Minutes:
Death of Councillor Paula Spencer
The Mayor reported with great sadness on the loss of Councillor Paula Spencer who passed away on 27 March 2024. Paula was elected as a Councillor for St. Oswald Ward on 7 May 2015. During her time on the Council Paula had served on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding), Planning Committee and Licensing and Regulatory Committee. Paula had a particular interest in matters relating to children and was also Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding) for two years.
On behalf of the Council, the Mayor acknowledged Paula’s dedicated service to Sefton and extended her sincere condolences to Paula’s husband Andy, their children, Anna, Dale, Jimmy and Kathleen, and the rest of her family, at this difficult time.
Councillors Atkinson, Thomas, Ian Maher, Pugh, O’Brien, Dowd, Harrison Kelly and Prendergast paid tribute to Councillor Paula Spencer.
The Council observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect in reflecting on the sad passing of Councillor Paula Spencer.
Councillors Not Seeking Re-Election
The Mayor reported that this was the last Council meeting before the Council Elections on 2 May 2024 and that the following Councillors would not be seeking re-election:
· Councillor Linda Cluskey who had served on Sefton Council on 3 separate occasions, for a total of 20 years.
· Councillor Sinclair D’Albuquerque who had served on Sefton Council for 3 years.
· Councillor Trish Hardy who had served on Sefton Council for 21 years.
· Councillor John Joseph Kelly who had served on Sefton Council for 14 years.
· Councillor Christine Maher who had served on Sefton Council for 3 years.
· Councillor Anne Thompson who had served on Sefton Council for 11 years.
· Councillor Carran Waterfield who had served on Sefton Council for 5 years; and
· Councillor Andrew Wilson who had served on Sefton Council for 3 years.
On behalf of the Council, the Mayor thanked those Members for their dedicated service to the people of Sefton, which when combined totalled 80 years, and extended her best wishes to them for the future.
Mayor of Sefton’s Gala Charity Ball 2024
The Mayor reported that her Gala Charity Ball was held on Saturday 6 April 2024 and was a great success. Over 170 people attended the event in Formby Hall, Formby, and a great deal of money was raised on the night for the Mayor’s Charity Fund. The Mayor expressed her thanks to all those Members who attended and supported the event. The Mayor was currently planning events for her secondterm of office and would keep the Council updated on those events during the course of the year.
Royal Visit to Sefton Carers Centre
The Mayor reported that on 16 April, she was honoured to be invited to Sefton Carers Centre to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sefton Carers. Her Royal Highness Princess Anne was also in attendance at the event. The Mayor considered that it was inspiring to see the invaluable support the Centre offered to unpaid caregivers living in Sefton and praised the number of young people who undertook a carer role.
Conflict in Palestine and Israel
The Mayor referred to the Motion on the agenda about the conflict in Palestine and Israel.
The Council then observed a one-minute silence to remember all those who had lost their lives because of the Palestinian - Israeli conflict.