Agenda item

To adopt a resolution of appreciation for the ex-Mayor (Councillor Kath Rowson).

It was proposed by Councillor Blackburn seconded by Councillor Cross and

Resolved:

‘It is with great pleasure, that Blackpool Council places on record its appreciation of the duties so very ably and enthusiastically undertaken by Councillor Kath Rowson, as Mayor of Blackpool for the mayoral year 2016 to 2017.  Her dedication for the town, together with her many years of service on the Council have stood her in good stead for her year as Blackpool’s civic head.

The Blackpool Mayoralty again maintained its status as a busy one this year with a variety of civic engagements.

Kath and Joan began the mayoral year with the Royal Garden Party in London and opened the World Dance Championships at the Winter Gardens.

Throughout the year, they attended many high profile local events such as the Pride Launch, Lytham Proms and the Manchester to Blackpool Car Run.  Kath and Joan also met with Simon Cowell, Ant and Dec and the Britain’s Got Talent crew, as well as supporting Graham Liver with his bed push for BBC Lancs Children in Need.

Blackpool still attracts a large number of conferences and the Mayor and Mayoress attended a variety of annual gatherings such as; National Pensioners Convention, UK Bus Driver of the Year Awards, WMCIU, Royal Pigeon Racing Association and USDAW Congress to name a few.

Many Ex-Service organisations still hold their Annual Reunions in Blackpool and Kath and Joan attended reunions of the Canal Zoners, the Royal Artillery Association, Aden Veterans, the Royal Air Force Association and the HMS Penelope Association.  National Armed Forces Week, during June, was again a great success attracting thousands of visitors to the town and the Mayor and Mayoress attended a variety of events during the week.

This March the Mayoralty was privileged to have a visit from our affiliated submarine HMS Triumph.  With 100 submariners in attendance the Mayor and Mayoress, together with Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, were able to host a reception within a week where the submariners were visiting Blackpool for some much needed down time.

Town Twinning played a significant part in this mayoral year with a visit from Oberbuergmeister Bernd Tischler and his delegation for mayor making and the Blackpool Mayoralty travelled over to Bottrop for the June Stadtfest.

Kath took great pleasure in welcoming our new citizens to the town at the many very popular Citizenship Ceremonies that were held throughout the year. 

This year, the Mayor chose Trinity Hospice as her charity to benefit from the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.  Kath has had considerable support from various friends and groups with her charity events and, after a very successful Cocktail Evening at the Winter Gardens in April, Kath raised over £20,000 this year for Trinity Hospice.

A special reference has to be made to the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, Gary and Debbie, for their support and contribution to this mayoral year and to Rev Dr Simon Cox who acted as Mayor’s Chaplain and has assisted at Council Meetings and other civic events.

This resolution would not be complete without particular reference to the Mayoress, Joan, who supported Kath at all major events throughout the year.

To Kath and Joan, Blackpool Council places on record its sincere appreciation of their services as Mayor and Mayoress, and expresses the hope that memories of their mayoral year will stay with them forever.

The Council extends to them both, every good wish for the future’.