Agenda item - Chair's Communications

113.1   The Chair noted that Hilary Woodward was retiring and stated that Hilary has worked for BHCC as our Senior Planning and Highways lawyer since April 1998 – in that time (24 years!!) she has been the Council’s lead Planning lawyer, advising Members and Cttee across all Parties, representing the Council at Planning Enquiries and robustly defending the Council in Judicial Review Proceedings. She is an expert in planning law, but she is also genuinely passionate about supporting the decision making process and ensuring that members are fully able to make informed decisions. Hilary is unflappable and has steered this Committee through innumerable tricky issues over the years, always maintaining her calm and clear approach and respecting the role of all elected members in the process. She is such a wise and well respected member of the Legal Services Management Team – she will be sorely missed.

Hilary’s regarded as a legend by the Planning Service. She’s an institution whose advice the planners know they can rely on; and who has been a beacon of calm at Planning Committee and appeals over the years. She has guided many planning officers in their cases on legal matters and provided numerous training sessions to officers and Planning Committee councillors.

One area of work that Members of the Cttee may not be aware of is Hilary’s support for junior staff in the legal team and her commitment to offering work experience placements for aspiring lawyers. Hilary has managed a successful programme of work experience placements in legal services for many years, sifting the applications, building relationships with local universities and setting up a fulfilling and inspiring programme for each of them. There are many students who have benefitted as a result of her dedication to ensuring that these opportunities are provided for entry into the legal profession.

Before working for BHCC Hilary worked for East Sussex County Council for 8 years – meaning that on her retirement this July she will be leaving behind her 32 years of local government service. She truly deserves a long and happy retirement, and we will miss her enormously!