To receive such announcements as may be made by the Mayor.
Minutes:
The Mayor:-
1. Announced, with sadness, that over recent months four of the Council’s Honorary Aldermen had passed away. Since the last Council meeting she had represented the Council at the funerals of Andrew Thwaite, Michael Roberts and Kathleen Thompson. In the previous week the Council had been notified of the sad death of Honorary Alderman Ray Westwood, whose funeral was taking place on the day of the Council meeting and her Consort was, representing her at the funeral. She stated that she was sure that a number of Members would have attended the funeral had it not clashed with the Council meeting. The Leader of the Council, Cllrs Steve Hogben, Arthur Moran and Rod Fletcher said a few words of tribute, on behalf of their respective groups; following which a minute’s silence was observed and Council stood as a mark of respect to those Aldermen who had passed away.
2. Reported that. since the last Council meeting, she and the Deputy Mayor had represented the Council at 26 events, details of which had been circulated around the Chamber.
3. Reported that, in the run up to Christmas, she had had the pleasure of attending a number of very enjoyable festive events, including a number of pantomimes and the beautifully decorated Hall at Tatton. She also congratulated Tatton Park who had been highly commended for best in education at the recent National Farm Attractions Network annual awards in Edinburgh.
4. Reported that it had been her pleasure, earlier in the month, to attend the Best Kept Station Awards evening and congratulated Alsager Station for their success in being named Cheshire’s Best Kept Station. She also congratulated Chelford, Crewe, Goostrey, Handforth, Knutsford and Sandbach stations, who had also won awards.
5. Referred to the impact of knife crime on society and reported that, over the last couple of months, it had been her privilege to have attended two events organised by Queensberry Alternative Provision, an organisation who were doing a wonderful job to educate young people on the impact of knife crime. She congratulated them on the work that they were doing and encouraged all Members to attend one of their events, should they have the opportunity to do so.
6. Referred to the Holocaust Memorial Day service, which had taken place at Macclesfield Town Hall on Friday 25th January. The event had been very well attended and there had been a very moving personal testimony from Danny Herman, who at the age of four had been brought out of Germany on one of the last trains to leave before the start of the War. There had also been a wonderful performance from a children’s choir from the North Cheshire Jewish Primary School.
7. Announced that, on 10th March, she would be holding a charity Sunday lunch at the Swettenham Arms. Some Members had already purchased tickets and she encouraged those who had not to consider attending. Money would be raised for her two very deserving charities.
8. Noted that, had it not being for the Special meeting of Council scheduled for 5th March, this meeting would have been the last Council before the elections. She was aware that Cllr Janet Jackson could not be present on 5th March, and that Cllr Jackson was standing down in May, so today’s meeting would be her last. She had served two terms on Cheshire East Council and had been a Macclesfield Borough Councillor for 18 years. The Mayor asked Members to join with her in thanking Cllr Jackson for her service and in wishing her well for the future. The Mayor also thanked all other Members who would not be standing for re-election.
Cllr Corcoran also paid tribute to Cllr Jackson and thanked her for her support to the Labour group and wished her well for the future. He also added his thanks to other the Members not standing for re-election.
Cllr Jackson responded and returned the thanks.
9. Noted that Council had the difficult and important task of setting the Council’s budget for 2019/20, at today’s meeting. She stated that allocation of funding had been consulted upon widely and was balanced within the papers in front of Council and that an increase in funding in one area would inevitably mean a decrease in another. She then outlined the process and expected behaviours in respect of the debate on the budget.