Your VoiceYour guide to what’s happening in Telford and Wrekinwww.telford.gov.ukAutumn 2013 – Pride in your borough

Leader’s view: Taking pride in your borough

I have a great sense of pride in telling people that I’m from Telford and that sense of pride in what is happening here is growing by the day.

This edition of Your Voice focuses on the many positive developments and events in Telford and Wrekin. When, in many other parts of the region, recession has seen progress and growth grind to a halt, that is not the case in Telford and Wrekin.

Working particularly with businesses and investors, as a council that supports and wins business, we have continued to ensure that Telford and Wrekin is very much a place that is forging ahead.

We are regenerating New Town estates and focussing on new homes and bringing new business into the borough. There is an increasing buzz around the opening of Southwater in the spring and the feel good factor created by events like T-Party and T-Live.

The reason that this growth is so important to all of us is that by encouraging inward investment and existing businesses to expand, we create more jobs, boost the economy and ultimately improve people’s lives. It is about creating a better standard of living for every resident.

I hope that you, like me, are proud of what’s going on here. I believe we all have a part to play in helping spread that message and be ambassadors for the borough.

As ever I want to hear your views so please take a look at my new blog www.telford.gov.uk/leadersblog come along to the next Conversation with Kuldip (details below) or email me at kuldip.sahota@telford.gov.uk

Finally as this is the last edition in 2013, I want to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

A&E 4 PRH

The future of hospital and health services in Telford and Wrekin and Shropshire will soon be debated as the NHS looks to make savings.

The chief executive of the Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals Trust has warned that in future key services may not remain at both Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals.

Telford & Wrekin Council is unanimous in its commitment to do all it can to keep 24 hour full accident and emergency services at the PRH and has launched its A&E 4 PRH campaign to support this. It says that Telford and the surrounding area, including many nearby towns in Shropshire, must keep this or lives will be put unnecessarily at risk. Among the reasons for this are:

Telford is growing very rapidly and 26,000 new homes in total could be built in the borough by 2031.

The borough has very clear and incontestable health needs - health in Telford and Wrekin is worse than other parts of the region and significantly worse than the national average on many health indicators.

The PRH is a site with potential, and space, for development.

A ‘Call to Action’ conference is being held on 25 November at Telford International Centre allowing residents to discuss issues with health leaders face-to-face and give their views.

Feedback will be used to develop a future vision for health services locally, including hospitals, and proposals for services are likely to be revealed in early 2014.

Keep up to date on the A&E 4 PRH campaign at www.telford.gov.uk/aande4prh

Young Voice

I’m Ellis Snookes, Telford and Wrekin’s elected Member of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) - one of 500 elected young people nationwide that work on the big issues that matter to the youth of the UK.

The UKYP has a list of issues that it wants to work on, called a manifesto. Every year the UKYP encourages young people to vote for the issues most important to them.

Last year ‘A Curriculum to Prepare Us for Life’ was voted most important.

Throughout 2013, the UKYP has campaigned for changes to Personal, Social and Health Education so young people develop the skills they need.

This month, Members of the Youth Parliament will again go to the House of Commons to debate and decide the most important issue for the year ahead. Every February, we encourage young people to vote to elect a new representative for the UKYP. In the next few months schools and youth groups will be visited and sent information about the UKYP.

Are you or do you know a young person who would do a good job?

For more information about the UKYP and to express an interest in becoming a candidate contact 01952 385117

Building Schools for the Future

The transformation of secondary schools in Telford and Wrekin in the £200m Building Schools for the Future programme continues with more sites opening and being built.

The latest to open is the new Phoenix Academy in Dawley, which welcomed pupils to its state of the art facilities in September. The new building also includes regional and national sports and leisure facilities, thanks to a Sport England grant of £1.5m, as well as a library, which can all be used by the local community.

Phoenix Academy principal Neil Stonehouse said: “It’s not just about shiny new buildings – by providing a better learning environment we can raise aspirations and ultimately pupils will achieve more and expect more from life, so moving into the new Academy is a landmark moment for the community of Dawley.”

The sports centre at the Phoenix features a 50 station health and fitness suite, an all weather rugby and football pitch, the borough’s largest sports hall including eight badminton courts and a national BMX track.

