By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Newark needs “fresh ideas” to move forward and maximise its potential, one cultural leader has said ahead of the local elections.
The whole-council elections will take place next Thursday, May 4, giving voters the chance to select members for the next four years at Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The authority has 39 seats and is currently run by the Conservative Party, with Cllr David Lloyd as the leader.
A total of 29 seats are currently held by the Conservatives, seven by Labour, two are Liberal Democrats and one is Independent.
This year a new party, called Independents for Newark, is standing 16 candidates over the district and town councils.
Kevin Winter, Chair of Newark Heritage Forum and Vice Chair of Newark Civic Trust, said it was important future councillors, whoever is elected, “maximise opportunities” to protect the town’s history and culture.
Mr Winter also works as a Collections and Exhibitions officer for the National Civil War Centre in the town.
He said: “I think it’s all about making the best use of fantastic history and culture here.
“I don’t think the high street has recovered but that’s the same as anywhere really.
“There are things being done to help with that.
“The Civil War centre is now free as of April 1 for residents which is pulling more locals into the town.
“There is so much that can be done both with the town centre and part of that is making better use of the upstairs of buildings in the market place.
“A number of historic buildings where we are concerned about at the Newark Civic Trust need to be used to make sure they are being looked after.
“I think the current council have done what they could.
“Sometimes change is as good as a rest and you might get some fresh ideas to the table. I don’t think it needs a wholesale change but fresh ideas would be good.”
Wendy Patterson was part of the ‘Protect Newark’s Green Spaces’ campaign which followed Newark and Sherwood District Council’s plan to remove four trees from the town to make way for a car park extension.
A high-profile environmental campaign followed and the council eventually reversed the decision to cut down the trees in November 2021.
She said: “It’s about time we have a change in Newark.
“It’s appalling that people had to sleep out under the trees in order to get a change.
“The plan for the car park should never have got off the ground in the first place.
“There were many aspects of the conduct of the council that were lacking. The whole saga actually cost half a million pounds which is shocking.
“We need a change, new ideas and we need greener approaches and modern and creative approaches instead of what may be viewed as stale ways of running the town and district.”
A Newark resident who only wished to be known as James added that he would like to see more support for local businesses in the town.
He said: “I would like to see lower rents for shops and more empty shops being filled up.
“A lot have closed which is a shame cos they gave Newark its spark.
“The town hall was refurbished and nobody really took to it and before that it was a thriving market.
“It was ongoing before the pandemic it was setting in because people were starting to rely on shopping online.
“I think there are some people around on market days but it should be thriving.
“It’s got a lot from a tourist perspective and historically it’s fantastic.
“It’s been a crazy time politically nationally and nationally.”
The counting of the votes for the elections will take place at Newark Sports and Fitness Centre from 10am on Friday 5 May 2023.
