Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

63.1         The Mayor reported the sad news of the deaths of ex-Councillors Betty Walshe and Brian Pidgeon.  She noted that Betty was the first (Labour) Mayor of our new unitary authority in 1997, and the year before that, 1996 the Chair of the Shadow Authority. Originally she was a Councillor for Hangleton and then for Goldsmid having moved from Queens Park. She was considered an ideal choice as the first Mayor, as she was felt to unite Brighton and Hove as they became a unitary authority in 1997. 

63.2         The Mayor noted that Brian was first elected in 2002 for Patcham Ward and stood down in 2015.  Brian had a great passion for the City and was made an Honorary Alderman in July 2015.  He was also a keen supporter of Neighbourhood Watch and an active Ward Councillor.

63.3         The Mayor then asked for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

63.4         The Mayor thanked the Council and then stated that she was going to call on the Leader of the Council, Councillor Warren Morgan to make a statement on the King Alfred.

63.5         The Leader thanked the Mayor and stated that he was pleased to announce the award of a £15m grant for the development of the King Alfred Leisure Centre, which would provide much needed regeneration to the area and an additional 550 new homes.  He wished to thank the officers involved and the Members of the Project Board, and especially wished to highlight the work of Mark Jago, City Regeneration Programme Manager who had made a significant contribution to securing the £265m project.  It was hoped that a planning application would be submitted by the end of the year.