SPOTLIGHT – The Journal of Syston Town Council.

On behalf of Syston Town Council I wish all Syston residents and businesses a happy New Year.
Christmas 2021
As previously stated there was not sufficient time to organise a Christmas Event in 2021, as we were unsure about the Covid situation when plans would have been put in place in the early stages of the year. Council are currently re-assessing resources and will make a decision very soon on the organising of an event this year.
Christmas Shop Window Competition 2021
Our local shops put on some wonderful festive window displays in December, there were two prizes awarded, one for retailers and a separate category for charity shops. Members of the public were asked to vote for their favourites using an on-line survey.
The winners were voted by the public as Paper Moon and LOROS.
A huge thank you to all shops and businesses in Syston for taking part and playing a part in creating a wonderful festive ambience in the town. Thanks also to all of you that took the trouble to vote.
Pavilion Reconfiguration and Refurbishment, Memorial Park
Work has now started on this exciting project. There will be some disruption to the park facilities but this will be kept to a minimum where possible. Work is expected to be complete by 8th July 2022. Access to the park is still available.
Remembrance Sunday, 14th November 2021
Remembrance Sunday took place on 14th November. Syston’s Royal British Legion had asked for people to gather on Central Park this year where the service took place. The Deputy Lieutenant – Mr Richard Clowes was in attendance as well as local borough councillors, county councillors and local Scouts, Rangers and Brownie groups. Wreaths were laid at the war memorial by representatives.
Syston Band played the musical accompaniment to hymns as well as the last post and the National Anthem.
Officer, Kay Liquorish read out the names and organisations of those laying wreaths.
RBL made the decision not to read out the names of the fallen on this occasion.
After the event, there was a social gathering held at the Malt House Suite, with food laid on and excellent entertainment provided by a Dame Vera Lyn style singer and also Syston Swing Band.
Overall the event was very well received by the public.
Pilgrimage walk – Leicester University
On Remembrance Sunday in 2018, the University of Leicester embarked on a mission to honour those who lost their lives and made sacrifices during the War, with a commitment to lay 100 wreaths across memorial sites in Leicestershire and Rutland. In 2018, eleven current students laid wreaths in the local area, following a dedication service at the University with speeches by Sir David Attenborough and Sir Peter Soulsby. In 2019, a further 15 sites were covered as part of the project. In 2021, 56 sites were visited including, for the first time, Syston.
The photograph here shows members of the Royal British Legion, accompanying Michelle Lagah, the Project Officer for Student Engagement at Leicester University.
Mindless Vandalism
Unfortunately as well as all the good that goes on in the town, we also have experienced some elements of selfish and antisocial behaviour, where wilful damage to Council equipment has been evident. All repairs have to be paid for out of Council funds, which means that it is the tax-payers that live in Syston ultimately paying the price. Please report any incidents of vandalism via our Love Clean Streets App; to the Council directly or to the Police. Here are some examples of the vandalism in Syston from November/December:
Archdale Park
Deliberate damage to a child’s swing using bolt cutters on Archdale Park. This left the chain in a weakened state and could have caused serious injury to a child if the link had broken while the swing was in use.
Public Toilets
Recently, there have been a few instances of vandalism at the public toilets on the Melton Road car park. The Men’s toilet door sustained brute force, damaging the lock and door frame. There have also been instances of people pulling toilet roll holders from the walls and more recently the soap dispenser in the ladies’ toilets pulled off the wall leaving soap all over the floor leaving a dangerous slip hazard.
A plea from the Council is for everyone to please respect this public facility.
The toilets are kept open and serviced at considerable expense and having to pay for expensive repair bills after vandalism is causing budgets to be overspent which is ultimately a cost to you the tax payer.
Barkby Road Cemetery
A huge thank you to our “Friends Group” who have theme decorated the Chapel throughout the year and also covered the Cemetery gates locking and unlocking over Christmas.
Plaque for Old School Bell

Did you know, the bell located inside the chapel used to be the school bell for the original school in Syston on School Street. The bell was rescued after the school closed. The friends have arranged to have a plaque underneath it now, stating it’s origin.

