Decision

Prior to opening the meeting, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as the Leader of the Council) took the opportunity to reflect on the tragic event which had recently taken place at the Civic Centre involving the fatal stabbing of 17 year old David Wynter and to offer his condolences on behalf of the Council to David’s family and friends for their loss.

Recognising the nature of the incident and impact not only on those who had witnessed it but also supported the response as well as on the wider community, Councillor Butt expressed his thanks to all staff partners, including the emergency services, for both their immediate and subsequent response with Councillor Dixon (as Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Public Health) also commending the wider response within the community along with the assurance and support provided.

The Leader then moved on to open the meeting with apologies for absence received from:

·            Rachel Crossley (Corporate Director Service Reform & Strategy) with Rhodri Rowland (Director Strategic Commissioning and Capacity Building) attending as her representative; and

·            Jehan Weerasinghe (Corporate Director Neighbourhoods & Regeneration) with Gerry Ansell (Director Inclusive Regeneration & Climate Action) attending as his representative.