home - committee - volume - faq's - help -search - meeting - previous - next

V27-1206 : MALCOLM BERRIDGE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT

Following the formal proceedings of Council, the Chairman announced that this would be the last Council meeting that the present Chief Executive, Malcolm Berridge, would attend owing to his pending retirement.

Malcolm Berridge, in starting his retirement speech, expressed how he felt mixed emotions of sadness and joy. Sadness of no longer being a part of the organisation, but joy in the fact that he was entering retirement with many exciting plans ahead of him. He thanked members of the Council and ex-Chairmen for being present on this evening. He thanked members for allowing him to be part of their hopes and aspirations for the local authority over the past 18 years and how he had enjoyed over 40 years' service in Local Government, but his time at Waveney had been the most rewarding. He felt that much had been achieved through the special relationship between members and officers in a real team partnership. He reflected on his past career before he came to Waveney, and made special mention of people that had influenced him during his career and personal life, no more so than members of his family. He looked forward to becoming a grandfather in the near future.

He turned to his colleagues on the Management Team and thanked them for their support and also individual members of the Council, with special emphasis on the leaders and particularly the leaders during the Council's period with no overall majority by either political parties. In concluding, he wished the Council well in the restructuring plans and emphasised the quality of the staff who now work for the Council. He again thanked the Council for his career at Waveney and presented the Leader of the Council with a specially commissioned gavel.

Councillor Bostock, the Leader of the Council, in reply also welcomed to the meeting past Chairmen of the Council. Councillor Bostock also passed on Bob Blizzard's apologies for not being able to attend, but passed on his good wishes for Malcolm's future retirement. Councillor Bostock reminded members that Malcolm had started his career in Great Yarmouth, and how fitting it was that he was to complete his career on the East Coast as Chief Executive of Waveney District Council. She also informed members of Malcolm's career from his first position in Great Yarmouth Borough Council through to his position as Director of Administration in Dudley before moving to Waveney as its Chief Executive. She reflected on when she first met Malcolm and how welcome he made her feel on returning to the Council and how available he had always been to obtain advice from and guidance. She made special note of his ability when she was Chairman to remember peoples' names, so that as she was required to greet people, she was able to do so with dignity. Following the death of her husband, Malcolm was always available to accompany her to receptions when she felt it was necessary, for which she was very grateful. Councillor Bostock emphasised that during her period as Chairman and Leader, it was clear that in other authorities Waveney's member and officer relationship was the envy of many a Council. Turning to Malcolm, she referred to his family who were in Beccles, Spain and America, and that the Council staff and Councillors were contributing towards the purchase of a computer to allow Malcolm to get to grips with new technology, particularly the Internet. This would allow him to communicate with his family from his home in Lowestoft. But she emphasised that she hoped that this demonstrated the appreciation of members and staff of his commitment and dedication to the Council during his time as Chief Executive. In concluding, Councillor Bostock wished to present Malcolm with a personal memento to remind him of his time at Waveney. Councillor Bostock presented a personally commissioned gavel.

Councillor Rose, on behalf of the Conservative Group, informed Council that he had known Malcolm for 17 years and that while over that period there had been some disagreements he had always felt that they had maintained a good officer/councillor relationship. Councillor Rose felt that he had left a wonderful legacy and had brought Waveney through many difficulties and congratulated Malcolm for that. He concluded by advising Malcolm that on retirement he should ensure he involved himself in activities which would keep him busy, because he was sure that Malcolm's talents would be appreciated by many voluntary organisations. He wished him a happy and long retirement.

Councillor Crisp, for the Liberal Democrats, endorsed all that had been said about Malcolm Berridge and wished him good luck and a long and happy retirement. She reflected on the first time she had met Malcolm, who seemed quite likeable and also had a genuine interest in the area. She was also more impressed when she found out that Malcolm was searching for property within the Beccles area. Turning to Malcolm, she acknowledged the time and commitment he had given to the Council, and the advice and work had been of the highest standard. He had been a great ambassador for the Council, and she wished him good luck for the future.
The Director of Central Services, Jack Blyth, in representing the Management Team and staff of the Council, expressed some fear and trepidation owing to the fact that during his time as Deputy Chief Executive, Malcolm had always been present to perform these types of speeches. He emphasised that it was the intention to have a presentation for the staff the following day to acknowledge Malcolm's work as Chief Executive. Jack Blyth informed Council that everyone on Management Team regarded Malcolm with great affection, and he thanked Malcolm for the generous remarks he made earlier in his speech about his colleagues and how his professionalism stood out and was an example to all, particularly the standards he set for both officers and councillors. He reflected on the past 18 years, particularly the working relationships with officers and staff, including the frustrating and good times. Jack emphasised Malcolm's personal style which had often encroached enormously on his personal life. On a lighter note, Jack referred to the fact that Malcolm had not been known for his brevity, and in fact, he was expecting the phone bill of the Council to reduce markedly in the future! Importantly, Malcolm always had time to listen to officers' personal problems and he was always there for encouraging and supporting comments. In summary, Jack said that Malcolm was highly professional, set high standards and was a very caring person and regarded Malcolm as a very special friend. He wished Malcolm a long, happy, and a very full retirement.

The meeting was concluded at 10.15 pm.

Chairman
WAVENEY DISTRICT COUNCIL - 24/02/00

WAVENEY DISTRICT COUNCIL - 24/02/00

420

411

Volume 27 Minute 1205

powered by Oultwood Web Technology

© Waveney District Council