Apologies for absence will be notified at this point.
The Chairman will make any specific announcements.
Minutes:
Mrs Hamilton said that the following apologies for absence had been received:
Mr Barrett, Mr Barrow, Mrs Duncton, Mr J F Elliott, Mr J W Elliott, Mr Page, Mrs Tassell and Mr Thomas.
Mrs Hamilton made the following specific announcements:
(1) Two CDC members had resigned: Sandra Westacott (Fishbourne) and Gillian Keegan MP (Rogate).
(2) The Fishbourne by-election had taken place on Thursday 22 February 2018 and Mr A G F Moss (Liberal Democrat) had been elected. He had previously represented the ward until 2011. Members acknowledged with applause Mr Moss’ victory and his return to CDC as an elected member.
(3) The Rogate by-election would take place on Thursday 12 April 2018.
(4) Two senior, long-serving and greatly appreciated officers would be leaving CDC at the end of March 2018 and on behalf of members she wished to pay tribute to them.
Steve Carvell - Executive Director
Mr Carvell joined CDC in 1995 from Horsham District Council where he had spent the previous nine years acclimatising to living in the south of England. His career had started in Northamptonshire in 1976 and he had spent a total of 42 years in local government. In his career at CDC he had risen from Head of Development and Building Control to Executive Director, during which time he had overseen some major changes to the way in which planning-related matters were managed and processed. He was instrumental in introducing new systems which had transformed the lives of the planners. He provided the final impetus for successfully securing approval in 2015 of the Chichester Local Plan: Key Policies 2014-2029 and had been leading on the current Local Plan Review process, the necessity for which was stipulated by the examiner. In 2010 his responsibilities widened when he assumed the oversight of Environment Services and Chichester Contract Services (CCS). In early 2017 CCS was declared to be a highly efficient operation and, as a result, CDC retained the running of the business in-house. During his 23 years with CDC Mr Carvell had been a great ambassador for it and his wise counsel and considered approach had been greatly appreciated by many members. On their behalf she wished him a long, happy and healthy retirement.
Steve Hansford – Head of Community Services
Steve Hansford joined CDC in December 2005 on his first retirement, from Kent Police where he had reached the rank of Chief Inspector. He was appointed Head of Community Services in 2014 after nine years during which he had raised the profile of the Communities teams, not least through the introduction and support for the community wardens, who were now such an important part of many areas of Chichester District. His reputation amongst partner organisations was second to none. He was very highly thought of across the board for his considered approach to a wide range of situations and was recognised as a person of high personal integrity. This was most obviously demonstrated during the process of setting up the Gypsy and Traveller Transit Site at Westhampnett when he was required to secure community buy-in for the site on its doorstep. He had led his teams in a variety of other initiatives and community projects and his involvement with the project to redevelop the New Park Centre was praised by the management committee. In overseeing Careline he had supported the manager in forging strong relationships with other providers in the country and thereby gaining extra business. He and his team were involved with the negotiations to amalgamate the Chichester and Arun Citizens Advice Bureaux and their successful relocation to East Pallant House. As many members were aware, Mr Hansford had been unwell during the last couple of years but had shown exemplary determination and commitment to his work. On members’ behalf she wished him a long, happy and healthy retirement.
At the end of each of the foregoing tributes members acknowledged Mrs Hamilton’s sentiments and expressed their own appreciation with a warm round of applause.