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(Annual Meeting), Council - Wednesday, 15th May, 2024 4.00 pm

May 15, 2024 View on council website

Transcript

[ Background Sounds ]

Members, I think it's a very warm afternoon. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] Thank you everybody for attending this annual meeting with the council. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] Thank you Madam Chairman. Yes, I'd like to echo what Peter has already said. I'm very happy to second me, I think she's an excellent ambassador for this council and has been for a number of years. She's always there to support colleagues. She's always there to lend a hand, always smiling. And she's a great champion of local causes. I just know that she'll be a beacon of positivity going out on the many engagements that are going to be required in this role. So thank you. In the absence of any further nominations, I can now declare the council gives me great pleasure to declare. The councilor, Mimi Hocker, has been elected as chairman of the council for the ensuing year, and I will hand it over to her the chair for the rest of the meeting. [applause] Madam, please stand. [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] Thank you, members. [inaudible] inaudible

So I immediately hark her. I've been elected to the office of Chairman, I'll be back into council. Declare that I take that office upon myself, and will duly and faithfully fulfill the duties of it, according to the best of my judgment and ability. Thank you very much. (audience laughing) (audience laughing) (audience laughing) (audience laughing) (audience laughing) (audience laughing)

So, as a new chairman of this council, it falls upon me to make very short speech, and I'm going to follow a vicious look, so I'm short and sharp for everything, so if I can just start with the same note tonight. Council members and members of the public both here and online, good afternoon everybody, good afternoon. It really is, so afternoon, it's good afternoon. (audience laughing) It is such an honor to stand here before you as chairman of the Buckinghamshire Council voted in by the peers. May I start please with a number of thank yous? To my proposal, Peter and my second original, what kind words, thank you very much indeed, I shall repay your confidence in me. To all members who have endorsed my election as chairman and who I know, or rather I hope, will do all they can to make my year as chairman easier. Thank you all very much. To our round-going chairman, well, your years of experience as a community leader, as a councillor, and as a previous chairman of other councils, has been absolutely invaluable to us in this last year. And the success or story that you have created is absolutely fantastic, Tricia. And you've been a chairman who has been literally, who has upheld and passed her role and your beautiful relationship with Bill Absol, so great to talk to you about that. And on a personal note, I would like to thank you and say it's been such a pleasure working with you. And I have thoroughly enjoyed my years supporting you. You've been amazing. So, and I'm happy to build, I hope, and your legacy because the legacy of Memphis is wonderful. And it's that legacy of those concise, constructive, and collegiate meetings that that is the formula that I am looking to build on. So, looking ahead, this will be a challenging year, not least because we're leading up to elections. I intend to build on those foundations, as I mentioned, that Tricia has laid down for us. And our previous chairman as well, I'm sure that meetings are clear that they are fair and that they are orderly because, after all, we hold good behavior and respect and manners to the people who have elected us as community leaders. And, of course, as community leaders, we need to lead by example. I'm looking forward to a year of meetings where members feel valued, respected, and heard, conducted in an orderly fashion. And this means that we all pull together to deliver great results for our residents. The team here is robust and resilient, as you've heard, and I'm delighted to have their expertise, experience, and knowledge to make this a great year. As for our tradition in Buckinghamshire, it is usually for the chairman to choose a charity or to support throughout their year. Well, I've chosen three charities as my main focus. And I'm going to pick this up so I can read this out properly to you because I don't want to get these wrong at all. So the first charity that I've chosen is the South Bus Hospice. And the name is only in reference to where they are located, by the way, because they do actually serve the whole of our county. And this hospice is unique. And the reason it's unique is because it has no bounds. And what that means is that there are many more people that like living in conditions who are in need of end-of-life care and support. And the hospice ethos also supports not just the families, but also friends because, let's face it, you can't change your family. And sometimes when it's your ill, it's your friends that don't suffer. So this is because of the hospice, and I think it's wonderful. And that was the dream of Joe Wolf, who created this remarkable place of concept. And it is my absolute pleasure to be patron of the hospice. My same charity is A Waste Partnership, a critical charity which provides a huge range of community projects across Buckinghamshire, as well as dealing with drug and alcohol and substance abuse, misuse and addiction. Their support to individuals sometimes people have hit rock bottom and the help that they give to get their lives back in a better order makes the greatest impact. It is my pleasure to be the Vice-President. The third charity that we're editing this year is Heart of Bucks, another incredible charity, which almost every person in this chamber will be aware of, and which of our number of charities, community groups and voluntary groups would also benefit it from their funding. They have a deep knowledge of the community through lots of research that they do, which is why their campaigns are so targeted, which is why they are so successful and actually hit the mark in the county. This is my pleasure to be one of them ambassadors. I hope members will support the fundraisers that we are organizing throughout the year to raise money for these great organisations that are part of the backbone of Buckinghamshire communities. So, that's me in the nutshell, I think it's a little bit short and sweet. May I add that if any member here ever wishes to see me about any matter at all, I am here, I'm here for you. Please do come and see me. So, thank you for your confidence in me. I will do my utmost to be the most excellent chairman of Buckinghamshire Council. I'm looking forward to working with everybody, and I'm looking forward to working with you all for the benefit of all our residents. Thank you very, very much indeed. Thank you very much. (Applause) So, at this point, could we please have a photo tonight's form, Tricia, as our upcoming chairman? You mean a minute second, and it's just absolutely wonderful work you've done, and it's been, as I say, all your experience has just come shining through and you take the students that have this year's institution. A vote's next to Tricia here. (Applause) This is your past chairman's back, which I have great pleasure to present to you. Thank you very much. (Laughter) So, you can follow us a lot some more. It's very beautiful to you very much. Thank you. (Applause) Thank you, Mimi, for those very time words. I did my best, and I think you worked with it. I enjoyed working with you all enormously. That's my absolute pleasure now. Thank Mimi for being such a brilliant Vice Chairman. You all know that Mimi's got best interpersonal skills. She knows a lot of people where we go. People say, Hi, Mimi. And I absolutely know, Mimi, that you're going to be a great chairman. So, sorry I enjoyed working with you. Thank you for your support. So, my God, it's loud, and I'd like to present to you. (Laughter) That's so lovely. (Laughter) (Applause) (Applause) (Applause) Just something in those 15 seconds. Thank you for talking about your issues as well. (Applause) Well, here we go, guys. (Laughter) So, item number two on the agenda is the election of Vice Chairman of the Council. So, please, could I have nominations for you for the floor, please? Go for the floor. Thank you, Madam Chairman. And what an honour is it to see you in your role. I would like to also pay tribute to Patricia and Peter. From my time of in Deputy Mayor of the Town, you have been staunch advocates for this county. I wish you both the best. Madam Chairman, I rise to nominate Councillor Saffreds, John Raja for the Office of Vice Chairman of this Council. He was first elected to Wycombe District Council in 2015 for the Terrors and Amisham Hill Award. Award he still represents today. His public services did not start there though. His family have a long line of serving our community. And these are qualities he holds and lies deeply. To me, he is a close personal friend. When I first started in this council at the age of 18, I had a lot more hair on my head. But, you know, his wisdom and kindness and laughter matters. It shows, and he shows the good people. He's a trustee of One Camp Hope. He sees the good and strives to live a good for this county. As Chairman of the Town Committee, he's been fair and fair. He's been, at times, he cuts us off and says, no more talking, which I understand. He helps Patricia in that way of keeping meetings short and precise. But, at the end of the day, this council matters. And he understands that. He'll be a strong ambassador. He's a strong, good man, and he will support you deeply. So, I am proud to nominate Councillor Saffreds, Director for the Office of Vice Chairman. Thank you for that lovely nomination. Do we have a second, please? Thank you, Chairman. I rise to second in the nomination. Saff, you may not realise, was actually born and raised here in Buckinghamshire. So, there's a truly bucks man. He also has served as both Mayor of High Wickham and also Vice Chairman of Wood and District Council. So, it's a well versed in the ceremonial roles and requirements for this role. And I think he'll be in excellent support to you as a new link. Thank you. Thank you very much indeed. Aren't there any other nominations in the role? Well, in the absence of any further nominations, I can now declare that Councillor Saffreds or Akhana Raja is elected as Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year. Would you like to come up to the meeting? Members, please stand. 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AI Generated

