Minutes:
(a) Today’s agenda
The Chairman advised Members that the agenda was likely to be a demanding but varied and interesting one and that the cooperation of all Members in getting through the business of the day as effectively as possible would be appreciated.
In that regard, the Chairman moved, the Vice Chairman seconded the suspension of Procedure Rule 1.30, to limit the length of all speeches to 3 minutes (instead of 5 minutes), with the exception of the Leader’s Oral report, where the length of speeches will be in accordance with the Constitution.
Carried without a vote
(b) Young County Council of the Year
The Chairman stated that two of our young employees, Daniel Vokes from the Supporting Independence team, and Tom Marsh from the Sports Leisure & Olympics team, represented KCC at the recent Young Authority of the Year competition, they produced a really positive result by winning `Young County Council of the Year`.
Competing against 39 other local authorities, Tom and Daniel gave two presentations to an audience of 100 people: one being three minutes in length without notes, and the other six minutes in duration following the submission of a 900 word paper.
In the County Council section, they defeated 18 other teams including Essex, Dorset, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Devon and East Sussex. They also finished third in the overall `Local Authority of the Year` category.
Both young people are within the Communities Directorate and were selected from Kent County Council’s Greenhouse programme, which develops young talent within the authority.
The Chairman stated that he was delighted that both Tom and Daniel were present at the meeting and he invited them to the dais to formally receive their certificate.
(c) Improvement and Efficiency South East Awards
The Chairman announced that Kent County Council had won 3 individual awards in the recent Improvement and Efficiency South East Awards, as follows:
The Chairman congratulated all three recipients on their awards.
(d) Last meeting for Peter Gilroy, Chief Executive
The Chairman stated that this was the last County Council meeting for Peter Gilroy, who has served Kent County Council since 1991 as follows:
The Chairman stated that it had been a pleasure to work with a senior manager who cared so passionately about his work and the staff he worked with; was innovative; always pursued excellence in everything he did; and was an excellent ambassador for Kent. The Chairman invited Mr Carter, Mrs Dean, Mr Christie, Mr Ferrin and Mr Lake to give their tributes. Mr Gilroy responded to the tributes, saying that he had thoroughly enjoyed the journey that he had led KCC on over a number of years and thanked all Members and Officers for the support that they had given him.
There was a standing ovation for Mr Gilroy.
(e) One minute silence for soldiers
The Chairman stated that, during his year of Office, it was sad to record that over 100 of our service personnel had been killed in Afghanistan bringing the total to 278. Some of those from our armed forces were from Kent and the Chairman extended his sincere condolences to all those bereaved and thanked all our serving personnel in the services for their professionalism and dedication in serving our Queen and Country.
The County Council stood in silence in remembrance of those fallen.