Transcript
for live and subsequent broadcast by way of the Council's internet site. The images and
sound recording may also be used for training purposes within the Council. As you will see
from the agenda papers, generally the public seating areas are not filmed. However, by
entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to be filmed
and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or for
training purposes. As well as being broadcast live, a recording
version will be available on the Council's website about 24 hours after the meeting.
Would members please use their microphones to contribute to the meeting and please remember
not to get too close to the microphone and also to switch off their microphone when you
were finished. I move now to item 1. I receive apologies from the following Councillors.
Councillor Baker, Westhead, Councillor Evans, Councillor Cleverley and Councillor Perkins.
Any other apologies? No, we move on to declarations of interest.
I will need to declare an interest on item 3 as there are any other declarations of interest.
No, I move on. I haven't any announcements to make. So I move straight on to item 2 and
that is the appointment of the strategic director of social services leader to move the recommendation
of the appointments of committee. Thank you, Poseidon, Member. I would like to
give my thanks to all of those elected members that participated in this recruitment process.
Thank you very much everyone for giving your time to this really important process. I'm
pleased to recommend to you colleagues the appointment of Tanya Evans to the strategic
director of social services here in Newport. Tanya is an incredibly experienced practitioner.
He leads a cross grant on a number of issues and it's a real privilege to be able to present
this to you all today. So thank you, Poseidon, Member.
Thank you, Leader. Is the proposed appointment seconded?
I would like to remember I second the nomination. Thank you, Councillor. Appointment, sorry.
Are there any comments? Any other comments? We will now proceed to vote. Would all Councillors
please cast their vote now, start with all those in favour?
Yeah, I can't see any against and no abstentions. That's unanimous. I move on now to comments
from the Leader. Before we pursue the rest of the agenda for this meeting, I would like
to invite the Leader to say a few words. Thank you, Poseidon, Member. Thank you for inviting
me to speak. In 2019, when I had the honour and privilege
to be elected to this role, in my first address to the Council as Leader, I promised that I
would lead with passion, integrity and kindness. I also pay tribute to some key people who've
been part of my personal, professional and political life and whose support and wise
Council has shaped the Leader that I am today. It seems only right, Poseidon, Member, that
I acknowledge them once again as I stand down from this important and influential role.
The late Councillor Ron Jones, a dear friend and mentor, we shared a passion for all things
Newport, including the county, a fire in our bellies and a desire to do the best for our
communities. The late David Taylor, the late former Chief
Executive Wales and West Housing Association and Newport City Homes Board Member. His sharp
intellect and attention to detail taught me a lot, but what stood out was his integrity.
And Poseidon, Member, my own dear father, a kind and gentle, good human man who taught
me the value of kindness and the importance of not just what you do, but how you do it
as well. Their support, encouragement and wisdom have carried me through some difficult
and challenging times. In 2019, none of us could have known what lay ahead. When challenged
in the extreme, we pulled together at a time of great uncertainty and instability. We kept
people safe. And we ensured that the most essential services continued to function.
We did this and we did it together. Officers, members, volunteers, communities, together
we were strong. My thanks, Poseidon, Member, to everyone who
played a part in keeping Newport safe. Now, what makes a place, what gives a place,
both character and strength, is its people. Here in Newport, our people are innovative,
creative and resourceful. Our independent businesses, our cultural community, our community
groups, our diversity and our resourcefulness is a real strength. Only recently, Poseidon
Member, I attended a participatory budgeting event where groups came together to bid for
project funding to support initiatives designed to support people with dementia and help us
to fulfill our commitment to becoming a dementia friendly city. It was inspirational.
And during my time as leader, Poseidon Member, partnership working has underpinned so many
of our achievements. The marmot principles that we adopted across the public sector will
deliver better outcomes and a better quality of life across the Gwent region. Working
with Newport now, business in the community, Cardiff Capital Region and the West and Gateway
has consolidated Newport's position. And I have relished representing the authority
working together with our partners across the region, across Wales and the wider UK.
We've made our mark in advanced manufacturing in the technologies of tomorrow and this has
been recently recognized by government with the award of an investment zone status.
