Mayor's Announcements
Minutes:
Lexicon Half Marathon
The Mayor reflected on the fantastic event which had taken place on 15 May 2022 and congratulated everyone that had taken part.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison OBE
Councillor Bettison updated the meeting on the support provided to the borough’s Ukraine guests. He advised that the Council had continued to work closely with all partners across the voluntary, community and faith sector in order to offer a warm welcome those arriving through the various routes. The Council hosted the second event for all the known Homes for Ukraine hosts on 4 May 2022 which was attended by colleagues from Involve, Department for Work and Pensions and NHS as well as Bracknell MP James Sunderland. The event was designed to develop community networks and feedback from hosts was very positive.
He reported that many guests were settling in well. He stated that 61 households in Bracknell Forest had applied under the Homes for Ukraine scheme to host between them 141 Ukrainians that they have been matched with. In addition, there were over 350 households that had expressed an interested in being matched with future arrivals. 50 guests had arrived in the area so far. Ukrainian children were starting to join their new schools with adult arrivals starting to seek and finding employment. He thanked all the residents for their ongoing support and the commitment to their community.
The family visa scheme allows people to join relatives who were already residents, but it was a challenge to offer support and guidance as no details were available on the numbers arriving via this route.
Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing
Councillor Birch was pleased to advise that HRH The Duke of Gloucester had formally opened the borough’s new Heathlands re-enablement and dementia centre on 17 May 2022. He reported that the Duke had recognised the dementia-friendly design of the building and the value of the important service to patients and their families. He thanked everyone who had been involved in the delivery in the vital caring facility.
Councillor Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration
Councillor Brunel-Walker encouraged everyone to attend the programme of events running over the Jubilee week including the viewing of a movie collating memories of Bracknell Forest residents of previous royal events, the Beacon Lighting ceremony and the Lexicon Proms.