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V26-5 : RETIRING CHAIRMAN

A vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman, Mrs Turrell was proposed by Councillor Bostock who said that Irene, together with her husband Ivan had carried out the duties of the position very well. Councillor Bostock pointed out that if just the appearances in the local paper was anything to go by then Irene had had an exceptionally busy year. This she hoped had not reflected badly in the time that Irene and Ivan had been able to devote to their lovely garden. Councillor Bostock made special mention of Ivan's support for Irene in her year as Chairman of the Council and felt that he had played his role to perfection.

Councillor Bostock also paid tribute to Irene for carrying on the tradition of inviting Councillors to the Chairman's room after full Council enhancing the informal communications between members. Councillor Bostock presented Irene with a framed photograph to mark her service as Chairman of Waveney District Council 1997/98.

Councillor Rose, for the Conservative Group, endorsed all that Councillor Bostock had said about Irene. He felt that Irene had been very fair and congratulated her on a job well done. He highlighted the work Irene had done in visiting all parts of the District particularly his area and made mention of a number of Parish Council meetings that Irene had attended which had been appreciated by the Parish Councils. In reflecting on one of these Council meetings he reminded Irene of the discussion at Ilketshall St Mary's Parish Council meeting about Mr. Perkins who had caused a certain amount of distress in the village. It transpired that Mr. Perkins was in fact a horse. In conclusion he wished Irene and Ivan well and a healthy future.

Councillor Crisp, for the Liberal Democrats, endorsed all that had been said about Irene and expressed her group's pleasure at the impartial way Irene had carried out her duties. She felt that Irene had been a true ambassador for Waveney particularly with the number of functions she clearly had attended. By way of example Councillor Crisp reminded Councillors of Irene's enthusiastic involvement in the recent pancake race as part of the Easter Celebrations at the Triangle Market in Lowestoft. Councillor Crisp wished Irene all the very best for the future.

In reply, Mrs Turrell congratulated Councillor Devereux on his election to the position of Chairman of the Council and expressed her appreciation for all the comments that had been made about her. She expressed how she had enjoyed the year and made special mention of the Airshow and the Ordination of William Stuart as Bishop of Taunton at Westminster Abbey and being privileged to speak with the Arch Bishop of Canterbury who had conducted the service. But sadly how ill prepared she had been to hear of William Stuart's death shortly after.

Further highlights included the two week Christmas Tour of all the sheltered accommodation which had resulted in her consuming large numbers of mince pies. However, these visits demonstrated to her the quality of accommodation Waveney provided for its elderly and paid tribute to the wardens of these premises. Irene made a special thank you to the Chief Executive, Directors and staff of the Council particularly Janet Cutts for sorting our her diary, Bobby Cooke, Mike Colby, and David Gooch for chauffeuring and making sure she kept to her timetable and Jenny Raho, Jan Preston and Ron Daines for organising all the outside activities.

Irene also pointed out that whilst she had visited many places throughout the District and further afield the reputation of the Council's staff was held very highly by the people they serve which she felt was often taken for granted.

She thanked Ivan her husband for staying by her side and giving her the support. She reminded members that she gave a pledge on her election as Chairman to visit all parts of the District and in the light of this pledge the Civic Reception in April was held at St Peters Hall South Elmham near Bungay. She thanked Councillors Bostock, Rose and Crisp for their tributes the courtesies and support extended to her. She thanked the Council for her photograph and before presenting the Council with a gift of a decanter depicting the Excelsior, remembered a visit to the House of Commons she had made and the inscription under the picture of George Thomas the former speaker of the House which she quoted as "I hope I didn't let you down" . In recognising the major challenges for Waveney District Council, the third crossing attracting new industry improving the road system for East Anglia and particularly Lowestoft, Irene wished the Council well. She completed the quotation she started in her acceptance speech last year from Act Two of Shakespeares' As You Like It "all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players they have their exits and their entrances" and it was now time for her exit.


Volume 26 Minute 5

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