Annual Report of Syston Town Council for 2008/9

A Year of Achievement

During the autumn of 2008 Syston collected first prize in the town section of the East Midlands in Bloom competition, came first in the small cemetery category of the East Midlands in Bloom competition and attained Quality Town status.  

Our thanks to the East Midlands in Bloom Panel for their highly successful efforts in beautifying the town.

We know of no other Council which has achieved so many awards in one year and councillors and staff alike are very proud of these achievements.

New Skate Park

The new skate park was opened during the summer of 2008 and has proved immensely popular with the skate-boarding and mountain-biking fraternities ever since. The facility was obtained using grant monies at no cost to the Council.

Pavilion

The sports pavilion was extensively renewed and refurbished at a cost of nearly £10,000 during the summer months

Egyptian Day

This fun event for youngsters took place in Central Park on 14th June 2008 and the temporary sandpits and competitions were popular with all the children who attended. Unfortunately the weather was not so kind as the previous Jurassic Day event but spirits were not unduly dampened.

New Cemetery

Plans for the new cemetery continue to move forward with various surveys being undertaken to determine the suitability of the site.

Barkby Brook Improvements 

Flowing through the heart of town, Barkby Brook has always been one of Syston’s most attractive features and the brook’s appearance was greatly enhanced this year by the addition of weirs and aquatic plants installed by the Borough Council.

The mallards, moorhens and other waterfowl certainly appear to approve.

Walkers Way and The Green Improvements

The appearance of both these areas has been enhanced by use of grant monies.

Multi Use Games Area

After a public consultation exercise indicated that the public were not very keen on placing this in Central Park, the Council decided to look into the possibility of locating it on the Memorial Playing Fields.

Vandalism

Regrettably, vandalism and anti-social behaviour continue to be major problems and the worst single incident of 2008/9 took place in early January 2009, when mindless morons set fire to the Multi Play in Central Park, causing nearly ten thousand pounds worth of damage. 

This has now been restored to its original condition but was, nonetheless out of action for several months.

Christmas Lights Switch-On

Another successful event despite the parade having to be cancelled due to health and safety concerns. The town centre was thronged with children and their parents and our thanks to all the volunteers who participated, to Billy Bates for the funfair, to the Thurmaston Marching Band and the Steel Band who provided live music and to Ben Jackson and Kamlesh Purohit from Radio Leicester who provided recorded music and commentary.

Next year the existing lamp standard illuminations will be replaced with more modern and, we think, even more attractive ones and the festoon lighting will be multi-coloured.  

ACCOUNTS

Council’s financial position for the year can be summarised thus;

The Council

Syston Town Council comprises twenty members supported by sixteen full time and part time staff;

Councillors by Ward

St Peters West

Mr Tom Barkley, Mrs Josie Branston, Mr Mal Carnall, Mrs Maureen Pacey, Mr Patrick Wright.

St Peters East

Mr M.H. Asmal, Mrs Sue Gerrard, Mrs Rita Gray, Mr Stephen Hampson, Mr John Hewer. 

Merton

Mr Brian Branston, Mr Toby Griffiths, Mr Peter Murray, Mr Ken Pacey (Vice Chairman), Mr Harold Screaton.

New Barkby

Mrs Claire Dolan, Mr Nick Gee, Mr Howard Midgley (Chairman), Mrs Janet Midgley, Mr Ivan Spibey.

Council Staff

Mr I MacDonald (Manager), Mr J Smith (Deputy Manager), Mr B Bedford (Estates Officer), Mrs V Henshaw (Finance), Mrs C Kirkpatrick (Administration).

Contact Us

Syston Town Council, Community Centre, School St, Syston, Leics LE7 1HN.

Tel: 0116 260 7150 Fax: 0116 260 6904 email: mailbox@systontc.co.uk.