Buckinghamshire County Council has held its last ever full Council meeting

Members of Buckinghamshire County Council in their final meeting, ending 131 years of service to the county. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire County Council)

On Thursday 12th March 2020 Buckinghamshire County Council held its last ever full Council meeting.

To mark the historic occasion County Councillors, Aldermen and distinguished guests including Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher Bt, KCVO and High Sheriff, Mrs Julia Upton MBE packed into the Oculus in Aylesbury.

Alongside the business of the regular meeting, councillors took the opportunity to look back over Council services spanning three centuries. Over this time, average life expectancy in the County has risen from just 46 in 1889 to over 81 currently and population has nearly trebled to 540,000.

County Councillors, honorary Aldermen, and guests gather for a ‘family photo’ after the final full council meeting. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire County Council)

Brian Roberts, the last ever Chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council, said he was proud of being given the privilege of ending such a historic chapter. Brian said after the meeting: ‘This Council has been serving Buckinghamshire residents since 1889. During that time we’ve seen four Monarchs, 26 prime ministers and 32 County Chairman.

The decisions made by both our current and predecessor councillors have shaped how Buckinghamshire has developed as a County and how services have contributed to making life better for residents, businesses and communities.

The County and the four districts councils now pass the baton on to Buckinghamshire Council and I wish the new authority every success going forward.‘

On Wednesday 1st April 2020 the County Council and the four district councils in Buckinghamshire will be replaced by the new unitary Buckinghamshire Council.

Cutting the cake celebrating 131 years: Chairman Brian Roberts, with his wife, Margaret; Vice Chairman Dev Dhillion (left) and his wife, Kuldip, and longest-serving councillor Bill Chapple OBE (right) and his wife, Sue. The cake was made by students from Aylesbury College. (Image supplied by Buckinghamshire County Council)

*Source of article : Press release from Buckinghamshire County Council.