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:
· Attendance at Staff Carol Services
· The Visit of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge to the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies, Warminster
· Visit To the Christmas mail sorting office, Salisbury
· British Legion Wiltshire Branch AGM
· Presentation on the future of policing
· Visit to Tedworth House
· The Open Mosque Day
· The Royal Visit by HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall to Forest and Sandridge Church Of England School, Melksham
The Chairman did make the following detailed announcements at the meeting:
New Wiltshire Councillor
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Atiqul Hoque to his first meeting of Council following his election as Councillor for the Salisbury St Edmund and Milford Division following a by-election held on 26 November 2015.
Purple Flag Status
The Chairman took the opportunity to thank the Community Safety Team and partners, on the occasion of Chippenham successfully achieving Purple Flag status. He also stated that Salisbury had also been re-accredited for Purple Flag status for the fourth year running
He noted that the award demonstrated the commitment that both Salisbury and Chippenham had made to the 5pm – 5am economy, and to safer communities. It was clear, from this, that partnership working was thriving in both places
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:
CBEs awarded to:
· Dr. Timothy Brooks from Salisbury, for services to public health.
· OBEs have been awarded to:
· Dr. Nicholas Capstick From Potterne, for services to education.
· Dr. Emrys Kirkman From Shrewton for services in support of military medical treatment.
· Mrs. Pauline Monaghan From Corsham, for services to children and families.
MBEs awarded to:
· Commodore William Fairbairn from Barford St. Martin, for services to young people.
· Mr. John Laverick from Keevil, for voluntary service to waterways management and restoration.
· Mr. Benjamin Parker from Salisbury, for voluntary service to the community in salisbury.
· Mrs. June Pearson from Marlborough, for services to the community in Devon And Wiltshire.
BEMS awarded to:
· Mr. John Bosley from Warminster, for charitable and community service in Warminster, Wiltshire particularly through the royal British Legion.
· Mr. Alan Crocker from Calne, for services to football in Wiltshire.
· Mr. Derek Elliott from Devizes, for services to the community in Devizes.
· Mrs. Shelia Glass from Ramsbury, for services to the community in Ramsbury And Axford.
· Miss Elizabeth Sexton from Chippenham, for services to the community in Chippenham.
· Mr. Neil Skelton from Wilton, for services to the preservation and conservation of Imber church.
· Mrs. Hazel Woodbridge from Purton, for services to carriage driving in Wiltshire.
The meeting joined the Chairman in congratulating them all for gaining such a prestigious honour. French Honour for Salisbury Veteran
The Chairman announced that Alan Richardson, a World War Two veteran from Salisbury, had been presented with France's highest honour for bravery.
It was noted that Mr Richardson was the first lieutenant on a D-Day landing craft which, under heavy fire, carried ammunition to Sword beach in 1944; and that the Legion D'honneur was given to him by the French Consulate at the Gracewell of Salisbury care home where Mr Richardson lives.
Emergency Planning Exhibition
The Chairman informed the meeting that the Emergency Planning Team was holding an informative exhibition in the Atrium on the range of work that they delivered to Wiltshire communities. Officers were available all day to discuss the equipment they used and how community resilience could be improved in Councillors’ local divisions.
Salisbury City Football Club
The Chairman made reference to the recent successes of Salisbury City Club, following a period where the club were in some difficulty. It was noted that the club were now top of their league and were competing in the semi-final of the FA Vase. He accredited partnership working between the Council’s Area Board and local businesses for supporting the club to make a remarkable comeback.
Death of Former Councillor
The Chairman informed the meeting that Mrs. Pat Rugg, former Wiltshire County Councillor and Kennet District Councillor (and Mayor of Devizes) had died peacefully at home on 19 February 2016. A notification would be sent out to councillors on funeral arrangements when they were received.
The Chairman noted that Mrs. Rugg had served on Wiltshire County Council as councillor for the Devizes South and Bromham Divisions for 34 years from 1975-2009 ars, during which she served as Chairman of the Education Committee and Chairman of the Council 1993-94.
The Leader of the Council, Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE added that it was a very sad day, reflecting on the friendship shown to her by Mrs Rugg when she had first joined the council, and a formidable example as one of only a few female councillors at the time. She said Mrs Rugg had cared hugely for children and young people in Wiltshire; that she had shared her experience with many councillors, and would be sadly missed.
Councillor Ricky Rogers noted that Mrs Rugg was passionate about education and the arts and was someone who would put politics aside to get the best for the people of Wiltshire.
Councillor Gordon King echoed the comments already expressed, noting that Mrs Rugg had always been very approachable, knowledgeable and honourable.
Councillor Jeff Osborn stated that Mrs Rugg had been a font of knowledge and supportive of other councillors.