Minutes:
On a motion from Councillor Judi Ellis, which was seconded by Councillor Peter Morgan, it was
RESOLVED that at the conclusion of the year of office of Councillor Hannah Gray as Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, the Council places on record its appreciation of the able manner in which she has presided at meetings of the Council and the distinction with which she has discharged the high traditions and responsibilities of the office of Mayor.
The Council also recognises the dedication, commitment and unstinting manner in which she has carried out Mayoral duties when representing the Borough, especially during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented year she has used her expertise in the latest forms of communication. She has continuously shown support for front line staff, the Borough’s voluntary groups, business community and schools. She was particularly pleased to host the Mayor of Bromley Awards albeit virtually and be part of the Celebration of Achievement Awards for young people in Care. Cllr Gray steadfastly continued with as many Civic and ceremonial duties as possible often using technology to facilitate these events.
During the Pandemic, as Mayor, Councillor Hannah Gray provided civic leadership through regular video messages on the Council website and instigated the use of a Newsletter and Mayoral social media for further communication. She also awarded Certificates of Thanks to residents, volunteers and organisations within the Borough who continued to serve the public at personal risk to themselves during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Councillor Gray led the Borough in a poignant service to mark the National Day of Reflection, when 740 candles were lit, each representing a loved one lost due to Covid-19, in the borough. Cllr Gray again led the Borough in paying tribute to HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh; remembering his many years of public service and his extraordinary support for Her Majesty the Queen for more than 70 years as husband and consort.
The Council further acknowledges her enthusiastic support and fund raising through her Charity Appeal for Chartwell Cancer Trust and Cystic Fibrosis Supporters.
That the Corporate Seal be affixed to an engrossment of this resolution for presentation to Councillor Hannah Gray and a Past Mayor’s Badge be presented to him in token of appreciation hereby expressed.
Thereupon, the Mayor, on behalf of the Council, invested Councillor Hannah Gray with a badge in token of the appreciation of her services as Mayor of the Borough.
Councillor Gray expressed her thanks for the terms of the resolution and the presentation, and for the support accorded to her which had contributed so greatly to her year in office.
RESOLVED that the Council
(1) records its appreciation of the able and courteous services of Councillor Stephen Wells when, as Deputy Mayor for 2020/21 he represented the Mayoralty and the Council; and
(2) provide him with an attested copy of this resolution.
Councillor Wells expressed his thanks for the terms of the resolution and for the support accorded to him during his year of office as Deputy Mayor.