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AGM, Council - Thursday, 23rd May, 2024 10.00 am

May 23, 2024 View on council website  Watch video of meeting or read trancript
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Summary

The Breckland Council AGM and Council meeting on 23 May 2024 included the roll call, congratulations to newly elected councillors, a farewell speech from the outgoing Chairman, and the presentation of cheques to local charities. The meeting also included the election of a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman, a vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman, and discussions on various council matters.

Election of New Chairman and Vice-Chairman

  • New Chairman: Councillor Keith Gilbert was elected as the new Chairman for the year 2024-2025. There was some disappointment expressed by Councillor Ruth that the tradition of the Vice Chair becoming the Chairman was broken.
  • New Vice-Chairman: Councillor Terry Jeremy was elected as the new Vice-Chairman.

Farewell Speech from Outgoing Chairman

  • The outgoing Chairman expressed pride in serving during the Council's 50th anniversary year and highlighted various events and people he met, including military veterans at the Desert Rats Memorial Service and residents at Buckingham House care home in Wotton.
  • He presented cheques to Adrian Adcock from the Swaffham and Licham Hospice and Lee Hart and Sarah from SANS, a baby bereavement charity.

Presentations to Charities

  • Swaffham and Licham Hospice: Received a cheque for £2,831.77.
  • Norfolk SANS: Received a cheque for £2,262 to support the bereavement suite at the QEH hospital.

Leader's Announcements

  • Social Housing: Highlighted the £1.8 million investment in Elm House and the Council's move to become a registered housing provider.
  • Business Support: Discussed various initiatives including the net zero business support program and the £1 million boost to the Swaffham economy.
  • Awards and Recognition: Mentioned several awards won by the Council, including the Local Government Chronicle Award for health and social care.
  • Future Plans: Emphasized the importance of the £20 million investment in Thetford and the need for continued support for all market towns.

Questions Without Notice

  • Councillor Atterwell: Raised concerns about the lack of investment in towns like Deereham and Wotton compared to Thetford.
  • Councillor Land: Asked about the capacity to handle the Abbey State planning application in Thetford.
  • Councillor Cuyberd: Inquired about ARP's efforts in identifying and recovering fraudulent claims.
  • Councillor Clark: Questioned the Council's efforts to address food poverty and the underlying causes.
  • Councillor Jeremy: Sought an overview of the Council's housing and homelessness services.
  • Councillor Sarah Taylor: Asked about the Council's initiatives to address debt and the cost of living crisis.

Committee Appointments

  • Changes were made to the licensing committee, overview and scrutiny, and planning committee memberships.
  • The shared memorandum of agreement committee was removed.

Representatives on Outside Bodies

  • Several changes were made to the Council's representatives on outside bodies, including the addition of the Thetford Town Board.

Conclusion

The meeting concluded with a reminder of a briefing on the Local Plan scheduled for later in the day.