The site’s new library is the second of three new libraries to open in the borough. Last year a new library at Wellington was opened as a part of the Civic & Leisure Centre development and next spring the new Town Centre library at Southwater will open.

The next site to open as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme will be the new Ercall Wood Technology College.

Work is on track to be completed by next summer and the brand new college building is set to open its doors for the new academic year in September 2014.

Shepherd Construction Ltd is building the new college and has spent the past two terms engaging with current and prospective pupils and the local community to ensure that everyone has had a chance to see progress.

In the summer term, all current pupils and some of those who joined the school in September visited the site and had the opportunity to sign the steel frame as it went up. This autumn, the construction site was opened to the public over two weekends to see the progress of the new building with more than 300 people of all ages visiting the site.

Planning applications for the remaining six schools in the Building Schools for the Future programme have recently been submitted.

The six are Lakeside Learning Campus, Telford Co-operative Academy, the Holy Trinity Academy, Charlton School, Burton Borough School and Adams Grammar. Work is expected to begin on these early next year subject to planning consent.

For more information about our Building Schools for the Future programme, call: 01952 380991, email: info.bsf@telford.gov.uk or visit www.telford.gov.uk/futureschools

The only way is app!

Want to report a problem in your local area but don’t want to hang on the phone? There’s a new iPhone app for that.

We have now launched an app “Everyday Telford”, aiming to make it quick and easy to report things that are important to you, whenever and wherever you are.

The free app, which is available for the iPhone and iPad, initially focuses on the 10 most commonly requested Council services and lets you report issues at your convenience.

You can even take a photo of what you are reporting and save it in your phone until Wifi is available, so it won’t cost you a penny.

The app is now available through the App Store and will be available on Android very soon.

The app is part of the Council’s campaign to raise the quality of living in the borough and is a key tool in the fight against environmental crime such as graffiti, littering and fly tipping as well as providing another avenue for residents to report environmental maintenance issues, missed bin collections and abandoned vehicles.

Simply download Everyday Telford to your phone and report issues in just a few clicks.

Everyday Telford - Prevent! Report! Improve!

Grant Scheme benefits servicemen and women

A scheme has been set up to help veterans, cadets, service personnel and their families to overcome disadvantages they may experience.

The Telford and Wrekin Armed Forces Community Covenant Partnership has recently launched the Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant Scheme.

£30m has been allocated nationally and anyone involved in delivering services to veterans, service personnel or their families may be able to benefit from the scheme.

Applications must meet one or more of the aims of the Covenant which include: Recognising and remembering the sacrifices faced by the armed forces

community Encouraging local communities to support the armed forces community

and nurturing public understanding and awareness of issues they face Encouraging activities which help to integrate the armed forces community

into local life

Grants range from £100 to £250,000 and funds are nationally limited so applicants are encouraged to apply soon.

Find out more and apply at www.telford.gov.uk/communitycovenant email communitycovenant@telford.gov.uk or call 01952 382104.

Examples of already approved projects nationally www.gov.uk/community-covenant-grant-scheme

Roads are getting a makeover

Nearly £26m is being spent on roads in Telford and Wrekin as funding is put into providing a better road network that can support Telford’s growth.

An £11.8m scheme has just begun to develop the ‘Box Road’ around Telford Shopping Centre into a two way network and make safer and improved provision for pedestrians and cyclists and provide good access to the new Southwater development.

Visit www.telford.gov.uk/boxroad for more information. See next issue for more roads news.

A three year £14m investment is also taking place across the borough to improve, repair and make the road network safer.

Major schemes which have already taken place include: Wellington town centre Specialist resurfacing on the A442 between Randlay and Stirchley

Interchange Lining improvements at Hollinswood Interchange.

The Council has a programme for road improvements to keep up with maintenance and growth in the town, as well as working to tackle pot holes and other unforeseen repairs.

This is recognised in the investment that the road network is receiving.

