Mayoral Report 2007-08
| Published: 9th May 2008 14:59 |
Mayoral Report 2007-08
As Mayor of St Neots, it is my duty and my pleasure to present an annual report on the work of the Town Council in what has been a very busy but also challenging year. As we know, St Neots is growing and in the next decade or so the population will increase by up to one third. The big issue for us all is to provide the town with the facilities that it needs.
The offer from Mr Peter Rowley, of a gift of a million pounds to provide a leisure facility for the people of St Neots continues to excite much debate. The choice of the people is that they wish to see a multi-screen cinema in the town. Whether that can be achieved remains to be seen, but we hope that 2008-2009 is the year that a breakthrough can be made. We have had very positive discussions with HDC over our preferred site and they have agreed to allow us to encourage potential operators to approach them with plans for this
Site. There are other possible sites for a cinema and as it is matter of commercial confidentiality, I cannot go into detail but suffice to say we have already received two approaches.
But this is obviously not the only facility that the town needs. We have to move on several fronts at the same time.
A case in point is the Eatons Community Centre, which I know has long been a dream for many people in that part of the town. Last year we managed to agree, after an extensive consultation process, the design and layout of the building and to obtain planning permission for that design. The District Council granted planning permission for the new design and the process for letting the contract to the builders is now under way. We will see a start on site by the end of the summer with a completion within 12 months.
We have also been approached by members of the community about improving Youth Facilities, including, for example, a proposal to start a Boxing Club. Initial reports in the press have already generated considerable interest and this is another project we hope to bring to fruition over the coming year. We are also working to provide the Youth Council with greater support from councillors to ensure it is more effective in the future.
A long-term project, which has not yet reached fruition, is the outdoor swimming pool. Much work has been done behind the scenes to see how we can raise sufficient funds to provide this new facility for the town. The sale of the previous site should enable us to raise the necessary funding to build a new pool on a new site we have identified and I look forward to working with colleagues and the Swimming Pool Trust to achieve this in the coming year.
Another challenge which faces the town council is the need for burial space. It may not be the most glamorous subject but one of importance to many people in the town. The town centre cemetery is now almost full and the council is looking for new land to develop a new burial ground to last the town into the future. Because of higher standards imposed by the Environment Agency this is proving difficult to find, but again hopefully the next year will see a breakthrough on this issue as well.
The same applies to the provision of allotments; this is becoming an important issue for the town; with house builders and planners building properties with smaller gardens, the chance to get out in the fresh air and grow your own fruit and vegetables is becoming increasingly attractive. We have 60 allotments at the moment and a waiting list of another 50 people. We are planning to purchase additional land for allotments.
Another issue which has arrived on our desks this year presents a potential opportunity. I refer of course to the closure of the Bargroves centre for adults with learning difficulties on Cromwell Road. Those who attended the centre have been accommodated elsewhere but the question for us is - what now happens to this community building? The town badly needs a youth centre and I hope that the building or at least part of it can be put to that use in the future and that the land will not be sold off for commercial or residential uses. I am not naïve enough to think that this cannot be achieved without cost but this surely this has to be a priority for the town over the coming year?
I'm pleased to see new bus shelters going up in many parts of the Town, the Town Council has already provided a new shelter on Bushmead Road, with 4 more planned over the coming year and an additional three being provided by the District Council. A rolling four year programme of refurbishment and renewal of all the 11 Town Council provided play areas has been started by your council and the first three are already completed.
The Town Council continues to work hard to try to meet the other challenges which are before us. We have seen changes to the team of officers at the Council. I am delighted in particular to welcome our new Town Centre Manager Tom McCormick, and the Council's new Deputy Town Clerk, Helen King, to the Town Council team and I wish them success in their work with the local community.
Many of you may be unaware of the work which goes on behind the scenes by Town Council members and officers to work with, support and encourage the various youth, community and voluntary groups in our town. The Town Council supports the Youth Coffee Bar, the St Neots Museum, the Pightle Millennium Green, the Jubilee Hall in Eaton Socon, the Ascension Fair, amongst others.
Last year the Carnival reached its 60th and possibly its last year. Sadly the support for this wonderful community event had declined to such an extent that the Carnival Committee felt that it is no longer viable, at least in its current form. The Council have stepped in will run a family fun day on Regatta Meadows on August Bank holiday weekend which we hope will to some extent fill the gap for this year at least. I hope that you will support this event either by helping out or taking part in some way.
The Town Council also provides grant aid to a wide range of organisations, including St Neots Volunteer Bureau, Dialdruglink, St Neots Players, VAMPS, Royal British Legion and Natural High.
I will now move on to reporting on the civic and ceremonial events during my mayoralty in the last 12 months. During this year there have been numerous events and occasions which have taken place and my grateful thanks go to my Consort Gay and to my Deputy, Councillor Fiona Birks for their support, help and encouragement throughout.
In June we had our Civic Service at St Mary's, St Neots. With the Reverend Roger Arguile's guidance and support, we had a wonderful service and I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to Roger and all the uniformed organisations that turned out for the parade. Roger has since retired as Vicar of St Neots and we now welcome the newly appointed incumbent Reverend Dr Paul Andrews. We all wish you a happy and fulfilling time in our town and look forward to working with you in the coming years.
I am also pleased to report that there have been a number of successful events held under the banner of the Mayor's charities. My chosen charities this year are West Anglia Crossroads Young Carers' Project (St Neots), Marie Curie Cancer Care, Riverside Theatre Company Youth Choir, RAFA St Neots Branch and St Neots Youth Boxing Club. I am delighted to report that to date we have been able to raise a total of £7,600. So to all those who helped in organising events, all those who took part and for all of you who contributed your own hard-earned money, my very grateful thanks.
One of the highlights of the year was the Mayor's Ball held last October in the Great Hall in the Priory Centre. I am pleased to tell you that this year's Ball will be on Saturday 4th October 2008 and that it will be sponsored by the Ambience Café - a wonderful gesture on their part. I hope that I will see many of you there.
Throughout the year it has been my great pleasure to attend over 100 civic engagements.
Between Fiona, Gay, my consort, and myself the mayoral team have attended a huge number of meetings, functions, events, civic ceremonial, school and youth group visits and church services all around the county and beyond and I would like to express my thanks to all our hosts on all those occasions for the warm welcome and hospitality which we received. I have tried to support all the various concerts, shows, plays, exhibitions and events that are held in our town and they have all been extremely memorable and enjoyable.
Whilst presenting this annual report I wish to acknowledge with thanks and appreciation all the people of our town who provide help and support to the many voluntary and uniformed organisations for all sections of the community. I can assure you that all your work is very much appreciated.
To all of my colleagues of St Neots Town Council, my sincerest thanks for all your endeavours and hard work on behalf of the residents of the town and for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Mayor. It has been an undoubted honour and privilege as well as being extremely enjoyable to serve and represent the biggest and best town in the county.
My sincerest thanks also go to the Town Clerk, Philip Devonald, and all of his staff for their help and their hard work throughout a the year. I know that it has been a difficult year in many ways, but I am delighted to say that all of the challenges have been met with fortitude and professionalism by all the staff.
This is a great town. It is also a town facing great change, growth and challenges. I am sure that the Town Council and the people of St Neots will be more than equal to that challenge.
Let St Neots flourish!
Cllr Bob Eaton
7th May 2008
