Minutes:
The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway said that Members would be sadly aware of the recent passing of two current Councillors, Councillor Steve Iles and Councillor Tashi Bhutia. It was devastating that two colleagues and friends had been lost in such a short period of time.
Councillor Steve Iles had passed away on Thursday 17 June 2021. He had been elected to Medway Council in 2015, representing Strood North and was re-elected in 2019.
Councillor Iles had served as Mayor of Medway in 2018 to 2019 and as Deputy Mayor twice in 2015 to 2016 and in 2019. He had also served as Mayor’s consort supporting Councillor Mrs Josie Iles during her term as Mayor in 2013 to 2014.
Councillor Bhutia had passed away on Tuesday 6 July 2021. He had served on Medway Council from 2009-2011 for Luton and Wayfield ward and then again for Princes Park from 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.
The Mayor said that Councillor Iles and Councillor Bhutia would both be sorely missed by their colleagues and by the wider community.
Paying tribute, the Leader of the Council said that he had considered Councillor Iles a friend and ally. He had a great sense of humour and had suffered with illness for a long period which sadly had taken him at a young age. The Leader paid tribute to how Councillor Steve Iles had supported Councillor Mrs Josie Iles in her challenging role as Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and to the latter, in particular, for how she had dealt with her loss.
Councillor Bhutia had been the nicest, most genuine person that the Leader had met. Councillor Bhutia had been a Ghurka with an exemplary service record. He was a well-respected great friend and a unique individual who had worked particularly hard on ward matters.
The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Murray, said that it was particularly difficult to have lost two Councillors in service over such a short time and she commended Councillor Mrs Josie Iles for her bravery and attendance at the Council meeting. Councillor Murray said that Councillor Steve Iles had been a cheerful and friendly presence, part of the local community, who would also be remembered for his work at Morrisons in Strood. He had faced his illness with good humour.
Councillor Murray said that Councillor Bhutia had possessed passion for his work on the Council’s Planning and Regeneration, Culture and Environment Overview and Scrutiny committees. He had also been committed to the Medway Diversity Forum, which he had chaired.
Other Members of the Council added their tributes to Councillor Steve Iles and Councillor Bhutia. Councillor Iles was described as a principled person who was keen to share his experience and offer advice. He was a friend who could always be relied upon and had a dry sense of humour. Both Councillors were described as being true gentlemen, who were passionate about their beliefs.
Responding to the tributes offered by Council Members, Councillor Mrs Josie Iles thanked everyone for their kind words, condolences and cards and flowers she had received. She thanked everyone who had expressed concern during Councillor Steve Iles’ hospitalisation and rehabilitation. He had been determined to get better but there had been too many challenges. Although his loss had been sudden and she missed him terribly, she was comforted that Councillor Steve Iles was now at peace.
The Mayor announced that former Councillor, Peggy Saxby, had passed away in May 2021. She had served on Rochester-Upon-Medway City Council between 1976 and 1995, having represented St Margaret's and Borstal Ward and served as Mayor during her time as a Councillor. A Member paid tribute to her stating, amongst other things, that she had been passionate about Rochester and had served Medway well.
The Mayor announced that Gabriel Lancaster MBE had passed away earlier in July 2021. Mr Lancaster had been lifetime President of the Chatham Memorial Synagogue and had close ties to the Council, leading the Annual Service of Remembrance held at Gun Wharf for a number of years, as well as acting as Mayor’s Chaplain on a number of occasions. He had also been a keen supporter of Love Music Hate Racism and Workers’ Memorial Day.
A Member paid tribute to Mr Lancaster and stated that his passing was a sad loss to the whole community.
A minute’s silence was held in memory of all those who had recently passed away.
The Mayor announced that she would be hosting a Garden Party and Afternoon Tea on 7 September in support of the Mayoral Charities. Tickets would be available from the Mayor’s office.
Announcements were concluded by the Mayor welcoming Medway’s new Assistant Director - Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, Bhupinder Gill, to the meeting. Mr Gill had started working for Medway at the beginning of July 2021.