Minutes:
Mr John Kirby
(1) With the greatest of sadness, the Chairman informed Members of the death of Mr John Kirby, former Member for Ramsgate from 2009-2013. During his time at Kent County Council, Mr Kirby served on the Planning Applications Committee, Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee, Environment, Highways and Waste POC, Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Board, the Select Committee on Dementia and was Chairman of the Select Committee on Domestic Abuse. In addition to his time at Kent County Council, Mr Kirby was also appointed to a number of outside bodies including Ramsgate Town Partnership (Town Centre Management), East Kent Community NHS Trust and Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve Steering Group. He was a Thanet District Councillor and was Mayor of Ramsgate in 1993.
(2) Tributes were made by Mr Gough, Dr Sullivan, Mr Hook, Mr Lehmann, and Mr Shonk.
Mr Leyland Ridings
(3) With the greatest of regret the Chairman reported that Mr Leyland Ridings had very recently, on 11 July 2023, passed away. The Chairman invited Members to pay tribute to Mr Ridings at its next full meeting on 21 September 2023.
Motion of condolence
(4) Mr Cooke proposed, and Mr Sweetland seconded, that the Council formally record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Mr Kirby and Mr Ridings and extends to their families and friends its heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavements.
Agreed unanimously.
(5) The Chairman held a one-minute silence in memory of Mr Kirby and Mr Ridings.
KYCC – Youth Mental Health Journalist of the Year
(6) At The Day’s Global Young Journalist Awards Ceremony on Thursday 15 June, Shreya Nivarty was named as the winner of the Mental Health Journalist of the Year Award. The Chairman said Shreya was a member of Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) and Chair of the Mental Health Campaign group. Shreya submitted an article about her experience with KYCC and why she got involved. The award was presented by Dr Stuart Lawrence, author of Silence is Not an Option and brother of Stephen Lawrence. The Chairman was pleased that Shreya’s work had been recognised in this way and invited Members in congratulating her on this remarkable achievement.
Birthday Honours List
(7) The Chairman referred Members to His Majesty the King’s first Birthday Honours List announced in June and was pleased to refer Members to the list of Kent recipients. The Chairman formally congratulated all those who received an Honour.
Newly Appointed Deputy Lieutenants of Kent
(8) The Chairman referred Members to the list of newly appointed Deputy Lieutenants of Kent, appointed in June by the Lord-Lieutenant, The Lady Colgrain. Each of the seven new Deputy Lieutenants had been appointed for their positive contributions to the County and the Nation. The Chairman formally congratulated all those appointed.
Chairman’s Charities
(9) The Chairman thanked Members for their generous donations made at the Annual meeting in May and was delighted to start his fundraising endeavours and raise awareness for young carers in Kent.
(10) The Chairman explained that following the presentation at the annual meeting, Ms Wright secured tickets for Young Carers to attend a music event in June at Dreamland. In total 50 family tickets and several pairs of tickets were provided, and young carers and their families enjoyed a very well-deserved activity together. The Chairman personally thanked Ms Wright for helping to make this happen and extended his thanks to Ms Liz Addison at Dreamland, for the very kind and thoughtful gesture.
HMS Kent - Freedom of the County
(11) The Chairman said it was his wish, and the wish of his predecessor Mrs Lesley Game, that HMS Kent be awarded the Freedom of the County of Kent. The Chairman was delighted to announce that, in consultation with all Group Leaders, the Freedom of the County would be bestowed on HMS Kent at a specially convened meeting ahead of Full Council on 21 September.