Full text of the Mayor's Acceptance Speech from April 5th 2006
Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff, Civic Guests, Councillors, Officers of the Council, Guests, Residents and Young People of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees
Well, I'm here as the first citizen of the Borough of Stockton on Tees.
I must say that this is the first year of operation of a new part of the constitution under which the longest serving councillor becomes Mayor. I never thought or even dreamed that it would happen and that I would be Mayor, but it is an immense honour and privilege to be so.
There are many people to thank today, starting with my proposer and seconder.
Without the support of so many people, I wouldn't have been able to stay the course.
- The people of the ward of Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree, that I serve, have put their confidence in me 8 times, and it has been a pleasure and privilege to be their representative.
- My group who have given me immense support in the past, and I also want to thank them in advance for the extra work they will need to take on in the coming year,
- Other councillors of all parties who have given a friendly ear, and particularly cllrs Mick Stoker, Jennie Beaumont and Ann Cains who have given me so much helpful advice whilst I was Deputy Mayor. The many officers who have been stalwarts of advice and support over the years, and most of all Susan Walton and Kevin Bowdrey in the Mayor's office without whom I would be completely stuck.
- My friends who have unfailingly stood by me, especially when times have been tough.
- Last but by no means least, my family. Particularly my son Alex. I know it was difficult when he was living at home when he was younger, and putting up with the duplicator whirring, a non stop telephone (this was the days before e-mail!) and people calling at all hours. And of course it was embarrassing as a teenager to have a mother who appeared in the local paper! Thanks Alex for surviving despite all of this, and thanks for all your advice on all things modern, and particularly sporting matters and progress of the 'Boro. I am delighted he is here today with his family.
- As for my husband John, it is difficult to put into words, but without him by my side, particularly when it comes to big sums! I couldn't have done what I have. I am delighted that in his first year of retirement from his day job that he is going to be my consort.
So how will I carry out the role as Mayor?
One of the tasks will be to chair Council meetings, starting with this one. I will do my best to encourage fair debate within the rules. If I do ever have to use my casting vote I can only say that I will do so after thinking over the matter carefully, and it will not be according to any group whip.
I want to set out some of the things that I want to do as Mayor. Perhaps a key word is "connect".
I want to be able to do what I can to support and encourage people in the voluntary sector. There are a large number of people involved in the voluntary sector, in organisations both large and small, that are an essential part of the fabric of our community. Usually they are the unsung heroes, and don't consider themselves to be important enough to be recognised. Well they are, and I hope that people here will spread the word to organisations that they know of.
I would like to open doors so that people can better connect with the civic and democratic life of the Borough. The obvious start is with the Town Hall. After all the Town House belongs to the people and not a select few. I want to support moves to open it up and encourage people to find out about it and the town's heritage, as well as modern day workings.
I very much want to be able to facilitate making links between young people of Stockton borough and the democratic process. I hope to be able to work with school councils in the secondary sector, linking in with the youth assembly and generally help young people have a voice that can be listened to.
Another contribution that I want to make is with people of other faiths and ethnic backgrounds. I am a practicing Christian and want to be able to play a part in building bridges. The highlight of my year as Deputy Mayor was to go to the inauguration of the Archbishop of York, and one of the things that he said that struck a chord with me was " go out and meet people of other faiths and other cultures, not to convert them, but to make friends with them". It is only a first step, but I am delighted today to welcome representatives from other faiths and cultures, and I do hope that we will be meeting again soon.
I was delighted last month when an all party move was agreed at Council to work towards Stockton becoming a Fair Trade Town. I will do all that I can to make this wish come true, so we are a Fair Trade town very soon. I hope those coming to lunch afterwards enjoy some Fair Trade refreshments, and you go out and buy them yourselves if you don't already do so.
And how will you all know what I am up to? Well, I will be posting on a blog. What is a blog, some might be saying? It is an on-line diary and I will be giving a potted and personal view of what is happening in my Mayoral life, along with pictures where available, demystifying the role of Mayor. I will, unless someone knows better, be the first Mayor of a principal Council to do this. It will be accessed by the Stockton Council website.
I am sure you all want to know about my 2 charities for the year. I have chosen the Butterwick Hospice care out of hours service, supporting patients and carers who wish to remain at home. This will receive 75% of what is raised. Also the Mary Thompson Fund, which provides emergency and valuable additional support to refugees and people seeking asylum living in our local community, they are not allowed to work - and so are either forced to exist on levels of Income Support less than everyone else, with many left totally destitute with no other income, without this support.
If people want to make donations, arrangements are set up so that they can do so using Gift Aid if they are taxpayers. There are some leaflets around, and in the Mayor's office, as well as (eventually) a link on the blog.
I hope this gives a flavour of some of the hopes and aspirations for the year ahead. I want to be able to serve and represent Stockton Borough, and play my part in bringing people together, so we can move, as our motto says, Forward as One.
