Welcome
I hope you all had an enjoyable summer and welcome to today’s meeting.
Chief Executive
I would like to begin this morning by extending a huge welcome to our new Chief Executive, Terence Herbert. Terence – welcome, we are absolutely delighted to have you here with us today.
Supporting local charities and residents
Throughout the summer and early autumn, I continued to support Surrey charities and organisations that do such vital work to support some of the most vulnerable Surrey residents. To name but a few: Kingswood Shetlands, which offers unique animal experiences through animal assisted therapy; Farm Place, a housing centre that supports young people and is run by the Amber Foundation; and I hosted a ‘family fun day’ here at Woodhatch Place for those supported by the Surrey National Autistic Society. It was a wonderful day for the children, young people and their families with games, art and crafts and even a visit from a friendly snake, an owl, a bearded dragon and a hedgehog! Much fun was certainly had by all.
These really are extraordinary charities who do incredible work. I do highly recommend that those of you who are unfamiliar with any of these groups check them out and see if there is any way in which you could support them or connect them with your residents who might benefit from their services.
Act of Remembrance
As you are aware, I will be hosting Surrey County Council’s annual Act of Remembrance in the Memorial Garden at Woodhatch Place on Monday 11 November at 10.45am-11.15am. Our country is forever in the debt of those extraordinarily brave men and women who fought for our freedoms, often paying the ultimate price. I do hope that all of you who can, will join me, members of Surrey Royal British Legion, currently serving members of the military plus VIPs of Surrey on 11 November to show our everlasting gratitude and pay our deepest respects. We will remember them.
Community Champions Reception
You will have received my request for your nominations for my ‘Community Champions Reception’ which will be held next spring. Historically, this reception has been held exclusively for volunteers of Surrey, however this time I am opening it up to all residents of Surrey who significantly contribute to your community, either in a voluntary or paid-for capacity. If they have made a positive contribution to our county, I want to hear about them! Please send in your nominations in by 31 December. We know that fantastic work is done in our communities by our wonderful residents and they deserve to be recognised and thanked.
If you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact my office, chairs.office@surreycc.gov.uk
Thank you very much and I greatly look forward to receiving your nominations.
As always – thank you!
Finally, thank you as always to staff and Members for all that you do for Surrey. You make an immeasurable difference to our residents - particularly our most vulnerable. Thank you.
Minutes:
The Chair:
· Welcomed the Council’s new Chief Executive, Terence Herbert.
· Noted the sad news of the passing of former County Councillor for Farnham South between 2016-21, Wyatt Ramsdale and led Council in a moment of reflection.
· Noted the recent service to remember the fiftieth anniversary of the Guildford pub bombings.
· Noted that his full announcements could be found in the agenda.