City council leader's New Year message to people of Coventry

[dutchman]

The Leader of Coventry council believes 2016 will be an exciting year for the city thanks to a 'renaissance of manufacturing'.



In her New Year message, Coun Ann Lucas says the year ahead will be crucial for Coventry as it aims to build on the continuing transformation of the city centre alongside growth for Jaguar Land Rover, LTC and other big companies.

But she also warns of the 'massive' financial pressures the council is operating under and the challenges that still face the city.

Coun Lucas said: “As you’d expect from this amazing city it’s been a whirlwind 12 months for us and another year of big changes and new beginnings alongside some sad endings.

“It’s difficult to single out just one highlight of the year, but it’s hard to underestimate the importance of Jaguar Land Rover’s announcement about its planned expansion here – so cementing our position at the heart of the company’s ambitious plans as it builds on its success across the world.

“JLR’s success is Coventry’s success – and as it grows from strength to strength in the future we will make sure its global headquarters stay in Coventry and that local people benefit from its growth.

“I’m very proud that the council played a key role in making this happen. These are exciting times for the renaissance of manufacturing in Coventry and 2016 will see even more success. That’s absolutely vital for us because it means more jobs, economic prosperity and better prospects for our young people.

“We must get this right and build on the successes of 2015 in the coming year if we’re really going to deliver our vision of changing the face of Coventry so we can become a top ten city.

“Another highlight for me has been the buzz around the city centre that’s a direct result of the new restaurants and bars opening in Cathedral Lanes.

“For years people have wanted a better evening out in the city centre and now it’s beginning to happen.

“We’ve still got lots more to do to make the city centre the great place Coventry people need and deserve, but the benefits of the public realm improvements are beginning to be delivered in terms of more investment and a better looking city centre.

“Friargate – our new business district by the railway station – will play a key part in the continuing regeneration of the city centre and the completion of the new bridge deck that links the station to the rest of the city centre this year was another important step forward.

“We’ve continued to use European and government grant funding to pay for these big projects and while it’s sometimes felt as though the city has been overloaded with roadworks it has also meant we’ve been able to deliver some major improvements across the city.

“But there have been huge challenges for us – as a council and a city. We continue to remain under massive financial pressures.

“The reality behind losing around half our grant from government over the past five years is that we’ve had to make some very difficult choices about services we’ve come to take for granted for many years.

“No-one comes into politics to make the kind of decisions the government is forcing on us.

“But we will remain, as a council, focused on support to the most vulnerable with the diminishing resources we have while we deliver jobs, economic prosperity and growth for the city and its people.

“We also need to make sure that the city benefits from government devolution from Whitehall to the West Midlands – maintaining the city’s sovereignty, identity and its historic links with Warwickshire, while ensuring we benefit from the new powers, budgets and responsibilities that are coming our way.

“Both these issues are going to be massive challenges for the council in the coming year and, as a council, our responsibility is to make sure we make the right decisions for Coventry people – particularly our young people – and the future.

“The end of one year and the beginning of another is always a time for quiet reflection, too.

"For many of us, 2015 has had its sad and difficult moments, too. Everyone who has lost someone special to them this year will, I know, be taking some time to think about them as the old year comes to an end.

“As a city we have very recently shared the sorrow of the passing of Jimmy Hill who did so much for Coventry and our football club.

“And I still miss and mourn for my very dear friend and Deputy Leader of the Council, Phil Townshend, who died in October and who played such a big role in the city’s political scene.

“But I know that if he was still with us Phil would be looking forward immensely to the coming year and the opportunities and challenges that 2016 will bring.

“There’s no doubt that 2015 saw us begin to change the face of our city for the better in many ways - 2016 will see the pace increase and more successes, alongside challenges, for the city as we work to become a top ten city again.”

[rebbonk]

The greatest New Year message from that old boot would be that she was resigning!

[Melisandre]

But she also warns of the 'massive' financial pressures the council is operating under and the challenges that still face the city.

Anne wants to remember this next time she does her calcalating when she could afford recently to spend £7.500 for a reception a further £700 on a Cathedral funeral of tax payers money on a wealthy Councilor when hard working low paid workers in this city can not afford to bury their own then expected to pay more council tax in the near future.

[rebbonk]

Typical politician, she thinks she's above the rest of us.

[Melisandre]

Mmm now that reminds me of a story book I was taught in school Rebbonk called Animal Farm by George Orwell.