Agenda item

(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.

(a)       Announcements by the Chairman of the Council

(i)         Councillor Colin Finn

The Chairman advised the Council that Councillor Colin Finn was currently recovering from urgent treatment in hospital and was expected home shortly.  The Council expressed their best wishes to Councillor Finn for a speedy recovery.

(ii)        Youth Councillors

The Chairman welcomed Youth Councillors to the meeting.

(iii)       Attendance at Events

The Chairman reported on his attendance at the official opening of the Limes Centre, Chigwell which had also been the launch of a special healthy living festival for Limes Farm.  He drew attention to the attractive new building which had been provided and thanked all the officers involved in this project, especially Julie Chandler (Assistant Director – Community Services and Customer Relations).

The Chairman reported on his attendance at the official opening of two projects in North Weald which had been funded through a grant received via Community Infrastructure Funding.

The Chairman advised that he had formed part of the judging panel for the County Council’s Big Society Fund at which some difficult decisions had been taken regarding the allocation of funds.

The Council noted that on 28 February 2012, the Chairman together with the Vice Chairman had hosted a visit to the Civic Offices by pupils from Braeside School.  The Chairman reported that on 28 February 2012 he had also attended the unveiling of a mosaic in the garden of the Epping Forest District Museum which had been created to commemorate the Museum’s 30^th anniversary.

The Chairman announced that he had attended the official opening of the Restore Community Centre in The Broadway, Loughton on 9 March 2012.  He reminded members that the Centre would provide a multi agency presence with health, police and Council officers available to work with and support the local community.

Members noted that on 10 March, the Chairman had attended the opening of the new ground for Colebrook Royals Football Club at The Grange, Chigwell.  The Chairman pointed out that Colebrook Royals FC which had been established in 1997 now fielded a total of 23 teams including three girls’ teams.  Over 400 had been present at the opening to witness Sir Trevor Brooking CBE unveiling a plaque.  The Chairman expressed his thanks to Chigwell School for their support in relation to the project.

The Chairman reported that he had attended a Youth Makes Music concert at Chigwell School on 16 March 2012 which had been organised by the Rotary Clubs of Loughton and Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell.

(iv)      Chairman’s Charity – Abseil

The Chairman reminded members that he would be undertaking an abseil of the Water Tower at Church Langley on 5 May 2012.  He asked members to support him by completing the sponsorship form which would be available in the Members’ Room after this meeting.

(v)       The Floral Display

The Chairman announced that he intended to send the flowers from tonight’s meeting to Leonard Davis House, North Weald.

(b)       Announcements by the Leader of the Council

The Leader advised that she had no announcements to make under this heading.

(c)       Announcements by Portfolio Holders

The Portfolio Holders advised that they had no announcements to make under this heading.

(d)       Councillor S Packford

The Council noted the resignation of S Packford as a District Councillor with effect from 16 March 2012.