Agenda item

To receive updates from Ward Councillors from Wingfield, Anston and Woodsetts and Boston Castle on the activities supporting Thriving Neighbourhoods across the Borough.

Further to Minute No. 55 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19^th November, 2018, consideration was given to the annual Ward updates for Wingfield, Anston and Woodsetts and Boston Castle as part of the Thriving Neighbourhood Strategy.

The Strategy signalled a new way of working for the Council both for Members and for staff and covered every Ward in the Borough delivered through Ward Plans developed with residents to address local issues and opportunities.  Ward Members would be supported by the neighbourhood team and would work with officers and residents from a range of organisations to respond to residents.

Councillors Ireland and Jepson, on behalf of the Anston and Woodsetts Ward, gave an update on their Ward priorities as follows:-

-               Clean and Green activity with Anston Park Junior and Anston Brook Schools to promote the environment, involvement in environment projects and the consequences of littering

-               Speed watch events around various locations in Anston and Woodsetts in conjunction with South Yorkshire Police.  From last year’s budget a mobile vehicle activated speed unit had been purchased which enabled it to be moved around the Ward where there were known speeding hotspots

-               Together with Woodsetts Parish, Council, 3 permanent speed signs had been funded and awaiting installation

-               Community Chest had been successful again this year.  Community groups had all suffered throughout the pandemic and had needed a lot of extra support

-               A number of improvements within the Woodland Drive Community Centre including CCTV, new local play park and the installation of a defibrillator on the side of the Centre.  Replacement defibrillator pads had been funded through the Community Leadership Fund

-               There were 5 defibrillators within Anston.  Thanks were conveyed to Start a Heart with whom work had taken place

-               There was ongoing work with the Probation Service decorating the Community Centre.  The facelift was part of a wider scheme to encourage more users into the Centre

-               There were several woodlands in the area with a number of trees cut down for safety purposes.  These had been made into bench seats/used for woodland activities and distributed to local schools for reading gardens

-               Pumpkin trail where over 100 people had attended over the 3 days

Councillor McNeely, on behalf of the Boston Castle Ward, gave an update on its Ward priorities as follows:-

-               Sincere thanks to all the volunteers, businesses, community groups and local residents who came together in various ways to help in the community

-               Wellgate House – Ward Councillors had worked closely with South Yorkshire Police, Places for People, the Council and local residents to target anti-social behaviour around the property.  As a result local residents now kept the Police and Councillors updated via a Whatsapp group

-               Ward funding had been used to work in partnership with the local Mosque to look at the possibility of developing a hub for community activities

-               Herringthorpe Playing Fields – in response to community concerns regarding anti-social behaviour and following a meeting between the Council and Police, fencing had been erected to prohibit access in certain areas to the field.  Changes had also been made to the way the field was managed to improve its potential to attract wildlife

-               Wharncliffe Flats – South Yorkshire Police had made a significant number of arrests and numerous warrants executed.  New CCTV had now been installed and with the support of RotherFed and local Councillors, a newsletter would be produced to keep residents up-to-date with ongoing work

-               Boston Castle Grove – South Yorkshire Police had met with Thomas Rotherham College and a plan agreed to help further secure their site to restrict out of hours access in response to concerns raised by local residents regarding speeding and anti-social behaviour on and around the Grove.  Patrols were continuing around the issues with numerous fines issued to illegally parked vehicles

-               Start a Heart had agreed to refurbish the disused telephone box at the bottom of Boston Castle Grove and install a defibrillator

-               Ward Councillors had been working with the Cabinet Members on the Town Centre Master Plan

-               Groups were invited to bid into the Ward Budget and pitch to the public at a Dragons Den event. Residents and Councillors agreed to fund 5 projects: Canklow Rainbow Kids Club, Lighthouse Homes, Friends of Clifton Park, Canklow Kidz and Solo Dance Fitness

-               The Boston Castle Ward Budget has also funded other projects including United Multicultural Centre (UMCC), Sangeet Choir, Friends Indeed and Rotherham Hospice

-               Congratulations must go to Castings Innovations who had secured a grant from the Mental Health Small Grants Scheme.  They continued to work with existing service users remotely throughout Covid and had adapted their services to provide home crafting kits

-               The Covid information stalls had continued at Rotherham College and Sprouts Supermarket but due to the current lockdown the November dates had been put on hold

-               Thanks to SYP Officers, Steve, Matt and Dan, and Housing Team Shaun, Paul, Sophie, Emma and various residents across the Ward who kept in constant contact

Unfortunately, due to technological difficulties, the presentation by Wingfield Ward Members was deferred to the next meeting.

Resolved:-  That the Ward updates be received and the contents noted.

Mover:-  Councillor Watson                    Seconder:-  Councillor Read