Agenda item

Including a presentation from Major Eamonn Coogan MBE, Cadet Executive Officer on the benefits of the cadet recruitment process for both young and old.

Berkshire Army Cadet Force presentation

The Mayor welcomed Major Eamonn Coogan MBE, Cadet Executive Officer and Cadet Sergeant Major Holly Chamberlain and Cadet Sergeant Major Rees George, to the meeting to explain the benefits of the cadet programme for both the young people taking part and adult volunteers. It was explained that young people could join from age 12 or Year 8 at school and would leave when they reached 18. In response to a question about whether the overseas visits were reciprocated it was confirmed that Norwegian cadets had visited the local branch. The cadets explained that the best thing about being in the programme was increasing confidence, discovering self discipline and forming strong friendships. It was clarified that although the cadets had given the Police Cadets access to their training base there was currently no cohesion as their programme was relatively new.

Recognition of achievement

The Mayor invited Sam Mogridge, Civil Enforcement Officer to attend the Council meeting to congratulate him on his successful efforts to help save an individual’s life when he found him on the ledge of one of the town centre’s car parks. Sam works for Indigo who are responsible for the management of the Council’s car parks and he was able to distract the individual for long enough for the Police to be able to stop him jumping. The Members present joined the Mayor in showing their appreciation for his efforts.

The Mayor also invited Jake Walker, an art student from Licensed Victuallers School to congratulate him on his achievement as his work was selected out of 100s of entries for young artists to coincide with the opening weekend of the Tate Modern extension. His work was screened in the turbine hall. His work is based on the human body and his investigation of cells, internal structures and skin. He made a cast of his body and also a cast of his fingers and then projected his drawings onto the sculptures. Tate Modern displayed the video of his fingers at the opening. The Mayor shared the films and the Members present congratulated Jake on his significant achievement.

Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning

Councillor Dr Barnard asked the meeting to join him in thanking Janette Karklins for her hard work over the last 6 years as Director of Children, Young People and Learning. He stated that all maintained schools in the borough were good or outstanding and although the report from the Safeguarding inspection on Children’s Services was not yet available the feedback from peers was that the service was good and solid due to clear strong leadership. On behalf of the borough’s headteachers and partners he wished her well with her future retirement and travelling plans.

Civic Service

The Mayor thanked everyone who had joined him at his Civic Service which was held on Sunday 19th June at The Church of Jesus Christ Ascot Priory. He was pleased to see the chapel full of friends and colleagues.

Citizenship Ceremony to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II official 90th birthday

The Mayor reported that the special Citizenship Ceremony held on the 8th June to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II official 90th birthday was a wonderful occasion. Suzannah Nash from Crowthorne Church of England Primary School won a competition to design a special certificate given to people becoming citizens that day together with a special commemorative coin. The Mayor was visiting the schools which had taken part in the competition to reward all entrants with a commemorative coin.

Charity Polo Event

The Mayor was pleased to announce that his Charity Polo event had been very successful and they had raised £3,500. He thanked the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club and his charity Sebastian’s Action Trust for their hard work to make it such a memorable event.

Executive Member for Planning and Transport

Councillor Turrell reported that the LED lighting project was being rolled out across the borough starting on major routes before moving onto estate roads. This would make a significant change providing both energy and financial savings. He thanked everyone who had worked to get the project to this point.

Leader of the Council

Councillor Bettison OBE asked the Council to join him congratulating the RtHon Theresa May MP on her appointment as Prime Minister. He noted that it had been a long time since the country was lead by someone who had experience as a local councillor.

Councillor Bettison OBE congratulated Councillor Finnie on his 40 years service as a continuous member of the authority since being elected in May 1976 and presented him with a cake made in his honour.

Congratulations to Leader of the Council

The Mayor congratulated Councillor Bettison OBE on his new role at the Local Government Association as Unitary Council Executive Member. He also asked those present to join him in congratulating him on his special award in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2016 of an Order of the British Empire to recognise his services to local council but more particularly as Leader of Bracknell Forest Council.

Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing

Councillor Birch was proud to report that the Public Health team had been nominated for a national award by Health England for its excellent work on falls prevention. Councillor Birch asked the Director to take back their thanks to the team.

He was pleased to advise the meeting that Lisa McNally, Consultant in Public Health, had been asked to advise a Central Government working group on the Council’s success on smoking cessation.