Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Brunt, proposed the recommendations and in so doing expressed his thanks to those Members who had suggested suitable forms of recognition. Councillor Adamson, in seconding the proposal, spoke in memoriam of former Councillors Spiers and Stead. 

RESOLVED that subject to all and any statutory checks and notifications: 

1.     The walkway along Waterhouse Lane toward Kingswood Village Hall be so named ‘Spiers Walk’ in posthumous recognition of former Councillor Joan Spiers.

2.     The outdoor gym and refurbished playground in Nork Park be named in posthumous recognition of former Councillor Brian Stead.

Recommendation: That the Council, in posthumous recognition of the contribution of former Councillors Joan Spiers and Brian Stead, do so agree that a suitable form of appreciation and acknowledgement be reported to the next Ordinary meeting of Council.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Brunt, moved the recommendation and in so doing, paid tribute to former Councillor Joan Spiers who had served as a Councillor for Kingswood and Burgh Heath for 32 years. Councillor Spiers would be remembered for her dedication and hard work for the residents of the Borough. Councillor Spiers served as Leader of the Council from 2003-2014 and as Mayor in 2015-16. She had also served on many Committees, including as Chair of the Community Services Committee. As Mayor, she officiated the opening of Tadworth Leisure Centre, introduced the concept of “Mini-Mayor” and raised £40,000 for her chosen charities.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Bray, who spoke in tribute to former Councillor Brian Stead. Former Councillor Stead would be remembered for his time as Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; he was courteous and spoke with passion and clarity as an unwavering advocate of his residents. As Mayor, he had raised a substantial amount of money for his chosen charities. Nork Park was his passion and it was thought that a suitable recognition for him would be the naming of the outdoor gym and playground in his honour.

It was RESOLVED that the Council, in posthumous recognition of the contribution of former Councillors Joan Spiers and Brian Stead, do so agree that a suitable form of appreciation and acknowledgment be reported to the next Ordinary meeting of the Council.