The Chairman reported that with just two months having passed since the last Full Council meeting and all that time being within another period of Government lockdown, he had not had the opportunity to visit anywhere either in person or virtually in his capacity as Chairman of Council.

The Chairman had however been able to look in on a certain online Parish Council meeting in Cheshire East. He hoped to continue visiting more of the districts local Councils in the future and he was restarting early in March with a virtual visit to Dallington Parish Council.

The big story over the last two months had of course been the COVID-19 vaccination programme and the Centres in Rother charged with the delivery.  The Bexhill Primary Care Network made up of four surgeries in the Town was able to start vaccinations at The Sidley Medical Practice in late December followed by Etchingham Village Hall which served seven rural surgeries and latterly Ticehurst Pharmacy.

The overwhelming feedback was that the staff and volunteers working at the Vaccination Centres across Rother had simply been amazing.  They had been widely praised for their reassuring and efficient operations, all delivered with a friendly attitude.  When it was safe to do so, the Chairman intended visiting both centres to thank them on the Council’s behalf in person, for their fantastic work, although for now, it would have to be just at this meeting.

The Chairman realised that it was not just the staff and volunteers at the Centres who were making the Programme work and so he would also need to thank the many volunteers who gave up their time and petrol to get people to and from the centres.

The Chairman also thanked Rother District Council staff who had been working long and hard to support businesses, households and individuals across Rother since March.  The Chief Executive was asked to pass on the Council’s thanks to everyone within Rother and those staff working within our shared services, for their commitment.

The Chairman and the Chief Executive signed the Community Governance Order which marked the final step in the process of creating a Council for Bexhill. It was a bit different from hundreds of people filling Town Hall Square on 21 May 1902 watching the delivery of The Royal Charter from King Edward VII.  This time it was just Mr Johnston and I, watched by The Mayor of Bexhill, Councillor Lynn Langlands and of course, all socially distanced. Bexhill residents could now look forward to the Elections in May and having a similar level of local representation to that afforded to other Rother residents.    

Sadly, since the last Full Council meeting another former member of this Council had passed away.  Keith Bridger, who had served as Councillor representing Bexhill Sidley Ward from 2003 to 2007 and had also been an East Sussex County Councillor from 1997.  Councillors Bayliss, Gray, Field and Maynard recorded their personal tributes to Keith.

In accordance with paragraph 3.2(a) of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chairman exercised his discretion in favour of varying the order of business so that Agenda Item 11 was taken as the next item.