New Year's Resolutions and messages from council offices in Taunton

Except now you might have noticed you have gained a bit of weight over the holidays, your liver is hurting from too much festive partying, or you are dreading checking your bank balance after a festive splurge on the high street, so it might be time for a change in the form of a New Year’s Resolution.

New Year’s Resolutions are said to date back some 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians, when they made promises to the gods.

If they kept their promises then the gods would be favourable to them in the coming year, but if not, the year wouldn’t go so smoothly.

Now, 4,000 years later, we are still making promises to try and better ourselves as a new year dawns, and they come in all shapes and sizes.

From trying to live a healthier lifestyle, to stunting that horrible nail-biting habit, January is the time to make a difference and hope that you can hold on to it to make this year a bit better.

We asked you to take our poll to decide what you were going to make your New Year’s Resolution this year.

A whopping 48 per cent of you said you were going to start eating more healthily, while 26 per cent said they aimed to start exercising regularly. Five per cent said they aimed to lay off the alcohol, two per cent plan to quit smoking and 19 per cent had more personal ideas about what they were going to do.

Elsewhere in the county, council officials are stating what their hopes are for Taunton this year.

Councillor John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: “On behalf of TDBC, I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

“As we enter 2017 we are on the cusp of delivering major initiatives including development at Firepool, the modernisation and upgrade of Taunton Railway Station, regeneration at Coal Orchard and significant progress on the major J25 employment site with the potential for 4,000 jobs.

“All these projects will, of course, need the appropriate permissions through the democratic process. I acknowledge that planning and other regulatory procedures have delayed progress – but it is only right that we get such high profile projects right – that is vital for Taunton and the wider Borough.

“We must also applaud and support the efforts being made by Bridgwater and Taunton College who hope to establish the University of Somerset in 2017.”

The council says it is pleased with its efforts in providing affordable housing throughout the town. According to Mr Williams, 222 new affordable dwellings were provided in 2015-16, which exceeds the target of 200.

Savings are on the horizon for the council in 2017 with the proposed creation of one single council for Taunton and West Somerset, according to the leader.

He added: “We are planning and investing for the future in Taunton Deane – and we are delivering despite huge cuts in funding. We will continue to look at what we do and how we do it to modernise and streamline our operations so we can continue to provide the services that people value.

“I hope that all the exciting plans that we are making come to fruition in a reasonable time. I say this in the knowledge that we have to deal with many other parties and partners while many regulatory authorities also have to be consulted. We also are faced with a difficult funding position. We do plan and invest for the future and that will continue.”

Mayor of Taunton Deane, Cllr Vivienne Stock-Williams, has also made a New Year’s Resolution.

She said: “My New Year’s Resolution is to continue meeting and thanking the inspirational unsung heroes who work so selflessly for the wellbeing of all communities throughout our borough. My hope is that they will inspire others.”

Meanwhile, over-50s specialists Saga looked into what people over 50 were looking to change this January.

Many of the resolutions revolved around looking after themselves better, with 35 per cent wanting to lose weight, 30 per cent wanting to become fitter and 21 per cent wanting to eat healthier.

Other causes such as volunteering for a charity, sorting out finances and doing up the house also made the list.

Paul Green, director of communications at Saga, said: “2017 is going to be a busy year for the over 50s as they want to do something good for themselves by losing weight and getting fit.

“They also want to do something good for their future by sorting out their finances and doing good for others by giving back to society and volunteering for a charity.”

For the record, here are some of the New Year’s Resolutions from the County Gazette team: News editor Lee Irving says he hopes to get better at saving money this year, while web editor Danielle Morris hopes to be happy and grateful and is working towards a more positive attitude.

Reporter Phil Hill says he hopes to see the NIDR project complete by the end of the year, while Steven Salter wants to kick his fast food addiction and Amy Cole wants to stop biting her nails.

Other ideas floating around from people in the newsroom include doing more gardening, going to more concerts and learning to drive.