Agenda item

To adopt a resolution of appreciation for the ex-Mayor (Mrs Val Haynes).

It was proposed by Councillor Mitchell, seconded by Councillor Jackson 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 Val Haynes, as Mayor of Blackpool.  Her dedication for the town, three times as Deputy Mayor, 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 and as the town still attracts a large number of conferences.  The Mayor and Consort 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, to name a few.

Many ex-service and military organisations still hold their events in Blackpool and Val and Alan attended reunions of the Canal Zoners, the Royal Artillery Association, Aden Veterans, the Royal Air Force Association, the Parachute Regimental Association, a D Day Commemorative Service, the HMS Penelope Association and recently the VE Day Service and beacon lighting at the Cenotaph.

At the beginning of June, the Mayor and Consort attended the Royal Garden Party in London and combined this with an invitation to a ceremony in Hampshire in support of 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, who have Freedom of the Borough.

Blackpool Armed Forces Week, at the end of June, was again a great success attracting thousands of visitors to the town and the Mayor and Consort attended a variety of events during the week, amongst the highlights being the Flag Raising Ceremony at the beginning of the week and a Service and Parade on Sunday 29 June.

During her mayoral year, Val took great interest supporting in schools, scouts, guides, the Princes Trust and the Air Training Corps, attending or hosting many events involving young people.  Val also supported, through her attendance, many new ventures and enterprises in Blackpool along with invitations to dance festivals, the Pride Ball, Strictly Coming Dancing, Local Business Awards and many volunteer and carers events.

The opening of the various new enterprises in Bickerstaffe Square featured in Val’s mayoral year with state of the art Council Offices, a gym, supermarket and various shops and eateries.

In September, the Mayor and Consort headed a civic delegation for a visit to our twin town Bottrop for the Brezelfest and enjoyed a superbly hosted few days with Oberbürgermeister Tischler and the Bottrop Councillors.  Following on in October Val, Alan and Deputy Mayor Councillor Chris Ryan were invited by The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment to Neuve Chapelle in Northern France to represent the town at a First World War Commemorative Service.

Val took great pleasure in welcoming our new citizens to Blackpool at the many very popular Citizenship Ceremonies that were held throughout the year.  During this mayoral year also saw the Council Chamber and the Mayoralty hosting the Army Recruitment team and new army recruits at their Junior Oaths of Allegiance proving a proud and moving event for all involved.

This year, the Mayor’s chosen charities were Donna’s Dream House and The Snowdrop Centre and Val and Alan organised and hosted a wonderful Charity Gala Dinner in April where more than 340 people attended.  This mayoral year raised over £28,000 for the charities.

A special reference has to be made to the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, Chris and Nicola Ryan, for their support and contribution to this mayoral year and to Councillor Fred Jackson who acted as Mayor’s Chaplain throughout the year.

To Val and Alan, Blackpool Council places on record its sincere appreciation of their services as Mayor and Consort, 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.’