Kathryn Grandon has officially added Hadleigh Scouts and Guides Group as her chosen charity after being re-elected as the chair of Babergh District Council tonight.

Proposed by Cllr Clive Arthey and seconded by Cllr Sue Carpendale, Cllr Grandon was unanimously voted in for a second year, with only fellow Hadleigh councillor Sian Dawson abstaining.

Cllr Grandon will also continue to fundraise for the Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance after the pandemic affected the amount of events she was able to attend in her role.

The biggest event to suffer due to the Covid-19 lockdown was the annual Babergh chairman's ball and she is keen to try and make up for that this year.

"I regret that I have not been able to give as much as I would have liked to my chosen charity, Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance, last year. The Ball was intended to do that in a big way," said Cllr Grandon.

Sudbury councillor Adrian Osborne was re-elected as Babergh deputy chairman as the council's annual general meeting last night, which was held virtually, although Cllr Grandon went to Endeavour House to chair the meeting, along with a member of the democratic services team.

The full meeting can be found on Babergh's YouTube channel here...

Hadleigh councillor Kathryn Grandon's acceptance speech in full:

First, I would like to thank Clive Arthey for proposing me and Sue Carpendale, for seconding me, for my second term as Chairman of Babergh District Council.

I also thank my fellow Councillors for supporting me, not only just now in the vote, but also since May 2019. In particular, I would also like to give my thanks to Vice Chairman, Adrian Osborne, for his support for the past year and a half, sometimes being asked to stand in for me at short notice and always offering to do whatever he can to be of assistance – of course, this sometimes does come with updates on how England are doing in the cricket, but cricket scores aside, it is always great to know that Adrian's smile and enthusiasm for all things to do with the Council are there when I need some help. And thank you also to the Democratic Services and Civic Office Teams for all the work they have done to support my role – it is often work that is not seen, but is vital in helping the Chairman's role run smoothly.

I am truly honoured to be selected for a second term as Chairman.

As we all know, these are, and I hesitate to use the word as we hear it so often now, 'unprecedented' times. When we were all elected in May 2019, who would have thought that a year later we would be in lock down? May 2019 was

such a different world. Organising the Count following the Election would be an interesting prospect now and the Annual Meeting 2019 certainly looks markedly different from this Annual Meeting 2020. Parts of my acceptance speech at the start of my first term perhaps struck a lighter note in keeping with those times, with references to my keenness for dressing up and hopes for fund raising events.

My first term, has been a year of two halves, as they say. I have been proud to represent Babergh District Council at so many interesting events. I attended such occasions with relish and took my Civic duties very seriously. Hadleigh,

the town I represent, has clearly enjoyed the fact that I have been given the honour of Chairing the Council and invited me to open Hadleigh on Show, amongst other events.

And while I was saying my thank you at the beginning, I should not forget to mention my husband Roger who accompanied me to numerous events and became accustomed to chauffeur and consort duties.

The second half of my term, of course, is rather a contrast. Along with all other events, my planned fund raising Chairman's Charity Ball had to be cancelled. The ball gown bought prematurely, is hanging in the wardrobe.

But while the crisis of the pandemic has seen many special events cancelled and more importantly in some cases, seen loss of life and livelihood, there have also been times of optimism; doing things differently and we can be proud of our Council and communities pulling together, showing empathy, working hard and extending a helping hand to those in need.

I was asked which charity I plan to support in this my second term. I regret that I have not been able to give as much as I would have liked to my chosen charity, Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance, last year. The Ball was intended to do that in a big way. Two local companies and a private individual generously gave donations for my charities – I added Hadleigh Guides and Scouts while planning the Ball. But of course, without the Ball, those kind donations were

all I have been able to offer so far. So I have decided to choose the same charity again, Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance, and officially add Hadleigh Guides and Scouts.

I would welcome ideas as to how I can help to raise funds for these organisations during the current climate.

So thank you for inviting me to be your Chairman for a second term.

It seems likely that I will be spending much of it behind this screen, but I will continue do my best to represent the Council to the best of my ability.