Agenda item

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Clive Hooker and his wife, Christine, for being so supportive over the past year. He also thanked Sarah Clarke the Monitoring Officer for her reassuring support both before and during meetings. He also thanked members of her team, Moira Fraser and Linda Pye and special thanks to Jo Watt for managing the Chairman’s diary and making sure that he was briefed and ready for any occasion.

The past year had been like no other - the Covid pandemic had changed many things from the way the Council worked and conducted its business and to the different way in which it interacted with people and organisations. He confirmed that he had recently made a short video thanking staff, the voluntary sector and communities for all they had done over the last 14 months to make life more bearable for many who had been suffering during the pandemic, such as those living in isolation or those not able to get their medication or shopping. He especially wanted to thank the staff who had gone over and above and beyond the call of duty for the past 14 months – he could not name them all but they had risen to the challenges magnificently. He especially thanked those involved in the community hub who had made such a difference to the way people could ask for help and always ensured that help was at hand. Many others had seen their roles changed, for example the grants that had been made during the pandemic to help our local businesses. Behind the scenes a team from Revenues and Benefits had been working really hard to ensure that the grants were distributed with minimal delay. Staff efforts over this period had been truly wonderful and he thanked all members of staff for all the work that they had done.

Councillor Pask wanted to highlight some of the more pleasurable memories of being Chairman over the last two years. This year, apart from making several videos to support and recognise local organisations he had actually only attended three live events in person. One was VJ Day in Newbury, another was Remembrance Sunday in Newbury and he also had the sad privilege to attend the very poignant service to represent West Berkshire at Christchurch Cathedral in Oxford, just over two weeks ago, for a remembrance service for the Duke of Edinburgh. There were only 40 people there and he was the only Councillor from Berkshire in attendance. The previous year was much more business as usual which included lots of citizenship ceremonies which were very enjoyable, staff recognition events, a visit by Princess Alexandra to Thrive at Beech Hill and a visit by the Princess Royal to Priors Court to celebrate their 20^th Anniversary, beating retreat at Dennison Barracks, the Shaw House summer fayre, the Berkshire Gardens Trust garden tours, events at the Royal County of Berkshire Show and especially memorable, as always, anything to do with the Royal Berkshire fire and Rescue Services, especially their award ceremony which was well attended to see the magnificent work those people did. He always enjoyed the Remembrance Day services especially the one at Welford. There were lots of Carol Services throughout the district but supporting volunteer centre events was particularly memorable as they made such a difference to our communities. Finally, the last event he attended in that year was a visit to the House of Lords on behalf of the Berkshire Youth Trust, where again the magnificent work they had being doing was recognised.

Councillor Pask stated that he had been honoured to represent West Berkshire on behalf of West Berkshire Council and he thanked Members for granting him the privilege of representing the Council over the last two years.

Councillor Lee Dillon thanked Councillor Pask for his two years of service as the Chairman of the Council. Councillor Dillon had taken on a civic role for consecutive years and knew that as well as undertaking the role of Chairman Councillor Pask would have also undertaken his duties as a District Councillor. On behalf of the opposition Members he thanked Councillor Pask for his two years of service.