Mayoral Inauguration 2007
Mayoral Inauguration 2007
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Watch Councillor Mike Smith being inaugurated as Mayor of Tameside.
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My Lords, Honorary Freemen, Honorary Aldermen, Members and Officers of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, Distinguished Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen will you remain upstanding for the Worshipful Civic Mayor, Margaret Sidebottom, Lady Mayor.
Civic Mayor, Margaret Sidebottom
Please be seated. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I’ve been asked to advise you that the meeting is being recorded and I trust you have no objection. And can I please remind you that all mobile telephones should be switched off. Thank you. And can I call upon Councillor Andrew Gwynne MP to propose the formal resolution for the election of the Civic Mayor.
Councillor Andrew Gwynne MP
Madam Mayor, firstly can I congratulate both you and Colin for your year in office. It gives me great pleasure to formally move the resolution that Councillor Michael Joseph Smith be and is hereby elected Civic Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside for the ensuing municipal year. Tameside Council that great, innovative and pioneering authority four stars improving strongly has done it again. Last year I pointed out our track record in recycling, glass, paper, tin cans, plastics and Deputy Mayors.
Laughter
When I glanced at the programme tonight I saw that both Mayor and Deputy were going to be held by Councillor Smith. I thought we’d taken the slogan – Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, to its extremes then I remembered we had two Councillor Smiths in Tameside. There are only so many buffets that one man can take and this will be Mike’s third year in concession at it and I can see our Mayoress Elect who I promised to be on my best behaviour to glaring at me so I think it’s customary Madam Mayor to say a few nice words about our new Mayoralty. Actually it’s not hard to say nice things about Mike and Teresa because they are nice people, a wonderful couple and have a supportive and great family around them. In fact I know that it’s only through that support that Teresa and the family have given, that Mike has managed with his Mayoral marathon. Thankfully they’re now on the final lap. Tameside’s website tells me that Councillor Smith was born in Droylsden in 1963 and is the fifth of seven children. He has lived in Tameside for all of his life and that’s not strictly true as Tameside wasn’t created until a decade after his birth but he’s certainly had a good Lancastrian pedigree until he was eleven. Mike has been married to Teresa for twenty years and they’ve got four children so far.
Laughter
As you'll notice in amongst the chamber. Anyway Mike has been a good friend of mine since I first got to know him campaigning in Audenshaw back in 2002. His hard work and commitment was exceptional and impressive. Despite a valiant effort and gaining the highest Labour votes in that Ward for many years it sadly wasn’t to be. But Audenshaw’s loss was to become Denton’s gain when we poached him in late 2002 to be our candidate in the 2003 run for the election. What a wise choice we made. With all those kids appearing Brenda and I didn’t have to deliver a single leaflet all campaign, we just left them to it.
Laughter
I actually think it cost Mike a bit though I think there was a new bike for one of his children declared as an election expense I’m not sure anyway Mike Smith was subsequently elected to Tameside Council to represent Denton West Ward in May 2003. I was his agent of course, and he hasn’t looked back since. He followed in my footsteps as the Chair of the Resources and Sustainability Communities Scrutiny Panel, he’s also a member of the Licensing Panel, an Executive member of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, a member of Tameside Energy Panel and most importantly of all, a member of the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly. So as well as all of that and the Deputy Mayoring job and now doing the top job he’s also a Building Contracts Manager for Manchester Works part of the Manchester mafia on this Council. Finally, the Council’s website informs me that Councillor Smith enjoys spending time with his family, visiting places of interest and walking his dog, Alfie. With everything going on in his life at present you would wonder where he gets the time or the energy but knowing Mike and Teresa they do because family is important to them. For me this is my twelfth and last Council AGM as a Councillor. My first was back in 1996 when Stephen Poole who represented Denton West stepped down as Deputy Mayor and my last is seeing a Denton West Councillor Mike Smith become Mayor, joining a distinguished list of other Denton Councillors on these boards. John Devaney, Pat Haslam, Albert Hatton, Stephen Poole, Margaret Downs and of course Mr Denton himself Martin Wareing. Madam Mayor I couldn’t think of anyone better to be our Mayor this year than my mate Mike with Teresa his lovely wife as Mayoress. They both worked hard for it and I know that they’ll both do their best to promote this Council, our Borough, all the nine towns and the people out there with distinction, honour and pride and so it gives me great pleasure to formally move that Councillor Michael Joseph Smith being and is hereby elected Civic Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside for the ensuing municipal year thank you Madam Mayor.
