Annual Report

Each year the Chairman of the Council makes a report, normally in April, reviewing the year just passed.  Below is the report covering the past year 2009/10 by the Mayor, Councillor Edith Williams.  The Mayor's period of office ends in May.

ANNUAL REPORT 2010 - NANTWICH TOWN COUNCIL.

Town Mayor, Councillor Edith Williams.

It is difficult to try and condense a year’s work into a short report.  I always fear that a long report makes it difficult to hold the readers attention and boredom sets in, and therefore the whole exercise is a lost cause!

I must first thank all Councillors for their help and advice during the past year, without the support of all councillors across the chamber, my job as Chair at Council meetings would have been impossible.  Also heartfelt thanks to our clerk and his assistant, for all their help throughout the past months.  Mr Graham has given good advice on many occasions and Jill has always been there to help keep my diary up to date and act as my social secretary.

We started the year under the new authority Cheshire East Borough Council.  And it has been a challenge to get to grips with the new regime.  Most of the contacts we, as councillors had built up over the years were gone.  New departmental names have had to be learned, as well as new modes of working.  We now have a whole new range of borough councillors to meet and become familiar with and most of us are just about there now.

The year began with the Freedom March of the West Mercian Regiment in Nantwich in June.  The town council were delighted to host this event.  These young men and women were on their way to Africa for training for the war in Afghanistan, we wished them and their families well, and hope they all come back to see us on their return.

At Christmas the town hosted (a first for Nantwich) an ice rink.  This we felt would improve the footfall to our shops, judging from the numbers attending the rink it must have made a difference to visitor numbers during the Christmas period and improved trade.  The National Charity – The Railway Children – held a Santa dash in December, and the latest figure I have is £11,000 raised.  It looks like it could become a regular event.  Such events give Nantwich publicity and bring more to see our lovely town.  The town council also spent money on improved Christmas lights, and hope to update all the Christmas lights over the next few years.

During the year my consort Alan and I have attended to date 53 engagements.  I have another 8 in my diary to take me up to the end of my year as Mayor.  Engagements have covered a large area of life in and around Nantwich.  The sheer enthusiasm of primary school children, the enjoyment ordinary people get from helping others comes shining through.  We enjoyed the grandeur of Chester Cathedral for a Carol Service and equally the muddy conditions of Nantwich Show.  Each event was a pleasure, and I will have many happy memories of my Mayoral year.  I have tried to represent Nantwich and I hope I have succeeded.

The Town Council makes grants every year to a large variety of organisations throughout the town.  All have one thing in common – the money is spent for the benefit of the whole community.  It is good to know that the grants we give each year really do make a difference, the front desk at the police station can stay open, and the Nantwich in Bloom committee put their grant along with many hours of hard work to win awards for the town.  The museum can keep open and showcase so many good quality exhibits throughout the year.  The First Responders can carry on their excellent work, and of course we had good news this year regarding the running of the First Responders service – the blue light has been restored, which means faster delivery in a life or death situation.

Grants were also awarded to the following organisations during this past year:-

Samaritans £400
Holly Holy Day Society £1500
Family Fun Day £9000
Nantwich Players £1500
Words and Music Festival £1000
Street Sports £1000
Nantwich Band £1200

As well as a reserve for local organisations.

One of the benefits we were told we could get from the new Cheshire East Council was the devolution of some services; the town council have been having meetings with officers and members of the new authority to discuss this issue.  We have made some progress in our talks, and will press on to try and take ownership for some services for the town.  We will do all we can to get the best for Nantwich.

My thanks to my Deputy Mayor, Councillor Joyce Stockton, for her support during the year.

Councillor Edith Williams, Mayor of Nantwich Town Council.