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Extraordinary, The Council - Thursday, 21st March, 2024 5.30 pm
March 21, 2024 View on council website Watch video of meetingTranscript
Longstaff and Walker. Thank you. Councillor Cox. Thank you, Mr Mayor, Councillor Nelson also gives us apologies as well. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Cox. Thank you, Mayor. Also apologies from Councillor Gabriel Leroy and Councillor Laurie Burton. Thank you very much. I can't see anyone else, so thank you for that. Just a note on declarations of interest. All members of the Council are likely to have an interest so far as they may know or have served on the Council with the recipients for honorary ordermen. This will be noted in the—in the minutes. Do we have any other declarations apart from this? Councillor interjecting. Thank you, Mayor. Just in relation to item four, freedom of the city, I'm the co-founder of fans supporting South End Food Banks, so we do a lot of work with South End United FC. Thank you. Thank you very much for that. Councillor Tary. Well, thank you, Mayor. To do, I'm just taking this read that the season ticket holders do not need to declare any special interest. That's correct. Thank you. Well, welcome, everyone, to this extraordinary Council meeting for the honorary ordermen and freemen of the city awards. At the meeting of the Council on the 10th of December 2015, we agreed to process—a process for conferring the title of honorary ordermen and orderwoman on past Councillors who have rendered eminent services to the Council. I'm delighted to say that two past Councillors have been nominated this year. The nominations were considered at the meeting of general purposes committee held on the 27th of November, 2023, and unanimously supported by the Council at its meeting on the 14th of December 2023. It is with great pleasure that I welcome to this extraordinary meeting Mr Roger Weaver and Mr Mike Reisten, the nominees of the award. I will now ask Councillor Cox to propose the motion that the title of honorary ordermen be conferred on Mr Roger Weaver and to say a few words. Councillor Cox. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'm delighted to be able to propose Roger for this award. I'm sure Roger won't mind me saying he's very much the horse dove before the main event of this evening, but nonetheless, a very prestigious award no doubt. For those who don't know, Roger actually served 19 years on South End Fort was then Borough Council, now City Council, and was elected in 1987 with a one-year gap until we served in 2007. Roger was instrumental in a number of things across the Council, even including gaining the original funding for what is Kuku Corner, looking at Jubilee Beach with a recharge from Frederick around the coast from our improvements to flood defences, along with helping with a number of things regarding visitor numbers and the economy. Roger was also instrumental in delivering a number of key projects, including the installation of new parking signs around the city and the seafront, new buster, gateway at Hamlet Court Road, and along with Councillor Garson raised the peer bridge allowing for regeneration for Royal Terrace delts that peer, including new lifts. Roger became deputy leader to Charles Latham, the then leader of the Council, and became mayor in 2004 to 2005. During his term of officers, Mayor, he raised £85,000 for two charities, a peaceful place and growing together, which is now part of Trust Links. These are two mental health charities within the city. Roger represented the Eastwood Ward for 16 years. Roger with his wife, Irina, formed a branch of the Royal Society of St. George in South End and began the annual St. George's Day Parade, which is in its 19th year and still going strong, with its annual service at St John's Church held in April each year. Both Roger and Irina have been ardent active supporters of South End over the years and continue to help the community with their involvement with the Eastwood Community Centre. Roger still continues his strong charitable ethic to this day by volunteering as a driver for age concern to assist those who cannot drive and need assistance. He is also chairman of the Trust Eastwood Community Centre and is personally involved with Essex Therapy Dogs. I think it should also be aware that Roger is a strong supporter of South End, although he does have a bit of a weakness with being an ardent Chelsea supporter as well. Mr Mayor, it is my pleasure to propose Roger Weaver for the Award of Honorary Orderment. Thank you. Thank you very much, Councillor Cox. Councillor COUNT, please second. Would you like to say a few words? Thank you. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I have been to second the nomination of Roger Weaver for the honorary title of Honorary Alderman. I have never had the honour or distinction of serving with Roger on the Council. I have enjoyed myself in 2019, many years after he had first retired, but I have known him for a number of years in his role as the Chair of Trustees at Eastwood Community Centre where I am also a trustee. It is around that work that I think also bears worth mentioning in this nomination, because Eastwood Community Centre, which is a much loved and much used community centre, had probably, to say it had fallen on hard times, might be a little bit of an understatement. There was a lot of work that needed doing, obviously, rebuilding it patch by patch, and Roger was really instrumental in helping turn that around. At one point, there was a lot of concern in the local community that we could lose this much loved institution, and through Roger's leadership and stewardship of the Board of Trustees, we have turned it around. It is in a very rude financial health, goes from strength to strength, is ably managed day to day by his wife, Irina, who also does a good job. The Weavers really are a local Eastwood power couple, and we benefit from their combined ethic and wisdom. For the sake of Eastwood Community and Eastwood Community Centre, that alone, I think, is worthy of the title of honoree Alderman of the City of South End, and I would second everything that Councillor Cox has said. