Monday, July 19, 2004
Latest Newsletter
The Trowbridge Labour Linx (edition 9) was delivered throughout Trowbridge Estate (with the exception of Trowbridge Green and a few flats that could not be accessed) in June. Delivery of edition 9 of the St. Mellons Rose has begun with the Hafod HA estate, Heritage Park, Sanderling Drive and Hazelwood Drive so far completed.
There are some 6,000 dwellings in the Trowbridge Ward (which includes St. Mellons) and each property will receive a copy of the leaflet delivered by hand (by ourselves, local Labour Party members and supporters) This is a very time-consuming activity that is carried out in stages. The leaflet may differ slightly from one area to another to enable issues relating specifically to one area to be communicated.
There are some 6,000 dwellings in the Trowbridge Ward (which includes St. Mellons) and each property will receive a copy of the leaflet delivered by hand (by ourselves, local Labour Party members and supporters) This is a very time-consuming activity that is carried out in stages. The leaflet may differ slightly from one area to another to enable issues relating specifically to one area to be communicated.
Meeting with Hafod Housing Association
On Friday 16th July Councillors Ralph Cook and Monica Walsh met with Lindsey Whittle of Hafod HA to discuss issues raised by Hafod residents at a meeting on Wednesday. Lindsey agreed that a few tenants posed a variety of problems for the Association and that a minority of tenants (or their children) were habitually anti-social. He said that the Association was doing everything it could to modify the behaviour of culprits but that eviction was not always the most appropriate, or achievable approach.
Hafod HA had put in a bid for neighbourhood wardens and was awaiting the outcome of this application. The Association also invested heavily in capacity building on its estates but that the response from the majority of tenants was poor.
Councillors suggested that Hafod, other housing associations, the police and the Council should co-operate more and refered to a discussion scheduled for the next meeting of the St. Mellons Forum at the end of July.
Hafod HA had put in a bid for neighbourhood wardens and was awaiting the outcome of this application. The Association also invested heavily in capacity building on its estates but that the response from the majority of tenants was poor.
Councillors suggested that Hafod, other housing associations, the police and the Council should co-operate more and refered to a discussion scheduled for the next meeting of the St. Mellons Forum at the end of July.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Rubbish cleared
The flytipped rubbish at the junction of Brookfield Drive and Willowbrook Drive that we reported to the Council over a week ago was finally removed, along with items deposited by anti-social people in various other parts of the Ward, yesterday.
Councillor Monica Walsh is currently chasing up street cleansing issues at Trowbridge Mawr and the Hafod Housing Association Estate (Heol Maes Eirwg and Heol Trostre).
Councillor Ralph Cook is currently performing his annual task of trying to get the responsible service areas to cut the grass verges on Willowbrook Drive between Brookfield Drive and Meadowlane School.
Councillor Monica Walsh is currently chasing up street cleansing issues at Trowbridge Mawr and the Hafod Housing Association Estate (Heol Maes Eirwg and Heol Trostre).
Councillor Ralph Cook is currently performing his annual task of trying to get the responsible service areas to cut the grass verges on Willowbrook Drive between Brookfield Drive and Meadowlane School.
Public Meetings
On Wednesday 14/7/04 Councillors Ralph Cook and Monica Walsh hosted the first in a series of public meetings designed to gauge the views of residents and enable the Ward Councillors to determine their priorities for the next four years.
Although the turnout was disappointing a dozen Hafod Housing Association tenants contributed to a lively discussion about the Beacon Centre, environmental issues such as litter and grass cutting, issues about the Housing Association itself and anti-social behaviour.
The Councillors promised to take up a number of issues with the Housing Association, Council and local police.
Although the turnout was disappointing a dozen Hafod Housing Association tenants contributed to a lively discussion about the Beacon Centre, environmental issues such as litter and grass cutting, issues about the Housing Association itself and anti-social behaviour.
