March 2009

Hello to the blog.

We have been very busy in the past month or so.

Our Development Committee meeting on 25.03.2009 proved a very interesting meeting again. We discussed whether or not to support with extra funding a so-called BID process (Business Improvement) to assist businesses in the town centre to go forward.

Our agreement is to support a ballot of businesses who would pay a small amount over and above the business rates, which Wellingborough Council collects on behalf of the Government. That 'extra' money would be collected simply into a fund, from which, upon agreement between the businesses, vital improvements for the town centre areas could be effected.

The Town Centre Partnership, which is also funded by the Council, bid recently for funding and is thought to have attracted some £40,000 grant funding from ATCM and EMDA to go forward with a ballot of businesses.

Hopefully potential income from a BID can be used to improve town centre areas and what is also very important, attract perhaps more businesses into the town. I am afraid it is at present very much, so watch this space. What we are consious of is that we want to support also the small businesses in the town to weather the storm that we all experience with the economic downturn.

We also agreed to go forward in the process of our town centre regeneration. The consultation for the public realm strategy, extended conservation area and shop front design guide have just gone out for consultation and we hope to receive them back in our committee in June/July time. Very exciting projects, if we want to change the town we really need to go forward and aim as high as we can to create a vibrant, modern, forward thinking and looking Wellingborough for the next generation.

But then again I hear you say - do we want to change the town? People have been very quick to criticise us with litter and graffiti etc. So please work with us and together we can change the look of our town, we now want to do something really positive - please work with us.

It does not mean that we would necessarily demolish everything !!!!!

Our High Street Development is also in full flow, we very much depend on Tresham Institute to receive funding from the Learning Skills Council who unfortunately recently delayed the decision whether to fund or not to June 2009, however, to enable Tresham to move from their current location to a new academy at High Street this grant funding is vitally important. Although a long time off yet, this is all in our plans and would, if the Learning Skills Council agrees to fund, free the town centre location for development. If you want to write to our MP, Mr Peter Bone -please do so and ask for his support to lobby Government.

One of the best news I have had today is that County Council has finally agreed to listen to my pleading to resurface Edwards Drive and Steele Road !!!!! It has only taken a long time to lobby for the resurfacing! It is now in the budget for the forthcoming year, again, watch this space and a big THANK YOU to County Council.

We talked about the important facts relating to Climate Change and the role Wellingborough Council can take to promote methods to save energy etc.

Although still some time away, from the 8th to the 10th of May 2009 is our annual Waendel Walk again. This year we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Waendel Walk - why not join in?

Finally, on the 4th of April 2009 from 11 am to Midday is again our monthly surgery at St Mark's Church Cafe (corner Brickhill Road) together with the 3 Queensway Councillors. Hope to see you then.

Kind wishes

Lora Lawman