Agenda item

To recognise the contribution made to the Council by Clare Budden, Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) who leaves the Authority at the end of April to join Pennaf Housing Association.

The Chairman  led the tributes to recognise the contribution made to the Council by Clare Budden, Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) who was due to leave the Authority at the end of April 2018 to join Pennaf Housing Association.  He  expressed personal thanks to Clare for her support and also expressed thanks on behalf of his residents for her commitment in resolving housing matters in his ward. 

Councillor Aaron Shotton congratulated Clare on her new role and wished her success in the future.  He referred to the contribution which Clare had made to the Council and  to the residents of Flintshire and commented on her legacy through her achievements, citing work on the stock transfer ballot, the Welsh Houses Quality Standard (WHQS), and the new build of council houses, as examples of the programmes she had driven through.  Councillor Shotton commented on the progress made by the Authority in the housing sector since Clare had been appointed and  referred to her commitment to mitigate the impact of changes in the Welfare Reform on Flintshire’s tenants.  He concluded his tribute by also thanking Clare for her work in Economic Development.  He spoke of the high regard held for Clare in Flintshire and said he looked forward to working with her through collaborative service with Pennaf Housing Association in the future.

Councillor George Hardcastle thanked Clare for her excellent work to improve and develop housing in Flintshire and spoke of the high esteem in which she was held by Councillor Ron Hampson, former Chairman of the Community & Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee.   He said he regretted the Council’s loss but wished her every success in her new position with Pennaf Housing Association.  

Councillor  Rosetta Dolphin also thanked Clare for her commitment and dedication and said she looked forward to future involvement with Clare through the work of Pennaf Housing Association.

Councillor Mike Peers wished  Clare success in  her new appointment and referred to her achievements with the Authority in the housing sector, highlighting the implementation of the WQHS and the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) New  Homes programme as examples,  and referred to her drive in the delivery of affordable housing in Flintshire   He spoke of Clare’s personal qualities and said she was approachable and willing to provide help and support without hesitation.  He reiterated regret at the Council’s loss but commented on the opportunity to benefit from Clare’s skills and knowledge in the future through her work with Pennaf Housing Association.

Councillor Ian Dunbar spoke of  the expertise Clare had provided to Committee meetings and specifically the Community & Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the support she had given to Members concerning housing matters in their ward.  He referred to the tragic circumstances regarding the Grenfell Tower fire and the implications for all high rise buildings in Flintshire and expressed praise for how Clare and her team had responded to the immediate concerns and issues raised by residents and Members and the ongoing support that had been provided.  Councillor Dunbar expressed best wishes to Clare on behalf of the Community & Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Ian Roberts expressed his personal thanks to Clare for her significant contribution and commitment to the Flint regeneration programme and spoke of her drive and determination to see the demolition of the old maisonettes in Flint and the successful replacement with new quality housing which had been  welcomed by residents.

Councillor Sean Bibby thanked Clare for the help and support she had provided  to  him as a newly elected member and also for her work to improve social housing in Flintshire.

Councillor Derek Butler said it had been a privilege to have Clare as his Senior Officer, and spoke of his trust in her abilities.  He said Clare had been an advisor when needed and had respect on a regional and national level as a representative of the Authority.  He spoke of her stalwart support and contribution to  the Mersey Dee Alliance, North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the Growth Deal.  Councillor Butler said he had also been contacted by Lord Barry Jones who asked that his commendations be passed to Clare. 

Councillor Patrick Heesom referred to Clare’s appointment to the Council which had been at a difficult time and said he was grateful for the time that Clare had been with the Authority.  He fully endorsed the tributes which had been made and praised her performance, her skills,  and her ability to work with Members and officers to achieve the best outcomes.

Councillor Billy Mullin  said it had been a privilege to work with Clare and spoke of the progress made in Flintshire in the housing sector, the quality of housing provided, and the overriding satisfaction of tenants throughout Flintshire.  Councillor Mullin also praised Clare for her work on economic enterprise and cited the support she had given in supporting industry and commerce in his own ward. 

Councillor Hilary McGuill said that Clare would be missed by Members, officers and the staff within her department.  She said through her drive and personality she had made her vision a reality and wished Clare success in her future career on behalf  of the Liberal Democrat Group.

Councillor Bernie Attridge endorsed the tributes paid to Clare and added his own thanks for her support on a personal level when needed.  He commented on the vision to set up North East Wales Homes and said that despite some initial difficulties Clare’s drive and determination had made the scheme a reality.  He said Clare had been an excellent officer in all aspects and thanked her for her time at Flintshire and wished her well for the future.

In conclusion the Chief Executive spoke on behalf of the senior officer team and paid tribute to Clare.  He referred to her personal and professional qualities which had been greatly valued in the Authority and expressed best wishes for her continued success in her new role with Pennaf Housing Association and her future career.

Following a presentation made by the Chairman on behalf of the Council, Clare thanked Members and Officers for their warm tributes and said it had been a privilege to work in the area where she had been born and raised and where her family still lived.  She said that she had worked in the Authority longer than in any of her previous positions because she enjoyed the work and felt a personal commitment to do her best to make a positive difference in Flintshire and to improve outcomes in the housing sector.  She thanked Members for the challenges presented which were important as Members represented the needs and views of Flintshire’s residents on the services provided for them.  She continued that it had been Members’ ambitions around the New Homes programme and the new build programme for council housing which had driven the schemes through.    She hoped to build a stronger partnership with the Authority through her new role in Pennaf Housing Association and to work collaboratively with the Authority on a range of services to have a positive impact on the lives of residents in Flintshire.