Marlene Haworth

Conservative group leader

ALTHOUGH we are more than a fortnight in to 2022, I would like to wish you all a happy and safe new year.

We have to believe that this will be a better year full of hope and that we can and will learn to live with this terrible disease that has affected so many of us in different ways.

It seems from the figures released that we have reached the peak of the omicron outbreak and that is because of the part that you the residents have played in getting your jabs and boosters that are helping to contain the bug, so give yourselves a round of applause.

As you will no doubt know from the leader’s column last week our bid for the levelling up fund has now gone to public consultation so I hope you will all make use of the opportunity to voice your opinions.

I have already read some of them on social media and I would say to you all fill in the questionnaire and make your point there.

Once the final projects have been agreed at full council our MP Sara Britcliffe, who has also worked hard on the bid, will then take it to government where hopefully it will be approved and we can bring to fruition the aspirations we all have for our town centre by bringing it into the 21st century and making it somewhere we can all be proud of and where people from other towns will want to visit.

As local councillor for St Oswald’s ward in Oswaldtwistle I’m sure most of you know, over the last few weeks I have been heavily involved in the (stop the cemetery) campaign and I put my head above the parapet and declared my 100% objection to the application.

Our green belt is so precious not just to us but to future generations and we must preserve it at all costs.

The people of Oswaldtwistle proved what a wonderful community I live in; they have rallied round amazingly, raising money, delivering leaflets, and writing objections proving what people can do when they stand together.

Well done Oswaldtwistle; I’m so proud to be your councillor and I will be standing with you all if a revised application for a cemetery on this green belt land comes forward.

Finally have a great week and stay safe.