We have lived through the strangest of times. Now we must look forward to the festive season and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations. We will all try to preserve the Christmas traditions, though we will meet in smaller and limited groups than we would in normal times. I hope you will all be able to do some last minute shopping in Newmarket and can enjoy the lights and the Christmas tree in the town centre.
But there will be some people who will face hardship over Christmas. Newmarket’s Open Door has set up a ‘pop-up shop’ in the Racing Centre. Every Thursday before Christmas the shop will open at 11.00 am and for £2, anyone can fill a shopping bag with provisions. I hope that no one in Newmarket will go without food this Christmas.
Following the New Year, we can look forward to spring. On the Town Council we have the difficult task of balancing our budget. We have looked at our expenses carefully, because we are determined that we should not increase our precept – the funds that are paid by every council taxpayer to meet the costs of the Town Council. With so many people facing a reduction in their income we will not increase the precept.
It does mean that our plans to brighten up the town by planting bulbs this year will have to be postponed until next autumn. However the various working groups, many of which include members of the public, are looking at ways in which we can improve the environment of the town. We hope to implement these plans as soon as possible.
Al of which, leads me to wish you all a merry Christmas and a much better New Year.
Michael Jefferys
Town Mayor
