Happy New Year

11.39.32am GMT Tue 1st Jan 2008

This seems like a suitable point to review 2007 - a successful year for Northampton Liberal Democrats - and look forward to some of the challenges that face us.

The 2007 local elections saw us achieve control of Northampton Borough Council for the first time - making gains from both Labour and Conservatives with 26 Councillors. A truly magnificent result.

But now we have to prove ourselves running the Council. A council that has many long-standing problems - that under both Labour and Conservatives had been rated one of the worst in the Country. It is a heavy responsibility for us Liberal Democrats to take this on - in many respects we hold the hopes of Northampton people in our hands - and a challenge to restore their faith in politics by proving that we are able to make a difference.

It will take time and involve us making unpopular but necessary decisions but in the longer term our town will be a better place to live in and Northampton should take its place rightfully as one of the Britain's leading locations.

What we have done since May:

• Appointed a new Chief Executive

• Strengthened the Council's Democracy with enhanced Scrutiny and increased accountability of the Cabinet

• Put the Finances onto a sounder footing whilst working within a restricted budget inherited from the Conservatives

• Kept open some public toilets previously planned for closure by the Conservatives

• Restored funding to provide some Christmas lights

• Cut Sunday car parking charges, introduced pay on foot in two car parks and free Sunday parking in two others

• Signed Heads of Agreement on the Grosvenor Centre/Greyfriars development

• Commenced work on plans for the Market Square and Abington Street.

2008 sees further challenges to improve the Council

• Agreeing the first Liberal Democrat Budget in February in a situation where Government funding has only increased by 1.2%

• Putting the Balloon Festival onto a sounder footing and agreeing long-term strategy

• Getting a further report from the Audit Commission in March 2008, which we expect, will show how things have improved.

• Improve the Council's services across the board, making them more 'customer focused' and responsive to the needs of residents.

Turning round a poorly performing council will take time. We have made a start. However, it will take two or three years to put in place all of the changes and improvements that are necessary.

We have an excellent team in place to deliver the changes required and above all we will make sure the residents of Northampton are fully involved in that progress.

Have a happy 2008.

Cllr Tony Woods

Liberal Democrat Leader

Northampton Borough Council