Now Poseidon Member, the wider local government family has played a role in this too. As Deputy
Presiding Officer and WLGA spokesperson for Social Justice, I've championed equality and
diversity in public life. This has given me an opportunity to lead on the diversity and
democracy and stability in public life campaigns. It has been a privilege to champion diversity
and an honour to become the first ever female police and crime commissioner in Wales. Leading
on the stability in public life campaign has been important to me both personally and politically.
In recent years, Poseidon Member, our citizens have been let down. The standards that they
expect of public servants haven't always been maintained. We've seen this in our blue light
services and there are too many examples of this at all levels of governance politically.
And whilst the significant majority of public servants are diligent and committed, the actions
of a small number of people really do impact upon how the public view us. What have I learned
from this Poseidon Member? I've learnt that misogyny, bullying and racism sadly still
do exist. It's incumbent on us all to drive this out. If you see this, if you observe this
and you do not call it out, then you are complicit with it. You are as much to blame
as the perpetrator. A lesson to all of us in public life.
So Poseidon Member, as I draw to a close, I'd like to give my most heartfelt thanks
to all of our officers across the city council for really helping us to take forward and
deliver against our corporate plan, for going over and above what is required of them on
a daily basis. I'd like to thank all our elected members for the work that they do in their
awards, and particularly like to thank both my first cabinet and my second cabinet for
the support that they've given me during my time as leader.
So here in Newport, with pioneers, we are leading the way. People may not realise this
at this time, but history will certainly reveal this.
So from the first woman ever to become the Police and Crime Commissioner in GWENT, I'd
like to give my congratulations to the first leader of Newport to come from Black Minority
Ethnic Origin. Finally, Poseidon Member, I'd like to put on record my thanks to my family
without whom I would not be here. Thank you all.
Thank you, Leader. Can I thank you on behalf of the council for the work that you've done
as leader of this council as well? Thank you very much indeed.
I move on now to item three. As I have already declared at the start of the meeting, I have
an interest in this item as the current presiding member. Therefore, in accordance with the
constitution, I will leave the meeting for this item and will not take part in any discussion
or decision on it. The monitoring officer will lead the proceedings for this agenda item.
Can I therefore invite a nomination for the appointment of the presiding member, please?
Yes, may I nominate a Councillor Paul Cochran, please.
Is there a seconder for that, please? The council drew it. Are there any further nominations?
No. Are there any declarations of interest? No. We'll proceed with the vote then. Would
all Councillors please cast their vote now, starting with those in favour?
Those against, please.
Any abstentions? That's 31 in favour, 8 against and 2 abstentions.
I can therefore confirm that Councillor Cochran was appointed as the presiding member.
I would like to congratulate Councillor Cochran and invite him to take over the Chair for
the remainder of the meeting.
Item 4 is the appointment of a deputy presiding member. I would like to nominate Councillor
Screen as the deputy presiding member. Is there a seconder? Councillor Patt through it.
Are there any further nominations? No. Right. There are no further nominations in the interest
that there should not be a participation to the vote. We'll now proceed to the vote with
all Councillors, please cast their vote now, starting with those in favour?
Those against? Abstentions? 35, 4, 1 against and 7 abstentions, so duly elected. Councillor
Screen as the deputy presiding member. We move on to item 5 now, the appointment of
the leader, will someone move the appointment of the leader of the Council? Councillor
Jane Mudd. Thank you, presiding member. I'd like to
move Councillor Petruni as leader of the Council. Thank you. Is there a seconder? Happy to
second that. Thank you very much. Are there any further nominations? Are there any declarations
of interest before we vote? We will now proceed to the vote. Would all Councillors, please
cast their votes now, starting with all those in favour? Yes. Just one abstention on the
screen. There are two abstentions. There are no abstentions in here, I can't see. I think
it's been carried, but there is two abstentions. I move the vote as carried. I'd like to
move now, then, when the leader comes to Petruni, who has made his speech, I invite contribution
from members to speak on this as well, who comes to Petruni. Can I congratulate you on
your appointment? Thank you, presiding member. I'd like to thank the Council for their support
in this for my leadership. I want to start my speech with a thank you to Jane. I think
underplayed her years of leadership, she saw some tough times for this city. People forget
too often now, at the start of the pandemic, people would fear for what they would do to
our society. People would fear for what was going to happen to mortuaries and what was
going to happen to hospitals and leaders across Wales, including Councillor Murdle, who were
at the fore of that, along with the previous deputy leader facing that down. I feel it's
too often dismissed and she doesn't get the credit she deserves for facing that. That
is never an easy task and I'd like to thank her for that leadership of having steadfast
in that crisis. I've been elected, I believe, to the best job in Wales. The people of Newport
as Councillor Murdle outlined are an incredible people. Fore fright, no nonsense, tell you
how it is. I can't think of any better job to represent such people. The potential of
the city is enormous as Councillor Murdle outlined and I hope to build upon the incredible
work she has done over these years to build an incredible city where everyone can live,
work and play. But the people have high expectations and rightly so. Any administration, any leader
has to strive to try and meet them and I strive to do my best for the people of Newport.