Attendees

Profile image for Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris
Councillor Mark Kiddle-Morris  Conservative •  Launditch
Profile image for Councillor Tristan Ashby
Councillor Tristan Ashby  Conservative •  Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe
Profile image for Councillor Helen Crane
Councillor Helen Crane  Conservative •  Saham Toney
Profile image for Councillor Gordon Bambridge
Councillor Gordon Bambridge  Conservative •  Upper Wensum
Profile image for Councillor Paul Hewett
Councillor Paul Hewett  Conservative •  Shipdham with Scarning
Profile image for Councillor Alison Webb
Councillor Alison Webb  Conservative •  Dereham - Neatherd
Profile image for Councillor Lynda Turner
Councillor Lynda Turner  Conservative •  Shipdham with Scarning
Profile image for Councillor Keith Gilbert
Councillor Keith Gilbert  Independent/Green •  Watton
Profile image for Councillor Linda Monument
Councillor Linda Monument  Conservative •  Dereham - Neatherd
Profile image for Councillor Sarah Suggitt
Councillor Sarah Suggitt  Deputy Leader & Executive Member for Housing & Planning •  Conservative •  All Saints & Wayland
Profile image for CouncillorStephen Fraser
Councillor Stephen Fraser  Independent •  Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft
Profile image for Councillor Samantha Taylor
Councillor Samantha Taylor  Chairman of the Council •  Conservative •  Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe
Profile image for Councillor Paul Claussen
Councillor Paul Claussen  Conservative •  Mattishall
Profile image for CouncillorChris Harvey
Councillor Chris Harvey  Labour •  Thetford - Burrell Ward
Profile image for CouncillorRay O'Callaghan
Councillor Ray O'Callaghan  Labour •  Dereham - Withburga
Profile image for Councillor Paul Plummer
Councillor Paul Plummer  Conservative •  Mattishall
Profile image for Councillor Rhodri Oliver
Councillor Rhodri Oliver  Conservative •  Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe
Profile image for CouncillorMike Brindle
Councillor Mike Brindle  Labour •  Thetford - Priory Ward
Profile image for Councillor Fabian Eagle
Councillor Fabian Eagle  Conservative •  Ashill
Profile image for Councillor Peter Wilkinson
Councillor Peter Wilkinson  Conservative •  Nar Valley
Profile image for Councillor Jacob Morton
Councillor Jacob Morton  Conservative •  Swaffham
Profile image for Councillor Roger Atterwill
Councillor Roger Atterwill  Leader of the Independent & Green Group •  Independent/Green •  Lincoln
Profile image for Councillor Annie Blackbourn
Councillor Annie Blackbourn  Labour •  Thetford - Castle Ward
Profile image for Councillor Claire Bowes
Councillor Claire Bowes  Conservative •  Watton
Profile image for Councillor Taila Taylor
Councillor Taila Taylor  Conservative •  Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft
Profile image for Councillor Harry Clarke
Councillor Harry Clarke  Labour •  Dereham - Withburga
Profile image for Councillor David Wickerson
Councillor David Wickerson  Deputy Leader of the Independent & Green Group •  Independent/Green •  Swaffham
Profile image for Councillor William Nunn
Councillor William Nunn  Conservative •  Harling & Heathlands
Profile image for Councillor Marion Chapman-Allen
Councillor Marion Chapman-Allen  Conservative •  Guiltcross
Profile image for Councillor William Richmond
Councillor William Richmond  Conservative •  Dereham - Neatherd
Profile image for Councillor Robin Hunter-Clarke
Councillor Robin Hunter-Clarke  Leader of Reform UK Group •  Reform UK •  Hermitage
Profile image for Councillor David Blackbourn
Councillor David Blackbourn  Labour •  Thetford - Burrell Ward
Profile image for Councillor Stephen Askew
Councillor Stephen Askew  Conservative •  The Buckenhams & Banham
Profile image for Councillor Philip Cowen
Councillor Philip Cowen  Conservative •  All Saints & Wayland
Profile image for CouncillorPeter Bate
Councillor Peter Bate  Green Party •  Saham Toney
Profile image for Councillor Terry Land
Councillor Terry Land  Labour •  Thetford - Boudica Ward
Profile image for Councillor Nigel Wilkin
Councillor Nigel Wilkin  Vice-Chairman of the Council •  Conservative •  Necton
Profile image for Councillor Richard Duffield
Councillor Richard Duffield  Conservative •  Lincoln
Profile image for CouncillorHazel McCambridge
Councillor Hazel McCambridge  Labour •  Thetford - Castle Ward
Profile image for Councillor Robert Kybird
Councillor Robert Kybird  Conservative •  Forest
Profile image for CouncillorStuart Terry
Councillor Stuart Terry  Deputy Leader of the Labour Group •  Labour •  Thetford - Boudica Ward
Profile image for Councillor Tina Kiddell
Councillor Tina Kiddell  Reform UK •  Watton
Profile image for Councillor Bill Borrett
Councillor Bill Borrett  Conservative •  Upper Wensum
Profile image for Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen
Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen  Leader of the Council •  Conservative •  Forest
Profile image for Councillor Sarah Taylor
Councillor Sarah Taylor  Labour •  Dereham - Toftwood
Profile image for CouncillorJudy Anscombe
Councillor Judy Anscombe  Independent •  Swaffham
Councillor Ian Sherwood
Profile image for Councillor Kendra Cogman
Councillor Kendra Cogman  Leader of the Labour Group •  Labour •  Dereham - Toftwood
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