Minutes:
The Lord Mayor and Leader paid their tributes to Her Late Majesty, reflecting on her long service to the country and to her relationship with the city and County of Devon.
The Lord Mayor reported that the city had been honoured to have the opportunity to pay its respects to Her Late Majesty on a number of occasions throughout the official mourning period as well as hosting a book of condolence at the Guildhall. Despite the city’s obvious sorrow, she thanked all of those Members and staff involved in the very necessary protocols that had to be adhered to following the death of a sovereign. She had visited a number of care homes to allow residents to record their thoughts and pay their respects which had been warmly received.
The Lord Mayor passed on her condolences, and those of Council Members, to the family and friends of former City Councillor George Clark who had passed away in September. He had been a former Mayor and Honorary Alderman and had served the former Wonford ward for 15 years.
The Lord Mayor passed on her condolences, and those of Council Members, to the family and friends of former City Councillor Diana Bess who had recently passed away. She had been a former Mayor and Honorary Alderman and had served the former Barton and Countess Wear wards for 17 years.
The Council stood and observed a minutes’ silence in memory of Her Majesty the Queen and Alderman Clark and Alderman Mrs Bess.
The Lord Mayor and Leader paid their tributes to Alderman Clark and Alderman Mrs Bess. They had both known the Aldermen for many years having served with them on the Council for similar periods and spoke of them with great affection and respect for their work in their respective wards and the city as a whole.
The Lord Mayor advised that she had attended the following:-
· a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Exeter Chiefs with an exhibition at RAMM on 27 July 2022;
· the Cranbrook education campus on 9 August 2022 to take part in a football fun factory;
· the Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations at Poltimore House on 24 August 2022;
· a reception at the Guildhall on 6 September 2022 in honour of the Exeter Chiefs Women’s Team Allianz Cup victory over Harlequins on 23 April 2022; and
· the Exeter Dementia Action Alliance Memory Baton Relay on 16 October 2022, in which the City Council’s own John Street had participated. The Lord Mayor’s coffee morning continued to be held every month raising funds and awareness for the Alliance.
The Lord Mayor announced that Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer had retired after 10 years at the head of the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and 36 years overall in the police service. The Lord Mayor welcomed his successor, Will Kerr, and looked forward to working with him in the future.
The Lord Mayor reported that St. Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre would be hosting the international Passivhaus Conference on 25 and 26 October 2022 when it would receive its Passivhaus certification. In addition to the Construction Manager of St. Sidwell’s Point winning the Chartered Institute of Building Construction Manager of the year Award, the Centre had been shortlisted for the following awards:-
· the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors Awards for the most inspirational initiatives and developments in the land;
· the Constructing Excellence National Awards 2022 which were taking place on 18 November 2022; and
· the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards Excellence in the Planning for Health and Wellbeing category. The winner to be announced at the awards ceremony on 30 November 2022.