April 1999
The debate over Haverhill’s expansion continues. I attend meetings with
Kedington Parish Council and South Cambs District Council.
Meeting with residents of Clements Estate to reassure them that improvements to the estate will continue.
Meeting with two groups of residents about the planning application for Dovehouse Road. Campaign underway to reduce effects of any development on the local environment.
May 1999
The Conservatives first action on taking control of the borough council
has been to change the sign outside the borough offices from “Chair of
Policy and Resources Committee” to “Chairman of Policy and Resources Committee”
Much public rejoicing!
New all weather pitch is open at the sports centre. Stars including Tony Hadley play in opening match.
Meet with parents at Place Farm school to look at traffic problems. No problems evident will have to return after school holidays.
June 1999
New Suffolk County Council Committees in place I am vice chair of Access
and Community Involvement Panel.
New fire service cover for Haverhill announced. Haverhill will have full time daily cover for seven days a week instead of the previous five day cover.
September 1999
Report on Town Hall Arts Centre calls for an extra £65,000 support per
year.
Just four months after being elected on a promise of free parking for Haverhill, Tories decide to increase parking charges by up to 25%! Local business people are not happy.
Voluntary group leaders surprised at Borough council’s refusal of revenue funding for new centre.
I present certificates to many of the two hundred children who have completed the summer reading game at the library.
October 1999
Chaired county council panel meeting on improving library use for children.
Special interest in availability of books, standards of school libraries
and how school libraries work with public libraries and mobile libraries.
Reports commissioned on these subjects and a visit to take place before
next meeting in February.
Access and Community Involvement Panel of Suffolk County Council.
Meeting with committee members of Haverhill United to discuss the problems of running a football club. Meeting eventually leading to a grant for the club.
First talks about the future of the Town Hall Arts centre. Borough council would like to find someone else to run the centre.
November 1999
1st - Haverhill Labour Party meeting with speaker Sheila Wormleighton
on national and local housing issues.
2nd - Full County Council. Rural policing and the future of a special needs school among subjects discussed.
3rd - Meeting at Castle Manor school to set up committee for residents of Eastern Avenue - Crowland Road area. Called Castle Residents Association.
4th - Local Government Arts Forum at Girton College, Cambridge. Meeting of eastern region councils to look at issues and best practice in the arts world.
First councillors surgery at Haverhill library. First Thursday of every month between 6pm and 7pm. Three members of the public. Issues included athletics provision in Haverhill, scout and guide lottery application, street light problems and smells.
10th - Eastern Arts Board. Board meeting. Meeting new Chief Executive. Also discussing lottery grant applications, equal opportunity policies board finances.
17th - Borough Council Leisure Services committee. Huge cuts in grants to voluntary groups, village halls and local sports people.
18th - Cangle Trust. Grants up to £700 given to Haverhill primary and Middle schools.
19th - Visit to Horace Eves sheltered accommodation to listen to comments/complaints from residents.
22nd - Meeting of Haverhill partnership. Issues included sewerage works, care facilities for children and town traffic study.
23rd - Town council grants meeting.
24th - Visit to Busy Bees playgroup.
25th - County council Access and Community Involvement panel to discus next years budget and implications from the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
30th - Haverhill Town Council. Members of public concerned over increase in parking charges and the effect on town centre traders.
December 1999
1st - Meeting about county council services in Haverhill and how to make
them more responsive to local people.
2nd - Local Government Arts Forum Executive. Increasing accessibility to the arts in the region and use of new technology and the arts. Councillors surgery at the library. Just one person. Complaining about the bus service.
7th - Meeting with local head teachers and library service to look at possibility of new homework provision at library.
8th - St. Edmundsbury Policy and Resources Committee. Issues including; dealing with alcohol and drug abuse and disability discrimination act.
14th - Full County Council meeting.
16th - Board meeting of Eastern Arts Board. Discussing grants and future arts policies.
31st - Laser show and millennium celebrations on the market square. Other issues in January were planning applications for McDonald's and the Old Orchard. Also the future of the Town Hall Arts centre.
