I was pleased to attend the annual meeting of Harlow Council this evening. The meeting had two purposes: to give out awards to citizens who have done so much for the town, and to elect the new Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council. I was able to hear outgoing Chairman Cllr. Tony Hall, give his report, before handing the Chair over to Cllr. Edna Stevens. Tony's speech was excellent, but struck a sombre note at one point, when he rightly criticised Labour and Liberal Councillors for not treating the Chair with the dignity the post deserves. Throughout Tony's Chairmanship, many of these Councillors have refused to stand, to greet the Chairman, and behaved somewhat petulantly. To Edna Steven's great credit, in her speech, she admonished those Councillors and implied that she would not tolerate such behaviour in her year as Chairman.
Although Edna is a solid Labour stalwart, I am glad she is Chairman. I have no doubt that she will put the dignity of the office, before party politics. As Vice-Chairman, she did a grand job and her relations with Tony Hall were most warm - as witnessed by her tribute to him - during her remarks to the assembled Councillors. Although the Conservatives are in majority, and could have quite easily chosen a Conservative Chairman for a second year, Leader, Cllr. Andrew Johnson, and his colleagues decided to put the importance of the Office - before party advantage. I hope that Labour will recognise this and behave with more decency in the months ahead in the Council Chamber.
I was also pleased that our own Councillor Sue Livings was elected as Vice Chairman. Sue is a larger than life character and not only is a walking encyclopedia of Old Harlow, but knows everything there is to know about arts and music. Her partner John Steer, is a similar culture vulture, and like me, loves watches! Sue will be an excellent Vice-Chairman and I look forward to her year in office.
Although Edna is a solid Labour stalwart, I am glad she is Chairman. I have no doubt that she will put the dignity of the office, before party politics. As Vice-Chairman, she did a grand job and her relations with Tony Hall were most warm - as witnessed by her tribute to him - during her remarks to the assembled Councillors. Although the Conservatives are in majority, and could have quite easily chosen a Conservative Chairman for a second year, Leader, Cllr. Andrew Johnson, and his colleagues decided to put the importance of the Office - before party advantage. I hope that Labour will recognise this and behave with more decency in the months ahead in the Council Chamber.
I was also pleased that our own Councillor Sue Livings was elected as Vice Chairman. Sue is a larger than life character and not only is a walking encyclopedia of Old Harlow, but knows everything there is to know about arts and music. Her partner John Steer, is a similar culture vulture, and like me, loves watches! Sue will be an excellent Vice-Chairman and I look forward to her year in office.
By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com
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