has exemplified the true spirit of public service and community, I know she has worked tirelessly to bring our community together, highlighting the very best of our borough. Councillor Clark's commitment to serving the people of St. Helens has been unwavering, from attending numerous events and functions to championing important causes and initiatives like armed forces and raising money for her chosen charity, the Deafness Resource Center here in Windall. I'm sure her warmth and kindness and genuine concern for others has touched the hearts of many across the borough. And I hope I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say thank you, Councillor Clark, for your exemplary service, as Mayor. Thank you, Councillor Roody, and that was lovely, thank you. Would anybody else like to speak? Councillor MURPHY. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Can I just say, Councillor Clark, you've been an absolutely outstanding mayor. You've been accredited to the borough, and the residents have been honoured by the way you've served them. So thanks for everything you've done. But I can also say I've never known such a brave mayor to tackle or to hold a six-foot stake. A snake just goes above and beyond what is expected. Thank you for all you've done for the people of this borough in St Helens. Thank you so much. Councillor BEAN. Thank you, Madam Mayor, as your board colleague and friend, I just want to echo everything, Councillor Ooden, and Councillor MURPHY just said you've been an outstanding mayor. And I'm sorry, I'll be pleased to get you back in the ward with us, but you've had an outstanding year. Dozens of really spectacular events. The question of sport, events at St Helens was unlike anything that had been held before. Raised thousands of pounds for a really fantastic local charity. You've done an outstanding job, and I know you continue to serve the borough with dedication. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor BEAN. Councillor MESSEL. Thank you, Madam Mayor. On behalf of Councillor CASSIDY and myself, we'd like to thank you for your auspices as mayor. You came to rain for a few times, and you always handled yourself with grace and poise. And it was lovely to see you, especially when it rained at steps together. And your heels were sinking through the mud, but it was great. Thank you very much for your work. Thank you so much. Councillor BERNs, yes? Thank you, Madam Mayor. Yeah, I just sit to echo the comments that have been made. It's been tremendous to be on this journey with you this last 12 months. I think you've done the role real honour, you know, you really have. You've made the role your own. You've been so busy in everything that you've done raising money for the worthwhile charity. I'm raising important awareness for it as well, which I think has been great. I don't think there's been a day when you've not done anything. You've exhausted yourself, and so we really do enjoy this rest. But you've certainly left your mark on the borough, and within this council, as our mayor, and you've been absolutely tremendous. So, seriously, on behalf of me and our entire group, well done, well done. Thank you so much. Councillor Charlton. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I want to thank you on behalf of the children and young people of the borough for all the events you've attended. The fireworks display at the Saints, where young people were coming up to you. They wanted the picture taken with you, and the foster carers were so pleased to meet you. And you made the effort to go around the room and speak to them. There were numerous events that you've attended with our children and young people, and I'm really grateful for that. I think for me, my abiding memory wasn't the large snake when we went to the Deafness Resource Centre. It was Boris the Parrot that was on your shoulder, which caused you a little bit of alarm when he started eating your hair. But I do want to thank you for everything you've done on behalf of children and young people in the borough. Thank you so much, Councillor Charlton. Councillor Maguire. Councillor Maguire. Thank you, Madam Mayor. On behalf of Karl, I am Councillor Collier and myself. I would like to thank you out going there for her gracious and caring manner throughout the past year. A particular thank you from me when you came to visit children and volunteers at the business fields for my games. It is always a thrill for children and volunteers to meet the mayor. And we thank you for meeting and talking with many of them. We'd also like to wish Councillor Jeanette Banks an enjoyable role as mayor of the borough this year. Thank you, Councillor Maguire. Councillor Bell. Thank you, and thank you for all of your service to the borough this year. It's been phenomenal to see the amount of work that you've done. Just pictures popping up all the time on social media of where you've been and who you've met. I think it's often misunderstood the importance of the role of a mayor in the borough and the history that's associated with it. It's a privilege today to be able to bring my husband into the town hall. And before we came up here I took him downstairs to have a little look down the corridor to look at all of the portraits of the MERS that we've had since the 1800s. And it's amazing, kind of you go along that line. And it's only when you get to a certain point in the 1940s that you see the first woman Mayor appear. And then you go around and you start to see a little few more coming through. And so it's so important that we have women like yourself in politics in these positions. Being a role model for young girls and for women who are coming through and hopefully we'll sit in this chamber and to be able to look at St. Helen's women leading the way and in such a prestigious role as the MERS. So thank you for the work that you've done and thank you for the inspiration that you will have given all of the women and girls. In St. Helen's, it's