To consider Announcements under Procedure Rule 10:
a) Mayor’s Announcements
b) The Leader’s Announcements
c) Chief Executive’s Announcements.
Minutes:
a) The Mayor’s Announcements
The Mayor advised that he had no announcements to make with respect to civic engagements on this occasion.
During consideration of this item the Mayor announced that Councillors Roger Bennett, John Fisher, Mark Shurmer and Yvonne Smith would be standing down as Councillors in May 2021. On behalf of the Council, the Mayor thanked each of these Members for their hard work and public service during their time as Councillors.
Further comments in respect of the Members who were standing down were provided by other Councillors. Members commented that during his time as an elected Member, Councillor Bennett had served as the Mayor of the Borough of Redditch as well as serving on a number of Committees. It was noted that Councillor John Fisher had first been elected in 2012 and during his time as a Councillor had served as both the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Management and the Chair of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee. Similarly, Councillor Yvonne Smith had first been elected in 2012 and since her election had been an active member of the Overview and Scrutiny process, though had also served as Portfolio Holder for Community Safety. Councillor Shurmer had first been elected over 20 years’ ago and during his time had served as Mayor of the Borough of Redditch and Portfolio Holder for Housing. There was general consensus amongst Members that all four Councillors would be missed.
b) The Leader’s Announcements
The Leader opened his announcements by expressing his condolences, on behalf of the Council, following the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Council was informed that the Duke of Edinburgh had visited Redditch in 1978 to open the YMCA building in the Borough. The Duke of Edinburgh had served in the navy and provided support to the armed forces as well as to young people, particularly through the Duke of Edinburgh Award. During consideration of this item, Members joined the Leader in expressing their condolences to the Royal Family in respect of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Members were asked to note that it had been a difficult year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This had created challenges in respect of holding civic events during the year. In this context, the Leader and other Members praised the Mayor for his hard work and fortitude.
Reference was made to the regulations that had enabled Councils to hold meetings remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Leader explained that from the 7th May 2021 onwards, local authorities would be required to return to holding meetings in person. The Leader and leader of the opposition had jointly written to the Right Honourable Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, urging the government to extend powers to Councils to continue to hold meetings virtually. In addition, the requirement to return to holding meetings in person was being challenged through the courts and this case was due to be considered on Wednesday, 21st April 2021. The Leader commented that, regardless of the outcome of the court case, it was envisaged that all informal and private meetings involving elected Members, such as Scrutiny Task Group meetings, would continue to take place virtually.
c) The Chief Executive’s Announcements
The Chief Executive confirmed that he had no announcements to make on this occasion.