IN my first blog as mayor I said I would explain how my main priority for the remaining six months I am in office is to change the town’s perception of the council.
“Good luck with that!” I hear you say.
Let’s be blunt here. For too long the council’s reputation has been besmirched by disagreements between members which very often land on the desk of Dorset Council’s monitoring officer, Johnathon Mair, an affable chap with the patience of Job who deals with all disputes between councillors.
Complaints about Lyme Regis councillors must have filled his in-box to overflowing on occasions in the past few years. One of my ambitions is that we go a whole year without calling in Mr Mair. If there is a clash among members we sit down and thrash things out as responsible adults.
Regretfully, town clerk John Wright has been forced to warn councillors on a number of occasions that the biggest threat to Lyme Regis Town Council has been the behaviour of members
In 60 years of covering local government as a journalist, from the smallest parish meeting in Devon to Tower Hamlets Council when the BNP got elected, I have never come across a council official having to do likewise.
To be honest it annoys me greatly. For a while our council became a laughing stock. But I am pleased to say we are going through a much calmer period in the Guildhall. That’s not to say that it’s never going to erupt again. The most controversial issue at the moment is the possible introduction of 20mph speeding limits in the town. The council is split down the middle on this issue and I can see things getting very tetchy in the coming months. This is likely to test members’ commitment to treating their colleagues with respect, no matter what opinions they hold.
What sticks in my craw is that this council deserves better. I am hugely impressed by the commitment of our staff, both office-bond and outside, and their enthusiasm to deliver initiatives that make Lyme what many – and I am one of those – believe to be a wonderful place to live and work.
Let me give you two examples. Lyme Regis Town Council gives away in excess of £100,000 a year in grants and financial support for local organisations and good causes EVERY YEAR! That makes us one of the most, if not THE MOST, generous town councils on the western peninsular.
And here’s another one. This council has only increased its precept (that’s the amount of money the town gets from your rates) only once in 13 years. Some local councils, not far from here, are putting their’s up by 50 percent.
So as a nod to the council celebrating its 50th anniversary since coming into power in 1974-75, I am determined to get this positive message out to the widest possible audience. I start my monthly surgery in the Mayor’s Parlour this coming Saturday (October 19, 10 am to 1 pm) when I know a few are lining up to bend my ear. And I’m determined to get out and about and visit as many organisations as possible to say “forget about the past – let’s embrace the future”.
It's our future we should be looking to and I want to convince all and sundry, including the sceptics, that Lyme’s future is in good hands.
PS: If you are planning to pop into my surgery on Saturday please give me a call so I can confirm a timing to turn up by ringing 07796 951991.