And in that regard, I welcome strong opposition. I've been an opposition leader for nine years.
I know it's not an easy job and I welcome the debates we're going to have in the coming
years and your experience in wisdom that I do not have and your contributions and thank
you for your service to Newport as well. To Labour Group, incredible talented bunch of
people, thank you ever so much for your support. I couldn't do it without you and I won't be
doing it without you and all your words of wisdom over the coming years and months.
The population in Newport is the fastest growing in Wales according to our last census, 9.5%.
Underage children under age of 15, Wales as a whole saw 1.5% decrease. Newport saw an
increase of 10.2%. We have the next generation of Wales growing in Newport and they face a
really uncertain future, AI, the economic crisis, the climate crisis and we're going
to have to face that all together. There will be tough decisions that people will disagree
with but on the big major topics I hope we can come to a consensus because it will need
a strong united voice to deliver for the city. Not an individual, not just me, not just one
group, all of us, us as elected councillors and the citizens that live in this wonderful
city. I want to face a special note to our voluntary sector and our businesses that do
an incredible job, who are the social fabric of this city. Only together will we achieve
anything in this city. I'm not foolish enough to believe it's all about me, it's all about
us. Thank you, Leader. Are there any comments from any member here? Councillor Chris Reeks.
Thank you for joining me. I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the
group to wish Councillor Petruni good luck in his role as the Leader of the Council. Councillor
Petruni and myself came into this council at the same time in 2022, has been good to
see his enthusiasm and passion as a councillor, sharing some of the values and beliefs as myself
as much as we both want the best for the residents of Newport. From other values and beliefs,
I'm sure we may differ, but I've enjoyed our exchanges across the floor and in committees
to date and look forward to many more as he settles into his new role. Can I also take
this opportunity to wish Councillor Murd the outgoing Leader all the very best in her new
role and her continued work as a councillor. Her dedication to Newport City Council has
been unwavering and she's always strived to achieve what she thought was best for the
people of Newport. As the Leader, she's worked hard to promote the city of Newport, wherever
she could, helping to carry the name far and wide for the betterment of us all. And for
this, we see thank you. Thank you, Councillor Ricks. Any other comments?
Oh, right. I thought it was you, what does speak up? Councillor Whitehead. Thank you
for saying, remember, obviously, firstly, go to that saying wish Councillor Murd all
the best in her new and I would imagine a very challenging role. And also, Councillor
Petrucci, I have to say it, I'm always an honest person for my sins. If you read social
media and, like particularly today, you have been somewhat handled, a poison chalice won't
speak. It isn't going to be an easy ride. People are always the biggest judges and it
would be quite savage, so I suggest, from your start, I would not be reading social media
because it does, it's not real life. But you have now got a challenging role. You're
smart, you're a smart young man, and obviously, quite good, it was an archery skills. And
goes to that saying, I wish you all the best. I know this is going to be a challenge for
you. We are in massively challenging times, particularly with the city centre and, like,
put in a rocket underneath it and getting us over the doors, as I wish you all the best.
Thank you, Councillor Whitehead. Councillor HOWALS.