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor COWEN. I now invite the other group leaders present to say a few words, followed by Councillors Alen and Murphy. We start with Councillor Terry, did you wish to say a few words? Yes, thank you, Mayor. A lot of words have been said, so I shan't repeat them all, that this award is about your contribution to our city and what you've done. One of the key things I remember working with Roger on was the growing together project, which is about people with various disabilities, and it was important because that was set in a milestone. It was the founding project of that organisation, and therefore that is a real legacy to you. It's a lasting legacy that will be there, and it's working for many people who need the support of that place. The other thing I didn't know, but I just found out is that Roger was key behind the cycle lane in South End, and of course I'm a keen cyclist, and so I thank you personally for that, because it's great for everyone. I wish more, you know, everyone should get into cycling. It's so good for your mental health and physical health. Roger, though, on a lighter side, Roger was a colourful character in the Council, I would say, very colourful. Certainly, I think he was the last man that threw somebody out of the chamber, which I thought was great, actually, but then there was the rumours about attacking someone with an election board and all that stuff. So your name will be remembered for a long time, and you really do thoroughly deserve this award, so thank you. Thank you, Councillor Woodley. Thank you, Mayor. I first met Roger and Furena when they come round my house to a registered association committee meeting and convinced the committee that I should stand for Council, but under the banner as an independent and reliant South End. So I would like to say to this chamber, you've got Roger to thank for me being here, and for the last 17 years, and so Roger, thank you very much for bringing me here, but my wife is not too happy that I'm still here. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Collins. Thank you, Mr Mayor. Roger. I'm very proud to be part of this body to bestow this on on to you. There's been a number of comments which I won't repeat, but we do share one thing. We are both ex, in your case, ex, by case, current Eastwood Councillors. Eastwood is a village that is very close to our hearts. I know that, and your work in the past is not forgotten by many people, and I'm very honoured to be there, Councillor, now, and hopefully to try and carry on in that vein. Politically, we are very different, but we do share a lot of common aims. South of the United has been mentioned. The Community Centre shows what dedication you have for the community and what you will put in to make things work. You've led us over the last two years, and again, Mr Mayor, that's a conflict clearly, but we've declared that before, and the fact that you want to use local firms for the Community Centre, I was talking to one today, and it's not forgotten. So, your dedication to Eastwood is not forgotten, and whilst you've done great works for the city, locally, thank you very much indeed. Thank you, Councillor Aydland. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I didn't expect to speak, but repeat everything's basically been said. However, I think it ought to be said, this is why Councillor Weaver threw someone out as Mayor at the Chamber, because they took their jacket off before giving permission. Another thing that's not known about Roger is he looking amazed there, giving you an idea, hasn't it, Mr Mayor? Another thing about Roger, he used a very ingenious way to get our funding initially for Progress Road, and our thanking for that, and good luck. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Aydland. Councillor MURPHY, would you like to say a few words? I'm grateful. I wasn't actually expecting to speak. I've just been listening to all of the work that you've done, and just wonder where you get the time. So, some time management tips would be most, most welcome. Thank you. Thank you very much. I would now ask Councillor COWEN to propose the motion that the title of honoree alderman be conferred on Mr Mike Royston, and to say a few words. Thank you, Mr Mayor. It's my great honour to propose formula, Councillor Mike Royston, the title of honoree alderman of the city of South End on C. When I was asked as lead of the Labor Group, if there was any nomination, my group would like to make this year for alderman, I knew immediately that Mike would be my recommendation to my group, and it was a recommendation that was unanimously and enthusiastically agreed by the Labor Group. Mike joined the Labor Party in 1992, and whether as a Councillor or as a community activist, he has served the people of South End with great distinction over many years. A diligent ward Councillor for St Loops and Westbrook Awards, Mike