Chairman of the council Councillor Rodney Bass will be leading a special tribute in the council chamber on Tuesday 7 February to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne on 6 February 1952.

Councillor Bass said: “It is important to participate in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations next June because of the respect and affection we all have for the Queen. I have been fortunate enough to meet Her Majesty and even had the privilege of co-hosting a lunch for her with the chairman of Maldon District Council when she visited Maldon in October 2010.

“This is an extraordinary milestone for the Queen and the nation and I think everyone should celebrate it.”

At the commencement of the Full Council meeting there will be a special tribute to Her Majesty when Councillor Bass will make a personal presentation to the council of an official photograph of the Queen to hang in the council chamber.

The photo is being presented by the chairman as a thank you to the council for his two years in the role.

Councillor Bass, who will be stepping down as chairman this year, said: “It has been an honour to be the chairman of Essex County Council during this year of national importance and I have written to Buckingham Palace to congratulate Her Majesty on behalf of the people of Essex.”