Agenda item

To elect a Chair in accordance with Standing Order No.29.

RESOLVED, That Naresh Sonpar be elected Chair for the ensuing year, a single expression of interest having been received.

The newly-elected Chair welcomed new Members to the Board and thanked Mary Robey, who recently made the decision to step down from the Education Board to focus on her family commitments.  The Board congratulated her on becoming a new grandmother and on the forthcoming weddings of her other two daughters in quick succession. 

The Board thanked Mary for her invaluable contributions to the work of the Board since March 2021, including in particular her work across decades as a teacher, governor, Chair of Governors and fundraiser for two charities supporting children with complex medical needs.  The Board noted that she had been instrumental in the rise of COLPAI to be the school that it is today and thanked her for her insightful input and positive challenge of the Corporation’s Education Strategic work.

The Chair congratulated Sir Nicholas Lyons (Alderman) on his recent knighthood, the Director of Community & Children’s Services Judith Finlay on her recent CBE, the Head of Adult Skills, Education & Apprenticeships Barbara Hamilton on her recent MBE, and Floyd Steadman on his recent appointment as a Deputy Lieutenant for Cornwall.