Retiring Louth mayor hands out cheques to good causes

Town councillors, charities, community groups and members of the public filled Louth's British Legion Hall last Tuesday (May 9) for the Annual Town Meeting - one of the final council engagements to be hosted by the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Eileen Ballard,.
Outgoing Mayor of Louth, Eileen Ballard, alongside those who benefitted from her cheques at the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday May 9.Outgoing Mayor of Louth, Eileen Ballard, alongside those who benefitted from her cheques at the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday May 9.
Outgoing Mayor of Louth, Eileen Ballard, alongside those who benefitted from her cheques at the Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday May 9.

Coun Ballard’s year in office came to an end on Tuesday evening (May 16) when the formal election of a new mayor for 2017/18 took place.

At last week’s Annual Town Meeting, Coun Ballard outlined the work that Louth Town Council had carried out over the past year, including their ongoing work supporting the Hubbard’s Hills Trust and Louth In Bloom - which won the coveted East Midlands In Bloom gold award last summer.

Special activities in the last year included the hosting of a special party for people in the parish over the age of ninety - to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday - and the council’s involvement in major works such as the flood alleviation scheme on the outskirts of Louth.

The council also participated in multiple consultations with other authorities, on topics such as street lighting, gypsy and traveller sites, grass cutting, car parking and public toilets.

The council was also a consultee for more than 200 planning applications - an increase of 42 per cent compared to last year.

As part of Coun Ballard’s final engagement, she distributed cheques to 12 good causes using funds that were raised during her year in office.

The grateful recipients included the Louth Disability Forum, Louth Choral Society, Louth Division Guides Association, Louth Swimming Club, Lincolnshire Wolds Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), Louth Male Voice Choir, St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, Louth & District Arthritis Club, Friends of St James’ Church, Louth Museum, Louth Athletic Club, and the Zero Degrees Chorus.

Coun Ballard also gave a cheque to the St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice, having seen first-hand how important and ‘invaluable’ hospices can be in providing end-of-life care for patients and support for families, following the tragic death of her sister-in-law last year.

East Lindsey District Councillor Adam Grist, Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy, also attended the meeting to give a presentation on economic development and tourism in the local area.

He spoke of the Wolds as England’s “best kept secret”, and described how the ‘exciting’ proposed multi-user path from Tetney Haven to Louth could provide a real boost to our district in the future.

Coun Grist also took a question from Coun Andrew Leonard,who asked about the ‘slow progress’ of the potential sale of Louth’s Cattle Market. He asked whether the sale was still on the horizon.

Coun Grist said there wasn’t much detail he could provide, but insisted that talks were ‘ongoing’ between the district council and the preferred bidder. He told councillors that the issue would be concluded ‘this year’.