MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

The year has been extremely busy and indeed challenging. We witnessed the farewell to Oswestry Borough Council and welcomed Shropshire Council as our new principal partner from May last year. It was a steep learning curve to understand the new structures, new ways of working and meeting new people involved in the Unitary Council, however, after 12 months we feel that considerable progress has been made. The Town Council has also worked closely throughout this period with the newly formed Shrewsbury Town Council involving ourselves in shared training events, an Economic Regeneration Group, and also promoting a Larger Councils Forum for Shropshire.

The year has been dominated by the four major planning applications for the town. As a result it was a year of frustration with ongoing delays and this Council now looks forward to a decision being taken so that Oswestry, as a town, can move on. What is encouraging, however, is the strong commercial interest in the town that does demonstrate the vitality and importance of Oswestry as a traditional market town.

The Town Council’s position throughout has been consistent. We support the livestock market proposal and have confirmed that the Central Car Park is not available for development. This car park is the heart beat of the town and our views have been strongly expressed to the Planning Committee of Shropshire Council.

Markets have been at the forefront of our discussions throughout the year. On the national stage we saw a Government Select Committee make recommendations to Government with each of the recommendations being adopted leading to the appointment of a Market’s Champion. Working Groups were established looking at good practice and models of management and only recently a leaflet was produced to help and encourage existing and new market traders to increase professionalism within the sector. As a result of the recent General Election then the platform for this work is now uncertain and the National Association of British Market Authorities has written to the new Secretary of State urging that the work programme is completed as intended, recognising the significant importance of markets to many local economies.

During the year we have appointed a new Retail Markets & Events Manager to assist with the development and promotion of Oswestry markets and undertaken a restructure of Council staffing. Further details are contained within this report.

The Council was extremely active in the Floral Planter and Hanging Basket Programme, fully supporting Oswestry in Bloom and recording delight that, once again in the Heart of England in Bloom Competition, Oswestry received a Gold Award. This is significant recognition for the considerable voluntary work that is undertaken by just a few individuals with the overall benefit being shared by those who live, work and visit the town.

Significant investment has also been made at Oswestry Cemetery and we are delighted at the comments and praise that have been directed to the standards that have been achieved. Our aim is to enter into the Cemetery of the Year Competition in the very near future.

We have also attempted to address the need to try and provide new allotment gardens for the town. Like all Town Councils across the country, we are experiencing long waiting lists and discussions have commenced with Shropshire Council to try and identify new areas of land. We have made representations that as part of the new Local Development Framework provision should be made for the creation of new allotment gardens.

Our events during the year have been extremely successful. These have included Oswestry Youth Music Festival, Oswestry Christmas Music Live, Rock and Ride and other activities involving local schools.

The Council has also been excited by the success of Oswestry in The Times newspaper Mydeco Competition with Oswestry taking the prize of a Sir Terence Conran design for the indoor market hall. We have applauded the traders for this initiative and have match funded the competition prize. We look forward in the next few weeks to meeting Sir Terence Conran and formally receiving the design that will then be the process of consultation with public and traders.

It is hoped that this report provides further information about the Council, the many activities and services that it is involved in and the change agenda that has, and is still, taking place within local governance.

Councillor Mrs Elaine Channon
Mayor of the Town of Oswestry

ANNUAL BONFIRE AND FIREWORK EVENING

For over two decades the Town Council, in conjunction with the Treble Niners, have provided the Annual Bonfire and Firework Evening each November at Brogyntyn. This year in excess of £1,500 was distributed to local good causes. This has now taken the overall contribution from the event to approaching £50,000. The Council is extremely proud of this achievement and the relationship that it has enjoyed with the Treble Niners. It has been a partnership based on trust and friendship. This year the funds were given to Oswestry Gateway Club, the Mayor’s Charity, Riding for the Disabled, Leukaemia Research and the Fire Fighters Fund. Pictured are representatives of the recipients together with Mike Wilkinson and John Davies of the Treble Niners.

TWINNING CELEBRATES THIRTY YEARS

The Town Council was proud to host a reception for representatives of our Twin Town Combe La Ville on their recent visit to Oswestry to celebrate 30 years of Twinning. Pictured are representatives of Oswestry and Combe La Ville together with Owen Paterson MP. The Mayor, Councillor Mrs Margaret Chamberlain paid tribute to the volunteer members of Oswestry Twinning Association for their commitment and enthusiasm in sustaining this international link that has witnessed many friendships being established alongside business and educational link ups.



OSWESTRY YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL

The 2010 Festival was a further success with over 1,000 young people participating in the Festival. Particular thanks are extended to Sue Morris of Oswestry School, this year, for her help and support to the Committee following the departure of the Festival Organiser.

The Council is greatly looking forward to the 2011 Festival and in the coming weeks will look at appointing a new Festival Organiser and also establish a Friends of the Festival group recognising the considerable interest and voluntary support that ensures the success of the event.

Volunteers to assist with stewarding, clerking, refreshments, etc are always welcome and the Council will warmly receive any expressions of interest.

CIVIC AWARDS

At the Civic Dinner the Mayor presents awards to individuals and organisations that have provided outstanding service to the town.

Awards this year were presented to Geoff and Val Rastall, the Poppy Appeal Organisers for Oswestry, who are retiring after some 20 years of service to the town. During that period they have overseen the organisation of the poppies and wreaths each year and in the last 5 years alone have contributed some £95,000 to the Poppy Appeal.

The Organisation Award was presented to Oswestry Senior Citizens Club. The Club recently celebrated its 30^th anniversary and has a thriving membership ably supported by a strong Management Group and Board of Trustees.

The Mayor, Councillor Margaret Chamberlain, paid recognition to the recipients of both awards highlighting the significant voluntary commitment that can be found within the town.

