ELECTION 2021: New Downham town councillors look forward after election successes

Three of Downham's new town councillors have called for the town to improve and move forward after their by-election victories today.

The town has endured a turbulent recent period with resignations and other vacancies meaning five seats were up for grabs in the contests held on Thursday.

And, from differing perspectives, the wish to advance the town's fortunes was apparent all round during the count at West Norfolk Council's Lynn offices.

Among the new faces, who between them will make up a quarter of the council, is Steve Moyses, who was elected in the South ward.

A market trader for more than 30 years, he feels the council has lost sight of what its core role is in recent times and suggested those in charge now are too "controlling" of its affairs.

He said: "I need to try to collaborate with the experienced councillors and try to run the council for the people."

He also wants to increase usage of the town hall and questioned why a number of services offered there were halted before the Covid crisis.

He said: "We need to get the heart and hub of the town back."

Elsewhere, voters in the Old Town ward have a familiar face representing them in the shape of borough councillor Josie Ratcliffe.

She said she wanted to help the authority communicate what it was doing more effectively to the public and suggested many of the controversial changes implemented at the market last year were forced on the authority by government legislation.

She is also hopeful that a new consultation, launched yesterday as part of the Opportunities Downham Market initiative, will encourage people on all sides of the argument to draw a line and bring forward new ideas for the future.

She said: "The town council doesn't just sit in its office and make decisions in isolation.

"It's working with other partners. It's trying to get input from the residents and it's working with the market traders and the other people who hold licences with the council."

Asked whether he was encouraged by the new project, Mr Moyses said: "Absolutely. We really need to encourage more shops and businesses."

But town centre business isn't the only thing on the mind of another of the town's new councillors, Simon Gomes-Da Costa.

The IT professional was elected in the North ward by a margin of just two votes and says he is keen to explore the idea of a technology hub to help new enterprise.

And, having moved to the town from London, he hopes to bring some new ideas on the market and other issues.

He said: "I think fresh blood and a fresh way of thinking is always a good thing."

"I do think the market needs to grow. If you have a good choice, the chances are you will pull people in from further afield.

"The market is important. The shops are important. What needs to be thought about is bringing new life into the town."