Why does the weather always change when it is the time to Meet Your Local Councillor? We enjoy a fine, relatively warm spell, so we decide the time is ripe to  set up our gazebo and pick up our pens  -  what happens? The wind picks up, the rain begins and the temperature drops…. nevertheless, all the Libdem Councillors for  Leeming and Priory wards turned out to listen to the complaints (and compliments, because we do get a few!) of local people. I have to say it is good to chat and meet local residents and try to help with their problems and the warm feeling it generates helps to ward off the cold in fingers, nose and toes! Thank you for stopping to chat; it was good to talk! All problems will be dealt with by the relevant MDC department and answers given, either in writing or by telephone, in a confidential manner.

The latest incubation units built by MDC on Park Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, were officially opened by Executive Mayor, Tony Egginton today, with your local Councillors in attendance. The Business Place is a well-designed facility offering offices, workshops and meeting rooms. The business support team helps new businesses to start up and gives existing businesses room to expand.

I took a stroll around Peafield Park this morning and it is good to see the information boards back in place, having been cleaned and re-coated. The improvements to the park will bring a massive change to the facilities; the BMX track is now a distant memory and is soon to be replaced by a mini slalom.  The fencing is in the process of being up-dated and the sensory garden is to have a new accessible pathway. The area of scrubland to the rear of properties on Sedgebrook Street  is going to be laid to grass, which will create a nice picnic zone.

Hopefully upon completion of the upgrade we may be successful in gaining Green Flag status for the park.

This coming Saturday, 1st March, will see the Centenary of Turner Hall celebrated, with  a Heritage Presentation, memories of Turner Hall, local community groups’ presentations and various entertainment for all ages and refreshments at the Stable Centre.  It is open 11am to 4pm, so do try to attend.

By all accounts the Centenary Event was a huge success, with presentations by a host of local groups and memories of Turner Hall were aired, with nostalgia obviously the main feature. If you missed it, you missed a treat.

I attended a meeting of the MDC Cabinet  on Monday (25th)  and learned that the Decent Homes Scheme to renovate Council housing stock is well on track to meet the statutory UK standard by 2010/11.  To date almost the whole of Mansfield Woodhouse has been completed, with the exception of Peafield lane where works remain ongoing.  Some tenants  have refused the works, but as and when these properties are vacated they will be brought up to the Decent Homes standard.

In addition to the above, the programme of installing loft and cavity wall insulation has begun across all MDC housing areas.

Your local Councillors, Veronica Goddard, Phil Smith and Jill Usher pictured with Inspector Lomas (L), Sgt Lindsey (2nd L)PCSO Gilbert and Leeming beat manager PC Colley at the opening of the new Police Station, High Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, on 19th January. 

Old people will get free handymen, it was revealed yesterday.

Town hall helpers are to carry out tasks such as fixing taps, putting up handrails, and installing alarms.The move is part of a Government drive to make urban areas better for the old to encourage them to stay in their homes. Some town halls offer OAPs cheap or free services.

But with £33million extra, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears will this week say she wants schemes expanded.

Measures include lowering kerbs, improving pavements and more public loos.

Hello,

I am currently in the process of building my website; I hope to bring you information relating to Leeming Ward and the wider district of Mansfield. If you have any problems you would like me to address, please do not hesitate to contact me. I shall endeavour to deliver  a satisfactory conclusion.