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V25-3 : RETIRING CHAIRMAN

A vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman, Councillor T. Carter was proposed by Councillor S. Bostock who said that she had prepared some notes for the meeting tonight but had subsequently received a fax from the House of Commons from Bob Blizzard Member of Parliament for the Waveney constituency. She therefore on behalf of Bob Blizzard read out his comments about the retiring Chairman.

The comments highlighted the fact that being Chairman of a Council was never going to be an easy job especially as it was to be in a General Election year. However, Councillor Carter had carried out the duties of Chairman with energy and dedication and more especially never putting a foot wrong to jeopardise his party's campaign. Special mention was made about the commitment not only made by Councillor Carter as Chairman of the Council but also of Rita Carter whose support was invaluable especially when taking account of the fact that Rita was Chairman of a very busy service Committee. The service to the Council during the last year must have totally dominated the lives of both Councillors. Bob Blizzard also made special mention about the visits Councillor Carter made to businesses showing the emphasis the Council had on promoting the local economy through help to individuals and organisations alike. In concluding Bob Blizzard hoped that the duties of Chairman in the last municipal year had not been too onerous and that Councillors Trevor and Rita Carter had enjoyed their year and expressed great gratitude for the way they carried out their duties.

In adding to Bob Blizzard's comments Councillor Bostock added a personal note of thanks to Councillors Rita and Trevor Carter for carrying out their duties which must have been a very busy year for the both of them. Councillor Bostock also gave a special thanks to other members of their family especially the granddaughters who had taken Rita's place and accompanied their grandfather on two occasions.

Councillor Bostock presented Councillor Carter with a framed photograph to mark his service as Chairman of Waveney District Council 1996/97.

Councillor van Pelt for the Liberal Democrats, endorsed all that had been said about Trevor and Rita and made special note of Councillor Carter's warmth and how he had carried out his duties independent of any political bias. She felt that Trevor's good sense of humour had carried him through difficult times and wished Trevor well for the future. Councillor van Pelt also wished Councillor Irene Turrell all the very best for the coming year.

Councillor M. Rose for the Conservative Group, congratulated Trevor for his Chairmanship especially as he had known Trevor since 1983. He had always found Trevor considerate and listened to all different points of view and because of this there had been no animosity within the Council Chamber. He felt that Councillor Carter had been a good ambassador for the Council and the complimentary comments contained in newspaper articles were well earned. He wished Trevor and Rita all the very best for their "retirement".

In reply, Councillor Carter expressed his appreciation for all the comments that had been made about him. He made a special thank you to Rita his wife for supporting him in his Chairmanship especially when taking account of her own responsibilities as Chairman of a very busy service Committee. Rita had been with him on most of the occasions which had demanded a lot from her.

He thanked all the Officers of the Council for their help and guidance without exception they had been marvellous help with the information they had to gather for him to help him carry out his duties. During the year he had met people from all over the country and more notably from over 24 nations worldwide.

However, he wished to make special note and tribute to three people. The first being Cliff Mihill a good friend and a person who Councillor Carter had worked with closely and ironically well known to Irene the new Chairman. The second was Alan Lark. Trevor knew Alan from about 1971 and it was because of Alan's persistence that Trevor became a Councillor. The third was Frank Jones, Trevor's mentor as far as Council Chamber procedures. Frank trained Trevor in the techniques he would require to be a Councillor. Trevor never forgot his first meeting in the Council Chamber where Frank was the Chairman and he asked Trevor what he had to say about the subject being discussed. It was at this stage that Trevor appreciated what was to be expected of him for the future.

Councillor Carter finally thanked Malcolm Berridge, Chief Executive for his guidance and help during his year as Chairman. Having seen the other Chief Executive's in the area he felt that Waveney had the best. In concluding Councillor Carter expressed his honour in serving as Chairman and how quickly the year had gone and thanked all Councillors for their support and appreciation. In acknowledging that support and appreciation Councillor Carter presented a set of Edinburgh crystal glasses for the Chairman's room as a gift to the Council.

Volume 25 Minute 3

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