Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest which requires they leave the room under Paragraph 7.4 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote.
Decision:
(1) Norma Atlay – Retirement
The Chairman invited the Leader of the Council (Councillor Mr L.A. Needham) and former Deputy Leader of the Council (Councillor T.W. Hone) to pay tribute to Norma Atlay (Strategic Director of Finance, Policy and Governance) on her impending retirement.
Councillor Needham stated that she had never had a portfolio at NHDC which had meant she had cause to work in close association with Norma. However, since she had become Leader of the Council she had got to know Norma very well.
Councillor Needham advised that Norma was thought of extremely highly at a national level in CIPFA and in Government circles, and her advice had been sought on many occasions.
Councillor Needham thanked Norma for all the years she had worked for the Council, and her insight and ability to converse with individuals at all levels would be sorely missed.
On a personal level, Councillor Needham found Norma to be very approachable. She was always willing to answer questions and queries in a straightforward and patient manner. Councillor Needham thanked Norma for this skill, which had made her role as Leader of the Council much easier.
Councillor Hone advised that he had worked alongside Norma as Cabinet Member for Finance and IT for the past 15 years, which he had enjoyed very much, including their annual trips to the CIPFA Conference. He had enjoyed Norma’s company at these conferences, which were also very useful for networking with representatives of other councils.
Councillor Hone considered Norma to be thoroughly professional, always providing sound counsel to him and many other Members.
Councillor Hone explained that Norma was retiring to spend time with her husband, who was also about to retire. He wished them both well in their retirement together, including the extensive travelling that they were shortly to embark on. He thanked Norma once again for all she had done for the Council over the past 30 years.
Throughout the meeting, a number of other Members added their thanks to Norma and wished her well for her retirement.
(2) Long Service Awards
(i) Charmaine Cooper
The Chairman announced that Charmaine Cooper was a valued staff member of North Hertfordshire District Council and on 27 April 2017 reached 25 years of service. During her career, Charmaine had been an integral member of the Council’s front line Benefits Service by administering all aspects of housing benefit debt and ensuring the recovery of public funds with the utmost duty.
At NHDC, encouragement was given to all employees to deliver the very best service in line with the Council’s core objectives and special recognition needed to given to Charmaine for her continued contributions to always providing the best service possible under challenging economic circumstances.
(ii) Kaeren Shepherd
The Chairman advised that Kaeren Shepherd began her career with Careline in July 1992, having previously worked within the banking industry for the Trustee Savings Bank. Kaeren started as a Careline operator working from the original site at Peter Sell House.
Kaeren had a particular skill with regard to administrational organisation and this had been particularly relevant to Careline. Kaeren’s current role was as the data administrator and she kept Careline’s vast data flows in order, so that operators had the right information to handle the life critical calls that were presented at over 100 calls per hour. She was well respected and liked both by her colleagues and customers who often mentioned the relief they felt knowing that, whatever their issue, it would be proficiently handled by Kaeren.
Kaeren was looking forward to Careline’s further development and the Team that they were in safe hands with Kaeren at the data tiller.
It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor Mrs L.A. Needham, and
RESOLVED: That the Council places on record its sincere thanks to Charmaine Cooper and Kaeren Shepherd for their long and valuable service to local government in North Hertfordshire.
(3) Declarations of Interest
The Chairman reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.
Minutes:
(1) Norma Atlay – Retirement
The Chairman invited the Leader of the Council (Councillor Mr L.A. Needham) and former Deputy Leader of the Council (Councillor T.W. Hone) to pay tribute to Norma Atlay (Strategic Director of Finance, Policy and Governance) on her impending retirement.
Councillor Needham stated that she had never had a portfolio at NHDC which had meant she had cause to work in close association with Norma. However, since she had become Leader of the Council she had got to know Norma very well.
Councillor Needham advised that Norma was thought of extremely highly at a national level in CIPFA and in Government circles, and her advice had been sought on many occasions.
Councillor Needham thanked Norma for all the years she had worked for the Council, and her insight and ability to converse with individuals at all levels would be sorely missed.
On a personal level, Councillor Needham found Norma to be very approachable. She was always willing to answer questions and queries in a straightforward and patient manner. Councillor Needham thanked Norma for this skill, which had made her role as Leader of the Council much easier.
Councillor Hone advised that he had worked alongside Norma as Cabinet Member for Finance and IT for the past 15 years, which he had enjoyed very much, including their annual trips to the CIPFA Conference. He had enjoyed Norma’s company at these conferences, which were also very useful for networking with representatives of other councils.
Councillor Hone considered Norma to be thoroughly professional, always providing sound counsel to him and many other Members.
Councillor Hone explained that Norma was retiring to spend time with her husband, who was also about to retire. He wished them both well in their retirement together, including the extensive travelling that they were shortly to embark on. He thanked Norma once again for all she had done for the Council over the past 30 years.
Throughout the meeting, a number of other Members added their thanks to Norma and wished her well for her retirement.
(2) Long Service Awards
(i) Charmaine Cooper
The Chairman announced that Charmaine Cooper was a valued staff member of North Hertfordshire District Council and on 27 April 2017 reached 25 years of service. During her career, Charmaine had been an integral member of the Council’s front line Benefits Service by administering all aspects of housing benefit debt and ensuring the recovery of public funds with the utmost duty.
At NHDC, encouragement was given to all employees to deliver the very best service in line with the Council’s core objectives and special recognition needed to given to Charmaine for her continued contributions to always providing the best service possible under challenging economic circumstances.
(ii) Kaeren Shepherd
The Chairman advised that Kaeren Shepherd began her career with Careline in July 1992, having previously worked within the banking industry for the Trustee Savings Bank. Kaeren started as a Careline operator working from the original site at Peter Sell House.
Kaeren had a particular skill with regard to administrational organisation and this had been particularly relevant to Careline. Kaeren’s current role was as the data administrator and she kept Careline’s vast data flows in order, so that operators had the right information to handle the life critical calls that were presented at over 100 calls per hour. She was well respected and liked both by her colleagues and customers who often mentioned the relief they felt knowing that, whatever their issue, it would be proficiently handled by Kaeren.
Kaeren was looking forward to Careline’s further development and the Team that they were in safe hands with Kaeren at the data tiller.
It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor Mrs L.A. Needham, and
RESOLVED: That the Council places on record its sincere thanks to Charmaine Cooper and Kaeren Shepherd for their long and valuable service to local government in North Hertfordshire.
(3) Declarations of Interest
The Chairman reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.