News from Hunstanton's Mayor Cllr Adrian Winnington

News from Hunstanton's Mayor Cllr Adrian Winnington

The Mayor writes . . .

I often see letters and emails referring to “The Council”. There are actually three councils which influence things in Hunstanton – Norfolk County Council, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and Hunstanton Town Council. Each of these has different responsibilities and powers. Although the Town Council is the lowest tier of these councils in many ways it is the most important for the residents of the town. It has an important role in promoting the town, representing its interests, serving the whole community and supporting the work of different groups in the community. Many services and facilities in Hunstanton are controlled and managed by the Borough and County Councils. The Town Council engages regularly with these higher level authorities to make known the needs and priorities for our town. It also works in close co-operation with the local police and other agencies. In order to fulfil its role the Town Council has a number of committees – Finance & Property Management, General Purposes, Community, Environment, Planning and Personnel – as well as Full Council. All of these meetings are open to the public.

Hunstanton Town Council is entitled to have a maximum of seventeen councillors, with elections every four years (next elections are in May 2023). Currently the Town Council has twelve councillors. We would welcome individuals who feel that they have something to offer towards the work of the town and its residents. As a local councillor your residents will expect that you:-

Respond to their queries and investigate their concerns

Communicate council decisions which affect them

Know your patch and be aware of any problems

Know and work with representatives of local organisations

Represent their views at council meetings

I have written previously about the importance of volunteers in Hunstanton. Town Councillors are also volunteers as none of them are paid, including the Mayor!

Another organisation looking for volunteers is the Citizens Advice Bureau. CAB is keen to have a presence in Hunstanton and the Town Council has offered to accommodate them for a number of hours each week. However, in order for this to happen they need a number of people to come forward to be trained as advisers.

If you would like more information on the possibility of becoming either a town councillor or CAB adviser please contact the Town Clerk.

Moving on to my role as Mayor, what have I been doing and where have I been since my last report? On 21st October Catherine and I attended the Trafalgar Day Supper at King’s Lynn Town Hall in support of the Mayor of King’s Lynn Charity. You cannot fail to be impressed by the grandeur of King’s Lynn Town Hall; it is one of a very large number of ancient listed buildings in the old town.

Later in October we were invited to Norfolk Lavender’s very first Conservation Day. Everyone was very welcoming and it was very well attended and so is likely to become an annual event. Apparently all animal parks now have to demonstrate the role they are playing in conservation.

The last Saturday in October marks the beginning of Remembrance-tide in Hunstanton. This is commemorated by the Hunstanton British Legion with a short ceremony at the overseas war graves in the town’s cemetery. Names and words are recited in English and Polish and small crosses are placed by each headstone. I joined with the Hunstanton Royal British Legion and Father James Monro again in the High Street for a ceremony marking Armistice Day. The police were present to temporarily stop traffic entering. I was really pleased to see so many people present and to hear the two minutes silence so well observed. It was an honour afterwards to present special awards to two long serving members of the Legion who I know very well – you can read more about this elsewhere in the magazine. By the time you read this the Remembrance Day Parade and Service will have taken place. I want to thank members of the Legion, especially Simon Matthews and Ralph Hamlet for organising all these events; it is so important that we continue to remember all those who died and suffered on our behalf.

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On the 6th November I began the day on a cold, windy North Prom starting off the Hunstanton Parkrun for the first run on their winter course along the Prom. I was so impressed by the people taking part – such a variety of ability, reasons and health – I really was humbled by some of the stories behind those participating. Parkruns are for anyone of any ability; you can sprint or you can walk, setting yourself personal goals. Of course it wouldn’t be possible without a team of committed volunteers to organise and manage the runs and so once again many thanks to all of them. That evening I was invited to the Hunstanton Round Table Bonfire and fireworks on the cliff top to light the bonfire. I was there for about four hours in total and it was a fantastic evening. As promised the event was bigger and better than ever with light show and soundtrack to accompany the fireworks. Again a very big thank you and well done to Wes Attwell and the whole of the Round Table Team for all the hard work they put in to staging this event again after a forced break last year.

My last mayoral event was to attend the Norfolk Justice Service at Norwich Cathedral, a very beautiful and impressive building. This really was a pomp and circumstance occasion with High Sheriffs, Judges, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Mayor. I was one of numerous mayors present from around Norfolk and it was good to meet and talk after the service and find out about what is happening around other parts of our county.

Finally I want to finish by wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas. I hope that many of you will be able to meet up safely with family and friends knowing that, like myself, you have had all your vaccinations.

Contact: Mayor: cllr.winnington@hunstantontowncouncil.gov.uk

Cllr Adrian Winnington 01485 534747

Town Clerk: clerk@hunstantontowncouncil.gov.uk 01485 532402

Hunstanton Town Council website: www.hunstantontowncouncil.gov.uk

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