Thanks, Mr. President and Member. On behalf of the Lizwelli Independent Group, I'd like
to congratulate Councillor Petrucci on his appointment to Leader of the Council. We look
forward to a constructive work in relationship, as you've suggested. We really hope the communication
lines can be open to work together and listen to ideas and have constructive debate about
how we do the best for the residents in your board.
Right. Thank you. I can't see any of that. Oh, Councillor Petrucci.
For the only member, I want to thank Councillor Mudd for many years of service as Councillor
Leader and for the changes you've brought to the city and I wish her every success in
a new role. I also want to congratulate Councillor Petrucci on being elected new leader of the
Newport City Council. This achievement is a testament to Councillor Petrucci's vision
and commitment to community. And I look forward in hope to open guidance and the positive
transformation that Councillor Petrucci will bring to the city. Best wishes on this exciting
journey ahead.
Thank you, Councillor. I can't see any other hand up. So we move on. Leader, do you wish
to announce your Cabinet, please? Yes. Thank you, presiding member. The Cabinet will be
as follows. Councillor Deb Davis, Education and Early Years. Councillor Laura Lacey, Social
Services. Councillor James Clark, Regeneration and Democratic Services. Councillor Saeed
Adnan, Housing and Planning. Councillor Patrick Jewett, Communities and Anti-Poverty. Councillor
Emma Stal-Corton, Culture and Communities. Councillor Avon, Forcy, Climate Change. Councillor
Greenhouse, Assets and Infrastructure. And at this point, presiding member, I put my
thanks on the record to Councillor Jason Hughes, Councillor Stephen Marshall and Councillor
Debra Harvey for their tireless work over the last two years in their Cabinet roles.
I would like to thank them and I hope the Council will thank them for their work as
well. Thank you very much, Councillor Petrucci.
Councillor Ricks, do you wish to announce your shadow appointments as Deputy Leader of the
Opposition Group. Thank you, Executive Member. Yes.
Shadow Cabinet will be Councillor Matthew Evans for Economic Growth and Strategic Investment.
Councillor Libby, David Fauwether, Education and Early Years. Councillor Chris Reeks, Community
Wellbeing. Councillor William Routley, Strategic Planning, Regulation and Housing. Councillor
Martin Callaway, Social Services. Councillor Chris Reeks, Organizational Transformation.
Councillor John Jones, Climate Change and Viodiversity and Councillor Ray Markford, Infrastructure
and Assets. Thank you.
Councillor MOSSELL, Councillor HOWARD, sorry.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. The Leader of the Council
now, sorry, Item 6, the Leader of the Council now in the Appointments of Chairs of Committees.
So will the Leader of the Council move the Appointments of the Chairs of Planning and
License Committee first and then we will vote? Yes. Thank you, Presiding Member. Councillor
Mark Spencer to Planning. Basically, it's no change and Councillor Kate Thomas. Just
a second. Are these proposed appointments seconded? Are there any declarations of interest before
we vote? Okay. First, we will vote on the nomination
of Councillor Spencer's Planning Committee chair. Would all those Councillors please
cast their votes now starting with all those in favour? Assume unanimous. So Councillor
Spencer, we move on now to nomination now for Councillor Thomas' License Committee chair.
Would all Councillors please cast their vote now starting with all those in favour? Again,
unanimous. Yes, unanimous. Right. Well then Councillor Thomas. We now move to the Chairs
of Scrutney Committee. The Leader of the Council move the appointment to the Chair of Overview
and Scrutney Management Committee. The Leader will move the appointment.
Thank you, Presiding Member. I move, Councillor, who reign? Mr Proposer's
appointment seconded. Thank you, Leader. Are there any further nominations? Are there
any declarations of interest before we vote? Councillor, who reign? Would all Councillors
please cast their vote now starting with all those in favour? That's unanimous again.