Applause
Civic Mayor, Margaret Sidebottom
Thank you Councillor Gwynne and now call upon Councillor Jackie Lane to second the formal resolution as done by Councillor Gwynne.
Councillor Jackie Lane
Madam Mayor I think Councillor Etchells has pinched most of my stuff but we had a bit of spare time before and I think he actually took a copy of my speech there no seriously I’ve also had the glare and I’ve also had the finger job and I promised Teresa to be very good tonight as I say. I can honestly say and I mean honestly say it’s a great pleasure to actually stand here tonight and second Michael oh Joseph, I didn’t know you were called Joseph - Joseph Michael Joseph Smith as our Mayor this year and Teresa the Mayoress. What a fantastic couple. I first met Mike way back when once again with Andrew when we were campaigning in Audenshaw. Brenda Hilditch actually introduced us bless her and he was actually run ragged by Brenda, God bless her again and we did some campaigning there in Audenshaw and myself and Dawson and he worked extremely hard and he was a real grafter and when I mean a grafter he’s a grafter who deserves to be where he is today so it is a pleasure to be here stood here to actually second this nomination.
We had a great year with Mike and Teresa as Deputy. I can tell you it was absolutely buzzing. We had loads of laughs, some cries as well but we had loads of laughs and I’ve got loads of memories. Memories that I will never forget. Mike and Teresa come from a fantastic family, very, very supportive, very warm very accepting people and they welcomed Dawson and myself with open arms and were very generous with their affection, their love towards us and it’s something I will never forget. Lots of memories, memories with Sam and the ‘H’ word – I can’t go into that it’s too much to say because Teresa will kill me, memories of Becky shopping for the drops it was great, spoons I’ll let Teresa tell that one day, we have loads and loads of great memories and I’m thankful that I picked both Teresa and Mike as Deputies, they were great ambassadors for Tameside and they did Tameside and myself and Dawson very proud. So it’s because I’m stood here today I just want to say that Tameside are very lucky to have these people. They come from a good family, good morals, old fashioned morals I have to say and although it pains me Mike when you hear this or when you see it recorded it does pain me to say there’s only one boss in the Smith household and I’m sorry Teresa and I’m sorry Mike, it’s Alfie the dog (laughter) but on a serous note I just want to say welcome to Mike and Teresa, Tameside is very privileged and very proud to have you to represent us for the next twelve months. I wish you a blessed and happy and fantastic year because you deserve it, thank you.
Applause
Councillor Margaret Sidebottom
I put the motion to the Council that .Michael Joseph Smith the elected Civic Mayor of Tameside for the ensuing municipal year. Can I have a show of hands please all those in favour.
Raised hands
Thank you. The motion is carried. Councillor Andrew Gwynne and Councillor Jackie Lane can I please ask you to leave the Council chamber to collect Councillor Mike Smith.
It’s my pleasure to inform you that Councillor Smith is elected Civic Mayor of Tameside for the ensuing year and allow me to offer my congratulations.
Applause
Councillor Mike Smith, newly inaugurated Civic Mayor of Tameside
I Michael Joseph Smith having been elected to the office of the Civic Mayor for the Tameside Metropolitan Borough hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties thereof according to the best of my judgement and abilities.
Applause
On behalf of Teresa and myself may I first of all begin by thanking the members of the Council for this honest honour, it is a real honour for me. We are delighted to be your Civic Mayor and Mayoress. Margaret and Colin will be a hard act to follow. They have served the Borough well and have been excellent ambassadors. It’s been a pleasure to work alongside them and we hope to continue their good work. Teresa and I have been fortunate to have had the experience of being Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress for the last two years and through our experiences with Margaret and Colin and with Jackie and Dawson the year before we know we are to have a very extremely busy and exciting time ahead. We intend to work hard and carry out our duties to the very best of our ability. We look forward to working with our Deputies Steve and Betty. We know we will make a great team and together we hope to attend as many events as possible throughout the Borough. We look forward to meeting different people from all walks of life. We hope to meet as many community groups as possible during the year getting into every corner of the area and we are particularly looking forward to working with the young people of the borough. We also look forward to visiting businesses and promoting the borough of Tameside. The Mayor’s charity this year will be dedicated to helping several local charities and voluntary organisations and I hope you will all support me in my fundraising efforts.
