Agenda item

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that she has visited Ramat Gan with a delegation of four other councillors from 29^th May to 1^st June as part of our twinning programme of the city which was a very enjoyable and informative visit. She also had the opportunity to meet other delegations from Germany, Hungary and Phoenix and exchanged many useful ideas.

The Worshipful the Mayor received a letter from King Charles III and Queen Camilla thanking the Council for congratulating them on their coronation. The letter reads ‘We were deeply touched by your most kind and thoughtful message following our Coronation. We are enormously grateful to everyone who took part in the celebrations, and particularly appreciate that you so generously took the time to write to us on this very special occasion’.

On behalf of the Council, The Worshipful the Mayor sent her congratulations to Saracens who won the Premiership Rugby Final on 27^th May 2023.

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that she had written to congratulate the following on their recognition in the King’s Birthday honours:

·         Laura Marks CBE – For services to Inter-faith relations, to Holocaust education and Women’s empowerment

·         Roy Martin MBE – Chair RAF Museum - Aerospace Museum Society for services to Heritage

·         Jacques Weisser BEM For services to the Jewish Community and Holocaust Remembrance

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that on 24^th June the London Borough of Barnet held a very successful military parade at the RAF Museum to honour our Armed Forces. There were approximately 200 personnel on parade including Reservists, Veterans and cadets and approximately 150 guests and public were also present. The Armed Forces flag was raised at the event.

The Worshipful the Mayor noted that Barnet has a large Gurkha Nepalese community in the borough with many Gurkha veterans. The Gurkha Brigade Association were presented with their new Banner by the Representative Deputy Lieutenant Martin Russell with other awards presented for notable achievements to cadets. The Worshipful the Mayor expressed her public thanks to the RAF Museum for providing their facilities to enable the parade to take place.

On Monday 19^th June the Worshipful the Mayor raised The Armed Forces Flag at Hendon Town Hall which was flown for the week.

On behalf of the Council the Worshipful the Mayor sent her warmest congratulations to Alma School and to all those involved in the success of winning the English School’s Football Association Under 11’s Small Schools Cup.

The Worshipful the Mayor commented that June was Pride Month and a cross-section of groups held Pride events this year from an art exhibition, a skate-boarding event, school event and flower show, with everyone in the community encouraged to attend.

The Worshipful the Mayor informed the Council rounded off its Refugee Week in Barnet which took place at the end of June with a celebratory event which was held for more than 200 refugees and asylum seekers in Victoria Park, Finchley, that comprised food, music, dance and entertainment. The event which is the first time Barnet has run one for Refugee Week which was also an opportunity for council colleagues eager to get involved in supporting community events to volunteer their time.

The Worshipful the Mayor acknowledged the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in memory of those who sadly lost their lives on 14 June 2017.

The Worshipful the Mayor advised that on the evening of 5^th July, Hendon Town Hall was lit in blue to mark the 75^th anniversary of the NHS and informed that she had visited Barnet Hospital on the day to express thanks and gratitude to the staff at the hospital/

The Worshipful the Mayor informed that South Asian Heritage Month begins from 18^th July which is the date that the Indian Independence Act 1947 gained royal assent from King George VI and she will be raising a flag to commemorate this.  South Asian Heritage Month will be showcased in the community via a cricket match on 30th July at Mill Hill Village Sports Club.