Minutes:
Jo Cox MP
The Chairman asked all Members of the Council to join with him in extending sympathies and condolences to the family of the late Jo Cox MP.
What had happened in the streets of West Yorkshire had been an attack on democracy. The Chairman said that he hoped that politicians would learn lessons from this tragedy, were more measured in the language used which sometimes had served to inflame and stir up hatred, and stated the need to become a more tolerant society and one that accepted and recognised differences.
Jo had been a hard working local MP who, both in Parliament and prior to becoming an MP, had worked tirelessly to help those less fortunate both at home and abroad.
Members joined the Chairman standing in silent tribute to the memory of Jo Cox.
Armed Forces Day
The Chairman reminded Members that the County Council had led the planning for the joint City and County celebration of Armed Forces Day each year. This year’s celebrations had started on 21st June when the Vice-Chairman and the Lord-Lieutenant, the Leader, many veterans and school children had taken part in a ceremony at Stand Easy, which marked the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag. That flag had flew outside County Hall leading up to the main celebration which had been held in Leicester on Saturday, 25th June.
The Cathedral had hosted a service of Thanksgiving, which had been attended by more than 650 service personnel, cadets, veterans and other guests, and had featured the Cottesmore Military Wives Choir. The Service had been followed by a parade through the City of more than 400 personnel who had marched behind the pipes and drums of the Seaforth Highlanders. The Chairman said that he had been proud to be present alongside the Lord-Lieutenant and Lord Mayor for the Salute and March Past.
Battle of The Somme
The Chairman reminded Members that the City and County’s commemoration of the Battle of The Somme would be a Service at Leicester Cathedral on Friday, 1st July at 10 a.m. This would be preceded by a half muffled quarter peel of the Cathedral bells and would conclude with a two minute silence at 11 a.m. The Schools Music Service would be involved at the Cathedral.
There would also be a Whistle for The Somme event at 7.15 a.m. at Stand Easy on Friday, 1st July. Members were encouraged to attend. Organisations across Leicestershire had been encouraged to observe a two-minute silence and to lower the Union Flag on Friday; District Councils would be taking part in this.
The Chairman advised that, given the significant contribution of Commonwealth countries in the Great War, the County Council had been encouraging temples, mosques and other places of worship to join in prayers on Friday. A number of churches would also be ringing their bells half-muffled as a tribute to the fallen.
Myra Brodie and John Wallace
The Chairman was delighted to announce that Myra Brodie and John Wallace had been recognised in The Queen’s Birthday 2016 Honours List, receiving British Empire Medals for services to Education.
Myra has been a School Crossing Patrol Warden at Little Bowden Primary School, a role which she had performed for the past twenty five years.
John Wallace, who has been a LA Governor at The Latimer School, had served on the Governing Body for the past twenty eight years.
Members joined the Chairman in offering congratulations to Myra and John for the well-deserved national recognition of their work.
Lesley Hagger
The Chairman reminded Members that this was the last Council meeting that Lesley Hagger would be attending before leaving Leicestershire to take up a new post of Director of Children’s Services in Northamptonshire.
Lesley had been the permanent Director of Children’s Services since December 2013, having previously filled the role on a temporary basis for twelve months.
Lesley first joined Leicestershire in 2003 as a Senior Education Officer and took on an Assistant Director role in 2005. In these roles, Lesley had been instrumental in creating integrated Early Help provision across the County.
The Chairman said that he was sure that all Members recognised Lesley as a chief officer, who before and since her appointment, had provided excellent access, advice and support, and stated that he would not wish this occasion to pass without placing on record the Council’s appreciation of Lesley’s special contribution to the operation of the Council.
Visitors
The Chairman welcomed to the meeting all visitors and guests of members and anyone who was viewing the meeting via the webcast.