been amazing. Thank you so much. Thank you, that's lovely. Councillor Bowe would you like us to speak? I've moved, mother and mother. I'm sorry, I can't look it over there because you're normally sitting there. Sorry, I'll be back. Thank you, mother and mother. I just wanted to add my own words of congratulations and appreciation to your work over the last 12 months. I had the pleasure of being with you at an event at the Death Resource Centre the other week. It was quite clear the close relationship you have with them and they have with you and how much your support for them has meant in terms of not just in terms of highlighting what they do and the fundraising that you chose and charity, but promoting the work that they do and the importance of the deaf community within the borough. So that was a real pleasure to be with you that day and it has again, once again I believe highlighted the importance of the civic role within the borough and what a mayor can do and can bring and whilst we always have very challenging debates and discussions here and all the parts of our work as a council, it's an important reminder and today's an important reminder of the civic role of the mayor and the civic function of this council sits. Thank you, mother and mother. Thank you so much. Councillor Gomes, Aspen. Thanks, Madam Mayor. I think everybody remembers when they meet a mayor and I always say they say the same thing, so cringe like you do when I say the other things that the repeated jokes are due, but I always remember Keith Deakin coming to Wildgrave Primary School when he was the mayor to open the extension that we had built and that was back in the days when they had a Rolls-Royce that broke down on the drive on the way out and because we were year six we were the biggest ones to push it to get it going again and make it leave. So, people remember when they meet the mayor, there's a special civic role and it's a role that is elected ultimately from amongst the residents of the borough, so if you're a council leader on the borough usually and you can be anyone can be the mayor is the point of it. But certain people do it well and I think you've done it really well this year and the part that I was going to make is we've been on various things together this year. I think we both now know how not to be duped by online bank fraud after a dinner, we immediately will go to a club which came after a bench on vacation, so it was a very morning to say the least. But the bit that I don't think anyone's mentioned in which is why I wanted to speak was you as a person and then you as a mayor have been dedicated to supporting and assisting the armed forces, branches and veterans and cadets and uniformed organizations in the borough. One, since you've been on council and two, whilst you were mayor, we've got two mayors cadets in the chamber tonight for the first time because today, even though you should be meeting the quarter past six. Because you've created that role and I think it's a role that will go on and last because it's the right thing to support those. I was kind of kids, but it's because I'm knocking on kids and young people who are going through the cadet services and they support us back and so it's really important. I just wanted to thank you for that on behalf of people who are involving those organizations and the veterans community in the borough. You've done a fantastic job, get your feet up for a bit, but I know you won't and you'll be back involved in the next couple of months anyway, but thank you very much for your time. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Councillor Gomez. Councillor Spence wants to speak. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Just to ask all the comments that's been made and the congratulations and for the dedication you've had. I've often draw along past your stairs instead of going in and out. But it is a hard role and one you have to commit to. It's not something to do, take on lightly and it does take over your life. So just on our behalf, thank you very much for all the hard work you've done. Councillor Darrick Longer. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'm struck by the number of comments and the warmth of the comments that are being made here today. And I think it's a real testimony to the way that you've conducted yourself. So I just wanted to add a few words in support of that. I'm a bit confused because we seem to be talking about snakes and pirates. And I may have wondered off a little bit part way through the things, whether this was the borough's David Attenborough role or something like that. But you've managed to balance the gravitas of the role with the human warmth to make it an inclusive and welcoming representation of the borough. And I think that's a real achievement. It's very difficult finding the right line between both those things. You've kept us in order and that's been an always an easy task so we shouldn't forget how well well you've done that. I remember saying to you fairly early on that this was a marathon and not a sprint. And even though it is very exhausting, you're now coming up to the finishing line and a world-deserved rest. So thank you all on behalf of all of us, I think, for what you've done for us. And we look forward to seeing you continuing your other roles in the borough. Thank you so much. Thank you very much, Councillor.

• Councillor Bonn, would you like to speak? - Thanks, Madam Mayor. Just very briefly. I like everything that's been said about the work that you've done this year. But personally, I just want to present it to your fortitude and resilience because at times getting in late and getting up the next morning and coming to do stuff when you're not feeling the best is very difficult. And you've shown the remarkable fortitude and resilience this year and all the work that you've done. And I just want to present it to you for that because I saw it at first and so well done then. Thank you so much.
