Q QUALITY

TOWN COUNCIL

   

ISSUE  NO.25                                                                                            MARCH  2013  

Keeping  Royston  residents  in  touch  with  their  local  council      

Royston  Town  Council  is  very  happy  to  welcome  our  new  markets  manager  Steve  Barrett.    Steve  joined  us  in  November,  replacing  Emma  Burgess,  who  sadly  had  to  leave  due  to  her  relocation  to  North  Cambridgeshire.    Steve  is  married  with  two  children  and  currently  lives  in  Litlington,  although  he  has  lived  in  Hertfordshire  most  of  his  life  and  prior  to  taking  up  his  new  post  was  General  Manager  at  Knebworth  Golf  Club.    He  is  thoroughly  enjoying  his  new  role  and  has  lots  of  exciting  plans  and  ideas  for  the  future  of  the  two  markets  in  Royston.    Steve  is  currently  putting  together  an  intensive  report  re-­‐assessing  and  re-­‐evaluating  the  markets  and  the  way  they  work  at  the  moment,  in  order  to  ensure  their  future  as  a  viable  service  to  the  town.    He  is  always  very  happy  to  hear  your  views  and  suggestions  and  can  be  contacted  either  by  email  to:  markets@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk,  or  catch  him  whenever  he  is  in  the  market  himself  on  Wednesdays  and  Saturdays.  We  wish  him  all  the  very  best  in  his  new  post  and  look  forward  to  working  with  him  in  the  future.  

District  Cllrs  Peter  Burt  and  Fiona  Hill,  Leader  of  the  Town  Council  Cllr  Bob  Smith,  Steve  Barrett,  Deputy  Town  Clerk  Jean  Waldock  and  Town  Mayor  Cllr  Lindsay  Davidson.  

Town  Mayor  switches  on  new  Christmas  lights  A  new  event  took  place  on  the  1st  December  when  the  Town  Mayor,  Cllr  Lindsay  Davidson,  switched  on  the  lights,  including  the  new  Christmas  motif  in  the  Cross  area  at  the  bottom  of  the  High  Street.    A  first  for  Royston,  this  was  a  big  success  and  it  is  hoped  that  this  will  become  a  regular  event  every  year.  

Our  thanks  also  go  to  Royston  Means  Business,  a  group  of  traders  who  organized  a  Christmas  street  carnival  in  the  High  Street  on  the  same  afternoon  and  Royston  First  who,  with  the  help  of  Royston  Town  Council,  got  the  lights  up.    Also  last  but  not  least,  our  Town  Manager,  Geraint  Burnell  who  organized  the  Annual  Christmas  Fair  on  Sunday  2  December.    All  in  all,  it  was  a  wonderful  weekend  of  Christmas  Festivities,  which  attracted  a  great  many  people  to  the  Town  Centre  and  was  enjoyed  by  all.  

Why  don't  you  come  along  to  the  new  style  Annual  Town  Meeting?    

Tuesday  5  March  Refreshments  at  7  pm  

Meeting  to  start  at  7.30  pm  Lower  Heritage  Hall  Royston  Town  Hall  

 

We  want  to  make  these  meetings  much  more  interesting  and  interactive  for  our  residents,  so  please  join  us  for  what  we  promise  will  be  an  action  packed  evening  of  information  and  dialogue  with  your  local  councillors  and  community  police  team.  The  evening  will  have  great  emphasis  on  the  Town  Awards  and  the  human  stories  behind  the  special  people  who  are  given  them  and  who  are  being  honoured  on  that  night.    

We  look  forward  to  seeing  you  there.  

Annual  Town  Meeting   Town  Council  welcomes  new  Markets  Manager  

Hi Marguerite, for the town meeting entry, can you change it to the venue being in the downstairs hall, but refreshments served from 7pm and people can visit the new cinema upstairs at the end of the meeting.hope you can fit this in to the slot. Also hope you got my article on the volunteer award, cheers Lindsay

Continuing  with  our  feature  on  market  traders….  

