Agenda item
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
To elect a Councillor to serve as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2013/14.
Minutes:
The Speaker of the Council, Councilllor Rajib Ahmed, addressed the meeting about his year in office. He thanked the Council for giving him the opportunity of being Speaker in a busy and rewarding year which included major events such as the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Games.
He stated that he had been extremely fortunate to attend over 350 wonderful events and meet the energetic and vibrant Tower Hamlets community. Amongst many other experiences the Civic Awards Ceremony had been a highlight of the year. He also enjoyed attending the citizenship ceremonies and urged all Councillors to take part to welcome new citizens to the borough.
Councillor Ahmed reported that he had worked hard to raise over £22k for his charities and he thanked everyone who had supported him in those endeavours. Finally he thanked colleagues and residents for their support and enthusiasm, thanked the civic office staff and his drivers for their hard work, and wished his successor good luck in the role.
Councillor Rachel Saunders thanked and congratulated Councillor Rajib Ahmed for his year in office. In particular she highlighted his work to raise the profile of Bangladeshi music and culture and his general work in promoting unity. Councillors Peter Golds, Fozol Miah and Ohid Ahmed also spoke to thank Councillor Rajib Ahmed for his work as Speaker, in particular praising his charitable fund raising.
The Speaker then called for nominations to serve as Speaker of the Tower Hamlets Council for the coming year.
It was MOVED by Councillor Rachel Saunders, SECONDED by Councillor Abdal Ullah and
RESOLVED
That Councillor Lesley Pavitt be elected to serve as Speaker of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council until the Annual Council Meeting in May/June 2014.
Councillors Rachel Saunders and Abdal Ullah then came forward to witness the Speaker of the Council signing the statutory declaration of office.
The Speaker of the Council, Councillor Lesley Pavitt, in the Chair
The incoming Speaker thanked Councillor Rajib Ahmed for his hard work over the last year and in particular for supporting her as Deputy Speaker. She stated it was a real honour to be elected and she looked forward to working with Councillors from all parties.
Councillor Pavitt stated that she saw the role of Speaker as having three main elements. Firstly, chairing the Council meeting. In that role she would expect proper behaviour from all Councillors and from public attendees and for her part she intended to ensure that all views were able to be heard and where possible to alternate speakers between the political groups. Secondly, it was important for the Speaker to highlight the good work in the borough. Councillor Pavitt was anticipating visiting many organisations across the local community to hear about, and thank them for their efforts and she would have a particular focus on older residents of the borough. Thirdly, Councillor Pavitt was looking forward to her role representing the borough to the wider world.
In addition to the above she also intended to take part in welcoming new citizens to the borough at the Citizenship Ceremonies and she encouraged all Councillors to make themselves available to help at these events.
Finally, the Speaker announced that she had chosen two charities based in the borough to support during her year in office. These were Magic Me, which aims to bring different generations together through creative activity; and Cardboard Citizens, which changes the lives of homeless and displaced people through theatre and the performing arts.