Minutes:
Announcements
The Chairman reported the following deaths:
Former County Councillor Derek Lockwood OBE JP, who passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 31 May 2016 with his family by his side after a short time in hospital. Mr Lockwood served as the Conservative County Councillor for the Blackpool Highfield and Stanley Electoral Division from May 1985 until May 1998 and served on a number of committees, including Policy and Resources, Education and Highways and Transportation. Mr Lockwood was also a former County Council Conservative Group Leader.
Former County Councillor Geoff Roberts who passed away in Southport Hospital on Monday 18 July 2016. Mr Roberts was elected as a Labour County Councillor to serve the Skelmersdale Central electoral division from 1997 until 2005.
During this period he held the position of chair of Development Control Committee Regulatory Committee and Lancashire Local West Lancashire. He also served on a number of committees including Highways and Transportation, Planning, Industrial Development and Tourism, Social Services and various Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
In addition, the Chairman invited Council to demonstrate its solidarity with and respect for the victims of the terrorist attack in Nice, the people of France and the victims of terrorism and violence everywhere, as well as in memory of Mr Lockwood and Mr Roberts, by standing for one minutes silence. The Full Council stood in silent tribute.
A number of members spoke in memory of both Mr Lockwood and Mr Roberts and offered condolences to their family and friends.
Chartered Institute of Highways Transportation (CIHT)/Department for Transport Reducing Sign Clutter Award
The Chairman was pleased to announce that at the recent 2016 CIHT awards, Lancashire County Council won the CIHT/Department for Transport award for reducing sign clutter. The award was for the reduction of sign clutter in relation to 'The Fishergate Central Gateway Project'.
The judges were impressed with the clear administrative process used and said that this logical and thorough approach to the principle that a scheme should start with nothing and only include what is truly required was exactly what they would like to see universally applied.
Peter Bell, Ginette Unsworth and Shaun Capper attended Full Council, representing the teams that had worked on this project and were congratulated by members.
National Award for Patient Safety – Preventing Avoidable Harm
The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Team received an award for preventing avoidable harm at the recent Patient Safety and Congress Awards ceremony held in Manchester on 5 July.
The Chairman informed members that this award was for a project to prevent falls which was a significant public health concern.
The judges had said that the Lancashire County Councilentry was a “fantastic multi-agency approach which demonstrated a superb first level intervention, co designed and co- produced with patients and families. It was an excellent example of the power of sharing data.
Ann Smith, Head of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement team and Sumaiya Sufi, Area Manager attended Full Council to represent the team and members congratulated them on this award.
British Citizen Award for Service to Volunteering and Charitable Giving awarded to Julie Bell, Head of Libraries, Museums, Culture and Registrars
The Chairman informed Council that Julie Bell, Head of Libraries, Museums, Culture and Registrars had been awarded a British Citizen Award for service to volunteering and charitable giving in recognition of her long service to girl guiding.
Julie was nominated for her award by the young people she worked with. She had been a volunteer, working with Girl guiding UKfor 35 years and started volunteering with the charity at the age of 15. Julie was the County Commissioner and regional Chief Commissioner for North West. Members offered their sincere congratulations on this wonderful achievement.
Armed Forces Covenant – Employer Recognition Scheme, Silver Award 2016.
Lancashire County Council had been named as a 2016 Defence Employers Recognition Scheme Silver Award winner. CC Darren Clifford, Armed Forces & Veterans Champion, received the award on behalf of the county council at a ceremony in Manchester on Thursday, 7 July.
The county council was nominated for the award by 42 Infantry Brigade, headquartered at Fulwood Barracks, Preston. The nomination stated, in part:
"Lancashire Country Council had been the driving force behind the improved delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant in the county. It had, through developing collaborative working with all other Local Authorities, enabled focussed support and delivery of service provision to the Armed Forces Community. It was held in high regard within the Headquarters and was rightly seen as a forward leaning and proactive partner".
Kieran Curran and Vanessa Carthy attended Full council with the plaque that the Council had been awarded and members congratulated them on their help in achieving this award.