Minutes:
(1) The Chairman invited Mr Harrison to present a petition from the residents of Tankerton Road, Whitstable on the state of their road as the worst piece of highway in the county to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Waste, Mr Sweetland which he duly did.
(a) Death of Mr Kevin Lynes
(2) The Chairman informed Members of the sudden death of Kevin Lynes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, on Friday 30 March 2012.
(3) The Chairman stated that Kevin was elected to the County Council in June 2001 as the Conservative Member for Tunbridge Wells Rural West, and most recently he represented the Tunbridge Wells East division of St James’, Pembury and Sherwood.
(4) He added Kevin joined KCC’s Cabinet in 2002, a year after his election, where he held the Resources portfolio from 2002 to 2005 and Adult Social Services from 2005 to 2008, before being appointed as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development.
(5) The Chairman stated how Kevin was in the premier league of local government councillors nationally – hard working, dedicated and compassionate. He always put the residents he represented in Tunbridge Wells first. Most importantly, Kevin made a huge difference in carrying out his many roles at County Hall. As Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, Kevin was in his element, supporting businesses of all shapes and sizes across the Kent economy. The Kent economy is in a better place as a result of Kevin’s dedication and endeavours.
(6) The Chairman stated that Kevin would be enormously missed not only in the corridors of County Hall but around the county.
(7) Mr Carter, Mr Dance, Mrs Dean and Mr Cowan all paid tributes to Mr Lynes.
(b) Death of Councillor Mark Worrall, OBE
(8) The Chairman informed Members of the death of Mark Worrall, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Leader who died on 26 April 2012. Councillor Worrall was the representative for West Malling and Leybourne for 30 years.
(9) The Chairman stated that Councillor Worrall was Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council from 1985 to 1995 and again from 2003 to his death. He was elected Leader of the Conservative group in 1985. Despite suffering from multiple sclerosis and requiring a mobility scooter to get around, Councillor Worrall was awarded an OBE for services to local government in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2008.
(10) The Chairman added that David Hughes, the Borough Council's chief executive, had paid tribute to his former colleague and said: "Councillor Worrall was held in great esteem and he promoted a culture within the council of service to the community. It was undoubtedly as a result of his great skill and personal qualities that the council was judged by the Audit Commission to be the best in the country."
(11) Mr C Smith paid tribute to Councillor Worrall.
(c) Death of Sir Brandon Gough, DL
(12) The Chairman informed Members of the sad death of Sir Brandon Gough, DL. Sir Brandon passed away suddenly on 25 April 2012 at the age of 72.
(13) The Chairman stated that among many distinguished roles, Sir Brandon was a Kent Ambassador, a Deputy Lieutenant, Chairman of Locate in Kent, chairman of Leeds Castle Foundation and a trustee of Canterbury Cathedral.
(14) The Chairman added that Sir Brandon was a former Cambridge scholar and was installed as chancellor at the University of East Anglia in October 2003 where he played an active role in university life despite his ceremonial role. Sir Brandon read natural sciences and law at Cambridge University and was awarded an Open University degree in humanities with classical studies. Sir Brandon was a chartered accountant and for most of his business career was a partner at Coopers and Lybrand, where he spent 11 years as head of the firm and served terms as chairman of its international organisation.
(15) The Chairman stated that, in the public sector Sir Brandon was chairman of Yorkshire Water, chairman of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, from 1993 to 1997, and chairman of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration. Sir Brandon was awarded an honorary doctorate from City University and has also received honorary degrees from UEA and the University of Kent. A committed Christian, Sir Brandon was a big fan of the opera and a keen singer. He championed Knole Academy with head teacher Mary Boyle describing him as "a good and honest man – a true gentleman". He was knighted in 2002 for his public service.
(16) Mr A King and Mr Gough paid tribute to Sir Brandon.
(17) At the end of the tributes, all Members stood in silence in memory of Mr Lynes, Councillor Worrall, OBE and Sir Brandon Gough, DL.
(18) After the silence, it was moved by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice Chairman and:
(19) Resolved unanimously: that this Council desires to record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Kevin Lynes, Councillor Mark Worrall, OBE and Sir Brandon Gough, DL and extends to their family and friends our heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavements.
(d) Petition Scheme Debate – Pedestrian Crossing on St. Stephen’s Hill, Canterbury
(20) The Chairman announced that, as detailed in the letter to Members from the Head of Democratic Services, he proposed to defer consideration of this item until such time as the various outstanding investigations into a recent fatal accident on that road have been completed.
(21) The Vice Chairman seconded this proposal and it was agreed.