Independent County Councillor Liz Maddison has provided an update of activities:
A completion date for the demolition of the old Library site is estimated to be September 2024. There are a number of options being considered for future use of this site. Work on the Cheapside side of Festival Walk is expected to complete by end of year.
Public consultation on the preferred design for the new play area on Craddock Street, was delayed because of local elections and the purdah period. It is now anticipated that after this public consultation and equipment manufacture, that the installation on site would be circa November 2024. Pete, Liz and Luke have part funded this new play area.
Cllr Molloy and I have proceeded with plans to fund a pathway from the Auckland Walk up to junction of Church Street, Byers Green and also funded signage on the Auckland Walk to signpost local places of interest and heritage; the signage also identifies fauna along the route. The Heritage 100 trail that we funded last year joins part of this route. We helped launch the second local Heritage 100 trail starting at Croxdale Community Centre this month. Details of how to join in on these walks and enjoy our natural environment are on the Heritage 100 facebook page.
Cllr McAloon and I have used some Neighbourhood funding to help support the Gala Committee with their very successful Festival of Colour as well as Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group who entertained at the Gala using equipment that we funded.
We all provided our Neighbourhood funding for the Brass Festival held this week and have provided some funding towards the Spennymoor Youth Fest to be held on Saturday, 20th July.
As well as providing enjoyment to many, these locally held events benefit the wider economy and we hope we can bring more events to the Town Centre this year.
For several years now we have been invited to the Fairground before Gala opening day to meet some of the staff and pupils from Special Needs schools who have the fair opened especially for them. It is wonderful to see how much they enjoy the opportunity to ride on some of the shows. Thank you to the Showmen for organising this open evening for them.
The recent bad weather has caused delays with the grass and verge cutting but this is now getting back to normal schedule. We continue to highlight and resolve areas of concern, some of which are with outside organisations to resolve.
Some white lining on roads has been completed in areas we identified earlier this year and more is planned for when the ‘no parking’ legal notices come into effect that were delayed because of the general election purdah period.
Some patching work has been completed on roads and footpaths but more has been identified on walkabouts. I have asked when these can be actioned.
A third Towns Board meeting has now been held and a number of sub groups continue to meet to discuss the issues raised in public consultation covering the three themes of Transport and Connectivity; High Street, Heritage and Regeneration; and thirdly, Safety and Security. Plans are on schedule for submission to Government to meet the agreed 1st August deadline.
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