HM The Queen Elizabeth II
A statement from the Provost of Inverclyde, Drew McKenzie, following the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
Provost of Inverclyde, Drew McKenzie, said: “On behalf of everyone at Inverclyde Council and the entire Inverclyde community, I send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time.
“Throughout her reign, Her Majesty The Queen has been a symbol of strength, compassion and commitment.
“We will remember with affection and appreciation, her lifetime of service and we join with people across the country, the Commonwealth and beyond, to mourn the loss of such a deeply respected and inspirational monarch.”
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Following the sad news of the death of HM The Queen arrangements are being put in place nationally and locally to mark the period of mourning and the Queen's funeral.
Most council internal business and activity will expect to continue. It is recommended that officers should avoid events of a celebratory nature or social occasions where they are representing the council as a mark of respect for the national period of mourning.
Three council meetings scheduled for this week (week beginning 12 September 2022) have been postponed: The Policy and Resources Committee, the Police and Fire Scrutiny Panel and The General Purposes Board. Arrangements are being made to re-arrange these meetings.
Below are some updates on local and national arrangements:
Period of mourning
The period of national mourning is until the day of the funeral service on Monday 19 September 2022.
Book of condolences
The last day to sign the book of condolences for HM The Queen within the Greenock Municipal Buildings customer service centre will be Friday 16 September 2022 before 3.30pm.
A national online book of condolences has been opened and is available at: https://www.royal.uk/
A selection of messages posted on this website will be passed onto members of the Royal Family, and may be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.
Flags and floral tributes
Flags are being flown at half-mast in Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow.
They will remain at half-mast until the morning of Tuesday 20 September 2022.
Members of the community who wish to lay flowers to mark the death of HM The Queen will be encouraged to lay them at Clyde Square at the area used each year for the Garden of Remembrance.
Funeral
The Palace has confirmed that the State Funeral of HM The Queen will take place in Westminster Abbey, London, on Monday 19 September 2022 at 11am. More details are available at: www.royal.uk/arrangements-funeral-her-majesty-queen
Bank holiday
King Charles III has approved a bank holiday for the day of the State Funeral of HM The Queen on Monday 19 September 2022. This means there will be an additional holiday to employees across the council and will mean council buildings, schools and early years’ establishments will be closed on this day.
Schools and nurseries
All schools and nurseries in Inverclyde will be closed on Monday 19 September 2022 for the bank holiday for the State Funeral of HM The Queen. Any school pupil who receives free school meals and is entitled to a clothing grant will receive a payment of £3 for a meal that day.
School lets
There will be no school lets on Monday 19 September 2022 with schools closed for the bank holiday for the funeral of HM The Queen.
Waste, recycling and street cleaning services
Bins will continue to be uplifted on Monday 19 September 2022. Due to the public holiday there may some disruption to the collection service. Any missed bins will be collected at the earliest opportunity and residents are requested to re-present their bins on the kerbside the following morning until emptied.
Recycling centres will remain open.
Street cleaning. There will be limited street cleaning within Inverclyde – the same level as on a public holiday.
Burials and cremations
Burials and cremations will go ahead as planned on Monday 19 September 2022.
National silence
There will be a national one-minute silence at 8pm on Sunday 18 September 2022, the night before the State Funeral. People are being invited to take part in the national moment of reflection to mourn the passing of HM The Queen and reflect on her life and legacy. Further information about this is available at: www.gov.uk/government/news/national-moment-of-reflection