Issue - meetings

The Mayor informed members that since the last Council meeting, she had been invited to over 90 events and meetings as Mayor and some of the highlights included:

·         Celebrating 300 years of Spa waters in the town at Pittville Pump Rooms with a Tea, which proved a successful fundraiser for her two charities.

·         Along with Councillor Chris Coleman, she had attended the South West of England and Wales Green Flag ceremony where five Green Flags were awarded, including a Prestigious Heritage award for Pittville Park, which she commended as an outstanding result for Green Space Development, Park Department, UBICO and the many voluntary friends groups who worked in partnership with the Council. 

·         For receiving so many Green Flags and for the floral planting in the gardens and superb hanging baskets, the Council in collaboration with Cheltenham in Bloom, had awarded UBICO and the Green Space Development team, with the Business Pride Trophy. 

·         Cheltenham had been accredited with a Purple Flag, which celebrated town and cities that have a vibrant and safe town centre, whilst managing their night-time economy.  This was great news and the awards presentation evening would take place in November at the Town Hall.

·         Continuing celebrations of our 60 years twinned with Annecy, the Mayor along with over fifty Cheltenham residents had visited the town in August and a particular highlight of the trip had been the Fete De Lac firework displays.  She gave thanks to the Twinning Committee for their work in organising the visit. 

·         She felt privileged to have unveiled the six names that had been added to the towns recently restored War memorial on the 76^th Anniversary Battle of Britain. 

·         Along with Councillors Mr and Mrs Hay, the Mayor had the pleasure of being in the welcoming line-up to meet the Duchess of Gloucester when she paid a visit to Faithfull House and The Phoenix Centre.

·         The Mayor and several other Members had attended Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire awards ceremony at Imjin Barracks.  The awards celebrated the professional and personal achievements of those who worked or volunteered within the Reserve Forces and the cadet Movement.  Cheltenham College and All Saints Academy had received top awards, as well as Cadet Poppy Slack. 

·         There had been a number of student visits to the Chamber from countries including Japan, China, Poland, France and Germany.

The Mayor acknowledged the passing of two retired Members of Cheltenham Borough Council: Alderman Robin MacDonald who was Mayor in 2008-2009 and Mary Gray.  The Mayor, along with Mark Sheldon, the Director of Corporate Resources and Projects, had attended Alderman MacDonald’s funeral.

The Mayor took the opportunity to thank the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Sudbury, for attending several engagements on her behalf.