(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.
Minutes:
(a) Announcements by the Chairman of the Council
(i) Introduction
The Chairman expressed belated Happy New Year wishes to members of the Council. He also reminded members that no refreshments would be provided after this meeting.
(ii) Attendance at Events
The Chairman reported on his attendance at the Epping Town Old People’s Welfare Association Christmas lunch held at Pelly Court Epping on 14 December 2011.
The Chairman announced that the British Aerosol Manufactures had awarded a highly commended award to the Council for running the best Recycling Communication Campaign that included empty aerosols. He advised that he had attended a presentation of the award together with the Vice Chairman of the Council and the Environment Portfolio Holder.
The Chairman thanked members for attending the Civic Carol Service held at the Loughton Methodist Church on 16 December 2011.
The Chairman advised that in support of Operation Christmas Child (the world’s largest Children’s Christmas Project run by the Christian Charity, Samaritan’s Purse), members and staff had donated in excess of 50 gift filled shoe boxes which had been sent to the Ukraine.
The Chairman reported that he had attended an excellent workshop learning how to make an animal lantern held at the Epping Forest District Museum to celebrate Chinese New Year. He also advised that the Vice-Chairman of the Council had attended a second workshop on this topic.
The Chairman advised that the quiz held in aid of his charity had raised £1,024. He thanked members and officers for their support and advised that the Planning Directorate’s Grand Slammers team had won the event yet again. He praised the fancy dress of some of the teams.
The Chairman announced that the previous day he had attended the Epping Forest District Museum for the creation of a mosaic to commemorate the Museum’s 30th Anniversary prior to it being installed in the Museum garden.
(iii) The Chairman’s Charity
The Chairman announced that he would be participating in an abseil on 5 May 2012 and he invited members to sponsor him in aid of his charity. He drew attention to sponsorship forms which had been placed immediately outside of the Council Chamber.
The Chairman announced that arrangements were being made for a walk in Epping Forest in support of his charity to be led by Verderer and local historian, Richard Morris on 20 May 2012.
(iv) Localism Act 2011 – Housing Provisions
The Chairman announced that the training session for members on 28 February 2012 had been cancelled due to a lack of support. He drew attention to the provisions of the Act regarding housing and encouraged members to attend when the event was rescheduled.
(v) The Floral Display
The Chairman announced that he intended to send the flowers from tonight’s meeting to Robert Daniels Court, Thrifts Mead, Theydon Bois.
(b) Announcements by the Leader of 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.