Following which, the Chairman elected will take the Chair and make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Minutes:
Before commencing the process of electing a new Chairman, the outgoing Chairman addressed Council for the final time, and reflected on the past year in office and shared some of the highlights.
Councillor Mrs Lawrence highlighted that the past Civic year had witnessed some quite epic national events, as well as some significant local occasions. Last summer had seen the beacon lighting at Lincoln Castle as part of the celebrations for Queen Elizabeth's jubilee, and then this year we were mourning her passing.
The historic event required the Chairman’s attendance at Lincoln Cathedral to receive the royal proclamation, who was then required to take this proclamation and announce the news of the death, along with the announcement of the new King here in Gainsborough.
The duties as Chairman had covered a wide variety of events including the unveiling of a memorial to the Polish forces that were stationed in the area and presented workplace awards and attended graduation ceremonies.
Councillor Lawrence was involved in the selection and presentation to those in the caring professions through Lincolnshire Care Awards. In addition, there had been attendance at events such as beer festivals, tea parties and opening garden fetes. There had been attendance at church with civic services and investiture of new priests. There was also a celebration of life service in Market Rasen, for those Councillors past and standing at the time that had been lost during the Covid period.
Nearer to home there was the wonderful illuminate event in Gainsborough, which was spectacular and only last month the Chairman attended a concert by the Lincolnshire Youth Orchestra in Lincoln Cathedral and was a wonderful programme delivered by some very talented youngsters from our schools around the county.
The year had been very mixed and varied and the incoming Chairman would have similar events to attend.
Presiding over her final item, Councillor Mrs Lawrence sought nominations for the position of Chairman of Council.
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Stephen Bunney be appointed the Chairman of Council for the civic year 2023/24. No further nominations were made and on being put to the vote the motion was carried and it was therefore: -
RESOLVED that Councillor Stephen Bunney be elected Chairman of the Council for the 2022/23 civic year.
The outgoing Chairman presented the Chain of Office to Councillor Bunney and congratulated him on his appointment.
Councillor Bunney made and signed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office, in the presence of the Head of Paid Service and took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.
Councillor Bunney advised that it was an honour to be elected as Chairman for the coming year and that he was looking forward to the forthcoming year in office and to meeting many people from the district, throughout Lincolnshire and beyond. Councillor Bunney undertook to uphold the good name of West Lindsey in all the duties carried out as Chairman of the Council, Councillor Bunney gave his own tribute to his friend and colleague Councillor Ken Bridger and indicated that they joined Market Rasen Town Council within months of each other, some two 20 plus years ago. Councillor Bridger was a quiet but passionate man who was principled about education, social equality, the environment and, in his faith, Ken, being a practising member of Market Rasen, New Life Church.
Councillor Bridger supported his community as town mayor, district and county councillor and had always been a good friend and was always prepared to give counsel and advice and had encouraged Councillor Bunney and others to undertake public service. He will be much missed,
Councillor Bunney then presented Councillor Mrs Lawrence with a past Chairman's badge and proposed a vote of thanks to her for her services, to the council and as our chairman over the past year. Councillor Mrs Lawrence had attended numerous UK functions throughout her term of office and has been an excellent ambassador for the Council, leading the council through the mourning of our longest reigning sovereign.
Councillor Bunney advised that he had some flowers for the outgoing Chairman, which would be presented at the conclusion of the meeting.