Would you like to be involved in decision-making in your town?
Your Town Council needs you!!
*  We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect their community to put
    themselves forward for election.
*  As a Town Councillor you can make a difference to the quality of life of local people.
*  We need people who are passionate about their communities and seek to make a change to help
    improve the lives of our residents.
*  Make a change and become a councillor!
There are three vacancies at the Council in wards:
*  Merton Ward
*  St Peters West Ward
*  New Barkby Ward
Please contact Catherine Voyce in the first instance if you are interested in becoming a Councillor, mark the subject heading Councillor Vacancy and send to: catherine@systontowncouncil.gov.uk or call 0116 260 7150.
Love Clean Streets App
Please download the App to your mobile phone, it is FOC and makes sure that all reports go directly to the correct Council. You can report:
Parks –
Criminal damage, dog waste bins, litter, playgrounds
Streets –
Blocked gullies, dog fouling and litter, trees, highway verges, overhanging trees on highway, bins, potholes
Crime – Criminal damage in parks, drug paraphernalia, fly-tipping, Graffiti.
Please download the app now and help keep Syston tidy.
Chairman’s Nominated Charity
Fundraising has already begun to raise money for Loros.
In November, Council Officers held an SOS Charity Fashion Show.
A huge £470 was raised for LOROS from ticket sales and a raffle which was held on the night. Thank you to everyone who attended the event, bought clothes and to all the local businesses and individuals who generously donated towards our raffle.
Councillor Surgeries
Monthly Councillor Surgeries take place on the first Saturday of each month, currently by Zoom. Our local County and Borough Councillors are in attendance to assist with queries relating to borough and county issues. I also attend some of the surgeries in my role of Town Manager to allow you the opportunity to raise any Syston Town Council specific concerns.
Next Councillors Surgery is: (zoom link to be publicised each month on Syston Town Council website, Facebook and Twitter)
5th February 10am – 11am
5th March 10am – 11am
2nd April 10am – 11am
See our website, Facebook and Twitter as well as the notice board at the Community Centre for the Zoom log-in details, or contact the office Monday to Friday for assistance if you are unsure how to use Zoom.
New email address/website:
mailbox@systontowncouncil.gov.uk
www.systontowncouncil.gov.uk
Twitter @syston_tc
Also find us on Facebook and Linked-In
Contacting your Council:
SYSTON TOWN COUNCILLORS
Merton Ward
Cllr Lyn Gillard
Cllr John Lucas
Cllr Ken Pacey
Cllr Phil Walden
Cllr Scott Walker
Vacancy
St Peters East Ward
Cllr Sharon Brown
Cllr Susan Gerrard
Cllr Stephen Hampson
Cllr Mike Mcloughlin
St Peters West Ward
Cllr Tom Barkley (Chairman)
Cllr Malwyn Carnall
Cllr Phillip Knight
Vacancy
New Barkby Ward
Cllr Asit Jansari (Vice Chairman)
Cllr David Pepper
Cllr Harold Screaton
Cllr Lara Towell
Vacancy
All Councillors can be contacted via Syston Town Council
Syston Town Council, Community Centre
School Street, Syston, Leicester LE7 1HN
Town Manager: Catherine Voyce
Deputy Town Manager: Ursula Southan
Senior Administrator: Kay Liquorish
Assistant to the Town Manager: Sophie Brown
Facilities Manager: Jason Green
Telephone: 0116 260 7150
Email: mailbox@systontowncouncil.gov.uk
Council meeting dates for the next three months
February 2022
Tuesday, 01 Development and General Purposes
Tuesday, 08 Amenities
Tuesday, 15 Resources
Tuesday, 22 Full Council
March 2022
Tuesday, 01 Development and General Purposes
Tuesday, 08 Amenities
Tuesday, 15 Resources
Tuesday, 22 Full Council
April 2022
Tuesday, 05 Development and General Purposes
Tuesday, 12 Amenities
Tuesday, 19 Resources
Tuesday, 26 Full Council
All Council meetings are public meetings and take place in the Brookside Suite at the Community Centre at 7.30 pm, unless stated otherwise. If a member of the public wishes to speak at full council, you are allowed up to fifteen minutes at the beginning of the meeting.
written by Catherine Voyce