Proposal speech for Cllr Andy Morgan-Watts to be Mayor of Hounslow 2007-8

Speech by Cllr Andrew Dakers, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group delivered to London Borough of Hounslow Full Council on Tue 22nd May 2007

Madame Mayor, colleagues and members of the public in the gallery and those of you watching on the internet.

It is my great pleasure this evening to find myself proposing the election of my colleague Cllr Andy Morgan-Watts Snr to the post of Mayor for the ensuing Municipal year.

For those of you, like me, relatively new to this chamber you may wonder what sort of chap Cllr Morgan-Watts is, and what particularly recommends him to the post of Mayor - championing the borough and council, both inside our boundaries and beyond - as well as chairing this chamber in the year ahead. I hope in the next few minutes to shed some light on the many personal attributes he will bring to the role.

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I discovered within a few days of my election last May that Andy can be particularly decisive.

I realised this when we first sat down around the table as a group.

Though a small group, he'd spotted quickly that we might have a communication problem in that we had Andrew, Andrew, and Andrew sitting round the table ….wires could get crossed pretty quickly!

Well fortunately Andy stepped in swiftly. He pointed out that Morgan Watts Jnr was already well know as Drew and - reflective of his own easy going and accessible nature - he was happy to be known as Andy - problem solved.

(Goodness knows what we'd do if there was ever a fourth Andrew in the group. Anyway….)

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Andy has been an elected ward councillor now for 9 years and is Hanworth born and bred. He is married to his beloved wife Linda and is proud father of three children Andy, Emma and Kirsty, and three grand children Any, Zoe and Jessica. I'm delighted - as I'm sure he is - that we are also joined in the chamber this evening by his parents Dorothy and Cyril.

Andy has had many interests in his years as councillors but has particularly concentrated on the concerns and rights of young people.

He has also been a passionate advocate of the benefits of scrutiny in effective decision-making and like many of us has got to know councillors from across the political spectrum through this aspect of council business.

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Whilst a loyal Liberal Democrat I'd think its fair to say that Andy is acutely aware, and has long recognised, that in our active interest in our local communities as councillors we usually have more in common, than our party political differences.

I hope you will indulge me in pointing out that this is also a historic occasion in that the administration is delivering on its proposal last year of going beyond the confines of the Conservative and ICG groups in choosing a mayor. In this they are establishing a principle that I hope will be followed in years to come. It also marks a historic occasion for the Liberal Democrats in that Andy will be our first Mayor of Hounslow.

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Andy trained as a Police Officer at the famous Hendon Police College, but in the third year opted instead to work as a Life Guard at various pools and leisure centres. A member of the Swimming Teachers Association he qualified as a Swimming Instructor and moved to his local pool on Uxbridge Road, Hanworth.

He was subsequently involved in the launch of The Evening Mail newspaper in Hanworth and its promotion throughout London Borough of Hounslow. For the past 20 years he has made a career as an officer in Trading Standards.

Andy is a past chair and active member of Forge Lane Parent Teachers Association. He has served on all three of Hanworth's primary School governing bodies most recently concentrating his energies at Crane Park School.

Over the years Andy has actively supported a wide range of Hanworth community organisations: He set up the Hanworth Neighbourhood Network Volunteers, as well as the South Hanworth Neighbourhood Watch; and he has chaired the Hanworth Carnival Executive Committee for three years - an annual community celebration that he has been involved in for almost all of its 50 years.

Andy has found time for Scouting too. He first joined the Scouts as a wee lad of just eight years old and As an adult spent several years as member of the Middlesex Scout County Team as Assistant County Commissioner. He was founder and past chair of the Feltham & District Scout Fellowship.

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Andy's Christian faith has been a key influence in shaping his values and raising his family and he is an active member of St Richards Church in Hanworth. He has served on the Hanworth Parish Church Council and area Synod for many years. He has also long supported The Shooting Star Trust and this will continue in the year ahead.

His other interests include The Hanworth Gentleman's Supper Club, as well as his car - he is the proud owner of 'SMILE' a vintage Austin 7.

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In researching my proposal speech this evening I was intrigued to discover that whilst the village of Hanworth has a fascinating history, I imagine because its size, it never had a mayor. If there had been a Mayor of Hanworth, or still was, I have no doubt it would be a post occupied by Andy many years ago.

As previous speakers have said Cllr Barwood has raised the bar high this year. However with such a diverse range of interests I am confident that Andy will be a worthy successor -- an energetic and powerful advocate for the London Borough of Hounslow and a unifying force for this council.

I am also sure that as he travels the borough he will take the same time and interest as you Madame Mayor in listening to the challenges faced by the organisations and individuals that make up our borough and importantly celebrating their many achievements.

When he needs support he will no doubt be ably assisted by the equally persistent and inquisitive Cllr Caroline Andrews as his deputy.

There I rest my case colleagues, commending to you Cllr Andy Morgan-Watts, and move that he "be, …elected, Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow for the ensuing Municipal Year".