New Deputy Mayor and a Star

Nothing of particular to note at the town council on Monday evening, except we know who the next town mayor and deputy town mayor will be (from May 2023). In something of the usual forcedand scripted dialogue, the seemingly pre-agreed-outside-the-room new mayor will be Anne Roberts, the current deputy. She is popular, trustworthy and competent.   

Her new deputy will be Jabez Oakes. He's a newcomer, having been co-opted in November 2018 and returned in 2022 unopposed. Since a number of longstanding councillor resignations, Oakes has really blossomed and found his voice. After a diffident start, Oakes takes his place with judgement and balance. He's also chaired the planning committee well. He was a candidate for the town clerk's paid post. 

Star Park

The town council's £5,000 contribution will enable the chained up Star Park finally to open. The fact that it isn't has caused organisers some added stress, thanks to social media

It was clarified that the town council will for at least five years pay the insurance and the annual safety inspections for the refurbished Star Park at the Memorial Playing Fields. This will be by an annual grant. It will mean that the Star Park people need to pay their own insurance but the money is found. 

It turns out that the Star Park organisers had sought grants for refurbishment but misunderstood the fact that VAT would be applied to the final invoice. This was a blunder but in their significant defence the group of five were just ordinary parents who stepped up to the plate. They'd done nothing like this before. How, then, were they to know? The supplier has given them five years to pay the outstanding 20 per cent. This amounts to £14,000 and will take some fundraising. But the town council's generosity reduces this to £9,000. 

The town council had felt a little uneasy about the fact that it wasn't more involved in Star Park. Previously, it was they who took responsibility for the park and its equipment. In a way, the Star Park group had assumed the mantle from the town council.