Agenda item
Announcements
Minutes:
1) The Late Chris Reid and Mike Chambers
The Mayor paid tribute to former Councillor Chris Reid and former Chief Executive Mr Mike Chambers, who had passed away last month.
Former Labour councillor, Chris Reid, had passed away on Friday 14th June 2019, aged 63 years. Chris had attended Royal Blackburn Hospital for a routine operation in May, but later developed pneumonia, from which sadly he did not recover.
Mr Reid, from Great Harwood, served as Netherton ward councillor in the town for eight years, from 1990 until 1998, and was a ‘passionate’ NHS activist. He was born in Dublin and previously lived in Accrington before moving to Great Harwood in 1986.
He helped lead the recent Save Accrington Victoria Walk-in Centre campaign, was chair of the Great Harwood Patients Participation Group and was previously a Labour Group secretary and local party secretary as well as being an Accrington Stanley season ticket holder. He had worked as a driver on Hyndburn Transport and then as a truck driver.
He was good husband to his wife, Ruth, and a father and grandfather of five.
Mike Chambers had passed away on Friday 21st June 2019. Mike was 62, and had been diagnosed in August with a Brain tumour. He passed away peacefully at home with his family – Caroline, Tom and Lettie.
Mr Chambers was Chief Executive of Hyndburn Borough Council from 1995 to 2003, prior to the current Chief Executive, Mr Welsby, taking up the post. He was a dedicated local government officer and served the people of Hyndburn faithfully. Away from work, Mr Chambers was a keen mountaineer.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Miles Parkinson OBE, and Councillors Abdul Khan, Munsif Dad, Tony Dobson, Jean Battle, Tim O’Kane and Judith Addison also added their tributes.
A minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect.
2) Queen’s Birthday Honours
The Mayor reported that the Council had recently received the marvellous news that two of its councillors had been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, published on Saturday 8th June 2019.
Councillor Miles Parkinson had been awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for political service.
Councillor Munsif Dad JP had been awarded Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM), for political service.
The Mayor presented a framed Certificate of Record and a copy of the Official Public Record from the London Gazette to each councillor. The Chamber was filled with applause.
Councillors Miles Parkinson OBE and Munsif Dad BEM JP spoke about their introduction to public life, some memorable experiences and the support they had received from their families.
3) Recent Events
The Mayor reported that, since her appointment to office, she had attended numerous wonderful events along with the Mayoress. It was not possible to do justice to them all by mentioning them at the meeting. However, the following deserved a special mention:-
The Accrington Carnival, which had taken place on Sunday 23rd June, was a spectacular occasion, with crowds lining the route of the procession and flocking to the many attractions on the new Town Square and on Broadway. The weather was kind and the Mayor and Mayoress enjoyed a ride in the open air at the rear of a vintage-style limousine. Both the Mayor and Mayoress had lovely time and it was hoped that other councillors, residents and visitors alike enjoyed the day too.
The Mayor thanked the organisers for their hard work in planning and running the event and all those who participated, for making the event such a success. The Mayor indicated that she was looking forward to the next Carnival in 2021. The Leader of the Council added his thanks to all concerned.
The following day had seen the start of Armed Forces Week and the Mayor had been proud to be presented with the Armed Forces Day Flag by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Charles Hadcock, DL, at a ceremony in front of Accrington Town Hall. The event marked Hyndburn’s support for past, present and future Armed Forces. It was the Borough’s chance to celebrate and thank its Armed Forces and show its support for all they do to protect people and keep the country safe.
The end of that week was also marked by a short ceremony on Monday 1st July, in Church Street Gardens, to commemorate the anniversary of the start the Battle of the Somme and the sacrifice made by the Accrington Pals and so many others during that campaign. They would always be remembered.
4) Accrington Pals Memorial
The Leader of the Council indicated that he had recently been contacted by Colonel Geoffrey Norton (retired), an expert historian on the Pals battalions, about a fundraising effort for a footpath to the Sheffield Memorial Park near Serre-lès-Puisieux, Pas-de-Calais, France. The park is the site of the Accrington Pals Memorial and various other memorials and is close to several cemeteries containing war graves with links to Lancashire and Yorkshire. Some £20k has already been raised towards the cost of the footpath and Hyndburn Borough Council intends to make a contribution to the cost, alongside funding from the local French Mayor.
5) Civic Sunday
The Mayor reported that a Civic Sunday event was due to be held at 2:00pm on 21st July 2019, at St Anne’s Catholic Church, Cobham Road, Accrington. All councillors and members of the public were welcome to attend.
6) Long Service Award - Councillor Jean Battle
The Leader of the Council reported that Councillor Jean Battle had recently achieved 20 years service with the Council. Accordingly, her name would be added to the commemorative board at the Town Hall. He congratulated her and recounted that she had served on numerous different committees during this time and had represented several different wards with distinction.