There's no one against them. So congratulations, Councillor HURAIN on that appointment. The
Leader of the Council now to move to the appointment of Performance Scrutney Partnerships. Leader
will you move the appointment? Thank you, Presiding Member. Please to
nominate Councillor John Reynolds. Are there any other further nominations? Are there any
decorations of interest before we vote? Councillors, yes. Councillors, would all Councillors
please cast their votes now starting with all those in favour? That's unanimous again
I think. Congratulations. There's one abstention. Sorry, well, nearly there, but you're still
through the chair. The appointment is duly carried. Definitely to the opposition to move
the appointment of Chair of Performance Scrutney Committee. Thank you, Presiding Member. I
move Councillor David Fower to be the Chair of Performance Scrutney Committee for people.
Is the proposed appointment seconded? Yes. Okay. Are there any decorations of interest
before we vote? Are there any further nominations? All Councillors, please cast their votes and
no stand with all those in favour. 100% again. Are there any abstentions? No. Okay. Congratulations
from that appointment. Councillor Morris to move the appointment of the Chair of Performance
Scrutney Committee, Place and Corporate. Is there a seconder? Seconded. Right. Okay. Thank
you. Are there any further nominations? Are there any decorations of interest before we
vote? Can I raise the point of order? Yes. Can somebody clarify whether this role was
a shared role between us and the Lithuanian dependents as it has been in the past? Well,
I believe it was in the past. I don't know. That's something that you will have to discuss
with the other party, I suppose. I don't know. Yeah. We did a six-month a yearly and then
we trot all those. Can you confirm that, Alan? That still stands.
Taking aside my declaration of interest, I can help with that. If you want me to, Mr
Preson, do you remember? Yes. If it's helpful, yes. So initially, the Lithuanian dependent
group was a group of three Councillors and from last week we know a group of four Councillors,
so we no longer share that chair of the committee because we're a larger group. So therefore,
we are the second largest opposition party and in terms of the place.
So they don't want you anymore, Kevin? Like I say at the end of the day, it's just a point
of clarity. That is the case. That is the case. It's a weird life is life. Okay. Sorry,
John. All right. Thank you very much indeed. Right. The deputy leader of the opposition
moved the appointment of the chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Sorry. Sorry,
I thought we- Sorry. Sorry. Sorry, we got a vote on that. I got carried away with what
Kevin was saying. Are there any other nominations besides the Councillor HOWARD's? Sorry, we're
back on the chair of the former scrutiny committee. Yeah. I got I got wheelied with the Councillor
Whitehead raising that point of order. No other nominations. Can we move to the vote
please? All those in favour? Okay. That's carried. Councillor HOWARD's. You're appointed
again for that position. The deputy leader of the opposition moved the appointment of
the chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Thank you. As I remember, I move Councillor
Wilrothe to the chair of Democratic Services Committee. Is there a proposed appointment
seconded? Can I declare an interest provided by the member? Thank you. Yep. Is the proposal
seconded? Are there any further nominations? Any decorations of interest before we vote
obviously, you've already just said that, Councillor Rokely. Right. Would all Councillors
please cast a vote now, starting with all those in favour? That's unanimous. Congratulations
Councillor Rokely. Appointments to committees. We will give the effect to the appointment
of the political groups, the Leader of the Council. Thank you, Presiding Member. The
Leader will be passed to the proper officer and recorded in the minutes. This does not
need a vote. Deputy Leader, the opposition may wish to announce appointments for your
group. Thank you, Presiding Member. The appointment of members to the committees will be passed
to the proper officer and recorded in the minutes. Thank you. I may assume that the
leaders of the other groups will also pass the appointment of members to the committees
to the appropriate officer for the recording in the minutes. That was correct, as I remember.
Thank you. Item 8, the leaders of the various groups will pass the appointment to members
to external bodies to the appropriate officer for the recording in the minutes. So that's
up to all the different groups. The appointments now, Item 9, Councillor Rokely to announce
the new head of adult services, Mafanwe Moran.
As I remember, I wish to announce the appointment of Mafanwe Moran to this post. Thank you.
Is there a seconder? Oh, sorry, it's the announcements. I think I thought Councillor
Rakes wanted to say something about it. Councillor Rakes, do you want to say something, please?
Thank you, Presiding Member. I'd like to ask the Council for special dispensation for
approval for Councillor Matthew Evans, continued absence beyond six months due to his ill health
and extend the purposes of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972. Thank you.