This is a very proud day for me and my family. I promise to do my best over the coming months and to work hard for the citizens of Tameside. I hope you can all be proud of what I achieve. I would like for a few minutes just to explain who I am. I’m a Tamesider born and bred, the fifth of seven children. I have a wonderful mother and father who are both here tonight who brought me up. They brought me up to love my family who I love with all my heart and again they’re all here tonight as well. To love God, to be honest, to work hard and to have good manners and respect all people. I have been so lucky to have had this upbringing and I thank mum and dad for the love and encouragement they’ve always given me and my brothers and sisters. Have had this start in life I then went into the world to find my life partner and this is when I met and married my wife Teresa who for the last twenty years has been my rock, my best friend and who I love with all my heart. Again I was fortunate that Teresa’s mother and father were from the same stock as my own parents and they had the same principles and for twenty years I had a mother-in-law and a father-in-law who I loved and respected and we never in all that time had a crossed word. Unfortunately they’re no longer with us but I know they’re watching over us both tonight and will have great pride in the honour you’ve given us today. Being from that background both Teresa and I wanted children and the cycle of life started again. We have four wonderful children – Daniel, Rebecca, Sophie and Sam who we both love with all our hearts. They are sat here tonight and we are so very proud of them and we know they’re the same. They have the same principles that underpin our lives are with them. As I have said, Tameside is my home, I have tremendous pride in the borough and I believe it’s vitally important that all members of the Council work hard for the people of Tameside to continually improve our borough. Again I thank the Council Members for the great honour you’ve bestowed on me and a big thank you to the people of Denton West Ward who without their support over the last five years none of this would be possible. Thank you very much
Applause
Election item 19 is the election of Deputy Mayor. I now call upon Councillor Warren Bray to to propose of formal motion for the appointment of Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Warren Bray
Thank you Mr Mayor, I formally move that Councillor Steven Smith be and is hereby appointed Deputy Mayor for the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside for the ensuing municipal year. And moving on first of all I’d like to pass on my thanks to yourself and your wife for being Deputy for two successive years, it's unusual but you've been absolutely marvellous protagonists for Tameside and I’d like to pass on my thanks and I’m sure the thanks of every Councillor in this chamber.
Here here (Councillors)
Thank you very much. It's not unusual to give a little bit of history of the person Steve and I have been quite close friends. Steve was born in Bradford, and as a young lad I reminded him to make a note of this job, it was a Saturday job on Grey Mare Lane Market, always the industrious one. In 1969 that came to an end when his family moved to Gamesley near Glossop. All those green fields and sheep made quite an impression on a Bradford lad who was brought up in the shadow of Bradford pit, one that was to stay with him for quite some time. But in adult life Steve to live in Tameside but they say they can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy and that led him into such unusual pursuits he actually joined a Morris Dancing troupe (laughter), you can see him wondering round the streets of Tameside with bells around his ankles, well armed with gladding sticks. He's kept that quiet I’ll tell you.
Laughter
However, it wasn’t long before his mind went to more serious matters and he joined us in St. Peters Ward, in the labour party, where he became Chair and he's been a very good Chair for many successful years. He just stood down for personal reasons. He won the election in 2000 and he re-won the seat for St Peters, getting rid of the third of a minor irritation at the time in our ward, I'm sure you remember that. But not only did he gain his seat and the title as Councillor he found out he’d gained a new name as well and he’s still known in some quarters as Sidney.
Laughter
In 2002 Steve met Betty and they got sorry about that they were married and we became very close friends as well, and Jack who was working in St Peter's Ward. They've been a good team, and I’d like to say that Steve and Betty will make two of the finest Deputies that you could hope to meet. Thank you very much.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Bray. I call upon Councillor Alan Whitehead to second the form of resolution as moved by Councillor Bray.
Cllr Alan Whitehead
Thank you Mister Mayor. Pleasure, a great pleasure in seconding the motion to propose Councillor Steve Smith as Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year. Before he became a Councillor in the sense of the meaning as we know it here in this chamber tonight in his previous life Steve was, and indeed still is, a qualified and experienced counsellor at a youth centre. However, in either sense Steve is truly a people person and I’m sure he’ll prove to be sound, dependable and a very able deputy to our new Mayor, Cllr Mike Smith. And I wish Councillor Mike Smith and Teresa, Steve and Betty a wonderful year.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thanks Councillor Whitehead. I put the motion for the Council of Councillor Stephen Smith the appointed Deputy Mayor of Tameside for the ensuing municipal year. Can we have a show of hands please for all those in favour.
