Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted from Peter Dennis, Chris Johnson, Sarah Kerr, Morag Malvern, Jackie Rance and Bill Soane.

Phil Cunnington attended the meeting online.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To answer any public questions.

A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for members of the public to ask questions submitted under notice.

The Council welcomes questions from members of the public about the work of the Council.

Subject to meeting certain timescales, questions can relate to general issues concerned with the work of the Council or an item which is on the Agenda for this meeting.  For full details of the procedure for submitting questions please contact the Democratic Services Section on the numbers given below or go to www.wokingham.gov.uk/publicquestions

There were no public questions.

In accordance with the Protocol for the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen of Wokingham Borough Council, as agreed at the Annual Council meeting held on 19 May 2016 and amended in 2018, a nomination has been received for past Member of Council Angus Ross to be conferred the title of Honorary Alderman. Council is asked to consider this nomination and whether to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on Mr Ross.

RECOMMENDATION:

That this Council, in sincere appreciation of the distinguished public service rendered by him to the Borough of Wokingham does hereby admit Mr Angus Ross to be an Honorary Alderman of the Borough of Wokingham in recognition of his untiring service over a period of 32 years to the people of the Borough and particularly to those of the Wokingham Without Ward; on Committees of the Council, including as an Executive Member, to local organisations including the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, and in the offices of Chairman and Mayor.

Council considered the report which recommended the appointment of former Councillor Angus Ross as an Honorary Alderman, as set out in the Agenda.

It was proposed by Pauline Jorgensen and seconded by Stephen Conway that the recommendation contained within the report be agreed.

Pauline Jorgensen:

I am delighted to nominate Angus Ross as an Honorary Alderman.  Angus has a long and distinguished service as a councillor.  He first joined the Council in 1990, and in that time, he served in almost every position on the authority. 

In addition to a long period as Chairman of the Planning Committee, where his encyclopaedic knowledge of planning rules and guidance was very useful.  He was a member of the Executive for several years.  Most importantly he served as the last Chairman of the old Wokingham District, and the first Mayor of the new Wokingham Borough.  Alongside this he was a member of the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority for 22 years and acted as the Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion.  Throughout his long service Angus was a committed councillor for Wokingham Without ward, acting as a real champion for the local community.  He was at the forefront of walking groups in the area, particularly helping children get to school.  He worked hard to stand up for his residents on planning issues and played a key role in developing the last Borough Planning Guidance.  As Executive Member for the Environment he championed trees and rural areas, including an active role in the Veteran Trees Association. He also started work putting in place the Borough’s Leisure Strategy.  He set up and established the Friends of Heathlake, a very active local volunteer group. 

Angus’ time on the Fire Authority saw him as lead Member for Assets.  He helped secure new fire engines for the Borough, and spearheaded getting a new fire station in Wokingham, in Crowthorne, and in Theale, and was a leading light in establishing the Thames Valley Fire Control Service.  Following 20 years’ service in the RAF between 1958 and 1978 as a Canberra Bomber pilot, flying instructor, and latterly as a staff officer, Angus dedicated more than three decades of his life to public service as a councillor, during which time he has helped foster many positive changes in the Borough. 

During his time as a councillor, he demonstrated an overwhelming commitment to the Borough and its residents.  His contribution has been exemplary, demonstrated through his work as Executive Member, his service on committees and outside bodies, his membership of the Fire Authority, his role as Armed Forces Champion, and his time as Chairman and Mayor, where he acted as a superb ambassador for the Borough, both for local residents and the rest of the county.  Since stepping down he has remained active, most recently opening the refurbished memorial to RAF Training Command in Shinfield.  For his remarkable life of public service, both in the Borough and before, I would like to propose that Angus Ross is appointed to the rank of Honorary Alderman,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.