Agenda item

1. The Chairman welcomed tributes in relation to the sad passing of Miss Ann Widdecombe, who was a MP for Maidstone and The Weald from 1987 until 2010. 

2. Tributes to Miss Widdecombe were made by Ms Kemkaran, Mr Hook, Mr Thomas, Mr Rayner, Mr Hood, Ms Nolan, Mr Burwash, Mrs Palmer and Mr Jeffery. 

3. Mr Eustace proposed, and Mr Sian seconded, that the Council formally record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Miss Widdecombe and extends to her family and friends its heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement.  

Agreed unanimously.  

4. The Chairman held a one-minute silence in memory of Miss Ann Widdecombe. 

RESOLVED that the Council formally record the sense of loss it feels on the sad passing of Miss Widdecombe and extends to her family and friends its heartfelt sympathy to them in their sad bereavement. 

5. The Chairman shared his congratulations to the 37 Kent recipients of honours from the?King's?Birthday?Honours?list?2026. 

6. The Chairman thanked Ms Jamie Palmer for her work within the Civic Office. 

7. The Chairman reported that recent engagements had included two Royal visits to Kent, attendance at commemorations in Ramsgate marking the 86th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, and participation in Armed Forces Week activities, including hosting the flag-raising ceremony at County Hall and attending events in Deal. The Chairman also attended a commemorative concert in Deal performed by the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines in memory of the 11 Royal Marines murdered in the Deal bombing in 1989. The concert was a solemn occasion recognising the sacrifices made in service to the country. 

8. The Chairman shared that the Vice-Chairman had attended a number of Royal engagements and had met both the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester during recent civic duties. 

9. Members were informed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had attended a range of civic and community events, including receptions hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant for newly elected mayors and chairmen, mayor-making ceremonies across the county, Kent Ambassadors briefings and activities, the Bishop of Rochester’s Summer Garden Party, the Kent County Show, and events held as part of Adult Careers Week. 

10. The Chairman reported on a recent Kent Ambassadors’ visit which included visits to Domaine Evremond, East Kent College, The Yarrow Hotel and Discovery Park. Members heard that common themes emerging from the visits included investment in young people, skills development, adult education and the growth of Kent’s food, drink and tourism sectors. 

11. The Chairman advised that citizenship ceremonies continued to be held regularly and thanked former Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen who had assisted with these events. 

12. Congratulations were extended to Members who had recently assumed new civic leadership positions and responsibilities across local councils within Kent. 

13. The Chairman informed Members of a minor amendment to the Council’s flag flying policy. Two additional commemorative flag days would be incorporated, Waterloo Day on 18 June in recognition of the British Army and Battle of Britain Day on 15 September in recognition of the Royal Air Force. These additions complemented the existing observance of Trafalgar Day and Merchant Navy Day. As Waterloo Day had already passed in the current year, the Army flag would instead be flown on 2 November 2026 to commemorate El Alamein Day. 

14. The Chairman announced that the Holocaust Educational Trust had been selected as the Chairman’s Charity of the Year. The charity worked to educate young people and communities about the Holocaust. Its work included educational programmes, teacher training and survivor testimony. The Chairman confirmed that representatives of the Trust would attend a future meeting to provide further information on its activities. 

15. The Vice-Chairman introduced his chosen Charity of the Year, Spadework. He explained that he had become familiar with the organisation through local community engagement and had supported its work through his Member Grant funding.  

16. Ms Smith, Community Fundraiser at Spadework, provided an overview of the charity’s work and thanked the Council for selecting Spadework as one of its Charities of the Year. Members heard that Spadework had supported people across Kent for more than 40 years, promoting inclusion, belonging and wellbeing through services for adults with learning disabilities, people living with dementia, individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, those affected by bereavement, and their carers. Members were informed that the charity helped people develop confidence, independence and social connections through a range of activities and that income generated through its garden centre, café, farm shop and charity shop supported its work while creating opportunities for volunteering and skills development. The importance of partnership working was highlighted, and the opportunity to work with Kent County Council during the coming year was welcomed. 

17. The Chairman thanked Ms Smith for her presentation and stated that Members looked forward to receiving a future update on the charity’s activities and achievements. 

18. The Chairman concluded by reminding Members to complete any outstanding mandatory training, including emergency evacuation training. He advised Members to review communications issued by the Governance Division regarding training requirements.