Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here.

Almighty God, King of kings and Lord of lords,

you provide for your people by your power,

And rule over them in love.

Hear us as we give thanks

For the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth,

for her faith and her dedication to duty,

for good memories of her visits to Leicester and Leicestershire

and the ways in which she touched our lives more personally.

As we mourn her death, bless our nation

and all who serve in positions of authority and responsibility.

May her example of humble service continue to inspire us.

Now, Lord God, grant to your servant our King

the Spirit of wisdom and discernment,

that being devoted to you with his whole heart,

he may so wisely govern,

that in his time we may live in safety and in peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

AMEN  

Members joined the Chairman by standing in silent tribute to the memory of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Events marking the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

The Chairman reported that on Friday, along with the Lord Lieutenant, Vice Lord Lieutenant, the Leader and Deputy Leader of the County Council, Members and officers of the Council, he was present at the opening of the book of condolence at County Hall.

On Saturday, 10^th September following the wreath laying ceremony in the morning, the Chairman attended an open service of thanksgiving at St Mary De Castro Church in Leicester.  On Sunday, he joined the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor of Leicester and the High Sheriff at Leicester Town Hall Square for the reading of the Proclamation of King Charles III. 

On Sunday, 18^th September at 5.30pm, the Chairman would be attending a special service at St James the Greater Church in Leicester to give thanks for the life of the Queen.  The Chairman reported that there would be a number of places available for the public to attend.  However, it would be on a first come first seated basis.  There would also be an intention to stream the service.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No such declarations were made.

The Leader gave the following position statement:

“I know I speak on behalf of all Members and staff of the County Council when I say that we are all deeply moved by the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

As a mark of respect, during the period of mourning, the Union and County Flag will be flown at half-mast.  County Hall will also be lit up in purple during this period.  All public meetings have also been cancelled.

As the Chairman has said, we have opened a book of condolence at County Hall, but we also have a virtual book of condolence which can be found on the Lieutenancy website – www.leicestershire.gov/lieutenancy.

On Saturday and Sunday I joined the Lord Lieutenant, the Chairman of the County Council, the Lord and City Mayor of Leicester, the Bishop of Leicester, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable, to lay a wreath at Green Dragon Square in Leicester and to attend the Proclamation reading at Leicester Town Hall.

I know the Lord Lieutenant has been very grateful for the support he has received from the Lieutenancy staff at County Hall, led by Graeme Wardle and Jo Morrison over the last few days, which have been extraordinarily busy, and which will continue for a few days yet.  I’d like to add my thanks.”

“That the following Address to His Majesty be adopted, sealed with the common seal of the County Council and forwarded to His Majesty.

Address:

‘To His Majesty The King

May it please Your Majesty.

We, Your Majesty’s loyal and faithful subjects, the elected members of Leicestershire County Council, express our deep sympathy on the death of your beloved mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Her loss is felt by all subjects across the Commonwealth.

We wish to place on record our gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen for her remarkable reign.  She was a wise and constitutional Monarch, who at all times gave unstinting service to the country and the wider Commonwealth and earned the admiration, respect and love of her subjects.

We further express our loyalty to Your Majesty The King and offer our congratulations on your accession to the throne.  We wish Your Majesty a long and happy reign.’”

(a)            Address to His Majesty The King

It was moved by Mr Rushton, seconded by Mr Mullaney, supported by Mrs Hack, and carried:

“That the following Address to His Majesty be adopted, sealed with the common seal of the County Council and forwarded to His Majesty.

           ‘To His Majesty The King

May it please Your Majesty.

We, Your Majesty’s loyal and faithful subjects, the elected members of Leicestershire County Council, express our deep sympathy on the death of your beloved mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Her loss is felt by all subjects across the Commonwealth.

We wish to place on record our gratitude to Her Majesty The Queen for her remarkable reign.  She was a wise and constitutional Monarch, who at all times gave unstinting service to the country and the wider Commonwealth and earned the admiration, respect and love of her subjects.

We further express our loyalty to Your Majesty The King and offer our congratulations on your accession to the throne.  We wish Your Majesty a long and happy reign.’”

Members of Leicestershire County Council paid their personal tributes to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.