Agenda item
Announcements from the Chair, Leader of Chief Executive (if any)
Minutes:
The Chair Of The Council welcomed Members Officers and the Public and thanked them for attending Council both in person, and online.
The Chair stated that the death of Her Majesty The Queen had been a momentous time for the country, bringing an end to the reign of (whom Boris Johnson described as) Elizabeth ‘The Great’. The Chair had been captivated by the number of people paying final respects to a ‘gracious’ and ‘noble’ Queen, whose faith and sense of duty had both guided and supported her and would no double do the same for King Charles III.
The Vice-Chair stated that the Queen was an extraordinary woman whose steadfast duty and service to the Nation and been an example to everyone. The Vice-Chair reflected that although the Nation had lost its Queen, The King and the Royal Family had lost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and our thoughts and condolences went out to them at this time of sorrow.
The Leader of the Council extended condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family on behalf of all residents across the Cotswolds, and remarked that the outpouring of respect and affection that had been shown to the Queen was a testament to how highly she was regarded. The Leader of the Council then recounted a personal experience when he was lucky enough to meet and speak to the Queen at the Royal Windsor Horse Show and hoped that King Charles III, who had made the Cotswolds his home, would continue to his close association with the District.
The Chief Executive concurred with everything that had been said about Her Majesty the Queen, and reflected that although the enormous responsibility of the Crown had been placed upon Her Majesty at such an early age, she had demonstrated humility and strength when seeking the advice and support of her first Prime Minister Winston Churchill to help her through her early years. In later years it was Her Majesty that would be providing guidance and advice, without imposed opinions to 16 subsequent Prime Minsters.
On behalf of the Conservative Councillor Group, Councillor Jepson paid a heartfelt tribute to the dearly departed Queen Elizabeth in which she reflected on the number of tributes that had been paid, and the magnificent funeral that united the Nation and brought her reign to an end. Councillor Jepson described the personal qualities that the Queen had demonstrated, during her long reign, that had led to the respect and affection that has been shown across the country and around the world.
After spending many hours queuing with mourners from around the Country and further afield, Councillor Blomefield had been able to make her own personal tribute to Her Majesty lying in State in Westminster Hall. Councillor Blomefield then reflected on the Queen’s reassuring presence throughout everyone’s life as she united her people, and personified and promoted the finest aspects of the Nation both at home and abroad.
Councillor Forde recognised police officers and military personnel from the Cotswolds that had been part of the 10,000 strong security force protecting the State Funeral. The magnificent event had been truly World Class and served as a fitting to the life and reign of an extraordinary Queen.
Council stood for one minutes silence in reflection and respect Her Majesty the Queen.
The Council declared in one voice “GOD SAVE THE KING”