NEW FACES AT THE COUNCIL

The Council has restructured its staffing during the last 12 months and has welcomed David Clough as its Retail Markets & Events Manager and Glenys Davies as its Facilities Manager. In addition, the well known Secretary to the Mayor and Town Clerk, Gill Bowler, has retired after service to the Council in excess of 30 years. Her replacement is Sandra Trevor. The Mayor, Councillor Margaret Chamberlain, formally thanked Gill Bowler for her long dedicated service to the town and welcomed each of the new members of staff. Both David and Glenys can be contacted via the Guildhall.



OSWESTRY CEMETERY – PRAISE

The Town Council took over the operation of Oswestry Cemetery in 2008 following the dissolution of the former Burial Board. Since that time it has witnessed changes in staffing and also invested significantly in operational improvements. Liaison meetings have also been set up with representatives of the Burial Service within Oswestry and surveys were undertaken during the year with visitors to the site.

The Council is delighted with the feedback received and the high levels of praise for standards on site. In the coming months the Council will introduce new floral arrangements into the Cemetery, provide a shelter and also carry on with topple testing in respect of gravestone and memorials.

OSWESTRY ARCHIVES

The Council is pleased to announce that further development work is to take place for the Archives with upgrades in accommodation for the records and the introduction of new equipment that will control the storage environment for the valuable records that date back to 1324.

In addition, the Guildhall has retained its licence as an official repository for National Archives. Details of the Archives can be found on the Council’s website and also links have been established with Glyndwr University and information is available through the Access to Archives database.

COUNCIL CHARGES

The Council has made no increase in car parking charges or market charges for the next 12 months. This decision was taken as part of the budget process recognising the need to support the local economy and to encourage and support local businesses.

OSWESTRY MARKETS

The Council has appointed David Clough as its Retail Markets & Events Manager. In the coming weeks David will present to the Council a new Markets Business Plan and also a Marketing and Promotion Strategy. The Council is fully committed to its markets and indeed was delighted at the success of the recent Farmers’ Market that had the largest attendance for many months. The Council is also linked in with a programme to market and promote farmers’ markets across North Shropshire over the next 3 year period.

During the next few months David will be providing a range of activities around the market that will include a gardening event and an activity linked with Oswestry Library for school holidays. The Easter programme of events was extremely successful.

POWER OF WELL BEING

The Town Council is one of the first in Shropshire to adopt the Power of Well Being. This has been achieved following a long accreditation process.

The Power of Well Being enables a Parish or Town Council to do anything which they consider is likely to achieve promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of their area. The Government’s purpose in extending the well being power to eligible local councils is to give communities greater flexibility to act on their priorities and to facilitate joint working between local councils and their partners in the private and public sector.

The accreditation involved training for Members, satisfying electoral mandate tests, having a suitably qualified Clerk and preparing certain policies.

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

The Council is intending to reform the Oswestry Youth Council during the year and has also worked with Oswestry School, Moreton Hall and The Marches School in various youth projects.

An excellent relationship has been forged with The Marches School with the Mayor recently taking a part within international development projects forged by the School.

The Council is delighted to be involved in such initiatives and has warmly welcomed these educational link ups and promises to play an active part in any future projects.



GIVING BLOOD IS A FAMILY AFFAIR

Oswestry’s outgoing Mayor made sure her final public engagement was a family affair.

Margaret Chamberlain attended a blood donation session in Wrexham last week to support her family as they gave blood. Both her daughter Lyn and granddaughter Danielle are regular blood donors – a cause which is close to the former Mayor’s heart.

Margaret’s husband was a regular donor for years before he was diagnosed with cancer. During his treatment for the disease he needed many blood transfusions to help with the effects of chemotherapy. Sadly, he passed away in December 2008, but Margaret and her family are grateful to those who take time out to give blood and help others in a similar situation.

Lyn shared Mayoress duties with her sister over the last 12 months and escorted her mother on many public engagements, so Margaret thought it only right to support her daughter as she went to give blood.

Lyn said: “I’m so proud of my mum for her commitment over the last year. She has had a great 12 months serving the people as Mayor of Oswestry and I’m grateful for her supporting me as a blood donor. Blood is such a vital resource and saves so many lives every day, so I’m glad I can donate regularly and I’m proud of my daughter for following the family tradition.”

Hospitals in North Wales use more than 5000 units of blood every month to treat people suffering from a range of illnesses like caner or anaemia and those involved in accidents or suffering complications during childbirth.

If you would like to become a donor and are aged between 17 and 65, generally in good health and weigh more than 7st 12lbs, you could potentially help to save lives. To book an appointment call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk and type in your postcode for your local area session.

MAYOR’S SPEECH 2010

 

Can I begin by sincerely thanking the Members of the Town Council for the significant honour that they have bestowed upon me in electing me to the Office of Mayor of this historic town.  I will do my upmost to preserve the traditions of Office and fulfil them to the very best of my ability.  As always I would ask the Council Members for their support and of course the staff, recognising the significant challenges and opportunities that we face both as a Council and as a town in the months ahead.

 

At the outset of my year of Office I would like to appoint Mrs Sarah Anglesea as my Consort.  I am delighted that my daughter has agreed to share my term of office.  This will be a very special time in our lives that I am so proud to share. However there will be times, I’m sure, when I will welcome the support of fellow Councillors and family and friends to accompany me to various events.

 

I am also delighted that the Reverend Simon Thorburn has kindly agreed to be my Chaplain for the year.  I have a long association with the Parish Church of St. Oswald, as indeed this Council does.  The Church is very much at the heart of our community and I look to extend the long association that we have enjoyed.  At this stage can I invite my Chaplain, the Reverend Simon Thorburn, to lead us in Prayer?

 

 

Again, I sincerely thank Simon for agreeing to be my Chaplain and I am sure that I will need his support and spiritual guidance throughout the year.  It is my pleasure to confirm that the Mayor’s Civic Sunday will be on the 20^th June 2010 at St. Oswald’s when I sincerely hope that many of you will be able to join me.  Invitations will be sent out in the very near future. I hope this can be a true celebration of the church, council and our widest family.

