The Council is asked to note any announcements made by the Chairman of the Council.
Minutes:
The Chairman of the Council (Councillor Harris) referred to the fact that this was the last full Council meeting during his term of office and that this was also the last time that Members would be all together before the May District Council elections. He was conscious also that some Members would not be standing for re-election and that some Members may not be re-elected. He therefore wanted to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the following:-
Ø the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council – for asking him to stand for Chairman of the Council – he had been very surprised and delighted. It had been unexpected given that he was a first term Councillor.
Ø those Members who had had faith in him and had elected him Chairman. He hoped that he had done his best for everyone and that he had tried to be equal and fair to all Members.
Ø his Vice-Chairman (Councillor Val Guglielmi) – for all of her support and for standing in on those occasions when he could not make a civic engagement.
Ø TDC Officers and staff and, in particular, the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer for their advice and guidance, the Committee Services Manager for his advice notes and the Leadership Support Team (especially Emma Haward) for their support throughout his year in office.
Ø Mother Louise Oliver – for being his Chaplain and for her words of wisdom and personal support.
The Chairman stated that this had been the greatest honour and experience of his life to date and that the past 11 months had flown by. Much had happened of note including Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations; the lighting of the Clacton Beacon; the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of King Charles III.
He felt that his eyes had been opened as to the history of both Brightlingsea and Harwich, which he considered two jewels in Tendring’s crown.
The Chairman was pleased to announce that, so far, over £3,000 had been raised for his chosen charities – the RNLI and veterans’ groups in the District.
He had been proud to help to organise the first ever Veterans and Services Day, which had been an opportunity to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. His special guests that day had been a number of World War II veterans from Clacton-on-Sea. He had been truly humbled and he very much hoped that this would become an annual event.
The Chairman paid tribute to the thousands of volunteers across the District whom he considered remarkable, unsung heroes without whom society could not function. He felt privileged to have been able to work alongside CVST, Clacton Lions, Rotary Club, mental health and cancer charitable groups, the Homes4Heroes veterans’ charity and many more.
The Chairman invited Members and residents to attend the Town Hall on Monday 13 March 2023 at 10.00 a.m. for the Commonwealth Day flag raising followed by refreshments in the Parlour.
Finally, he informed Members that when he passed on his Chain of Office to his successor he would be joining the league of past Chairmen from where he would offer his support to the new Chairman and continue to support as many as possible of the charities and contacts that he had made during his year on office.
Members’ responded to the Chairman’s speech with a round of applause.