The Councillors promised to take up a number of issues with the Housing Association, Council and local police.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Councillor’s Report for August/September St. Mellons Community Linx
Councillor’s Report for Linx
This article is not the place for Party politics but I’m sure the Editor will allow me to thank the 2,500 people who took the trouble to vote in the Council elections in June and to thank especially those who voted for me. Sadly three-quarters of the 10,000 + eligible voters in the Ward did not bother to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Since the election it has been very much a case of business as usual. As I write (mid July) I am pleased to see the new children’s play area at Caerleon Park being constructed, especially as I had promised this before the election. In addition I received notice that my bid for funding for a perimeter fence around the ABC Park (adjacent to Brookfield Drive), to prevent incursions by motor-vehicles has been successful. Work will begin on this barrier before March 31st 2005. Again just after the election the Council acceded to my request for large boulders to be placed across the unlawful shortcut between Trefaser Crescent in Trowbridge and Elmfield Close.
During the election campaign I was asked what a Councillor actually does. Referring to these articles and our own newsletter “The St. Mellons Rose”, questioners suggested that whilst progress in the improvement of St. Mellons was being made, the workload did not appear to be very great. The answer is of course that much of what we do is not included in the newsletters.
For instance, it would be inappropriate in a public newsletter to detail the work Councillors carry out on behalf of individuals or groups of residents. But this work, nevertheless, consumes a considerable amount of time. We play a role in the local community as well: liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies (such as the Police and Housing Associations) that affect the lives of local people; we assist community groups and serve as school governors. We also have duties to the Council, including serving on its Committees. Work within our political party is also vital as political parties largely determine the Council’s priorities and contribute to the development of its policies.
During the five years, since the 1999 Council elections my colleagues and I developed and have largely begun to progress, various strategies for improving St. Mellons (and Trowbridge of course). The next four years will hopefully see the implementation of the outstanding elements of these strategies. We are, therefore, able to turn our attention to issues that we were unable, due to lack of time, to progress at an earlier stage. Many of these only have significance for a few residents or streets in St. Mellons but they will require considerable effort and will not be easily resolved.
In all our work we will be in the hands of you, the residents on behalf of whom we are working. Clearly we will not be able to please everyone but we, nevertheless, welcome your views and hope to be able to work with you over the next four years.
Councillor Ralph Cook
This article is not the place for Party politics but I’m sure the Editor will allow me to thank the 2,500 people who took the trouble to vote in the Council elections in June and to thank especially those who voted for me. Sadly three-quarters of the 10,000 + eligible voters in the Ward did not bother to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Since the election it has been very much a case of business as usual. As I write (mid July) I am pleased to see the new children’s play area at Caerleon Park being constructed, especially as I had promised this before the election. In addition I received notice that my bid for funding for a perimeter fence around the ABC Park (adjacent to Brookfield Drive), to prevent incursions by motor-vehicles has been successful. Work will begin on this barrier before March 31st 2005. Again just after the election the Council acceded to my request for large boulders to be placed across the unlawful shortcut between Trefaser Crescent in Trowbridge and Elmfield Close.
During the election campaign I was asked what a Councillor actually does. Referring to these articles and our own newsletter “The St. Mellons Rose”, questioners suggested that whilst progress in the improvement of St. Mellons was being made, the workload did not appear to be very great. The answer is of course that much of what we do is not included in the newsletters.
For instance, it would be inappropriate in a public newsletter to detail the work Councillors carry out on behalf of individuals or groups of residents. But this work, nevertheless, consumes a considerable amount of time. We play a role in the local community as well: liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies (such as the Police and Housing Associations) that affect the lives of local people; we assist community groups and serve as school governors. We also have duties to the Council, including serving on its Committees. Work within our political party is also vital as political parties largely determine the Council’s priorities and contribute to the development of its policies.
