Take the St Margarets Alliance Survey
The St Margarets Alliance is asking all residents to complete a survey as the first stage towards creating a Community Action Plan. The Survey asks residents to consider which aspects of their local environment, economy, or social well-being are most important to them and to prioritise the most important and urgent.
Community Action Plans are central to the Sustainable Communities Act (SCA) of 2007, which aims to create a more local form of democracy. The Plans are approved by the Secretary of State and funded from central government and community funds. As such, Community Action Plans help communities to shape their economic, social and environmental well-being.
The group is non party-political and its purpose is to coordinate a Community Action Plan for the area. St Margarets Alliance does not have a specific agenda for the St Margarets area: the results of the Survey will form the basis for the basis of all future initiatives. The group’s guiding principle is ‘residents first’.
17 July 2009 | Category » news | Comments [0]
Planning Update: Hostel Planned for Former Crown Road Surgery
On Thursday 2 July I met with Bryan Staff, North Ward planning officer, to discuss the proposed development of a hostel at 66 Crown Road.
Supporting documentation and consultation with residents.
Mr. Staff informed me that the applicant has submitted no documentation to support his request for planning permission other than those available on the Council’s web site. This is not unusual and has no bearing on Mr. Staff’s decision. Equally, the lack of consultation by the developer with the property’s neighbours is not ideal but is irrelevant to the Council’s assessment of the applications’ merits.
The intended residents.
Mr. Staff is aware that a number of local residents, including a governor of Orleans Infant School, have concerns about the kind of people who will be living at the property. Consequently, he spoke by telephone with the developer on Wednesday (1 July 2009). Robert Massie assured him that the development is to be occupied by young professionals and not the recently homeless, ex-offenders, etc.. However, Mr. Staff confirmed to me that this statement is not part of the formal planning application, nor is it binding on the future use of the property. He may ask Mr. Massie to commit his intentions to writing and include the letter in the file of correspondence with the application, but such a letter would not be binding nor form part of the application. Mr. Staff went on to state that the Council has no powers to restrict who resides within the borough. He specified that proximity to the infant school would not be a reason to object to the scheme as anyone could move into the area or frequent the streets leading to the school.
3 July 2009 | Category » news | Comments [1]
SWAP OUR SCHOOLS
Last week, the Council, in the shape of Matthew Paul, braved a packed hall of parents at St Stephen’s, to explain the 2 form entry plans for Orleans and St Stephen’s. In brief, to solve issues around pupil capacity and…
3 July 2009 | Category » around town | Comments [2]
Planning: Developer trying to avoid providing affordable housing
The following application has just been brought to my attention. Back last year application 08/0307/FUL was granted permission: “Redevelopment of the site to provide a 3-storey building comprising 17 private units (11 × 1-bedoom and 6 × 2-bedroom) and 10…
3 July 2009 | Category » around town | Comments [0]
UNCLAIMED PRIZES
Does anyone know Haylee Saunders? Can you tell her that she was one of the lucky winners of the St Margaret’s Fun Day Poster Competition. Please ask her to call into Absolute Pets at 47 Crown Road to collect her…
3 July 2009 | Category » around town | Comments [0]
The Marathon de Sables: One of the hardest races on earth
Why is this one of the hardest races on earth?
The race was first run 26 years ago when Patrick Bauer ran his own race unsupported across 300km of the Sahara. He wanted others to take part in a similar experience and set up the Marathon de Sables. Over 10,000 people have since run the race with over 800 competitors from around the world now racing each year. In the UK alone, there is a waiting list of 2000 people to even get on the race. So I am not alone in my madness to complete this challenge.
The race itself covers 151 miles of desert in sections of approximately 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km and this is run over 6 days (sometimes 7 if you do not finish the double marathon in the two days allowed). In addition to running one must carry all their equipment with them to survive for the duration of the race (so this is clothing, food, emergency medical kit, torch, compass, cooking equipment etc.) Water is rationed and handed out at each check point.
The temperatures mid day could reach 120 F degrees and the terrain will vary from rocks to sand with about 15-20% being run on sand dunes.
3 July 2009 | Category » around town | Comments [0]
Coming shortly to a letter box near you...
During the next few weeks we’ll be distributing 6,000 copies of this year’s St Margarets Fair Programme and Local Directory. For a preview of all the events and to look at a layout of the Fair on Saturday the…
29 June 2009 | Category » news | Comments [1]
The Best Ever St Margarets Community Event
What a lovely sunny day, Crown Road closed to traffic and a great chance to walk along the street and look at the shops and stalls whilst mingling with friends and neighbours. At the top of the road Parvinu…
29 June 2009 | Category » around town | Comments [0]
Councillors start monthly “Drop in Surgeries”
The three ward councillors have combined with the ward’s Safer Neighbourhood police team to hold regular “Drop in Surgeries” at Eurowash Launderette, 99 Whitton Rd, on the last Thursday of each month, between 2 pm and 3 pm. Residents are…
29 June 2009 | Category » news | Comments [0]
Event Reminder: Cambridge Gardens Summer Fete - Sunday 28th June 12-4pm
This Sunday 28th June from 12 noon to 4 pm there is the first ever Cambridge Gardens Summer Fete. Come down for: Food Music Bouncy castle Face painting Children’s art competition Boules Raffle Stalls books bric-a-brac toys plants art Free…
26 June 2009 | Category » around town | Comments [0]
