From May 16th David ceased to be Chairman of Newcastle Health Scrutiny Committee and a member of Staffordshire Health ScrutinyCommittee. David remains a member of the Newcastle Health Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr David Becket was elected as Mayor of the Loyal and Ancient Borough of Newcastle under Lyme on May16th 2012. His wife, Dr Anne Becket is Mayoress and his daughter Professor Clare Holdsworth is High Constable. Newcastle is one of the few boroughs still appointing a High Constable.
Cllr Eddie Boden, who like David has served the North Western area of the Borough for many years, was elected Deputy Mayor
David’s charities are the Realise Foundation and New Vic Boderlines. Both these charities work with disadvantaged children, helping them to get a good start in life.
Andrew Wemyss was re-elected to the Borough Council for Halmer End Ward on May 3rd.
As a result of loss of seats by Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and UKIP, Labour have taken control of the Borough Council
Links to Tourist Information sites in the area are now provided. Look under Tourist Information in the left hand column and you will find the link to specific tourist websites.
From Monday 13th February the D&G Bus service 85 from Crewe to Newcastle via Betley will carry on through to Stoke Station and Hanley. See link to D&G bus times for full details. Timings at Betley will not change.
The result of the Madeley By Election held on February 2nd is as follows
Simon White Liberal Democrat 617
John Smart Labour 342
Howard Goodall Conservative 294
Elaine Blake UKIP 41
Liberal Democrat Gain from Labour
As Deputy Mayor and Mayoress David and Anne take their share of attending Christmas Concerts on behalf of the Council. An outstanding feature of these concerts is the involvement in and talent of our youth.
The Wolstanton Schools Partnership concert at the Victoria Hall was an inspiring evening enhanced by musical talent from all the schools involved. The world premier of “A Portrait of Wolstanton was outstanding. The work was a collaborative musical project with Manchester Camerata Orchestra which has taken Portraits as its season theme.
The enthusism shown by the College Glee Club at the Newcastle College Christmas Concert in St Georges Church was infectious, they shared with the audience a real sense of enjoyment.
Betley Church Choir is outstanding for a small village, and the Choir includes a group of youngsters with remarkable talent.
The youth of today get a poor press and are facing considerable difficulties as they start to make their way in the world. It is inspiring to witness what youth can achieve. As Mayor next year David’s chosen charities will be those that help our youth get a start in life.
David, Dylis and Andrew wish all their electors every good wish for Christmas and the very best for 2012
The Parish Council has a new web site, see link under Local Council in left hand column.
The address is:
http://www.betley-balterley-wrinehill.org.uk
On 22nd November Newcastle under Lyme Borough Council voted to propose an alternative parliamentary constituency map for North Staffordshire, that included keeping the old Borough (pre 1974) and the rural area in one constituency.
The motion was proposed by a Labour Councillor and seconded by David Becket. Liberal Democrats, Labour and UKIP members voted for the motion, and the Tories abstained. The motion was therefore passed with a majority of 31 votes. This becomes the official response of the Borough Council.
