Agenda item
Chairman's Remarks and Changes to Committees Since the Previous Council Meeting
The Chairman to report on functions attended since the last meeting and other matters of interest to Members.
Minutes:
The Chairman reported that he and the Vice Chairman had attended 69 events since the last Council meeting. The Chairman thanked Councillor Adrian Edwards and Councillor Jeff Brooks for attending Remembrance Day events on behalf of the Council.
The Chairman highlighted a number of events that he had attended including very colourful Diwali evening, the unveiling of the innovative duck seat at the Linear Park, a scout’s breakfast at Burghfield, the signing of the contract with BBOWT, the Aldermaston nativity Play, the switching on of the lights in Hungerford, Thatcham and Newbury, the McMillan Concert at St Nicolas’ Church and a number of citizenship ceremonies held at Shaw House.
The Chairman thanked all the Officers and Members that had attended his quiz on the 21 November 2013 which had raised £960 for his chosen charity ‘Children with Cancer UK’. He congratulated the ‘Bright Blues’ on winning the quiz.
Councillor Chopping observed that the young people of the district continued to act as an inspiration for all residents. He had thoroughly enjoyed the Berkshire Maestro’s concert at the hexagon Theatre in Reading. He also highlighted the primary school carol concert event at St Nicolas’s Church.
The Chairman reported that he had been fortunate to be present at an event held at XTRAC the previous day where the Duke of Kent had made an award to apprentices at this organisation which was a world leader in its field.
The Chairman provided Members with an update on the Motion proposed by Councillor Goff and seconded by Councillor Brooks which was debated and adopted by the Council at the September 2013 meeting regarding the potential closure of Newbury Magistrates Court. The Motion required that the chairman to write to a number of Government departments and individuals in order to put forward the wide concerns of this Council bearing in mind the cross party support which there was. The Chairman sent a number of letters as requested.
Councillor Chopping confirmed that all three of the local MP's Alok Sharma, John Redwood and Richard Benyon had contacted HM Courts and Tribunal Service. The Chairman also received a response from the Minister with responsibility for HM Courts and Tribunal Service Shailesh Vara MP and support from the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley.
A full response was also received from Chris Jennings the Delivery Director – South East for HM Courts and Tribunal Service. In his response he confirmed that there were no current plans to close the court but he indicated that his service was required by Government to continually review its assets and estate in order to provide an efficient service to Court users within budgetary constraints. He went on to address court usage and listing but suggested that this was a matter for local Magistrates to comment upon. However in order to cover this aspect he offered a meeting with him and the Clerk to the Thames Valley Justices David Richmond and this is scheduled to take place on the 22nd January 2014. That meeting will allow the opportunity to place on record at the highest level the concerns of this Council as regards the administration of justice locally.
Richard Benyon MP, had a constructive meeting with Chris Jennings the Delivery Director on 12th November 2013 and was advised that if there was to be any further rationalisation of the Courts in the South East, Newbury Magistrates Court would not be one of the courts he would be recommending for closure to Ministers which is a positive outcome.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer announced that the following changes had been made to Committees since the September 2013 Council meeting:
Executive – Councillor Graham Jones stood down from the Executive on the 31 October 2013. Councillor Marcus Franks had been appointed as the Executive Member with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing. Councillor Graham Pask would have the additional responsibility for Community Safety
Health and Wellbeing Board - Adrian Barker had replaced Lady Emma Stevens as the Healthwatch Representative. Councillor Marcus Franks had replaced Councillor Graham Jones on the Board and Councillor Gordon Lundie had replaced Councillor Graham Pask on the Board and was the new Chairman.
Standards Committee - Barry Dickens had replaced Mauline Akins as a Parish Council Representative on the Standards Committee
Eastern Area Planning – Councillor Sheila Ellison was now a Member of the Committee and Councillor Irene Neill was a substitute on the Committee.
Heritage Champion – Councillor Adrian Edwards had taken over the role of Heritage Champion from Councillor Hilary Cole
Overview and Scrutiny Commission – Councillor Sheila Ellison had replaced Councillor Marcus Franks on the Commission. Councillor Paul Bryant had replaced Councillor Sheila Ellison as a substitute on this Commission.
Member Point of Contact for all Safeguarding Matters – Councillor Irene Neill had been appointed to this role.
Councillor Jeff Brooks thanked Councillor Graham Jones for all the work that he had done while he was on the front bench and noted that he had been a respected adversary. Councillor Graham Jones thanked Councillor Brooks for the comments.