Minutes:
The Chairman made the following announcements:
(a) Former Cllr Peter Green
The Chairman reported with sadness the death of former County Councillor Peter Green. Mr Green was a member of the County Council for 8 years, representing the Pewsham Division.
The Leader paid tribute to a hard working politician and local Councillor. She referred to an instance when the Council had been finely balanced politically and Mr Green had come into the Council Chamber by stretcher to participate in a crucial vote. She said that he would be sadly missed. Cllr Soden commented that he was an extremely honest and very much respected Councillor with a special interest in finance.
(b) Former Cllr May Kiddle
Again with sadness, the Chairman announced the recent death of former Salisbury District Councillor Edith May Kiddle. Mrs Kiddle represented the Wilton area and had been twice the Mayor of Wilton.
Councillors stood in a moment of silence as a mark of respect for both Mr Green and Mrs Kiddle.
(c) Cllr Howard Marshall
The Chairman was pleased to announce that Cllr Marshall continued to recover well from his recent heart operation. Councillors joined with the Chairman in wishing Cllr Marshall the best for his continued recovery.
(d) On-going refurbishment of County Hall
The Chairman reminded Councillors that they would be unable to access County Hall during the weekend of 19 and 20 May due to planned asbestos removal works as part of the ongoing refurbishment.
(e) Royal Visits
The Chairman referred to recent Royal visits as follows:
Thousands of people welcomed Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Salisbury on 1 May when they visited the Wiltshire Diamond Jubilee Celebration event in Salisbury Cathedral and Close. The visit formed part of their South West Tour to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Chairman thanked all those involved for their contribution to a memorable day for Wiltshire.
HRH The Countess of Wessex officially opened Alabaré Place in Barnard Street on April 26. It had been home to 33 vulnerable residents since last October. The project was a partnership between Alabaré, housing group GreenSquare (incorporating Westlea), the Homes & Communities Agency, Places of Change and Wiltshire Council. It was also Alabaré’s 21st anniversary.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Royal Wootton Bassett Academy on 9 May in connection with the School’s Holocaust and Genocide Programme as part of their humanities subject.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall visited HMP Erlestoke on 2 March to attend a production of Les Misérables by Pimlico Opera involving prisoners. Her Royal Highness also visited Jamie’s Farm at Ditteridge, Box on 3 April which uses a unique combination of ‘Family, Farming and Therapy’ to support vulnerable children from urban areas.
(f) Olympic Torch
The Chairman reminded Council that the Olympic Torch would be passing through the county on May 22 & 23 and then again on July 11 & 12. It would visit north and west Wiltshire in May and the south and east of the county in July. The Chairman said she knew that many people would be behind the scenes to ensure it would be a wonderful event.
(g) Lynne Grant
Councillors were advised that Lynne Grant was retiring from her position as PA to the Leader of the Council. Lynne had worked for the Council for 14 years. The Chairman paid tribute to her hard work, dedication and loyalty. Councillors wished Lynne a long and happy retirement.
(h) Recorded Votes
The Chairman reminded Councillors that a trial using electronic voting handsets would be undertaken at the end of the meeting. If successful, it was hoped that using handsets would speed up the recorded vote procedure.