Minutes:
Mr Derek Smyth
(1) The Chairman gave a warm welcome to the meeting to Mrs Norma Smyth.
(2) With great sadness, the Chairman informed Members of the death of Mr Derek Smyth, former Member for Ashford South from 1998 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2017. During his time at the Council, Mr Smyth served as Vice Chair of the Cabinet Scrutiny Committee as well as on the Ashford Local Board, Policy Overview Co-ordinating Committee, Corporate Policy Overview Committee, Audit Committee, Governance & Audit Committee, Pension Board, Policy & Resources Cabinet Committee and Property Sub Committee. Mr Smyth was appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2017 for his service to the Council.
(3) The Chairman invited Members to speak, and tributes were made by Dr Sullivan, Mr Gough, Mr Baldock, Mrs Dean, Miss Carey, Mr Holden, and Mr Bartlett.
Mr John Martyn Kent Tucker
(4) With great sadness, the Chairman informed Members of the recent death of Mr John Martyn Kent Tucker, MBE, former Member for Sevenoaks North East from 1989 to 2005. Mr Tucker was Chairman of the Council between 2004 and 2005 and served on the Highways Advisory Board, Regulation Committee, Environment Planning and Transportation Committee, Police and Resources Property Group, Fire and Public Protection Committee and the Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority. Mr Tucker was appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2012 for his service to the Council.
(5) The Chairman advised that tributes for Mr Tucker would be taken at the Full Council meeting on 14 December.
(6) The Chairman held a one-minute silence in memory of Mr Derek Smyth and Mr John Martyn Kent Tucker.
HMS Kent
(7) The Chairman thanked Members for their support in HMS Kent receiving the Freedom of the County at the last meeting. The event was celebrated on Friday 22 September with a Parade through Maidstone followed by an inspection and a reception for the Ship’s Company and their families at County Hall. The Parade included the Ship’s Company, the Band of the Royal Marines and local Sea Cadets. The Chairman said it was wonderful to have such a celebratory event take place at County Hall and receiving the Freedom meant a great deal to HMS Kent and the Royal Navy.
(8) The Chairman thanked those who made the day a success including colleagues at Maidstone Borough Council and Kent Police. The Chairman paid particular thanks to teams at the Council including Democratic Services, Security and Reception, and the Press Office. He gave a very special mention to Canon Peter Bruinvels who was an outstanding liaison with the Ship. The Chairman showed a short piece of video footage from the day.
Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board and Gold Status being Renewed
(9) The Chairman was pleased to chair the recent Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership (K&MCMP) Board meeting and said the Council had been successful in retaining its MoD Employer Recognition Scheme gold status. The Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award was the highest badge of honour for organisations which had signed the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrated outstanding support for those who serve and have served.
(10) The award was valid for five years and the Council was first awarded with the Gold award in 2018. Applications were reviewed by a central Committee chaired by a senior General and the Council was part of a very small cohort of Local Authorities in the UK to be validated.
(11) The Chairman congratulated and paid tribute to all those concerned.
Democracy Week
(12) The Chairman said that Democracy Week took place from 14 October to 20 October, during which the Chairman invited local schools into County Hall to learn more about how the Council was run.
Black History Month
(13) The Chairman was pleased to support Black History Month in October and had attended events across the County to celebrate Black History Month and recognise the theme ‘Saluting our Sisters’ which celebrated the remarkable contributions from inspirational black women that had not only shaped history but continued to inspire change and future generations.
Corporate Parenting Christmas Appeal
(14) The Chairman referred to the overwhelming success of the Appeal last year, supported by Local Kent charity, Young Lives Foundation and said the Council would be reaching out again to partners and businesses across Kent to help the Council reach its target of £20,000 to enable each young person to receive a £10 voucher. The Chairman showed a short video which highlighted the Appeal and encouraged Members to donate to this good cause.
Launch of the Poppy Appeal
(15) The Chairman was delighted that the Launch of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal returned to County Hall this year. The Royal British Legion representatives and veterans attended with Civic guests to formally launch this year’s Poppy Appeal which raised much needed funds for the Royal British Legion, supporting the Armed Forces Community.
Launch of the Kent Association of Local Councils Community Awards
(16) The Chairman was also pleased to launch the Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) Community Awards with the high sheriff and the Mayor of Medway. The aim of the Community Awards Scheme was to acknowledge and recognise those that have made a significant contribution to their local community.
The King’s Awards for Voluntary Service (KAVS)
(17) The Chairman explained that The King’s Awards for Voluntary Service aimed to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty the King emphasised his desire to continue the Award.
(18) The Chairman was delighted to announce that Kent had secured four winners of the first King’s Award for Voluntary Service, following the official announcement made on The King’s birthday, Tuesday 14 November. These were Academy FM Thanet, Child’s Vision, SATEDA and Sittingbourne Community Radio. He said this was a wonderful achievement and, on behalf of the Council, sent his warmest congratulations and very best wishes for their continued success.