Tel: 07791 208415
email: withernseacommunitynews@hotmail.com
March 2022
5
Withernsea High School Reunion - From 20 in the 70s to 70 in the 20s By Rodger Read THE 22/2/22 was picked as a unique day for a reunion of former Withernsea High School pupils, all of whom turn 70 years of age during this academic year. The Wingfield Farm pub in Hessle was picked as the venue, the ease of access being a key reason in order to help people travelling from a distance on the day. 25 of our friends turned up, travelling from all corners of the country. Many of us hadn't seen each other for 50 years or more, and it was great how everyone “clicked” pretty much straight away. Linda (nee Butcher), who had been instrumental in organising the event, put on an ice-breaker quiz, which highlighted just how much we'd all managed to forget over the past 50 years. At 22 mins past 2 (I.e. 22.2.22.2.22!) a toast was proposed to all our memories, our aspirations and our experiences, and to those who
could not be there, or sadly were no longer with us. The remainder of the afternoon, evening and, for the stalwarts amongst us, night, was taken up with eating, drinking and nattering, but not necessarily in that order! A number of the gang had arranged to stay in Hull for a few days, and took a wander round Spurn the following day, interspersed with regular visits to the visitor centre for hot tea, coffee and chocolate as it was a bright but fairly cool day. Some of the last remaining diehards rounding off the day with a mooch round the Old Town. We'd hoped for a visit to Withernsea's new Pier, but maybe next time. We may go for a 75th reunion, and we've already got a volunteer to organise the 90th! Huge thanks to everyone who had a hand in organising the event, and to everyone who was able to be there.
REUNITED: The former Withernsea High School students at their reunion in February (Note David Macnamara was also present but escaped the photograph having been marked L at registration!)
Council tax increases for 2022/23 financial year EAST Riding Councillors voted on Thursday, February 10 to agree to increase East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s part of the council tax charge by 3.99% for the 2022/23 financial year. At a special Full Council meeting, councillors voted to increase the general part of the council tax bill by 1.99% and to increase by a further 2% for adult social care. Recognising the growing cost of adult social care, the Government has allowed those local authorities with adult social care responsibilities that didn’t use the full permitted increase to council tax for adult social care last year to carry forward the unused increase to this year. The council has therefore brought forward its unused 1% as part of this year’s increase to help fund the largest increase to adult social care ongoing costs that it has faced in any single year, which will help to support the recruitment and retention of essential care workers for vulnerable people across the East Riding. The COVID-19 pandemic has also put a strain on the council’s finances and savings of £7.4million need to be made from the 2022/23 budget, not only to absorb that impact but also to meet the growing costs of delivering services. Unveiling his financial plans for 2022/23, Councillor Jonathan Owen, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council promised that, despite the pressures of rising inflation, a challenging employment market and the increased costs of adult social care, investment in the council’s key corporate priorities would continue including £1million over three years allocated to support the Council’s response to climate change as well as providing an extra 100 new electric vehicle charging points over the next 18 months while looking at how new technology can help improve services and connect more with residents.
The council’s part of the council tax bill will result in a monthly increase of £5.17 for Band D properties but there are also additional charges to be taken into account from Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service as well as town and parish councils, which are determined separately. Withernsea Town Council carried out their annual budget review and forecast for 2022/23 back in November. All of the Council’s procedures and services (including property management, open spaces and the Christmas Lighting display and events etc) , their financial implications and forecasts were analysed in detail by the Finance Committee. The recommended budget is then submitted to the full council for approval. The final precept levied on householders in the town depends on the tax base for Withernsea. The more social housing and claimants you have, the less your tax base is. It is calculated according to a band D property, then apportioned appropriately for the other bands. The fewer people paying full council tax, the lower the tax base is, which ultimately has an effect on the budget figures and affects the final percentage increase in the precept. The net budget and precept demand for 2022/23 is £203,388.00 which represents a 3.4% precept increase. J Moxon PSLCC, Town Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer, commented: “It is fair to say that our responsibilities often outweigh our resources, but we do the best we can with the budget we have. We would like to do more. We do rely on some fundraising and sponsorship which has been scarce and difficult to raise since the pandemic, and we always try to locate additional external funding where it's available.”
Crossroads Nursery, North Leys Road, Hollym, HU19 2QN Mon to Saturday 9:30 to 4:30 Sunday 10:00 to 4:00
Serving a selection of sandwiches, toasties, cakes and drinks. Also Indian Omelettes with Paratha bread. COMING SOON Masala Fish and chips Masala chicken and chips and stone baked pizzas coming for Lunch.
A warm welcome awaits you. Contact Safi on 07588 527238 Find us on Facebook
