Sheila Oxtoby
The right conversations are more powerful than structures
Tackling issues such as delayed hospital discharges is not about structures and powers, although they can definitely help, but more about having the right conversations so we can work together in place, says Sheila Oxtoby.
We need more joined-up working between local and central Government
'Nutrient neutrality' regulations are well-meaning but the need to reduce our impact on the environment is best achieved through long-term planning, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Helping the mayoral medicine go down
There is a willingness to enter into negotiations on a county deal in good faith, but there seems to be a mismatch between our ambition and what may be on offer, says chief executive of Great Yarmouth BC Sheila Oxtoby.
Give us the chance to plan ahead
Chief executive of Great Yarmouth BC Sheila Oxtoby outlines the three key things her council is hoping for in 2022, including more freedom to respond to local needs.
The next few months will be testing
The pressures of COVID have not gone away, says chief executive of Great Yarmouth BC Sheila Oxtoby. 'We are devising ‘Plan B’, working with our key partners and communities and through our Community Champions programme to be ready.'
Waiting with anticipation for the levelling up White Paper
Sheila Oxtoby says that like many in local government, she is keen to see whether the levelling up White Paper creates opportunities for more power and funding to be devolved to a local level.
Embracing a greener tourism economy in Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is engaged with European partners and Norfolk CC on working towards a greener tourism offer that embraces a circular economy, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Elections like no other
Sheila Oxtoby outlines the scale of the preparations for the operation of polling stations and counts to mitigate risk and ensure openness and transparency during 'elections like no other'.
Getting the balance right
While the Levelling Up Fund and Community Renewal Fund are further welcome additions to investment in recovery, the complexity and time-consuming nature of such bidding regimes must be of concern to local government, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Significant funding is critical to delivering Yarmouth's plans for transformative change
Great Yarmouth secured a provisional offer of £13.7m investment from the Future High Streets Fund towards its vision to transform and revive the town centre, says Sheila Oxtoby. A Town Deal bid has also been submitted.
Staying agile through the second lockdown
During 'Lockdown 2.0', resilient multi-agency systems and practices of support and enforcement are embedded throughout Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and the wider region, with councils working with partners closely and flexibly, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Keeping tourism going in the face of the unknowns
Sheila Oxtoby outlines the challenge of 'encouraging businesses to remain positive and continue to work on a programme of extending the tourism season when there are so many unknowns that lie ahead'.
Coastal resorts face both challenges and opportunities
Additional Government funding is essential not only to support in-year budgets, but to 'ensure delivery of our regeneration ambitions does not falter, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Targeted funding and innovative thinking are crucial for recovery
Coastal resorts are particularly vulnerable during the pandemic, says Sheila Oxtoby - and the Government’s national plans, including timescales, for easing social distancing restrictions will be critical in localised planning.
The wellbeing of individuals and their wider community is key
COVID-19 has put public health at the top of the nation's priorities, and it's vital to remember that the wellbeing of individuals and their wider community are key to creating a place-based agenda, writes Sheila Oxtoby.
Driving forward our town centre vision
Great Yarmouth BC's interventions under the Future High Streets Fund will not bring about the transformational change desired If they are 'unpacked and cherry-picked', says Sheila Oxtoby.
General Election brings uncertainty to improvement plan timetable
Sheila Oxtoby says the General Election calls into question the timetable for starting work on a key project to improve the seafront in Great Yarmouth that would also provide a major year-round boost for the economy.
Delivering a compelling longer-term vision of place
In shaping an area-based agenda it's important to remember that place is made up of people as well as spaces, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Evolution not decline
Sheila Oxtoby says that while there is much talk of the decline of the traditional high street, the current changes are just the most recent developments in the ongoing evolution of the town centre.
Driving ahead with a new cultural and tourism strategy
Great Yarmouth BC is finalising a new strategy aligning its tourism and cultural offers, says Sheila Oxtoby - and alongside this it is shaping a 'place story' to support promotion.