Horwich Town Council
Annual Report - 2009/2010

The External Auditors found no matters for concern for the financial year 2008/2009 and our Internal Auditors continue to report that they are satisfied that all our financial controls and systems are effective. We have undertaken our annual risk assessment and have reviewed our internal system for financial control.

The Council's war memorial was in need of repairs and we obtained a grant of £2,437 towards the costs of sympathetic restoration and cleaning and protection totalling £6,125. In addition, we have been delighted to receive the support of a locally based landscaping company who has arranged removal of a screening shrub and re-instatement of the land to the rear of the memorial at no cost to the Council. Council wanted this shrub removed to return the memorial to its original state as a walk round memorial so that relatives having family remembered on the south facing elevation could have access.

The Council's budget for the financial year 2010/2011 continues to provide considerable financial support for Horwich Carnival and the Carnival Races as well as our local historical society, Horwich Heritage.

Mindful of reductions in provision for youth activities throughout the Borough, Council has provided a grant budget of £5,000 specifically to fund larger projects to benefit our children and young people.

In addition, many local organisations have applied for small grants to help to pay for a wide range of activities throughout the year, and the Council's current budget also has provision within it to continue to give this essential financial help. The introduction of grant awards evenings have proved to be a great success giving local organisations an opportunity to meet each other and share knowledge and experiences.

Horwich Resource Centre and Horwich Heritage Centre continue to thrive with the Council's support. New arrangements for the provision of caretaking/cleaning have been put in place. The Management Committee of the Centre, with the permission of the Council, has ordered two new heating systems to replace obsolete ones. The Council's officers have liaised with Bolton Council about tidying the side elevation access area and the installation of a security gate to prevent unwelcome access to the roof.

The Council has also continued to provide the town centre CCTV Scheme. The Christmas Lighting Scheme has benefited greatly from new replacement displays.

Our new town guide was published in Summer 2009, and is extremely popular being valued by residents and visitors alike. `Horwich in Bloom' the annual gardening competition run by the Council, was a great success and I have been delighted to serve on the Committee charged with its organisation.

Our web site www.horwich.gov.uk is very popular with both residents and visitors, and we have arranged for improvements and additions. Our local organisations make good use of the free publicity for their events available on its `Horwich Live' page.

Our quarterly newsletter, circulated widely throughout the town, attracts much interest. Horwich Remembrance Sunday parades continue to benefit from record attendances, and the Council can take some of the credit for this because of our promotional efforts and general support.

We have consulted throughout the year with our Unitary Authority, Bolton Council, on a wide range of matters of importance to the Parish including the market, youth provision and the need for improved toilet facilities, and we have received regular up dates from the Police about their efforts to ensure the safety and well being of our residents etc. I have been pleased to represent the Council by attending the carnival held at our twin town of Crowborough, East Sussex.

Our total commitment to the promotion of Fairtrade continues and our Members and Officers have been involved in a number of successful promotional initiatives to raise awareness. I have greatly enjoyed my work with the Horwich Fairtrade Group.

The Council's determination to encourage civic pride in our town carries on with the installation of four new civic plaques that have contributed greatly to our ambition of creating a heritage trail through the Parish.

We have arranged a very successful promotional event to promote the new outdoor market and to raise awareness of shops and businesses in our town centre.

Council has been pleased to host cluster training sessions with both Westhoughton and Blackrod Town Councillors.

I have had a busy year as Town Mayor, performing a wide variety of civic duties, ably assisted by the Deputy Town Mayor who has given me tremendous support during my year of office. I am extremely grateful for this help.

On behalf of the Council, I would also like to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. I would like to congratulate the Assistant Town Clerk on achieving accreditation as a Quality Town Clerk.

Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the fine efforts of our Councillors in what has been another very busy year for the Council.

Finally, I would like to wish my successor every success during his year of office.

Councillor Sue Denton
Town Mayor
2009/2010.

Contact Details for Councillors and Officers
Full list available on the TOWN COUNCIL section - Councillors/Officers page

For a full copy of the accounts, please contact:
The Town Clerk,
Horwich Town Council,
Public Hall,.
Lee Lane,
Horwich,
Bolton,
BL6 7AQ.
Tel: 01204 338900 Fax: 01204 403080 EMail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it