Issue - meetings

To receive any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Bailey, Councillor T Jackson, and Councillor S Gardiner.

Councillor J Clowes was present on behalf of Councillor S Gardiner.

Councillor R Bailey provided a statement to be read with her apology for absence:

BEGINS

Dear Chair

Whilst I was only appointed to the Strategic Planning Board at this May’s Annual Council Meeting, I have served on this committee in the past so am in no doubt of its importance and didn’t agree to an appointment for the forthcoming year lightly.

I was therefore surprised, just over two weeks ago, to pick up on a diary invitation for this Friday 28/6, with no explanation/clarification as to why a meeting had been called, when (1) SPB, as is the case for meetings of Northern and Southern, is usually held on a Wednesday and (2) we are in the run up to a General Election when other planned meetings of council have been cancelled.

I would be grateful therefore if my disappointment, at not been able to attend the meeting and unsurprisingly failing to source a substitute member, could form part of my apologies for absence within the minutes. 

Please note my absence is not related to the forthcoming general election.

Kind regards

Cllr Rachel Bailey

Audlem Ward

ENDS

Councillor J Clowes requested it to be noted that she would have preferred the meeting be held after the General Election if the meeting could not have been held on a Wednesday as normal.

It was noted that Strategic Planning Board meetings were apolitical so had continued through the pre-election period, and it had been agreed that additional meetings would be planned as and when needed following the agreement that Strategic Planning Board meetings would be scheduled bi-monthly, and there are limited room resources.