Agenda item

To appoint the Chair of the Council for the 2014/15 municipal year.

 

  The retiring Chair, Councillor Raymond Bartley, delivered a speech during which he reflected upon his time as Chair and highlighted a number of events he had attended over the last twelve months.

 

The retiring Chair and his consort, his wife Dorothy, had a very busy year attending over 200 events.  The most memorable event had been the huge success of the National Eisteddfod in Denbigh.  The retiring Chair and his wife, had attended the Eisteddfod every day and been approached by hundreds of people, offering their congratulations for the success of the Eisteddfod, or complimenting the County for their support and commitment to the event.  The retiring Chair expressed thanks to each and every member of staff involved in any of the arrangements, from senior management to all those who played their own special and invaluable part in the success.  It had been a great team effort and one which Councillor Bartley would always hold with special pride and one which had put Denbighshire on the map in a favourable way.

 

It had also been a great honour to be able to offer a £2,000 sponsorship to the North Wales Music Festival in St. Asaph.  This had been used to provide a musical workshop for pupils within the county’s special schools.  Part of the sponsorship would also be used for school transportation to enable pupils from a number of schools to attend a variety of workshops arranged for them.

 

Other highlights included:

 

·        St. Davids Day flag and poetry competition for all Denbighshire Primary school students.  This event had been so successful that it would now become an annual event.

·        School visits to the Council Chamber

·        Denbighshire Schools concerts

·        Attending the 100^th birthdays of citizens of Denbighshire.

 

Thanks were extended to everyone who attended or supported the events held to raise money for the retiring Chair’s two charities.

 

The retiring Chair also thanked staff from Democratic Services who had held some fund raising events for Ty Gobaith and the sum of £1,724.00 had been raised and forwarded on to Ty Gobaith.  The retiring Chair thanked everyone for their generosity and thoughtfulness to others and expressed his pride in the efforts of staff.

 

The retiring Chair presented cheques from money raised during his time as Chair (in total £4,000) to his chosen charities:

 

(i)            Eluned Yaxley, Fundraising Manager, accepted the cheque for £ 2000 on behalf of Ty Gobaith/ Hope House Hospice

(ii)          Ian Bellingham, Chief Executive accepted the cheque for £2000 on behalf of St. Kentigerns Hospice, St. Asaph

 

The retiring Chair then proceeded to present gifts to his Chaplain, Reverend Wayne Roberts, his Consort, the Member Support and Development Manager, Head of Legal & Democratic Services, Democratic Services Manager, Member Support Officer, Business Co-ordinator: Leaders Office, Committee Administrators and the Scrutiny Co-ordinator in recognition for their support during the past twelve months.

 

The retiring Chair offered special thanks to the Chief Executive, the Corporate Director: Customers, the Corporate Director: Economic & Community Ambition and the Head of Finance & Assets for their support and assistance during the past year.

 

Thanks were also extended to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Hugh Evans for sharing his knowledgeable experience and advice.

 

Finally, the retiring Chair wished to thank his wife, Dorothy, for her unfaltering support and for her dedicated service to Denbighshire County Council over the years.

 

At this point, the retiring Chair invited nominations for the appointment of Chair of the County Council for 2014/15.  Councillor Joan Butterfield proposed Councillor Brian Blakeley to be elected Chair outlining the personal qualities and experience he would bring to the position.

 

Councillor Cefyn Williams seconded the proposition adding Councillor Blakeley would make an excellent Ambassador for Denbighshire County Council.

 

There being no further nominations and following a vote by a show of hands, Councillor Brian Blakeley was unanimously elected Chair of the Council for the 2014/15 municipal year.

 

The retiring Chair wished the incoming Chair all the best for the future and invested him with the Chair’s Chain of Office, following which, he completed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.  The retiring Chair’s Consort invested the new Chair’s Consort with the Chain of Office. 

 

The incoming Chair paid tribute to the work undertaken by the retiring Chair and presented him with the Past Chair’s Badge, plaque and a gift on behalf of the Council.

 

The incoming Chair named his daughter, Michelle Blakeley, as his consort, Reverend Andy Grimwood as his Chaplain for the year and advised of his chosen charities – Ty Gobaith/ Hope House Hospice and Rhyl Lifeboat.