Raised Hands
Thank you, the motion is carried, thank you.
Cllr Stephen Smith, Deputy Mayor
I, Stephen Smith having been elected to the office of Deputy Mayor for the Tameside Metropolitan Borough hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties thereof according to the best of my judgement and ability.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
I’d like to ask that Mister Deputy Mayor would like to say a few words.
Cllr Stephen Smith, Deputy Mayor
Okay I’d just like to thank Warren and Alan for those kind words, Alan the cheque’s in the post, Warren and you’re getting my old clocks for that, thank you very much. I’d like to thank Council on behalf of myself and Betty for bestowing this honour on us, I’d like to thank the Civic Mayor and Mayoress for allowing us the privilege to be their Deputies in the following year. It’s a very great honour and it’s a very proud night for both myself and Betty. I know that Mike and Teresa will make a fantastic Mayor and Mayoress. They’ve had two years to practice the part and they’ve done a wonderful job in that time. They’re both fantastic people to know. I’d also like to thank friends, family and colleagues for all their words of support. We really appreciate the congratulations etcetera that you’ve sent our way and I’d just like to say that Betty and myself will do our utmost to be good ambassadors for this great Council. Thank you very much.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
It is now my pleasure to propose a vote of thanks for the retiring Civic Mayor and her Consort. I am sure members will agree that Margaret and Colin have worked extremely hard during their year in office. They’ve conducted their duties with dignity and have been excellent ambassadors for the Authority. They’ve achieved so much over the last year and I know they have happy memories to treasure. I wish them well for the future and I am pleased to move this vote of thanks. I would like to call upon Councillor Jackie Lane to second the vote.
Cllr Jackie Lane
Yeah what an honour to actually once again get up and stand here to actually do the support of thanks to Margaret. Margaret and Colin along with Mike and Teresa have worked very, very hard this year. They’ve had a fantastic year. Margaret will be remembered for lots and lots of things, a people’s person, she’s done all sorts, she’s done all sorts out there not just with the old but with the young as well she’s been very much focused on the young people and she’s had a CD, a Christmas CD where the children took part along with Margaret, I believe she’s got a booking for next year as well. She’s also done the Mayor’s Youth Ball and you’ve also done the Young Mayor haven’t you and it’s all been a great success and she’ll be remembered for many, many things. We’ve had some nice and some really good times myself and Dawson and I'm thankful for that Margaret. I’m sure you deserve this rest because I know they’ve been mad busy and I know that Colin deserves a rest as well. I know he’s got things mapped out haven’t you love? Got his pigeons from now until September although they have done alright without you haven’t they, they got 4th place last week didn't they Colin so, you know, whoever your stand-ins done very well. But on a serious note Margaret and Colin I just want to say thank you on behalf of the people of Tameside, on behalf of the mayoralty you’ve been a fantastic Mayor the whole team have been great. They do deserve a rest, and you’ll go down in history everybody knows her smile, everybody remarks on Margaret’s smile and how much she puts people at ease so well done and have a great year thank you.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Lane can we have a show of hands please, all those in favour. Carried thank you. I would now I would like to ask Councillor Margaret Sidebottom and Mr Colin Sidebottom to come forward to receive their gifts of medallions and a certificate as a token of the Council’s appreciation for their service as Civic Mayor and Consort.
I’d now like to invite Councillor Sidebottom to say a few words.
Cllr Margaret Sidebottom
First of all can I begin by saying thank you all it’s been a fantastic year and I have been really, really honoured to have been Mayor. Colin and I would like to thank the Council and all our family and our friends and most importantly the people of Tameside because we have had such a year I can’t explain the feeling that you get inside when you go out and meet all these people, when you go out and you bring them to the parlour they really appreciate every single thing you do and it has been fantastic. It has been a busy year and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. We have made lots of friends along the way and we have many happy memories to treasure as well and Mike and Teresa have been fantastic they have been a really good help to us, not been Deputy Mayor before but they’ve helped us really a lot and so have Jackie and Dawson. I’d also like to thank the other Councillors who’ve helped us through the year. Councillor Roy Oldham has helped us enormously with donations and everything and Margaret and Walter, Jack and Carol and you don’t realise the help that you do need from your fellow Councillors through the year you need the support of them but its great and thanks very much for all your help that you’ve given us and the other Councillors that came to our aid. It’s hard to pick up some of the highlights because we’ve had over five hundred engagements and immediately springs to mind is the Palace, St. James’s Palace we went to the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and you only get invited to that and we were invited and it was fantastic and I met Prince Philip again, I’d already met him before we’ve become really ‘pally’ now me and Philip you know, when I saw him at the Maundy Service I gave him a little wave so it was really good to that because the first time he’d been in Manchester to do the Maundy Service so that was another honour for us to go to that as well because it’s lovely to support the old people and it’s good to get out and do things.
