New Year wishes from council chairman

“Since being elected as Chairman in May, I have had the pleasure of travelling the length and breadth of our great county, visiting many fantastic events and places.”

The best part of my job though is the people I meet along the way.

I recently had the pleasure of talking to many County Council service users, from the youngest in our children’s centres to the oldest using our day care and residential care services.

The visits included the newly modernised Bassetlaw day service in Albion Close, Worksop and James Hince care and support home in Carlton. It was pleasing to hear people being so positive about the improvements to many of the buildings and services being made by the County Council.

Earlier this year, I hosted an event for the county’s ‘unsung heroes’ – volunteers, fundraisers and people who support the vulnerable, in their own time for no financial reward.

It was truly humbling to meet people like Les and Julia Sissons from Worksop, who have offered up their home and their time to provide respite care for people with learning difficulties for the last seven years through the County Council’s shared lives scheme.

When recalling 2012, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Olympics and Paralympics. What a fantastic summer it was for Team GB and Team Nottinghamshire!

It all started in Bassetlaw back in June when thousands of people turned out to see the Olympic torch arrive at Darlton. It was my great privilege to welcome it to the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest.

And 2012 has been extra special because of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee too, which saw events which united the nation and bought people from communities across the county together.

I hope you have all had a very merry Christmas and I wish you a happy New Year. I am sure that 2012 has been a memorable year for many and I hope 2013 will bring you peace and happiness.”