Minutes:
The Chairman made the following announcements.
Council’s attention was drawn to the Chairman’s attendance at the following events
Events Attended by the Chairman from Tuesday, 26th February to Monday, 20th May, 2019:
Wednesday, 27 February, 2019 The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain Western Section Annual Luncheon, The Hilton Hotel, Swindon.
Saturday, 2 March, 2019 Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Plaque Unveiling Ceremony to commemorate the life of Mr. Percy Miles, Former Mayor and resident of RWB.
Sunday, 3 March, 2019 Salisbury City Council Annual Charter Service, St. Thomas and St. Edmund’s Church, Salisbury.
Monday, 4 March, 2019 BEM Presentation Ceremony, Salisbury Cathedral.
Sunday, 17 March, 2019 High Sheriff’s Service for the Rule of Law, Malmesbury Abbey.
Thursday, 4 April, 2019 Proud to Care Awards, Market Lavington Community Hall.
Saturday, 6 April, 2019 Declaration of new High Sheriff, Mr. David Scott, DL, Devizes Town Hall.
Monday, 8 April, 2019 Visit to the Great Bustard Group Release Site, Enford, with the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Mr. David Scott, DL, Vice-Chairman James Sheppard and Cllrs. Oatway, Henning, Clark, Green, Prickett, Thorn, Smale, Mathew, Hocking and Hewitt.
Tuesday, 23 April, 2019 Funeral of Cllr. Graham Payne, St. James’ Church, Trowbridge.
Thursday, 25 April, 2019 Official opening of the recently restored WWI Chalk Hill Badge map of Australia, Compton Chamberlayne.
Tuesday, 30 April, 2019 National Armed Forces Day Event 50 day countdown photocall, County Hall.
Wednesday, 1 May, 2019 Funeral of former Chair of Wiltshire County Council, Mrs. Majorie Whitworth, Wilton Parish Church.
Thursday, 2 May, 2019 Young Voices of Trowbridge Public Speaking Competition, The Clarendon Academy, as a judge.
Thursday, 9 May, 2019 Royal Wootton Bassett Mayor Making Ceremony, St. Bartholomew & All Saints Church, RWB.
Monday, 13 May, 2019 Calne Town Council Mayor Making Ceremony, Calne Town Hall.
Thursday, 16 May, 2019 Devizes Town Council Annual Meeting and Mayoral Reception, Devizes Town Hall.
Events Attended by the Vice-Chairman from Tuesday, 26th February to Monday, 20th May, 2019:
Wednesday, 27 February, 2019 High Sheriff’s Great Bustard Drinks Party, Marlborough Town Hall.
Monday, 11 March, 2019 Hosted Commonwealth Day Flag Raising Ceremony, County Hall.
Monday, 8 April, 2019 Visit to the Great Bustard Group Release Site,
Enford, with the Chairman.
The Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to the sad passing of Marjorie Whitworth, who served as member for Wilton on Wiltshire County Council, and was Chairman from 1992-93.
The Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to the communication from the Leader that Councillor Jerry Wickham had resigned from the Cabinet due to ill health. Council was formally informed that Councillor John Thomson would assume responsibility for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Public Protection.
The Chairman invited the Leader to make a statement
Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, Leader of the Council, expressed profound regret that Councillor Jerry Wickham was stepping down from his role due to ill health. The contribution made by Councillor Jerry Wickham to the transformation of Wiltshire Council was celebrated. Baroness Scott wished Councillor Jerry Wickham well, expressed her heartfelt admiration for him and reminded him that he remained part of the Wiltshire Council family.
Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, echoed the sentiments expressed by Baroness Scott and thanked Councillor Jerry Wickham for his hard work and professionalism.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE announced her decision to stand down as Leader on 9 July 2019 and went on to deliver a speech that focused upon regarding leadership as the capacity to translate vision into reality. The range and scope of services provided by Wiltshire Council, and their impact on the people and places of Wiltshire, were outlined. The changes made in becoming a Unitary authority, including the reduction from 252 councillors to 98, were referenced. The role of Area Boards in devolving finances and enabling local responses to issues ranging from health to transport was celebrated. The value of community spirit was extolled and examples of this being realised were volunteering and the appetite for asset transfers to community bodies. Supporting vulnerable people was said to be the primary role of the Authority. The challenge of providing adult social care arising from growth in demand due to underlying demographic change was being met through, amongst other things, Area Co-ordinators who offer one-to-one support to vulnerable people. Change to infrastructure was cited as investment in ensuring that Wiltshire was a good place for families to work and live in the future. The use of, and response to, digital change was demonstrated by changes to workplace hubs, self-service for citizens and Salisbury becoming a Smart City. External validation provided by three independent reviews were cited and the Leader extolled the value of working collectively to strengthen the focus on devolution, customers and efficiency. In closing her speech, the Leader expressed she hoped the next generation of leadership at Wiltshire Council would continue to prioritise the next generation for Wiltshire.
Councillor Ian Thorn echoed the sentiments and examples in Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE’s speech and described her leadership as remarkable for managing the consequences of the financial crisis of 2008 for Wiltshire.
Councillor Ernie Clark, Leader of the Independent Group, emphasised the enduring value of the open decision making that had been the hallmark of Baroness Scott ’s leadership.
Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, thanked Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE for taking tough political decisions whilst managing Wiltshire Council’s finances.
Councillor Ruth Hopkins focussed upon Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE as luminary role model for women in politics.