Southwater – six months until the launch of Phase One

The Southwater development is taking shape with the cinema, hotel, multi storey car park and Southwater One all transforming the skyline of Telford town centre. The Southwater development will create a vibrant heart for the town with a new cinema, restaurants, and entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

Below you can see the beginnings of the new Southwater lake. It will feature an ‘urban beach’ with deck chair style seating and beach-themed public art. This will be a great place for people to stop, relax and enjoy the centre’s new atmosphere.

The development provides a key link between Telford Shopping Centre and the natural area and facilities of Telford Town Park which attracts 750,000 visitors a year. The public spaces within Southwater will provide opportunities for events such as markets, exhibitions and outdoor performances. Get updates and latest pictures on Facebook at SouthwaterTelford or visit www.heartoftelford.co.uk

Public art The Southwater developers have commissioned artists to work with our community to develop design proposals for public art. These will be produced in a range of materials and illuminated at different points within Southwater.

IMAX experience

The new Cineworld will include an IMAX screen as part of its 11 screen cinema complex. Telford will be one of only a handful of places in Britain to have its own IMAX cinema.

Jobs, jobs, jobs! Asda will open its doors in February 2014 creating 100 new jobs and a further 350 new jobs will be created in Southwater itself in the hotel, cinema and restaurants.

The Council has already been working with the new Southwater businesses to find out what they are looking for in their future employees. Over the next few months we will be holding a series of events to promote job opportunities and help residents impress employers with their talents!

Telford Shopping Centre

Work is set to start as early as spring on a £200m regeneration of Telford Shopping Centre following asset managers Sovereign Land successfully applying for planning permission.

The scheme received much public support at an exhibition earlier this year where nearly 70 per cent of those that completed the questionnaire stated that they were in favour of the proposed development of Telford Shopping Centre.The plan envisages the redevelopment of four key areas of the Town Centre – the Northern Quarter site (currently occupied by ASDA who relocate in early 2014), Central Square, the Southern Quarter and the Bus Station.

The new development could increase the size of the one million sq ft Telford Shopping Centre by as much as 80 per cent, with a net increase of almost 400,000 sq ft of retail and nearly 250,000 sq ft of restaurants, cafés, bars and other eateries. Other proposed uses include a cinema and hotel.The development could create up to 3,000 permanent new jobs plus more than 1,000 construction jobs.

Developments are designed to include: greater integration with the rest of the town centre increased pedestrian routes across the town new public squares and spaces with premises open into the evening new landmark buildings at key gateways into the centre retail frontages onto the ‘Box Road’

tlc helps cut cost of Christmas

Get your Telford Loyalty Card and cut the cost of Christmas this year with a special range of festive offers.

The card, which was launched in April, already has over 40,000 registered users and more than 190 businesses offering great deals to cardholders.

The Council has been working closely with businesses across the borough to put together a range of offers this Christmas.

Festive treats include discounted gift ideas, meat and vegetables for your Christmas dinner, Christmas cards and wrapping paper, and even your Christmas tree!

A special publication will be available from Council buildings and online at www.telfordloyaltycard.co.uk from mid November to let you know which businesses you need to visit to make some seasonal savings.

As Christmas is probably the most expensive time of the year, the Council wanted to do something for the tlc’s first Christmas to encourage more people to shop local and give cardholders savings on their shopping.

But don’t forget to check the website to see all the other great offers that businesses across the borough are already offering to cardholders.

Don’t forget to register your tlc online or in any Council First Point reception or leisure centre so we can email you with the latest offers.

If you don’t register, you could miss out on some great savings throughout the year.

AFC Telford United

Did you know that more than 12,000 children and young people have taken up places on our Community Football Coaching programme at locations across Telford and Wrekin?

These sessions have been delivered in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council through the Club’s Community Coaching Officer, Luke Shelley, and his team of ten Community Coaches.

The team will be out again this academic year as over 20 schools have signed up to receive coaching. This follows on from another successful summer coaching programme which took place at the New Bucks Head Goalzone, Telford College Sports Dome and Shuker Fields in Newport.

This summer, children were also offered the chance to visit Anfield, home of Premiership club Liverpool, and were accompanied by AFC Telford United’s Manager Liam Watson and midfielder Alan Moogan.