• If that's the final. Councillor Tricia Longing.
• Thank you. I'd just like to add to my voice to thank you, Lynn, for an excellent year of service, bringing great dedication, dignity and warmth, as everybody said, to this important civic role. Thank you for coming as well alongside all the fantastic borough-wide work you do to our ward, to visit our amazing young people, staff and volunteers at Part Farm Community Centre. And, you know, for inviting volunteers to your mayor's parlour to recognise their long-standing service through the community centres. And all of those people have fed back to me that they will never forget meeting you and how special and valued you made them feel. And that they say they will always remember you. Thank you so much, Lynn.
• Thank you, Councillor Longing. If there's no further speakers, I think it's my turn to speak, but I'm a bit emotional so you'll have to bear with me after all those wonderful comments. Thank you so much.
• Right. Thank you so much for your kind words, Councillor Roodin. I'm just blown away by all your fabulous comments. Thank you, colleagues. Well, it's true. Time really does fly when you have been fun. It's been a year I'll never forget for all sorts of reasons. I have a few heartfelt thank you, so please bear with me as I try to acknowledge in some small way the vast amount of help and support I've received this year. Firstly to my mayor, S, my daughter, Haley, who used annual leave, swap shifts and generally juggled her life around in order to accompany me to the many events and visits. Thank you, Haley. We've laughed, we've cried, we've stressed out about what to wear, but it's been great to have been able to share this wonderful experience. Thank you to my amazing family who supported me 1,000%. I think each of them have accompanied me to one event or another and Holly certainly has. From the very beginning, I've tried to bring something original to the role of mayor. I'm so pleased that I was able to introduce the role of Mayor's cadets and who could forget the amazing children signing choir from Nottie Ash, Deaf Resource Base. A massive thank you to them. Thank you to the Officers of St Helens Council for their advice and guidance. Thank you to Susan for his support with literally everything. And thank you to Alan, my attendant for being professional, a calming influence and helping to make my year enjoyable and stress free. It's hard in the short time allowed to do justice to over 200 events that I've attended this year, but I'll try to give you a flavour of some of my highlights. I opened 14 new businesses, including cafes, restaurants, shops, hairdressers, sports facilities and hugely successful pop-up shop for the Kays. Yes, I've got them in my speech. I awarded 30 Mayor's Awards to recognise and acknowledge the brilliant contributions made by volunteers in our communities. I visited community centres, community groups, clubs, schools, churches, allotments, parks, libraries, sports facilities and family hubs, and I tried to visit every ward in the borough. I attended Easter egg hunts, summer fairs, firework displays, Christmas tree light switch-ons, drama productions, poetry readings and musical performances. I had my head pecked by a parrot. I was attacked by a robot, and I've never been so cold as I was on International Women's Day in Rainford watching girls play football. I've attended summer reading challenge events and book awards, and I've given out trophies, medals and certificates to literally hundreds of children across Alberta, recognising and celebrating their achievements. I've also answered hundreds of questions from said children, and I've thoroughly enjoyed engaging with each and every child I've met, and I'm so proud that this council makes them our priority. I've attended birthday parties and all manner celebrations, and in November I proudly sat in the St Stadium and watched my son receive a Pride of St. Helens Award, a fabulous memory from my May all year. I've had breakfast with the Saints Women's Team, lunch with Les Dennis, an afternoon tea at the Palace, and I honestly couldn't have dreamt of any of it. I was hugely honoured to present Freedom of the Baller Scrolls, attend the Confirmant of a British Empire Medal, and attend the presentation of a King's Award for Voluntary Service. I witnessed the installation of a new high sheriff of Merseyside, and at the invitation and expense of the Oberbergermeister signed the Golden Book on behalf of St Helens at the top of the TV Tower in Stuttgart. My Merseys event this year was a bit different too, the St Helens edition of a question of sport. It was a huge success and raised lots of money for my chosen charity. Massive thanks goes to the brilliant sports stars on the panels who gave up their time freely, especially the two deaf England football captains who travelled up from London for the event. And of course thanks goes to Mark Hayes, David Ball, Gareth Cross and others for coming up with great ideas for organising everything, for making me laugh and keeping me calm throughout. It could never have happened without you, and I'll always be grateful. I want to particularly thank the Merseysidets, they've joined me armed forces events, citizenship ceremonies and fundraising events, and I hope that they've enjoyed their experience too. They are a true credit to their uniform and their units, and they're very fond and proud of both of them. In fact, I'd like my final act as Merus and Helens 23-24 to be to present them with Merseys Awards for their exemplary public service and commitment to their roles as my cadets. