Mayor's Voice

It’s been another busy month and I feel I’ve really turned a corner in getting things put into place as I settle into my role. In terms of switching things up a gear, I’ve got two significant announcements to make this month.

The first is that I’m going to be launching a new podcast and interviewing small businesses to give them a platform on which to share their news and successes, as well as people in the local community. I’m a huge believer in doing what we can to support local business; they are the backbone of our community, helping keep money in the local economy. By having conversations with them, I’m hoping to raise awareness of them and help bring people together. Keep an eye on the Facebook page (mayorofbromley) for upcoming announcements.

The second is that I’ve launched a fantastic prize draw to win a “fly a Spitfire” flight! Tickets cost £10, running until May 2021, for a prize that’s worth over £2,500! The money raised will help both Chartwell Cancer Trust and Cystic Fibrosis Supporters – so please dig deep and give yourself the chance to win the flight of a lifetime and you can enter as many times as you like!

Meanwhile, I hosted my debut Charity Appeal event of the year, Pimm’s O’Clock, for afternoon tea, managing to raise much needed funds for the two aforementioned charities. Talking of local support, I received a cheque from Beckenham Building Suppliers recently and it got me thinking that it would be great for local businesses to come up with unique ways of raising money for the charities. I will happily invite them into my Mayoral Parlour to join my podcast and promote their business in return.

I’ve been out and about meeting numerous schools and nurseries before the summer holidays including Poverest Primary School, Riverside School, Midfield Primary School and Harris Primary Academy Beckenham, along with Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery and Biggin Hill Primary. I think that given the lockdown and straight into the summer holidays, parents will really start to appreciate the incredible work that teachers do – and gain a little insight into the daily pressures that they face. Hat’s off to them.

Meanwhile, it’s great news from a technology perspective. I ran a full council meeting on Webex video conferencing recently; after solving the dilemma of having no electricity in the Mayor’s Parlour, it all went really smoothly. I also joined a few Zoom meetings including the Rotary Satellite in Orpington to thank those

who had been making bags and masks for the NHS, a chat with Greener and Cleaner Bromley and a Zoom meeting with the Croydon Mayor to name a few. I also represented the borough in Tatsfield for the unveiling of a beautiful floral carpet display in commemoration of the Battle of Britain and I cut a few more ribbons to officially open new shops and premises.

I received a warm welcome at the Nugent Shopping Centre, organised by the centre manager - Tina Powley, to thank the centre’s support team and the essential stores that stayed open during lockdown. These included Metro Bank, M&S, Pets At Home and Superdrug. I also spotted a couple of the van traders that were open so I went along to say hello. Last but not least, I joined the Food Bank in Bromley to thank them in person for what they do. In the past the centre has come under scrutiny, with some claiming that people take advantage of the service. However, that’s certainly not the case; the Food Bank’s recommendations come from places like the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and via GPs and they do a fantastic job in providing meals to those most in need.

As you can see, I’ve still very much been out and about meeting people – those who have made a difference to the borough. My aim is to be a Mayor for the people and this means that it’s important that I’m approachable and out there meeting those who make a difference. If you’d like to find out more please email the Mayor’s office –mayors.office@bromley. gov.uk Cllr Hannah Gray Mayor of Bromley