Minutes:
(a) Long Service to Kent County Council
(1) The Chairman stated that it was his pleasure to announce that Mr Martin Vye had recently completed 25 years’ service as an elected Member of Kent County Council.
(b) Queen’s Birthday Honours List
(2) The Chairman stated that it was his great pleasure to announce that the following individuals had been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List:
(3) Mrs Ann Allen – Member for Wilmington, for services to the community in Wilmington and Dartford.
(4) Mrs Trudy Dean – Member for Malling Central, for services to the community in West Malling.
(5) Ms Shuna Body – one of KCC’s Community Engagement Officers, for services to wheelchair fencing.
(6) On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman offered his sincere congratulations to all concerned.
(c) Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – Kent Special Constabulary
(7) The Chairman stated that he was delighted to advise Member that Kent had received one winner of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services this year: Kent Special Constabulary.
(8) The Kent Special Constabulary was made up of 379 volunteers, with the youngest member being 18 and the oldest at 66. Lengths of service ranged from 1 to 45 years and all were unpaid Police Special Constables.
(9) Members noted that a formal presentation of the Award and Certificate would be made later in the year by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent.
(10) On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman offered his sincere congratulations to all concerned.
(d) Nijmegen Marches
(11) The Chairman stated that he was pleased to advise the County Council that the Kent Wing of the Air Training Corps were taking part in this year’s Nijmegen Marches in Holland.
(12) The Nijmegen Marches was the largest marching event in the world and took place annually in July of each year. The first such event was held in 1909. Approximately 45,000 marchers were expected this year and some 52 Kent Air Cadets, supported by 15 volunteer members of staff, were walking 40 kilometres or 25 miles every day for four consecutive days.
(13) This was not the first year that Kent Air Cadets had taken part in the Nijmegen Marches but the Chairman considered that it was appropriate to mention their participation this year, particularly as it was the 100th Anniversary of the start of the First World War.
(14) On behalf of the County Council, the Chairman wished all of the cadets and volunteers every success.
(e) Exhibition at the Kent History and Library Centre
(15) The Chairman drew Members’ attention to an exhibition at the Kent History and Library Centre, called “In their own words” – an exhibition on the people of Kent during the First World War.
(16) The Chairman stated that the exhibition ran from 4 August to 31 October and he encouraged all KCC Members, staff and their families to visit the exhibition, which was being promoted on KCC’s website and KNet.
(f) Step Short commemorative event
(17) The Chairman stated that he would be attending the Step Short First World War exhibition and commemorative event in Folkestone on 4 August. He added that he was aware that the Leader was also planning to be there and he hoped as many other Members as possible could also attend.
(g) Mondrian Exhibition – Turner Contemporary Centre
(18) The Chairman stated that, as the next meeting of the County Council would not take place until September, he wished all Members and their families an enjoyable summer break. He added that there were far too many excellent leisure activities to choose from in Kent but he encouraged Members to visit the Mondrian Exhibition at the Turner Contemporary, which was due to run until 21 September.