Over the year we’ve been very busy with special projects and like Jackie said I had the Junior Mayors which is a brainy idea of mine but I ended up visiting forty primaries with it but the kids loved it and it was all part of the curriculum, all part of democracy and they loved dressing up as the Mayor and putting their chains on and the robes but they loved being elected by the school because it was the school themselves who elected them and they stood proud there at the front and if you think of eight, nine and ten year olds doing that and how they feel it was wonderful to watch and it was great because David and Peter they loved doing it as well it was fantastic. I’ll never forget that it was really good and like Jackie said I did have the Mayor’s Junior Ball had a party and they all came in their party frocks and it was wonderful, they loved it. And I didn’t think it would take off that much but it did it took off very well so all the other authorities now of Greater Manchester are going to copy Tameside again so that’s another first for Tameside so they’re going to do that.
Colin and I as I said have really enjoyed bringing everybody into the parlour the community and voluntary groups who continually do devote their precious time you know because we all have times and I’ve been to that many different presentations giving people you know rewarding them and for the first time this year as well we had a carer Foster Carer like party so Mike is going to carry that on aren’t you Mike doing that as well so that gives them the reward because no one’s rewarded them before and that was a night off for them they didn’t have a night off they didn’t have any children with them so it was really good. And we enjoyed fundraising as well and we’ve raised over seven and a half thousand pounds for public causes and I really did making the CD and I also sang as well a few songs myself didn’t I and made a lot of mistakes because I like my singing. I’d like to thank everybody who has supported us did throughout the year and all the charities and there’s also my Colin as people would say my rock he’s given up so much this year, I’m sorry, I feel daft.
Applause
To close it has been an honour and a privilege to be your Civic Mayor. For allowing Colin and I this fantastic opportunity, yes, make me laugh. We wish Mike and Teresa every happiness and Betty and Steve because I know they are going to be fantastic Mayors and Mayoresses and the Deputy Mayors they’re going to be great so I just wish every single one of them a great and joyful year ahead and don’t cry at the end of it, don’t cry so these good wishes are one of my final duties. It’s my pleasure now to hand Teresa and Mike a certificate in recognition of their loyal and dedicated service as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress for the period 2005 to 2007 – I’m not running am I?
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Well that brings the meeting to a close. Can I ask you all to remain in your seats and we’ll proceed immediately to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.
I call upon Councillor Martin Wareing to move the resolution proposing the conferment of a title of Honorary Alderman of the Borough upon Joseph Fitzpatrick.
Councillor Martin Wareing
Mister Mayor, distinguished guests, councillors, ladies and gentlemen. I feel very proud tonight that I’ve been asked carry out this proposal to confirm one of our Councillors who is now retired, to look back at his life and the work he’s done and I'll be talking about that later. We’re talking about Councillor Joe Fitzpatrick, he’s still with us. Joe came from Ireland in 1920 and left behind thirteen brothers and sisters, a big family. In 1947 he came to England and married an Irish rose her name was Rose and they married in Lancashire. Between them they had eleven children, twenty-four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. And I’m raising that because he talked about passion for education, he had a passion for education. He also became involved in the Trade Union Movement and worked at ICI. He started as a Shop Steward and then moved to a Convenor and then moved to the general council of his union which is no mean feat to do that in the Trade Union Movement.
Joe then became a Councillor a County Councillor for thirty years and one of my friends was able to mimic Joe in what he used to say something like this. 'Well I’m Councillor Joe Fitzpatrick and I represent the people of Hulme and Ardwick and I speak for them and they speak for me'. And if ever a true saying, that is a true saying. Now I’ll move on now and I’m so pleased tonight because of the inauguration of the new Mayor we have the Members of Parliament, Joe speaks to them as Joe Fitzpatrick, I’m Joe, we've got Tom here, Bob here and David Heyes, and also of course many of the old Councillors who loved and respected Joe who was great, the Blarney Stone was all over Joe, he was great.
