This last year has been both challenging and rewarding. Challenging, for in these difficult economical times more people are going to turn to the various sources of grants for assistance. However these are not going to go away, just be more challenging to address. We must not be negative but more robust in our bidding procedures and grasp the opportunities that are out there. Rewarding in achieving our stated objectives, seeing projects completed and new ones started. In recognition of the continuing effort all of you have given in making Billingshurst a better place, we have had the satisfaction of reaching the final stages of a national award for voluntary service. This is The Queen’s Award, an MBE, for Voluntary Service by an Organisation.

In looking back, not just last year, but over the eight years of our Partnership activity, you have raised some £400K’s worth of grant; contributed over 30 thousand hours of voluntary work and have completed projects to the benefit of the community at large. A remarkable achievement!

As I hand over the chairmanship I would say to you that we have two courses of action before us: 1) to remain focussed on local affairs and 2) to be more active in a much broader sense, both District and Regional. I am confident that we will grasp both these challenges. We have some far-reaching projects moving forward and these are more challenging than we have addressed in previous years. I am sure that we have the skills and the capacity to meet these challenges. Billingshurst may, and I use the word advisedly, experience a substantial expansion of the community and we have registered our view on that subject. However should this expansion occur then we need to be a significant voice and contributor to the complex issues that will inevitably arise. I do not, and would not, propose that as a partnership we involve ourselves in the political debate, but we do need to be at the centre of any discussions relating to the retail activity of Billingshurst and any other community facility identified as part of our Action Plan.

In a much broader sense we have already made an acknowledged contribution to District affairs, both as a Founder Member and our continuing involvement in the Six Towns Partnership. I find it rewarding within the South East Region that, due to our work at community level, we have been invited to have a presence in the South East Rural Towns Partnership and as one of the first communities to form a partnership, we are now asked for our advice and to give comment to other emerging partnerships. I think that this is a compliment to all of your efforts and the professionalism that you have displayed.

So, as your retiring chairman I thank you all – colleagues and partners alike, for your support over these eight years and I offer my support to our new chairman and will continue my efforts as a director of this partnership, if you so wish it. For me this is not “goodbye” merely a change of pace and a lesser contribution to our affairs in the future.

Patrick Perks
July 2010