Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

To receive communications from the Mayor.

93.1         The Mayor stated that she would like to congratulate the Sound for the City Team who had won a high profile national award at the Music Teacher Awards for their groundbreaking SoundCity work. SoundCity was the music education hub for Brighton & Hove. BHMA worked with partner organisations to develop music education and provide opportunities that reflect the needs of children and young people. Partners include Brighton Dome & Festival, Glyndebourne, Rhythmix, University of Sussex, and schools. She invited Peter Chivers and Hannah Corcoran to come forward to receive the award.

93.2         The Mayor stated the Revenues & Benefits teams had retained their Customer Service Excellence award following a review in December 2013. The independent review focused on the culture of the organisation, staff professionalism and attitude, information and access, as well as partnership and community work. It also looked at how well the teams understood the customers’ experience and levels of customer satisfaction. Feedback from the CSE assessor was excellent, providing well deserved praise for frontline staff across the Revenues & Benefits teams. The assessor commented that journey mapping had been used in a major way since the last assessment, with significant success. This approach had identified the weak links in the service which has been used to not only correct the service offered but also as a training opportunity. Furthermore, the service had grown its networking opportunities with outside agencies, resulting in a joined up holistic approach, producing benefits for both these agencies and for customers. The Mayor invited Councillor Littman to come forward to receive the award.

93.3         The Mayor stated that Members were saddened to hear of the passing of Chris Kift last week.  Chris was a humorous, compassionate and thoughtful man whose positive manner and wit could brighten any occasion.  Originally a publican and cabaret agent based in Bristol, Chris moved to Brighton and dedicated his considerable energies to improving people’s lives in the City. Chris was a passionate activist most notably on social housing issues, where he represented residents in many areas including his role as Chair of the City Assembly, but also tirelessly campaigned on disability issues and for the LGBT community. Chris’s passing was a sad loss to the city and the Mayor expressed sympathies to his family.

93.4         The Mayor Stated was also aware that the funeral of former MP Tony Benn had taken place recently, and conveyed the Council’s sympathies to his family.

93.5         The Mayor announced the sad death of former Labour Councillor Don Turner who served for 22 years as an elected Member and was appointed as an Honorary Alderman of the city in July 2007; his funeral was held the previous day.  The Mayor conveyed the Council’s deepest sympathy to his family, friends and former colleagues.

93.6         The Major proposed a minute silence for Don Turner and the others.