Much has happened in Stockport during 2008 and the year seems to have flown by. The highlight was the wonderful Centenary Celebration of the Town Hall which culminated in a fantastic Sunday in July, topped by an amazing firework display.

There have been other successes too. County succeeded in putting Stockport firmly on the map following their promotion to Division 1. A successful football team plays an integral part of life in the Borough and means Stockport’s name being heard throughout the country.

Stockport is by tradition a market town, so it was particularly pleasing to go to the opening of the refurbished market hall. I hope local residents will support all Stockport’s traders so our Borough continues to be a thriving community.

One can hardly look back at the year without commenting on the appalling recession which has now hit everyone. Despite Gordon Brown’s fanciful assurances, regrettably we will continue to suffer as a direct result of more than a decade of Gordon Brown’s mismanagement of the economy.

Our Town is diverse and every part has different needs. The Conservative Group recognises this and, for the past few years, has pressed for funds to be devolved down from the centre to Area Committees where Local Councillors are in touch with local residents and know the communities’ needs. If more funds were devolved down, we could move forward with grants to local projects and local people could be involved in the life of their own community.

One recent success for the whole area happened on the 12^th December, a date now etched in my mind. It was referendum day when the NO campaign was successful in defeating the badly thought-out proposals for the Congestion Charge.

A unanimous NO verdict by all 10 Greater Manchester Authorities against this outrageous tax was a wonderful victory for democracy and common sense. The No Campaign was supported and fought hard for in Stockport by the Conservative Group, as well as Liberal Democrat and Independent Groups from the outset.

By the time you read this Christmas will be upon us. This is a time for families to be together. Jackie and I are looking forward to spending time surrounded by our own family, especially our 7 grandchildren, instead of being surrounded by piles of Council papers!

Let’s hope 2009 will prove to be a positive, if challenging year for our Borough. We in the Council’s Conservative Group wish everyone in Stockport a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2009!

Cllr Les Jones
Leader of Stockport Conservative Group
Heatons North

This article, by Cllr Les Jones, was first published by the Stockport Express 24/12/2008.