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31.03.2008 Martinet Road
Residents contacted the VPRA from Millbank Lane are expressing concern about the new development planned for the disused S&D Design Ltd site, which is to bring single flats to the area. VPRA have contacted the developer and architect and they are more than willing to discuss concerns and reassure residents of a low level of impact on their area. The resident will of course be given the support of their residents association the VPRA in making their views known.
30.03.2008 River Tees
VPRA surveying the waters of tees for Litter Black spots along tees in the VPRA are following continued complaints from the local residents. Much of what was found consisted of debris which had been brought down river by heavy rain etc. Thousands of plastic drinks bottles, shoes, builders waste, tons of plastic sheeting and various household items.
29.03.2008 Allotments
SBC notified about some of the dumping which has taken place around the allotments. It seems that now the local tippers can not get into the allotments they are tipping against the fence. One piece of old furniture tipped at the end of the footpath opposite the Pet Shop and rubbish tipped near the river. CFYA to action this. Sadly, someone has also thrown sacks of garden waste out from the allotments at one point near the Tees.
27.03.2007 Tees Heritage Park
Click on the link for further details and pictures.
27.03.2008 Horseshoe Bend
Following on from the information below, The Town Council have responded to residents concerns expressed via the VPRA in order to facilitate the clearing of the area, the erection of signs to make anglers aware of their responsibilities, the clearing up of the area by a Care for Your Area team along with a new bin. Remember, residents have achieved this through making people aware of a problem.
To The Chair Thornaby Town Council, for the attention of the next full council meeting.
Dear Madam Chair and respected councillors.
A number of residents have contacted the VPRA via the website and in the street, concerning the amount of harmful litterĀ being left behind on The Horse Shoe bend stretch of the River Tees. Today, Sunday 23rd, VPRA Chairman and Secretary went to see if there was any substance to such comments prior to contacting your office.
It has to be said, anglers are the best thing that can happen to any green area. They ensure that footpaths and rights of way are maintained and 99% of them will leave the location of their fishing as found, or perhaps even tidier. However, the Horseshoe bend area seems to have its share of people who lack such basic respect for the environment. Sweet Corn tins, used tackle, and empty bait tins were dumped at a number of sites along the river edge. The tins are highly dangerous, being nothing short of a circular blade which would cause severe damage to children or pets, as would the waste tackle.
I am writing to ask if it be possible to put some form of sign posting position on the entry gate to warn anglers of the responsibility to remove and take home such dangerous waste. I would respectfully request a written response to this email, so as to ensure the VPRA committee are aware of the response.
27.03.2008 - Village Park
Concerns from resident living alongside Village Park regarding damage to the park fences impacting on the residents property were shared with SBC officers via the VPRA Parks and Recreation Sub Committee, The result will be on site discussion with the resident to solve the issue.
26.03.2008. VPRA Parks and Recreation Grounds Sub Committee
Met tonight to discuss the ongoing work in the Village Park Thorntree Road. This committee involves residents and officers of SBC working together to bring the best possible results for the areas green spaces and recreation grounds. Tonight's meeting confirmed the successful application for grants to continue the regeneration of the park for the future. It was decided to consult the locals regarding the investment in the solution of the problems concerning the main gates. They are becoming increasingly problematic as decay of the materials threatens to bring about collapse.
Council officers, who are members of the committee responded to complaints concerning motorcycles entering the park through the Millbank lane gate by a move to provide an anti motor cycle gate as this is seen as the last "popular" access gate used by illegal motorcycle thugs.
The requests by local children and their families to move the Five a side goal posts onto the grassed area near the former tennis courts will be realised as soon as possible, within the next financial year and as part of the improvement of the whole quadrant of the park which will hopefully include a multi play area.
25.03.2008 Parkview home and Thornaby Town Hall
Contacted by local councillor, Mr Steve Walmsley who explained that the attempts to "call in" the cabinet decision of March 13th has been successful. So that, officially, the decision to close Parkview Care home is now in abeyance. More info to follow.
25.03.2008 Eastern Area Partnership Board
The VPRA Sec, acting as Community Sector rep on the Eastern Area Partnership Board, attended the monthly EAPB meeting. Among the subjects discussed is the Tees Valley Bus network Improvement Scheme.
