Agenda item

The Chairman made the following announcements

 As we approach Christmas, I am going to speak about one of our local heroes being honoured by an invitation to a festive event which is happening today, as I speak. It’s called “Together at Christmas”. A carol service at Westminster Abbey. It is being hosted by Princess Kate, Princess of Wales, supported by her husband, Prince William, King Charles the third and the Queen Consort. It is likely that there will also be other members of the Royal Family at the event.

The carol service is dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second and the values the late monarch demonstrated throughout her life, including duty, empathy, faith, service, kindness, compassion, and support for others.

“These principles are shared and personified by the inspirational guests who have been invited to the Abbey in recognition of their tireless work to help and care for those around them”,’ Kensington Palace said in a release confirming details of the event.

The service will be broadcast on ITV on Christmas Eve.

In October I received an email from the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Paul Legrave. He was asking me to put forward one person from Adur for a special event. Although no details of the event were given, I was told that the aim of the event was to recognise, celebrate and bring together those who have done incredible work in their communities in the last year. And that the service would be themed around the concepts of love and compassion, community, and togetherness.  This was to include people who have:

Contributed to making their community a kinder and more nurturing place

Gone above and beyond in helping those around them and providing support to those in need

Made a positive difference to the lives of others

Collaborated with others to start or help further meaningful projects

People who might find this Christmas period difficult

With just a day to come up with a candidate, I discussed possible candidates with our Leader Neil Parkin and MP Tim Loughton. We all agreed that Mr Tom Smith would fit this brief well.

Tom has worked for many decades as a local Sea Scout leader. He has spent around two years getting a 46 foot donated yacht, Supeta, on the water, leading a team of volunteers from across Adur and Worthing to pass the high standard required for Maritime and Coastguard Agency safety coding – a requirement if they are to take children and adults to sea in safety. This yacht is now in the water and has a berth in Shoreham Port. The team has already introduced hundreds of local youths, including disabled, to the joys of sailing.

Tom is also a motorcyclist who delivers blood across Sussex. While carrying blood he was recently in a severe road accident with a car carrying four nuns! Tom was in hospital for a long time and sustained life changing injuries - although he soldiers on without complaint. He was found to be completely blameless for the accident.

Tom has been a local police Constable and a retained Fireman. He really is a pillar of the local community.

Tom is going to find Christmas particularly difficult this year. His wife Heather, in her mid sixties, died suddenly and unexpectedly from a congenital heart defect earlier in the year - this will be Tom’s first Christmas without her. .

I am so pleased for Tom to have received this invitation to recognise his work in the community.

The High Sheriff has told me that there is a strong possibility that there will be more events in the future to recognise local heroes. As Councillors I am asking you to be on the lookout for local heroes like Tom Smith. Hopefully we will get more notice than the day I was given on this occasion. But it would really help if you could start thinking of people as you go about your duties as ward Councillors.

The Leader wished everyone a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure updated members on the success of light up Shoreham Event

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing gave an update on progress with the cost of living roadmap   

There were no further announcements