Archived decisions
Chairman's Communications
10 July 2008
Since the 15th May, the Chairman and Vice Chairman have been actively involved in the civic affairs of the County.
There have been four royal visits. Her Majesty The Queen came to Southampton to say farewell to the QEII prior to the ship eventually going to Dubai. The County Council maintains close links with the port authorities. I was reminded at this occasion what the power of the sea is to the economy of Hampshire.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh came to the Royal Marines Museum at Eastney for the opening of the exhibition, "The Making of the Royal Marine's Commando". The role of the County Council in establishing and offering support to this magnificent museum is deeply appreciated.
Prince William came to the Submarine Museum at Gosport which houses not only one of the earliest submarines ever built (Holland 1), but also HMS Alliance. Hampshire County Council has and continues to be very supportive to the Museum.
Finally The Princess Royal, in her role as President of the Royal Yachting Association, came to The Royal Naval Club in Portsmouth to open the 2008 Round Britain Offshore Powerboat Race. Again, the importance to our economy of the leisure boating industry is enormous. I was able to meet competitors and sponsors for the event.
I have been to the opening of two new radio stations in Hampshire - Andover Sound and Basingstoke and North Hants Radio.
The Sparsholt College Countryside Open Day gave me a chance to see the huge range of training going on, not only in agriculture but other practical and vocational skills.
The Vice Chairman and I were taken on a tour of the Hamble River by the Harbour Master which gave an opportunity to experience the involvement of Hampshire County Council and the value to the economy.
I attended the e-Hampshire Conference which is an outstanding event organised by the County Council to promote e-business and commerce.
Councillor Margaret Snaith joined me at a performance of the Newbury Festival which the County Council modestly supports to promote a wide range of culture to the residents of north-west Hampshire.
It was an enormous pleasure to join Yinnon Ezra and Councillor Margaret Snaith and the R&H team at the Zulu dancing at Danebury Ring. This attracted an audience from far and wide in conjunction with the Salisbury Festival.
I was particularly pleased to go to Hartley Wintney to the opening of a new extension to Sentinel Housing Association's sheltered scheme.
By contrast, the Mayor of Rushmoor invited me to a stunning performance of Beauty and Beast performed by a Russian Ice Ballet Group at the Princes Theatre in Aldershot.
I attended, with the Lord-Lieutenant, the Institute of Directors promotional evening at Milestones to promote "Destination Basingstoke".
Hilliers Arboretum hosted all the Test Valley Volunteer groups. It is most inspiring to be with so many people who give up their time and talents for the good of our community.
The links with the Mary Rose Trust are, of course, very strong and following the Leader's recent visit, I was invited to dinner with the 2nd Sea Lord - Admiral Sir Adrian Johns - together with a number of the key players involved in the ambitious ongoing work at that Museum.
On the 21 June I attend the Aldershot Youth Games. It was so exciting to see some 1,600 children participating in a vast range of sporting activities at the superb facilities run by the military garrison.
Veterans Day was marked throughout the County and on the 22nd June, I joined the Vice Lord Lieutenant in Andover for a fine parade by the Ghurkha Band and veteran soldiers followed by a moving service.
I took the opportunity to go to Chichester to have lunch with the Chairman of West Sussex County Council and visit the magnificent and recently extended Pallant House Gallery and Chichester Theatre. Both of which are visited frequently by residents of south-east Hampshire.
The County Tenant Farmers Dinner organised by the Leader, was a very special occasion as was my visit on the same day to The Aviary Children's Centre in Eastleigh. An outstanding example of how Hampshire County Council is contributing to the Sure Start initiative.
Our County Service on the 8th June was hugely well attended by so many people involved in the life of the County.
The month concluded with Hampshire Civic Heads from all over the County visiting Winchester for a tour of the Castle Complex, Winchester Discovery Centre and Records Office. I was delighted that Councillor Margaret Snaith, Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, was able to join us for the day and meet with
specialist officers, including the County Archivist, who were on hand to promote and describe the historical assets of the County Council.
This is to remind Members that the Hampshire Food Festival started on the 1st July. There are 120 events at venues throughout the County. I, together with Councillors Jonathan Glen and Ray Ellis attended the launch this week and I hope Members will seek the opportunity to support one of the country's leading food festivals which is supported by the County Council and other sponsors. For those of you who have not had a leaflet, a number are in the foyer area outside this Chamber.
I was honoured to be invited by the Mayor of Winchester to the Adjutant General Corps Freedom Parade on Monday 30th June here in Winchester which was presided over by the Lord-Lieutenant, General Sir Freddie Viggers and, of course, the Mayor. This was a very proud day for the City.
I was delighted to host a magnificent concert in the Great Hall last Saturday, given by the Hampshire County Council Music Service as part of the Winchester Festival. Over 130 children took part and because of the huge numbers of parents and supporters, we had to arrange two simultaneous concerts that evening. His Worship the Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester joined Councillor Chapman and myself for this very memorable evening.
This year celebrates the 21st anniversary of the Southampton District Energy Scheme and I joined the Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton to acknowledge the huge role made by Southampton City Council and Utilicom in the promotion and development of this scheme.
Finally, I was delighted to support the Mayor of Fareham at his Civic Service last Sunday which was well attended by fellow County Councillors in their dual role.
I would like to thank the Vice Chairman for representing the County at the following engagements:-
_ Award Presentations for the Stage Two Grand Finale of the Enterprise Challenge 2008 at Actions Stations in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
_ Winchester Business Excellence Awards in Winchester Guildhall.
_ Age Concern Hampshire Half Yearly Meeting in Romsey.
_ Adjutant General Corps Cocktail Party and Beating Retreat at Worthy Down.
_ Hampshire Music Service's Recorder Jamboree at Ferneham Hall in Fareham.
_ Southampton Airport's Community and Stakeholder Conference at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton.
It is with sadness that I report the recent deaths of two of our former Members who became Honorary Aldermen. Ken Bulmer - who had represented the Petersfield Division from 1981 to 1993 and Sue Bartlet - who represented the Eastleigh South Division from 1970 to 1989.
Before I invite colleagues who knew them both well to say a few words, I invite you all to stand for a few minutes silence.