Agenda item

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 not attend the meeting.

Those Members who addressed Council emphasised the great loss felt on the death of her Late Majesty and how this sense of loss was a testament to the duty, care and compassion which she had shown throughout her long reign. Members emphasised the role which Her Majesty had played in bringing people and communities together and especially how she had been a focus for national unity. The point was made how, in her death, she continued to bring people together, both in this Country and around the world; who felt shock and sadness at the loss of Her Majesty.

At the conclusion of the Members comments the Chair of the Council, Councillor Diana Ruff, spoke about her own sense of loss.  She explained that, honoured as she was to be Chair of the Council, she deeply regretted having to preside over a meeting to mourn the passing of a much respected Monarch, who had reigned for so long.  The Chair made clear that she welcomed the way in which the Council had come together to commemorate the death of Her Majesty the Queen and to show its gratitude for the dedication and service which the Queen had shown over her seventy year reign.

Council observed a short period for personal reflection.

The Chair of the Council asked Members to support the proposed motion. She asked for the vote to be taken by roll-call and for this to be included in the Minutes, to form part of the record of this historic occasion

The vote was taken.  The following Members supported the motion: 

Councillor Pat Antcliff                                     Councillor William Armitage

No Members voted against the Motion and no Members abstained on the Motion.

RESOLVED -

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.

As there was no urgent business the Chair then closed the meeting.