Agenda and minutes

Death of the Monarch

The Lord Mayor reflected on the sad and devastating loss of a much loved and respected Queen.

He noted that the Council meeting was gathered to formally recognise the momentous point in the city and country’s history and pay gratitude to the Queen for her service. He also noted the loss that many people were feeling.

The Lord Mayor also referred to the outpouring of grief and mourning around the country and the changes which would follow now that the Queen was sadly no longer with us.

Council stood for 2 minute’s silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

Proclamation of the new King

The Lord Mayor informed Council of the recent Proclamation event which had taken place outside the Town Hall on the Saturday prior to the meeting, where the High Sherriff had formally read the proclamation for the new King, Charles III.

The event was attended by other Civic Leaders including the Lord Lieutenant and the Chairman of the County Council as well as representatives of key services. It was part of the proclamation events taking place all over the country, keeping alive a tradition that had happened for hundreds of years.

Letter of condolence

The Lord Mayor reported that he had sent a formal letter of condolence to the Private Secretary for His Majesty, King Charles III. In the letter he expressed sincere condolences and sadness on behalf of the city following the death of Her Majesty the Queen.

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

There were no declarations.

Her Majesty the Queen – Queen Elizabeth II

The City Mayor expressed great sadness as the Council gathered to recognise the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, but recognised that the meeting was an opportunity to celebrate the life of the Queen. The City Mayor noted that most Citizens would know nothing other than the Queen’s reign and recognised that she was a tireless ambassador for the Country and the Commonwealth, who had an unwavering commitment to service. The City Mayor felt that Leicester represented an extension of the Commonwealth where communities came together to celebrate and commiserate. He noted that the Queen would be mourned across the globe and would leave a strong and timeless legacy. He further noted that the sad loss of the queen represented an end of an epoch and a changing of the guard. He welcomed the opportunity for Council to approve a motion which recognised the passing of the Queen and pass sincere condolences to the King and his family.

Deputy City Mayor, Councillor Clair also made a statement in relation to Her Majesty the Queen. He supported the remarks made by the City Mayor and recognised the sadness which brought the Council together to mourn, but also reflect the many years of memories created by the Queen. The Deputy City Mayor commented that the Queen was the bedrock of modern Britain and she was a steadfast servant to the country and the Commonwealth. He felt that the King would have learnt much from his mother and will act in accordance with what he had learnt.

Proposed by the City Mayor, seconded by Deputy City Mayor Councillor Piara Singh Clair:

‘That the Address to His Majesty the King be adopted, sealed with the Common Seal of the City and forwarded to His Majesty’.

Address:

“To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty

THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF THE LORD MAYOR, CITY MAYOR, COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF LEICESTER.

May it please your Majesty,

We, your Majesty’s loyal and faithful subjects, the Lord Mayor, City Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Leicester, desire to offer to your Majesty our profound sympathy with you and Members of the Royal Family in the loss which you have sustained by the passing of our late Most Gracious Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II.

Your Majesty suffers the irreparable loss of a beloved mother, and the Commonwealth the loss of a wise and constitutional Sovereign who, at all times, gave unstinted service in the cause of all and earned the admiration and loyal affection of all her subjects.

We desire to express our fervent hope that, by the Grace of God, your Majesty may have many years of life and health given to you in which to reign and that you may long occupy the Throne to which, by God's providence and the will of the people, you have been called.”

Moved by the City Mayor, seconded by Deputy City Mayor Councillor Singh Clair and carried:

‘That the Address to His Majesty the King be adopted, sealed with the Common Seal of the City and forwarded to His Majesty’.

Address:

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty

THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF THE LORD MAYOR, CITY MAYOR, COUNCILLORS AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF LEICESTER.

May it please your Majesty,

We, your Majesty’s loyal and faithful subjects, the Lord Mayor, City Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Leicester, desire to offer to your Majesty our profound sympathy with you and Members of the Royal Family in the loss which you have sustained by the passing of our late Most Gracious Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II.

Your Majesty suffers the irreparable loss of a beloved mother, and the Commonwealth the loss of a wise and constitutional Sovereign who, at all times, gave unstinted service in the cause of all and earned the admiration and loyal affection of all her subjects.

We desire to express our fervent hope that, by the Grace of God, your Majesty may have many years of life and health given to you in which to reign and that you may long occupy the Throne to which, by God's providence and the will of the people, you have been called.

There being no other business the Lord Mayor declared the meeting closed at 5.53pm.