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Thank you for your endorsements. And finally, as my year comes to a close, can I thank everyone that has donated to my Merse appeal, the individual donations, the tickets bought and the fundraising events attended. With your help, we've been able to raise a significant sum to support the fantastic work of the Deafness Resource Centre. And with two more events still to take place, the final amount raised is yet unknown, but I'm truly grateful for every single penny and for all of your support. I now pass the Merra button to Councillor Jeanette Banks, who has been my excellent deputy this year. I wish a good look and best wishes with a year ahead. Thank you everyone, it's been amazing. [Applause] Item two, election of the Mayor of the Bora. I call upon Councillor Tricia Long to propose the election of the Mayor. I move that Councillor Jeanette Banks be elected as Mayor of the Bora for 2024 to 2025. I call upon Councillor Dickinson to second the election of the Mayor. I'm delighted to second this, thank you. Councillor Long, you may wish to give a speech. Thank you. Madam Mayor, I am delighted and honoured to propose Councillor Jeanette Banks to be our Bora's next Mayor. It's wonderful to be given the opportunity as a Councillor, colleague and friend to talk about Jeanette's record. Dave though, David, her husband has told me precisely which bits to leave out. The truth is that Jeanette will make a very fine there for three key reasons. The first is quite simply that serving people has been the cornerstone of Jeanette's adult life. Service in St. Helens and beyond. Service in so many different ways. Working for the NHS, teaching at St. Helens College, helping the sick as a Eucharistic Minister in her parish, working as a Bora Councillor and now as Bora Mayor. The second reason is down to her values. Jeanette is committed to improving people's lives, not just in our ward in Mossbank, but across the Bora. Working alongside Jeanette, I see that commitment to making a difference through the thoughtful, articulate and caring contributions she makes in committees and in her work for residents in our ward. We've recently started working with a group of local residents to raise funds for a friendship bench. The group was only formed a few weeks ago, yet the impression Jeanette has made was reflected in the fantastic response to the news about Jeanette becoming mayor. And on a larger scale, I know whichever charity she chooses is mayor. She will help transform lies in the Bora. The final reason is that Jeanette will be a great ambassador for our Bora. Many will remember the dignity and thoughtfulness she showed when she was consort to her husband David when he was mayor. And I will recall, as a new Councillor, how Jeanette always met me with a warm smile and a lovely chat. Combining dignity with warmth and thoughtfulness will help Jeanette draw together the organisations, the volunteers and residents that make up this great community of our Bora. I know David, their family and friends are rightly immensely proud of Jeanette becoming the Bora's first citizen. The same is true of our party colleagues in Mossbank, and so I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone in the Chamber when I wish her well. Thank you for inviting me to speak. Thank you, Councillor Long. Are there any other speakers? OK. All those in favour, please show. It's been moved, yeah. It's been moved and seconded that Councillor Jeanette Banks, for the minutes, been moved and seconded that Councillor Jeanette Banks be elected as mayor of the Bora. All those in favour. Thank you. And against any abstentions. I declare that Councillor Jeanette Banks be elected as mayor of the Bora. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Honoured guests, family, friends and colleagues, I am so proud and privileged to have been asked to become mayor of St. Telling's for the fourth coming year. I was very happy to have been mayor, my husband, Councillor David Banks was mayor, but this is the icing on the cake. We will be able to experience this office again with mayor's mayor and David as my concert. I was born eldest of three girls, myself, Carole and Sheila, and I lived in Haidock throughout my formative years. I attended St. James primary school and then moved to Newton when David and I got married, where we still live today. So living all my life in the Bora, I can think of no greater accolade than to represent it as mayor. I believe that this is the first time that both the husband and wife served as mayor in the Bora. So it's very special to me to have been given this opportunity. My dad, Jimmy, was from Haidock. My mum, Phyllis, was from Pa. David's mum, Mel, was from town centre, and his dad, Lawrence, was from the Black Book ward end of Haidock. I think I've got relatives in mostly every ward of this Bora, and I have worked here for most of my life. Firstly, in St. Telling's and Providence hospitals in the laboratory, then at the Department of Work and Pensions in Earlstown. Following that, however, a blip, when I worked in Liverpool for 12 years at the Lord's Hospital. However, as we were asked to set up this laboratory for the nuns who ran Providence Hospital, and Dr Francis Sidney Mooney, who was the pathologist in St. Telling's for many years, and all the staff came from colleagues at St. Telling's Hospital and Providence. I just regarded it as a satellite St. Telling's post. I then worked at St. Edward's