Agenda item - Chair's Communications

174.1      Whilst the Chair, Councillor Mac Cafferty had no formal communications as this was the last meeting of the Committee prior to the forthcoming elections and as a number of Members were not standing for re-election he wished to pay tribute to them. There was a tremendous breadth of experience across the Committee over 100 years in total. Councillor Carden an ex-Chair had 24 years experience, Councillor Wells had 22 years experience, Councillor Randall had 12 years experience, Councillors Kennedy and Davey had 8 years of experience each, Councillor Jones, the Deputy Chair had four years experience,Councillor Cox had sat on the Committee since his appointment following a by-election. He commended the support he had received and the way that the Committee had worked together to grapple with and make difficult decisions. He also commended the professionalism of the support he had received from officers.

174.2    Councillor Carden spoke as the longest serving Member of the Committee stating that he had stood on the Committee throughout his period on the Council with the exception of his period as Mayor, that he had enjoyed his time on the Committee and considered that transparency and honesty in decision making were two of the most important qualities.

174.3    Councillor Hyde commended the manner in which Councillor Mac Cafferty had carried out his duties as Chair and had led the Committee, commending the even handed, fair and transparent operation of the Committee and his commitment.