Improvements to the Hollow, Bewdley.

Cllr Paul Gittins at The Hollow

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

I am very pleased to report that the slope at the bottom of the steps in the Hollow leading to Bark Hill have been improved by installing a non slip surface and a new hand rail. The wall under the hand rail has also been repaired. I have been campaigning for these improvements for several years and over these years several people have slipped there and parts of the wall have fallen into the road. However I was disappointed to find that although the wall had been repaired and the non slip material applied the old hand rail which my father had installed when he was a councillor had been removed and we had to wait several weeks for the new hand rail to be fitted. Athough I am pleased that at last this area has now been made safer I am disappointed that it has taken so long.

Tories responsible for cuts to parish aid

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

I found it interesting to read that Councillor Clee, a member of Bewdley Town Council, claimed he was staggered to hear about the Wyre Hill play area and Bewdley bridge proposals and lay the blame on the Health Concern members.

Had he attended more town council meetings or read the minutes of those he missed or left early he would have known that his Conservative colleagues supported all the proposals and that they came from the Finance Working Group of which there are two Conservatives, one Health Concern and one Independent member.

My proposal to fund the play area for a whole year and to consult with the district council for future years was accepted because the district said they had no funding available to run it, although I believe they could have used some of their reserves to run or even improve it.

What was staggering, however, is the district cabinet’s approved proposal to phase out aid to parish councils which would mean that Bewdley Town Council will be over £12,000 short for next year’s funding.

This funding is used not only to maintain the play area but for other projects such as the Christmas lights, war memorial and the town’s flowers. The town council did indeed do a U-turn and I hope the district will do the same with the parish grant and with the funding and improvements to the play area.

PAUL GITTINS Labour Bewdley town councillor

Wyre Hill Play Area

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

At Bewdley Town Council’s meeting on 5th May the following proposal was accepted unanimously.

Although the Play Area has been funded by the Town Council from the S136 grant since 2003 it was agreed that the Town Council only fund it this year for 6 months at a cost of £2,110 and to return the running of it to the District Council, the remainder of the funding to be used to illuminate the bridge.

I believe the main reason for this proposal was because of a WFDC Cabinet review which was approved by District Councillors to ‘phase out aid to Parish Councils’ next year 2010/2011 in order to save £57,010 which would mean that Bewdley Town Council would loose over £12,000 next year and make it difficult to finance the Play Area as well as other projects.

However the WFDC have informed us that as they do not have a budget to fund the Play Area it may have to close in 6 months time

Because of this Carol Gittins has raised a petition of over 300 names in support of saving the Play Area and calls on Bewdley Town Council to increase the funding of the Play Area for one year and to consult with WFDC for funding in future years. I have pleasure in presenting this petition to the Mayor………

As one of the Town Councils representatives on the Environment group which is devoted to enhance the town centre of Bewdley I will be seeking part of a Town Centre Management Forum grant of £5,000 to illuminate the bridge and ask the Bewdley Development Trust to seek funding from the Market Towns Initiative and other sources.

I therefore propose that we increase the funding of the Play Area for one year The extra funding to come from the funding of the lighting of the Bridge and consult with WFDC as to the funding of the Play Area next year.

Carol Gittins Eve of Poll Message

Carol Gittins working hard for Bewdley.

Election day is Thursday 30th April from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. at St Anne’s School on Wyre Hill.
I have been pleased with the messages and level of support I have received and the response to my petition to save the Play Area. Of course, the Play Area is not the only issue — if elected on Thursday, I will be campaigning for many things to improve the quality of life for residents of Bewdley. Better facilities for young people is just one issue — you don’t have to be young to know that youth facilities are wanting in Bewdley. Why is the excellent Youth Club only open 2 or 3 nights each week? Where is the lift to enable all residents to have access to the Town Clerk’s Office and to attend Council meetings?
You may have received a leaflet telling you that former Councillor Tony Williams, the one the nservatives accused of abandoning his post, leaving the residents of Bewdley to pick up the bill for electing a replacement, is now supporting the Conservative Candidate after encouraging me to stand in
his place!
However, Tony must also have been disappointed when he was told that his Health Concern colleagues intended to nominate my husband, Paul, as Deputy Mayor instead of him.
I am sure you will agree that time is the most precious thing anyone can give. I promise that I will give all my spare time to you and our town if elected. All I ask is that you give me a few minutes of your time to vote for me on Thursday 30th April. The polling station is open from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Carol Gittins is the Labour Party Candidate for Bewdley West Ward

Carol Gittins working hard for Bewdley.

Election day is Thursday 30th April from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. at St Anne’s School on Wyre Hill.

If you need a postal vote, or a lift to the polling station on election day, contact Carol.

For many, an introduction to Carol is unnecessary. Married to Councillor Paul Gittins for 39 years, with two grown-up children, she is well known not only for her eight years as a Town Councillor, being Mayor in 2001 — 2002, but also for her outstanding commitment to our town.

As Secretary of the Bewdley Branch of the Royal British Legion, Carol ensures that the Branch is efficiently run and that those who ‘gave their tomorrows for our today’ are remembered. Each week she lays fresh flowers at the War Memorial, and as Chair of the Welfare Committee ensures that ex-service personnel of Bewdley who are in need are assisted and each year she and her Committee distribute 40 Christmas hampers.

As a member of the Carnival Committee, she is minute secretary and catering organiser. She also organises the popular Carnival Pet Show and Teddy Bears’ picnic, and on behalf of the Town Council, the Parish Games in which all Wyre Forest parishes compete in such events as golf, archery, bowls, crib and dominoes. This year she has managed to include five-aside football for the younger children.

Carol is also pleased and honoured to be a member of many other organisations which she believes support and promote our town, including Bewdley in Bloom, Bewdley Development Trust’s Environment Group, The Police Consultative Group, Fair Trade, Age Concern and is an executive Member of The Civic Society.

As well as devoting a lot of time to these organisations, