Minutes:
Support over the festive period
The Mayor opened her announcements by recognising and saying ‘thank you’ to everyone who worked over the festive period to look after others and provide vital services including the Emergency Services, Armed Forces, the NHS, the voluntary sector and staff in the retail sector as well as those in local churches and many other residents who continue to help families, friends and neighbours. She concluded with a special mention to the Council’s own social care and health staff providing crucial support services around the clock and each and every day of the year to residents.
Christmas Card Competition
The winner of the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition was 6-year-old Alana Perez Fischer. The theme for Christmas 2021 was Plant a Tree for the Queen’s Jubilee to resonate with her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Mayor thanked everyone who took part.
Tree planting at Westmorland Park
The Mayor had joined Councillors Dr Barnard and Ms Ingham to plant 15 saplings at Westmorland Park as part of the Plant a Tree scheme for the Queen’s Jubilee.
Christmas Lights at The Lexicon
The Mayor thanked everyone involved in the festive display at the Lexicon with its biggest tree to date. She had joined Councillor Brunel-Walker at the event turning on the lights.
Opening of Information Centre at Buckler’s Lodge
The Mayor was pleased to report the opening of Buckler’s Lodge which is an 80-bed care home in Crowthorne run by Greensleeves Care. The facility will not only provide residential and dementia care but would also be a new local employer.
Art Exhibition
The Mayor had met with the Mayor of High Wycombe and the South Hill Park team to view an art exhibition by Jan Gaska at South Hill Park.
Opening of Gail’s Bakery
The Mayor celebrated the opening of Gail’s Bakery in the Lexicon and highlighted Gail’s commitment to helping combat food waste and provide good food to those who need it the most with unsold food being donated to worthy causes.
Crowthorne Late Night Shopping and Lights On
The Mayor attended the late-night shopping event with carols being sung in Finnie Square. The event which was organised by Churches Together, the local Crowthorne Traders and Crowthorne Parish Council was well supported and enjoyed by the community.
Commandant’s Parade, Sandhurst
The Mayor had celebrated her birthday by attending the Commandant’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The event is the final rehearsal before the Sovereign’s Parade where the successful military cadets become army officers after 44 weeks of intensive training. Congratulations to all the new Officers with 35 of the 200 candidates coming from 26 different countries.
Christmas Star Extravaganza, Princess Square
Princess Square was lit up to host a Christmas Star Extravaganza hosted by Artemis College, Thames Valley Police DJ, Thames Valley vibes and Bracknell Town Council. The Mayor reported the event successfully raised funds for a number of charities, MS Trust Duchenne UK and the Alzheimer’s Society. The Mayor particularly mentioned Police Community Support Officer Iain Gregory for his performance and considerable contribution to community engagement.
Pilgrim’s Heart Christmas Lunch
The Mayor and Mayoress attended the Pilgrim Heart’s Trust Christmas Lunch which continues to support the homeless and makes a huge difference to some of the most vulnerable over the winter months. The mayor expressed her thanks to the Pilgrim Hearts volunteers for their time and commitment to others.
Citizenship Ceremonies
The Mayor advised the meeting that she had attended six virtual citizenship ceremonies since the last Council meeting.
Thanks to Deputy Mayor
The Mayor concluded her announcements by thanking the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gbadebo for attending the Power of Parenting Children’s Charity Ball, the Pantomime production of Cinderella at South Hill Park and Bracknell Choral Society celebration of Mozart events.
School improvement in the borough
Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning was proud to report to the meeting that 94.4% of all schools were either Good or Outstanding. The inspection of schools by Ofsted had restarted last summer. The positive outcomes were a reflection of the focus on the needs of pupils during the pandemic and the hard work of the leadership teams, teaching staff, governing bodies and the school improvement team. He congratulated everyone involved.