Meet  The  Traders  Human  Nature  -­‐  Barbara  and  Paul  attend  on  both  the  Wednesday  and  Saturday  Markets;  their  stall  consists  of  Crafts,  Collectables,  Brass  and  unusual  quirky  items.    Paul  Human  is  a  local  artist  who  accepts  commissions  for  Artwork,  Rocking  Horses  and  Bespoke  Mirrors.  

Letchworth  Bakery  -­‐  Mary  attends  every  Wednesday  and  Saturday  and  provides  a  comprehensive  selection  of  traditional  and  continental  bread,  as  well  as  a  wide  choice  of  delicious  cakes  and  pastries.  

Derek  &  Shirley  -­‐  have  been  trading  at  our  market  for  over  twenty  years  and  continue  to  provide  a  large  selection  of  ladies'  clothing  every Wednesday.

Kevin -­‐  attends  the  market  on  both  Wednesday  and  Saturday,  providing  a  wide  selection  of  books,  CDs  and  DVDs,  which  are  ideal  for  birthday  presents.  

ROYSTON  TOWN  COUNCILLORS  

A  list  of  all  Councillors’  names  and  contact  numbers  is  given  below,  together  with  details  of  the  wards  they  represent.    All  Town  Councillors  serve  in  a  voluntary  capacity  and  are  elected  for  a  4  year  term  of  office.    Councillors  are  not  paid  and  do  not  receive  any  allowance  for  attending  meetings.  

Town  Mayor:    Cllr  Lindsay  Davidson                    Deputy  Mayor:    Cllr  Robert  Smith  

Palace  Ward:      Cllr  Martin  Beaver   38  Yeats  Close,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  5TE   01763  230364  Cllr  Lynn  Berry   22  Serby  Ave,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  5EH   01763  243272  Cllr  Elizabeth  Freeman   22  Victoria  Crescent,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  7AX   01763  230060  Cllr  Robert  Inwood   9  Thackeray  Close,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  5TF   01763  221793  Cllr  Philip  Mayne   16  Gower  Road,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  5DU   01763  246550  Meridian  Ward:      Cllr  Paul  Grimes   6  Valley  Rise,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  9EY   01763  244139  Cllr  Mike  Harrison   12  Highlands,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  9HE   01763  220055  Cllr  Marguerite  Phillips   27  Redwing  Rise,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  7XU   07903  715533  Cllr  F  John  Smith   18  Hawthorn  Way,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  7JS   01763  243082  Cllr  Robert  Smith   21  Redwing  Rise,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  7XU   01763  222890  Heath  Ward:      Cllr  Peter  Burt   40  Echo  Hill,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  9BB   01763  248042  Cllr  Lindsay  Davidson   5  St  Mary’s  Park,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  7XB   01763  221431  Cllr  John  Davison   Email:  cllr.john.davison@btinternet.com   07802  907700  Cllr  Victoria  Hulström-­‐Allen       Email:    cllrhulstromallen@googlemail.com   01763  247498  Cllr  Graham  Palmer   8  Grays  Close,  Royston,  Herts.  SG8  5AS   01763  243326  

With thanks to

our sponsors

ROYSTON  TOWN  COUNCIL    

Town  Hall,  Melbourn  Street,  Royston,    Hertfordshire    SG8  7DA  

Tel:  01763  245484      Fax:  01763  248016      

Town  Clerk:      Mrs  Susan  Thornton-­‐Björk  

   

Town  Hall  Office    Extended  Opening  Hours:    

   

Monday  to  Thursday:  9  am  to  5  pm      

Friday:    9  am  to  4.30  pm      

www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk  enquiries@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk  

Focus  on  your  councillors    Cllr  Bob  Smith,  currently  Deputy  Mayor,  Leader  of  Royston  Town  Council  and  Chairman  of  Finance  committee,  gave  this  interview  to  the  Town  Crier  newsletter:  

What  is  your  background?    I  am  a  qualified  electrical  engineer  and  was  employed  by  Thorn  Domestic  Appliances  for  30  years  as  Chief  Development  Engineer.    I  headed  a  team  of  engineers  and  developed  the  first  domestic  microwave  oven  to  be  produced  in  the  UK,  the  first  domestic  fan  assisted  oven  and  the  worlds  first  halogen  heated  ceramic  top  hob,  for  which  I  hold  several  patents.    Having  left  Thorn,  I  formed  my  own  company  distributing  gas  and  electric  spare  parts  to  the  commercial  catering  equipment  industry  in  the  UK.    I  sold  the  company  in  2001  and  retired.    

