Agenda item

(1)      The Mayor reported that he had been sad to receive news of the passing of Honorary Alderman Colin Balchin, who had passed away on 9th November. Alderman Balchin had served as a Councillor for 32 years and his loyal and distinguished service had been recognised by the Council in 2014 when he was made an Honorary Alderman. He would be long remembered, having left a lasting legacy through his contribution to community life and the well-being of the Borough. 

(2)      The Mayor informed Members that former Councillor Pat Devereux had passed away on 5th December. She had spent the last few years of her life living in Brighton close to her family. Mrs Devereux had been elected to the Council in 1987 for Empress Ward and had served for nineteen years. She had been Mayor of the Borough in 1995/96 and had also served on Hampshire County Council. The Council’s thoughts and sympathies were with her family.  

(3)      On Sunday 13th November, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor had attended several wreath laying services and Services of Remembrance. The Mayor expressed appreciation to all Councillors and officers who had supported these important commemorative events.

(4)      On 1st December, the Mayor had hosted a reception in partnership with the Garrison and the Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey, Shahid Azeem, where a statement of goodwill and collaboration had been signed between Rushmoor and Rawalpindi, the home of the Pakistani Army. The event had marked the roles and importance that Aldershot and Rawalpindi played with their respective armies.  

(5)      On Monday 5th December, the Mayor’s Christmas Coffee Morning had been held at the Council Offices and had raised £218 for the Mayor’s charities. The Mayor thanked all who had supported the event.  

(6)      The Community Carol Service event, organised jointly by the Council, HQ Aldershot Garrison, Aldershot Town Football Club, Aspire Defence and Grainger, was to take place the following day, Friday 9th December, at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints, Aldershot.  In addition to the carol service at 6.30 pm, the event would include a giant snow globe, a brass band, food stalls and family entertainment from 5.00 pm. All were invited to attend.

(7)      The Mayor reported that Honorary Alderman John Debenham had been in touch to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and he wished to be remembered to the Council. Alderman Debenham, who had been a former Leader and Mayor of the Borough, reported that he was healthy and living at Knellwood.

(8)      The Mayor informed Members that his Charity Quiz night would be held at 7.00 p.m. on Friday 27th January at the Council Offices to raise funds for his charities. Further information would be circulated soon.

(9)      The Mayor reported that Ms Catriona Herbert, Corporate Manager – Legal Services, would be leaving the Council on 23rd January 2023, having been with the Council for just over four years. He thanked her for her service to the Council.

(10)   Also leaving the Council was Mr Andrew Colver, Head of Democracy and Community, after a very impressive 38 years of service for the Council.

Mr Colver had joined the Council in Summer 1984 as a Committee Assistant, progressing to the position of Head of Member Services and later Head of Democratic Services. Once a Head of Service, his responsibilities had expanded and he had led several different teams and services over the years. These had included the community safety team, building and property services, facilities and energy management, corporate policy, corporate communications, customer services and community development. However, the one constant had been Andrew’s leadership of the Democracy Team and Electoral Services.

          Mr Colver had excelled in the delivery and modernisation of the Council’s elections and had been instrumental in developing a range of elections projects to increase voter engagement and turnout. In particular, there had been projects for early voting, internet voting and working to improve arrangements for military service electors.

          In 2012, Mr Colver had been awarded an OBE for services to Local Government and this had been very much in recognition of the outstanding contribution he had made in the elections field.

          More recently, Mr Colver had taken a leading role in the Council’s response to the Covid Pandemic, successfully and tirelessly co-ordinating activity between the Council and its health and community partners. He had also taken a central role in supporting and leading arrangements for Rushmoor’s international links and visits. 

          The Council thanked Mr Colver for his commitment to Rushmoor with a round of applause.

          At this point, further votes of thanks were made by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Clifford and Cllr Dibble.

          Mr Colver thanked Councillors and Officers for their good wishes.