Luke is employed in a unique partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council and his work, alongside that of club personnel, is making a real difference to the lives of children and young people in the town. He works with Diane Morris, Trust Community Coaching Officer, to develop and deliver courses across Telford and the programme is supported by The Football Conference Trust.

Club Managing Director, Lee Carter, said: “The partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council is creating massive opportunity for the youngsters in the town to learn new skills, take part in sport as part of a healthy lifestyle and enjoy the challenges of working with others. It is instrumental in our attempts to build the profile of the club; we are now engaging with more young people than ever.“

Luke added: “We have built strong relationships with schools over the last few years and we are very pleased that they have rebooked us for this year. We welcome enquiries from schools who would like to benefit from the high quality programmes we offer.”

For information on the Community Programme, please contact Luke on 07824 375869 or by email community@telfordutd.co.uk

AFC Telford United’s New Bucks Head has been chosen as one of the host stadia for the UEFA European Under 17 Women’s Football Championships. Four games will take place at the ground: 26 November England v Italy (afternoon kick off)

Austria v Portugal (evening kick off)29 November Germany v France 2 December Austria v Italy

Your Police and Crime Commissioner - Bill Longmore

I was elected as the first ever Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia in November 2012. The last 12 months have been a whirlwind of activity.

My role is to represent people and since taking up office my deputy, Barrie Sheldon, and I have been busy attending meetings across the West Mercia area finding out about peoples’ perceptions of the police and what the force’s everyday priorities should be.

I have been impressed by peoples’ spirit and co-operation. I know that officers take pride in their close relationship with local communities. I also know that many people will be reassured that some of the problems the police face in the

area have been addressed with the wide scale arrests made in recent operations.

Telford and Wrekin is expanding and the Council has worked hard to plan for the future. Telford will shortly have a wonderful leisure and shopping centre as well as many new homes in the surrounding area.

The Chief Constable and I are very aware of these significant changes and are planning the police service to take into consideration the increasing population and extra activities that will soon be on offer to residents, visitors and businesses.

We live in a time of austerity where all public bodies, including the police, must try and improve the way they work with less money than before. A good way of meeting this challenge is to form partnerships with other organisations. A great deal of co-operation is already taking place and I’m confident that this will help in areas where peoples’ needs are greatest.

In September, a new policing model was introduced across the West Mercia area. In Telford and Wrekin, this saw the introduction of safer neighbourhood teams supported by teams of response and specialist police officers, police staff and special constables. Collectively, these officers work for the community tackling a wide range of serious crime and quality of life issues on a daily basis.

Important elements of these changes included the extension of powers and hours worked by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and introduction of new technology, allowing officers to remain in the community for longer.

To support and enhance engagement with young people, there is a PCSO presence in a number of the area’s schools including: Abraham Darby Academy; Lakeside Academy; Hadley Learning Community; The Phoenix Academy; Madeley Academy and Ercall Wood Technology College.

We are also working with Warwickshire Police as part of an alliance. By working together, streamlining processes and reducing duplication in service provision we are able to deliver high quality, value for money policing within available resources.

Earlier this year I launched a private fund which allows charities and other groups to bid for a share of £20,000 foregone from my own salary. To date nearly £9,000 has been awarded to 25 worthwhile community groups and organisations.

This is on top of my Community Safety fund of £2m that has provided funding for a range of crime prevention initiatives including tackling anti-social behaviour, providing crime and disorder diversionary schemes, rehabilitation of offenders, and reducing repeat victimisation.

Money from this fund has recently been awarded to the newly launched West Mercia Cadets scheme which was only possible due to the success of Telford Volunteer Cadets.

I look forward to continuing to meet, listen and work with people and organisations in Telford and Wrekin to help build a safer society for local people.

For further information about my role, how to get involved or apply for funding please visit www.westmercia-pcc.gov.uk, email opcc@westmercia.pnn.police.uk or call 01743 264690.

T-Party

2013 has seen Telford host one of the biggest festivals in its history. T-Party and T-Live took place over two weekends providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to get along to Telford Town Park and enjoy an array of free and ticketed entertainment.

The event finished in style with McFly headlining a spectacular music festival.

