Issue - meetings

The Chairperson informed the Council that he would be suspending Procedure Rule 4(8)3 the requirement to stand when addressing the Chairperson.

The Chairperson advised the Council of the recent passing of ex-Councillor Neil Pudney on Sunday 6 October. Neil Pudney had stood as a District Councillor for the Burnham North Ward from 2007 to 2019 and at this sad time on behalf of the Council the Chairperson sent sincere condolences to his family and friends. All present in the chamber then stood for a few moments in remembrance of Councillor Neil Pudney.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 1(4)a, the Chairperson informed the Council he would be varying the order of business and moving the Agenda Item 14 – 2024 / 25 Schedule of Meeting up the agenda to be considered prior to Agenda item 12 – Approval of Absence of Councillor.

The Chairperson advised that the Leader of the Council had received a letter from the Chairman of the Essex Historic Military Museum Association (the Association) regarding storage of their historic fleet. The Leader referred to the Director of Service Delivery to provide some further detail. The Director explained how the Association (a Chelmsford based registered charity) had recently lost its historic vehicle storage and maintenance facility in Woodham Ferrers and this put the vehicles and charitable aims of the Association at risk. The Council has been asked if it was able to help with the search for a new storage facility. The Director advised that the Council had no suitable land or buildings in its ownership and asked Members to reflect upon their own local areas and any Parish Council, business or farm which may be able to assist. If Members advised the Director of any contacts or suggestions then contact information for the Association could be shared.