Minutes:
(a) Death of Sir John Grugeon
The Chairman formally advised the Council of the death of Sir John Grugeon; former Conservative County Councillor for Ashford Rural West from 1967 to 1997 and the County Councillor for Tenterden from 1997 to 2001
Sir John was the Leader of the Council from 1973 to 1982; and Chairman of the County Council from 1989 to 1991 and again from 1997 to 1999. He was also the Chairman of the Police Authority from 1994 to 1998.
Knighted in 1980 for services to local government, Sir John was also appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Kent in 1986.
Sir John’s son Paul has confirmed that following the family-only funeral, but there will be a memorial service in the New Year.
The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and passed a resolution in the following terms:
RESOLVED that this Council desires to record the sense of loss it feels on the death of Sir John Grugeon and extends to his family and friend its heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.
(b) Academic Award for Miss Susan Carey
The Chairman announced that Susan Carey, Member for the Elham Valley Electoral Division, had been awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Local Government Studies from London Southbank University, which she passed with a Distinction. This is the first such qualification for Councillors.
Miss Carey was sponsored by KCC for the course and South East Employers paid the fees.
The Chairman invited Miss Carey to the dais to formally receive her Award.
(c) Local Authority Regeneration Team of the Year Award
The Chairman announced that the Regeneration and Economy Division, within the Chief Executive’s department, had been awarded the National Award for Local Authority Regeneration Team of the Year by the Regeneration and Renewal Magazine.
The team was also highly commended in the Regeneration Design Category for the Ashford Shared Space Project.
(d) Human Resources and Payroll Award
The Chairman announced that Kent County Council, the only public sector organisation to be shortlisted for the recent Pay Magazine’s awards, had won the Integrated Human Resources and Payroll Team prize. The Pay Magazine is the largest trade publication in the industry.
(e) UK Teaching Awards
The Chairman formally congratulated Dan Walton, an advanced skills maths teacher at St. John’s Catholic Comprehensive School in Gravesend, for being crowned “Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School” at the recent national Teaching Awards.
Four other Kent teachers and one Kent school also won regional awards held earlier in the year.
(f) Petitions
The Chairman announced the receipt of two petitions from Members:
The first petition had been submitted by Mrs Whittle on behalf of 150 residents in Stockbury, calling for KCC to invest in Broadband access to their village, which was handed formally to Mr Roger Gough, Cabinet Member for Corporate Support Services and Performance Management for investigation and response.
The second petition had also been submitted by Mrs Whittle on behalf of residents of Harrietsham in relation to the A20 speed limits review and the proposal to move the 60mph limit eastwards into the village, which was handed formally to Mr Nick Chard, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste for investigation and response.
(g) Demonstration of the BT Meet Me Teleconferencing Service
The Chairman stated that there was a demonstration outside the Chamber for Members of the BT “Meet Me” Teleconferencing Service. This service allows a telephone conversation to be held with up to 40 people at the same time and can be accessed from any landline or mobile phone. If a Member initiates the call from County Hall, the service is free to use; if the service is accessed from a Member’s home or a mobile, the Member will be charged for the service. However, there are opportunities for savings in time for Members in travelling to and from meetings.
(i) Support for our Armed Forces
The Chairman stated that he had received a letter from Brigadier Iain James at the Shorncliffe Barracks, expressing sincere thanks for the support offered by Kent County Council to servicemen and women, their families and dependents, during the last year.
The Brigadier had stated in his letter that this had been a hard year for the Army, describing the operation in Afghanistan as “intense” and the “human cost relentless”. On a more positive front, the letter stated that it was clear that the Army enjoyed a high public profile and public support and that the hard work must continue to seek to make soldiers’ lives better. The letter concluded by wishing all in the County Council a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
The Chairman invited Members to remember this Christmas all members of the armed forces and their families, especially those who had sadly lost loved ones and also those currently in Afghanistan who are serving our Country at this difficult time. He added; “May we wish you all a Happy Christmas – you are in our thoughts and in our prayers”.