Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.
Minutes:
Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.
(i) Appointments – New Councillors
The Lord Mayor thanked all Members for their support in electing him as the City’s 802nd Mayor and 3rd Lord Mayor and welcomed everyone back to the Council Chamber after the Local Elections. The Lord Mayor also welcomed to the meeting those Councillors who were attending their first meeting together with those who had successfully defended their seats.
(ii) New Microphone System
Members, you will be aware that we have new digital microphone system which is operated in the same way as the previous system by pressing the button on the right to speak which will show a red light and then by turning it off when you have finished speaking. The system was finessed at our last Council meeting and has been working well since. Therefore, we are not expecting any technical difficulties today, however if we do please bear with us. The new equipment has numerous other features such as allowing electronic voting which we will be looking to roll out of the forthcoming Municipal Year.
(iv) Filming
The Lord Mayor announced that the meeting is open to being film and reminded those filming that the right to film is limited to the duration of the meeting and recording must cease when I close the meeting. Filming or recording was not permitted if the effect would be to interrupt or disturb the proceedings or if it was intrusive of a specific individual or individuals. If in the Lord Mayor opinion this was occurring, it would not be permitted, and she would ask you to stop. Similarly, some members of the public attending the meeting may object to being filmed, photographed or recorded. The Lord Mayor would be making those attending the meeting today aware and would ask those filming, to respect their wishes, and would expect that these were complied with. As was the case when Council met in the Guildhall the meeting is being live streamed.
(v) Meeting Protocol
The Lord Mayor referred to the need for these meetings to run efficiently and effectively and asked Members to keep in mind through the year the basic courtesies we need to adhere to for this to happen: – timeliness both in arriving at the meeting and listening carefully to the speeches and arguments. The Lord Mayor further requested that Members remembered the courtesies they would like from members when speaking and for the benefit of the public Members remain in the seat allocated or if you wish to move, you give notice of your intention prior to the next meeting so that copies displayed in public areas could be amended.
(vi) Mobile phones and electronic devices
The Lord Mayor reminded Members, wi-fi is available in the Council Chamber. The use of mobile electronic devices can therefore be used in the Chamber and in Committee Meetings. The Lord Mayor urged Members to use their good sense and behave with courtesy, particularly in not tweeting messages which would otherwise be in breach of our rules or the law. For example, tweeting material discussed in confidential session would be a very serious breach. As in previous years, there was a £25 fine for mobile phones ringing and this would go to the Lord Mayor’s charity.
(vii) Development and Refresher Sessions for Members
The Lord Mayor reminded Members of the comprehensive development and refresher programme that had been arranged and encouraged both new and existing Members to attend.
(viii) Plans to mark D-Day on 6 June 2024
The Lord Mayor announced that on Thursday 6 June 2024, the UK would commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings in 1944. Southampton would mark the day with a commemorative service and military parade. This would sit alongside other activities which were currently being developed with a range of partners.
Southampton played a pivotal role in preparations for the D-Day landings, with hundreds of thousands of British and American troops based around the city and Southampton waters. Parts of the Southampton Civic Centre was used as a base by the American military until the end of the war.
At 8am on 6 June, Southampton’s Town Crier, would begin the city's commemorations with a special proclamation. The tribute would acknowledge the valiant Allied forces who initiated Operation Overlord by storming the beaches of Normandy, a pivotal act that ultimately led to the liberation of Paris and the end of the Second World War.
(x) Commemorative Service and Military Parade
The Lord Mayor announced that a service would be held on the evening of 6 June to recognise and honour the sacrifices made during the Second World War. The service would take place at Holyrood Church in the city centre, which was destroyed by enemy bombing during the Blitz in November 1940.
The 17 Port & Maritime Regiment, based at Marchwood Military Port and who have the Freedom of the City, would attend the service. Following the service, they would lead a parade through the city centre to commemorate this historic occasion, and veterans will be welcomed to attend and take part. The parade would make its way through the High Street, passing the Bargate, and would conclude in Guildhall Square.
When the troops arrived in Guildhall Square, a special beacon would be lit as a further act of commemoration. This would be in tandem with a beacon lit at the British Normandy Memorial, which overlooked Gold Beach. More beacons would be lit in Utah, Omaha, Juno, and Sword, all in Normandy, France.