 

At this stage in my speech I would like to sincerely congratulate and pay tribute to Councillor Margaret Chamberlain for the way she has led the Council during the last twelve months.  We all know that being Mayor was a challenge in many ways for Margaret – with just a few weeks of preparation - but we have all watched and marvelled at the way she has coped and fulfilled every task as asked of her.  I am sure Margaret that your family and friends are all extremely proud of you and I am certain that more tributes will be paid to you later in the evening.

 

It is also appropriate this evening to name my charities for the forthcoming year.  The first is the Oswestry Branch of the Royal British Legion.  Despite some rather unfortunate “publicity” just a few weeks ago, the Council has always enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Legion and we regard them as important and influential partners for the Council. They play a civic role with us as a Council but more importantly they play a supportive and influential role within our wider community helping many individuals. The second charity that I have nominated is MS and I applaud the local fund raising branch for the marvellous work that they undertake within this community. MS impacts on so many people and at any time of life.  I greatly look forward to supporting and assisting both charities during the next twelve months.

 

The year ahead is indeed challenging.  Oswestry is currently on many agendas and it is clear that the Town Council will play a significant part in structuring change in many areas whether it be local, countywide or even at a national level with the links and associations we hold.

 

I know my colleagues are frustrated at the ongoing delay in determining the four planning applications for regeneration development in Oswestry.  As my predecessor has stated on several occasions in the last 12 months I also confirm that the Council has been pleased to work with Oswestry Cattle Auctions in looking to preserve the Livestock Market tradition for Oswestry and at the same time promote a regeneration scheme that we believe can have significant benefits for the town and surrounding area.  We continue to acknowledge and respect some of the contrary views  expressed but we believe that we have acted as a conduit in presenting the town with a proposal that has helped promote significant debate about the future direction of Oswestry and that could promote significant benefits in terms of creating a civic statement on the approach into the town, providing employment, providing enhanced retail and leisure facilities, and helping to promote Oswestry as both a retail and leisure attraction.  For many years this Council, and indeed Oswestry Borough Council, was criticized for the absence of local facilities, including a cinema, and we have now presented an opportunity that, firstly has promoted a debate about the town and, secondly presents our local planners with the challenge of determining new growth or otherwise for the town.  Once again we acknowledge that a significant capital receipt will be created if planning consent is granted and the Town Council has a complete open mind on how this can be utilised.  We remain committed to the widest possible consultation on how such a capital asset can be best used for the long-term sustainable benefit of the Town.

 

The Mayor at the Annual Town Meeting talked in detail about the future of markets in Oswestry.  Each year we see many towns losing their local markets and this Council, although concerned about the downward trend, remains proud that we have continued to retain the tradition and we remain fully committed to the future of markets in Oswestry.  They are key influences in respect of tourism, employment, supporting the local economy, and healthy living.  We are looking forward in the weeks ahead to agreeing a new markets business plan, trader incentive schemes and also linking the markets more with community activities.  We are firmly committed in the viewpoint that for markets to continue in Oswestry then partnerships have to be created, particularly with our traders. It was exciting just a few days ago to see our best attended farmers’ market for a number of years. This is an excellent platform to build from.

 

An area of debate during much of the past twelve months, but moving excitingly towards a conclusion, is the Mydeco project for the Powis Hall.  The Oswestry team have accepted an invitation to travel to London on the 8^th June when hopefully we will meet Sir Terrance Conran and Tara Bernard to receive the concept drawings as produced.  This has been a long wait and many funding opportunities and many funding deadlines have been missed as a result.  We remain fully committed to having a Conran design for Oswestry which would be a huge tourism attraction but we are hopeful that Mydeco will respect the budget parameters that we have stressed are available and, equally importantly, that the trading environment to be created will be appropriate and satisfactory to our market traders.  Yes, the indoor market hall needs brightening up and improvement, but equally it is full, there now appears to be a demand and traders have created their own trading spaces often through large personal investment.  Balancing the old and the new will be a challenge for designers, Council and traders alike and a challenge that we hope will prove to be both achievable and rewarding.

 

Undoubtedly the next twelve months will again focus on the ongoing development of Unitary Governance within Shropshire and the fit for the Larger Parish and Town Councils.  This Council has been fully at the coalface in respect of the establishment of the Larger Councils’ Forum for the county.  It meets again in the next few weeks looking to respond to the challenges recently thrown out by the respective Chief Executives of Shropshire Council, and Telford and Wrekin.  Regardless of the election result last Thursday there has been cross-party support for local Councils and their development within Westminster and we look for this agenda to be shared with our principle partners.   Parish Charters, devolution of services and engagement are all areas for discussion in the months ahead so that the ultimate winner becomes our local community.

 

The Council has significantly restructured itself within the last six months.  We have new officers in terms of markets and events and facilities management and a real emphasis is being placed upon quality service delivery.   In the forthcoming summer the town will see further investment in the Floral Planter and Hanging Basket Scheme in readiness for the Heart of England in Bloom judges.

 

Further investment is being made at Oswestry Cemetery with a feature shelter, repairs to footways, new floral arrangements, and also equipment to further improve the general appearance of the site.  Last year we were delighted at the positive satisfaction feedback received over standards at the cemetery and this year we want to go even further. Our target is an entry into Cemetery of the Year.

 

An area that we also wish to pursue in the next twelve months is to try and provide new allotment gardens for Oswestry.  Like all Town Councils across the country we are experiencing long waiting lists and we have commenced discussions with Shropshire Council to try and identify new areas of land.  In the next few weeks we are hoping that the Gatacre allotments freehold will be passed on to this Council from Shropshire Council and certainly as part of the Local Development Framework Consultation we have included representations that the new plan must allow for the creation of new allotment provision.

