WISBECH TOWN COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2019 Councillor Michael Hill, Mayor of Wisbech 2019-2020 Thank you for giving me the opportunity to again serve Wisbech as its Mayor. This year will be the second time that I have the privilege to be the mayor of Wisbech and Chairman of Wisbech Town Council. I have been on this council for 16 years and in that time sat on most of its committees. I hope to bring my experience in serving this council well during my year of office. I am proud to be part of a town that has a wonderful community spirit. The numerous volunteers who work tirelessly every day, offering their services are inspirational. It shows that the people truly care for their town. I would like to welcome all the new councilors and give them my best wishes; I look forward to working with them all during this coming year. I will be holding various fundraising events during my year, raising money for local organisations. Spoiler alert: as part of this I will be undertaking a head and beard shave early next year! I am very proud to be Mayor of Wisbech. This time I will miss the support and guidance of my wife, Jane. However, with the assistance of the Town Council and councillors, and the good people of Wisbech, Capital of the Fens, I look forward to a successful and enjoyable year. I thank you again for electing me. Message from the outgoing Mayor, Cllr Peter Human. We have had an incredible, fun-filled year. The Mayoress and I attended over 240 events; celebrating both 100 anniversaries of the end of World war One and the formation of the Royal Air Force. We have welcomed their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Gloucester on their visits to our wonderful town. We joined in the fun and games in schools and the Spinney adventure playground (but we did decline the offer of a go on the zip wire). We spent an amazing day with the Wisbech Detachment of the Army cadet Force at their training camp in Liverpool; and watched with pride all our cadet units remembering the fallen at the Remembrance Day services. We even had the opportunity to attend a re-enactment of the last afternoon of the Titanic; enjoying afternoon tea and dancing a waltz. There was also an Irish jig where, unfortunately, Janet was wearing high heels, but bravely carried on. During December our days were filled with carol services and nativity plays. They were all wonderful and there were so many highlights, but one of the most memorable was Meadowgate Academy’s first carol service, held at St Peter’s Church. During the summer we congratulated children who had completed the reading challenge, and presented over 150 certificates to Year 1 children who attended the annual Wisbech Reads Festival. We have opened fetes and shops, been to Christmas parties, plus celebrated the 104th birthday of a lovely lady at one of this town’s wonderful, residential facilities. All these celebrations and numerous afternoon teas … methinks the diet starts tomorrow. It was with great pleasure that my Mayoral year saw Wisbech Town Council giving the Freedom of the Town to two volunteer groups; Wisbech In Bloom, and the Vivien Fire Engine Trust. Vivien, along with hardworking family and friends, attends many of the events held in our town, and represents Wisbech further afield. Wisbech In Bloom again won Gold in both Anglia and Britain In Bloom, and our town looked spectacular during the summer. During the Rose Fair we were overwhelmed by the number of people who gave such glowing compliments that it was an honour to give them the recognition they deserve. The hard work volunteers give to so many charities and organisations within Wisbech is truly fantastic; we have been inspired by their determination to create a positive impact upon the lives of so many residents in the town; children, young people, and adults. We were also delighted to attend and support the events and festivals put on by Wisbech Town Council during the year such as WisBeach Day, the Rock Festival and Christmas Lights Switch On; and thank the councilors and volunteers through whose dedication these events take place. Over £4,000 was raised during my Mayoral year, and it is with great pleasure that we have been able to donate to 17 local worthy causes. We would like to thank Terry, Susanah and Tracy, and the wonderful team at the Town Hall who have supported and guided us throughout the year; including Trevor the Mace Bearer, who (along with ourselves) tried hard to look cool, calm and collected during the extremely hot summer. Lastly, we would like to thank Michael Hill, who as my Deputy has supported us wonderfully. We both wish him well in his Mayoral year. Thank you. COMMUNITY EVENTS 2019 SUNDAY 2 JUNE – WISBEACH DAY – WISBECH MARKET PLACE SUNDAY 23 JUNE – ARMED FORCES DAY – WISBECH MARKET PLACE WEDNESDAY 3 