Town Mayors Christmas Message 2025

Christmas is a special time of the year. Whilst this is a time of celebration for many, it can also be a difficult time for others. I encourage everyone to check in on friends, neighbours and loved ones who may be feeling lonely or struggling. A small act of kindness can make a huge difference. I hope everyone stays safe and enjoys the festive season.

This year has been both challenging and rewarding for the Town Council, placing us under significant pressure. We needed to address the recommendations from the internal audit and address the complaints from the external audit. The dedication and perseverance shown by the Town Council members and staff were remarkable, and we successfully turned around this council, as evidenced by our recent internal audit reports. This demonstrates that the council has moved forward with a good governance structure in place.

I thank my town councillor colleagues for placing their trust in me and appointing me as the Town Mayor in my second term. When I took up the office as Town Mayor in 2024, I made a promise to create a Town Council that was fit for purpose. The cemetery has turned out to be a major hurdle and challenge that needed to be addressed, demanding time and, at times, mentally draining for those involved in the cemetery legal proceedings. We have, as I trust some of you will agree, done everything possible to ensure transparency and accountability in all cemetery-related matters, and we will do everything we can to recover the losses and the costs incurred by the council.

Our Town is fortunate to have a strong sense of community spirit, and the success of this year’s events is largely due to the incredible support from our amazing community. As we look ahead, we aspire to continue building on these achievements.

I want to express my gratitude to every individual who has contributed to the community network for their vital roles they play in making our town a kinder and supportive place, to live and work.