I’ll move on. He became the Mayor in 1987 and like all Mayors, previous Mayors, Mayors we have today, he did all the good work that they did but he did something which was a little bit unique. What he did was he went along to some of the children’s homes, disabled clinics and all things like that and he arranged for three hundred of that type of young person to come to a pantomime at the Tameside Hippodrome. Now what he did he went along and spoke to the manager who arranged for a full pantomime they normally do the day before it opens, a full show. To get them there he spoke to somebody called Harry Succini, and said to Harry, “Harry I need some coaches to bring these kids, can you do it?” And Harry said "of course I can do it". A fortnight before it happened Joe went to see him and said have you got me those coaches, yeah he said I’ve got four. And Harry said four, I want thirteen or fourteen. Well he got Harry on the back foot, but Harry got them and that day some of the people at the back may remember that day, it was a wonderful day, kids are being brought in on wheelchairs, carried in and what they’d also done they’d marshalled Chamber of Trade who’d also marshalled all the shopkeepers and there was an array of oranges and apples, chocolate, mineral water, with a whole host of people who’d come to help and on that day if ever such a day as the heavens above looking down and smiling on that day that’s what they did.
Now there’s another side to Joe’s life. He was a Manchester United fan. And I remember when I was driving, I got rid of my car in 1970, and I was going along to Old Trafford to see a replay of one of the European Cup games and as usual the roads were fairly crowded and as I got nearer the ground I heard this commotion. All horns were pipping and going on, what’s that I can’t seen an ambulance or anything and this guy came up and it was Joe in his car and on the car he did have a Manchester United sticker but he also had it was election time he had big posters on it stuck on it Vote for Joe Fitzpatrick, and all the people were laughing and it was a brave ting to do I'll tell you, this Irishman in this car.
On a more serious side, six weeks ago in this Council six to eight weeks we did have a full Council meeting and the Cabinet Deputy was talking about schools for the future. There was some opposition to it and Joe was stood there where you are and he got up Joe, so passionate about education, he lambasted into them, told them what his life was like how his children had to suffer and we should grasp it and I remember him doing this you should grasp with both hands it’s our future, it’s the future of Tameside, it’s the future for this borough and that was Joe just an ordinary working man who’s come through with his love for children, his love for education was really something to be seen.
Now he works now, he’s now got a job on New Charter on the Board on the Board, and I’ll tell you this I’ll finish off with this on the Board. The Board are being given an account by the Officers for some work, some of this work was community work and it’s very, very pleasing and this Officer was saying he’d gone to Ashton College and they’d taken some of the youngsters from there and they did jobs for old people and to reward them they take them to Manchester Museum, Joe’s listening. All of a sudden Joe’s on his feet and Joe said look here my name is Joe Fitzpatrick and I represent Hirst, I represent Newton and I represent Hyde what have you gone to Ashton College for, that’s a rich College, my poor primary schools are you going to do anything about it. That was Joe fighting for his community, fighting for Newton and fighting for Hyde and that’s what he’s done in thirty years as a Councillor so I’m very proud tonight to be able to move the following resolution that pursuant to their powers under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1973 the Council do confer on Joe Fitzpatrick the title of Honorary Alderman in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside in recognition of the eminent services which he rendered to the Council and Metropolitan Council of Tameside during the period he was a Member of this Council. I move.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Wareing. Councillor Meredith I understand you are to second the resolution.
Cllr Meredith
I understand too.
Mister Mayor, My Lords, Members of Parliament, Distinguished Guests, fellow councillors, ladies and gentlemen. I haven’t got a script I never have had a script, always better to go out there. Joe, have you got your hearing aids in, get them in.
I’ve got to say something now which hasn’t been said this evening, it isn’t in this booklet, but as Councillor Wareing says there’s been two very important functions this evening and when I turn around, be quick with that photograph will you, when I turn around and look at the opposition and I see three members Conservative Members here out of eight. The absence of the newly elected Leader of the Conservatives, a former Hyde Councillor in this chamber and I think it’s disgusting. They have a civic duty to come here and this is to support the legislation of the Mayor, to thank the retiring Civic Mayor and the election of Joe Fitzpatrick as Honorary Alderman and unless they’ve got a good excuse - I’ll leave it at that but it’s a disgrace that they’re not here.
