To receive communications from the Chairman of the Council.
Minutes:
The Chairman announced the sad passing of former South Northamptonshire District Councillor and Northamptonshire County Councillor Ian Morris, following a short illness. Ian was elected to South Northamptonshire District Council in 2011 and served until 2017. He was a member of Northamptonshire County Council from 2013 until 2021. He served in a number of roles, notably as Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways, Environment and Public Protection and then as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, a role which saw him play a prominent part in the management of the COVID 19 pandemic in the county. On South Northamptonshire Council he served on a number of committees, including Policy Review and Development, Community and Resources and the Scrutiny Committee.
The Chairman also announced the sad passing of former Northamptonshire County Councillor Rosemary Bromwich. She represented the Towcester division on Northamptonshire County Council from 1997 to 2012. She served as Cabinet Member for Community Services from 2005 to 2006 and then as Cabinet Member for Adult Care from 2007 to 2009. She was Chairman of the Council from 2010 to 2011 and also served on the Police Authority. Rosemary was married to Nick and had two children, Janice and Neil and two grandchildren, James and Poppy.
Jo Gordon, on behalf of the Royal & Derngate Theatre, addressed Council and gave a reading in honour of former Councillor Morris and highlighted some of the important work he did for the theatre.
Councillor Bowen recalled memories of working with former Councillor Morris when she first became an elected member and subsequent years and expressed her heartfelt sadness over the loss of a dear friend.
Councillor Randall offered her condolences to the family of former Councillor Morris on behalf of the Labour group.
Councillor Beardsworth commented that former Councillor Morris was always a kind and personable man; she was shocked to discover of his passing and said that he would be sorely missed.
Councillor Meredith expressed his shock and sadness at the passing of former Councillor Morris; he would remember him fondly and offered his condolences to Councillor Morris’s family.
The Chairman led Council in a minute’s applause in honour of former Councillors Ian Morris and Rosemary Bromwich.
The Chairman advised that he had written to former Councillor Morris’s family on behalf of the Council, and that details of a memorial service had been circulated to all Members, and that further information around the memorial service was available on Councillor Morris’s Facebook page.
The Chairman stated that he and the Vice-Chairman had had the pleasure of representing Council at a number of other events, including numerous Queen’s Jubilee events, Windrush Day, Northampton Pride, Armed Forces Day, and Northampton Carnival. He was also very pleased to greet the Duke of Gloucester this morning at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, and asked Members to please get in touch with the Chairman’s administration team if they had events that they would like the Chairman to attend.
The Vice-Chairman commended the Mayor of Northampton in respect of a reception that he arranged on 23rd June for Ukrainian Constitution Day
The Chairman reminded Council that the Mayor of Northampton was completing a sponsored walk around Abington Park on 30th July to raise money for his chosen charity and asked Members to give their support.