Is there a seconder, Leader? I'm happy to second that, and I, on behalf of the entire
Labor Group, wish Matthew all the best in his treatment and his recovery. We're no
disrespect to you. We wish to see him back in his place as quick as possible.
I did also write to Matthew on behalf of the Council and from the Council, members and
officers of the Speaker Recovery as well. Are there any other comments on that? No? I think
it's all been said really, to be honest. We will now proceed to the vote. Would all
Councillors please cast their vote now, standing with all those in favour? That's unanimous.
Right, that's been carried. We will now take a short break whilst the Council chambers
are prepared for the inauguration of the Mayor for the year 2024-2025. Thank you very much indeed.
Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you. the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Thank you.
the Council. Good evening.
Good evening. Deputy Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Councillors and guests, welcome to
the Mayor, making the ceremony. Please be seated.
Before we start the Mayor making, can I remind everybody that today's meeting is being filmed
for broadcast by way of the Council's internet site as noted on the front of today's agenda.
I am pleased to announce the Councillor Ray Markford was formally nominated as the Mayor
of Newport from the municipal year 2024-2025 at the Council meeting on 23 January 2024.
His appointment was duly counted at that meeting and therefore there is no requirement for any
further ratification on that decision. We will now commence the Mayor making the ceremony.
Can I please ask the Mayor, Councillor Trevor Watkins and Councillor Ray Markford to come
to the front of the chair.
Please be seated.
Please be seated.
Thank you.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
the Mayor.
I now invite the Leader, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, to say a few words on the appointment
of the Mayor and to move a vote of thanks for the Retire and Mayor, Councillor Watkins.
I also invite the outgoing Leader, Jane Murde, to say a few words of thanks for the Retire
and Mayor. Thank you, Prezydin member. Mr. Mayor, Madam
Mayor, I'd like to thank you both on behalf of all colleagues here today and both myself
personally. I'd like to pay tribute to your service to the City over the past Mayoral
Year. Councillor Watkins, you've been a great friend to me since I first became a Councillor
and it's been an absolute pleasure to share these times with you. So thank you so much
for your service. It's been an absolute delight to see you represent us as our first citizen
at events such as our National Armed Forces Day, our Food Festival and your dignity and
grace and endless energy really is an example to us all. So thank you so much for your
commitment to the City of Enport. Thank you. I know invite the Leader to say a few words
on the appointment of the Mayor. Thank you, Prezydin member. Congratulations, Councillor
Watkins. Hard act to follow, Councillor Watkins did a fantastic job with Catherine over the
past year but I know you and your lovely wife will do an amazing job of the coming year.
Great charities and I'm glad to know you're another technical geek like me which was interesting
which we didn't know about each other so I look forward to discussing with you all the
technical issues around what we face going forward so I appreciate that and I know you
did a great job. Thank you Leader, Deputy Leader. Thank you, friend and colleague, Councillor
Montford. The rest of your colleagues are delighted that you have been elected as May.
I've known you for several years now and like all the colleagues around here we can
naturally say that you're a man of integrity, honesty and good character and these are
the essential ingredients that you need to carry off the Mayor's ship. We wish you all
the very best. You're just starting now on a journey, a journey of discovery that will
lead you to understand and become humble as you meet the voluntary sector who are the
very fabric of this city and hold society together. So I'd like to say on behalf of
all your colleagues here, it is a privilege to say, Councillor Montford, you will always
be known as the 300 and 92nd Mayor of the Great City of Newport. Well done, Councillor
Montford, well done. I now invite the retiring Mayor, Councillor
Watkins to speak on his Europe office. Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Hi Sheriff, Leader of
the Council, presiding member, honored guests, first of all I'd like to congratulate Councillor
Montford on being the 392nd Mayor of Newport. Fellow Councillors and obviously Councillor
Mudd, that is now left or about to leave and go on to new pastures. This year has been
a big chapter in my life and I hope I've done it proud in regards to the city.
Over 150 events plus that we've been to in this city, ranging from the ICC conference
with something like two and a half thousand people, large charities like the Lions Club
and various other small ones, but it would not be appropriate just to concentrate on
one, because at the end of the day we visited everybody that we possibly could, ranging
from the large charities right down the last event which we had was the choirs at St. Louis
the children's day at St. Louis Cathedral. The energy which I had and got over last year
was mainly from the mayoral committee charity which we worked with. They were there every
time to organise the events and proceed to raise money on behalf of my two charities.