Councillor Wareing has put the resolution and he didn’t do a bad job of his impressions neither, but I think you’re like Winston Churchill’s son you’ve got to make up your mind whether you’re going to be a violinist or whether you’re going to be a comic with due respect and I think Martin did a very, very good job. And he told you of the experiences and of the qualities found in Joe Fitzpatrick and Joe Fitzpatrick I got to know when he came onto Tameside Council. He has served on a number of committees along with myself and one of these things which I found out about Joe Fitzpatrick was this. His pride in his family, absolutely first class, pride and proud of the achievements of which members of his family have achieved. And of course he came to Hyde as Councillor Wareing says, he started at ICI where I started when I was a fifteen and a half year old boy, way back some years ago and Joe himself has done a good job, but I don’t know whether Joe adopted Hyde or whether Hyde adopted Joe because wherever he went he’s well known, he’s that well known in Hyde and his main interest is there in Hyde. If members of his family and I don’t know, I don’t recognise them I don’t know them but if they’re here tonight I’m sorry Jim isn’t here tonight he’s other things to do but the Fitzpatrick family must be immensely proud of the achievement of what you’ve done over thirty years Joe. And in this booklet here which gives Members information of the committees what he’s served, there is a glaring omission, whoever’s responsible, because they’ve missed one of the most important committees off and that was the Planning Committee Joe. When Councillor Middleton, yourself, ex Councillor Brierley, myself, the late John Hughes were there and what an atmosphere we had in the Planning. There were never a dull moment, never a dull moment. Joe and I used to sit next to one another and we used to play footsie with one another, many a boot on the left foot with but Joe is a very determined personality and we can all get mixed up, confused sometimes and I’d be wrong but Joe was never wrong, he was never wrong, if you ever questioned him, he’d stand up and have a really good go at you there’s no doubt about it he’s been very, very sincere and straightforward in what he’s done.
(With a good left hook)
I’m not going into that. He deserves this honour this evening I don’t want to damp you really and ex Councillor and Mayor Mrs Eastham is here but we have I think the other four, there’s three on the Board and the first two have unfortunately died Joe, so keep going. You’re a true member – Joe! You’re a true member of the Labour Party and I remember what you said about four weeks ago at the last Council meeting that your work for the Labour Party was not finished because you intended and you did so successfully achieve an election of your successor in Newton Ward and you and your family have played a big part in Newton and in Hyde and it’s been said of course that you are a supporter of Manchester United. Well, they’ve struggled to get where they are they’ve had a hard fight Manchester United getting to the top and last week they won the title. Today Joe after thirty-odd years this is your glory night and you’re receiving the title of Honorary Alderman and I have great pleasure in supporting the resolution moved to the council.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Meredith. Are there any other Members of the Council who wish to speak in support of the resolution? Councillor Holland
Cllr Holland
I’ve worked with Joe on many a committee and one of the main committees that he served on with me was the ESR and we had all the debates on that, maintenance, building services, the bin collection, the lot and we did have a very good debate on that committee I’ve been on Housing with him, I’ve been on other Committees with him and it’s been a pleasure to work with Joe over the years.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Holland. Councillor Shorrocks.
Cllr Shorrocks
Thank you. I’m not quite sure whether I’m on safe ground here speaking about Councillor Joe Fitzpatrick. We did have many, many happy, funny and not so funny years on Planning and I have to support everything that Councillor Holland said and Councillor Meredith. But that was quite a while ago in the last year when I’ve been on the Scrutiny Panel and the other the Licensing and what have you, we got back into the routine that we always seem to have Joe and myself. He always ended up shouting at me and I didn’t like shouting back at him because he’s just a bit older than me, but I have to say Joe that I couldn’t let this opportunity go by and I hope it doesn’t raise any anger in you that I’m getting up to say how very pleased I am for you and I do hope you enjoy your retirement which we’ll still be seeing you around I expect and you’ll still have a little job and you’ll be probably bossing people and shouting at somebody else on New Charter's board, but it won’t be me, but with all my heart Joe I will miss you and enjoy it.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Shorrocks. Councillor Sullivan.
