Farewell to Geoff Dobson

Earlier this week I ventured back to Endeavour House in Ipswich to say goodbye to the outgoing Director of Resources, the incomparable Geoff Dobson.

As the ‘Finance Director’, Geoff has kept Suffolk County Council on the straight and narrow during very difficult times.  Not only is he was able to combine a compassionate approach with hard financial realism, he also has a highly developed sense of humour, an attribute that is becoming increasingly necessary in local government. I found him to be wonderful support during my time as Cabinet Member for Resource Management.

Geoff’s years at Suffolk County Council crowned a very successful career in local government finance. Following posts in councils in the North of England, his most recent jobs included stints at both Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough.  He also served as

 a highly respected Chairman of CIPFA, the prestigious national association for local government accountants.

Geoff is a keen walker and is also an avid Manchester United Fan.  I am sure that he won’t find his retirement dull.  He will be sorely missed, although he leaves behind him a highly motivated and excellent staff who I am sure will not drop the ball!

The assembled gathering was treated to a slide show of highlights from Geoff's successful career

50 years of service to Acton Parish recognised

Christine Johnson receives the Freedom of Acton from Councillor Colin Spence

To Acton Annual Meeting yesterday to see Christine Johnson receive Freedom of the Parish in recognition of 50 years service to Acton Parish Council.  The Freedom Scroll was presented to her by County Councillor, Colin Spence.

Christine and her husband David moved to Acton in the autumn of 1966, and it was not long before Christine was appointed Parish Clerk.  She was fulfilling this role when I was the District Councillor for Waldingfield from 2007 to 2015, and I have to say that there was very little about the village that Christine did not know.  Yesterday evening she was described as a 'walking Google'.  I was always very grateful for her help and support.

Having resigned as Parish Clerk a few years ago, Christine became a member of the Parish Council and she has been Chairman for the past two years.  Now standing down from the Chair owing to the illness of her husband,  she remains a Parish Councillor.  Christine has been succeeded by Paul Chaplin, pictured below signing his acceptance of office.

I am not entirely sure what being a Freeman of Acton involves, but I am sure that whatever it is Christine will enjoy exercising her hard won rights!

Art in Cockfield, a date for the Bank Holiday Weekend

My son Matthew is coming to see us at the Bank Holiday weekend and I think he will be keen to come with me to the event below!

One of the largest displays of art in the area.....if not THE largest!

Sudbury Mayor Making

Town Clerk, Jacqui Howells with Sudbury's two mace bearers in the Mayor's Parlour

On Tuesday evening Nick and I attended our first Mayor Making in Sudbury.

This ceremony takes place at the first Council Meeting in the new council year, and I was surprised at the number of people who attended.

The Town Hall is a good venue for a bit of ceremonial, and it was interesting to take part in the traditional procession comprising the old Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, the Town Clerk and Town Councillors, all led by some resplendent mace bearers, who are also Freemen of the Town.

The event reminds us of Sudbury's long history.  There was another reminder of this when the outgoing Mayor, Sue Ayres, told us about one of the highlights of her year,  an invitation to take tea at the Mansion House in the City of London.

Apparently Suffolk. and Sudbury in particular, was a significant contributor to the rebuilding of the City following the Great Fire of 1666. (I have not been able to substantiate this by googling, and further information would be very interesting).  I would imagine that this generosity would have been in the Town's best interest since those in power at the time would have wanted to see life in London return to normal as quickly as possible.  It was, after all, a major market for the wool products that supported the economic wellbeing of the town.

Recycling centres open until 7 p.m.on Thursdays

Summer late night opening at recycling centres in Suffolk started on 4^th May and will continue until the 31^st of August.

The sites will remain open until 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings.

Do remember however that the sites are now closed on Wednesdays.

Cosford election result

I am sorry that Philip Mutton failed to retain the Cosford Division seat for the Conservatives in Thursday’s election.   He would have offered energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the County Council. He would also have served his residents well and with impartiality.

Through no fault of his own, Philip was selected late and therefore found it difficult to speak to as many voters as he would have liked.   I believe that some people were put off by his relative youth, believing that he would lack the necessary experience to make a difference.  Others were concerned that he would not have time to do the job since he works full time.

These views were misconceived.   Despite his age Philip has a natural maturity of approach and can command the respect of young and old.  A broader point is that we really do need to try to reduce the average age of councillors.  In Suffolk even now this must be well over 60… hardly representative of the population at large.   As far as the need to work is concerned, Philip had the commitment to do the work, his company was willing to grant time off, and in any event should local politics really just be the preserve of the retired and/or the self employed?

Anyway, the people have had their say, and I must congratulate the winner, Robert Lindsay, on his success.  I also wish the residents of Cosford the best of luck.

Opera at St Lawrence's, Great Waldingfield

On Sunday 21^st May at 5 p.m. in St Lawrence’s church, Great Waldingfield, there is the opportunity to hear an international opera star close to home!

The village’s very own Mark Saberton will be giving a recital that promises to be a real treat for all music lovers.

Mark, a baritone, has had a long career playing a wide variety of roles, both at home and abroad.  I last heard him sing last year at Longborough Festival Opera in Gloucestershire, where he played the Old Man in their fantastic production of Jenufa (pictured below).  In addition to giving a number of recitals around East Anglia this summer, he is currently on tour with Swansea City Opera playing the part of Frederic in Delibes's Lakme.

Tickets, priced at £8, will be available on the door or you can obtain them in advance by calling 01787 312002.  The recital will last for just under an hour and tea and cakes will be available afterwards.

Picture:Longborough Festival Opera 2016