Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting started with a reading of the Lord’s Prayer, led by Reverend Steve Kirk-Smith.

The Head of Democratic Services reported apologies from Mr Bill Barrett, Mr James Defriend, Mr Marc Logen, Mr Nigel Williams, Mr Peter Evans, Mr Mike Sole, Mr Colin Sefton, Mr John Moreland, Miss Amelia Randall and Mr Rob Yates.

There were no declarations of interest.

1.    The Chairman formally welcomed Lt Col Sean Parr RE, Major Khadkabahadur Gurung, Major Babindra Gurung, and RSM Nick Chadwick, representing the Brigade of Gurkhas, to the meeting. The Chairman also thanked Sir George Jessel DL, Mr Bryan Sweetland, Mr Gary Cooke, Mr Peter Lake, Reverend Kirk-Smith and the Mayor of Medway, for their attendance.

2.    Ms Kemkaran proposed, and Mr Palmer seconded the motion that:

“The County Council declares its thanks for and acknowledges the distinguished service of the Brigade of Gurkhas to the Crown and the United Kingdom and, in recognition of that service, formally grants the Brigade of Gurkhas the Freedom of the County.”

3.    The Chairman invited Mr Prater, Mr Burwash, Mr Thomas, Mr Dixon, Mr Thorp, Mr Hood, Mr Hook, Mr Streatfeild, Ms Nolan, Mr Shonk and Mr Kennedy to speak.

4.    The Chairman put the motion in paragraph 2 to the vote and the voting was as follows.

For (69)

Mr J Baker, Mr B Black, Mr O Bradshaw, Mr A Brady, Mr M Brice, Mr M Brown, Mr D Burns, Mr C Burwash, Mr A Cecil, Mr P Chamberlain, Mr W Chapman, Mr B Collins, Mrs T Dean, Mr S Dixon, Mr M Ellis, Ms S Emberson, Mr J Eustace, Mr L Evans, Mr J Finch, Mr R Ford, Mrs B Fordham, Mrs G Foster, Mrs M Fothergill, Mr M Fraser Moat, Mr B Fryer, Mr M Harrison, Mr S Heaver, Mr J Henderson, Mr M A J Hood, Mr A J Hook, Mrs S Hudson, Mr S Jeffery, Ms L Kemkaran, Miss I Kemp, Mr A Kennedy, Mr A Kibble, Mr P King, Mrs M Lawes, Mr R Lehmann, Mr T Mallon, Mr R Mayall, Mr T Mole, Miss D Morton, Mr M Mulvihill, Mr M Munday, Ms C Nolan, Mr P Osborne, Mrs C Palmer, Mr R Palmer, Mr M Paul, Mrs B Porter, Mr T Prater, Mr H Rayner, Mr A Ricketts, Mrs S Roots, Ms C Russell, Mr G R Samme, Mr T L Shonk, Mr D Sian, Mr P Stepto, Mr R G Streatfeild, Dr G Sturley, Mr P Thomas, Mr A Thorp, Mr D Truder, Mr R Waters, Mr P Webb, Mr N Wibberley and Mr D Wimble.

Against (0)

Abstain (2)

Mr C Hespe and Mrs P Williams.

Motion carried.

5.    The Chairman and Vice-Chairman signed the document conferring the Freedom of the County to the Brigade the Gurkhas. The Chairman presented the document to Lt Col Sean Parr RE and invited him to respond.

6.    Lt Col Sean Parr RE expressed his sincere thanks to the County Council for bestowing the honour. He highlighted the long-standing relationship between Kent and the Brigade, the contribution of Gurkha soldiers and their families to local communities, and the shared values of service, loyalty and respect. He stated that the granting of the Freedom of Kent would be received with great pride and gratitude as recognition of generations of service and sacrifice, and of the special bond between the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.