Meeting documents

(i)      To elect the Chairman of the Council for the year 2017/2018.

(ii)     The Chairman of the Council to invite nominations for the election of Chairman for 2017/2018.

(iii)    Councillor R Gaffney seconded by Councillor Z Ahmed to propose that Councillor Miss S Brown be elected Chairman of the Council for 2017/2018.

(iv)    The Chairman of the Council to ask if there are any other nominations.

(v)     The Chairman of the Council to put the nomination(s) to the meeting.

(vi)    The Chairman of the Council to declare Councillor Miss S Brown duly elected.

(vii)   Councillor Miss S Brown to accept office and make the necessary declaration and to be presented with the Chairman’s Chain.

 (viii) The incoming Chairman of the Council to address the Council.

(ix)    Vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman, Councillor Mahboob Hussain JP to be proposed by Councillor D Barnes and seconded by Councillor L Wood.

(x)     Councillor Mahboob Hussain JP to respond.

(xi)    The Chairman of the Council to present to Councillor Mahboob Hussain JP a past Chairman’s badge, and to Mrs Hussain a bouquet.

It was proposed by Councillor R Gaffney that Councillor Miss S Brown be elected as Chairman of the Council for the 2017/18 municipal year.

The proposer gave a brief history of Miss Brown`s background stating that she was no stranger to public life and service having been Mayor of Marlow for two consecutive years. Councillor Brown also served on the Marlow Town Regatta Committee, was Manager of Marlow Age Concern and since being elected as District Councillor two years ago had become an eminent member on the Improvement & Review Commission, also serving on many of the Task and Finish Groups.

In his concluding comments Councillor Gaffney stated that Councillor Brown was the ideal candidate to fulfil the role and that he had no reservations in formally proposing her as Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.  

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Z Ahmed.

There being no other nominations and upon being put to a vote it was

RESOLVED: That Councillor Miss S Brown be elected a Chairman for the municipal year 2017/18.

Councillor Miss S Brown thereupon accepted office, made the necessary declaration and was presented with the Chairman`s chain.

Councillor Miss S Brown in the Chair

The Chairman addressed the meeting and took the opportunity to express her gratitude to both the proposer and seconder for their kind words. She also thanked the outgoing Chairman and the whole Council for electing her. Councillor Miss S Brown stated that she would endeavour to fulfil the role to the very best of her ability.

The Chairman then made reference to the theme for the ensuing year which aimed to raise awareness of dementia related problems and the ways in which it affected so many lives. She stated that dementia had become a fast growing problem, with a diagnosis being confirmed every three minutes. She also gave mention to a project known as "Dementia Friends" which sought to help those in greatest need through the assistance of neighbours and friends following a period of training.    

Councillor D Barnes then proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman whom he had known for over 15 years. He stated that his passion for the community he represented had been demonstrated within his chairmanship over the past 12 months through his work of promoting the activity and achievements of volunteers within the District. This had brought about a sharp focus on the level of generosity within our communities. Over 30 of such volunteers had been recognised at the Annual Chairman`s reception. Councillor Hussain`s work in this field had resulted in the recognition of the unsung heroes of our community who had devoted many thousands of hours in supporting fellow residents.

In his concluding remarks Councillor M Hussain was thanked for all his hard work and for his attendance at over 123 events this year in support of many causes and celebrations, and he hoped that he and his wife could now enjoy a well earned rest. 

The seconder Councillor L Wood echoed the comments that were made by Councillor D Barnes, and also expressed his gratitude for all the work the outgoing Chairman had undertaken as part of his "celebrating the volunteers of the town" theme during his chairmanship.

In responding Councillor M Hussain conveyed his heartfelt thanks to the Leader, Cabinet and ward members and staff for their co-operation and courtesy during his term of office, and to the excellent team of officers for their help and advice during the last 12 months. He also thanked his wife and consort for accompanying him to many of the events. In addition Councillor Hussain expressed his gratitude to the incoming Chairman for her assistance and wished her the very best for the year ahead. He concluded by stating that it had been an honour and a privilege to have served as Chairman.

The Chairman of the Council thereupon presented to Councillor M Hussain JP a past Chairman`s badge and to Mrs Hussain a bouquet.