Agenda item

The Worshipful the Mayor expressed, on behalf of Council, Council’s shock and sadness at the terror attacks on 22 May in Manchester where 22 people lost their lives many of whom were children, and the 8 innocent people killed in the London Bridge terror attack on 3 June, with many more injured in both incidents. He noted Council condemns this senseless and tragic loss of life.

In response to the attacks The Worshipful the Mayor noted he had received three letters of condolence from:

·           Jean-Jaques Guillet – Mayor of Chaville (a twin town of Barnet)

·           Israel Singer – the Mayor of Ramat-Gan

·           Angelika Schottler – the Mayor of Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schoneberg von Berlin

The Worshipful the Mayor paid tribute to the victims of the recent fire at Grenfell Tower. He noted the Council was shocked and saddened by the terrible loss of life, and that Council’s thoughts were with the survivors and the families of the victims.  It was noted that details of how the Council has provided assistance to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in response to this tragedy were detailed in the response to question number 23. in Questions to the Leader.

In other announcements The Worshipful the Mayor noted that Ronald Hobson, one of the founders of National Car Parking and former resident of Barnet, had sadly passed away.  It was noted he was a generous benefactor who supported both individuals and organisations in the borough.

The Worshipful the Mayor announced he had also been informed that former Labour councillor John Stevenson who represented the Arkley Ward had sadly passed away on 20 April 2017.

Councillor Jim Tierney spoke in tribute to former councillor John Stevenson.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted the funeral of Mr Maurice Charles Sills who died on 25 June aged 101 was held in St Paul’s Cathedral and attended by nearly 1,000 people.  The Worshipful the Mayor  noted Mr Sells was lately a resident of Whetstone, and formerly also of Torrington Park, and was a retired Headmaster who devoted the forty years of his retirement to conducting tours of St Paul’s, chiefly for schoolchildren, and was a noted volunteer. Notably his was the first funeral to be held in the Cathedral since that of someone else with local connections, Lady Thatcher LG.

A minutes silence was held in remembrance.

The Worshipful the Mayor reminded members there would be a stone setting at Bushey cemetery for the late and former Councillor Dan Hope to take place on Sunday 17th September at 4.30pm.

The Worshipful the Mayor then extended his congratulations to the three Barnet MPs on their re-election at the June General Election. 

The Worshipful the Mayor noted he was delighted to announce that the Queen’s award for voluntary service 2017 was presented by the Lord to the Jewish Volunteering Network, registered in Barnet. He noted the Deputy Lieutenant, Mr Martin Russell, had asked members to consider nominating worthy local charities for this award.

In terms of recent achievements, The Worshipful the Mayor noted an award had been given to Sister Barbara of the Anglican Benedictine Community at Edgware Abbey, who was invested with the badge of the Order of Mercy. She was recognised for her service over six decades caring for the dying, at Henry Nihill House, Edgware Abbey. 

The Worshipful the Mayor also noted the achievements of Barnet’s young people who had participated in the recent London Youth Games. It was noted the females won gold, and the boys silver, at the table tennis, and that Barnet also qualified for the finals at squash.

The Worshipful the Mayor then noted he would like to congratulate his son Stephen and his partner Lama on providing him with a new granddaughter, Catherine Jazz.

Finally,The Worshipful the Mayor extended council’s congratulations to the achievement of Sebi Mabuza a pupil at Whitefield School who was crowned Barnet’s regional champion in the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge. It was noted that Sebi was in attendance at the council meeting.

SebiMabuza then addressed the Council, to warm applause.