In the absence of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor will lead this item, including presenting a long service award to a former member of staff.
The Mayor, Councillor Webber-Jones, would like to offer his communications in writing on this occasion:
“I am sorry I cannot be with you this evening. As you may be aware, my work is in education and my institution is having a visit from Ofsted this week. In my absence, the Deputy Mayor has agreed to chair this meeting, and for that I am very grateful.
It has been busy since we last met. The one thing that I am continually humbled by in the office of Mayor is meeting so many wonderful charities, people and organisations, as well as being in awe of the great work our officers do. For example they, along with the Hinckley BID, did a magnificent job with the Christmas lights switch-on and it was a privilege to operate the plunger to turn the lights on this year. I have to say, I think the lights in Argents Mead are a sophisticated and well-received development.
Two days after this event, on 24 November, I saw some wonderful work at the Desford and Peckleton Art Club exhibition. I have represented the borough at a number of events in the past few weeks. On 6 October I attended the Leicestershire Civic Service, on 13 October I attended the High Sherriff’s Civic Service, and on 19 October I attended the British Legion Festival of Remembrance at De Montfort Hall. On 8 November I attended a fundraiser for the Chairman of Blaby District Council who is raising money for the Air Ambulance. On 29 October I visited Dovebank Primary School in Nailstone as they are designing my Christmas card for this year which will be out soon. On 31 October I visited Leicester Charity Link to hear about the good work they are doing for those in need in the borough.
In November it was an honour to be part of, and do a reading at, the Remembrance Service in Hinckley. It was poignant to see so many attend the event on 10 November. That evening I attended the Leicestershire multi-faith Festival of Remembrance in Leicester.
On 9 November I opened and visited the Altern-ativity in Hinckley. This event has now been running for many years and is a great way to re-think gifting in the build up to Christmas. I had lots of fun on 26 October at the Saturday Spook-tacular in the Britannia Centre in Hinckley. On 2 November I got to light the bonfire and start the fireworks at the Hinckley Sea Cadets Firework Spectacular. As ever, this was a great family event. During the day on 2 November I went to visit those who are seeking to put up a statue in Hinckley honouring the work and life of Ada Lovelace.
My thanks also go to the Deputy Mayor who, as ever, has been working very hard. On 2 October he attended the Hinckley Toy Appeal launch held at the Salvation Army. On 10 November he undertook the traditional activity of the Remembrance Sunday service and parade in Market Bosworth. On 11 November he attended the Remembrance Day re-dedication of the Toon Clock in Earl Shilton. On 14 November he attendended HBBC’s Making a Difference awards at Hinckley Rugby Club. The feedback from this event was, once again, excellent. Groups who were there have contacted me to say how good it was so my thanks to everyone involved with this.
I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming weeks at Christmas lights events and Carols Around the Tree. Please do not forget the Civic Carol service on 14 December. There is another date for the diary – I will be holding my charity fundraiser at the Ashby Road Sports Club in Hinckley on 22 February. It will be a fun night for all the family with a quiz, disco, karaoke, a buffet and much more!”