Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements:
1. Enfield in Bloom's (EiB) aims are to improve our environment and enhance the local area in which we live. There are many schemes that EiB operate including; seasonal bulb planting, sponsored flower bed/ container planting, the schools programme, encouragement of sustainable drought tolerant planting within our parks and open spaces.
Enfield in Bloom annually enter the London in Bloom Competition and The London Garden Society Competition. This year Enfield in Bloom achieved a Silver Gilt for Best Borough, Gold for Best Town Centre and Silver for the Best Front Garden in the London in Bloom Competition.
In the London Garden Society competition we won the Solomans Cup overall, Gold for Best Garden with professional/paid help, Silver for Best Front Garden and Silver for the best medium sized garden. London Garden Society Awards were held in the Egyptian room, Mansion House.
It gives me pleasure to welcome Graham Deal Chairman of Enfield in Bloom and Karen Gurrey. Our thanks to both of them for their hard work and dedication. Would you like to come forward and receive the Solomans Cup.
2. I am delighted to let you know that the Casino Night raised over £4,000 for my charity appeal. My thanks to those of you who came along and supported the evening. And a special thank you to Hurkans, Chartered Accountants for sponsoring the event.
3. It is with great sadness that I remind members of the recent death of former Mayor and Honorary Freeman of the London Borough of Enfield Rita Smythe.
In 1950 she was elected to the Edmonton Borough Council representing Angel Ward and held this seat until the amalgamation of the boroughs of Edmonton, Southgate and Enfield in 1965.
She fought three Parliamentary elections in Middlesborough West in 1955, Billericay in 1959 and in 1964, failing on the last occasion by a small margin.
Rita represented the Edmonton wards of St Alphage followed by Jubilee and with her husband Eric clocked up between them 100 years of public service.
Rita was elected Mayor of Edmonton in 1961 and Mayor of Enfield in 1994. During her working life Rita represented the Enfield Council on many outside bodies and always took an active part in the work of voluntary organisations.
Her many years of valued service to the Hospital Management Committee were reflected in her appointment for eight years to the Enfield and Haringey Area Health Authority and its successor body the Enfield District Health Authority.
In 1988 she was made an Honorary Freeman of the London Borough of Enfield in recognition of her long and valuable service to the borough and to the community.
She will be sadly missed by all those who knew her. I will be attending her funeral on Friday 9th November at the Enfield Crematorium at 1.30pm. Flowers only from the family and donations to Enfield Age Concern.
4. I would also like the express my condolences to the families of the 4 firemen of the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service who tragically died this week.
May I ask you to stand for 1 minutes silence in memory of Rita and the 4 firemen.