An Emotional Farewell

I didn't realise how emotional I would feel as I gave my final Chairman's report to the Town Council. I would like to thank the members of the public and current Councillors who expressed their support for my work while in office. It has been an honour and a privilege to be a Chairman and join the long list of past Chairmen. It was when I looked back at what has happened during the last three years, which included restrictions during Covid, that I realised how far the Council has come in such a short time.

Here is my closing speech...

Introduction

This may be the last meeting of this Council. Unfortunately, after an extensive social media campaign and much local response, there will again not be a contested election. It is now 45 years and counting since the last election. James Eddy and I did not put our names forward for the new Council, however four of the current Councillors will continue and provide some continuity and corporate memory. A pleasing note is that there will be a full complement of eleven Councillors which should better help spread the workload and provide a larger pool of knowledge and skills. The names of the next Councillors are published on the South Norfolk Council website.

Looking Back

I would like to look back on some of the achievements of this Council. A new website with greater visibility and transparency, a Neighbourhood Plan which was commended by South Norfolk Council, the launch of ‘Nature Recovery in Harleston’, release of a new tourism-based website: ‘Visit Harleston’, the creation of Team Harleston and the Shops Forum, more robust financial control, the recruitment of our current Clerk and Deputy Clerk, and the successful delivery of investment in the town centre in cooperation with South Norfolk and Norfolk County Councils.

I would like to offer my personal thanks and appreciation to all those Councillors who served at any time during the term who worked in a collaborative way and helped deliver these initiatives. I have counted 19 people who served as a Councillor during this term. Each and every one played a part.

Looking Forward

Some of our initiatives will run over into the next Council term and I hope that people with will enthusiastically pick up the baton to take things forwards.

In particular, we have our local nature recovery programme. I am using my Chairman’s allowance for nature recovery initiatives in the Primary Phase of the School. There should soon be a butterfly friendly buddleia as part of the plantings.

There is also the district driven tourism website, implementation of the Neighbourhood Plan, further enhancing application of the transparency code and completion of the emergency plan.

There are other ideas which we have not been able to deliver such as Speed Watch, a Youth Council and citizen awards. In addition, there will be new challenges such as the impact of new housing and uses for the community land. It is an exciting time for the next council term.

Closing Words

I wish the new and returning Councillors best wishes for the next four years. I hope that they are able to contribute, feel valued and enjoy their time on the Council. It can be challenging, but can also be very rewarding. I have enjoyed my time on the Council and leave proud of progress we have made. I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to talk with and engage with many people within our community.

I would like to end my report with a thank you to Jeremey Savage who has served the community for almost 50 years. Jeremy began as a parish Councillor and went on to become our district Councillor in 2007. Jeremy is not standing for election to the district council and very much deserves a well-earned rest.

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With your support, I hope that I can follow in the footsteps of Jeremy and help our community as a South Norfolk County Councillor.