Agenda item

Agenda item

Vote of thanks to retiring mayor

Minutes:

Following the election of a new Mayor, Council considered a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor David Snartt. It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton and seconded by Councillor Taylor that this Council tenders to Councillor Snartt its thanks for the service he has provided as Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood and for the way in which he has presided over the Council’s business during the past Council year.

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hamilton thanked Councillor Snartt and Mrs Joan Snartt for the way in which they had represented the Borough through their Mayoral term. He stated that the term had been unusual due to the Pandemic and that Councillor Snartt and Mrs Snartt had still managed to fulfil their roles as Mayor and Mayoress, making about 80 visits in total, socially distanced or virtual. Councillor Hamilton highlighted that Councillor Snartt would be the first virtual Mayor of Charnwood Borough Council and that he had been very successful in adapting to new technology to ensure the orderly conduct of Council meetings.

 

Some of the highlights for Councillor Snartt in his unusual Mayoral year included meeting Olympic Athletes at Loughborough University, meeting international students unable to travel home during the pandemic and visiting the Community Hub  at John Storer House where he helped to load boxes for people in need. Councillor Snartt found this to be heartening and commended the work of the Council staff.

 

Councillor Hamilton spoke about the video that Councillor Snartt had recorded for the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day and went on to describe how he had unveiled new VJ and VE benches in the Borough as well as Councillor Snartt’s attendance at a smaller scale Remembrance Service.

 

As Mayor, Councillor Snartt also had the unfortunate duty of marking the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

 

In seconding the motion, Councillor Taylor stated that the Council recorded its gratitude to Councillor Snartt for the manner in which he had maintained the position of the Mayoralty and the work that he had done in the community and running virtual events during the pandemic.

 

Councillor Taylor stated that she had known Councillor Snartt for ten years and highlighted the respect that he held not only within Charnwood, but across the County of Leicestershire and that this respect had been earned by his conduct and hard work.

 

Councillor Taylor stated that Councillor Snartt was very sociable in ordinary times and that his warmth and radiance were unique. She was impressed by Councillor Snartt’s ability to adapt to the virtual world and provide comfort to so many despite the circumstances.

 

Councillor Taylor spoke about Councillor Snartt’s visits to residents’ homes in order to present Community Hero certificates and that this had made many residents’ year having the Mayor on their doorstep.

 

Councillor Taylor also referred to the work of Mrs Joan Snartt as Mayoress, the support she had provided to the Mayor and the considerate and committed way in which she had undertaken her role.

 

Finally, Councillor Taylor stated that Councillor Snartt should enjoy his rest and spending more time with his family, now that he was able to do so. She hoped that he would enjoy more time in his garden and looked forward to receiving more runner beans from Councillor Snartt.

 

Following the above speeches, the Mayor put the motion to the vote and it was

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

 

that this Council tenders to Councillor Snartt its thanks for the service he has provided as Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood and for the way in which he has presided over the Council’s business during the past Council year.

 

The Council records its gratitude for the manner in which he has maintained the position of the Mayoralty and the work he has done in meeting so many people in the Borough throughout the year. The Council also extended its thanks to Mrs Joan Snartt for her service as Mayoress and for the help and support she provided to the Mayor and for the considerate and committed way in which she has undertook her role. The Council assured both Councillor Snartt and Mrs Joan Snartt that they have the best wishes of all its members for their future health and wellbeing.

 

Councillor Snartt responded by thanking both Councillor Hamilton and Councillor Taylor for their kind words and referred to the challenging and rewarding year he has had as Mayor. He stated that the work he had undertaken had helped him to understand how great the Borough of Charnwood was.

 

He had been impressed by the work he had seen within communities, people coming together and looking after the most needy and vulnerable. Councillor Snartt acknowledged his visits to the Community Hub, the delivery of the Community Hero certificates, and to Loughborough University. Councillor Snartt took the opportunity to thank the Vice Chancellor of Loughborough University, Bob Allison for the support provided to students and to wish him well in his retirement.

 

He referred to his Chairing of the virtual Full Council meetings and thanked all of his fellow Charnwood Borough Council members for their support and for making this challenge relatively straightforward. Councillor Snartt also thanked Council officers and all the people that had supported his fundraising efforts for his charities; LOROS and Admiral Nurses.

 

Councillor Snartt stated that it was an honour to represent the Borough as Mayor and stated that the emphasis and priority for the role of Mayor should be involvement with communities and organisations across the Borough.

 

Councillor Snartt finished by wishing the Mayor and Mayoress of Charnwood a good Mayoral year.