 

In terms of events for the next twelve months then I am greatly excited by our series of band concerts now arranged throughout the summer in Cae Glas Park.  So many of us, more senior in age, can remember most enjoyable Sunday afternoons spent in the Park listening to our local band and in this, the Centenary Year of Cae Glas Park, then this is an atmosphere that we wish to recreate.  Christmas Music Live 2010 will also be extended with an intention to create a further performance area at the Bailey Head to enhance the event and make it more inclusive for traders in Bailey Street, Albion Hill and within the Powis Hall.  We are also looking at the potential for assisting with a further summer event to help increase the footfall and promotion of the town.

 

I am sure that everyone can appreciate from this speech just how proactive and busy a Council we have in Oswestry.  We are not complacent and we all have to accept that the speed of change in Local Governance and place management is extremely fast.  In recent times we have experienced the growing public interest in this Council with various questions being asked about our policies, funding, and land use.  It is healthy that these debates can take place and certainly it is my wish for this Council to continue to be open and welcoming to anyone wishing to talk with us.

 

Fellow Members of the Town Council, Ladies and Gentlemen, can I sincerely thank you for supporting me this evening.  It is a significant honour to be elected as a Mayor of Oswestry Town Council, particularly looking at our historic chain and the many infamous names that I now follow.  I give you all my commitment that I will do my utmost to repay the trust that you have placed in me.

 

 

Councillor Mrs E Channon

Mayor for the Town of Oswestry

Monday 10^th May 2010

Celebrating 30 Years

The Town Council recently hosted a reception to recognise 30 years of twinning links with Combs La Ville, France Pictured are (take in below) Some 100 visitors and host families attended the Guildhall as speeches were given by official representatives. The Mayor extended a warm welcome and congratulated the Oswestry Twinning Association on its successes as a voluntary group that has done much to foster and promote international relationships.

Treble Niners Presentation

One of the last functions for the Mayor, Councillor Mrs Margaret Chamberlain, before leaving office was to attend Oswestry Fire Station for the presentation of cheques as a result of last years annual bonfire and fireworks display arranged jointly by the Town Council and the Treble Niners.

Approaching £2,000 was handed to local causes that included Riding for the Disabled; Oswestry Gateway Club; Leukaemia Research; The Mayor’s Charity and the former Fire Service Benevolent Fund now known as the Fire Fighters Charity.

Attending the presentation were representatives of the various recipients and the Chief Fire Officer in Shropshire Paul Raymond together with Mike Wilkinson and John Davies of the Treble Niners.

The Mayor paid tribute to the Treble Niners as some £50,000 has been raised for local good caused in the 20 years of the event. “Oswestry is indebted to the Treble Niners and their family and friends for providing a safe and enjoyable evening to celebrate bonfire evening each year. The funds raised and distributed to local causes are much appreciated.”

 

Oswestry Cemetery Memorial Testing

Oswestry Town Council will be carrying out further safety checks on the memorials within Oswestry Cemetery this year. 

The checks involve a simple visual and hand test to determine instability. 

Memorials will continue to be tested once every five years, but there will be greater emphasis on inspecting higher risk memorials, such as crosses and larger stones, and those in more prominent locations, such as those next to paths or near the entrance. 

Owners will be required to repair memorials that are unsafe, and every reasonable effort will be made to contact them, or their heirs, to enable them to instruct a qualified memorial mason to make a proper repair. 

However if these efforts fail then the Council will make the memorial permanently safe by part-burying it, laying it flat, or where a memorial has heritage or amenity value, paying for a repair to be made. In these cases, should relatives be traced in the future, they will be asked to contribute to the cost of the repair.

COUNCIL PRECEPT 2010/11

At the Finance and General Purposes Committee held during January the Council agreed to a 3% increase in its precept for the forthcoming financial year.  The Council's precept therefore is £313,000 and this equates to £57.16 for a Band D property.

OSWESTRY CEMETERY

The Council has recently carried out a satisfaction survey with visitors to Oswestry Cemetery.

An extremely high satisfaction rate has been recorded with much praise directed towards the Council for its investment in the site in the last 12 months.  The floral planters as provided, the improvement to footways and the improved communication with monumental masons and funeral directors has been welcomed.

The Council has an ongoing programme for improvement at the cemetery site during the next year.  We will be delighted to hear from anyone who would be interested in donating towards the provision of additional floral planters, benches, trees etc as memorials to loved family members.

MYDECO

The Council is delighted at the news that Shropshire Council has agreed to contribute £10,000 towards the Mydeco proposed improvements for the Powis Hall Market.

The current position is that Mydeco in conjunction with Sir Terence Conran and Tara Bernerd will be presenting concept proposals to Oswestry at the end of February.  At this time a wide process of consultation can take place with both traders and the wider community and importantly the costs for the scheme will be established.  This will enable the Town Council to then continue with its round of funding applications that have been made to local and national bodies.  The Town Council remains fully committed to the Mydeco project but has pointed out to the company the need for realism in terms of project costs against the difficulties in raising funds within a recessionary period and the restrictions on public finance.

REGENERATION GROUP

The Town Council and Shrewsbury Town Council have been working closely together, looking particularly at economic development and regeneration opportunities for two of the major market towns within the county.  A Member's Working Group has now been established with the aims of looking at opportunities for regeneration in large market towns which could be rolled out across the county utilising good practice generated from Shrewsbury and Oswestry.  In addition, the Group is to look at models for the management, co-ordination and promotion of events and the publicity of the respective towns and examine processes for delivering town centre infrastructure including community safety, local transport and enhancements to the public realm.

OSWESTRY IN BLOOM 2010

The Town Council has again committed itself to entering into the Heart of England in Bloom Competition for 2010.

This requires considerable resources and volunteer effort.  The Town Council has agreed to fund and enhance the scheme for 2010 and any interested volunteers are warmly invited to join in.

THE LATE COUNCILLOR BILL KEABLE

At the recent Town Council meeting tributes were paid to Councillor Bill Keable who sadly died on Boxing Day 2009.

