Agenda and minutes

1.       When the continuous alarm sounds you must evacuate the building by the nearest available fire exit. Members and visitors should proceed to the visitors’ car park at the front of the building and await further instructions (during office hours staff should proceed to their usual assembly point; outside of office hours proceed to the visitors’ car park). Please do not re-enter the building unless instructed to do so.

       In the event of a fire any person with a disability should be assisted in leaving the building.  

2.       To receive any announcements from the Chair of the Meeting and/or the Chief Executive.

60.1          The evacuation procedure, as noted on the Agenda, was advised to those present.

61.1          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L A Agg, N D Adcock, E M Dimond-Brown, A Hegenbarth, G C Madle, P D McLain, K Pervaiz, G M Porter, P D Smith, M R Stewart and M G Sztymiak. 

Pursuant to the adoption by the Council on 24 January 2023 of the Tewkesbury Borough Council Code of Conduct, effective from 1 February 2023, as set out in Minute No. CL.72, Members are invited to declare any interest they may have in the business set out on the Agenda to which the approved Code applies.

62.1          The Committee’s attention was drawn to the Tewkesbury Borough Code of Conduct which was adopted by the Council on 24 January 2023 and took effect on 1 February 2023. 

62.2          There were no declarations made on this occasion.

In accordance with the resolution of Council at its meeting 20 June 2023, the Council is asked to confer the title of Honorary Alderman, under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, upon former Councillors:

Rob Bird

Gill Blackwell

Mike Dean

John Evetts

John Murphy

Andrew Reece

Philip Surman

Vernon Smith

Certificates will be presented to the Honorary Aldermen.

Following the close of the meeting, the Mayor will host a reception in honour of the newly appointed Honorary Aldermen.     

63.1          The Mayor thanked those present for attending the meeting to witness the conferring of the Office of Honorary Alderman on eight former Councillors.  He expressed what an honour and privilege it was to have the opportunity to bestow such a title upon those that had done so much for the Borough during their time in Office. The Mayor indicated that, unfortunately, one of those being honoured, Gill Blackwell, was unable to attend the meeting that evening but confirmed that her certificate and gifts would be delivered to her after the meeting.   

63.2          Councillor Stanley proposed that, in recognition of their public service to their community and the borough, the under-mentioned persons have conferred upon them the title of Honorary Aldermen:

Rob Bird

Gill Blackwell

Mike Dean

John Evetts

John Murphy

Andrew Reece

Vernon Smith

Philip Surman

63.3          The motion was seconded by Councillor Mason who indicated that it was with great pleasure that he was seconding the honouring of the eight past Members with the Office of Honorary Alderman.

63.4          Upon being put to the vote, the Motion was carried and each new Honorary Alderman in attendance was presented with their certificate and gifts to mark the occasion.

63.5          Councillor Mason expressed what a pleasure it was for him to speak in support of Rob Bird.  Rob had been elected in 2011 and represented the Cleeve West Ward.  Probably his greatest challenge during his time as Leader of the Council was the COVID-19 pandemic which had brought with it a great amount of uncertainty and apprehensiveness which he had navigated with integrity.  Rob was not afraid to challenge where necessary and had stood his ground to achieve the best outcomes for Tewkesbury Borough.  He had represented the Council brilliantly during his time as Leader and it was a great pleasure to see him honoured with this title.  On receiving his certificate, Honorary Alderman Rob Bird indicated how appreciative he was to receive this honour.  There were many reasons why he had been proud to be part of Tewkesbury Borough Council - he had always thought it was very professional and he was proud to be part of that professional approach to doing what was right for the residents it served.  Tewkesbury Borough Council was always ahead of the curve which had been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when it had become clear that the authority was already doing the work being discussed by others.  The professionalism of Officers had been backed up with the commitment and pragmatism of its elected Members who always worked together effectively when necessary and he hoped that would continue.

63.6          Councillor Gore expressed how delighted she was to support Gill Blackwell in becoming an Honorary Alderman.  Gill had served on the Council from May 2011 representing Churchdown Brookfield with Hucclecote Ward and held the office of Mayor twice during her 12 years of service, raising funds for local charities.  She was a fantastic ambassador as Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough, even when her term  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.