led on many campaigns to improve active travel, leisure and fitness in South End, including new play and gym equipment for Clooney Square, swimming facilities in the city centre, and cycle parking facilities in South Church. When South End first gained unitary status, Mike served in the first cabinet as an Executive Councillor, but never lost his passion for taking up the campaign clipboard in hand to stand up for community services and the causes he believed would improve things for local people. Bus services that work for the community have been a passion area for Mike bringing forward multiple petitions to improve the bus network, including extending the hours of number 29. As well as active travel, leisure, fitness, bus services, Mike was a dedicated champion for disability rights and accessibility, standing up for the needs of mobility scooter and wheelchair users. What I would say is Mike was never afraid to be radical when pursuing his causes, often being ahead of his time, such as when he campaigned to prohibit smoking in children's play areas, something that we would accept as a social norm these days, but Mike was fighting for it at a time when it was considered so controversial it made the TV news. Outside of his work as a Councillor, Mike was a graphic designer for the civil service and an active trade unionist. Mike was born in Rotchford Hospital in 1954 and has been with his civil partner Gary for 38 years, but his longest love must surely be for South End Hospital Radio where he's volunteered as a presenter since 1979 and spent many years as a hospital ward visitor as well. Mr Mayor, 45 years of volunteering for South End Hospital, over 30 years in the Labour Party, 14 years as a Councillor for this authority. I believe I speak for us all when I say that Mike Royston has served our city with incredible distinction and eminence and that to nominate him for honoree Alderman is a well-deserved recognition of everything he has given to the place we all call home. So, Mr Mayor, I move that the title of honoree Alderman be conferred on Mr Mike Royston for he's dedicated and long-standing service to the city. Thank you Councillor Cowan. Councillor Cox, please second if you will and say a few words. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'm delighted to be able to second the nomination for Mike Royston. There's not really much I can add to what Councillor Cowan has already said, but unlike Councillor Cowan serving with Roger, I did have the privilege to actually serve with Mike as a Councillor onto occasions when Mike was in the Chamber. It was undeniable. He was very passionate and resolute for his residents all the time. His residents were his number one priority. He was always gracious, very amenable and a very well-liked and well-respected Councillor. Again, Mr Mayor, I can't think of a more deserving person for such an award. Thank you, Councillor Cox. Again, I will now invite other group leaders present to say a few words, followed by Councillors and Aileen and Murphy as they wish. So, we'll start with Councillor Terry. Thank you, Mayor. So distinguished guests, colleagues, I don't want to go for a big list of things. Clearly, Mike has done an excellent job in service to our community and to the city. Whenever I think of Mike, I think of buses. So, I was going to try and make some pun about on the buses and Blakey, but I won't. But this is very well deserved. So, and from what I've heard some stuff I didn't even know about, it's fantastic. So, this should be bestowed upon you. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Rayleigh, you were here when Councillor Royston was a Councillor, would you like to say a few words? Oh, would Mr Mayor. I've got to say this is either well organised or a real coincidence because the person that Councillor, sorry, Roger Weaver threw out when he was Mayor was Councillor Royston and here we are both here today. And I'd also like to add that Councillor Royston was extremely keen on painting walls. He had a name for it and I can't remember the name to make him look nice, murals and that. And he promoted it and promoted it. And today we have what is called the jam. But it was Councillor Royston who started this all off. And it's well deserved that he is getting his award. Thank you very much. Councillor Wexler, I see you had your hand up. Was that a point of order or? Thank you, Mr Mayor. I couldn't say anything on Roger Weaver's one because it'd be unprintable. So, I'd leave that one. But certainly with Councillor Royston, I knew him very well while he was on the Council. We used to know him because he had a good lovely old jukebox full up with the old records that I love. That was one thing we had in common. But the thing is what the town missed because of him leaving was that his progress of fighting to keep a swimming pool in the town centre. Probably on the seaway car park area. He didn't stop and he kept on and on and on. But once he left, it died a death. And the one that guarantees is a nice one but it doesn't help all the people, the local people that need it. And I'd admired him for his efforts to try and keep a swimming pool at South End when Morrie has closed. He worked very hard for that and well done like. But it's a shame we didn't get it. Thank you. Councillor MURPHY, I'm not sure you were here at the time but did you want to say a few words? I'm grateful just to say thank you and well deserved. Thank you very much for that. So, is it agreed that the title of honoree ordermen be conferred on Roger Weaver and Mike Royston? Thank you very