COUNCILS need to work together to pull Wisbech back from the brink of decline, according to the acting chief executive of Cambridgeshire County Council. That was the message from Gordon Jeyes when he spoke at a dinner attended by members of Wisbech Town C

COUNCILS need to work together to pull Wisbech back from the brink of decline, according to the acting chief executive of Cambridgeshire County Council.

That was the message from Gordon Jeyes when he spoke at a dinner attended by members of Wisbech Town Council.

Mr Jeyes, who has stepped into the top job until Mark Lloyd takes up the post next month, was invited to the dinner by town and county councillor Simon King, and told guests that "working together is crucial" to improve a beleaguered Wisbech fighting back from the brink of decline.

Councillor Roger Green, the leader of Wisbech Town Council, responded by saying he recognises that Wisbech has problems "when it comes to such things as tackling crime, coping with the unexpectedly large influx of Eastern Europeans, a lack of visible policing on our streets and cars parking indiscriminately anywhere and everywhere", but challenged anyone to name a town of similar size without such problems.

The dinner, at Mendi's in Old Market, was also attended by the retired town clerk Christine Newman, who was presented with a cut glass rose bowl in recognition of her work leading to the town council being awarded Quality Status.

New town clerk, Erbie Murat said he and his team of officers "will now work closer with such partners as the police, Primary Care Trust, Fenland District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and other organisations devoted to improving and promoting Wisbech".