January 2025

Welcome to my first blog!

I am delighted to launch my first monthly update to share an insight into the meetings and events I attend as Leader of Boston Borough Council, as well as some of the people I meet along the way.

I have also shared a copy of my Leader's diary Leader's diary January 2025 (PDF, 112 KB), to give you a flavour of how varied and rewarding my role is.

Just after New Year, I was saddened to witness the devastation that flooding causes to people's homes and livelihoods; and my heart goes out to the residents of Wyberton West Road and Park Road who were so badly affected when the South Forty Foot overtopped.

In addition to the Flood Relief Fund that our council made available within 24 hours, our Mayor, Cllr Helen Staples swung into action incredibly quickly and organised a fund-raising coffee morning, along with her Deputy Mayor, Cllr Suzanne Welberry, which took place at St Thomas's Church Hall.  I would like to thank Jon Posey, Technical Director of Sureserve Compliance Central for kindly donating four Boston United hospitality tickets as a raffle prize, and to also acknowledge that Jon's generosity extended even further as he also made a donation to Boston Foodbank.

It is heartwarming that we have so many generous and caring residents who look out for and help each other in our community. Boston would not be the place it is without the kindness shown by others.

As Leader, I get invited to many interesting meetings and events and I always take the opportunity to champion our residents, businesses and community. Meetings with Government Ministers and senior civil servants also give me an opportunity to shout about the good work happening in our borough but to also lobby for ongoing improvements and funding.

I was delighted then, to represent the Borough at the House of Lords at a Parliamentary reception hosted by the Local Government Association (LGA). The LGA works with councils to support, improve and promote local authorities.

I met and spoke with Local Government Minister Jim McMahon OBE MP who is the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. I took the opportunity to invite him to come and visit us here in Boston and he readily accepted, saying that he would aim to come along in the summer! I spoke with Lord Porter of Spalding, other MPs and council leaders. My favourite chat of the evening was with a lovely guide dog, called Rye, who was really well behaved at this busy event!

Along with our Director of Economic Development, I was pleased to have a meeting with the owners of The Gliderdrome, Andrew and Stephen Malkinson.  This fantastic venue is a true asset to Boston. Who would have thought our town would have played such a huge part in the career of some of the greatest musicians including Elton John, Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix to name but a few!

 As featured recently in the press, the future of this iconic venue is far from certain. I met with Andrew and Stephen Malkinson to discuss what ways the Council could potentially support them going forward, as well as providing information on grants.

I hope you've enjoyed this small insight into my role. If you have a question you would like to ask a Councillor, you can find their contact information here

You are also welcome to submit written questions to the Council or come and meet the Cabinet face to face ahead of our meeting. The next session is Wednesday 19 February at 6pm, before Cabinet at 6.30pm.

Thank you for reading and take care.

Cllr Anne Dorrian

Leader of Boston Borough Council