Minutes:
The Chairman made the following announcements:
a) Former Councillors
The Chairman sadly informed Council of the recent deaths of former councillors, Ann Lye and Celia Lambert.
A liberal democrat, Ann Lye was elected to Wiltshire County Council in 1993 at a by-election to represent the Trowbridge West electoral division, and was returned later in that year to represent Trowbridge East until 1997. She also served on West Wiltshire District Council and Trowbridge Town Council, where she was a former chairman. She was well known in the Trowbridge community and was a founder member of the charity Action on Homelessness, which was still supporting vulnerable people today. She moved to Pembrokeshire in 2001.
Labour councillor, Mrs Celia Lambert served as the Wiltshire County Councillor for the Salisbury Bemerton electoral division from 1981 to 1988 during which time she was chairman of the Planning Committee and was an active member of the Salisbury community.
A number of Councillors paid tribute to both former Councillors. Of Monica Blake, Councillors commented that she had done an exceptional job as Councillor and would be greatly missed. Of Ann Lye, Councillors remembered her with fondness and referred to her unstinting work for the community she served in Trowbridge and the Liberal Democrat party, her great sense of humour and that she too would also be greatly missed.
Council stood for a moment in silence as a mark of respect for both former Councillors.
b) Councillors standing down
The Chairman took the opportunity, as this was the last meeting of the Council before the elections in May, to pay tribute to Councillors who had made it known they would not be standing for re-election, namely, Councillors Brigadier Hall, Peter Davis, Carole Soden, Julie Swabey, Judy Rooke, Bill Roberts, Lionel Grundy and Richard Beattie. The Chairman presented those Councillors who were in attendance with a small memento to remind them of their time on the Council.
c) Royal Visits
The Chairman referred to recent royal visits.
In December, His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent visited the Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Warminster before travelling on to Bradford on Avon to visit Anthony Best Dynamics – a leading company in dynamic testing of vehicles – and the Wiltshire Music Centre, to celebrate their 15th anniversary.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall had visited the County twice. In December she attended the Bowood House Christmas extravaganza, in aid of the Wiltshire Bobby Van, before travelling on to Malmesbury to meet with victims of recent flooding in the town. She returned to Wiltshire again this month to visit the Rise Children’s Centre, the Oaks, Chippenham to meet members of the Chippenham Time Credits Network set up by spice in partnership with the council, as well as others involved in initiatives to support work around financial inclusion, including Wiltshire Money. She then travelled on to Langley Burrell to meet young people taking part in courses run by Community First’s Youth Action Wiltshire programme, before concluding her visit at the Wiltshire Scrapstore and resource centre to open the charity’s new community room.
d) New Year Honours
The Chairman was delighted to be able to announce that a number of Wiltshire residents had received national recognition in the recent New Year Honours list.
A CBE was awarded to Mr. Steve Visscher of Marlborough for services to the support of scientific research
An OBE was awarded to Mrs. Daphne Pullen of Upton Lovell for charitable services
MBEs have been awarded to:
Mrs. Jillian Clark from Sutton Benger for services to the community of Sutton Benger
Mr. David Edgington from Westbury for services to the industrial heritage of the stationary engine
Lady Martin from Highworth for services to music and to charity
Mr. John “Mike” Tupman from Burbagefor services to policing and to the community of Marlborough
Following their re-introduction, British Empire Medals were awarded for the first time to Wiltshire residents. Those receiving this award were:
Mrs. Daphne Breakspear from Wroughton for services to amateur dramatics in Swindon
Mrs. Jane Legat from Whiteparish for services to the community of Whiteparish
Colonel Richard Pinder from Fovant for services to the community of Fovant
Mrs. Lillian Smallshaw from Seend for services to the community of Seend
The Council congratulated them all on receiving such national recognition.