The other people which were at the back of me were the Council officers, democratic services
member Emily Major, the three chauffeurs and Joanne Passell, the military person. She tells
you where to go, when to go, when to do it. I admire her for that you knew where you stood.
The other two people I'd like to mention are my two world councillors. They've taken up
the banner to keep me informed and I've been able to go when I can to the meetings. They've
kept the ward alive and done some sterling work. I'd like to thank Councillor Patrick for
the deputy and the raising of funds on behalf of the two charities.
The other two people are my daughter Catherine and my granddaughter Sophia. Mainly Sophia
has been a dog minder but at the end of the day we wouldn't have been able to do the events
unless she was in place. Again I'd like to thank all councillors here that supported
me and with the charities which I chose and I haven't had the final figure but it's in
excess of £16,000. As I remember thank you, it's been a brilliant
and exciting year and it's really opened my eyes to the charities and the voluntary sector
within this city and I salute them all. Thank you.
Thank you, Trevor. Will all those in favour of the vote of thanks to the outgoing mayor,
please vote now. I only do as I'm told on the vote of thanks.
I declare the motion carried. The new mayor come to the dais, please.
So the mayor will now make his declaration of acceptance of office. Please repeat after
the meeting. I, Raymond John Mogford, haven't been elected to the office of mayor for the
city of Newport, hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly
and faithfully fulfil the duties thereof according to the best of my judgement and ability.
Not yet. A bit more to go.
Okay. So the mayor will now take the oath of allegiance and then the official oath. Mr.
Mayor, if you please take the bible in your right hand and repeat after me. I, Raymond
John Mogford, swear by almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance
to his Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors according to law.
And now Mr. Mayor the official oath. I, Raymond John Mogford, swear by almighty God that I
will well and truly serve, and I will well and truly serve, his Majesty King Charles III,
in the office of mayor, in the office of mayor of the city of Newport, the city of Newport.
John, congratulations. Was it not? (Applause)
I now invite the Mayor to announce his Charities for the coming year. Thank you, Presided
Member. We did rehearse all this by the way. It's a privilege and honour to be elected
as the mayor of Newport for this coming year. In this capacity I am of course looking forward
to and geared up for a very busy year ahead. The two charities that I have chosen to support
are the Seven Area Rescue Association, more commonly known as SARA. SARA is a multidisciplinary
volunteer search and rescue organization and is a designated rescue service for an area
of over 20,000 square kilometres, covering the Seven and the surrounding area. My other
charity is Sparkle. Sparkle ensures Gwen children and young people with disabilities and/or
development difficulties, along with their families are fully supported and are able
to participate in value childhood experiences with access to the same range of opportunities,
life experiences, activities and community services as any other child and their family.
Mr Mayor, can I kickstart your challenge there? Thank you very much, Presided Member.
I now call upon the retiring Mayor S and Mayor S to come to the front of the chair.
[ Pause ]
[ Pause ]
[ Applause ]
The next item on the agenda is to appoint a Deputy Mayor. I call upon the Mayor to announce
this Deputy Mayor. Thank you Presided Member. My Deputy Mayor is
Councillor Christopher Mark Reaps. Thank you. I call upon the retiring Deputy Mayor Councillor
Puck drew it and the incoming Deputy Mayor comes to the Chris Reaks to come to the front
of the chair.
[ Pause ]
[ Pause ]
The Deputy Mayor will now make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
I, Christopher Mark Reaks, having been elected to the Office of Deputy Mayor for the City
of Newport, hereby declare that I take the said office, upon myself, and will duly and
faithfully fulfill the duties thereof according to the best of my judgement and ability.
[ Pause ]
[ Applause ]
I now call upon the Deputy Mayor S. Mrs. Jane Reaks to come to the front of the chair.
[ Pause ]
[ Applause ]
That concludes the business for today's AGM and the mayoral summary.
I declare the meeting.