The Mayor, Councillor Margaret Chamberlain expressed the views of all Members and staff by confirming that:

“Councillor Keable was a true gentleman, a wise counsel and his long experience of both Oswestry and Local Governance will be sadly missed.  Our heart felt condolences are extended to his children John, Patricia and Phillip and their wider family”

MARKETS 21

The Town Council has expressed interest in the publication of MARKETS 21 – A POLICY AND RESEARCH REVIEW OF UK RETAIL AND WHOLESALE MARKETS IN THE 21^ST CENTURY.

The document has been put together by the Retail Market Alliance.  The report examines the key questions of what makes a market successful, why are some markets doing well and others failing and also looks at the important question of “What is the Role of Wholesale and Retail Markets in the 21^st Century”

The full report can be seen at www.nabma.com appearing as a downloadable document on the home page.

 ANNUAL BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS – SATURDAY 7^TH NOVEMBER 2009  Back to top

The Annual Bonfire and Fireworks display arranged jointed by the Treble Niners and Oswestry Town Council will take place at Brogytyn at the rear of Oswestry Fire Station on Saturday this week at 7p.m.

Admission is £5 for adults and children are free.

The bonfire has been arranged now over some 20 years and as a result over £60,000 has been raised and been donated to local good causes.

The Town Mayor Councillor Margaret Chamberlain said “I hope that the residents of Oswestry and the surrounds will support this wonderful evening. We are grateful to the Treble Niners and their families for assisting the Council in arranging this major event for Oswestry that has the added benefit of raising funds for local good causes”.

  THE ANNUAL PARADE – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Back to top

The Annual Parade and Remembrance Service will take place on Sunday 8^th November 2009.  The parade will leave the Bailey Head at 10.40 a.m. proceeding to the Memorial Gates for the two minute silence and the laying of wreaths. 

A service will then be held in St. Oswald’s Parish Church lead by the Mayor’s Chaplain the Reverend Simon Thornburn. 

The Town Mayor Councillor Margaret Chamberlain said “I hope that the weather is kind to us and that the local community will come out and support this town even. With the pressures on our Armed Forces at the present time it is right that we remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice and we pray for our service men and women and their families involved in current conflicts”

SEVERN TRENT WATER  Back to top

The Town Council has been pleased at the recent publicity following its invitation to Severn Trent to return to Oswestry to canvas local opinions on the quality of local water supplies. 

David Essex, the Water Strategy Manager of Severn Trent attended two public sessions during October and met with the Council and the Oswestry Water Forum.  We were delighted that over 150 people took the opportunity to talk direct to Severn Trent and several local businesses had site visits.

The press office at Severn Trent have been in touch with the Town Council and confirmed that “following the switch of the boreholes at Nescliffe, residents in Oswestry may have noticed some difference in their water supply over the last week or so.  We are now just fine tuning the process to ensure that everything is working as it should, this will involve using the boreholes intermittently over the next few weeks until we are satisfied they will provide the improvements our customers anticipate.”

The Council has received a further offer from the Severn Trent to return to Oswestry on Thursday 3^rd December to hold another drop in session in the afternoon at the Guildhall. They are also attending the Local Joint Committee meeting on the 3^rd December during the evening and a further meeting of the Oswestry Water Forum is scheduled for the same day.

Oswestry Water Council Forum Councillor John Evans confirmed that ”the Town Council has been delighted to facilitate the various meetings with Severn Trent. The representatives have taken away some very clear messages. As a Council we are also meeting shortly with the United Utilities to look at options.  The Water Forum and the Town Council are adamant that Oswestry should receive the best supply possible and we place on record our thanks to David Essex at Severn Trent for the considerable help and co-operation that he has shown to Oswestry in recent weeks”.

MY DECO – POWIS HALL Back to top

The Town Council was delighted that the market traders and local community together with the local media ensured that Oswestry Market won The Times/ Mydeco – Your Space Competition. 

The aim of the competition as published was “the Mydeco/The Times/Your Space campaign aims to provide a way for the British public to get a community space redesigned and redecorated at no cost to the local community.”

After meetings with Mydeco it was clear that their original prize of £50,000 was insufficient to undertake their projected £200,000 makeover scheme for the Powis Hall. 

The Town Council immediately offered to match fund the Mydeco contribution so that a funding pot of £100,000 became available.  This was a considerable gesture and was taken from the regeneration fund established by the Council.

Mydeco have admitted in recent weeks that they did not anticipate a project as large as the Powis Hall Market winning and certainly this has created some problems for Mydeco.

The current position is Mydeco have requested the Town Council to provide CAD drawings of the Market Hall. Until these are produced then Sir Terrence Conran and his team are unable to produce the concept drawings that Mydeco had promised the Council for August. Mydeco have confirmed that their support will now be the design work and £50,000 of materials. The Town Council itself is now required to project manage the scheme.

The CAD drawings will be released to Mydeco at the end of the current week. Mydeco will then produce a scheme that the Council intend to consult both traders and the wider community upon. The Council has stressed to Mydeco that the costing must be realistic in terms of the available finance and also recognise the difficulty of finding external funding within a recession.

The Town Clerk, David Preston confirmed “during recent weeks we have been attempting to make funding bids to find the extra £100,000 as needed. The Council has been provided with no firm details of what constitutes the £200,000 scheme cost promoted from Mydeco as yet, other than the fact that no external improvements are intended. Until this detailed information is available then our bids have either been placed on hold or immediately rejected.  The Council remains fully committed to deliver this project, however it must be pointed out that it has received some expressions of concern that the original intention of the competition was to deliver a redesign and redecoration of a public space at no cost to the local community.  This is clearly no longer the case despite the competition success. We now await information and designs from Mydeco. These will be the subject of widest consultation, particularly with our market traders as any scheme has to accommodate their trading needs. This remains a significant opportunity for the market and the town and the Council remains as a willing partner but has highlighted to Mydeco the need for design and costs to be tailored to available budgets.”