Both events were about creating a buzz and establishing something that will last and become a real draw to Telford. It supports plans to make the borough a place that people want to live in, come to, talk about and invest in and similar events will be held in 2014.

“It was brilliant, fantastic setting with the marquee, excellent, interesting and talented performers, and amazing outfits”

“It was amazing! Danced the night away and would definitely go again!”

“It’s long overdue for Telford to put on these events.”

T-Live

“Pleaaaase say that T-Live can be a yearly thing. It was perfect”

“Well done! U put one big thing on for Telford last night and it was great! Lets hope it returns next year”

See the Town Park from new heights

Closer to the Edge has just given visitors to Telford Town Park the opportunity to see the park from a whole new view point....high up in the trees!

The new aerial ropes course has just opened and is providing adventurers and thrill seekers the chance to swing into action and have some fun traversing the various rope-based obstacles to get from tree to tree.

For the more height wary, there is a low ropes course three metres off the ground. For the braver ones the high ropes course is an astonishing nine metres off the ground!

High ropes activities have been growing in popularity and now, thanks to Closer to the Edge in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council, Telford has its very own.

There is something for people of all abilities and children as young as eight years old can take part on the low ropes course. Schools, group outings and corporate teams can all be accepted and it’s a great opportuntity to have fun with family, friends and colleagues.

Prices start from as little as £3.50 and there are discounts for holders of the tlc. It’s a great way to have fun and get active outdoors. Give it a try!

Visit www.closertothedge.co.uk for more details

Skills Minister’s visit to Telford College

Matthew Hancock MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning was in Telford in September and visited Telford College of Arts and Technology.

The Skills Minister’s visit to the College focused on qualification funding, the tracking of learners progression to real employment and meeting current and past students and employees.

Mr Hancock met with the students and discussed the importance of Maths and English, the relevance of college courses to employment and the role that many local employers have had in shaping the curriculum on offer to match the skills needs.

It was then off to meet the staff at the REED NCFE “Learning to Work Zone” which is now onsite at the College to open this brand new recruitment resource that will provide Telford College students with support to enter employment, traineeships, apprenticeships or progress to higher education.

The Skills Minister then made his way to the Creative Hub to officially open the College’s new state of the art, world class facility which offers a creative learning environment unrivalled not only in Shropshire but across the Midlands. Learners will benefit from a suite of fully equipped specialist studios which deliver a diverse range of subject areas relating to the creative industries and future employment.

Rachel Bailey, a past student of the College and now running her own business said: “Meeting the Skills Minister was great and I felt that he was interested in my past at the College as well as the development of my current photography business. Without the help of Telford College, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I completed a Foundation Degree in Art and Design which then led me onto a scheme called EFS at Stafford University. I was given a grant of £5,000 which pushed me into building up my own business. Mr Hancock was quite impressed with my journey and what I have achieved”.

Newport Pool to get fitness expansion

The New Year will see a great addition to Newport Swimming Pool in the shape of a state of the art health and fitness facility.

Telford & Wrekin Council appointed Pryce Builders to deliver the £1m project which will include extending the existing pool building to create a new fitness facility providing up to 50 high tech Cybex workout stations.

It will open to the public early in the New Year, just in time to start burning off the Christmas excesses!

The project also includes the refurbishment of the pool changing rooms to provide a modern unisex changing area with improved facilities for families and disabled users.

Refurbishment of the changing rooms began at the end of October and the pool is now closed to the public until the reopening in early January.

Users of the pool including parents of those who take swimming lessons have been contacted to discuss alternative arrangements during the closure.

The scheme will provide Newport and the surrounding area with fantastic leisure facilities and provide opportunities for the whole community to be more active.

Recycling and rubbish collections

The day that Christmas falls this year means that for some households collections will take place before their normal collection day.

If your collection date is affected by this, then a tag with your next five collection dates will be put on your grey bin in the weeks leading up to Christmas. If your bin does not have a tag this means your collection will be one day later than normal.

