New chairman of Street Parish Council wants to hear residents' views in the busy months ahead

The newly-elected chairman of Street Parish Council admits that in these unprecedented times the council will face significant challenges during his 10-month term of office.

Former police officer Andy Leafe, who has been a parish councillor for five years, was voted in as the new chair at Tuesday's (July 21) annual parish council meeting.

The role is traditionally decided each May, but this year the change-over was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and Peter Goater remained in the position for an additional two months.

Andy told Street Nub News: "Peter and former vice-chair Claire Axten have seen us through the difficult times of lockdown and will continue working on their current projects, such as the parish rooms and library refurbishment, and war memorial relocation.

"For me, the first month will be about taking a deep breath, taking stock and seeing where we are going to step up and stay ahead.

"I will be looking at the impact coronavirus has had on the community - particularly the over 70s who have been in self isolation - and the struggles faced by independent traders including shops and pubs which run on low margins.

"The parish council is very active in promoting events, but the lockdown has meant these have been cancelled.

"Therefore we will be looking at our finances and our cash flow, as I envisage we will receive applications for grants from clubs, societies and associations adversely affected, and there are vulnerable families and further projects to support.

"We will also be evaluating ongoing projects - such as whether the closure of the High Street should be extended or opened again."

Andy is committed to ensuring the parish council remains "open and transparent" and is encouraging residents to make their opinions heard and to get more involved in their community.

"We can't canvas public opinion easily at the moment - with our council meetings currently virtual - but it is important that the community feels really comfortable about giving opinion and knows we will listen," he said.

"Feedback and ideas are important to our decision-making. There needs to be an open dialogue.

"We can't promise we will always get it right, but we will do our best."

Andy also wants the parish council to focus on both short and long term strategies.

He said: "It is important to be proactive, rather than reactive.

"While these are unprecedented times life still goes on and we not only have to deal with the now, but also need to develop an overall vision and design plans for the next three and five years.

"In the short term we have two big building developments to consider.

"We have already objected to the proposal for outline planning permission for 280 homes west of Somerton Road and this has now gone to Mendip Distict Council for a decision.

"Next week, we have an extraordinary meeting to discuss the proposal for the industrial park which bisects Walton Parish Council opposite the traffic lights at the Walton junction.

"Longer term, there are proposals for Somerset to become a unitary authority and we need to look at how this could impact on the parish and plan for that.

"We will be constantly accessing and planning ahead.

"It's vital to remain realistic, the Street community has excelled in the last few months during this crisis, but we also need to look at our weaknesses and address our shortcomings to make us stronger."

Andy believes that key to moving forward with confidence is to make best use of the parish councillors' skill sets.

"The parish council is a knitted team and it is very important to consider the skills of each member and how to best utilise these for the benefit of community," he said.

"For example, our new vice-chair is businessman and financier Alan Prior, whose strengths lies in a very different area from mine, so his priority will be to consider what monies the parish council has, assess our cash flow and how this can be used to support the community - after all it is their money we are spending."

Andy moved to Street 20 years ago from Wells and is married with two grown-up children and a step-son.

He was a police officer with Avon and Somerset Constabulary for 30 years, retiring in 2013, and was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 2003 for his dedication to the community of Wells when he was Neighbourhood Beat Manager.

Andy's final four years with the force was spent seconded to the Somerset Youth Offending Team where he provided support to vulnerable children and teenagers - and their families - at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

He now works as a Parent and Family Support Advisor in local junior and infant schools, providing advice and guidance to families, school staff, children and young people to encourage pupil engagement and improve positive participation in learning.