JUST RELEASED

 Strategic Planning

by James Corrigan, Director,

Council HR and Governance Support

LEGAL MATTERS

FARNHAM IS COUNCIL OF THE YEAR

FARNHAM Town Council in Surrey has been named Council of the Year in the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)’s prestigious Star Council Awards 2021. The awards celebrate the contribution that England’s 10,000 parish and town councils make to local communities. The theme this year focused on projects that have had a positive impact in the context of Covid-19. The judges cited Farnham’s “track record of creativity, innovation, partnership and collaboration”, despite the challenges of the pandemic. The town’s mayor, Cllr Alan Earwaker, singled out for praise town clerk Iain Lynch, who was a runner-up in the Clerk of the Year category.

OPENING CEREMONY FOR COMMUNITY CAFE

HORLEY Town Council in Surrey officially opened the new Café in the Park at the local recreation ground on 11 September, which is the council’s largest ever capital investment project. Leaseholder The Farmyard Kitchen, which has been operating at the popular new venue since the summer provided a free buffet for the opening event. There were also food marquees, a jazz band and two bouncy castles for children. Family tennis coaching sessions are now on offer on Saturday afternoons during term time at the newly refurbished tennis courts.

IN BLOOM WINNERS BASK IN SUMMER GLOW

GODALMING Town Council in Surrey won a Gold award in the 2021 South & South East in Bloom competition for its Nightingale Cemetery, which was also judged the overall winner in the Small Cemetery category. Meanwhile Eashing Cemetery (pictured) won Gold in the Large Cemetery category as a first-time entrant. The town’s mayor, Cllr Michael Steel, said: “These awards recognise the commitment of the Godalming Joint Burial Committee in meeting the aims of the council’s climate change emergency declaration. Thanks must go to everyone involved in this great achievement.”

TEAM EFFORT SEES GREEN SPACE RESTORED

SAXILBY WITH INGLEBY Parish Council in Lincolnshire officially reopened the Bridge Place Corner garden on 5 October. The area was in need of redevelopment after pipe installation works in 2019, and work was carried out jointly by the Bridge Street Working Group, volunteers working to improve Saxilby Waterfront and developer Lovell Homes. The ribbon was cut by resident David Willey and Robert Adams, regional managing director of the company, which donated and installed a curved path across a corner of the area and also planted a tree. A new bench was installed using grants from the Canal & River Trust and Cllr Jackie Brockway.

GREEN FLAG AWARD WINNERS CELEBRATE SUCCESS

WEYMOUTH Town Council in Dorset raised its Green Flag at Greenhill and Sandsfoot Gardens on 14 October, and also lit up the town’s Jubilee Clock in green to celebrate the award. Both facilities have retained their Green Flag status for another year. Green Flag Award Scheme manager Paul Todd said: “To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and [to ensure] places that support people to live healthy lives.”

TOWN ON TARGET FOR PARALYMPIC ARCHER

KIRTON IN LINDSEY Town Council in North Lincolnshire staged a homecoming celebration on 19 September at the town’s archery club for Victoria Rumary, who won a bronze medal in the Women’s Individual W1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The mayor, Cllr Pat Frankish, and deputy mayor Cllr David Garritt presented Victoria with an engraved trophy on behalf of the town and a chocolate cake, while the club held have a-go sessions for people to find out more about the sport. Victoria is now an ambassador for archery, visiting local schools to give talks and demonstrations.

PLAY PROJECT COMES TO FRUITION

WOODHAM WALTER Parish Council in Essex opened a new playground facility at Bell Meadow on 2 October, in a ceremony led by Cllr Penny Channer. This represented a major achievement for the community, which started working on the idea in 2017; fundraising was launched in August 2019. More than £30,000 was raised through donations, events and successful grant applications. The chosen supplier was CALOO, which built the facility using Robinia, a hard wood perfect for the rural setting. Despite bad weather, 60 people came to the opening, where Cllr Joanna Symons, chair of the playground working party, thanked all those involved in bringing the project to fruition.

AL FRESCO CELEBRATION OF TOWN’S STRENGTHS

BUCKINGHAM Town Council held its Celebrate Buckingham day on 4 September. Organised jointly with the Buckingham Society, the event celebrated the voluntary organisations serving the town and enabled them to raise funds and recruit volunteers. It also included the Buckingham Society’s annual Civic Day event and award giving. Members of the public saw the new mayor, Cllr Margaret Gateley, formally robed in an open-air mayor-making ceremony, accompanied by the town clerk and mace bearer. She later presented the civic and town council awards, which included the council’s highest honour of Honorary Freewoman of Buckingham for Ruth Newell and Christine Strain-Clark, both of whom stood down as councillors this year after more than 20 years’ service.

FREEMAN AWARD TO COUNCIL STALWART

SALFORD PRIORS Parish Council in Worcestershire has bestowed the Honorary Freedom of the Parish, the highest civic honour it can award, on former councillor John Stedman. John was first elected in May 1984 and during an unbroken term of office of 35 years served as council vice-chairman and chairman. He took a keen interest in many areas of its work, from finance to the restoration of the Marsh Farm Quarry, and often gave professional advice on planning applications, especially any involving trees. According to clerk Donna Bowles, he continues to be a stalwart supporter of local organisations and good causes. The council made the award in gratitude for all the time and effort he has expended in the service of his fellow parishioners.