Rubbish and recycling calendars are available at www.telford.gov.uk/bindayfinder

Simply enter your postcode and house name or number and you will see your next collection dates and be able to download your calendar for the next six months. A list of the Christmas and New Year collections is shown here:

Week starting 23 December Normal collection day New collection dayMonday 23 December Saturday 21 December Tuesday 24 December Monday 23 December Wednesday 25 December Tuesday 24 December Thursday 26 December Friday 27 December Friday 27 December Saturday 28 December

Week starting 30 December Normal collection day New collection dayMonday 30 December Monday 30 December Tuesday 31 December Tuesday 31 December Wednesday 1 January Thursday 2 January Thursday 2 January Friday 3 January Friday 3 January Saturday 4 January

Lawley takes shape

The development in Lawley is one of the biggest to happen in the history of Telford and as new homes and businesses continue to appear, it is easier to appreciate the scale of the changes taking place.

Over 3,000 new homes are planned over the term of the development, and such significant numbers call for brand new services to support the local rise in population.

The vision is for Lawley to become a modern community with housing, employment, education, amenities, social and leisure facilities, providing a perfect balance between urban living and country life.

In the beginning new housing was dominating the build and there are over 600 new homes built to date. A centre has now emerged providing the focus for commercial, community and retail use. Already Lawley Square is proving popular with local residents who are making good use of the facilities open for business.So far at Lawley Square a new Morrisons supermarket and pub with restaurant have been joined by big names Greggs and Subway, as well as a fish and chip shop, charity shop, opticians, funeral directors and parish council office.

A hairdressers and estate agent/solicitors are expected shortly with a further eight commercial units being completed and made available before the end of 2013.

A large Extracare home and children’s day nursery are set to open in early 2014 which will create jobs locally, as well as providing vital services for young and old alike.

Plans in the pipeline also include a 60 bedroom hotel.

A new £4.7m primary school for 210 pupils is also set to be built in September 2015 to cater for the increased population within Lawley Village.

Despite tough economic times, Telford is continuing to grow rapidly and Lawley is playing a major part in that development.

Fastest growing town in Midlands

New housing in the borough isn’t confined to Lawley. Lightmoor Village and Telford Millennium Community in Ketley, combined with Lawley Village will provide over 5,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

These major developments are further complemented with smaller sites which are also contributing to the increased housing throughout the borough.

Southwater will also provide modern living in a truly mixed use development.

New housing is providing a wide range of homes including many affordable homes thanks to Sanctuary, Bromford, Wrekin Housing Trust and Bournville Village Trust all committing large investment to the borough.

Further investment from the Homes and Communities Agency has meant that housing growth has continued in the borough despite the economic downturn.

Last year over 600 homes were built in Telford and Wrekin, with the forecast for this year being 800 and 1,000 next year.

Combined with the growth of business, retail and leisure, the new housing is proving that Telford is an area that has a great deal to offer.

Harnessing the power of solar

Telford & Wrekin Council has agreed proposals to put forward plans for what would be only the second Council-owned solar farm in the UK.

The proposals are for a publicly funded solar farm to be built on land at Wheat Leasows, near Hortonwood.

The project forms part of the Council’s strategy to move towards becoming more environmentally and financially sustainable.The proposed solar farm in Telford and Wrekin would form a part of the Council’s wider energy strategy to aid a reduction in its carbon footprint which includes improving energy efficiency and energy generation in Council buildings.

A solar farm would benefit the borough by: Creating a more sustainable financial position for the Council, bringing in

new income to help to offset some of the cuts in central government funding, to help protect the frontline services

Generating as much as £5m profit (after paying off the building costs) during the 25 year life of the project

Reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy security Developing of the green economy, involving of local renewable energy

contractors in the project and creation of new job opportunities for the borough

Like many homes in the borough, the Council is already harnessing solar power in other ways.

The Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre is one of the first buildings in the country to make use of ground source heat (pipes buried in the ground that extract heat), roof-mounted solar panels and solex power (solar heating system).

There are also proposals to fit solar panels to existing Council buildings, including Addenbrooke House in Ironmasters Way and Oakengates Theatre @ The Place.

These panels would help to contribute towards savings targets for the Council, as well as generating a little income. They would provide electricity during the working week which would help to save the Council money on its electricity bills.