How  long  have  you  lived  in  Royston?    After  living  for  35  years  in  Cheshunt,  my  wife  and  I  moved  to  Royston  in  December  2000  and  have  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  living  in  a  market  town  with  the  outstanding  surrounding  open  countryside.  

What  family  do  you  have?    I  have  been  married  to  Maureen  for  nearly  50  years  and  have  a  son  who  is  a  qualified  physiotherapist  and  who  specializes  in  sports  physiotherapy,  he  lives  in  Uppsala  in  Sweden.    We  enjoy  making  frequent  trips  to  Sweden.  

What  hobbies  or  pastimes  do  you  have?    Whilst  I  do  not  get  much  free  to  time  to  read,  I  do  enjoy  reading  Lee  Child’s  Jack  Reacher  books,  the  Peter  Robinson  DCI  Alan  Banks  novels  and  historical  novels.    I  endeavour  to  keep  one  day  a  week  free  to  play  golf.  

Why  did  you  stand  for  election  as  a  Town  Councillor?    I  have  always  had  an  interest  in  local  affairs,  having  been  a  Borough  Councillor  in  Broxbourne  for  4  years  when  I  lived  in  Cheshunt.    I  was  elected  as  a  Royston  Town  Councillor,  representing  Meridian  Ward  in  May  2006  and  re-­‐elected  in  May  2010.    I  am  passionate  about  preserving  what  is  best  for  the  community,  particularly  planning  matters  and  ensuring  that  the  council  offers  good  value  for  money  and  that  the  views  of  residents  are  listened  to.  

What  do  you  like  about  being  a  Councillor?    I  have  thoroughly  enjoyed  working  with  my  fellow  councillors  (Town,  District  and  County  Councillors)  and  the  Town  Hall  staff  and  like  to  feel  that  I  have  had  an  impact  on  preserving  many  of  the  good  features  of  living  in  Royston,  listening  to  the  views  of  residents  who  I  regularly  meet  in  the  Town  and  ensuring  that  these  views  are  made  known  to  the  relevant  bodies. Particularly  pleasing  has  been  the  action  I  was  able  to  take  in  resolving  the  flooding  problems  being  experienced  on  the  Twigden  Estate  and  progressing  the  adoption  of  roads  on  the  estate.  

What  do  you  not  like  about  being  a  Councillor?    I  do  not  like  the  occasional  anonymous  letters  published  in  the  local  press  where  residents  are  unfairly  critical  of  local  councillors  without  knowing  the  full  facts  behind  some  of  the  decisions  that  have  to  be  made.    As  Town  Councillors,  we  do  occasionally  make  mistakes  or  have  to  make  decisions  which  not  all  residents  will  agree  with,  but  we  are  all  volunteers  receiving  no  remuneration  for  the  hours  we  put  into  council  business.    We  all  live  and  usually  work  in  Royston  and always  strive  to  have  the  best  interests  of  residents  at  heart.

 At  the  Royston  2012  Year  of  Celebrations  closing  ceremony  on  23  November  2012,  our  Town  Clerk,  Mrs  Susan  Thornton  Björk,  was  presented  with  a  well  deserved  Royston  Volunteer  Centre’s  “6  Point  Promise  Award”  by  our  local  MP,  Oliver  Heald.        

This  was  awarded  to  confirm  that  Royston  Town  Council  had  met  all  the  required  criteria  for  excellent  work  with  all  their  many  volunteers.  This  award  is  for  commitment  to  good  practice  and  demonstrates  that  we  are  a  local  council  who  really  values  their  volunteers  and  one  that  works  hard  to  make  an  individual’s  volunteering  experience  not  only  a  rewarding  one,  but  above  all,  an  enjoyable  one  as  well.  

Royston  Town  Council  wins  another  badge  of  excellence