Agenda item

Members were informed that the Council had introduced the Chairman’s award which was the highest honour that the Chairman of the Council could give to individuals and organisations in recognition of their outstanding or exceptional contribution to the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of Buckinghamshire. There were criteria to be met to be nominated for this award that could be granted at the discretion of the Chairman of the Council to individuals of any age who lived in Buckinghamshire and were from Buckinghamshire.

The Chairman stated that it gave her great pleasure to make 2 Chairman’s awardsto Mike Clare, founder and chairman of the Clare Foundation, and to Paul Jennings, Chairman of the River Chess Association.

Councillor Arif Hussain, who had nominated Mike Clare for the Chairman’s award, informed Members that after a career in business, Mike Clare had set up the Clare Foundation in 2009, which helped Buckinghamshire-based charities develop their strategy and governance and increase their impact in the community.  The Clare Foundation provided organizations with free support and advice, funding and grants, leadership development, and brought like-minded charity leaders together at networking and round table events. Mike had also re-established Family Angels, which helped Buckinghamshire families on the edge of monetary ability and financial hardship. Through the Clare Foundation, Mike had led numerous initiatives that have supported the Council, Buckinghamshire's VCS sector, and Buckinghamshire residents, particularly during COVID-19. Mike was an ambassador and Deputy Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire, a Freeman of the City of London, and a winner of numerous entrepreneurial awards. In 2009, Mike had been awarded an honorary doctorate from Bucks New University in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of commerce and business. He was also a patron of the Clare Business School based within Bucks New University.

Mike Clare was invited to speak and stated he was very proud and privileged to accept the Chairman’s Award, on behalf of the Clare Foundation and that it recognised the hard work undertaken by fellow trustees, Martin Gallagher (CEO) and staff.

Councillor Gareth Williams, who had nominated Paul Jennings for the Chairman’s award, informed Members that Paul Jennings had led initiatives for many years to protect and restore the ecological health of the River Chess, a rare chalk stream that hosted diverse wildlife.  He had been involved in projects to monitor, lobby, and challenge the water companies, the Environment Agency, and HS2 on issues such as abstraction, sewage, and construction. He had also shared his passion and knowledge of the River Chess with the local community, especially children, through river dipping, newsletters, and social media. He has also brought together charity leaders, volunteers, and experts to work in partnership for the river.

Paul Jennings was invited to speak and accepted the award for himself and the team of people he had been working with for the last 15 years.  He made brief mention of the importance of partnership working and on the recent discovery of the presence of a rare stone fly invertebrate in the river.

The Chairman thanked Mr Clare and Mr Jennings for their hard work and for being worthy winners of the Chairman’s awards.  They were both then presented with Certificates of Achievement and a medallion from the Chairman.