Thanks to Anne Purse as previous Vice Chairman of Council

Speech by Cllr Zoe Patrick delivered to County Council on Tue 16th Jun 2009

I should like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr. Anne Purse for all the hard work that she has undertaken over the past year in her role as Vice Chairman of the Council.

Anne has taken this role seriously ensuring that she has been completely non-political in undertaking all her duties on behalf of the Council. As ambassador for all of us here, she has thoroughly enjoyed the different functions that she has attended on our behalf.

I always receive a list of the Chairman's engagements every week and it never ceases to surprise me how diverse all the various functions are. Some are the usual charity dinners and mayor's balls but there have been a whole range of other events on the list from tag rugby to opening a museum or an exhibition, visiting schools or day centres. Whatever task Anne has been given, she has done it gladly and enthusiastically, making sure that she has done some homework and whilst at the event ensuring she circulates amongst those attending to hear about their various roles they perform all over the county. It has been an enjoyable experience for her and indeed she was very honoured to have been chosen to fulfil this role.

She has treated the Vice Chairmanship with great care, always ensuring she behaved in a non political way - indeed at a recent gathering where she was being questioned about the forthcoming elections she was mistaken to be a member of the Conservative party by being asked if she had a Liberal standing against her!

Indeed it would have been nice if she had been allowed to continue in her role as Chairman, but unfortunately this is not to be - even though she is one of the longest serving members of this council not to have been Chairman.

However, Anne does have a life outside politics; she has 4 daughters, one of whom is a headteacher at one of our schools, and two others who live locally contributing to the local economy. She also has 2 grandchildren, dogs, cats and a lovely garden to look after. Anne's interests have always been the environment and she will continue to champion this cause in her future roles with this council.

Finally, as well as thanking Anne again, I should also like to thank Anne's sister who has played a magnificent role as her 'consort' whilst undertaking her official duties.