Message from the Town Mayor -
Cllr Tony Ford JP
Message for 2011
The year ended on a high for me with the successful Charity Concert staged by the Town Council. There was a real community feel to the event and it was great to see the way people from all walks have life contributed to and supported the charity event which raised over £800 of the rebuilding of the Scout Headquarters.
So far this year the Town Council has:
- organised a successful series of Guided Walks,
- published a revamped ‘Town Trail’
- provided a programme of entertainment in the Square
- continued to lobby for an improved rail service
- distributed grants to a number of community groups
- progressed the St. Anne’s in Bloom project
- improved the Shepherd Road allotment site
- had productive discussions with community groups and organisation and with other agencies in respect of the dilapidated site opposite the railway site
During the last few months the Town Council has been very busy dealing with a number of issues. Although the Town Plan is progressing well, the transfer of Parks and Open Space Assets caused much debate. We deferred the decision until later in the year to enable us to seek professional advice and for the Council to look into the financial implications for the residents of St. Anne’s. The Town Council is eager to take on responsibility for local amenities and we will continue to work with the borough council on this matter, but the arrangements have to be the very best can for local residents and provide good value for money.
Useful discussions have taken place between some and the Town Council is moving forward in its endeavours to create more allotments to meet a growing community need.
Other useful discussions have revolved round forthcoming events such as the History day starting on Friday 18th March and the Leisure Committee is looking at opportunities to hold a Music/Arts/Literary festival in September.
Members of the public are welcome to attend Town Council meetings. We set aside 15 minutes for residents to raise issues of concern. Meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month at 7.00 pm at St Margaret’s Church Hall, Rowsley Road, off St Leonard’s Road West. Everyone is welcome to attend. Alternatively the Town Council welcomes your views via its website http://www.stannestowncouncil.gov.uk
St. Anne’s Town Council’s policy remains the same: to reflect the wishes of the people of St Anne’s and from the feedback we have received our efforts are much appreciated. With this in mind I am pleased that so much progress has been made on developing the Town Plan based on the comments from residents. I know it will be published shortly and I look forward to the Council being able to take action on the matters raised. As a relatively new council we have achieved a lot in a short space of time but there is much more to be done.
I am looking forward to the Annual Parish Meeting on the 29th March when the Town Plan will be officially launched. It will provide a springboard for action by the newly-elected council.
From May this year the Town Council will be enlarged and this will enable Town Council to take on some of the functions more generally associated with parish and town councils. Currently, with only seven members, our efforts are limited, but after the May elections we will have a larger, dynamic and energetic Town Council to take things forward for the benefit of residents.
If you feel that you have the skills, the energy and the enthusiasm to become a Town Councillor and put something back into the local community then please contact our clerk for further information.
