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 2008/09 by the Chairman
Councillor Keith Cafferty. The Chairman's period of office ends in
May.
ANNUAL
REPORT 2009 -
NANTWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Council
Chairman Councillor Keith Cafferty.
In making
this report as Chairman of the Nantwich Town Council, may I first of all
thank my
fellow Councillors for their help, advice and support during my tenure.
I sincerely hope that
I have conducted the business of the Council to your satisfaction. My
thanks also are
extended to the Clerk and his assistant Jill, who, throughout the year,
have provided me
with a superb service and administered my numerous projects efficiently
and promptly, giving
advice where requested (not always taken), but always in the best
interests of the Council.
When I
took office as Chairman, I stated my intention to concentrate my efforts
on bringing
the community of our town closer to the Council and its activities and
role within the town
and I feel reasonably confident that this has been achieved.
During
the course of my term I have opted for many changes, mainly with regard
to the social
side of things and take great satisfaction in looking back on the ‘Gala
Evening’, Christmas
meeting with Choral singing and the Town Service.
With
regard to the Gala Evening, which raised over £4500 for the Geoff Thomas
Foundation
into Leukaemia, it came at a stage in the year when my wife Barbara was
diagnosed with
Hodgkins Lymphoma, but my family, and in particular my daughter Simone,
“literally took over”
and produced a stunning event, I am sure all who attended would agree
that it was a real
success.
Barbara
and I have tried to fulfil all the invitations received to the various
activities
throughout the year and without exception have been warmly welcomed, I
have tried to
engage people in conversations and have continued the theme of pushing
for an active and
robust Town Council.
As stated
in my monthly reports, I have been surprised and proud of the many
organisations
flourishing in Nantwich and in the Borough. These organisations fulfil
a role in our community
regardless of age, race or class. Long may it continue. This Council’s
support of some of
these organisations is on record and I trust we will be able to help in
whatever way possible
in the future. The benefits are there for all to see.
2008/09
has been a year of change, the biggest, of course, being the demise of
both Crewe
& Nantwich Borough Council and Cheshire County Council to be replaced by
a regional
Authority, Cheshire East Council.
The
advent of the Cheshire East Council has received a mixed reception, but
it is now a fact,
and I feel that great benefits could be forthcoming to strong and
vibrant local councils who
have a desire to achieve and grasp the opportunities that Cheshire East
Council has to offer.
There has
always been a strong feeling that Nantwich has been classed as a poor
relation in
the partnership with Crewe, but this is now a thing of the past. Many
things have already
been achieved, but I believe we can now take a step up and prove to
Cheshire East Council
that Nantwich Town Council is a progressive, active and efficient
organisation, well placed to
face the challenges provided by the new Authority.
My
optimism is founded on the fact that, regardless of political
affiliation, there is the desire
amongst the elected Members to put “Nantwich first” and I am honoured
and humbled to
have been able to serve as the Chairman of this Council.
In
closing, it would be remiss of me not to say thank you to my Vice
Chairman, Councillor
Edith Williams, for her steadfast support for Barbara and myself,
particularly during the last 8 months. Her willingness to attend
functions, sometimes at short notice, was greatly
appreciated and she has been a reliable and valued deputy.
No
Chairman should sign off without making a wish list, so here’s mine…
That this
Council, regardless of political affiliation, continues to work in
harmony
with regard to the town we were elected to serve in.
That
Councillor McGinnis is rewarded to his tenacity regarding the First
Responders
and his endeavours to restore ‘Blue Light status’ for that organisation.
That
Cheshire East recognises and fulfils the promise of devolving certain
services
to Town and Parish Councils and provides more localised control.
And
finally, that we all see the fruits of our labours realised, in the Town
we serve.
Thank you
again and, most of all, thank you Barbara, for your help, encouragement
and
support throughout the year.
Councillor Keith Cafferty, Chairman, Nantwich Town Council
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