Having just been elected to the Town Council, it was my assumption that the newsletter is distributed to all households within Todmorden, letting them know what the Town Council’s doing. Labour axed the Working Group that oversees production of the newsletter and ran out of time to discuss it in detail at tonight’s meeting (as we predicted that they would). They’d asked for suggestions about it to be brought forward to this meeting – which we did – but then they wouldn’t discuss them but said they’d do as they normally do (produce 500 copies and put them in the “usual places” – the TIC, the library). When I asked for enough copies to distribute to each house in my ward they said that they wouldn’t do that and I think they tried to stop me doing it myself because of “copyright” and said that I can produce a LibDem newsletter myself (which, of course, we will do).

We want the Town Council to communicate directly with local people and encourage them to get involved.

Ar 9pm, the Chairman closed the meeting, deferring the remainder of the items to the next meeting, despite protests that there were some urgent and important issues that need to be discussed and decided upon (eg arrangements to hold a meeting of the Emergency Committee).

My next ward surgery is on Saturday this week (August 22) from 10 to 12 noon in the community room in Todmorden library. Just call in or ring me on 07711 583013

We’ve been talking to local shops and businesses – key concerns are about the impact on shops of moving the market – both on shops and cafes near the current market (on Valley Road) and close to Lees Yard (off St George’s Square in the middle of the town). If it’s moved, it could create traffic congestion problems especially at the end of the day. Generally pleased if moving the market would make the current site available for parking all day/every day.
So, at last week’s Working group, we went and had a look with a Council Officer who’s going to do a first draft of a plan/design for moving it. Shops etc were asking what it would look like and we’re expecting to know more about this at the next meeting in early October. Could this be some progress at last ?

My summary of key points from tonight’s meeting:

Business and Community Representation: At last Labour have agreed to include wider representation on the Board and to advertise this openly in Todmorden so it should be in Tod News next week, hopefully agreed at the next meeting (Sept 15th)

Business and Tourism Strategy: Looking into creating more visitor accommodation in the area to make it possible for people to come and stay (and enjoy Tod and the surrounding countryside !)

Tod market: Discussion of ideas about how to improve the market which should enable some substantial proposals to come to the next meeting

Taking action on derelict sites (s215): It seems as though it’s beginning to work with the fencing on Halifax Rd, Asda now apparently promising to sort out their site, and the issuing of the notice on Cinderhill Mill. But still little sign of positive development on any of them !

With my LibDem ward Councillor colleagues, I attended a meeting of Eastwood residents tonight. This gave them an opportunity to ask Council Officers and staff from Sita about plans to reorganise and extend the nearby waste recycling centre. The difference here is that this Centre is very close to their houses. The Centre already causes nuisance to them – both directly because it is so close to them but also from queueing traffic etc. The current proposal may also mean that they lose their bus stop – and the walk to the nearest alternatives is alongside a busy main road with no path.

We’re going to try to get more discussion going with the Officers to try to get plans that they are properly consulted on and which they feel respond to their concerns.

We are aiming to bring the Council Offices back into community ownership so that it becomes a “community hub”. The vision is for this to be the place where local people come for local services – whether provided by the local council or community/voluntary groups. Most importantly, it’s also the base for the local Town and Parish Councils. We are involving local people through a “Friends” group which will have its first AGM in October.

This is a “priority project” for Hebden Bridge in its action plan as a Market Town and from the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance programme which was instigated by Yorkshire Forward, and now overseen by Hebden Bridge Partnership.

We are at the stage of appointing architects to do the detailed design work, and making funding applications for the major building work which we hope will include a Creative Enterprise Centre for people working in IT/digital industries.

This is an exciting project but there’s a lot to do. This week, I’m talking with different Council Depts to find out what staff they need to have based in the building to provide local services.