Minutes:
John Halsall, Leader of the Council:
I think it is Derby’s gain for our loss. Carol Cammiss came to Wokingham Borough Council just over three years ago, initially on an interim contract. Her talents were quickly recognised, and she was promoted to being a Director of Children’s Services. Carol has been a force of nature. She has transformed a position where the Borough has been an Ofsted level of ‘Requires Improvement’ to being ‘Good’ in provision of SEND services. She reorganised staff to greatly reduce the number of interim staff. In the meantime, she has created an environment where people want to come and work in our Children’s Services at Wokingham. Carol has stewarded Children’s Services during the pandemic which has had an enormous impact on our educational system, as we all know from our residents. Carol has overseen continuity of education to our 22,000 school children, against many different challenges. She has worked tirelessly to put our schools together, and work together to get children vaccinated, which has meant considerable work for our health partners, organising delivery of jabs. Carol has started new initiatives such as a division addressing mental health needs. She has chaired and represented Wokingham on boards, with our partners on health and wellbeing and our partnered staff. All this she has done with great energy, great intellect, and force of application, to ensure that there has been consistent delivery. Carol has an understanding of what it takes to be a true Director, providing leadership, architecting structure and motivation to all those around her, as well as attention to budgetary control. My Executive Member for Children’s Services has appreciated Carol’s ability to be frank, objective, and have the mindset to get things done. All of those who have come into contact with Carol, have seen her demonstrate openness, integrity, a willingness to be challenged in order to get the best for the children. Carol leaves a very positive legacy upon which her successor and team can build. Carol is deservedly moving to a bigger job in Derby, and we are sure that her talents will carry her through to bigger roles beyond that. Carol, we wish you all the best for the future and wherever that takes you and thank you for what you have done for us.
Clive Jones, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group:
Sadly, we are losing Carol, our Director of Children’s Services, in just a few days’ time. She will be leaving for pastures new and an authority that is somewhat bigger than Wokingham. All of the Liberal Democrat councillors wish her well in her new role. She has done an absolutely fantastic job, turning around the department which had been struggling for a number of years, and could prior to her arrival, have been taken over at any time by Ofsted. Under her calm, clear, confident, and determined leadership, things have been changed for the better, and she leaves us in a much better place than she found us. We are grateful for what she has done for Wokingham Borough Council and our residents, and we wish her well in her new role.
Rachel Burgess, Leader of the Labour Group:
I would like to echo my fellow councillors’ comments and thank Carol. She has made a fantastic contribution in her three years with us. She has really made a difference to Children’s Services, so thanks to Carol and we wish her all the best with her future endeavours in Derby.
Jim Frewin, Leader of the Independent Group:
In my short time as a Councillor, I have had very little contact with Carol, but my esteemed Independent colleague, Gary Cowan, and my predecessor as Leader of the Independent Group, Richard Dolinski, both hold her in great respect. I can think of no higher accolade so thank you very much.
Carol Cammiss thanked Members for their kind words.