Issue - meetings

Council noted the announcements published in the Schedule of Business

The Chair reported that Oxfordshire was the first county council in the country to achieve Council of Sanctuary status. This achievement underpinned the Council’s commitment to supporting people fleeing war, persecution and serious human rights violations. She expressed thanks to the Migration team in Public Health and Communities, supported by colleagues in the county education team, as well as children’s and adult social care for all their work in achieving this.

The Chair also referred to the new link between the county of Oxfordshire with the Royal Navy ship HMS Diamond which was sealed at a special ceremony at Blenheim Palace on Tuesday, 25 February with senior naval officers, including past commanders of HMS Diamond, and Lady Suzie Johns, the Lady Sponsor for HMS Diamond present. They were joined by civic and military representatives from across Oxfordshire including the Lord-Lieutenant Marjorie Glasgow, Oxfordshire County Council leader Cllr Liz Leffman and the Chair of the Council.

Other events attended by the Chair and Vice Chair since the last Council meeting were listed in the Schedule of Business.  The Chair highlighted three:

The Chair’s Charity Donation reception, County Hall on 25 March. raised £8,738 for Earth Trust, My Vision Oxfordshire, and Parkinson's UK Oxfordshire branches – Henley, Banbury, and Oxford.

Chipping Norton Branch Visit on 11 March.

Launch of the Standing with Giants VE Day event 26 March – especially Bert Courtney.