4 minute read
Burton & District: Town urged to back library move
Contact:
Chris Plant T: 0845 6036650
Town urged to back library move
Burton’s Town Deal board is pleading with residents and businesses to back the relocation of the library to the Market Hall as the key proposal in its bid for Government millions.
The Government has already indicated that it will give the town £22.8m to spend on regenerating the town centre, and Burton has now got to evaluate seven projects which have been put forward and put a final proposal to the government next March.One of the seven proposals is the plan to relocate the library, in order to create a public services and enterprise hub at the historic Market Hall building, which the Town Deal board says will ‘bring key services together in a prominent town centre location driving footfall around the Market Place area and beyond’.
However, there has been a lot of comment in the local media and social network forums, much of it questioning the need to move the library.
The Town Deal board says that the relocation is vital, as it is linked to the six other proposals, claiming: “It is an opportunity to redesign the library space so that it is in keeping with a 21st century library offer, and by bringing the library and other services together under one roof at the Market Hall it becomes a vital piece of the wider regeneration plans for the transformation of the Market Place area.”
The board has warned that if the library proposal is rejected by the local public and businesses, then the cost of preserving the Market Hall would not be covered by the £22.8m and further money for this would have to come from elsewhere.
The sum currently earmarked for the Market Hall in the town deal proposal is £7.3m, around a third of the total funding.
Burton Town Deal board chairman Ben Robinson said: “The Library and Enterprise Hub project is a fantastic opportunity to improve and preserve the heritage of the Market Hall and provide first class community facilities in a more suitable and easily accessible location.
“By bringing more people in to this part of town, we can attract more businesses and enhance the Market Square as a visitor destination.”
Burton Chamber director Chris Plant said the organisation fully supported the proposals put forward as part of the bid and added: “We are fully behind the Town Deal board and look forward to working with businesses on this project, and making it a success in elevating the town centre and boosting the local economy.”
YMCA Burton board member steps down
One of YMCA Burton’s longest serving board members has stepped down.
Stepping down: Jill Lanham
Jill Lanham served 32 years as a trustee at the YMCA and asthe chairman of the board on two occasions.
She has led the charity through major developments in that time, including the acquisition of new housing sites and the opening the four retail stores. Throughout her time as a volunteer, she also mentored new trustees joining the charity.
CEO Paul Laffey said: “We have been so blessed to have had Jill serving as a trustee with us for so long.
“Jill was also on the board when I was interviewed for my first post at YMCA Burton. Some of my personal highlights, such as visiting Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Lambeth Palace have been with Jill.
“I want to thank Jill, for everything she has done for us, we will all miss her very much and wish her a very happy retirement.”
Ms Lanham said: “It seems a long time ago when I was first invited to observe a Board Meeting with a view to becoming a trustee back in 1989. Little did I realise that I would stay for nearly 32 years.
“During my journey with the YMCA I have seen how hard it can be living a fulfilled life if you have had a disadvantaged upbringing. You need significant help and encouragement and that is what we all at the YMCA work together to give.”
Willshee’s appoints new commercial manager
Burton-based Willshee’s Waste & Recycling has appointed Simon Lowe as commercial manager.
Mr Lowe has specialist knowledge of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) production and has also managed materials recovery facility and household waste recycling centres for Veolia.
This involved working with sorting, processing and production facilities to ensure best practice service delivery and compliance, dealing with all the relevant regulatory bodies as required.
He said: “There is great potential for Willshee’s to increase its market share given that so many businesses are putting increasing importance on minimising their environmental impact and looking for a zero waste to landfill solution.”
Willshee’s managing director Dean Willshee said: “Simon has excellent knowledge of the waste and utilities industries. He is skilled in environmental awareness, waste management, waste to energy process as well as operational and project management.