At the weekend and other downtime periods, any electricity would be fed into the National Grid and the Council would receive a fee for this.

The proposal to develop a commercial-scale solar farm would generate enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes.

If the project receives planning permission, this would be only the second commercial scale local authority owned solar farm in the country.

Coming soonLook out for the next edition of Your Voice in early January which will focus on Telford & Wrekin Council’s budget for 2014/15 and provide details on how to get involved in the consultation and give your views.

Regeneration makes its mark across the borough

Telford & Wrekin Council has been working hard to regenerate centres across the borough and bring a real sense of pride into areas which have suffered deterioration over the years.

One such regeneration success has been the work that has brought a new lease of life back to Hadley.

After the demolition of 12 retail units and maisonettes, substantial redevelopment has created new retails units housing Tesco Express, Greggs, Rowlands Pharmacy, Hadley Under Fives, the dentist and a fish and chip shop.

With improved parking and access Hadley really has been given a refreshing makeover and phase two, which is now underway, will include the relocation of the vets into new premises among other work.

Hadley is just one of many regeneration schemes delivered by the Council in recent years, bringing vibrancy and change to:

Sutton Hill Randlay Wellington Woodside Madeley Leegomery Malinslee

Following the redevelopments completed on Woodside and Sutton Hill in recent years, Brookside is now undergoing a major regeneration of its centre after it was chosen as the Co-operative pilot area in 2011.

£6.2m is being invested by Telford & Wrekin Council to transform the local centre with new shops, an extended and refurbished community centre and new housing.

Local residents guided the development of the scheme and have been fully engaged in the whole design process, building a great sense of community spirit and ownership.

The vision for Brookside, as with all communities in the borough, is to create environments which lend themselves to positive activities and involvement and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Change is continuing with Oakengates undergoing works that will see an upgrade to the frontages of Oakengates Theatre @ The Place and eight nearby shops in Limes Walk.

This facelift will again refresh the look of an important centre and is another step fowards in the regeneration of the borough.

MyLife

MyLife, is a new online directory for adults and young people where you can get lots of information, advice and guidance at the click of a mouse.

There can be times in someone’s life when you need care or support to keep living independently. It may be because of age or ill-health or because of a disability. At such times Telford & Wrekin Council wants to make sure you or your family and friends can find out what’s there to help.

From help around the home to personal care services, from dealing with money worries to keeping mobile, MyLife has been designed to help you work out what you need.

It can then show you the range of options and services that can help meet those needs as well as giving guidance so you can choose the right service or support.

More and more of us use new technology to manage our lives. MyLife is so everyone, whether you are Council funded or not, can have the right information at their fingertips.

It’s one place where you can find out what’s out there to keep you as independent as possible and living at home when you need care and support.

You can access MyLife at www.telford.gov.uk/MyLife

Could you be a snow warden

It’s getting colder and after last winter’s snow, it’s good to be prepared.

Last year Telford & Wrekin Council launched the Snow Warden scheme to get local residents helping themselves and neighbours clearing snow and ice.

Nearly 50 volunteers signed up and this winter we’re looking for more people and groups to volunteer as snow wardens throughout the borough.

James and Marion Weir, pictured below, from Apley told us what it’s like to volunteer for this valuable winter service.

“We recently retired and being a snow warden seemed like an ideal opportunity to give something back to the community.

“There was a lot of snow last winter and our neighbours really appreciated our work to clear the paths and road. About 10 of our neighbours joined us at one point to help clear the cul-de-sac and main road leading out of the estate. We were even thanked by passers-by for our efforts.

“The Council gave us the equipment we needed to clear snow including hi-vis jackets, gloves, grit, a shovel and information to help us clear the snow.

“We actually found that we used our own wheelbarrow to transport the grit which really helped us. We also found that gritting ahead of the snow coming made it much easier to clear.

“We would encourage anyone to get involved and become a snow warden. One of the biggest incentives is having the equipment at hand to be able to get yourself out on particularly bad days; being able to then help out your neighbours and surrounding areas is a bonus!