much. I will now present the award to Roger Weaver and ask him to come forward. Thank you. [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO] Thank you. Mr Weaver, I will now invite you to say a few words in response if you wish. Thank you. First of all, Mr Mayor, can I thank you very much for presenting me with this award. But there are two very special people I would also like to thank. One is my lovely wife, who spoke to one of our MPs, a very honourable man. So you're going to guess which one it is. And I'll leave it there. No, I really appreciate the fact that the Council has recognised my efforts as a Councillor and my time within South End City serving the people of South End City. It is a great honour to be able to serve the people of South End. And I really enjoyed doing so because I believe that South End is a great place to be. And I will say to our current Councillors and to our current MPs that we must remember also the past Councillors we've had here and the past MPs who worked long and hard as you do to make this place a place to be for our residents. Also, for those who visit, a place where they can come and enjoy their spare time. South End is, I believe, and I'll say it again, now a magic city. It's got the status of city, but say it is a magic city. And it is a place which you can develop even further and make it a true tribute to the people. I appreciate every single one of you, regardless of whether, on principle, you may or may not agree with me receiving the award. But I appreciate very much that I have received this award and I will honour it in a way that it should be honoured. Thank you very much, Mr Mayor. [Applause] Yes, thank you very much, Mr Weaver, and our hearty congratulations to you. I would now present the second award to Mr Mike Royston and ask him to come forward. Thank you. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] Very well done, Mr Royston. Congratulations to you, and I'd now like to invite you to say a few words in response. Thank you, Mr Mayor for the award and thank you to those who nominated me. I am deeply honoured to receive it. Thank you. So I remember that night when I had the audacity to take my jacket off because it was so hot, but I failed to get permission from the Mayor at the time, so I didn't remember that. And he got to run out of the council chamber for that. I'd like to thank my other half for all his support to do my years on the council, all the council meetings. I had to attend during those times. And I still missed the town centre swimming pool. We still need to get one back in the town centre, so that's still something to be worked for. Thank you again for nominating me. I'm very proud to accept this award today. Thank you very much. [Applause] Well, congratulations to both of you. We now move on to the honoree Freeman of the City Award. At the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on the 27th of November 2023, it was agreed to support a proposal by Anna Firth MP, supported by group leaders to confer upon Mr Kevin Mar, the honour of the freedom of the city. The council at its meeting held on the 14th of December 2023 unanimously supported this award, and it was great pleasure that I welcome Mr Kevin Mar to this meeting. I will now ask Councillor Cox to propose the motion to confer the title of honoree Freeman of the city on Kevin Mar and to say a few words. Councillor Cox. Thank you, Mr Mayor. It gives me great pleasure to propose the nomination of Anna Firth MP of Kevin May for freedom of this great city. I do believe, Mr Mayor, this is actually the first award that we've given in its guise of either being Freeman of the power or freedom of the city to actually a sportsman or woman. In that itself, it's an unusual honour, but one that follows in a great line of Sir David Amos and Sir David Stanley of freedom of this city. I do think, Mr Mayor, it would be very short-sighted to say this is a award for just the undeniable Herculean efforts over the past couple of seasons. That would be wholly wrong. Whilst, for me, it is nothing short of a miracle that even with a ten-point deduction, Southern United are in relatively table luxury when by rights a deduction of this size would have relegated most clubs. It is again, Mr Mayor, nothing short of a miracle that some of the stunning results that have been seen this season. I will pick one out and that was the win against Chesterfield, the runaway leaders, but done with just one substitute. Some, Mr Mayor, will not be aware of just actually how much service Kevin has actually given to Southern United, not just indeed the last couple of years, but for a significant period of time. Kevin moved to Southern United on a free transfer in January 1998 from the club that I support, Tottenham Hotspur. Kevin won't know, but I was actually fortunate to see Kevin play in a spare shirt, albeit he never actually made any senior changes for the club. After spending ten years a player, he was a virtual ever-present for South End, rising to become captain. During his playing days, he made over 450 appearances for the club and captain South End to promotion twice, from lead two to the championship in successive seasons. After leaving the club in 2008, he returned to the club in 2015, assisting the under 21 and youth teams at the club, and at the end of November 2015, he was appointed under 21 manager for the club. In October 2021, Kevin returned to South End United this time as head coach. But what is also a little known thing is that Kevin did actually play international football as well, making