 
Welcome Home Back to top

This was the message to some 300 veterans of Park Hall Camp and now of the Infantry Boys Battalion and Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion Association upon their return to Oswestry from all around the world on 7 June. The occasion was a parade from the Guildhall to Cae Glas Park where a memorial service took place to dedicate a new memorial as provided by the Association. Visitors ensured that local hotels and guest houses were kept busy over the weekend celebrations.

In wet conditions the parade was led by the Band of the Prince of Wales Division with a large attendance at the Park to join in the ceremony.

The Town Council is proud to have assisted with the arrangements for the event and ensuring that the memorial is given a prominent town location. The invitation began with the words…”We meet to honour those who have given their lives in service to this country in Regiments and corps of the British Army who started as boy soldiers. We meet also to ask God to bless this memorial as a lasting tribute to all those associated with the Infantry Boys Battalion and the Infantry Junior Leader Battalion.”

Councillor Mrs M. Chamberlain, Mayor Making Speech - 11 May 2009Back to top

"Could I begin by sincerely thanking the Members of the Town Council for the significant honour they have bestowed upon me in electing me to the Office of Mayor of his historic town. I will do my utmost to preserve the traditions of Office and fulfil them to the very best of my ability. Importantly, I would ask the Council Members and Staff for their support as we move into a significant year for Oswestry and the Town Council. With the introduction of unitary governance from last month then the profile, role and expectations of the Town Council will increase and that will undoubtedly bring many new opportunities and challenges.

At the outset of my year of office I would like to appoint both Sharon and Lynn as my support team as Mayoress. I feel very proud that my family can share this honour with me, particularly acknowledging the problems that I have personally experienced in the last few months.

I am delighted that the new Vicar of Oswestry, the Reverend Simon Thorburn, has agreed to be my Chaplain for the year with the focus of civic activities being at the Parish Church of St. Oswald. This is the first time that Simon has met the Town Council and I warmly welcome you to Oswestry and this Chamber and stress how much this Council has valued the long link between the authority and the Church. Our genuine hope is that this will continue for many years to come. At this stage in my speech I will pause and invite my Chaplain, the Reverend Thorburn, to lead us in prayer for the new civic year.

In continuing, and recognising the need for spiritual support and guidance, I am delighted to confirm that the Mayor’s Civic Sunday will be held on the 21st June, 2009 at St. Oswalds when I hope that many of you will be able to join me. Invitations will be sent out in the near future.

My charities for the year are The Friends of Guiding and The Movement Centre.

Looking to the year ahead it is clear that Oswestry is fast changing and that the Town Council will play a significant role in that agenda for change.

This Council, although only of parish status, has always punched well above its weight. One of our aspirations for the civic year is to see the new Shropshire Council finally make a decision on which regeneration scheme in Oswestry will be given the go ahead. As a council we have been pleased to work with Oswestry Cattle Auctions in presenting a regeneration scheme that we believe has significant benefits for Oswestry and the surrounding area.  

We accept that conflicting views exist but it is our role as a town council to bring to the table opportunities for the local community to consider. We would have been remiss if we had turned away a scheme that offers cinema, enhanced leisure, civic improvements and genuine commercial and employment opportunities but, above all, a guarantee of sustainability for our livestock market.  

We have been consistent in the message that we have delivered that our scheme offers two unmatched tangible benefits to the community. The first is the securing of the future for our livestock market which underpins so many local businesses and employment and the second, the ring fencing of profits from the project for community benefit that hopefully will include creating local employment. These I hope will be appreciated as real community and planning gains by the decision makers.

The pressure on market towns such as Oswestry is considerable. I am delighted at the commitment that this Council is showing to fight for the continuing of our own retail markets. Markets are a tradition that we are proud of and they are part of our local tourism and economic offer. In the weeks ahead we will look to forge new partnerships, hopefully involving Advantage West Midlands, the new Shropshire Council and, of course, our market traders. Our commitment to keep Oswestry as a traditional market town was reinforced just last week and our Markets Business Plan will be published in a few weeks time.

In recognising the pressure on market towns, this Council, in the last few weeks has taken the lead in North Shropshire by bringing together the respective town councils of Oswestry, Wem, Whitchurch, Market Drayton and Ellesmere to form a Forum, acting as a self help group to share mutual interests. One of the key initiatives that we are looking at is the calling of a North Shropshire Market Town Regeneration Conference, looking to bring to the table the influential voices thereby attempting to shape an agenda for the future. Working with our neighbouring councils I believe can only be to each others mutual benefit, acknowledging the economies that can be created.

This Council is not just active at the local level but also on a countywide basis and nationally. We have a strong and respected voice in both the National Association of Local Councils and the National Association of British Market Authorities. Like our colleague Local Councils across England and Wales our consistent message in the new era of local governance is that local services must be delivered to the highest standard, but at the lowest cost, and ideally by the most local level. I give the commitment from this Council that we are prepared to consider any partnership venture that will bring added value, however we are not prepared to accept loss leading services that may result in double taxation to our residents. We look forward to working with the new Shropshire Council in the months ahead, particularly in terms of regeneration, looking at the devolution of certain services and guaranteeing ongoing funding streams from the new Council for key local services such as CCTV, Christmas decorative lighting, floral planters and areas of local grounds maintenance.

Being The Mayor of this town is, of course, going to be a new experience for me. I have had connections with the town for many years and indeed with its local organisations and its young people through Guiding organisations and I believe it is right to place on record my belief that Oswestry Town Council does make a significant difference to the quality of life of local residents. Our services, events and roles do touch the lives of so many residents and we have a proud track record of service delivery that I wish to continue in the year ahead.

