Longlevens News - December 2005

Merry Christmas from Longlevens Conservatives

Your local councillors Paul James, Kathy Williams and Mark Hawthorne would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2006.

Paul and Mark have been heavily involved in Gloucester’s Christmas festivities, including the ice rink, German market, switch-on event and promotional activities. Many people say it’s the best Christmas Gloucester has seen in a long time – if not ever. The new Christmas lights have had a mixed reception, but this is only the first stage and we will make changes in response to comments received.

We’ll continue to work hard for Longlevens and deal with the issues that are important to you in 2006.

Surgery

Our next surgeries are as follows:

Saturday 7^th January 2006 from 10-11.00am, Oxstalls Indoor Tennis Centre, Plock Court.

Saturday 4^th February 10-11am Village Hall, Church Road

Saturday 4^th March 11am-12pm The Greyhound, Greyhound Gardens

Old Cheltenham Road

A number of people have said to us that they would like to see the bushes on the corner of Old Cheltenham Road and Church Road removed. Complaints include that they act as a litter trap and make people feel unsafe walking along this section of pavement. Despite this, council officers seem reluctant to remove them. What do you think? Please use the tear-off slip to let us know.

Neighbourhood Pride Fund

We would like to use the council’s new Neighbourhood Pride Fund to make some improvements to Longlevens. This new pot of money is to reward communities and businesses who help to make their areas cleaner and greener. One possible area for attention is the green space between the Co-op and the BP filling station on Cheltenham Road. How could we improve this very high profile area? Where else would benefit from attention? Please let us know.

Paygrove Lane - Council to listen to residents

The County Council has recently abandoned plans to fence off the playing fields from the Infant School in Paygrove Lane. The decision to fence off the area was taken by the previous Lib-Lab administration. When it came to light, we lobbied the new Conservative administration who reversed the decision.

The County Council has now said that no decision on the future of the land will be made for 12 months – and has promised full consultation with the people of Longlevens.

Paul and Kathy recently met with the County Council cabinet member responsible for their land holdings. We explained how Longlevens was short of green spaces and how we want to see as much land as possible retained for community use. We want the future of the land on the School side to be resolved at the same time as land on the other side, which also borders Leven Close. The old Lib-Lab administration at Shire Hall stopped allowing the public to use this several years ago and we have campaigned to bring it back into use.

The County Council has commissioned a study into the availability of green space, which should be published soon, and we hope this will reinforce our case.

Paul and Mark to appear in Panto

Paul and Mark are to share the part of the Alderman in this year’s production of Dick Whittington at the New Olympus Theatre, Barton Street. Tickets can be obtained by calling 01452 507549.

The New Olympus is a great facility and deserves our support. Please come along if you can and bring all the family.

Brionne Way

Paul recently attended the consultation meeting with residents about the new open space. As it was “on site”, a lot of issues could be addressed on the spot. Consultation is due to take place regarding improvements to the Longlevens Recreation Field on Longford Lane, which will also benefit from cash from the Westbury development on Brionne Way. Please let us know what you would like to see added or improved on this playing field.

Innsworth Lane – New building to be used for youths

The new sports pitches next to the allotments are due to be handed over to the council in the next few months. They should start being used from the start of the next season.

Following a meeting of police, councillors and the youth service, the new changing rooms have been adapted to allow more general use by youth workers and young people.

The problems in Greyhound Gardens continue to be monitored. Paul and Kathy have both been on walkabouts in the area with the local police.

Paul has also asked Highways Officers to look at providing a crossing on Innsworth Lane for when the pitches come into use.

Join a Party for change, optimism and hope

David Cameron’s election as Conservative leader has brought a great deal of excitement. People really feel that the Party now has someone who can change the Party and win the next election.

You can be part of this. To join the Conservatives call 01452 522351 or visit www.gloucesterconservatives.com.