I am delighted that Love Newmarket BID was successful in their election to continue their good work for another five years. The Town Council looks forward to collaborating with Love Newmarket in order to improve and enhance Newmarket town centre. We look forward to welcoming back residents and visitors to a vibrant High Street.
There has been much debate about the Council Tax bills that have arrived on our doormats. Newmarket Town Council has made every effort to keep our expenditure for next year at the same level as last year. Unfortunately, although the precept was set at the same level, a reduction in the number of tax-payers has meant a very slight increase for everyone. The increase cost to the average Council Tax payer for all of the Town Council functions is less than 4p per week.
In order to achieve no increase in our expenditure we have had to dig dip into our reserves. However, we are proud of the service we have provided this year in the face of the pandemic. The Helpline, which was organised from the start of the first lockdown, has been recognised as an example of best practice.
We have started on the improvements to the area around the Clock Tower and we have ambitious plans for making Newmarket more attractive, through the planting of flowers and shrubs. The Neighbourhood Plan has given us a programme of community actions, which we are continuing to address and we will be reviving our normal programme of events”.
At the end of May, we will hold the Annual Meeting of the Town. This will be an opportunity for the residents of Newmarket to question their councillors about the improvements we are making to Newmarket.
Michael Jefferys
Town Mayor