Agenda item

To receive any announcements.

The Chairman welcomed all those attending the meeting online and those observing the livestream.  He reminded Members that “show of hands” voting would be via the tools within the online software and that any Members who were participating by telephone would need to speak to say how they vote.  He asked whether there were any Members who were attending by telephone. 

Councillor Frecknall confirmed he was attending by telephone.

The Chairman then reported on his recent civic duties, including attending a service in St Alban’s Cathedral.

The Chairman referred to the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, and said he was delighted that a number of East Hertfordshire residents had received recognition. All had been invited to attend this meeting, and it gave him great pleasure to welcome to the meeting two recipients, Laura Higgins and Claire Uwins, who were present. He outlined the achievements for which both had received recognition.

The Chairman said Laura Higgins, from Bishop’s Stortfordwas the National Crime Agency’s Head of Strategy and Portfolio within the Digital, Data and Technology team (DDaT). She had been awarded the MBE for her services in enabling the agency to maintain critical operational effectiveness during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her leadership had ensured that over 3,500 officers were kept safe during lockdown, enabling effective remote working, and assured support and sustainment to the agency’s investigative capabilities and services.

Laura Higgins said she was overwhelmed at having been nominated and was incredibly proud to receive this award. She was also very humbled that her contribution had been recognised in this way. She said it was important to her that this recognition was not just of her personally but rather the role the NCA had in protecting the public. This year had been a challenge for everyone and this award was an incredible bright spot in an otherwise difficult time. Having the agency’s work and contribution to law enforcement recognised on such a level was something for all her colleagues to be proud of.

The Chairman said Claire Uwins, who had received a BEM for services to her rural community in Much Hadham, had initiated a wonderful project that had seen the village come together during the virus. She had set up a buddy system whereby residents had kept in contact with more isolated members of the community. Councillor Devonshire had buddied with a 94-year-old lady for whom he did shopping, picked up medicines, posted letters and generally kept an eye on her welfare. The scheme had expanded into the surrounding areas, including Perry Green, Green Tye and Hunsdon.

Claire had also expanded her Sunday Lunch Club which she had run for many years. People could turn up at a local pub for lunch at no cost in a friendly atmosphere.

Claire Uwins addressed the meeting. She said she had felt humbled to have received the honour on behalf of the health centre. She thanked all Members, and in particular the Leader, who had originally suggested to her 10 years ago that she might wish to consider volunteering. She paid tribute to Colin Woodward, who had encouraged her work with Stepping Stones.  She said she also wished to thank Councillor Goldspink. 

The Chairman then mentioned Tony Eastaugh and Marian Newman who were unable to attend this meeting. He said Tony Eastaugh, from Bishop’s Stortford, was a specialist in command and control systems and processes and director of immigration enforcement at the Home Office. He was named a CBE for services to law and order. He had been a commander in London's Metropolitan Police Service since 2009 and before that, as a chief superintendent, was the borough commander for Barking and Dagenham for 21 months.

The Chairman read out a statement received from Tony Eastaugh, who had said he felt very humbled to have received this honour and saw it as recognition of the crucial and often unseen work played by hardworking civil servants, alongside colleagues in law enforcement and the intelligence services, in keeping the public and country safe.

The Chairman then spoke about Marian Newman,who had received a BEM for services to the beauty industry during Covid-19, and lived in the village of Waterford.  Her response to the Covid-19 crisis had been to set up a group on Facebook so nail professionals could come together, sharing concerns and offering support to each other, as the salon industry came to a halt. The British Beauty Council had then asked her to write guidelines for nail professionals returning to work. On release of the guidelines her group extremely quickly became a place the nail industry turned to, to obtain advice and support. Her group now had around 5,000 members and through this platform she had guided an industry that was worried, anxious and concerned about their businesses, their livelihoods and their future.

Members expressed their congratulations to all the District’s recipients of the Birthday Honours, with a round of applause.