Agenda item - Chair's Communications

39.1       The Chair welcomed Darren Wells from Grant Thornton  - the new external auditors to the meeting.  He also confirmed that Diane Bushell was stepping down from her role as Co-optee for the Audit & Standards Committee after a four year term.  He praised her for all her hard work and there was a round of applause in thanks. The Chair also confirmed that he had been asked to accept a late item – a letter from Councillor Nemeth, which he was minded to consider under Item 42 with the letter included in the addendum papers.