Cllr Sullivan
Thank you Mister Mayor. Just very briefly I think it’s all been said. I’m a youngster in Hyde you know next to Joe and he’s never let me forget that really but just very briefly Joe to say that it’s really, really very well deserved. Congratulations on behalf of the Members in Hyde who are still there, congratulations from the people of Hyde. I feel able to say that as the Chair of Hyde District Assembly. I think Joe, it’s all been said, but he’s a character and that’s missing with a lot of people he is a character, he’s known throughout Hyde, he’s never let people forget him in Hyde, but he’s been a brilliant man to work with it’s been a privilege working with you Joe and I wish you all the best in your retirement and it’s well done, congratulations from all the Hyde people.
Applause
Cllr Michael Smith, Civic Mayor
Thank you Councillor Sullivan. Councillor Cooney.
Cllr Cooney
I'm also chair of the New Charter and I've spent many years with Joe, my family comes from the same area as Joe in Dublin. I’d just like to say the years I’ve been with Joe on DSO, Housing and everywhere else and New Charter I don’t think you’ll find anyone more fire branded in his passion. It's family and Hyde indeed, but it's passion across the whole Labour and Trade Union Movement, he’s always had that background Joe, and in conversation we talked about the whole Trade Union Movement. I always had lots of arguments with Joe. The one thing I found with Joe is if you agreed he could hear what you were telling him, but if he didn’t then he couldn’t hear you. It is a pleasure and it has been a pleasure and I hope it will continue to be as Joe attends our Board meetings and Trade Union meetings so I’ve known him, worked with him, carry on working with him, think you may be the first Irishman Joe in this borough to receive an Honorary Alderman. I think it’s an achievement for you and your family. going backwards as well, it's great for your parents as well thanks a lot Joe.
Applause
Thanks Councillor Cooney. I now put the resolution to the vote of the Council. Can we have a show of hands please. All those in favour. That’s carried thank you. May I be the first to congratulate our new Honorary Alderman to the Borough, Mr Joseph Fitzpatrick, this is a wonderful achievement and recognition which is fully deserved. Just before I move on I can’t lose this opportunity Joe. I met Joe when I came on Council a few years ago and like Councillor Sullivan I’m a fairly new Councillor and it is a big learning curve when you become a Councillor and you find all these things and of course Joe being Joe I remember on a scrutiny trip going up to Hyde and he was giving me all the advice you know, a typical Joe, so much passion for Hyde and suddenly on the bus he jumps up says “This is Hyde!”. The passion of the man, I mean I’ve known some great fellas in my time and I don’t say that lightly but this fella he’s got that much passion for the people of Hyde I mean you couldn’t get I mean it’s something to look to try and be yourself to try and have that amount of energy and passion and it comes right out of the man all the time every time and everyone’s said tonight he’s a character but he’s a hundred and ten percent at everything he does I mean his family must be very proud and he’s a great man in my eyes and it’s well deserved Joe. Can I ask you to come, can I now ask please to come forth to sign the Roll of Honour Honorary Alderman?
Applause
And on behalf of the Council it’s my pleasure to present you with a framed illuminated scroll and commemorative gift.
Applause
Cllr Joe Fitzpatrick
Say a few words? A very sincere thank you to Councillor Roy Oldham, I couldn't be prouder here tonight. And thanks to the two Councillors who spoke so much about me, and all my fellow Councillors. It’s a great honour to see Lord Pendry and Lord Sheldon coming here tonight just to see and look at me. Lots of things said and done, and let me tell you now what I really am and where I came from, what I’ve done and what I didn’t do. I came over to England on the boat because there was no work, nobody was working there was a lot of us come over and I got a job at ICI and at that time there was no men they were very short of labour, so there was plenty of overtime though, because they'd no men, so I'd be happy to do the overtime, I used to ask for it. The basic pay was eight pounds six shillings a week and I was on seventeen pounds 16 a week, so I thought I’d save up and buy a home down my street, that house there then after about two years my son Paul was born, and they cancelled, 4 people came to take the house off me. I said you're not taking this house off me, I own this house, I bought this house and she was saying shut up she was saying shut up so when they went. I said look 'I have the bloody key here'. I went to the town hall and signed the papers.
Then life started I got involved then I met Tom Pendry, he was standing as an MP. That's where I started that.
A famous politician once said, if this is the man, show me the woman. I must apologise as I get very emotional, I lost her 2 years ago, and I haven't been the same since. Thank you for listening.