Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

118.1       The Mayor gave the following communications:

The 23 March marked one year since the first lockdown due to Covid-19. I visited All Saints Church on Tuesday to light a candle. Members will also be aware of the sad news that the former Mayor of Hove from 1989 to 1990, Margaret Adams has passed away, our thoughts are with her family. I would like to start the meeting by holding a minute silence in remembrance of all the people that are no longer with us.

A minute’s silence was then held as a mark of respect.

118.2       I need to update Council on some procedural matters. I would like to confirm that I have agreed to take an extra report on the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 which needed to come to Council for decision following approval at the Policy & Resources Committee on the 18^th March.  An extract from the committee and the report are detailed in the addendum one papers on pages 31 – 44.

118.3       I am also aware that a report on 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme was referred from the Policy & Resources Committee for information and is included in the addendum one papers on pages 45 to 94. I have also been informed that the Policy & Resources Committee deferred consideration of the Constitution report at its meeting last week. As such, there are no recommendations from the committee, and I have therefore decided to withdraw the item from today’s meeting and agenda.

118.4       That deals with procedural matters and I now have some communications and I wanted to inform council that Plans for a remembrance event for the City are currently being discussed with my Chaplaincy the Interfaith Contact Group. I will keep the Council informed of progress and once a date has been confirmed and ensure that all Councillors are invited to the event.

118.5       As you will be aware March is Women’s History Month, so I thought it was appropriate to let you know that a Women behind the Plaques tour has been prepared in anticipation of lockdown restrictions being lifted and will take place in June, July and August raising money for my charities.

118.6       In having regard to the Council’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030, can I remind councillors that Saturday 27 March at 20:30 - 21:30 is Earth Hour, organised by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund). People are being asked to switch off their lights to show they care about the future of our planet, our shared home, and I hope you will join in. To find out more visit www.wwf.org.uk

118.7       Finally, over the last month I have joined several staff team meetings to say thank you to teams that have continued to keep services going in challenging circumstances. The message that is coming across loud and clear is that everyone is very keen to get back to work and interact with colleagues.