Summary

The meeting was primarily focused on the election of new council leadership and the introduction of the new chairman's initiatives for the upcoming year.

The most significant topic was the election of Councillor Mimi Harker as the new Chairman of Buckinghamshire Council. Mimi Harker was praised for her dedication, positivity, and support for local causes. She expressed gratitude to her proposer, Peter, and her seconder, Richard, and thanked all members for their confidence in her. Mimi Harker outlined her vision for the year, emphasizing the importance of clear, fair, and orderly meetings, and the need for council members to lead by example. She also announced her support for three charities: South Bucks Hospice, A Waste Partnership, and Heart of Bucks, and encouraged members to support fundraising efforts for these causes.

The second significant topic was the election of Councillor Saffords John Raja as Vice Chairman of the Council. He was nominated by a member who highlighted his long-standing public service and his role as a trustee of One Can Hope. Another member seconded the nomination, noting Raja's deep roots in Buckinghamshire and his experience in ceremonial roles. With no other nominations, Councillor Saffords John Raja was elected as Vice Chairman.

The meeting also included a formal handover from the outgoing chairman, Tricia, who was commended for her leadership and contributions over the past year. Tricia expressed her pleasure in working with Mimi Harker and praised her interpersonal skills and dedication.

The meeting concluded with a photo session and a presentation of the past chairman's badge to Tricia.