Minutes:
Councillors Not Seeking Re-Election
The Mayor reported that this was the last Council meeting before the Council Elections on 4 May 2023 and that the following Councillors would not be seeking re-election:
· Councillor Terry Jones who had served on Sefton Council for sixteen years; and
· Councillor Yaso Sathiy who had served on Sefton Council for four years.
On behalf of the Council, The Mayor thanked those Members for their dedicated service to the people of Sefton and extended her best wishes to them for the future.
Mayor of Sefton’s Gala Charity Ball 2023
The Mayor reported that her Gala Charity Ball was held on Saturday 1 April 2023, and it was a great success. Over 180 people attended the event in the Waterfront Hotel, Southport, and just over £6,000 was raised on the night for the Mayor’s Charity Fund; and the Mayor expressed her thanks to all those Members who attended and supported the event.
HMS Mersey – Freedom of the Borough
The Mayor reported that it was an immense pleasure for her to present the Freedom of the Borough Scroll to the Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey at the Extra-ordinary Council meeting on Thursday 13 April 2023 and to host the Civic Reception for the Ships company in the Assembly Hall that evening. All the Ships company exercised their Freedom of the Borough on Sunday 16 April when they paraded around the nearby streets of Bootle, and they were accompanied by the Corps of Drums from HM Royal Marines Band, Plymouth and local Sea Cadets.
The Mayor indicated that along with other Members of the Council, she had attended a reception held on HMS Mersey on Friday 14 April 2023, while it was berthed at the Princes Landing Stage at the Pier Head, Liverpool; and that it had been an honour and a privilege to be in the company of the men and women who serve on HMS Mersey during the last few days, and that they were very honoured by the award of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough and very grateful for all the kindness and hospitality provided to them by the Council, local residents and local hostelries.
Armed Forces Community Covenant
The Mayor reported that in 2012, representatives of Sefton Council had signed a Armed Forces Community Covenant along with the other Liverpool City Region Authorities, and that earlier evening she had with great pleasure, signed Sefton’s own Armed Forces Community Covenant in her role as the Armed Forces Champion in the presence of Major Daniella Aspin (Army), Squadron Leader Mark Barrett (RAF) and Mrs Janice Cox, North West Regional Employer Engagement Director.
The Mayor also reported that the Council had submitted an application for the Armed Forces Silver Employer Recognition Award and hopefully the outcome of the application would be reported at the next Council meeting.
Marine Athletic Football Club – Liverpool Senior Cup
The Mayor reported that on Tuesday 18 April 2023 she had attended the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup held at the DCBL Stadium, Widnes along with the Mayors of other Liverpool City Region local authorities and had the pleasure of watching Marine Athletic Football Club beat Runcorn Linnets 4-3 on penalties after the game ended 0-0 and she extended her congratulations to Marine Athletic Football Club.
The Mayor also reported that the Mayor of Sefton Twitter account had over 2,000 followers and the re-tweet of Marine winning the Cup had gone viral on the Internet with over 30,000 views.