(a)       Youth Service Minibus

The Mayor reported that, as part of the wider strategy for youth engagement, the Sutton Youth Service had recently taken delivery of a new vehicle called an URBIE.  This stood for Urban Information & Education.  The vehicle was a mobile youth minibus which could be used to engage with young people in areas where they located themselves rather than relying on them to come to the youth service.  The vehicle is fully accessible to wheel chair users and met the recent low emission laws.  The Youth Service intended to use the bus to both raise its profile amongst young people, as a flexible tool to meet and engage a wide range of young people and promote the youth service at events across the borough and in local schools.

(b)       Comprehensive Performance Assessment

The Mayor reported that Sutton was now one of the highest performing councils in the country after retaining its 4 star status and was, for the first time, being rated as "improving strongly" in the annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) announced by the Audit Commission in February.  Sutton was one of thirteen councils in the country to have this top rating.  The Mayor and Councillors showed their appreciation to the staff who had helped to achieve that status.

(c)       Visit by Government Minister

The Mayor reported that a government delegation which included the Children, Schools and Families Minister Lord Adonis, had visited the borough recently and met Sutton families with disabled children to hear how plans to transform disabled children’s services were taking shape in the borough.  Sutton was one of just twenty one local authorities that had been chosen as a pathfinder for short breaks funding from the Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.  This meant that the Council and its partners would be able to fund more and better schemes to allow parents to take a short break from their caring role from April this year.

(d)       Hackbridge Week

The Mayor reported that a week long programme of workshops and events had marked a successful Hackbridge Week last week. The event aimed to stimulate community involvement in making that area the first zero carbon neighbourhood in the country.

(e)       Take Part Take Pride

It was noted that this year’s Take Part, Take Pride week would run from 7 July 2008.  Anyone who wished to involve groups or individuals from their local community needed to contact Robin Campbell in the Communications Team.  It was hoped to make this year’s event the best ever. 

(f)        Institute of Customer Service Awards

The Mayor reported that Darren Ford, who had worked in the Civic Offices since 2003 and was in a wheelchair, had proved that there were no barriers to success and had received a prestigious award from the Institute of Customer Service. 

(g)       Camden Junior School

The Mayor reported that Camden Junior School, Carshalton had become the first primary school in Sutton to achieve the Nace Challenge Award for excellence in provision for able, gifted and talented pupils. The award was given by the National Association for Able Children in Education.  Those present congratulated the school on this achievement.

(h)       London Mayor’s Association Sponsored Walk

The Mayor announced on Sunday 30 March, she would be taking part in a sponsored walk organised by the London Mayors’ Association.  The walk was in three sections, over five miles and covered the original walk of Dick Whittington over 600 years ago.  The Mayor intended to start each section of the walk, though not contiguously.  The money raised would go towards her Charity – Parkinson’s Outreach, Sutton.  Those present were asked to sponsor her. 

(i)         Mayor’s Charity Events

The Mayor reminded those present that there were a number of events in aid of the Mayor’s Charity taking place in March and April.  Details had been circulated around the Council Chamber and the support of Councillors would be appreciated. 

(j)         Carshalton Boys Sports College

The Mayor reported that, earlier in the day, Carshalton Boys Sports College had used the Council Chamber for their School Council meeting.

(k)       Fiona Ledden, Executive Head of Legal and Democratic Services

The Mayor reported that this was the last Council meeting that Fiona Ledden would attend before she joined the Greater London Authority in April.  Everyone present showed their appreciation to Fiona for her help and advice over the years and wished her well in her new role.