Every year we have an annual town meeting. It is an opportunity for everyone on the Woodstock electoral role to ask questions, make comments and, if so desired, to pass motions.

Although according to the Council’s standing orders the Mayor presides, if he is present, the meeting belongs to the town, not to the council; and, if the people there do not like the agenda which I suggest, they are free to change it or indeed to reject it entirely and substitute a different one.

The important thing is that as many people as possible come and participate. This year the meeting is on Tuesday 16^th March at 7.30 p.m. at the Community Centre in New Road.

I have asked councillors with lead responsibilities to talk for five minutes each about their portfolios, as follows:-

·         Tony Gardiner (Finance)

·         Brian Yoxall (Strategy)

·         Trish Redpath (Environment)

·         Victoria Edwards (Council Property)

I have also asked our Woodstock@900 Festival Director Phil Pike to report on current plans for the celebrations. And we shall hear too from our County and District Council representatives, Ian Hudspeth and Jill Dunsmore.

We will then move on to an Open Forum, which will be everyone’s opportunity to quiz, to criticise, to suggest and, if so desired, to resolve.

Finally we hope to seize the opportunity of this gathering - open as it is to all - to say a heartfelt and warm farewell to a most faithful, dedicated and long-serving servant of the council and the town, Val Read – and of course to her staff and support Les. The right words should be saved up for that occasion; but I hope that everyone who knows, loves and/or has reason  to  be grateful to Val will come and support this official send-off, though of course Val and Les are not actually going anywhere away from Woodstock, just retiring.

I hope to see you all there.

Peter Jay