During the five years, since the 1999 Council elections my colleagues and I developed and have largely begun to progress, various strategies for improving St. Mellons (and Trowbridge of course). The next four years will hopefully see the implementation of the outstanding elements of these strategies. We are, therefore, able to turn our attention to issues that we were unable, due to lack of time, to progress at an earlier stage. Many of these only have significance for a few residents or streets in St. Mellons but they will require considerable effort and will not be easily resolved.
In all our work we will be in the hands of you, the residents on behalf of whom we are working. Clearly we will not be able to please everyone but we, nevertheless, welcome your views and hope to be able to work with you over the next four years.
Councillor Ralph Cook
New Community Centre for Trowbridge
As part of the redevelopment of the Trowbridge Shopping Centre it is intended to provide a new community centre. The Trowbridge Forum, whose chairman is Cllr. Ralph Cook, is creating an interim management committee for the centre.
The Committee’s responsibilities include identifying the
needs of Trowbridge residents and identifying sources
of funding.
Anyone wanting to help please phone Ralph on
20793809.
The Committee’s responsibilities include identifying the
needs of Trowbridge residents and identifying sources
of funding.
Anyone wanting to help please phone Ralph on
20793809.
Cathcob Playing Fields
Another housing development in St. Mellons is on the way but this one will bring improvements to sporting provision in the Ward. During the last administration Trowbridge Ward Councillors persuaded the Council to allocate around £250,000 raised from the sale of the land to cover the cost of upgrading Cathcob Playing Fields.
The Council has submitted a planning application for residential development new homes on the land (which is adjacent to Cathcob
Playing Fields). The land will then be sold to developers.
The £250,000 raised by the sale
will be spent on draining the fields and erecting
perimeter fencing in an attempt to prevent the fields being used by motor-vehicles and "stray" horses. Once completed this work should bring the fields up to the standard required for all-year use and another of the Trowbridge Ward Councillors main objectives in 1999 will have been achieved.
The Council has submitted a planning application for residential development new homes on the land (which is adjacent to Cathcob
Playing Fields). The land will then be sold to developers.
The £250,000 raised by the sale
will be spent on draining the fields and erecting
perimeter fencing in an attempt to prevent the fields being used by motor-vehicles and "stray" horses. Once completed this work should bring the fields up to the standard required for all-year use and another of the Trowbridge Ward Councillors main objectives in 1999 will have been achieved.
Latest good news
Immediately after the election we received the news
that a bid for money, made by Councillor Ralph Cook
earlier this year, to erect a perimeter fence around the
ABC Park (adjacent to Brookfield Drive) has been
successful.
The work will be completed before March 31st 2005.
In addition, following requests from local residents we
arranged for boulders to block the illegal short-cut
between Trefaser Crescent and Elmfield Close.
that a bid for money, made by Councillor Ralph Cook
earlier this year, to erect a perimeter fence around the
ABC Park (adjacent to Brookfield Drive) has been
successful.
The work will be completed before March 31st 2005.
In addition, following requests from local residents we
arranged for boulders to block the illegal short-cut
between Trefaser Crescent and Elmfield Close.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
New Play Area in St. Mellons
As promised in previous newsletters the next phase in
our planned programme of creating new and
refurbishing existing childrens play areas is due to
begin very soon.
Caerleon Park playground which had to be dismantled
for health and safety reasons two years ago is to be
refurbished. Play equipment costing about £14,000
and including swings, a roundabout and two multiplay
units will be installed. A steel fence will enclose the
equipment and a kickabout grass area.
our planned programme of creating new and
refurbishing existing childrens play areas is due to
begin very soon.
Caerleon Park playground which had to be dismantled
for health and safety reasons two years ago is to be
refurbished. Play equipment costing about £14,000
and including swings, a roundabout and two multiplay
units will be installed. A steel fence will enclose the
equipment and a kickabout grass area.
Local Election News 2004
The Local Elections on June 10 changed Cardiff’s
political complexion. On June 9th Labour held 48 of
the 75 Council seats, the Liberal Democrats had 18
seats, 5 Conservatives, 2 Plaid Cymru and 2
Independants made up the balance.
