Madeley Parish Council Madeley Matters

Madeley Matters

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November 2001
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Page 2

Graham WhiteCouncillor Graham White, Woodside ward

I am a divorced father of two adult sons.

I am a co-opted Parish Councillor and became a Labour Party member after my co-option.

Throughout the five years that I’ve lived in the Madeley parish, I have been very active in voluntary community projects. For example: I assisted in the compilation of the Consultation document of Madeley Challenge (Remodelling the Estates); I wrote the constitution and served as secretary for the Woodside Residents Group AWARE; I am the current secretary of Westbourne NEAT (a neighbourhood environmental action team).

My greatest concern is that the local people are directly involved in the running and planning of their community. This includes taking a positive responsibility towards the planet and realising that cultural, religious and skin colour differences benefit our lives.

Public Conveniences
(from our Parish poet)

“As you walk past the still boarded and locked inconveniences at the top of Madeley High Street, please be assured that behind closed doors there have been some movements. It may seem to you that the pipeline has been blocked but Madeley Matters is pleased to update on the latest chain of events.

Those at Madeley Parish Council working on your behalf have refused to settle for a bog standard solution to the problem. We have brought all our effluence to bear and finally the penny has dropped. The sanitary (oops! Sorry), Unitary, Authority have seen the loonacy of dumping Madeley Parish Council with the costs but not the ownership of the building and, when the legal processes have run their course, Madeley Parish Council could own the premises and control the design.

Our urinal decision that the residents of Madeley and those using our district centre should have facilities appropriate to the 21st Century and we hope to report in the next issue what form the facilities will take”

Jubilee House will be the venue for a display of different building options for the toilet development. You will then get your say on the final outcome.

Madeley NEAT

The Madeley Centre NEAT group was formed in May this year, as its members, made up of local residents and myself as Chair are concerned about the neglected and deteriorating state of the local centre.

Madeley is the district centre for South Telford and should be the focus for over 20,000 residents. It comprises retail outlets, owned by Telford & Wrekin and residential flats owned primarily by the Wrekin Housing Trust.

The NEAT group has worked closely over the summer months with the Madeley Centre Manager. Our method has been to carry out walk-abouts in the centre, of which we have kept a photographic record, and then to write to the Centre Manager identifying specific issues. This has been followed up by regular meetings. We raised specifically the amount of weeds and litter in the centre and hope you have noticed the improvements.

It is our considered view that the issues go far beyond voluntary litter picks but should rather be raising the issues of the future upkeep and environmental maintenance of this important district centre.

The “garden” areas are a disgrace, the uneven and filthy paving slabs – a danger and an eyesore. We are seeking to clarify with the appropriate authorities and the landlords what funds will be available for the shopping centre in the next financial year, ie what proportion of the council tax, service charges and rents are re-directed back to source.

The environment committee at Madeley Parish Council has requested the NEAT group to monitor the situation and report to their next meeting in early December.

Many of you will recall seeing our group in the centre in early June, with our petition – Our Dare to Care Campaign – and might be asking what you can do to help. We believe that residents have a lot of pride in their local area and people could help by not dropping litter, cigarette ends, bottles and cans. If you see items of litter, and you dare to care, please put them in the nearest bin.

You might also visit us at our table at the Christmas Lights; tell us how you feel about your centre, support our campaigns to tidy and clean up. We are particularly interested in your concerns about the “Green” and require your anecdotes and stories as to how the “Green” is used as a recreational area. We need this information to pursue our aim of obtaining village green status and the preservation of the area for future generations.

Gill Green – Chair, Madeley Centre NEAT