MD's Column January 2009

It’s hard to miss the daily gloomy economic news, so I might as well get the Council’s steer on it out of the way first.

Like every other organisation and household in the country we are feeling the pinch.

Our income is affected by the fall in interest rates; while revenue from fees such as planning applications, has also dropped. Against this we have to meet our costs, many of which are fixed. We also know that the settlement we get from the Government, no matter how it is presented, will not redress the balance.

On the other side - services including benefits, welfare rights and housing aid will see a rise in the call on the help we can provide, as more and more residents experience the repercussions of the recession.

With that background it is no surprise that, together with my fellow directors and senior managers, we have been devoting many hours to preparing budgets for the next financial year.

All of this makes the annual battle to suit income to the call on our purse even more challenging. But you can be assured that we will endeavour to give a quality service at as cost effective price.

On matters financial the Council does receive funding for specific projects from other bodies. Two of these organisations have recently appointed new chief executives both of whom I will be meeting later this month.

Paul Pugh has joined the Government Offices for the East of England (GO-East). His organisation is responsible for the management of Government funding in many areas including housing and combating crime.

Deborah Cadman of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is no stranger to local government and has held posts in councils including Birmingham and Redcar.

EEDA has helped fund several major projects in the borough including the regeneration of Great Yarmouth seafront, the South Gorleston redevelopment project and the outer harbour work.

Over the years the Council has worked closely with both of these organisations. I am looking forward to meeting the new chief executives and continuing the successful partnerships we have developed.

One project that we will look to both of these bodies for funding, as well as organisations such as English Heritage and Norfolk County Council, is the conservation of St George’s chapel.

This £8 million project will give the borough a dedicated centre for arts and theatre. The area surrounding the chapel and part of King Street is also set to receive the kind of attention which will help to encourage people to visit and appreciate that there is some fine architecture in that part of town.

I started this column with words about the economic downturn. It’s perhaps at time like these when the odd treat does no harm.

The borough’s arts and culture is looked after exceedingly well by arts development agency SeaChange Art. Thanks to their efforts over the last few months Great Yarmouth has played host to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra during the successful Out There event, and in February one of the world’s top cellists will be playing at the Hippodrome.

Julian Lloyd-Webber will be accompanied by the Russian State Philharmonic orchestra in Elgar’s haunting Cello Concerto. I booked my tickets weeks ago and I hope to be joined by many of you to enjoy the kind of performance that we often feel that we need to travel to London to experience.

The Duke of Kent will be attending the concert to make it a Royal occasion.

Tickets can be obtained by calling 01493 844172 or go to www.hippodromecircus.co.uk.

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