The written announcements of the Lord Mayor will be circulated to Members of Council in advance of the meeting.

DEATH OF FORMER LORD-LIEUTENANT, DAME INGRID ROSCOE, DCVO, DL, FSA

The Lord Mayor reported with utmost sadness that Dame Ingrid Roscoe, who was Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire from 2004 until 2018  had passed away suddenly on the afternoon of Sunday 28 June 2020. Dame Ingrid visited this district on many occasions during her term of office and did much to promote local businesses, causes and organisations. The Lord Mayor had written, on behalf of the people of the district, to offer condolences to her widower and family.

DEATH OF FORMER COUNCILLOR EILEEN SINCLAIR

It is also with great sadness that the Lord Mayor reported the death of former Councillor Eileen Sinclair, which occurred on 29 June 2020. Eileen was elected as a Ward Councillor for the Bingley Ward from 1996 until 2000.  She undertook her duties and served the people of her Ward with dedication and commitment. The Lord Mayor wrote to Eileen’s family to express the sorrow of the district at her passing.

RETIREMENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, DR JOHN SENTAMU

Dr John Sentamu retired as Archbishop of York, Primate of England and Metropolitan of the province of York in June 2020. He served as Archbishop from 2005 and during that time visited the Bradford district on innumerable occasions perhaps most memorably when Dr Sentamu spoke on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the Bradford City fire disaster, in 2010. The Lord Mayor wrote to the retiring Archbishop to send thanks for his lengthy service..

A very warm welcome is given to his successor in office of Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell.

EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE TO THE RETIRING HONORARY RECORDER, HHJ JONATHAN DURHAM HALL, QC.

The Lord Mayor placed on record this Council’s debt of gratitude to the retiring Honorary Recorder, His Honour Jonathan Durham Hall, QC who had served as Honorary Recorder since his appointment in 2017.  Wishes were given for a long and contented retirement.

APPOINTMENT OF NEW HONORARY RECORDER, HHJ RICHARD MANSELL, QC.

It was with great pleasure that the Lord Mayor reported the appointment of His Honour Judge Richard Mansell, QC as Resident Judge at Bradford Combined Court Centre with effect from 17 August 2020. Formerly he worked regularly at Bradford Crown Court and also sat there as a Recorder, a part-time judge.

A formal ceremony to celebrate HHJ Mansell’s appointment as Honorary Recorder of Bradford cannot be arranged with the present constraints imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but will be as soon as circumstances allow. A warm welcome was given to the new Honorary Recorder.

In addition to the written announcements the Lord Mayor also commented upon the following,

DEATH OF JEAN SOWMAN, FORMER LADY MAYORESS

The Lord Mayor reported that sadly on 4 September 2020 the former Lady Mayoress, Jean Sowman, had passed away. Jean was the wife of former Lord Mayor, Bob Sowman and supported her husband during the civic year 1993/94. The Lord Mayor on behalf of Council gave her condolences to Jean’s family.

THIS CORONAVIRUS PERIOD

The Lord Mayor gave a big thank you to everyone in the Bradford District including doctors, nurses, carers, businesses, organisations, office staff, shop workers and councillors who had contributed to providing outstanding support during this coronavirus period. The Lord Mayor stated that she is extremely proud of all of you.

Heartfelt condolences were conveyed by the Lord Mayor on behalf of the District to the families of those who had lost their lives to Coronavirus.