Agenda item

Members are invited to reflect on Selby District Council since its inception in 1974 and speak should they so wish.

Members were invited to reflect on Selby District Council since its inception in 1974 and speak should they so wish.

The Leader of the Opposition stated that SDC had been formed 49 years ago following the Local Government Act 1974; he had served on the Council for twenty of those years and was honoured to have represented the people of Sherburn in Elmet.  Councillor Packham concurred with the Leader on the dedication and professionalism shown by the Chief Executive and hoped that all Members would work together under the new unitary North Yorkshire Council (NYC) for the benefit of the residents of Selby, to ensure that residents were not disadvantaged by the changes moving forwards.

Councillor Nichols shared her personal story, as she was born and bred in Selby and both her parents had been Members of the Council, therefore she had a very long association with SDC and had many anecdotes to share.  Finally, Councillor Nichols wished everyone well and asked that the Members on NYC remember those areas of deprivation in the Selby and Brotherton wards. 

Councillor Sweeting informed Members that he had been just 30 years of age when he was voted onto the Council, and he remembered and offered his thanks to past Councillors and Honorary Alderman who had mentored and supported him at that time.

Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright shared an interesting story regarding his early days as a Member on the Council and stated that Councillors exchanged good-natured, friendly banter and in this way a number of excellent projects had been achieved in the Selby district.

Councillor Duggan shared anecdotes with Members in relation to flooding in the area, global warming and his times as Chairman of the Council, and stated that when people worked together, they achieved great things. 

Councillor Brook reflected on his four-year journey as a Councillor and expressed his appreciation to Councillors Jordan, Buckle and Packham for their support, and stated that he felt that the Council had been well administered. 

Councillor Buckle spoke of his introduction to SDC and spoke of the two highlights of his terms of office; accepting the Yorkshire Council of the Year trophy on behalf of SDC, and the excellent 950 Selby Abbey celebrations.  Finally, Councillor Buckle stated that it had been a great pleasure to serve on the Council. 

Councillor Duckett informed Members, that along with Councillor Mackay, she was one of the longest serving Councillors at SDC and offered her gratitude to Councillor Nichols and Honorary Alderman Melanie Davis for their help and support.  Councillor Duckett also praised the Officers and proffered her appreciation to them.

Councillor Mackman expressed his appreciation to both the Chief Executive and Officers who, he felt, were a great credit to SDC, and then shared his experience in becoming a Councillor and praised past Councillors who had provided him with advice and support.

Councillor Jordan reflected on his journey to become a Councillor since moving to Sherburn in Elmet in 2004 and provided anecdotes from Committee meetings of Council that he had attended over the intervening years. 

The Chairman thanked Members for their memories and anecdotes, and complimented the Councillors on the way that business was conducted at Council.  Words of appreciation were also given to the Chief Executive and Officers for their help and support.

Councillor Sweeting thanked the Chairman and the Chairmans Consort on the work they had carried out over the municipal year, on behalf of all Members.