One of my keen interests over the next twelve months is to meet with as many of our voluntary organisations as possible. So many organisations and individuals contribute at a voluntary level to improve the quality of life for so many members of our community. There are many unsung heroes that live and work in our community and it is my sincere wish to meet as many as possible in the next twelve months to say a very genuine thank you for the difference that they make.

I have said at the beginning of my speech that I believe that Oswestry now faces many challenges and opportunities. It is exciting to be the first Town Mayor within a unitary regime and I would wish to place on record our thanks as a Council to the former Members of Oswestry Borough Council and their Officers for the relationship that we enjoyed and individually I wish them all every success for the future.

Fellow Members of the Town Council, ladies and gentlemen, can I sincerely thank you for supporting me this evening. It is a significant honour to be elected as Mayor of Oswestry Town Council, particularly looking at our historic Chain and the many infamous names that I follow. I give you my commitment that I will do my utmost to repay the trust that you have placed in me. I know that my late husband Michael will be looking down upon us this evening and feeling very proud. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for supporting me this evening and I look forward to meeting you all at the end of this ceremony for refreshments."

"Mr. Mayor, Councillors, Ladies and Gentlemen

Can I begin by sincerely congratulating you Mr. Mayor on your appointment to the Office as the leading citizen of Oswestry. I wish you, your Mayoress and family a very healthy and enjoyable term in office.

My twelve months in Office has gone very very quickly. It has been a rollercoaster of a year but one that both the Mayoress and myself have greatly enjoyed. No day seems to have gone by without some engagement or Council business to attend to.

Unitary governance has been at the forefront of the discussions of this Council for the past twelve months and I sincerely hope that our relationship with the new Shropshire Council will be productive. Perhaps controversially I would say that the initial impression has not been very good as two key decisions that impact on this Council have been taken without consultation. My commitment and passion for the traffic light scheme at the Middleton Road/Salop Road junction is well known and I am disappointed that no one has yet to come forward and publicly explain why, and who, made the decision to shelve the scheme that has a significant impact on public safety within this town. In addition, I was extremely disappointed that street trading consents were given to market traders in Bailey Street without any consultation with the Town Council and as market authority when we had trialled a project that all parties recognised had failed.

In recent years we enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Oswestry Borough Council and it is my wish that a similar partnership can be forged with the Shropshire Council.

Another of my commitments and interest in the last twelve months has been markets. I have greatly enjoyed being President of the National Association of British Market Authorities but, more importantly, like my colleagues we are trying to keep Oswestry markets high on everyone’s agenda. It is vital that this town retains its market image. I was encouraged by our Markets Seminar last week and I give my commitment to ensuring that Oswestry markets not only survive but prosper in the years ahead.

Throughout the year the regeneration of Oswestry Livestock Market has also been high on our agenda. We have acted as community champions in presenting to the town a scheme that offers civic improvements, cinema, employment, enhanced leisure facilities and commercial opportunities. I accept that not everyone is in favour of the scheme; however it is the duty of a local council, if possible, to bring to its community opportunities for regeneration. I know from our discussions around the country that Oswestry Town Council is the envy of many of our peers for the opportunities that we can present to our community. Again, like the Mayor, I stress that the livestock project regeneration scheme offers two components that cannot be matched by any other scheme. The first is the fact that the development will safeguard the future of the livestock industry in Oswestry for many years to come and it must be remembered that this underpins many local businesses. The second is the direct benefit from the development as profits will be ring fenced for Oswestry community use and in effect the proceeds will be owned by the local community with its Town Council acting as custodian. Every attempt is being made to accommodate all wishes and one of the key areas is connectivity with this Council insistent upon public transport links between the Smithfield site and the town centre. At the end of the day the local planners and the community, through consultation, will decide.

Oswestry Cemetery has also been on our agenda this year.  We took over the site on the 1st April last year and I believe in twelve months we have made significant strides to provide a quality and sensitive local service. We have made considerable investment and have begun meetings with stakeholders to ensure that our local community is given a service that it deserves.

In terms of local regeneration we have been extremely active. When Officers are notified to us of the new Shropshire Council in terms of regeneration, then our intention is to call a first meeting of the Oswestry Regeneration Board. I have to stress however my disappointment with the local Chamber of Commerce. Despite this Council providing six free car parking days in the build up to Christmas at a cost in the region of £12,000, we are still seeking the success, or otherwise, of that venture and the impact it made upon local trade.

Looking back there have been many highlights. One was certainly the active role that the Council took in Local Democracy Week when all the local primary schools participated with some 350 young people coming to meet The Mayor and to talk to the Council in the Council Chamber. It really was a worthwhile exercise. I am convinced that civic leaders of the future introduced themselves to us during that week but what came across was a real sense of pride in Oswestry with a real affinity for our events and, in particular, our floral decorations.

All the events that the Council has been involved in during the year have been extremely successful, including Oswestry Youth Music Festival, Oswestry Music Live, Bonfire and Fireworks and, of course, Oswestry in Bloom - when yet again a Gold Award was achieved. For each of these events we have many partners to thank and we recognise that much of our success and achievement in recent years has been through very real and productive partnership working.

I accept that we live in a very changing world and this Council faces many challenges in the future. We are not complacent and whatever decisions we take they will always be in the best interests of Oswestry.

My charities for the year which were Macmillan Cancer Support and Oswestry Senior Citizens Club will benefit from the total fundraising to an amount of £2,803.50.  

I now come to the point where I have to say some very genuine thank you’s and the first is to Gill who has acted as the Mayor’s Secretary over the last twelve months and, indeed, over the last thirty-one years to many of my colleagues. As always, she has been excellent and very professional and has kept me on my toes and made sure I turn up at the right event wearing the right clothes throughout the twelve months.

A very genuine thank you to Gill. Also thanks to all the Council staff for their help to me personally and in making this Council one of the best and most respected in the local council sector in England and Wales.   This message was conveyed to me only last week when I shared an evening meal with Michael Chater, the newly elected Chairman of The National Association of Local Councils.

