A NEW era, with Wisbech Town Council playing a much bigger role in the running of the town, was heralded by Councillor Roger Green, council leader, this week. Make no mistake, he told fellow councillors on Monday, the time is coming when we as a counci

A NEW era, with Wisbech Town Council playing a much bigger role in the running of the town, was heralded by Councillor Roger Green, council leader, this week.

"Make no mistake," he told fellow councillors on Monday, "the time is coming when we as a council must adopt a more positive and proactive role."

The council must be prepared and equipped to take on new challenges and responsibilities, and the key to this was for it to acquire Quality Status.

Councils were encouraged by the Government to seek such status and the government anticipated that in the medium term councils would then wish to provide additional services and take on responsibility for some community assets.

Cllr Green asked: "Why shouldn't we have a much more influential say when it comes to such controversial matters as public toilets, the Market Place, car parks, town centre roundabouts and our Victorian park?

"We live here. We know the town and its problems and therefore in many ways are more knowledgeable and enthusiastic when it comes to helping to organise and monitor future policies."

He acknowledged this would mean greater financial involvement but was confident "the ratepayers of this wonderful Georgian market town of ours would not object to the precept increasing if they could see they were getting tangible results for their money and having direct contact with local councillors whose sole aim would be to get things done as quickly and effectively as possible - an aim born out of an inherent pride in their home town and a burning desire to make it safer, happier and a more attractive place in which to work, live and play".