Minutes:
a) Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours
The Chairman was delighted to announce that a number of Wiltshire residents received national recognition in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours’ List.
OBES had been awarded to:
Mrs. Anne Bull-George from Devizes, for services to education
Mr. Peter Davis from Trowbridge, Grade 6, Ministry of Defence, for services to the armed forces, especially in support of Afghan operations
Mr. Stephen Eley from Salisbury, Grade 6, Ministry of Defence, for public service, especially in support of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Ms Mandy Hope from Westbury, Grade 7, Ministry of Defence, for public service, especially in support of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
MBES had been awarded to:
Dr. Cyril Bennett from Amesbury for voluntary services to Riverfly Conservation
The Reverend Christopher Walker, Regimental Padre, for services to armed forces personnel
BEMS had been awarded to:
Mrs. Patricia Branley of Bulford – Administrative Officer, Ministry of Defence, for public and charitable services especially to the Macmillan Trust and military veterans
Mr. Maurice Cole of Codford for services to the community of Codford
Councillors joined the Chairman in congratulating them all on receiving national recognition.
b) Royal Visits
The Chairman referred to the two Royal visits to the County in recent months.
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry attended the opening of Tedworth House in Tidworth In May. The Leader of the Council and Chairman had been invited to attend as guests of Help For Heroes. This very impressive establishment offered direct, practical support to those service personnel who had suffered life changing injuries and illnesses whilst serving our Country. The Chairman commented that it had been a great privilege for them both to be present at the opening to represent the Council, which had of course supported the development of this facility in the County.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall also came to Wiltshire in June. She attended a charitable event before visiting the ‘Big Lunch’ held at the Mead Community Primary School in Hilperton. Cllr Richard Gamble represented the Council. The ‘Big Lunch’ was organised by the Big Community Group with the aim of bringing pupils, families and the local community together for an afternoon of fun, food and activities. There were around 500 present and it was a joyful occasion, which clearly demonstrated the good community spirit which present in Wiltshire.
c) Armed Forces Day Celebrations
The Council was pleased to support the flying of the Armed Forces Day Flag from our main Council office buildings. Celebrations were held around the County over the weekend of 29 and 30 June, providing a good opportunity for us to acknowledge the magnificent job the armed services do and to show our support for them all, whether serving members, veterans or cadets. Acknowledging that such events take many months of planning, the Chairman thanked and congratulated all those who worked hard to ensure their success.
d) DBS Checks
The Chairman reminded members that officers would be available after this meeting to check DBS forms (formerly CRB checks) for those newly elected Councillors who serve on the Children’s Select Committee, the Health Select Committee and Corporate Parenting Panel.
d) Ofsted Inspection
The Chairman explained that Council was undergoing an unexpected Ofsted inspection reviewing the Council’s safeguarding arrangements.
With the Chairman’s permission, the Leader made the following announcement:
e) Temporary Closure of Trowbridge Birthing Centre
The Leader referred to the understandable concerns of members and the local community over the closure of the birthing centre at Trowbridge Hospital. She also referred to the briefing note circulated to members by Great Western Hospital (GWH), the provider of community maternity services in Wiltshire which explained its position.
In her capacity as Chairman of Wiltshire Health and Wellbeing Board, the Leader had arranged to meet with the Chairman and Chief Executive of GWH to discuss the situation. She had also requested a report on maternity services generally for discussion at the Health and Wellbeing Board. The Leader had been assured that the closure was only temporary over the summer period and taken as a health and safety measure to ensure that appropriate levels of trained staff were available to staff the birthing centre.
Cllr Jeff Osborn thanked the Leader for the interest she had shown in the matter and the action she was taking.