‘PRISON FENCE’ REJECTEDThere was good news for people living in and around Elter Walk in NorthGunthorpe after pressure from local residents and members of the SouthWerrington and North Gunthorpe FOCUS Team persuaded the citycouncil to reject plans for ‘prison-like’ fencing around a popularcommunity playing field:

The controversial issue had received significant media coverage and almostunanimous support from residents in objecting to the proposals.

Local Liberal Democrat ward councillor Darren Fower said: “People powerprevailed and the school playing fields which residents have used for years willhopefully remain similar to what we have now.

“More than 190 Gunthorpe residents signed a petition in a bid to stop the two-metre high wooden fence from being installed on Elter Walk, bordering theschool's playing field. I am glad that the effort we all put in was rewarded with asensible decision from Peterborough City Council's planning committeemembers.”

Darren hopes to have a meeting with the school and interested parties in orderto secure a satisfactory outcome for all. Meanwhile, members of the FOCUS Team have been contacted by peopleliving in and around Elter Walk about ‘mini motos’.

The problems centre on a handful ofindividuals who ride these miniaturemotor bikes up and down the footpath,endangering themselves and others.

Cllr Darren Fower said: “Residentstell me that one particular rider travelsaround Gunthorpe twice a day.”

The details have now been passed tothe police and city council.

WARD ‘SURGERY’COME 0N DOWN!!

Speak to Cllr Darren Fower atone of his regular ‘surgeries’Come along to either:Brookside Methodist Church,Gunthorpe RoadTime: 6pm – 7pmDate: 3rd Friday of each month

orWerrington Village Centre,Church StTime: 6pm – 7pmDate: 1st Friday of each month

FENCE NEEDSFIXINGResidents living in and aroundBrookside have contacted theFOCUS Team about a fence thatwas damaged by vandalsattempting to create access to astream.

Local Liberal Democrat councillorDarren Fower said:

“The wire fence that runs alongsidethe stream that leads underFulbridge Road has been damagedfor some time.

“It seems that the damage has beencaused by people trying either to getto the stream or create an access sothat they can walk alongside thestream.

“This stretch of bank is far from asafe place to be walking or playingabout and the fence is intended as asafety measure to stop young childrengaining access.

“In addition, the stream needs tohave some protection in order forwildlife to return to it after recentpollution.”

Darren has now reported thisproblem to the city council.

FROZEN ASSETSThe city council looks certain to loseat least £1 million of tax payers’money as a result of ‘investing’ inIcelandic banks that have gone bust.

Latest figures show that the council putmore than £3 million into the failedbanks. It is still not clear how muchmoney it will get back – or when. It haswritten off £1.5 million in the accounts forthis year.

Local councillor Darren Fower, who isdeputy leader of the Liberal Democratgroup on the city council, said: “This isCouncil Tax payers' money and shouldbe paying for delivery of local services.”

TEAM CONTACT DETAILS:Councillor: Darren FowerFOCUS Editor: Richard OliveTel: 570238 or 573813Mobile: 07932 021 349Email: SWNG_FOCUS@peterboroughlibdems.org.ukWard website:www.campaigns.libdems.org.uk/SWNGPost: Cllr Darren Fower,92 Swale Avenue, Gunthorpe,Peterborough PE4 7GT

FOCUSwww.peterboroughlibdems.org.uk

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“Working All Year Round”SOUTH WERRINGTON and NORTH GUNTHORPE RESIDENTS’ NEWSLETTER

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MPs’FEES

OFFICE

MPs’ Expenses Claims

Printed by P’boro Liberal Democrat Printing Society c/o 37 Swift Close, Deeping St James PE6 8QQ. Published & promoted for & on behalf of Liberal Democrats at 92 Swale Avenue, Peterborough PE4 7GT

USEFUL NUMBERS* Police – 0345 456 456 4;* Street Lights - 453523;* Abandoned Cars – 425338;* Noise Complaints – 747474;* Council Tax – 452258;* Drains – 863766;* Elections – 452249;* Road Maintenance – 453585;

CLEANING UPLocal Liberal Democrat councillor Darren Fower is callingfor the city council to follow in the steps of other councils byputting dispensers for plastic bags on their waste bins. Thebags would be provided for dog owners to clear up dog messand put it in the appropriate bins.

Darren believes that while fines are one way of dealing with aminority of dog owners who allow their pets to foul footpaths andplay areas, effort should also be put into resolving the problem.

He said: "Presently the council spends hundreds, if notthousands, of pounds each year on cleaning up dog messthroughout the city of Peterborough.

"Over the years local residents havefrequently suggested to me the idea ofhaving plastic bags attached to the dogwaste bins themselves.

“Why the council has never takenthis sensible step is a mystery. Havingtaken a look at the scheme operated inanother city, I am certain it wouldsave money and reduce the problem.”

PRIVATE LAND?Residents have contacted the LiberalDemocrat FOCUS Team after signs startedemerging on pieces of grass land used bypeople walking their dogs, etc, declaring“PRIVATE LAND: No Public Access orRight of Way”.

It seems two pieces of land, one in CuckoosHollow (Werrington) and another alongsideCathwaite (Paston), have seen several signserected warning local people to now stay off theland.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor DarrenFower said: “The residents want to know what isgoing on. Given the amount of time these spaceshave been used by members of the public forleisure activities, it is a fair question.”

Residents are fearful that the land will be usedfor housing.

Daren has asked council officers to find outwhat is happening.

THROUGH ROUTE SUCCESSUsers of mobility scooters in and around South Werrington and NorthGunthorpe contacted the FOCUS Team to because some footpaths areimpassable for them and therefore limiting their choice of routes.

The Disabilities Discrimination Act states it is against the law for publicplaces to be made inaccessible to people with a disability.

Residents told us that the footpath from Ainsdale Drive through toPipistrelle Court was impassable for people on mobility scooters. A similarissue can be found at a footpath running from Grassmere Gardens whichresidents say could be made better simply by removing one of the three gatesthat exist there.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Darren Fower, who has recently beencampaigning on similar issues, relating to the city centre took up the issueand barriers on one of the affected paths have now been removed. He told us:

“I am delighted that we have made some progress with this but willcontinue to press the council until we see more action.

“In today’s world it is unacceptable that an individual with a physicaldisability is unable to move freely around their local community.

“The law is very clear on this and I just hope that the city council acts onthese concerns before it finds itself in court.”

CCTV at centreThe council is to get £125,000from Tesco to help pay for CCTVat Werrington Centre.

Local Lib Dem councillor DarrenFower said: “CCTV benefits Tescofirst and the local community second.It is a shame a similar amount has notbeen agreed for additional youthservices.”

I would have liked to see the securityenhanced at the centre by providingtop class youth facilities and enablingmore people to get to the centre viabus from north Gunthorpe.

POLICE STATIONVANDALISEDThe exterior of the police station in theWerrington Centre has beenvandalised.

Despite the attacks, it is ‘business asusual’ inside the station.

Local Liberal Democrat councillorDarren Fower said: “If people are tryingto break in, perhaps the police shouldopen the station to the public for longerhours and on more days of the week?" Police hold ‘surgeries’ at thestation on Wednesdays from 11 amto 1 pm, Fridays from 5 pm to 7 pm.