Redditch matters - Redditch Borough Council - Worcestershire Hub

NEWS from your CouncilMessage fromthe newMayor –CouncillorKath BanksI WISH to thankeveryone for givingme the honour ofbecoming the Mayor ofRedditch. I intend,especially, to work hard tohelp the young people ofRedditch achieve their ambitions and improve theiraspirations.Together with my chaplain, the Reverend Jo Musson,the theme for the coming year is helping the youngpeople of Redditch fulfil their potential in life.I want to highlight the many opportunities and venuesin Redditch which can all benefit from increasedattendance, including our sports facilities, as well asthe opening of the new BMX track in Matchboroughwhich will bring a lot of interest and support. I amlooking forward to the new swimming pool being built- a much needed facility. Religious centres areunderused places and I would like to see thesedevelop as real community assets. The Arts are wellrepresented in Redditch, with many opportunities tosing and dance in the town. NEW College and ourlocal schools are equally great assets and I amcommitted to encouraging the education of ouryoung people so they can take a full and active partin our society.I look forward to working with you to promote andsupport our assets and ambitions.Putting pride into RedditchTHIS summer Redditch Borough Council will belaunching a campaign to promote Redditch as avital, vibrant and very special place to live in, work inor indeed visit.`Redditch – it’s my place` is a marketingcampaign that will feature adverts, posters, art ina bus shelter plus stories about Redditch and theCouncil’s work posted on Twitter, Facebook andthe Council’s website, all under the `Redditch –it’s my place` identity.As Council Leader, Cllr Carole Gandy says: “I,like many people living here, moved toRedditch and have found it to be a goodplace.“We are well located, not far from thecountry’s second city and an internationalairport, have an enviable amount of greenspace and trees, and excellent facilities likeour rather special theatre and fantasticshopping centre.“Few places can boast a sailing lake just a few miles from their town centre or even freeflowingtraffic around the town.“This campaign is all about putting pride into Redditch. We are proud to serve you asyour Council and pleased to see signs of optimism after some difficult times – the newWetherspoons celebrating our Royal Enfield motorbike manufacturing heritage and alsothe ambitions of our football club with a new manager keen to make his mark.”Watch out for `Redditch – it’s my place` over the summer when we hope you will agreethere is much to be proud about in what we have called `Worcestershire’s green andenterprising town`.Above - Advert highlighting Redditch’s many treesLook out for news of `Walk the Wards` when councillors and senior officersincluding the Chief Executive will be visiting borough wards to discuss the latestissues and support provided by your Council.Changes from the local electionREDDITCH voters went to the polls on the 6thMay. The result of the local election saw theConservative majority on Redditch BoroughCouncil increase to five seats.The Leadership, Portfolio Holders, Mayor and DeputyMayor, and former Mayor Cllr Malcolm Hall picturedat the AGM.And turnout was particularly high as the localelection coincided with the General Election.There are now 17 Conservative councillors, nineLabour councillors and three Liberal Democratcouncillors.At the Council’s AGM on 24th May, Cllr CaroleGandy was re-elected to serve as Leader ofthe Council for 2010/11. Cllr Mike Braley was reelectedas Deputy Leader.Meanwhile retiring Mayor, Cllr Malcolm Hall,passed on his chain of office to Cllr Kath Bankswho was elected to serve for 2010/11. TheDeputy Mayor is Cllr Anita Clayton.The Council’s equivalent of the Government’sCabinet is the Executive Committee. Thecommittee comprises the leadership plus theCouncil’s portfolio holders, who takeresponsibility for specific areas of the Council’swork ranging from community safety toplanning and economic development. Thereare nine councillors on the committee – sixConservatives (the leadership and portfolioholders), two Labour and one LiberalDemocrat.• Following public consultation, councillorswere due to decide on 14th June whether tohave a new-style strong Leader and Cabinetexecutive or an elected Mayor and Cabinetexecutive. At the same time they weredeciding whether to stick with elections bythirds or have all-out elections every four years.Any changes agreed are due to take effectfrom the May 2011 local election. Seewww.redditchbc.gov.uk or the local press forthe very latest news.*See page 16 for a list of new Councillors.4 Redditch mattersRedditch Borough Council