four appearances for the Republic of Ireland under 21s, albeit being very English as well, as I'll be sure we would agree. Kevin, on behalf of the Conservative Group and the Council, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your professionalism that you have shown over the last few years in certainly some of the most difficult and trying times. Thank you for giving the fans hope on the pitch, despite not knowing if the club would survive. Thank you for being an ambassador for South End, as we all know in this chamber, the importance that this club has to this city. And also Mr Mayor, I must say thank you for making my daughter a South End United fan despite her father's best efforts. Whilst crafting this speech, I was wondering how I would actually sign off. And after reading some of the supporter comments, as this day was getting nearer, one supporter summed up Kevin in four words, which I think is the most fitting way for me to finish. They summed it up as player, captain, coach, legend. Thank you. [Applause] Fitting words, thank you very much, Councillor COX. Councillor COWEN, please second and say a few words. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I am extremely honoured to second the nomination for freedom of the city on Mr Kevin Mayor. I think that what Kevin represents and what the club represents demonstrates just the power of bringing people together. South End United wouldn't be where it is now without the incredible work of Kevin and his coaching team and obviously all of his players as well. Councillor COX said a lot of stuff that I agree with tonight, and despite being in terms of politically, diametrically opposed positions, despite the fact that we also support clubs that don't particularly like each other. So as a die-hard Arsenal fan, I won't talk about Kevin's time at Tottenham. I'll skip over that one. But I think what football shows and what Kevin has shown is the power of football people together. And I remember when we were talking about nominations for freedom of the city, one of our Councillors, Councillor Lydia Hyde said to me, I really want to nominate Kevin Mayor, how do I do it? And it just so happened that the next day Tony and I bumped into each other upstairs and started talking about it. And I said, oh, this is what Lydia wants to do. And he went, oh, Anna's already done it. So it shows to show that it doesn't matter what side of the political divide we're on, we all love and appreciate Kevin for everything that he's done for our football club. And also to show that there's, when it comes to football, bringing the city together, I was going to end my speech in a very similar way to Councillor COX, but I think we can add one more word. So it will be player, captain, coach, legend, freedom of the city. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Cowan. I now invite the group leaders to say a few words. Councillor Collins. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'm very proud to have this moment. I am a South Indian IT fan. Your parents bought my scarf for this very moment. Mr Mayor, Kevin, I think to say thank you is such a small couple of words for what you've done. Yes, 1998, I was there, I saw your first game and what you've grown into is a skillful leading professional in your sport. I'm very proud that's been with South Indian IT, my club, my family's club for generations. And what you've shown us through your dedication to your staff, your players is short of inspirational, something that we should all take lessons from. The personal sacrifices that you've undoubtedly had to do in the last 12 months has not gone unnoticed. And I think we should undoubtedly show this gratitude by rewarding you this freedom of the city. I do not believe this is a simple thing to say, but without that, I am not sure South Indian IT would exist in the form it does without you, as simple as that. 118 years old, this club, and it was on the verge of going out of professional football. That is something that I personally would have broken my heart and my children's heart. I went to my first game and was a nine-year-old by my grandfather, and I've still a supporter now. And I really think what you've done for us is remarkable. My oldest boy got his first football shirt, and the number he wanted on there, back of it, was a number eight. You'll now know what that means. We are connected to our hometown club. People that I sit with at football come from all around the county, some further, some come from across the water. And there was a time in my life when I was not part of South Indian, I was growing up elsewhere and the school elsewhere. But you don't lose your love for your football club and your then-town now city. So thank you very much for your dedication. What you've said about the players that you are looking after, that they should be proud of putting on the shirt for South Indian IT, absolutely right. You instill that professionalism in them, and I'm very grateful for it. So here's the deal, Kevin. We award you this award, which is thoroughly deserved, and you lead us to our third promotion back to the league. Thank you very much. [applause] Thank you, Councillor Cherry. Thank you, Mayor. Well, I'm going to be extremely biased, because I'd like Councillor COINS to have a season ticket for decades, and Kevin always walks up after the game and waves to the west stand where I sit and I wave back. It's all lovely. But it's about a lived experience, and what makes a man? What makes a man? I was there on the 7th of the 11th of 2006, when South Indian