The Liberal Democrats are now the largest group with
33 seats, Labour holds 27 seats, the Conservatives 12
and Plaid Cymru have 3. This leaves no party with
overall control of the Council. Progressing any
party’s manifesto commitments relies on at least two
parties working together.
The Liberal Democrats are now in charge of the Council after establishing an alliance with the 12 Conservative Councillors. In a shoddy deal the Conservatives have apparently agreed not to support any motions of no confidence in return for a cosy relationship with the Lib Dems. Clearly a vote for the Liberal Democrats might as well be a vote for the Conservatives.
The Lib Dem, Tory alliance is proposing to overturn the Council's current constitution that determines the Council is run by a Cabinet and Leader who are identified and fully accountable for their decisions and replace it with the woolly so-called "fourth option" designed for use by small English District Councils. The fourth option, if implemented will obscure responsibility for decisions and enable the Lib Dem & Tory alliance to take credit for success whilst passing the buck for unpopular decisions or failures to an Executive Committee.
Is this what the voters of Cardiff want? Labour will be pressing for full public consultation before the fourth option is introduced.
With the resignation of Councillor Goodway as the
Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Greg Owen
(from Llandaff) now leads the group. The new Deputy
Leader of the Labour group is Trowbridge Councillor
Ralph Cook.
political complexion. On June 9th Labour held 48 of
the 75 Council seats, the Liberal Democrats had 18
seats, 5 Conservatives, 2 Plaid Cymru and 2
Independants made up the balance.
The Liberal Democrats are now the largest group with
33 seats, Labour holds 27 seats, the Conservatives 12
and Plaid Cymru have 3. This leaves no party with
overall control of the Council. Progressing any
party’s manifesto commitments relies on at least two
parties working together.
The Liberal Democrats are now in charge of the Council after establishing an alliance with the 12 Conservative Councillors. In a shoddy deal the Conservatives have apparently agreed not to support any motions of no confidence in return for a cosy relationship with the Lib Dems. Clearly a vote for the Liberal Democrats might as well be a vote for the Conservatives.
The Lib Dem, Tory alliance is proposing to overturn the Council's current constitution that determines the Council is run by a Cabinet and Leader who are identified and fully accountable for their decisions and replace it with the woolly so-called "fourth option" designed for use by small English District Councils. The fourth option, if implemented will obscure responsibility for decisions and enable the Lib Dem & Tory alliance to take credit for success whilst passing the buck for unpopular decisions or failures to an Executive Committee.
Is this what the voters of Cardiff want? Labour will be pressing for full public consultation before the fourth option is introduced.
With the resignation of Councillor Goodway as the
Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Greg Owen
(from Llandaff) now leads the group. The new Deputy
Leader of the Labour group is Trowbridge Councillor
Ralph Cook.
Trowbridge And St.Mellons gets it's own website
Cardiff County Councillors Ralph Cook, David English and Monica Walsh are operating a new website for the Trowbridge Ward (which comprises "New St.Mellons" and the Trowbridge Estate on the south eastern border of the County of Cardiff).
The website is now live and kicking, should you wish to report problems in the Ward (i.e. flytipping, burnt out cars and the like) please click on "comments" and your report will be e-mailed to us.
The website will be regularly updated to keep residents informed about issues and developments within the Ward.
We suggest you visit the site regularly and to do so we advise you save the website to your "favourites" or "bookmark".
The website is now live and kicking, should you wish to report problems in the Ward (i.e. flytipping, burnt out cars and the like) please click on "comments" and your report will be e-mailed to us.
The website will be regularly updated to keep residents informed about issues and developments within the Ward.
We suggest you visit the site regularly and to do so we advise you save the website to your "favourites" or "bookmark".
Monday, July 12, 2004
Your Comments Welcome
This Website has just started but I would like to welcome comments or ideas about how you would like the site to develop. Should you wish to submit any comments or ideas (or even completed articles) please send them to me at trowbridge.stmellons@email.labour.org.uk
