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V27-1464 : LAURENCE MONKHOUSE, DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND BUILDING CONTROL

Following the formal proceedings of Council, the Chairman announced that this would be the last Council meeting that the present Director of Planning and Building Control, Laurence Monkhouse, would attend owing to his pending retirement.

Councillor Bostock, the Leader of the Council, informed Councillors that she had been one of the members on the appointment panel and how this particular day was one of sadness as this would be the last meeting that Laurence would be attending.

Councillor Bostock in paying tribute to Laurence reminded members that he had first worked for East Suffolk County Council and had been involved in Lowestoft since 1963 when he was preparing the local plan. Councillor Bostock also informed members that Laurence had composed a song for swinging planners which included a ballad of despair, copies of which had now been lost. Laurence had also appeared in a film about planning which showed enforcement action being taken against a sandcastle which had been built on Lowestoft beach. Councillor Bostock reminded members that Laurence had been first appointed as Chief Planning Officer on 24 September 1974. Councillor Bostock reflected on the fact that she was a member of the interview board that appointed Laurence and felt that between them they had made a wise choice. She remembered that Laurence in his interview was passionate about Waveney, Suffolk and Planning.

Laurence and his family moved to the District in 1973 and Councillor Bostock remembered Christine, his wife, bringing Kate to a playgroup that she was involved in, where Kate, only 3 at the time, showed some of Laurence characteristics, ie. strong-willed and having her own way. Since that time Christine had been extremely supportive of the activities of the Council, particularly attending the numerous social events with Laurence. Christine had got to know a number of members over the years, and Councillor Bostock expressed the Council's appreciation for this commitment. Councillor Bostock went on to reflect on Laurence's character, which she felt was flamboyant, and in fact, could be described as the "George Melly of Planning." She referred to a number of press cuttings, one of which was with a picture of Laurence holding a miniature statue of the Station Square statue which was sold for £200.

Councillor Bostock turned to Laurence and informed him that she had received a letter from Captain Wyes-Sneyd, former Chairman of Waveney District Council, who wished to be remembered to Laurence and particularly, two notable issues which were worthy of record during his Chairmanship of the Council. First of all, Laurence could be described as the Architect of the first Broads Authority, having carried the full Council's support. The Captain was present to watch the presentation of the fifth option at a meeting of County and Norfolk Districts. But for the presence and support of Clifford Smith, Chief Executive of Suffolk County Council, we would have been shown the door. Secondly, at the public enquiry on rural policy, in the first County Structure Plan, he noticed a smile on the Inspector's face when Laurence said "this policy can be summarised in three words - to monitor decay." Sadly he found no favour in London where the structure plan was confirmed.
The Captain went on to say that he was privileged to have a close association with Laurence, over three years. First as Chairman of the Council, and as Chair of his Development Committee - the people of Waveney had been greatly favoured by the foresight and wise judgement of its Chief Planning Officer. Councillor Bostock felt that we could all concur with the sentiments of the Captains letter and felt that she could only add that Laurence had never let the Council down and had been a delight to work with and wished Laurence happiness in his retirement.

In concluding, Councillor Bostock presented Laurence with a retirement present of a satellite navigation system.

Councillor Rose, on behalf of the Conservative Group, reflected on the last 17 years that he had known Laurence, and felt that he had put up with Councillor Rose on Planning 3 and subsequently Development Control Committee which showed Laurence's patience. Councillor Rose reflected that there had been some disagreements, but Laurence had always displayed gentlemanly qualities. Councillor Rose reflected on Laurence's high profile, particularly signing all the notices and his name appearing on notices throughout the District. Laurence had been equal to this task by demonstrating expertise at high level. Laurence was always clear in his advice, and easily understood, particularly on complex issues. Turning to his pending retirement, Councillor Rose informed members that he had spoken to Laurence's wife and asked whether Laurence would now be getting in her way. Laurence's wife replied by informing Councillor Rose that she had stipulating one condition, that one day be free for her. She also reminded Councillor Rose that during his time as Planning Officer he had spent on average two evenings a week away from home, which demonstrated the commitment which Laurence had given to the Council. In concluding, Councillor Rose wished Laurence a happy and long retirement.

