Minutes:
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the Chamber.
A sad announcement was made of the sad loss of former Councillor and Past Mayor, Choudhury Anwar. Former Councillor Anwar was a valued member of Enfield Council staff in 1983 when he joined as the first Director of the Racial Equalities Council, he left in 1985 to take up a job in Waltham Forest Council until he retired in 1998. He worked tirelessly for the voluntary sector in Enfield and other boroughs. He was a dedicated public servant for Enfield for many years, being a ward councillor between 2006-2014, representing Ponders End Ward. He was inaugurated as Mayor of Enfield in May 2013 when he announced that he would not be standing in the next elections in 2014.
Councillors were invited to say a few words in commemoration of the late Choudhury Anwar.
Councillor Kate Anolue spoke of when Choudhury was her Deputy Mayor in 2012-2013, he was extremely helpful, and they always collaborated well together during her mayoralty.
Councillor Michael Rye OBE referred to Choudhury Anwar as ‘Mr Ponders End’, he was always cheerful and immaculately turned out. As a long serving councillor, he was very active in a number of groups and had good relationships with many across the chamber, the council and within the wider community.
Councillor Doug Taylor spoke of Choudhury Anwar’s many roles in the Council including being Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Capacity Building in the Third Sector and the borough, his motivation and passion to fight against injustice and inequality and his long-lasting impact on Enfield. He also spoke of the privilege of being Choudhury’s ward colleague during his time on the Council and the active and respected role he played within the council and the community led to him being awarded an MBE.
Councillor Sabri Ozaydin reminisced on when he was the Mayor of Enfield and Choudhury had invited him to an opening of a care home where the Minister at the time Alok Sharma was also in attendance. The Councillor spoke of the pride he felt to be part of an event that would provide support and an important service to the community.
Councillor Nawshad Ali spoke of Choudhury being a role model within the community, invested his time, worked hard and stood up for those who were struggling and could not speak up for themselves. He also spoke of Choudhury’s popularity within the community which was abundantly clear by the level of attendance at his funeral by people from all walks of life.
The Mayor had also sadly been informed of the passing of former Enfield Councillor, Mr Neil Aves who served as a ward councillor for Palmers Green Ward from 1994-2002, the latter years he was the Council’s Housing Lead. He later worked at Slough Council as the Director of Housing.
Members were invited to say a few words in commemoration of the late Neil Aves.
Councillor Doug Taylor advised Neil Aves was part of the first Labour council for many years. Neil’s ward colleague was Bambos Charalambous, and he was the Lead Member for Housing before Cabinet member positions were established. He had a passion for improving council services including projects relating to council housing estates, being responsive and making change. His other passions included playing football and rugby and later on coaching an under 13 Girls Rugby Team.
Councillor Tim Leaver referred to Neil Aves as passionately engaged and active in the borough and in politics, a keen footballer (especially in the staff vs Cllrs football matches) and supporter of football and not afraid to tackle the tough issues.
Councillor Michael Rye OBE advised that he was elected to Council on the same day as Neil. He was the shadow lead member for Housing so worked closely with Neil and the then Director of Housing, Donald Graham on a number of issues including rent arears which fed into the administration Cllr Rye led on in 2002. He described Neil as passionate about Housing in both his core job and his role on the Council, keen on those in council housing estates had the same opportunities as everyone else in the borough and was very much a leader from the front.
Councillor Andy Milne advised that him and Neil were both Student Environment Health Officers at Tottenham Technical College and had many passionate debates which inspired him to become a councillor.
The Mayor will send condolences to both families at this very sad time.
Members and all attendees held a minute’s silence.
The Mayor thanked his Deputy Mayor, Cllr Margaret Greer, for her support whilst he was on annual leave in the summer. She attended many events on his behalf including Reggae at Jubilee Park, citizenship ceremonies, reading out the declaration of results at the July UK Parliamentary election and attending a school to congratulate students on their A level results.
The Mayor recently attended our twinned town of Gladbeck in Germany with his consort and Cllr Tom O’Halloran. It was a wonderful weekend and the hosts from Gladbeck made them feel very welcome. The Mayor also met with other Mayors from other countries during his time there.
In June, the Mayor attended the Armed Forces Day and was joined by representatives from the Royal British Legion, Sea Scouts, Air Cadets, St Johns Ambulance with the Stow Caledonian Pipe Band. Over the summer, the Mayor attended the Windrush Day celebrations at Fore Street Library and in September, the 50th anniversary of the Chickenshed Theatre with a special viewing of “The Fabric of Chickenshed Exhibition”. The Mayor also visited the Whitewebbs Museum of Transport which was very interesting looking at all the old vehicles which look of course very basic compared to today’s models.
The Mayor wished Fay Hammond, Executive Director Resources who has left to take up a position with the GLA, and also to Doug Wilkinson, Director of Environment and Street Scene who will be leaving shortly to go to Maldon District Council as the new Chief Executive the best of luck in their new roles.