Cllr Mike Butcher

Archive for December, 2009

Janette and I attended at the Pier Hotel as guests of Rtn Philip & Sheila Gunn.  We had a great evening with some home grown entertainment (don’t give up your day job boys!).  The food was fantastic and I was home by 10.30pm….An early night for a change…GREAT!!!

His Worship The Mayor Tony Smith and many Councillors (both local and County) along with other dignitaries mingled with  local business people who attended the annual Leader’s Reception at lunchtime today.  Council Leader Cllr Barry Coleman (leader for 10 years now!) in his short address went over the many milestones that the council have been able to achieve in the last 12 months, many in conjunction with the private sector.  The completion of the construction of our Outer Harbour being just one of the many projects that have either been completed or are in the process of being completed this year.  This was a good opportunity for some of the movers & shakers of our local industry’s to get together to discuss many issues in an informal environment. I had discussions with several people including PPC Brandon Lewis and Chairman of the Standards Committee Nick Pownall.  A buffet lunch was laid on and enjoyed by all.

During discussions at the town hall this morning, I became aware of the 24 hour emergency service operated by GYBC.  It is situated in an office in the Lawn Avenue care-home/sheltered housing complex called (surprisingly!) The Lawns.  I went along this afternoon and visited them and was shown how the system works both during normal office hours and also out of hours.  Apart from the normal “emergencies” that come in regularly there are also more than 2300 emergency panic buttons monitored 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  I think we should bear a thought for these unsung heroes as they go about their duties while we are all enjoying ourselves over this coming holiday period!

I took the Member Services Team out to lunch today ( this is the team of council staff that work very hard behind the scenes making us Councillors look good!) to thank them for all the help they have given me in the last year.  10 of us had a nice lunch at Lazzarella Italian Pizza & Pasta House close to the Town Hall.

I had a meeting with Tim Major at Planning and we discussed the concerns of the nearby residents about the proposed building.

Mr Major did talk to the residents and advise them that the roof would be reduced in height by 1.2m which was the biggest concern of residents.  I think that (having spoken to one of the residents this morning) the concerns have now been addressed.

Bradwell Bowls club have (through Bradwell Parish Council) applied for planning permission to build a new changing room and toilet facility next to the current building. (planning application number 06/09/0719/F) on the Mill Lane Playing Field. 

A couple of residents have approached me with some concerns about the height and proximity of the building in relation to their homes.  I have informed them that I will look into this and report back.

Chaired the monthly Parish Council meeting in the village hall which discusses and decides on issues in Hopton Parish.  We finished the meeting off with some sausage rolls and minced pies washed down with a glass of wine!  That’s more like it!

More than 900 people including our Mayor & Mayoress & many dignitaries from around the county are set to attend this evenings Civic Carol Service.  Janette will go to represent the Butcher family as I have to chair the monthly Hopton Parish Council meeting.  With all that is going on in Hopton with the new village hall build about to start, I feel it is important that I attend this meeting tonight.

Great fun was had by about 90 over 60′s at the third annual Senior Christmas Party this afternoon which is funded by Hopton Parish Council.  Out of The Ashes (our very own local band) came along to entertain us for free and played lots of foot tapping music.  The raffle raised £213 for the new village hall fund and thanks to:  Potters, White Hart Pub, Tesco, McColls and many others for providing the raffle prizes. 

There were many helpers from the Parish Council and from the village without whose help this would not have happened.

Next Sunday afternoon is the third family Christmas Party which (being so popular) was fully subscribed within days of being announced.

Several of us were out in Belton this morning with Brandon Lewis canvassing and delivering the Brandon Lewis update leaflet which demonstrates just how much time Brandon spends dealing with issues that have been brought to his attention in the constituency.