beat Man United. And, yeah, Freddy Eastwood stole all the headlines because he scored a magnificent goal. We were playing a team full of international players, and often those teams will bounce back, and then you've got a goal, but then suddenly they've scored five. But there was a certain person. I don't know why it is, but I remember that game so clearly, and how well you played in the midfield that night, because you stopped then coming back at us, and so South then has a 100% record against Man United. That's great. That's really good stuff. There is a tinge of importance to this, because recent legislation fought for by our parliamentarians, about around the security and support football clubs and securing them. It can't be overlooked that had Kevin, you know, the dire straits we were in, and the financial straits we were in, and indeed the risk of having had ten points deducted. We could have actually just gone pop, I think Councillor COX referred to that. You know, your job has been not only magnificent, but it's been doubly magnificent, because I do believe, in fact, that had we not performed in the way we have under your stewardship, that we may not even be here now. And I love the club. I go out with a group of guys every Friday night. We're all from different backgrounds and different politics, I hasten to add. The only one thing we've got in common is that we're all South in Caesar to get hold of us. So we always talk about you every Friday night, by the way. So this is a fantastic, it's a fantastic thing for me to support the bestowing of this upon you, because I think you've done it, you really have done a brilliant job, and it cannot be underestimated, because what the club means to people, and I share Councillor COLLING's points with people, I know at the club people have become good friends of mine, simply because they sit around my in my space in the Weststand, it means so much to the community, and that has now been reflected in government legislation, well done. You have certainly created a legacy. Thank you. [applause] Thank you, Councillor Woodley. Yes, thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Kevin. I will say I'm a Tottenham boy at heart. As we've cast the cocks, you can take the man or the boy out of Tottenham. But you can't, you can't take the football club completely out of them. One thing I will say, I used to take my wife about season tickets at Tottenham, and she would sit in the stands, reading the book. That's how much interested she was. So you would have a surprise to know that she has the season tickets for herself and myself at Southampton United. I do not have a season ticket, as Councillor COWEN keeps reminding me, my wife pays me for everything, or she pays for everything. But she's on the edge of her seat. We're in the 1906 box. That's in case you want to pop up and visit sometime, Kevin, you know, we're there. As she watches it, she gets emotional about it. And it's surprising that for an American citizen, she now loves football in the term of football away the English or the British player. So what makes it the club? Well, I think it has to be, Kevin. It has to be the players. And we mustn't forget what Tom Lawrence has done for the club over these few years as well. So congratulations, Kevin. Well done. Full of support. You're becoming the freedom of the city. And long may you stay here. And long may the club prosper under your stewardship. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you, Councillor ALLAN. Thank you, Mr Mayor. We got probably the most least interested in football, Councillor standing here. And as for teams, I have to support West Ham because my granddad set it up. And apparently my dad and uncle played for the second team reserves once or twice. But like every Councillor here, we all support South End United. And I thought, when is this gentleman getting this award? Oh, you know, it's his job. But, South End United, four or five thousand fans go to away games. They promote South End. It transcends as other Councillors said, political friendships and that. And they meet up and have the social side of it. And this wouldn't exist if it wasn't for this gentleman, as has been said tonight. So, it is extremely well deserved award. And thank you for everything you've done. [Applause] Thank you, Councillor MURPHY. I'm grateful, Kevin, in my opinion, you've been an absolute football legend in all the work that you've done. Full disclosure, though, I am a late Norient fan. But don't come for me. Don't come for me. I think we all know the struggles that late Norient have faced through the years. And at times it looked like our club was going to be no more. But that's where the magic of football fan family comes in and everybody pulls together. And you've most definitely been the glue to make that happen. So thank you and well done. [Applause] Thank you. I'd like to echo the words also that our Councillors have said. So, is it agreed that the title of Honorary Freeman of the City be awarded to Mr. Kevin Mar? Thank you. I will now present the award to Kevin Mar and I'll ask him to come forward. Thank you. [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] So, I'll now ask Kevin to say a few words in response. Thank you. First of all, thank you, Mayor and the Council, for giving me this honor. And to Anna, I know she was prominent in nominating me as well as other people. It feels a bit, because I feel like I've been the lucky one to represent the Football Club. So to hear your kind words, thank you for that. I wouldn't be able to do the