Minutes:
(a) Mr John Simmonds
(1)
The Chairman
stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the
death of Mr John Simmonds, Conservative Member for Canterbury North
from June 2001. Mr Simmonds served as Deputy Leader of the Council
from 2013 to 2017 and Cabinet Member for Finance from 2008 to 2018.
Mr Simmonds’ service of thanksgiving had taken place on
Thursday 6th September 2018.
(2) A short film in memory of Mr Simmonds which had been produced by Miss Carey was played.
(3) The Chairman read a message to Members from Mr Simmonds’ daughter, Nicola, thanking the KCC community for their kind words and messages of condolence.
(4) Mr Carter, Mr Bird, Mr Farrell, Mr Whybrow, Mr Gibbens, Mr Thomas and Mr Simkins paid tribute to Mr Simmonds.
(b) Mr Alfred Mersh
(6) The Chairman stated that at the July meeting he, with regret, had informed Members of the death of Mr Alfred Mersh on Tuesday 17 July, former Labour Member for Gravesend South from 2001 to 2005.
(7) Mrs Allen, Dr Sullivan and Mr Bird paid tribute to Mr Mersh.
(c) Mr John Ovenden
(8) The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death of Mr John Ovenden, former Labour Member for Gravesend South between 1985 - 2001.
(9) Mr Ovenden’s funeral had taken place on Monday 13th August 2018.
(10) Mrs Dean and Dr Sullivan paid tribute to Mr Ovenden.
(11) Following all of the tributes, all Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Simmonds, Mr Mersh and Mr Ovenden.
(12) After the one-minute silence the Chairman moved, the Vice-Chairman seconded, and it was resolved unanimously that:
This Council records the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Simmonds, Mr Mersh and Mr Ovenden, and extends to their families and friends its heartfelt sympathy in their sad bereavement.
(d)
Hilary Lister
(13) The Chairman stated that it was with regret that he had to inform Members of the death of Hilary Lister, former recipient of Kent County Council’s Invicta Award in April 2010 and a great friend of the County Council.
(14)
(15) Mr Hill paid tribute to Ms Lister.
(e) South East Region’s Country Park of the Year – Brockhill Country Park, Saltwood
(16) The Chairman informed Members that Brockhill Country Park in Saltwood had won the South East Region’s Country Park of the Year award for the first time in its history and congratulated and thanked Kent County Council’s staff members and officers for their great efforts which contributed towards receiving the award.
(f) Armistice: Bell Ringing
(18) To mark this momentous occasion, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport had asked for bells, of any sort and in any location, to ring out in unison at 12.30pm on 11 November to mark the shift in emphasis from remembrance in the morning to thanksgiving in the afternoon for the end of the war.
(19) The Chairman encouraged Members to spread word of the initiative amongst their communities and encourage them to register their events on the digital web map.