Catholic High School in New England, and my last 15 years were working at St. Telling's College Computing Department as a lecturer and program leader. So it's not hard to see why this Bora is the place I will strive to represent and promote to the best of my ability. However, I gained all my higher qualifications after attending New England's grammar school, at college and LJMU in Liverpool. Therefore, I've got to say the city region of Merseyside has also given me so many opportunities in my life. Although when I was young it was all one cliché anyway. My husband of over 50 years, who I married in 1973, David, will become my consort. I do think that is the silly word, but it's the word we're given. But I could have no better person to be at my side during this coming year. David has always been there to help and encourage me in whatever I have done or achieved. And it's an excellent well respected counsellor for New England while I was west in his own right. And to serve as chair of license in this council for quite a few years now. I am pleased that our daughter Katie, with Marka Husband, our son Michael and our grandchildren Tilly and Oscar are here today to celebrate this occasion with us. They are a great source of pride towards, and I hope they are proud of us today. At some point in your life, we need the support of other family members. And again, I'm glad that family who are always there when we need them are present today. My sister Carol, her husband Barry, and sister-in-law Anne. Sadly, David's brother Peter is no longer with us, but I know we'll be with us in spirit. We were so happy also to have our friend Bernie here from Canada. So that is a really nice thing for us to have. Our family also has a strong friendship with a little village in Germany called Coughton. And over the past 49 years, our friends there, past and present, have been a great influence on our lives. My gratitude goes to my fellow Councillors in the Moss Bank Ward, Councillor Tracy Dickinson and Councillor Tricia Long, who have given me their help and support this past two years especially. Thank you for that. My thanks also go to all colleagues and officers who have supported me during the time I've been a Councillor in various roles. I am a Eucharistic Minister at St Patrick's Church, and I would like to thank my friends there for their support over the years. I have had previous governorships at various schools in the borough. And at the moment, I'm a board council member for St Mary's Catholic Infant and Junior Academy, and an ally governor for Lyme Community School. I've always taken a active part in the community, and I feel that I gain so much by doing so. The charity I have chosen this year is St Helen's Young Carers, and I will speak more about them in the Assembly Hall later. Last but not least, I would like to thank Councillor Lin Clark and her mayor for all the work this year in successfully representing St Helen's. There has been a credit to St Helen's, and has worked tirelessly this year in the Office of Mayor, and I only hope that we can achieve as much as they have this. So thank you, Lin, and Helen. Thank you. We now come to item three on the agenda, which is the appointment of Deputy Mayor. Councillor Ladd. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I move that Councillor Jeannie Bell will be appointed Deputy Mayor for the 2024-25 Municipal Year. Is that seconded? I second that, Madam Mayor. All rules in favour show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare that Councillor Jeannie Bell be appointed Deputy Mayor. Madam Mayor, I will now proceed to the declaration of acceptance of office. I, Jeannie Bell, I, Jeannie Bell, have been elected to the Office of Deputy Mayor, having been elected to the Office of Deputy Mayor. St Helen's Borough Council. St Helen's Borough Council. Declare that I take that office upon myself. Declare that I take that office upon myself. And will duly and faithfully. And will duly and faithfully. For full of the duties of it. For full the duties of it. According to the best of my judgment and ability. According to the best of my judgment and ability. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Item 4. Apologies for absence. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors Collier, Hatter's Leave, Hawley, Maken, Olsen Deco, McQuaid and Richards. Item 5. The Constitution requires that I should invite any declarations of interest from members in relation to items on the Council's summons. Does any member wish to declare an interest? Thank you, Madam Mayor. I'd like to declare pecuniary interest in item 12. Thank you. Item 6. The minutes of the Council meeting held on the 6th of March 2024 are before you. Is it agreed that I sign them? Item 7. A report on the Cabinet Leader is before you. Councillor GOM is asked from. I move that recommendation and the report be approved. Councillor BOND. Any questions or comments? All those in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare the motion carried. Item 8. Thank you very much, Madam Mayor. May I start, first of all, by congratulating you and your appointment to Murr of St. Helensborough for 24/25. It's a great privilege to be elected as the first citizen of this great place, and I'm sure you'll do the borough proud. I look forward to supporting you through the year in your role as Civic Lead and through your valuable work for your charity that we'll talk about later on today. It's a great honour to be elected as leader of the Council where you live and have grown