Minutes:
On a motion by Councillor Nicholas Bennett, seconded by Councillor Colin Hitchins, 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, particularly in raising awareness around the Borough of the importance and tradition of the Mayoralty, as well as maintaining and supporting our time-honoured relationship with our twin town Neuwied. Councillor Gray led the Borough in celebrating Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations by attending street parties across Bromley and holding a service commemorating the exceptional work that Her Late Majesty did for our country. In a momentous year, Cllr Gray also led the Borough in mourning the loss of our Late Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. We remember with affection and gratitude the lifetime of service given by our longest-reigning Monarch. Cllr Gray visited several care homes in the Borough to give residents the opportunity to record their personal messages and memories. The Mayor hosted a special Service of Commemoration to remember Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to express our love and respect for her. She also marked HRH King Charles III’s accession to the throne with a moving service on Proclamation Day, which encouraged residents to come together and welcome in the new Royal era. The Coronation of HRH King Charles III was honoured across the borough; and the Mayor celebrated this historic occasion by attending events and festivities with residents over the special bank holiday weekend. During her year she has continuously shown support for the Borough’s voluntary groups, local businesses, and schools. Cllr Gray’s second Mayoral term saw the return of the regular civic and charity events after the pandemic. Cllr Gray used her experience from the pandemic to promote and develop her role, most notably by continuing and progressing the use of social media channels. The Council further acknowledges her wholehearted support and fund raising through her Charity Appeal for Everybreath – the Lung Cancer Charity and Bromley Care Leavers Come Dine with Us Project. 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 her in token of the 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 as Mayor.
RESOLVED that the Council records its appreciation of the able and courteous services of Councillor Christine Harris and her Consort Honorary Alderman Stephen Wells when, as Deputy Mayor and Consort for the year 2022/23, they represented the Mayoralty and the Council, and to provide them with an attested copy of this resolution.
Councillor Harris expressed her thanks for the terms of the resolution and for the support accorded to her during her year of office as Deputy Mayor.