Fri, 18 May 2012 07:48:32 +0000

Weeks Commencing 06 – 19/5/2012 

Just one week ago I was installed as Chairman of the County Council.  I felt quite emotional to actually be wearing the badge, and I had a huge surge of pride to have been given this trust by my colleagues.  My three children came to the installation, as did Dick, my partner, who will be my consort.  It’s a wonderful feeling to be starting what is effectively a new job at the ripe old age of 68! 

One of my first duties was at the Shire Hall, presenting awards to the winners of the Essex Young Enterprise competition.  These are school students who have created a company, written a business plan, manufactured or produced something, made a profit, and wound up the company – all in the space of ten months!  A great bunch of young people – the entrepreneurs of the future for Essex. 

I’m very proud to have completed the first two modules of the e-learning course which staff and members alike have been working through.  OK, so two modules might not be very impressive, but at least I’ve made a start.  I struggle a bit with IT so the first module took ages, but once I got the hang of it, I found it an excellent way to refresh things I already knew and indeed to learn some new things too.  I won’t be so hesitant about doing future modules. 

It’s been a busy first week, with a number of civic events, two citizenship ceremonies, a couple of speeches to prepare, and of course all the usual issues raised by my residents in Billericay to try to take care of.  But so far – one week into the job – I’m thoroughly enjoying the challenge. 

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:39:41 +0000

week commencing 29.04.2012

On Sunday I held my Civic Service at All Saints Church, Maldon – this was a Service to commemorate the 2010/2012 Civic Years covering my term of office as Chairman.  The Reverend Stephen Carter at All Saints very kindly let me hold this prestigious event at his Church in Maldon.   I especially enjoyed having the opportunity to be in Maldon which is the District which my constituency is in and is also the District in which I live.  Attendees at the Service numbered approximately 200 and came from within local government and local businesses, local charities, voluntary bodies and the Military.  The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, gave the Address and the Choirs of All Saints and St Mary’s of Maldon sang for us.   The Lord Lieutenant and I took part in the Service by each reading a Lesson.   The Prayers were led by my Chaplain, Father Jonathan Pearce, Vicar of St. Peter’s Church, Great Totham which included The Prayer for the Queen’s Majesty.

This Service was the last civic event for me as Chairman of Essex County Council and this will be my last blog.  I thank those of you who have been reading this Blog and hope you have found it interesting and that it has given you an insight into the civic side of the office of the Chairman.

I am very pleased to record that I was able to make donations of £1,000 each from the unspent part of my civic allowance to the Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) Essex Rural Fund and the RNLI.   The collection raised at the Civic Service was also divided 50/50 between the RNLI and All Saints Church and resulted in a further donation of £433 to the RNLI.

 With my best wishes – Rodney L Bass

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:14:47 +0000

week commencing 22.04.2012

This week I have been very much office based with many meetings but on Tuesday evening at the invitation of the Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Bob Shepherd MBE, my wife and I attended Chelmsford City Council’s Civic Dinner at Hylands House.  This was the last of the “end of year” Civic Dinners and a final farewell to all the other Essex Mayors/Chairmen.

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:46:23 +0000

Week commencing 15.04.2012

Monday night was the Presentation Evening for the Millennium Fund and the Chairman’s Fund Awards.   In February I had sat on the Selection Panels for these and on Monday evening those organisations who had been selected to receive a grant attended a Reception at the Essex Record Office where I was able to present them with their cheques.   It was a lovely evening and the recipients were thrilled to have won and will be putting the money to many very worthwhile causes.

On Wednesday evening I hosted a dinner party for the new High Sheriff – this was a lovely informal gathering and a good way for us to get know the new High Sheriff who this year is Mr Christopher Palmer-Tomkinson.