My thanks also to David Preston, the Town Clerk, for his hard work and help to me and the Council during a year of somewhat difficult personal circumstances. I have travelled the lengthy and breadth of the U.K. with David sharing many pressures and of course, many laughs but always pressing home the name and case for Oswestry. David is a very good friend. I did of course have the service of two Town Clerks during the year and recognition must be given to Graham Wilson for his assistance when David was out of action this time last year.

My thanks also to the Mayoress, Tegwen, of course for her help, assurance and perseverance in putting up with my demanding schedule of events and maintaining my diary. I believe she has been a charming ambassador for this Council and I sincerely thank her for the role that she has fulfilled.

A very genuine thanks also to the Rev Gordon Hodson for being my Chaplain. This was on top of many other pressures at St Oswald’s and I will always be indebted to you for your support and friendship throughout the year.

Finally, can I thank all the Councillors firstly for electing me as Mayor twelve months ago and then for their help, support and commitment during a year that I will never forget.

Thank you."

The aim of the Town Council is to act as a local community champion, being responsive to the needs and aspirations of the local community.  Although the Council has limited powers in terms of economic regeneration it is committed to secure the best commercial and tourism deal for Oswestry in terms of managing our own services and by facilitation for other interests.  The Council has recently established the North Shropshire Larger Councils Forum that consists of the market towns of Ellesmere, Wem, Whitchurch, Market Drayton and Oswestry.

This is a self help group to share issues, best practice and providing networking gathering in terms of mutual interests and aspirations for market town in the north of the County.

The Town Council owns the land upon which Oswestry Livestock Market was built.  We have an excellent partnership with Oswestry Cattle Auctions and our main aim is to regenerate the livestock market, recognising its importance, not only to the town, but also the surrounding agricultural industry.  The Council is also aware of the significant investment as recently made into both Shrewsbury and Welshpool markets and Oswestry has to compete, recognising the large local employment that is dependent upon agriculture within this area.  This has been an influencing factor in the development proposal that the Town Council has presented for the livestock market site, in conjunction with Oswestry Cattle Auctions and our development partner Liberty Mercian. It must be remembered that the development proposal for the Smithfield site will also direct the future for our livestock market and its many supporting and associated businesses.

The Council has placed before Oswestry an innovative and exciting regeneration opportunity that offers civic enhancement, employment, leisure, retail and commercial opportunities and benefits for the town. The proposal offers connectivity with the town centre in terms of transport and provides satellite car parking.  This package is significant and the Council believes it has a responsibility to present this opportunity to local planners and the community to make a decision on the future direction of Oswestry.  It is not the Town Council that will decide but a democratic process with extensive consultation.

The Council acknowledges that it is encouraging that significant commercial confidence is expressed in Oswestry and unlike any of the other schemes being promoted, the real profit from this development, which could be considerable, will be ring fenced for projects in the Oswestry area, ideally that will create real employment opportunities 

The Council has discounted development for food retail at the Central Car Park. Despite the recent public exhibition of proposals for the site it is stressed that these current plans have not been sent to the Council for any discussion or consultation. However the Council has spent time in recent years discussing speculative ideas from potential developers but only one detailed proposal has ever received serious consideration.  The Council discounted that development proposal on the site a few months ago due to serious concerns over the provision of adequate car parking provision for the town centre but, more importantly, the significant disruption that would take place to the whole town over probably a minimum of two years.  The Town Council believed that this was a risk that could not be taken at that time and most certainly cannot now be considered recognising the critical financial position of both the local and national economies.

On this basis an agreement has been signed with the development partner for the livestock market project that removes the Central Car Park from any risk of development until January 2014 at the very earliest.  Negotiations are currently proceeding to extend this period even further.

The Town Council is the main funding body for the floral planters and hanging baskets in the town centre throughout each summer.  Working closely with the voluntary Oswestry in Bloom Committee the intention is to widen the scheme year by year.  There are numerous local competitions arranged and we appeal to the business sector of the town to join in the scheme to make the town centre even more attractive.  The Council will provide and erect baskets at reasonable and also offer a watering package throughout the season.  Oswestry has won Gold in the Heart of England in Bloom Competition during the last three years and by all pulling together it is possible to make Oswestry an even more attractive place in which to live, work and visit.

In terms of building stronger communities the Town Council has provided an annual programme of events aimed at both the local community and our visitors.

The Oswestry Youth Music Festival held each March attracts over 1,000 young people, both from within Shropshire and across into Wales.

The Christmas Music Live event on the first Friday in December brings in many thousands of people from far and wide as the town centre is turned into a fairground with live music throughout the evening.  Add to this street entertainment, late night shopping and a firework display and this provides a real boost to the regeneration of the town.

The Town Council fully supports the Oswestry in Bloom Competitions held throughout the year.  These involve link ups with local schools, local environmental initiatives and, importantly, the business sector.  The Council is also the significant provider of the Oswestry Christmas Decorative Lighting scheme providing a display of festive lights that attracts visitors from far and wide to Oswestry.

The latest event in the Town Council calendar is the Oswestry Rock and Ride event to be held on the 3rd and 4th July 2009.  This new event will bring live music and street theatre to the streets of Oswestry on the Friday evening and throughout the Saturday.  Fairground rides will also be strategically placed around the town centre with the aim of creating a real community atmosphere and at the same time bringing in visitors to the town.

The Town Council has promoted the idea of a Regeneration Board for the town. It is awaiting the new Officer appointments in respect of economic regeneration from Shropshire Council with the aim of bringing together mutual interest groups to discuss the future direction for the town.  As an experiment in 2008, the Council provided six free days of Christmas parking during December and is awaiting formal feedback from the Oswestry Chamber of Commerce and Industry as to the success of this venture.  As set out, the Council has a significant agenda in terms of local regeneration and events and it eagerly awaits details from the Chamber of Commerce on its own programme for the remainder of the year and what partnership ventures can be considered.