Agenda item

The Mayor led the tributes for both Councillor Michael Blase and  Honorary Alderman Colin Chapman.  The Mayor said that she had attended the funeral of Colin that day along with the Leader and Councillors Botterill, Holmes and Rhodes.  She referred to Colin’s early army service and his police career which spanned 26 years and earned him 5 commendations.  He was elected to the Council in 1987 and served until 2011 when he was made Alderman. He had old fashioned values and was known to stand up for what he believed was right and always spoke his mind but had a good sense humour too that made him approachable by all across generations.

The Mayor stated Councillor Blase had served on the Council since 2016 and had quickly made his mark as a proactive ward Councillor on the Egerton Ward.  He was never afraid to ask questions and due to his contributions it was clear he was always well prepared for meetings.  He was a keen allotment gardener and had been a football referee for a local club.  He left behind a partner and loving family and was a decent, quiet, loyal, hardworking and compassionate man who would be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Other Councillors paid tribute to Honorary Alderman Chapman referring to his long Council service, his sense of humour and approach to canvassing as being so well known on the ward and in the town that he didn’t feel the need to hand out leaflets.  He was a larger than life character who gave good counsel and would be sadly missed.

Other Councillors paid tribute to Michael Blase’s very sad and sudden passing and that he had been a thoroughly decent and positive person who wanted to be helpful and was a great loss to his partner, family, ward residents and the Council.  He was not strongly political in his Council work and was a well respected colleague who showed great support for his  ward and its residents and that was why he had stood for election.  

Mayoral activities

The Mayor gave a brief summary of the engagements she had attended since the December Council meeting as follows :-

December

Carol services both locally and countywide with the highlight being the Melton Choral Society Concert at St. Mary’s Church as well as a farewell lunch for the public convenience attendants

January

Rotary Club’s lunch meeting, Grantham’s Civic Service, the rededication of St. James’ Church at Burton Lazars, the 1279 Melton Mowbray Squadron Air Training Corps dining in night and the Holocaust Memorial event at Kettering.  She had also met with the new Principal at Brooksby Melton College and attended the Melton Stroke Club which highlighted the commitment of volunteers who give so much to such organisations.

February

Melton Guides World Thinking Day Celebrations in St. Mary’s Church which again she felt highlighted the work of volunteer leaders and helpers.

The Mayor referred to her Mayoral awards which would be presented on 8 April and thanked the publicity of the Melton Times in bringing forth some worthy candidates.  She promoted a quiz to be held in aid of her appeal on 22 February at Parkside as well as reminded Members of the Civic Dinner on 8 March at Brooksby Hall.

Order of business

The Mayor announced there would be a change to the order of business of the meeting to enable the Chair of the Welland Remuneration Panel, who would be presenting the Member Allowances Scheme report (agenda item 12), to leave as early as possible and therefore the New Governance Arrangements report (agenda item 9)  would be taken as the last item of the meeting.

Minute CO70 – Revenue Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy

Within the Mayor’s announcements, Councillor Cumbers apologised for her late declaration of a pecuniary interest in Minute 70 due to her role as a trustee of shopmobility.  She advised she would leave the meeting for this item.