Agenda item

To elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. 

The Town Clerk reported that, in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. (3) (a), the immediate past Chairman had chosen to exercise his right to serve as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

Deputy John Bennett was therefore duly appointed as Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

         VOTE OF THANKS TO THE PAST CHAIRMAN

Deputy Robin Eve paid tribute to Deputy John Bennett, the past Chairman.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: 

THAT at the conclusion of his four year term of office as their Chairman, the Members of this Board wish to extend to:

JOHN ALFRED BENNETT, DEPUTY

their sincere thanks and appreciation for the manner in which he has presided over their deliberations, and also for the great care and interest he has shown in all aspects of the life of the City of London Freemen’s School, which has continued to go from strength to strength during this time.

DEPUTY Bennett has been the first Chairman in over twenty years to serve an extended, 4 year term of office, after seeking special permission from the Court of Common Council to do so. During his Chairmanship the School has undergone great change. With regard to School premises, Deputy Bennett has overseen the creation and approval of a ‘Master Plan’ designed to provide state-of-the art boarding, catering, music and swimming facilities over the next few years. Deputy Bennett has ably overseen and steered the approval process and negotiations at all levels and the ‘Phase 1’ works (the construction of a new Boarding House, Music School and changing rooms) are now well underway.

IN terms of other areas of change, Deputy Bennett has pushed for and presided over the creation of a School Development Office, the redirection of funds to help boost the existing Bursary Funds, the introduction of ‘Curriculum 2012’ and, more recently, the appointment of a new School Bursar.

GOVERNOR training and further developing the knowledge/expertise of the Board as a whole has also been a passion of his. Under his Chairmanship, various Governor training opportunities, examining both academic and extra-curricular aspects of School life have been introduced after each Board meeting, a hugely successful annual three City Schools training day has now been established and a Governor Training and Induction Policy is now firmly in place.

DURING his time as Chairman, he has also presided over some rather difficult and emotive issues such as the Reduction in School Fees for teaching staff and the OFA Clubhouse negotiations. He has worked closely with all concerned in both cases in order to achieve outcomes that were acceptable to all and has demonstrated his fairness, empathy and balance in his approach.

HE has performed his role as Chairman with great enthusiasm and confidence and has demonstrated a profound understanding and dedication to his duties.  His unfailing support of the School at various functions and events has been very much appreciated by the Headmaster, staff, parents and pupils alike. Academically, the School has achieved some of its best ever results under his Chairmanship.

FINALLY the Members of this Board wish to thank the Chairman for his generous hospitality during his years of office and to convey to him, and to Mrs Bennett, their good wishes for their future health and happiness.

RESOLVED – That it be referred to the Mover, Deputy Robin Eve, and the Seconder, Douglas Mobsby to arrange for the Vote of Thanks to be presented in a manner acceptable to the recipient.

Deputy Bennett responded by saying that it had been a great privilege to serve as Chairman of the Board for the past 4 years and that he had found this time the most enjoyable part of his Common Council career to date. He thanked all Governors, Officers and, particularly the Headmaster, for their support during his time in office.