Brought to you by Councillors Sarah Stamp and Patrick Chung
Spring is here at last and there’s lots going on as always in Southgate! We are out and about a lot so if you see us in the area, don’t forget to say hello. Also please don’t forget to get in touch if you have a local issue that needs attention – our details are above and we are always very happy to help! Until next time, Sarah and Patrick
Litter Pick
Last month we held another one of our regular community litter picks and we were joined by the School Council of Hardwick Middle School as well as local residents, Officers from St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Havebury Housing and the Prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the town, Jo Churchill. We were busy picking litter for 2 hours and the end result was a big pile of bags filled with litter from right across the area.
NEW PLAYPARK
We had a lively public meeting of the Nowton Neighbourhood Residents Association (NNRA) a few weeks ago where we bought along the proposed designs for the new playpark and asked for your feedback. I’m pleased to hear that after a tough procurement process, the supplier who prepared the plans that received the most positive feedback on the night was successful and has been awarded the contract. Work should begin soon and the new park should be in place before the summer holidays. Great news for the Nowton Estate and our young people! I’d like to thank everyone who came to the meeting and those who gave me feedback separately, your thoughts and opinions have been key in deciding what sort of equipment we see in the new play area. It’s really great to have such a big investment in our area, and we are also going to have a new pathway to make access easier for parents with buggies or those with limited mobility. The park will also be moved slightly so it is further away from the big slope (and the sledges when the snow falls!)At the meeting we had a discussion around the possibility of lighting the new park and the need to be aware of antisocial behaviour in the area, and we would like to reassure you all that we are in close contact with the Police on this and they have agreed to increase patrols in the vicinity when the new park goes in.
STEWARD ROAD
We are pleased that Steward Road has finally been resurfaced. Last week Sarah joined Ann Williamson of the Nowton Neighbourhood Residents Association to judge a competition at Hardwick Primary School for children to design road safety signs to go at the end of Steward Road to encourage people to slow down and drive more carefully as they approach the school. There were some brilliantly creative entries and the winners will be announced in next months magazine. Their signs will be made into real signs, which Sarah is funding from her SCC Highways budget, and will be installed later in the summer.
Fun Day
Plans are underway for the Community Family Fun Day organised by the Southgate Community Partnership on May 4th. Last years event was fantastic and this years day is set to be even bigger and better. Its free fun for all the family and there are loads of activities, entertainment, food stalls etc and even pony rides so put the date in your diary now or contact the Community Centre if you would like a stall. We will be there, manning the bouncy castle, so do come and say hello!
