Cllr Mike Butcher

Archive for January, 2010

Janette went along (minus me as I had other commitments, see below)  to supervise this evening and it was hot dogs and popcorn!  Very popular.  Unfortunately, our house smells of popcorn now but I have so far managed to resist the temptation to make some for myself!

There was a good article in the GY Mercury today which highlighted the serious erosion of our beach that has occurred over recent weeks.  This has been a serious concern of many Hopton residents and the erosion appears to have got worse as the GY Outer Harbour has developed.

Had to miss Hopton Youth Club this evening as needed to attend Conservative Association meeting to report on the fundraising campaign so far.  I was happy to report that the forthcoming dinner was now fully subscribed and that there was a waiting list in operation!

Attended this regular meeting this evening to discuss how things were going and to plan future strategy for the upcoming election campaign.  Time is running out!

As a Director (unpaid) and representing NightSafe, I attended the bi-monthly meeting this afternoon of Community Safety Company (a company limited by guarantee) which operates our town’s CCTV system.  We discussed our financial position and also looked at budgets for 2010.  We also looked at the reports showing how effective CCTV is in assisting the Police in detecting and solving crime.

I attended the meeting this morning followed by a good buffet lunch.  The meeting attended by some 70 people in the industry reviewed last years tourism economic situation with several businesses saying that they had had a good season.  Several were upbeat about prospects for the 2010 season.  After a coffee break, David Marsh interviewed the legendary Joe Larter who started many tourism related businesses in the Greater Yarmouth area, including Pleasurewood Hills (1982) and the Sea Life Centres in Norfolk and Holland.  Joe also explained that he has been (and still is) involved in many other ground breaking projects both at home and abroad.  Joe kept his audience spellbound for well over an hour!  The final item was the announcement that the annual GYTA visit was going back to Scheveningen from May 19th to 21st this year and would also visit Ostend. An excellent buffet lunch provided by the Pier Hotel staff was then enjoyed by us all with lots of discussions about tourism matters.

I cannot believe the way in which some of our public services seem to squander the money we entrust them with.  No wonder most of our public services are cash-strapped and having to seriously cut into the services they provide us, to make ends meet.  Out in the real world businesses are suffering and going to the wall in ever increasing numbers whilst frantically trying to increase turnover and reduce costs at the same time!  What does the government do?  Cut our taxes?  Don’t be silly, they just pile on even more taxes!

I attended this this evening representing Great Yarmouth Borough Council.  It is a year now since the pitch came into use and it is already up to almost 65% usage during the week and almost 13% at weekends.  We discussed (amongst other things) ways to encourage people to use this excellent facility even more.  The next meeting was agreed to be Wednesday 28th April.

I walked along Hopton Beach this afternoon and the sea defences are more exposed than I have ever seen them and I have lived here over 60 years!  Is it as a result of the Outer Harbour construction?

5pm Going to attend this this evening to pass on experiences we had when Speed Watch was launched in Hopton being the first place in Norfolk to launch.

8pm  Just back from meeting in Leo Coles Pavillion where Norfolk Constabulary outlined the scheme to about 10 potential volunteers.

I hope they decide to take part in the scheme!