Minutes:
Through the Chair there were the following announcements:
1) Events Attended by the Chairman from 26 November 2019 to 24 February 2020:
Friday, 6 December, 2019 County of Wiltshire Carol Service, Christ Church, Swindon.
Tuesday, 10 December, 2019 Staff Carol Service, Monkton Park, Chippenham.
Monday, 16 December, 2019 Festive coffee morning, hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Chairman’s room.
Thursday, 19 December, 2019 Staff Carol Service, The Atrium, County Hall.
Thursday, 19 December, 2019 South Wilts Grammar School Carol Service, Salisbury Cathedral.
Monday, 27 January, 2020 Holocaust Memorial Day flag lowering ceremony, County Hall.
Thursday, 6 February, 2020 Wiltshire College and University Centre Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony, Civic Centre, Trowbridge.
Sunday, 9 February, 2020 Mayor of Calne’s Civic Service, St. Mary’s Church, Calne.
2) Events Attended by the Vice-Chairman from 26 November 2019 to 24 February 2020:
Tuesday, 3 December, 2019 Mothers’ Union Annual Service, Salisbury Cathedral.
Monday, 3 February, 2020 LGBT flag raising ceremony, County Hall.
Wednesday, 12 February, 2020 High Sheriff’s Great Bustard Drinks Reception, Showroom of Dick Lovatt Jaguar Landrover (Bath), Melksham. To celebrate the Great Bustard population reaching 100 in Wiltshire.
Sunday, 16 February, 2020 Salisbury City Council Annual Charter Service.
3) New Year Honours
The Chairman announced that a number of Wiltshire residents had received national recognition in Her Majesty’s New Year Honours’ list in January as follows:
OBEs had been awarded to:
· Dr Norman Govan of Salisbury for Public Service.
· Alison Brenchley of Calne for services to Financial Services and Diversity.
MBEs had been awarded to:
· Elizabeth Beech of Warminster for services to Public Health.
· Ludwig Macauley of Coombe Bissett for voluntary service to the community & the Firefighters’ Charity.
BEM’s had been awarded to:
· John Parmitter of Malmesbury for services to the community in Lea.
· Jeanne Bush of Chippenham for services to the community in Chippenham.
4) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics (STEAM) Fair
This event was being held in the Atrium, County Hall during the Council meeting and was to help inspire the next generation of innovators, creators and problem solvers. Pupils would have the opportunity to explore activities, stands and exhibits during the day.
5) Fairtrade Fortnite
This would be held for the next two weeks. Fairtrade Town organisations across the County would be promoting the Fairtrade organisation and wide range of food, beverages and products available in support of this cause.
6) Councillor Darren Henry
The Chairman noted that Darren Henry had resigned from the Council on 20 January 2020 following his recent election as Member of Parliament for Broxtowe. A by-election for the Till and Wylye Valley Division would take place on 10 March 2020. On behalf of the Council the Chairman thanked Mr Henry for his service whilst a member of this Council since 2017 and wished him well in Parliament.
7) Councillor Jo Trigg
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Jo Trigg to the Council following her success in the Trowbridge Lambrok by-election on 28 November 2019.
8) Councillor Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE
Reference was made to the resignation from Council of Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE on 17 February 2020. Baroness Scott was elected to North Wiltshire District Council in 1995 and Wiltshire County Council in 1997. As leader of the County Council from 2003 she was instrumental in the establishment of the Unitary Council in 2009, of which she served as Leader until 9 July 2019. She was made a Life Peer in 2015.
The Chairman and several Members paid tribute to the extraordinary contributions made by Baroness Scott to public life and to Wiltshire in particular, and noted the continued contributions she would make as the incoming President of the National Association of Local Councils, in addition to other roles in the House of Lords and elsewhere. On behalf of the Council, the Chairman expressed his thanks and best wishes to Baroness Scott in the future.
A by-election for the By Brook Division would be held in due course.
9) Councillor Roy While
The Chairman regretfully announced the passing away of former Councillor Roy While, who represented Melksham Without South Division. Councillor While had a distinguished career in Local Government rising to be Chief Executive of West Wiltshire District Council and later as an Elected Member of that Authority before being elected to the new Unitary Authority in 2009, stepping down in the Summer of 2019. Members stood for a minute’s silence.
10) Councillors Edward ‘Ted’ Draper and Patricia Spencer
The Chairman also noted the sad passing of Edward ‘Ted’ Draper who formerly represented the Chalk Valley Ward on Salisbury District Council, and also of Patricia Spencer, also formerly of Salisbury District Councillor.