up, and a great privilege to be part of this special day, an important day in the history of St. Helens, a tradition of democratic decision and accountability, of electing leaders and Murrs that goes back to 1868 when our forebour is elected Lieutenant Colonel David Gamble as our first Murr. Something we have done ever since. A day where we process through the important civic rituals that represent our democratic freedom and linked us with towns, boroughs and cities across the country as we elect our Murr. Our link to the history and culture of our country. It connects the present day with our local history and acts as a symbol of continuity. Whilst it's also an honour, Madam Mayor, for us all to be elected here to serve the residents of our borough, today is also a reminder of the history of the people that have gone before us who seek to be now hold. A reminder of the burden of responsibility, the importance of doing the very best we can, and a reminder of continuity for the future generations to take up the mantle too. That is why annual council is the most important meeting of the council calendar. That's why Murr making is an important part of the civic calendar. There's something about council meetings, it isn't a request to attend, it's a summons to attend. It's our responsibility to do our duty and play our part in history. So I'm very grateful and humble to be in this room today with all of you as we mark another important milestone in the history of our borough. I would like to thank all of those who have been in touch with kind messages of support. It really does mean a lot to myself. There is a tough job to do and a tough act to follow. And with that, I would like to place on record mine and my groups, sincere thanks and appreciation to my predecessor and my great friend, Councillor David Baines, who's done a tremendous job in the hardest of circumstances. With a record of delivery, growth and investment, whilst ensuring our vulnerable residents and young people are at the very top of our agenda. All this madam mayor in the midst of a pandemic and a cost of living crisis, not to mention at the tail end of 14 years of the most brutal Tory government the country has ever known. On behalf of the Labor Group, David, thank you. So there has been lots done and lots more to do. I'm pleased to announce my new cabinet for 24/25. I would like to congratulate Councillors Lird, Longer Murphy in their new appointments. I would also like to place on record our sincere thanks firstly to Councillor Quinn, who has been a tremendous advocate for adults and social care. In her time on cabinet, there have been many changes, including the creation of the much heralded centalance curves, a fine example of partnership working at its best. And she is the most passionate person I've ever known for her area of responsibility. So on behalf of our group, Marley, thank you very much for your service. I would also like to thank Councillor Uden, who's part of Cabinet last year too, and led on community safety. And I would like to wish her well in a new important role chair in the overview and scrutiny commission. So the leader has changed madam mayor, but the work continues. And on behalf of the Labor Group, we will continue to work towards delivering our priorities, starting with our children and young people, protecting the most vulnerable in the borough, supporting the growth agenda, celebrating our culture and heritage, whilst building for the future, ensuring there are opportunities for all and working hard to deliver much needed modernisation and chains of our town centres. The work continues and we look forward to getting on with the job. Thank you madam Mayor. Item 9, the dates and times of the meetings of the Council are before you. I move to note the dates and times of the meetings of the Council as detailed in the report. Is that seconded? I second that madam Mayor. Any questions or comments? All those in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare the motion carried. Item 10, constitutional issues. A report on the constitutional issues is before you. Councillor Bond? Thank you Madam Mayor, I need a recommendation to report. Is that seconded? I seconded madam Mayor. Are there any questions or comments? All those in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare the motion carried. Item 11, a report on the allocation of seats on committee. 2024, 2025 is before you. Councillor Bond? Thank you Madam Mayor, I move the recommendations and the reports. Is that seconded? I seconded madam Mayor. Any questions or comments? All those in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare the motion carried. Item 12, the report on appointments to the City Region joint authorities. 2024 to 2025 is before you. Councillor Bond? Thank you Madam Mayor. I move the recommendations and the reports. Is that seconded? I seconded Madam Mayor. Are there any questions or comments? All those in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare the motion carried. Item 13, a report on appointments to the outside and other bodies 2024 to 2025 is before you. Councillor Bond? Thank you Madam Mayor. Finally, I move the recommendations and the reports. Is that seconded? I seconded Madam Mayor. Any questions or comments? All those in favour, please show. Any against? Any abstentions? I declare the motion carried. That concludes the business for annual council. Thank you for your attendance and please make your way down to the assembly hall.

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