Issue - meetings

            The Committee was advised that correspondence had been received from the Somme Association enquiring if the Council would wish to be represented on the 2014 Pilgrimage to the Somme from 20th June until 2nd July, 2014.  The Somme Pilgrimage, to mark the 98th Anniversary of the Battle, would follow the route taken by both the 36th (UIster) and 16th (Irish) Divisions during their service in the First World War.  Services of Commemoration would be held in both Thiepval and Guillemont, in addition to attendance at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, Ypres.  The cost per delegate attending the tour would be approximately £600 per person.

            The Committee approved the attendance on the tour of a representative of each of the Political Parties on the Council and the Chief Executive (or his nominee) and authorised the payment of the appropriate travel and subsistence allowances in connection therewith.

            The Committee agreed further that officers investigate the possibility of the Council making alternative arrangements for attendance at the 2014 Somme Pilgrimage.