Poynton Town Mayor 2021-2022

Councillor Lee Podmore 

The role of Mayor during Covid-19 pandemic 

In May of 2020 I was elected as Mayor during the very first “virtual” Poynton Town Council meeting. From the outset, it was obvious that this would not be a usual Mayoral year and the role of Mayor would need to adapt to comply with the various restrictions and lockdowns in place to keep everyone safe and limit the spread of the disease.

Under normal circumstances the Mayor’s role is highly visible attending civic functions, representing Poynton at events organised by other councils, participation in community events such as Poynton Show, Summer Fest and Christmas Fest, charity fundraising and supporting local businesses and the many voluntary organisations within the Town. With many of these activities cancelled in 2020 and the opportunity to meet people severely curtailed this has been a very different Mayoral year.

 

Thank you Middlewood Partnership and NHS 

On Wednesday 16th February 2022, Poynton's Mayor unveiled a plaque to recognise the NHS staff and many former doctors and nurses who answered the call and came out of retirement to assist on the front line and dedicated many hours to vaccinate our residents. 

Here are the Mayor’s words to thank the Middlewood Partnership, their volunteers and the NHS.

“I’d like to welcome you to the Civic Hall today.

We are here today to thank and celebrate the wonderful work carried out by the NHS during the pandemic and in particular the vaccinations which were carried out here.

As you’re all aware the Civic Hall was the hub of the vaccination drive for the Poynton, Disley and Bollington areas and I’m sure those of you who had their jabs here will remember what a well run operation it was.

Having recognised the magnificent support provided by the volunteers at the Civic Sunday Awards earlier this year, today is about recognising the work of our local NHS staff, in particular those from the Middlewood Partnership.

During the initial roll out of the Covic-19 vaccination programme, the Middlewood team and volunteers gave a total of more than 24,000 1st and 2nd doses here in this building.

Not only this, but they were also one of a limited number of Cheshire GP practices who opted to participate in the booster programme, in order to ensure their patients were able to receive their vaccinations as close to home as possible. In all, more than 30,000 covid vaccinations have been given here - a magnificent achievement I’m sure you’ll agree.

As well as the clinicians, we should also recognise the work carried out by the NHS support staff, without whose help all of this wouldn’t have been possible. Many have worked extra hours in roles outside their normal duties, assisting with co-ordination and delivery of the vaccination programme as well as dealing with patient queries and organising of telephone and online appointments.

When the Government asked for help, many former doctors and nurses answered that call and came out of retirement to assist on the front line and alongside the many volunteers who assisted with the Covid injection drive.

So, without further ado, it is with great pleasure that I unveil this plaque which recognises the NHS staff and volunteers who dedicated many hours to vaccinate all those residents.

On behalf of the residents of Poynton, thank you!"

 

Cllr Lee Podmore - Mayor 2020-2021

 

 

 

The Poynton Pledge 

I launched the Poynton Pledge in September, an initiative designed to recognise and build on the existing excellent community spirit and further encourage support for local businesses and organisations. The Pledge also has a focus on “green” options (e.g. walking or cycling where possible.

I would encourage all residents to show your support for our community and sign up today.


Poynton Pledge Logo

Walking around Poynton, it has been heart-warming to see so many people supporting the local businesses which make it such a wonderful place to live. The Pledge received additional valuable support from the Vernon PTA fundraising Hallowe’en Trail, which proved extremely popular and encouraged local children and their parents to visit the local shops and businesses displaying the items lost by Wanda The Witch in the Village.

In line with the Pledge to “think green” I was delighted that the Town Council were able to source and install a Christmas Tree using local suppliers. The wood chippings from the tree will be used as biomass for generating electricity.

I would like to pass on my personal thanks to all parties involved and everyone who has supported the Poynton Pledge project so far.

Poynton Business Survey

A business survey was issued to local businesses to better understand how the Town Council can assist businesses in Poynton both during Covid-19 and in the future. A number of business suggested a network for businesses and a meeting has been arranged on the 12th January 2021 (albeit this will now be a virtual meeting). I will be attending the meeting to assist in planning next steps in any way I can. Other initiatives to support businesses are currently being explored subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

Other activities

  • Attendance and participation at VJ Day commemoration.
  • Wreath laying on Remembrance Sunday.
  • Attendance at the presentation by Waitrose of awards to local volunteer groups (from organisations such as U3A, Churches Together and Poynton Runners) who provided their neighbours with delivery of food and medicine, along with offering a friendly ear to help people who felt isolated during initial Covid-19 lockdown period.
  • Supporting the Carroll family (Ollies Army) with their campaign to wear orange to help promote Battens Awareness Day for their children Ollie and Amelia and all the other children struggling with this disease.
  • Attending virtually, the ceremony welcoming Rev Matthew Squires-Hennessey as new vicar of St George’s Church.
  • Attending the first ever virtual Bollington Town Council Civic Sunday
  • The Deputy Mayor attended the virtual Knutsford Mayor making ceremony.

Future activities (Covid-19 restrictions dependent)

  • Building on the Pledge and further actions from the Business Survey

The duties of Mayor can only be achieved through a team effort with the able support of my deputy, Councillor Hayley Whittaker and the Town Council staff. Finally, if there is anything you feel the Mayor can do to support your school/voluntary organisation (within Covid Restrictions) please feel free to email me at mayor@poyntontowncouncil.gov.uk.

Councillor Lee Podmore
Poynton Town Mayor

The Mayor's charity/good cause for 2021 -2022

Poynton Town Mayor, Councillor Lee Podmore is pleased to announce that one of his chosen good causes for the year is Poynton Pedals for All. Continuing on from last years theme of community and thinking green what better way to do this than supporting a charity that not only promotes a healthy enjoyable sport, but also aims to make cycling accessible for all.

A message from Poynton Pedals for All .....

Poynton Pedals for All was started by a group of British Cycling Breeze ladies to enable accessible cycling for those who have mobility challenges. The group enjoy riding along the Middlewood Way and wanted to extend it to all abilities. Their aim is to raise enough money to purchase a wheelchair bike, with electrical assistance, to allow those in wheelchairs to enjoy the fresh air and countryside, along with other cyclists. The bike will be stored at the Boar’s Head, and would be available for use of the local community.

The local ranger service has worked incredibly hard to improve the surface of the Middlewood Way and widen access to allow adaptive bikes to be used. In the future, we may be able to purchase further adaptive bikes, as funds allow. Thank you so much to the Mayor and the people of Poynton and the local area for their support.

We have raised £4253.72 so far, thanks to local businesses, fund raising events and kind donations, and the Van Raam Wheelchair bike costs £6,600 + VAT. We estimate that with other costs, including safety equipment, storage, security and insurance, around £9,300 would be needed to set up the resource for the community, and then around £2000 per year after that.

 https://www.facebook.com/PoyntonPedalsforAll/