Agenda item

Report No: COU/SE/19/005

Council considered this report, which presented the history and achievements of St Edmundsbury Borough Council (SEBC) since its formation on 1 April 1974. 

Together with Forest Heath District Council, the Borough Council would be abolished on 31 March 2019, with both authorities being replaced by West Suffolk Council from 1 April 2019. 

The report referenced a number of SEBC’s historical milestones, recollections and achievements of note, particularly in relation to the process leading up to transfer of the Council’s housing stock to Havebury Housing Partnership in 2002; the Council’s support to enhancing leisure, culture and rural development within the Borough; and the changing governance arrangements of the Council since its creation. 

Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of the Council, drew relevant issues to attention of Council, including inviting Members to acknowledge their own memories of sitting on the Council, both regarding specific achievements of the Council and those that had helped make the achievements happen.

In respect of his own recollections, Councillor Griffiths firstly paid to tribute to all that had contributed to the success of the Council, making specific reference to late former councillors that had now sadly died since he became Leader of the Council in 2003.  He stated that it made a humbling list, which contained the names of so many wonderful people that had worked tirelessly for their communities and the Council.

Councillor Griffiths continued, stating that he had served under 22 Mayors in total and, in his first five years on the Council, under five other Leaders.  He became Leader of the Opposition for one year, before being elected as Leader of the Council for the past 16 years.  During this time, there were countless stories and achievements to recount; however, Councillor Griffiths was proud to acknowledge the significant improvements and investments made in the Borough’s towns and rural areas, whilst facing difficult challenges and continuing to provide excellent services.

As well as noting that the Borough Council was recognised in 2004 as being one of the country’s highest performing councils, he paid tribute to all councillors (regardless of political interest or party affiliation), the four Chief Executives he had worked with and all council staff and their predecessors. Specifically, he paid tribute to Councillor David Nettleton, Leader of the Charter Group, and also acknowledged the direct support given to councillors by the Monitoring Officer and the Democratic Services Team.

A detailed discussion was held and other Members added their own personal thanks to councillors, officers, staff and their predecessors.  Specific recognition was given to:

(a)     the late former Councillor Mike Jones;

(b)     the late former Councillor Mike Ames; and

(c)     former Councillor Paul Farmer.

As the longest serving councillor of 36 years, Councillor Terry Clements provided his own personal recollections of his time elected to the Borough Council, including:

(a)     budgets allocated to housing prior to the transfer of the Council’s housing stock;

(b)     his role in the transfer of the Council’s housing stock to Havebury Housing Partnership;

(c)     the investments in leisure services, particularly the cinemas in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill, and his involvement with establishing a football academy in Bury St Edmunds;

(d)     the development and subsequent adoption of Vision 2031; and

(e)     his mayoralty year in 2017/2018, and his subsequent representation at Compiegne in France, which was one of Bury St Edmunds’ twin towns.

On the motion of Councillor John Griffiths, seconded by Councillor Sara Mildmay-White, and duly carried, it was

RESOLVED:

Thanks be given to all who have contributed to the achievements of St Edmundsbury Borough Council since its formation on 1 April 1974.

(At the request of the Mayor, the list of late former councillors as referred to above is appended to these minutes.)