Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements:
· She thanked Father Emmanuel for offering the blessing.
She welcomed the children from Merryhills Primary School who won the pan London Primary School’s debating competition this year. They were attending the meeting to listen and to watch the debate on the evening.
The Mayor highlighted the following achievements:
· Enfield Council ‘Highly commended’ at Law Society Awards
Enfield Council’s Legal Services Team had been ‘Highly Commended’ in the Practice Management Category at the Law Society Excellence Awards 2012 held on the 18 October 2012.
Enfield won the award for gaining the ‘Lexcel’ law accreditation quickly, becoming one of the fastest authorities to become compliant. They were also recognised for ensuring that their legal officers provided the highest management and customer care standards, whilst delivering best value.
The citation said: "The category judges found that the Enfield Legal Services team’s commitment to best practice, in terms of both developing and maintaining effective approaches, was a key theme throughout their entry.”
"The independent verification from internal and external contacts was impressive, proving their serious intention and dedication to being efficient and effective in all that they do."
This Commendation was a tribute to the professionalism and hard work of the Council’s legal officers, and the Mayor congratulated them on the award.
· Enfield in Bloom Award
The London Gardens Society had awarded The Wakefield Trophy to Enfield in Bloom for showing pride in London by the cultivation of flowers and shrubs, but especially for The Affiliated Society placed first in the Special Awards Category of the All London Championship 2012. The Mayor congratulated all the supporters and volunteers.
The Enfield in Bloom representatives were presented with their trophy at the meeting.
· Black History Month
Black History Month had been highly celebrated in Enfield, and had the honour of being attended by the legendary Earl Cameron(aged 95) who was the first black person to break the colour bar in films. He had appeared in 40 films during his long career including starring with Sean Connery in Thunderball and with Dame Helen Mirren in The Queen. In 2009 he was awarded a CBE.
He was interview by Alex Pascall at the Civic Centre in the form of a conversation with an audience of over 80 attendees. It was a fascinating, interesting and appropriate conclusion to the borough’s celebration of Black History Month.
· Sickle Cell Fundraising Event
The Sickle Cell event on the 19 October 2012, a fund raising evening in aid of one of the Mayor’s charities had been very well attended. The Mayor thanked all councillors and friends who had supported her and said that donations were still open for those who were not able to attend.
The Mayor reminded members and officers that her Christmas Reception for councillors, freemen and officers was to be held on Friday 14 December 2012.
The Mayor’s Charity Spring Ball would be held on Saturday 16th March at Forty Hall. She asked members to put the date in their diaries and to contact friends to make up a table.