Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

38.1      The Mayor stated that she wished to congratulate the Head of Democratic Services and the Team and the Member Development Working Group on successfully being awarded the Charter for Member Development by the South East Employers yesterday.  She stated that the assessors were very impressed with the overall submission and the buy-in from Members for their development and the acknowledgement of the support they received from the Democratic Services Team.  She also noted that the assessors had given the Council a challenge to achieve the Charter Plus standard by December 2020.

38.2      The Mayor noted that her speakers list was not complete and asked that councillors ensured they indicated during the various items under consideration should they wish to speak in the debate.  She also noted that there had been some queries as to why the meeting was taking place in Hove Town Hall, and reminded the meeting that it had been scheduled for the venue.  The previous council meeting having been relocated to Hove Town Hall because of concerns over safety and the management of various demonstrations.  She confirmed that subject to any unknown considerations the next meeting would be held at Brighton Town Hall.

38.3      The Mayor reminded councillors that tickets were still available for the Civic Reception on the 20^th December and that the Chief Executives’ sleep out in aid of her charities on 6^th April now had a website and volunteers could sign up to take part or nominate other Chief Executives.

38.4      The Mayor also noted that the mayoral Christmas card had been designed by a young 21-year old woman who had been adopted as a baby from a foreign country and she wished to promote the support that had been given.