(To be circulated before the meeting).
Minutes:
DEATH OF FORMER LORD MAYOR, JOHN DEREK GODWARD
It is was with regret that the Lord Mayor reported to Council the death, on 15 August 2016, of former Councillor and former Lord Mayor, John Derek Godward who represented the people of the Great Horton Ward for three and a half decades. John and his wife Jean served as both Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress (in 2006/2007) and later as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress (in 2009/2010). The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress were in attendance at John’s funeral service and a letter was sent to John’s widow to offer sympathy on behalf of the district.
The Leader of Council paid tribute to John’s service to the Council and community.
TERRORIST ATROCITIES
Since the last Council meeting it has been the Lord Mayor’s sad duty to lead silent tributes to people around the world who had lost their lives as a result of terrorist atrocities. A minute’s silence was observed on 15 July to remember those who were killed and injured the day before in a terrorist attack during the Bastille Day festivities on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France and on 8 August, the many dead and those affected by a terrorist atrocity at a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan were remembered, as were those people killed and missing following a freak storm disaster in Bradford’s twin town of Skopje and the surrounding area, in Macedonia.
Members stood in silent tribute to those who had lost their lives.
DEATH OF THE KING OF THAILAND MARKED
In accordance with a request from the Prime Minister, the Union flag on City Hall and at area offices was lowered to mark the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the world’s longest reigning monarch, who died on 13 October 2016 after seven decades on the throne.
THE CONSUL-GENERAL OF PAKISTAN
Bradford’s new Consul-General of Pakistan, Mr Ahmed Amjad Ali, who was in attendance at this meeting, was welcomed and the Lord Mayor wished him well during his tenure in Bradford.
CURRY CAPITAL ACHIEVEMENT
The Lord Mayor was delighted to report that Bradford had achieved a double hat-trick after securing the crown as Britain’s Curry Capital for the sixth successive year. Congratulations and gratitude were conveyed to all those who had worked so hard in securing this achievement led by the District’s Tourism Team, Visit Bradford.
#LOVEBRADFORD – NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ESTABLISHED
The Lord Mayor had taken part in the #LoveBradford world record event which saw City Park filled with a human chain of 2,331 people all linking arms and making the ‘heart’ hand gesture, to symbolise togetherness, positivity, diversity and friendliness, with the result that the previous world record was beaten. Thanks were given to all those who worked so hard on the day and in the run-up to the event to ensure it was such a notable success.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RUGBY LEAGUE
Bradford had been chosen as the preferred partner by Rugby League Cares to host the National Museum of Rugby League due to open in August 2020 marking Rugby League’s 125th anniversary. The museum, based in City Hall, would house and display the sport’s extensive collections and historical artefacts, as well as being an interactive visitor centre.
DISTRICT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PRAISED AT NATIONAL AWARDS CEREMONY
A radical redesign of urgent mental health care in Bradford through partnership working had won a prestigious award at the national Positive Practice Awards which celebrate positive practice in mental health, an event supported by NHS England. The Crisis Care Pathway Award was given to the redesigned Bradford, Airedale and Craven Crisis Care Concordat. The service included First Response designed to intervene early and signpost users to the right services. This development was wholly consonant with the aims of Young Minds, the Lord Mayor’s charity for the year and contributed to a renewed emphasis on mental health issues in communities.
BINGLEY MUSIC LIVE WINS FESTIVAL ACCOLADE
The annual Bingley Music Live event had won a regional award being named Outstanding Established Festival at the Yorkshire Gig Guide Grassroots Awards which recognised the best in regional music venues and events.
TWIN TOWN OF GALWAY – NAMED EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2020
On behalf of the people of the district, the Lord Mayor had written to the Mayor of this District’s twin town of Galway City in Ireland to congratulate them on being named the European Capital of Culture for 2020.
70TH ANNUAL BRADFORD FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE
The 70th annual Bradford Festival of Remembrance would take place, for the first time, at Bradford Cathedral on Sunday 6 November 2016. The Lord Mayor asked that this very worthwhile and important event, which remembered the courage and sacrifice of all the members of the country’s armed forces who had lost their lives, been injured or continue to place themselves at risk in the line of duty, be supported.
YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM SUCCESSES
The floral displays enjoyed throughout the summer right across the District had been recognised by the judging panel at Yorkshire in Bloom. The Parks and Green Spaces maintenance teams and the many groups and individuals all contributed to making the Bradford district a more attractive and pleasant place in which to live, work and play.
