DEATH OF FORMER LORD MAYOR, BARRY THORNE

With great sadness the Lord Mayor reported to Council the death of former Lord Mayor and long-serving Councillor, Barry Thorne who had passed away on Christmas Eve. Barry represented the Keighley West ward between 1973 and 1976 and again from 1978 until 2004. He was subsequently a member of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council for eight years, before later serving as a Keighley Town Councillor for the Bracken Bank and Ingrow ward. For many years Barry had campaigned for the rights of people with learning disabilities and was heavily involved as a fundraiser for the charity Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure. 

Gratitude was placed on record for Barry’s many years of service.  The Deputy Lord Mayor would be attending Barry’s funeral service and the Lord Mayor had written, on behalf of the district, to Barry’s widow and family to express sympathy.

DEATH OF FORMER COUNCILLOR RONALD KITSON

The Lord Mayor also reported the death of former Councillor Ronald Kitson, who died on 9 December 2019 at the age of 79. Ronald served as a Councillor for the Undercliffe Ward from 1972 to 1973 and served this Authority as a councillor for the Bowling ward from 1976 until 1980 and Bolton ward from 1995 until 1999. 

Gratitude was placed on record for his service and condolences extended to Ronald’s family on his passing.

Members paid tribute to both former councillors Barry Thorne and Ronald Kitson.

DEATH OF MRS KARTARI CHAND

The death of Mrs Kartari Chand at the age of 107, who was possibly the oldest person in the District has been reported. Sympathies were conveyed to  Mrs Chand’s family in their time of loss

Members and Officers stood for a minute’s silence in memory of those who had died.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S NEW YEAR’S HONOURS LIST

In Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours list, the work and service of a number of local people had been recognised.  The Leader of the Council and the Lord Mayor had written to give their congratulations to the following: Kersten England, CBE; Owen Almondo Williams, OBE; Julie Jarvis, OBE;  Margaret Timmins, MBE; Patricia Wilkinson, MBE and Ruth Terry, MBE.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS

Congratulations were also offered to the following people who had recently been appointed by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire as Deputy Lieutenants: Gill Arnold, JP, DL; Nicola Chance-Thompson, DL; Manoj Joshi, DL; Roger Marsh, DL; Sandy Needham, DL; Dr Nima Poovaya-Smith, OBE, DL.

VISIT OF THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES

THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE

The Lord Mayor announced that the District was to receive a visit from Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Wednesday 15 January 2020. A number of projects would be visited which support the community and promote cohesion and the visit would recognise Bradford’s place as one of the most diverse cities in the country.

BRADFORD NAMED AS THE UK’S “MOST IMPROVED” CITY 2019

The District had been designated as 2019’s top improver among UK cities in the Good Growth for Cities 2019 Index, published by professional services company PwC and Demos, Britain’s leading cross party Think-Tank. Bradford was named as the most improved city in the UK for jobs, growth, skills levels and quality of life, with mention being made of the large reduction in the rate of unemployment.  The Guardian also subsequently produced a guide to the best 15 places to visit in ‘Beautiful Bradford’.

Thanks were given to all those whose hard work and determination had helped to bring about this boost to this city’s national standing.