In addition to any announcements made at the meeting, please see Paper BC/19/16 attached, detailing events attended by the Chair and Vice-Chair.
Minutes:
4.1 The Chair referred to Paper BC/19/16, Announcements from the Chair, which was for noting.
4.2 The Chair announced that she was opening the Hadleigh on Show event on the 5th October 2019, and invited Members to attend.
4.3 The Chair invited Councillor Ward, the Leader of the Council, to deliver his announcements.
4.4 The Leader felt that the Council was often criticised for the work undertaken and that the Council’s successes were often overlooked. He therefore detailed three recent success stories, which had taken place in the community.
4.5 Silk Stories Film
On Saturday 7th September the first ever Sudbury Silk Festival was held. The centrepiece of this was the Silk Stories Film, produced by a team led by Babergh. This had a private showing the previous evening for an invited audience, including many of the workers in the industry and who took part in the film. Councillor Davis and the Leader were there to represent the Council. The Leader thought the film was an excellent production and he gave his thanks to all involved – the weaving companies, Gainsbourgh’s House, Sudbury Town Council, Sudbury Library – but particularly to the project team, led by Zoey Banthorpe, Communities Officer - Arts and Wellbeing and Carole Creasey, and to the film producer Paul Press. He also appreciated the expertise of a talented young professional filmmaker, Councillor Newman’s son Dan who, with help from pupils from the Thomas Gainsborough School and Ormiston Academy, created a very informative and interesting film.
4.6 Democracy Presentation to the Sudbury RAFA at Endeavour House
Councillors Grandon and Beer recently hosted the Sudbury branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) here at Endeavour House, giving them a tour of the building and arranged by officers, who provided a presentation of the planning process, showing how democracy works at a local level. The president of the branch had written a letter of thanks for what had been an enjoyable and informative visit.
4.7 Free Swims
The free swimming for under 17s in Sudbury and Hadleigh over the Summer holiday period had been a great success. 12% of under 17s in the district registered. 1,525 registered in Sudbury and there were 3,288 attendances. In Hadleigh there were 393 registrations and 1,205 attendances. There was money remaining, which would be used to run the programme at half term. The Leader thanked Councillor Davis, Cassandra Clements, Assistant Director – Environment and Commercial Partnerships,and others in the team for their hard work. He also thanked Abbeycroft Leisure for their cooperation on this project.
4.8 Equality and Diversity Training
The Leader had been asked by officers to remind everyone that Equality and Diversity Training courses were being run. To date, the update had been disappointing. There were plenty of spaces on the next one on Monday 30th September at 2.30pm and he asked that Members took advantage of this.
4.9 Leaking of Council Documents
The Leader announced that there have been two recent leaks to a member of the public in Long Melford, one of a draft council document and another from a member briefing on Belle Vue. The latter incident had resulted in a highly inaccurate post online, accompanied by a libellous accusation against the Leader. The consequence had been a ramping up of the already extreme abuse and vitriol directed at the Leader personally. It would not be helpful to members if it got to a stage where advance information about some topics could no longer be given to them. He was disappointed that anyone at the Council had so little respect for the Council and could act in such an irresponsible and childish manner.
Supporting documents: