Agenda and minutes

Council observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect following, the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Birkin, L Deighton, P Elliott, M Emmens, M Foster, D Hancock, L Hartshorne, E A Hill, A Hutchinson, M Jones, J Kenyon, T Lacey, H Liggett, G Morley, T Reader, M Roe, K Tait, M E Thacker MBE, JP and P Wheelhouse.

The Chair of the Council, Councillor Diana Ruff, reminded Members of the very sad circumstances in which they met, following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, on Thursday 8 September 2022. She felt that it would be fitting, given Her Majesty’s strong religious beliefs, that a prayer be said. With the consent of Members, she invited Anne Knyhynyckyj, Licensed Reader at All Saints Church, Wingerworth, to do this.

Following the Prayer, the Chair indicated that it would not be appropriate for Council to deal with the business on the Agenda.  Rather, it should only consider one item, the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Alex Dale, and the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Nigel Barker, then moved and seconded a motion to defer the remaining business on the Agenda and for Council to consider only one Item at the meeting, the Death of Her Majesty the Queen.  The deferred business to be taken at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council, to be held as soon as practicable.

The motion was agreed unanimously (by acclamation).

RESOLVED -

(1)            That the proposed business on the Agenda, from Item 2 onwards, be deferred to an Extraordinary Meeting of Council, to be arranged at a later date.

(2)            That Council considers one Item at today’s meeting, the Death of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Chair of the Council explained that Council would be asked to agree a motion setting out its great sadness on the death of Her Majesty the Queen and expressing the Council’s sincere condolences to the King and the Royal Family.

The Chair invited the Leader of the Council, Councillor Alex Dale, to address the Council and to propose the Motion. He shared his reflections on the Queen’s reign. He emphasised how she had shown the qualities of humility, dignity and grace in carrying out her role and displayed a deep respect for the different people and cultures of this country and the world. He made clear the sorrow which he felt upon her death and on behalf of the Conservative Group, offered its condolences to the Royal Family. At the end of his comments he moved that:

On behalf of the Residents and Communities of North East Derbyshire, we express our deepest sorrow at the passing of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, who served the Nation and Commonwealth with such dedication during her extraordinary reign.

We extend to His Majesty King Charles III and the wider Royal Family the heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences of North East Derbyshire District Council.

The Chair of the Council then invited the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Nigel Barker, to second the motion. Councillor Barker shared his reflections on the Queen’s reign. He emphasised her genuine popularity within the District, the devotion to duty which she had shown during difficult times and the sense of loss which he and many others now felt. At the conclusion of his comments he offered on behalf of the Labour Group its condolences to the Royal Family. He then seconded the motion.

The Chair of the Council invited the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Ross Shipman to address the Council. Councillor Shipman emphasised how, throughout her long reign, Her Majesty had been a beacon of stability at a time of unprecedented change.  He stressed that her strength of character had served the Country well and how she would be missed by many people across the Country and in the District. He offered, on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, its condolences to the Royal Family.

The Chair of the Council then invited the Leader of the Independent Group, Councillor John Funnell, to address the Council.  Councillor Funnel emphasised how the late Queen had committed herself to the service of the Country and how this commitment had remained constant throughout her long reign. He offered, on behalf of the Independent Group, its condolences to the Royal Family.

The Chair of the Council then allowed other Members to speak on the Motion. Council was addressed by the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, Councillor Oscar Gomez Reaney, Councillor Bentley Strafford Stephenson, Councillor Pam Windley, Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Councillor Angelique Foster, Councillor Alan Powell and Councillor Phillip Wright. The Chair of the Council also read out a statement from Councillor Joe Birkin, who could  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU/23/22-23