Sudbury Town Council: "not through the tradesman entrance!"

So last night at Full Council, they decided to employ architects to design a new toilet and office block on the land to the rear of the Town Hall. This will re-locate the advice centre,Town Clerk etc.
A town always needs good toilets but surely refurbishing Burkitts Lane would have been a cheaper option.
An interesting new comment came about from Conservative Deputy Mayor Cllr Beer, " we want the main doors open rather than people coming in through the tradesman entrance at the side of the Town Hall."
So thats what its all about! But if you are moving the staff and advice centre into new offices in the car park who is going to want to go into the Town Hall through the front door?? Is this a delusion of grandeur?

Sudbury Remembers

Today, on the 11th November if you have a spare moment go into the Town Hall via the Tourist Information Centre to view the Living War Memorial which tells the stories of those who fell from Sudbury in both World Wars. There are some moving tributes and miraculous stories. This was my Mayoral project in 2006-07.

Ross Scott new Lib Dem President

Congratulations to Ross Scott on becoming the new Lib Dem President by a mile. Ross is a former Suffolk County Councillor and sits in the House of Lords. She's been a good friend to South Suffolk. I'm sure Lembit Opik will be disappointed though somehow its not a surprise.

Sudbury: The need for residents parking

The County Council need to introduce residents parking in and around the Town centre. I have residents in a number of streets (Friars St, Church St, Cross St, Queens Rd/Suffolk Rd, Gaol Lane) who struggle to park anywhere near their home. Obviously no one has a right to park outside their property but in a historic town with many houses having no off street parking and limited on street due to the narrow streets then space is at a premium. In a market town like Sudbury with not the best bus services then most shop & office workers come in by car.

Residents in Gaol Lane want to start a petition and hopefully we'll take it to the Town Council to get their support too.

Suffolk County Council say they are waiting for a report on decriminalisation so till that is ready they wont issue any permits. That seems unnecessary where there is a clear and obvious case.
Babergh is now policing the car parks and PCSO's seem to be policing the streets so why do we have to wait, they ask?

Conservatives cost you. Sudbury Town Council land saga. part 2

This issue is like a yo yo. The Conservative dominated Town council said new offices for the Town Council were the priority with the Mayors Parlour re-established and the front doors to be open, for what when the offices are to the rear, one can only guess?
Now realising they cant use any of the Tesco Section 106 money for this as, not surprisingly, it has to be used for town regeneration. Some are thinking of going to the second priority which was new toilets eventhough they have just closed down the Burkitts Lane toilets which could have been refurbished. Why because they can use the S106 money. The Conservatives are now totally divided some want the offices, others toilets meanwhile Sudbury taxpayers have bought a piece of land just before the credit crunch which has dropped in value, has been used as staff car parking for a year and has no coherent plan for it.
Tuesday 11th council will have to give some direction. Whether the Tory majority is capable is doubtful.
The Lib Dems would want affordable housing, its what the site has permission for! Its what the Tories thought should be the 3rd choice. And we didn't need to buy the land for this to happen.

Sudbury Car Parks victory

After a couple of months of trying to get a rethink and change, I am delighted that officers of Babergh District Council have re-thought the scheme where the machines would not dispense tickets between 5pm and 8am. Now night shift workers, residents and people with early medical appointments won't face the threat of a fixed penalty notice.
I am just delighted because for a time I felt I was banging my head against a brick wall. Perserverence wins!

Sudbury Fireworks

No not a Council meeting but the successful "free" Fireworks,last night,organised by the Town Council at Delphi. A really good family event. Feedback has been really positive and the event was well supported if slightly down on last year.
Car park duty involved alot of arm waving!!