If you’re interested in becoming a snow warden visit www.telford.gov.uk/snowwardens

Council prepared as Winter approaches

Telford & Wrekin Council has been getting ready for the winter months to help keep you on the move whatever the weather.Some changes have been made to the Council’s Winter Maintenance Policy which will enhance the service and help to minimise any disruption to the road network in severe winter weather.

Changes to the policy include: The adoption of an enhanced winter gritting service during periods of

significant snowfall across the borough, including snow clearing and gritting of car parks, additional public footpaths and routes to schools, in order to open access to shops, businesses and schools

Increasing the amount of salt used to treat roads when there is a risk of significant snow

This will help melt snow and ice faster and for longer Apley Castle will be added to the existing treatment routes to allow access

to the Severn Hospice

The increase in colder weather in recent years has meant the cost of winter gritting is continually rising. The Council has increased the 2013/14 budget by £150,000 with another rise planned for 2014/15 to accommodate the change in weather and service enhancements.

The Council is hoping to increase the number of neighbourhood snow wardens to 200.

Much of this increase is hoped to come from people who volunteer to be snow wardens for local schools to help clear roads and pathways for pupils and teachers and decrease the likelihood of schools closing.

Further to this the Council is also looking for more opportunities to work co-operatively with Parish and Town Councils and businesses to further aid snow clearance.

The seven Parish Environmental Action Teams who work closely with Telford & Wrekin Council will also be available to boost the borough’s snow clearing in their respective Parishes.

Take off with this year’s panto!

Fasten your seat belts and hold on tight as Aladdin’s magical flying carpet takes off from Alicante to arrive in Telford just in time for this year’s pantomime.

It stars Asa Elliott in the title role. Asa is the rising star of award winning hit ITV comedy Benidorm.

The cast also includes comedian Phil Butler as Wishee Washee, show director Ian Billings as Emperor Chop Suey, David Redgrave as the gruesome Abanazar, Barry North as Widow Twankey and Jade Chaston as Princess Jasmine.

The show will run from 12 December - 5 January and promises a magical ride of mystery, sparkling romance and dazzling adventure with a good measure of spectacle, slapstick and song.

Tickets are priced from £9 and there is also a special offer for tlc holders - all seats £10 for the 5.30pm shows on 14 and 15 December. You need a card for each ticket booked and the offer is only available to those who book in person at the box office or by telephone.

Book tickets by calling the box office on 01952 382382, in person at the theatre or the ice rink or online at www.theplacetelford.com Please note the tlc offer is not available online.

Get protected this Winter

Public Health England and Telford & Wrekin Council are reminding groups eligible for a vaccine about the importance of flu vaccination.

Eligible groups include those over 65, pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions and health and social care workers.

For the first time, a nasal spray vaccine is being offered to healthy two and three year old children as they easily transmit the virus. This marks the first step in an extension to the national flu vaccine programme, which will eventually include yearly vaccination of all two to 16 year olds.

Flu can be very serious for older people and groups at risk of developing complications including those with weakened immune systems, and people with underlying conditions such as neurological disorders, liver, lung or renal disease, heart problems or diabetes and pregnant women.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect against the potentially serious harm from flu this winter.

For information on how to get vaccinated, contact your local GP surgery.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/who-should-have-flu-vaccine.aspx also provides information about flu vaccination including who should have it.

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Contact us:

Telford & Wrekin CouncilYou can book, apply, report or pay for services anytime at www.telford.gov.uk

General enquiries 01952 380000Anti-social behaviour hotline01952 384384

Council tax and benefits01952 383838

Family Connect01952 385385

Leisure centres and sports01952 382621

Libraries01952 382915

Planning01952 380380

Recycling, rubbish and litter01952 384384

Roads and footpaths01952 384000

To contact your local councillor visit www.telford.gov.uk/councillors

Telford College 01952 642200www.tcat.ac.uk

West Mercia Police0300 333 3000 and 101 (the non emergency number)

If you have any comments onYour Voice send these to yourvoice@telford.gov.uk

Your Voice is published by Telford & Wrekin Council and distributed to every household in the borough, providing information on Council services and its partners. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going to print.

Did you know that all the articles in this and every edition of Your Voice demonstrate how we are delivering our Co-operative Priorities - visit www.telford.gov.uk/priorities