Minutes:
The Mayor Bill Price welcomed everyone to the Annual Council meeting. It was with sadness that he advised the Council that past Mayor John Connew had recently died, The Council observed a minutes silence in his memory.
The Mayor then gave the following report on his year in office:
“Dignitaries, Councillors, Ladies & Gentlemen. This is the last time where I have the opportunity of thanking members of the Council for allowing me the honour of fulfilling the mayoral role. Of course the very sad and personally lonely part of the year for me, has been that for 11 months Gloria has not been able to accompany me due to her unfortunate ill-timed tragic illness.
During my year as deputy Gloria was by my side for most of the engagements and her happy disposition at all the events was testament to me that she would have thoroughly enjoyed her role as mayoress.
I would therefore like to thank my daughter Angela and Councillor Pam Adams for deputising for Gloria by accompanying me at some of the more important Civic functions during the year.
As I was absent at the last full Council meeting, which I understand was ably presided over by my Deputy Mayor, it is customary for Mayors to give their end of term speech at that meeting. So therefore I am going to break tradition and normal protocol and say a few words now, highlighting some of the more special events I have attended.
I have attended over 460 engagements over the past year including a Civic service at Westminster Abbey. The Lord Mayors parade, followed by a lunch at the Mansion House. The New Year’s Day parade. I hosted a day at Capel Manor which was attended by many dignitaries and most of the other London Mayors. Visits to both of our twin towns of Gladbeck last September, and Corbevoire only last weekend.
On the 28th April I invited and was joined by nine other local London mayors for a tour of Forty Hall. Gavin Williams splendidly dressed as Sir Nicholas Rainton, the original owner, led the tour and that was followed by a buffet lunch. The mayors were extremely impressed with Forty Hall and thought we were lucky to have such a wonderful estate in the borough.
The Mayors Ball, held last month at The Royal Chase Hotel was a huge success raising over £6,300. £1,150 of that was raised by auctioning two Spurs and Arsenal signed football shirts. Almost everyone remarked how they enjoyed the live entertainment. I would like to thank Rhoda, the Mayor’s Secretary, who organised the function, ably assisted by Melanie, Norman, and Steve, who also helped in making it a superb event.
My charity appeal fund has just over £14,200 and rising, with more cheques coming in from the Fun Run, which incidentally was another successful well attended event. The majority of this fund is going to help the Trent Park Animal Hospital, and some also to be distributed to children’s charities.
I have entertained people from abroad in the Mayor’s Parlour, as well as many groups of young students. The suite is an excellent facility where I have enjoyed talking to them relating to the history of manufacturing in our borough, in addition to citizenship and heritage.
My many visits to schools have been a source of enjoyment, particularly primary children, they have a tremendous imagination by some of the questions they ask. “Do you live in a castle”, “are you rich” and when robed “are you Father Christmas”.
My visit to Cuckoo Hall Primary the day after the evening I hosted the Holocaust event in the conference room, stands out for me. Not only did they put on a splendid display of dancing but a very moving display. I had the privilege of addressing and congratulating them on their great achievement of becoming 39th in the country for special education awards. After touring the school I was very impressed by their displays in the corridors and their teaching methods, it was good testament to their award.
During my year I have met many wonderful people who give up their time working with others who are less fortunate than themselves. I have suggested that they should receive more recognition for what they do, more publicity. They reply by saying they receive complete satisfaction by achieving success in their objectives. That has to be commended.
Over the year I have tried to be unbiased and fair at Council, always allowing members to have their say. I have always tried not to stifle discussion.
I have received tremendous support from Rhoda, Melanie, Norman, George Bowden, who retired in December, Steve Rose, our new chauffer and Stephen Leader, My chaplain, over the year and my thanks go to them all.
Now my year of office has ended, I will say goodbye to the culinary delight of sandwiches and sausage rolls and disappear and join my colleagues Graham Eustance and John Egan into the world of political retirement.
Over the past twenty years, it’s been like the boat race for me, having been in, out, in, out, of the political arena.
If the hierarchy of my group decide they want to recycle me in four years time and stand again they will probably have to supply me with an ear trumpet and zimmer frame first.”
Finally I would like to especially thank Mike Rye for initially nominating me, and to the Council for giving us the honour of being your Mayor and Mayoress for what has been a truly memorable year.”
Councillors Rye and Rodin congratulated the Mayor on an excellent year in office and thanked him for his great service to the people of Enfield.