Update October 2007
Sat 6th October, 2007
Progress on the Borough's Regeneration programme was never going to be fast or easy. I am pleased to tell you though that the Town Masterplan for Loughborough has now been published and circulated to interested parties, stake holders and developers.We have had outside responses from interested parties already. Of course we cannot necessarily 'make it happen' even if we had the resources at our disposal, that is the role of the private sector to take up the opportunities we present.It is however our role to find these developers. Watch this space!
I was particularly pleased to see Cabinet approve progression of the scheme for the Windmill Lane area of Hastings ward, an area we will all wish to see improve over the current term.
More controversially it seems the Wharf Scheme isn't necessarily popular with everyone in the town. I say "Let's wait & see" and pass judgement on the finished article including the promised restaurants and bars and the tidying up of the canal basin.It is a futuristic site and one I am sure that will be talked about for some time. I can't wait to sample the public area, (perhaps with a pint)next summer. It will single out Loughborough from many other regional towns who will be kicking themselves that they haven't been 'blessed' with such an amenity at no cost to the ratepayer.Following my comments in the press and on local TV I have received many favourable comments and one not so good.The controversy surrounds the colours used in the fabrication of the walls to the blocks of apartments.I am inspired by the overall texture and was reminded of a visit to Buenos Aires four years ago .
I have been busy for Syston trying to get things moving on the many environmental improvement projects that we have waited so long for in our part of the borough. As usual getting The Town Council, The County Council and The Borough Council together is the sticking point as well as harnessing the promised finance from developer contributions we are entitled to.
I was particularly pleased to attend the Syston & District Chamber of Trade Business Forum on Sept 28th where over 70 local businesses received an excellent presentation of aids and services provided by the public sector as well as an informative speech from our MP The Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell.
Although I have promised myself to keep party politics out of these submissions I have to share with you the fantastic feeling that myself and colleagues have for the future of Local Government following our attendance at The Conservative Party Conference 2007 held in Blackpool. Everything I heard from our spokespersons confirmed my ethos. The smaller the decision making body the better it will perform for the electors. Conservatives believe in small government and will tear down the dead hand of central Government when and if they take power at the next election....whenever that may be this is good news for Loughborough, good news for the towns of Syston & Shepshed and all the villages in our Borough.
The quarter ahead will be busy and I hope to report to you before Christmas.
As always if you have anything to say just give us a call or send a message.