Minutes:
The Chairman drew the meetings attention to the arrangements for the day’s meeting, specifically referencing fire safety and that the meeting was being recorded for live webcast.
The Chairman stated that details of his, and the Vice-Chairman’s activities since the last meeting would be available via his blog:
http://wiltshirecouncilchair.blogspot.co.uk/
These, in summary, included:
· The Young Voice of Trowbridge public speaking competition
· Agaes Salisbury Arts Festival launch
· Opening of children’s play area, Landford and the Service for the Rule of Law, Salisbury Cathedral
· The Bem Ceremony, Bowood House
· The declaration of the New High Sheriff
· Warminster Civic Service
· Visit of HRH the Earl of Wessex to Sea Cadets as part of the Diamond Tour, Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme
· Visit of HRH Princess Alexandra to officially open Avonbourne Care Centre, Old Sarum
· Celebration of the conservation of the Stonehenge Landscape and the awarding of an EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award 2015
· Cycle Wiltshire Event, Salisbury
The Chairman did make the following detailed announcements at the meeting:
New Wiltshire Councillor
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Jamie Capp to this, his first meeting of Council following his election as Councillor for the Amesbury East Division following a by-election held on 5 May 2016.
HM Queen’s 90th Birthday
The Chairman announced that he had written, on behalf of the Councillors and Officers of Wiltshire Council, to extend congratulations and best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen on her 90th birthday and thanking her for her dedication and commitment to the nation.
Death of Councillor Jeff Osborn
This being the first meeting of full Council since Councillor Jeff Osborn had sadly died on 1 April, the Chairman took the opportunity to pay tribute to Councillor Osborn’s vast contribution to the Council since his election in 2001. The Chairman referred to Councillor Osborn’s various roles and activities on the Council including his work on scrutiny, having at one stage, chaired the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, his leading role on health matters including more recently, the Hopper campaign, his role as a hard working back bench member who worked tirelessly for his Division. The Chairman also referred to Councillor Osborn’s interests outside of the Council which reflected the great man he was.
At the Chairman’s invitation, Mrs Rachael Fletcher, one of Councillor Jeff Osborn’s daughters and her son, Barnabus attended the meeting to hear first-hand the tributes made by members.
The Leader, Group Leaders and several other members paid tribute to Councillor Osborn, sharing their experiences of working with him over the years with some having served alongside him at the former West Wiltshire District Council. The key theme was how hard Councillor Osborn had worked, how passionately he fought for what he believed in, that he was a hard act to follow and that he would be greatly missed.
The Chairman asked the meeting to join him in a moment of quiet reflection and thanksgiving. He then presented Mrs Fletcher with a Book of Condolence and asked her to pass on the Council’s best wishes and condolences to her mother, Councillor Helen Osborn who was recovering from surgery.
Mrs Fletcher gave a very moving speech in which she explained how very important being a Councillor and working for his local community were to her father. She thanked members for their condolences and the moving tributes given.