Councillor Young, for the Liberal Democrats, endorsed all that had been said about Laurence, but having been elected to the Council, and becoming a member of the Development Control Committee, Councillor Young had worked closely with Laurence over this period of time and testified that Laurence was a passionate and caring person, two important qualities. Councillor Young reflected on Laurence's style and how he has great vision for Waveney and how the buildings of Waveney should look in this part of Suffolk. He had a keen eye for design and importantly, did not live in the past, but in the real world. He reflected on the support Laurence had had from Christine particularly Laurence's commitments to evening meetings, and directly thanked Christine for the support she had given Laurence. He mentioned Laurence's and Christine's involvement in the Lydia Eva Trust and looked forward to working with them in the future on that project. He thanked Laurence for his work at the Council and in wishing him good luck for the future, presented him with a small token of his group's appreciation of his work.

Laurence Monkhouse in starting his retirement speech, highlighted the fact that he had also prefaced whatever he said in the Council Chamber with "Chairman", but tonight he felt appropriate to start his speech with "friends". He said it was very difficult to speak after what had already been said about him, and also particularly following Malcolm Berridge's speech last Council.

He reflected on his interview to obtain the job of Chief Planning Officer some 27 years ago, and the reservations he and his wife had at moving up to Lowestoft. He thanked members for the compliments and the wonderful job he'd had in Waveney which he had enjoyed every minute of. He reflected and reminded people that he had made many friends during this period and highlighted the fact that one of the great strengths of the Council was the officer/member relationship, the envy of many Councils in the County. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues throughout the Council, despite holding the Planning Section as the creme de le creme with the other departments at least being the le creme. He believed that Waveney was a district beyond compare, with Lowestoft and four of the finest towns in Suffolk, Heritage Coast and National Park. Despite all this, there has never been the adequate resources to achieve some of the ambitions members and officers have had. He firmly believed that while his service had national statistics to compare with others, that out of 394 districts his department has come within the top 25 in the last ten years. He believed that if there were similar statistics in the rest of the Council, they would be similarly placed. In looking forward he reflected on the changes that happened to Local Government in 1974, which were similar to the changes being proposed for Waveney in the near future. Laurence was optimistic about the future as it provided a number of opportunities, accepting some difficulties, he believed that these could be overcome so as to take Waveney successfully into the future. He was saddened to leave the organisation at this critical time, and thanked the Council for their gift of the satellite navigation system.

In concluding, he again thanked the Council for his career at Waveney which he felt was a marvellous district with marvellous members and marvellous officers.

Ms Youngson, Chief Executive, in concluding the retirement speeches reflected on the first time she met Laurence and how impressed she was with his attitude and the way he had greeted her on her first meeting with him. The meeting was held in Laurence's office which overlooked the sea, and quickly they were swapping sailing stories. She spoke of his stature, his negotiating skills and his general management thinking. She reflected on the fact that Laurence was clearly a family man> In her short time at Waveney this had been expressed and looking to Christine, expressed her thoughts about how lucky they were to have each other. In reflecting on her first impressions of Laurence's department, it was clear that he had perhaps more women working in more unusual working arrangements than elsewhere in the Council, and therefore it was an absolute credit to Laurence and applauded him for it. In talking to people in his office, they spoke of Laurence as wise, fair, a good boss who had great ability and was well-respected by his staff. In turning to Rosemary, Laurence's Administrative Assistant, who had been an invaluable support to Laurence she knew that Rose would miss him a lot. Mairi offered Laurence her respect and thanks for the welcome Laurence gave on her arrival and how sad she was to see him retiring as she felt that they would have worked well together. Mairi believed that the successes we have were down to what had gone on before and in this regard she felt that Laurence was a giant and thanked him very much for all that he had done for the Council. Mairi Youngson presented to Laurence a framed photograph of the Burwood picture of the Wildflower that hung in the Council Chamber depicting the rescue of passengers from the Elbe.

The meeting was concluded at 10.30 pm.

Chairman
WAVENEY DISTRICT COUNCIL - 06/04/00

WAVENEY DISTRICT COUNCIL - 06/04/00

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Volume 27 Minute 1463

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