(a) Apologies for Absence
(b) Chairman’s Announcements
Minutes:
(a) Announcements by the Chairman of Council
(i) Former Joint Chief Executive John Scott
It was with much sadness that the Chairman informed Members that former Joint Chief Executive John Scott had recently passed away.
John Scott joined Epping Forest District Council as a housing manager and rose to become joint Chief Executive. As District Health and Housing Officer, his signature appeared on countless tenancy documents and agreements. His name was synonymous with house and home for thousands of local families.
He was an ‘old-school’ public servant. Housing was his vocation. Sometimes seen as a gruff plain speaker, those closest to him knew him to be a sensitive man who cared deeply. Today, many thousands of people live in safe, warm, good quality housing thanks to John Scott’s legacy.
When the council restarted its council house-building programme, John Scott Court in Waltham Abbey was named in his honour.
Members paid tribute to the memory of former Joint Chief Executive John Scott and a minutes silence was held in his honour.
(ii) Lighting of the Menorah in Epping
The Chairman advised that she was delighted to be invited to attend the switching on of the Menorah in Epping.
At sundown on Thursday 10 December 2020 a giant Menorah (candelabra) was lit on the green in Epping to mark the start of the Jewish Festival of Chanukah.
It was the first time the festival had been marked in this way in
Epping and had been brought about by Rabbi Yossi Posen and his wife
Rivka who direct a Jewish Community Centre, the Chabad Centre which
served Epping and the wider areas of West Essex.
(iii) Julie Chandler
The Chairman informed Members that Julie Chandler, Service Director, Communities left EFDC on the 11 December 2020 after 42 years of dedicated service to Epping Forest District Council.
The Chairman advised Members that Julie was one of the most committed members of staff she had the privilege to work with in her capacity as Portfolio Holder for Leisure. Hours were spent discussing and monitoring the progress of the refurbishment of the Museum and the excitement of opening the Tenders for the New Leisure Contract.
Julie started her career at EFDC as a lifeguard and sports coach at Ongar leisure centre back in 1978 she was promoted to an assistant manager working from the Hemnall Street offices where at its peak the over 50’s New Horizons programme had over 2000 taking part in physical and social activities every week.
Promotion again came and as an Assistant Sports Development Officer Julie was responsible for managing holiday playschemes across the district. Stepping up again she was appointed Leisure and Promotions Officer responsible for the new logo’s and marketing materials of all the leisure centres and the museum.
Many other promotions followed until Julie was appointed Service Director for Communities and Partnerships.
It must be noted that in her time Julie and her teams have competitively secured around £10 million external investment in Council Services for the community and her services have been and continue to be models of best practice across Essex.
I am sure that I speak for all members that Julie was and outstanding member of staff and we thank her most sincerely for her commitment to sport and to the district.
Julie will be missed but we wish you well in your new appointment.
(iv) Civic Offices
The Chairman advised that the Civic Offices would be lit up in green from the 24-26 December 2020 sending a message of hope.