I THINK it’s fair to say that 2016 has been a challenging year.

The news has been filled with tragic stories of war, terrorism and the passing of many celebrity icons, while Brexit, not unsurprisingly, has also taken the lion’s share of newspaper column inches.

But no matter how difficult the year has been, as we head towards midnight on December 31 there always seems to be a sense that we have made it, and we shall look forward to whatever 2017 has to hold.

I am pleased to report that the picture in Test Valley during 2016 has been a far more positive one.

As a council, we continue to face challenges due to an ever-shrinking budget and an increasing demand on services, but we continue to grow and adapt.

As a result, we have been able to deliver and progress a range of fantastic projects over the past 12 months.

Just last month we announced that Places for People had secured the new leisure contract.

Together we will deliver a new leisure centre for Andover, featuring a 165-station fitness suite including a virtual cycling studio, 25m six lane pool with 15m learner pool, dance studios, eight court sports hall, squash courts, adventure play, and café.

The Andover Vision project continues at pace and to date we have spoken to more than 1,400 local residents, businesses and community organisations about their hopes and aspirations for the town.

October saw the opening of the new £3.9m Technology and Future Skills Centre at Andover College, which will provide young people with the advanced technical and practical skills required to help pave the way to a successful career.

I attended The Lights’ 10th anniversary celebrations in the autumn.

The theatre has gone from strength to strength over the past decade, attracting fantastic acts and drawing large audiences.

I am also pleased to report that we received the 2016 Best Overall Small Business Friendliness award from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

This year, in addition, we were proud to receive an Outstanding Commitment to Supporting Small Business award in recognition of the council’s hard work over the eight years the FSB has been running the initiative.

We were also delighted to win such a clear cut victory in the High Court challenge to our Local Plan.

The plan enables us to protect the borough from inappropriate development and allows us to continue with our planned strategy for growth in the right places.

Following a successful 2016, I look forward to seeing what the coming year has in store.

I hope you all enjoyed a very happy Christmas surrounded by friends and family and wish each and every one of you a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.

Councillor Ian Carr, Leader of Test Valley Borough Council