Minutes:
Mr Orson
Duncan Lucas
It was with great
sadness that the Chairman reported the passing of a former Chairman of the
County Council, Mr Orson Duncan Lucas.
Mr Lucas had served
on the County Council from 1985 to 2005 representing the Bushloe Electoral
Division in Oadby and Wigston. He had
been Chairman of the County Council during the 1993 – 1994 municipal year.
He served on the
Arts, Libraries and Museums Committee, the Agriculture Committee, the
Environment Committee and the Resources Committee.
The Chairman
reported that Mr Lucas’ funeral service would be held at Wigston Magna United
Reformed Church on Long Street on Tuesday, 1st March at 1pm.
Members of the
Council joined the Chairman in standing in silent tribute to the memory of Mr
Lucas.
Her Majesty
the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Chairman
welcomed Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant, Mr Mike Kapur OBE, to the meeting and
thanked him for being his guest at lunchtime.
As Members were
aware, her Majesty the Queen had now become the first British Monarch to
celebrate seventy years on the throne and therefore celebrating her Platinum
Jubilee. The Chairman commented that
this year was going to be very special.
To mark the occasion an extended bank holiday, Thursday 2nd
June to Sunday 5th June, would provide an opportunity for
communities and people to come together to celebrate this historic
milestone. There would also be a number
of celebrations such as Street Parties, the Big Lunch, Beacon Lighting and
national celebrations.
In addition to the
national initiatives the Chairman reported that the Lord Lieutenant would be
leading the celebrations in Leicestershire and Leicester City and that he had
his own three initiatives which were launched earlier this month. They were: -
·
An arts
competition for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children;
·
A 70 at
70 garden party at Beaumanor Hall for seventy people who were born in 1952;
·
An award
for 70 organisations whether that be a business, community or voluntary group,
or a school that has done something exceptional and positive to develop
community spirt.
The Chairman on
behalf of the Lord Lieutenant encouraged all Members to promote these
initiatives within their electoral divisions and communities and advised that further
information could be found on the Lord Lieutenant’s Platinum Jubilee website.
The Chairman was
also pleased to inform Members that the County Council would be supporting the
Jubilee. The Chairman, along with the
Lord Lieutenant, would be planting a tree at County Hall on Friday, 11th
March as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.
In addition, a beacon would be lit at Beacon Hill on Thursday 2nd
June, as well the lighting up of County Hall.
This Chairman commented
that this would be a very special year and one which all Members should try and
promote in their communities.
Paula Murray
BEM
The Chairman asked
Members to join him in congratulating Paula Murray, Group Support Manager in
the Environment and Transport Department, who had been awarded the British
Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List.
In addition, he
congratulated everyone in Leicestershire who had also received a personal
honour.
Mike Sandys
The Chairman was
pleased to inform Members that the Lord Lieutenant had commissioned seven new
Deputy Lieutenants in honour of their service to the local community. One of the seven was Mike Sandys, Director of
Public Health, and he called on Members to congratulate Mike on his
appointment.
Chief
Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary Simon Cole QPM
The Chairman
reported that Simon Cole, the Chief Constable for Leicestershire, would be
retiring shortly. Simon had taken up his
position in June 2010 and had been responsible for not only leading the Force,
but also developing and managing relationships with key partners and the
community. He had also chaired the
multi-agency Local Resilience Forum and led it admirably throughout the Covid
pandemic.
The Chairman
commented that Simon’s contribution to both policing and community life in
Leicestershire had been immense and his close support and leadership had
provided assurance for our communities.
The Chairman placed on record his appreciation and that of the Council
and said that Mr Cole would be a hard act to follow, wishing him the best for
the future.
Upcoming
Events
The Chairman
reported that over the next few months he would be hosting a number of events
including his Charity Dinner in aid of Dementia UK, a volunteers reception and
the County Service.