Minutes:
(a) Death of Edwin Boorman Esq OBE DL
The Chairman informed Members of the death of Edwin R P Boorman Esq OBE DL. Mr Boorman was well known within the County for his roles as managing director, chief executive, chairman and president of the family-owned Kent Messenger Group, which owns a portfolio of weekly newspapers, websites and radio stations across Kent. He was also a tireless charity champion, supporting many of the County’s leading charities. He was particularly well known for his support and leadership of the Royal British Legion and in fact received an OBE in 2002 for his services to them.
Mr Boorman served as High Sheriff of Kent in 1997-98, became a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent in 2001 and also served as a Kent Ambassador. He received the Spirit of Kent Award from HRH The Prince of Wales in 2007 in recognition of his contribution to the County.
Mr A King and Mr Daley gave tributes to Mr Boorman.
At the end of the tributes, all Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Boorman.
After the silence, it was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mr A King and:
Resolved unanimously: that this Council desires to record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Edwin Boorman and extends to his family and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.
(b) Kent Invicta Award
The Chairman stated that, later in the meeting, it would be her great pleasure to present the 2012 Kent Invicta Award to Radio Kent’s John Warnett and that she envisaged the Awards Ceremony beginning at approximately 12.45pm.
(c) Customer Service Strategy
The Chairman advised Members that members of staff from the Customer Relationship team would be in the Darent Room and on the balcony during lunch to talk through the themes of the Customer Services Strategy with Members.
(d) Timing of speeches and possible extension of the meeting
The Chairman stated that she would like if possible to conclude the business on the agenda by 4.30pm, but that she wanted to ensure that as many Members as possible had the opportunity to speak on the governance report (item 7) and the three petitions from members of the public. She therefore proposed and Mr Carter seconded that, with the exception of the speeches on the Leader’s oral report (item 6) and the Cabinet Members’ responses to the Petition debates (item 12), speeches on all remaining items were limited to 3 minutes, instead of the usual 5 minutes.
Agreed
(e) Election of Committee Chairmen
The Chairman advised Members that, subject to the approval of the report on revised governance arrangements at item 7 on the agenda, there would be a number of formal Committee meetings on the rising of the County Council meeting for the sole purpose of electing chairmen for the new Committees. She requested that all Members remain in the Council Chamber after the close of business so that these meetings could take place as quickly as possible.