Malvern Hills District Council Leader Phil Grove writes for the Observer:
This is my last column of the year and it’s hard to believe as it has come around so fast.
There is no doubt that 2016 will go down in the history books as a year of seismic change. Obviously the vote to leave the European Union was a surprise to many and has really been a wake up call for politicians at all levels. That of course was followed by the sensational result of the US election. What will happen next?
Change has also been the theme for us as a council as well. We’ve seen huge changes internally as we continue to transform the way our services work to meet the financial challenge we face, while maintaining or improving the quality of service provided to you, our residents. We’re a very different organisation to the one we were at the start of 2016 and that change will continue over the next 12 months and coming years.
So if 2016 has been the year of change, then 2017 is one of challenge. We’ve got some tough decisions to make from what to do with our waste collection service to how we continue to support businesses to deal with the current economic uncertainty.
However, the start of every year brings new hope and opportunity and that’s reflected in our five year plan, which we’re updating to take into account some of those challenges and to focus on those areas you told us are important to you.
Let me take this opportunity to say a personal thank you to all our armed services personnel and police for making and keeping our country safe. I’d also like to thank every single member of our emergency services and NHS who will be sacrificing time with their families over the festive period to keep us safe or care for us.
We don’t say it enough as a country but we’re extremely grateful to you all for everything you do.
Finally, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
