Be part of council’s new chapter and make a difference

YOU’VE got to hand it to the town council. A group of volunteers and a handful of paid staff not only manage to run our precious hertiage asset the town hall, but they manage to organise a suite of events at the same time as overseeing important decisions and bringing some huge projects to fruition.

That’s at the same time as consulting on big planning decisons, overseeing a large budget, supporting other groups and committees and lobbying district and county councillors for positive change. But a new chapter is beginning for the council. A new mayor will be sworn in this month, and vacancies have been advertised for councillors to replace Sean Clayton and Nick Fearn.

Should the right councillors come forward to fill these vacancies, it could inject new ideas and enthuisasm into the council, which could go on to have a positive effect on the things we see in the town every day. As an official body bound by local government laws, and obliged to follow strict formal processes at every turn, it’s easy for Mr Clayton and Mr Fearn to become disillusioned with this often glacial, beuracratically stifled pace.

They’ve each said they want to focus on their other pet projects, and spend more time on committees that can bring about swifter changes and more tangible results.

But the town council has to exist. Ashbourne needs a group of official representatives fighting our corner, making our decisions and handling the money we give them through our taxes.

And there has never been a better time to be part of this important political process. Vacancies are live now, they need new people with new ideas and new enthusiasm.

So if you can give up a few evenings a month and you’d like to positively influence the future of Ashbourne – at whatever pace things do or don’t happen – speak to them on 01335 342291.