JULY – SUNDAY 6 JULY – WISBECH ROSE FAIR SUNDAY 4 AUGUST – WISBECH ROCK FESTIVAL - WISBECH PARK SEPTEMBER – HERITAGE OPEN DAYS – ACROSS THE TOWN SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER – CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON –MARKET PLACE SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER – WISBECH CHRISTMAS FAYRE – TOWN CENTRE For more details and local events go to the wisbech town council what’s on calendar https://www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk/local-events.html As well as What’s On, you can find lots of local information on our website including an A-Z of useful links to who can help you with what service in Wisbech. www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk You can also keep up to date with our Twitter and Facebook pages COUNCILLOR CONTACT DETAILS For more information about councillors and wards, the council and its committees, please see the website https://www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk/the-council.html NAME CONTACT DETAILS WARD Cllr Andy Lynn Correspondence preferred by email. Cllr Lynn is also Fenland District 07833776219 Clarkson Councillor for Clarkson Ward [email protected] 18 Colvile Road PE13 2EL Cllr Ben Prest 07935 147584 Clarkson [email protected] Cllr Samantha Hoy Cllr Miss Hoy is also Fenland 24 Copperfields PE13 2HJ District Councillor for Octavia Hill 07507 896114 Octavia Hill Ward and Cambridgeshire [email protected] County Councillor for Wisbech East Division Cllr Susan Wallwork 41 Outwell Road Elm PE14 0DU Cllr Mrs Wallwork is also Fenland 07837 410998 Octavia Hill District Councillor for Octavia Hill [email protected] Ward 86 Elm Road PE13 2TB Cllr Peter Human 07725 544726 Octavia Hill [email protected] 37 Copperfields PE13 2HJ Cllr Philip Wing 07748 844628 Octavia Hill [email protected] Cllr David Patrick 12 Limes Avenue Elm PE14 0BG Cllr Patrick is also a Fenland 01945 474270 Kirkgate District Councillor for Kirkgate [email protected] Ward 258 Norwich Road PE13 3UT Cllr Garry Tibbs 07500 558031 Kirkgate [email protected] Cllr S (Steve) Tierney Cllr Tierney is also a Fenland 6 Alexandra Road PE13 1HQ District Councillor for Medworth 07831 616127 Medworth Ward and Cambridgeshire [email protected] County Councillor for Wisbech West Division 23 Alexandra Road PE13 1HS Cllr Michael Hill 01945 584971 Cllr Hill is Mayor of Wisbech Medworth [email protected] 2019-2020 NAME CONTACT DETAILS WARD Cllr Nick Meekins 42 Pickards Way PE13 1SD Cllr Meekins is also a Fenland [email protected] Peckover District Councillor for Peckover Ward 39 West Parade PE13 1QB Cllr David Oliver 01945 587437 Peckover [email protected] Cllr Dave Topgood Cllr Topgood is also a Fenland 27 Holmes Drive PE13 3TJ District Councillor for Staithe 07746 192441 Staithe Ward [email protected] 13 Timber Yard Gardens PE13 3JZ Cllr Boryana Pehlivanova 07480 645656 Staithe [email protected] Cllr Aigars Balsevics 60 Burcroft Road PE13 1PW Waterlees Cllr Balsevics is Deputy Mayor of 07912 083334 Village Wisbech 2019-2020 [email protected] Cllr Andy Maul 18 Albany Road PE13 3AY Cllr Maul is also a Fenland Waterlees 01945 429796 District Councillor for Waterlees Village [email protected] Village Ward Cllr Billy Rackley 4 Henry Street PE13 3AG Cllr Rackley is also a Fenland Waterlees 07887 874313 District Councillor for Waterlees Village [email protected] Village Ward Flat C Furriers Warren, Waterlees Cllr Trevor Ketteringham Alexandra Road PE13 1HQ Village [email protected] Wisbech Town Council is the Parish Council for Wisbech. It has 18 COUNCILLORS and four members of staff. It manages:- Allotments (various sites about Wisbech) - Wisbech Market - Wisbech Castle - Public toilets (Wisbech Park and Exchange Square). NB Exchange Square toilets are currently closed - One car park (behind the Queen Mary Centre). Further details can be found on the website. Wisbech Town Council organises several Festivals and events in the town each year - watch the website and local press for details. Report from Cllr Samantha Hoy, Leader of Wisbech Town Council The council’s committees continue to work very hard. The municipal year 2018/19 was an extremely busy one for Wisbech Town Council and it is looking as though 2019/20 will be the same. The Town Council continues to organise and support a number of community events and festivals in the town. A number of events took place during 2018, including the WisBEACH Day, the annual Rock Festival, the Halloween Spooktacular and the Christmas Lights Extravaganza; all were very successful. In addition, a number of events for Halloween, Christmas and Easter were held at Wisbech Castle. A similar programme of events is planned for 2019 and arrangements are well advanced for the delivery of the 2019 WisBEACH Day (on 2 June) and Rock Festival (on 4 August).