Click on links to see the proposed improvement scheme. bus
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23.03.2008 Horseshoe Bend
VPRA visit to the Horse shoe bend responding to complaints from locals regarding fishing tackle dumped along the river, vandalism and areas being set alight, prior to contacting the TTC to seek their help. There was sign of some debris, most alarming of all being disused sweet corn cans left in the grass. This is highly dangerous should young children or pets stand or fall on them.
TTC Environment Committee to be contacted.
click on pictures to see full size views.
21.03.2008 In Bloom website
The In Bloom website was given a complete makeover ready for the 2008 Britain in Bloom competition.
21.03.2008 (pm) Parkview and Thornaby Town Hall.
VPRA contacted by councillor Mr Steve Walmsley to be told that head of the legal Dept at SBC has expressed a belief that there is no justifiable reason to call in the cabinet decisions regarding the Parkview Care Home and Thornaby Town Hall. This, the VPRA have equally been informed is to be challenged robustly by a cross party group of councillors
21.03.2008,
Contacted by local councillors and informed that the decision to close Parkview Care Home has been called in,a process by which the decision is to be investigated and scrutinised again by full council. The documentation included within the constitution concerning the process is available at..
http://www.stockton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/constitution/
21.03.2008- Litter Pick
VPRA volunteers spent an hour clearing litter in Black Bobbies field, up near the pond. lots of empty cans and some bottles there, cans and glass will be recycled litter disposed of through SBC, Care for Your Area.
19.03.2008- Pot holed Roads
VPRA contact transport dept about repairing the potholes in Laburnum Avenue and Redcar Road, which were agreed as being unacceptable. SBC officer Mr Bill Trewick will be seeking a remedy for this.
19.03.2008 Fordy Grove
The transport dept confirm that a plan was drawn up by SBC engineers, at the request of the VPRA and with the help of Barry Hunter in respect of the need for the verges in Fordy Grove to be block paved and parking allowed on these verges. The dept agreed that this, ongoing problem, was a significant problem for all concerned.
Picture above is from March 2007 consultation by the VPRA and SBC.
18.03.2008 Police
A VPRA Committee member met with Inspector Garrett, to discuss the situation in the area. Particular concern was expressed about the person or persons roaming the area with air rifles, motorcycles and the on going issue of ASB in some areas Insp. Garret reinforced his commitment to our are and asked that we tell him what problems we have.
17.03.2008 Fordy Grove
A VPRA committee member spoke to the SBC officer responsible for the residents of Fordy grove, Thornaby being sent letters about parking half on grass verges. The VPRA told SBC that it was unacceptable to threaten residents about parking when we have been seeking the area to be block paved verges and official semi off road parking. Bill Trewick of SBC, has supported the VPRA position and will chase this matter up.
Picture above is from March 2007 consultation by the VPRA and SBC.
17.03.2008 SRCGA Ltd
The VPRA representative on the Board of Directors of SRCGA Ltd, attended the March meeting of the organisation. The meeting included feed back from the AGM and the results of consultations concerning the way forward for SRCGA Ltd. The VPRA were thanked for their role in establishing an Internet Forum for the organisation to pass on their information.
16.03.2008 Parkview Gardens.
The VPRA gardeners spent Sunday afternoon weeding and cutting back trees and bushes in the hidden garden at
Parkview Care Home, the first of many spring and summer weekends working around the area.
13.03.2008 SBC Cabinet Meeting.
Parkview Care home was recommended for closure as the first kick at Thornaby in tonights meeting .Even though the VPRA joined by TIA councillors, staff and families fought their corner the biased Cabinet voted in favour of closure. The fight will go on to overturn the decision.
The second kick was that SBC have agreed a deal to sell Thornaby Town hall to Python Properties for the paltry sum of £100.000 despite Thornaby Town Council putting in another option that was turned down. This matter is also pending.
11.03.2008 Roads Again.
The table tops on Redcar road and Laburnum Ave. have once again been stripped down ready for new surfaces to be put on. The one on Northumberland Rd. has been replaced with black tarmac and marked up.
11.03.2008 Damaged Walls.
A local resident has had a problem with walls being knocked down by a skip wagon, the VPRA is now working with SBC to try and get the walls repaired or at least help the resident take action against the firm who owns the wagon.
03.03.2008 Traffic Calming Again
Another e mail to SBC to try and speed up the completion of the Thorntree Road traffic calming. The speed humps are in and the roads marked out but one hump is out of line and SBC are to come out and sort it out.
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