job I do without the support that goes on behind me within the Football Club. So, you know, I've got a backroom staff who are absolutely incredible. I might be at the forefront of stuff, but without them, you cannot do this job. And so to them, my thanks go very grateful. The people at the Football Club who work tirelessly day in day out. My thanks to them, because I think, you know, even though we see what goes on in the Saturday at 3 o'clock, the work they do is incredible and has gone unnoticed. So, you know, without them, there is no Football Club either. And, you know, I've got to touch on, you know, Tom's been mentioned. Tom Lawrence, since he's come to the Football Club, has done an incredible job, supporting everyone and doing what he's had to do above and beyond. So, you know, to him and everyone at his department, and he was above. Thank you. We've been mentioned one or two people that have said about the players. And my thing with the players was always, can we have a group of players that represent the Football Club in the right way? You know, I'd like to think they do. You know, they've shown a waver in loyalty to the Football Club, which is very rare nowadays in football. So, you know, I feel lucky to do the job I do with them. You know, they make it easier to go in every day. So, thank you to them as well. The one thing about this Football Club that, you know, I want to hear people and I'm grateful for you to say that, you know, without me, but just without the fans, there is no Football Club. You know, as I said, I'm the lucky one to represent the Football Club. But when you see what the numbers we turn up with every week, home and away, I think they would never have let this Football Club die. And I think to them who turn up in their thousands, you know, the job we do and the job I do is for them. And what they represent for the city is incredible. And, you know, I'm forever grateful for the sport. They've given me, they've given the players and the staff. So, you know, I know there's one or two here, so thank you to them. Because without fans, there is no Football. Finally, I think most importantly to my family who are here today, my three boys, my mum. It's a difficult job being a Football Manager. Coming home at night is the best thing in the world. Because you soon have to forget about it when the boys turn up and we'll have to talk about it and put a smile on your face. So, you know, without that support, you can't do the job I do and get up in the morning. And it's only great for what they've done. Lastly, too, we have a saying at the Football Club, you know, when times were quite tough, within the change room, we used to say adversity is the foundation of success. I truly believe we've come through the adversity stage. Now we're going to look forward to the success stage with everyone's help and the city. You know, we look forward to a bright future. So, thank you to everyone. (Applause) (Applause)
Thank you, everyone. It's always a bright future. It's a beautiful year. It's a beautiful year. And I'm now going to talk to you about the success stage. I'm going to talk to you about the success stage and the success stage. And I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. And I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. You know, I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. And I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. And I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. And I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. And I'm going to talk to you about the success stage. Well, thank you, everyone. It's always a great pleasure to present these awards. And, you know, great congratulations to our new honoree Freeman and also to our new two new aldermen. Very well done to all of you. That concludes the special meeting. I hope you'll all join me for refreshments outside the council chamber. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. [BLANK_AUDIO] You
Summary
During the council meeting, honorary titles were conferred upon two individuals for their long-standing service and contributions to the community, and the Freedom of the City was awarded to a local sports figure. The meeting was characterized by unanimous support and cross-party agreement on the nominations, reflecting a strong community and council alignment on the honorees' merits.
Decision 1: Conferment of Honorary Aldermen Titles Roger Weaver and Mike Royston were awarded the title of Honorary Aldermen. Speakers highlighted their extensive service to the council and community, with Weaver noted for his charitable work and Royston for his advocacy on public services and disability rights. The decision underscores the council's recognition of dedicated public service and community engagement.
Decision 2: Award of Freedom of the City Kevin Mar, a local football coach, was awarded the Freedom of the City. The council praised his significant contributions to local sports, particularly his role in maintaining the viability of the Southend United Football Club during challenging times. This award highlights the importance of sports figures in community cohesion and local pride.
Interesting Occurrence The meeting was marked by a strong sense of camaraderie and mutual respect across different political lines, with members from various parties supporting the nominations. This unity was particularly notable given the often divisive nature of politics, showcasing a community-focused approach in local government proceedings.
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