(a) Apologies for Absence
(b) Announcements
To consider any announcements by:
(i) the Chairman of the Council;
(ii) the Leader of the Council; and
(iii) any other Cabinet Member.
(c) John Markham
To note that John Markham submitted a letter of resignation as a District Councillor dated 17 March 2014 and received by the Proper Officer on 18 March 2014. As the vacancy arises within six months of the date that John Markham’s term of office would have expired, the election to fill the vacancy will take place at the next ordinary District Council elections (22 May 2014).
John Markham has moved to Somerset. In recognition of his 12 years service representing the Loughton St John’s ward an award will be sent to him.
Background Paper: Letter of resignation dated 17 March 2014.
Minutes:
(a) Announcements by the Chairman of the Council
(i) High Sheriff’s Awards
The Chairman reported that she had attended the High Sheriff’s Awards evening held at the Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. She advised that many of the Epping Forest District’s services had been successful in obtaining grants. The Youth Council and the Loughton Youth Project had been nominated for the High Sheriff’s Shield, with ReUse being nominated for the Volunteer Centre Essex Award. Although none were successful they did receive certificates recognising the work that they had been doing. The Chairman stated that she had been pleased to see the Waltham Abbey Youth 2000 group receive the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Shield. She stated that this had been a very successful evening for the Epping Forest District.
(ii) Civic Awards
The Chairman reported that the Civic Awards had been a very successful event and this year Sandra and John Newman had been the worthy winners of Citizen of the Year and James Lingfield, Young Citizen of the Year.
(iii) Jack Petchey Awards
The Chairman reported that she was joined by the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Tony Boyce to present Jack Petchey Awards to two young people that had been on work experience at the EFDC Staff Canteen at the Civic Offices.
Voluntary Action Epping Forest had organised the presentation of Outstanding Achiever certificates toKerrie Ann Johnson and Tristram Griffiths, who despite having learning difficulties, worked incredibly hard alongside a skilled cook providing kitchen support.
(iv) Epping Forest Youth Council Induction
The Chairman reported that the election of the Youth Council had taken place and the new Youth Councillors had spent two days meeting as a group including a day at the at the Lambourne End Activity Centre which had given them a really good opportunity to get to know each other.
On Tuesday 15 April, the Chairman advised that she had joined the Youth Councillors for a session in the Council Chamber to welcome them and congratulate them on their election success. This had been an opportunity to explain the role as Council Chairman and for the Youth Councillors to ask questions.
(v) Chairman’s Charity – Abseil
The Chairman advised members that she would be undertaking a sponsored abseil from the Water Tower at Church Langley on Sunday 4 May 2014 at 9.45 am. She asked Members to support her by completing the sponsorship form which would be available after the meeting.
(vi) Floral Display
The Chairman announced the she intended to send the flowers from tonight’s meeting to St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood.
(b) Announcements by the Leader of the Council
The Leader advised that he had no announcements to be made under this heading.
(c) Announcements by Portfolio Holders
There were no announcements to be made under this heading.
(d) Councillor J Markham
The Council noted the resignation of J Markham as a District Councillor with effect from 17 March 2014. Members were advised an election to fill the vacancy would be held at the same time as the scheduled European Parliamentary and District Council elections on 22 May 2014.
Councillors K Angold-Stephens, S Murray and Mrs C Pond paid tribute to Councillor Markham in respect of all the work he had done for the District in his 12 years as a Councillor.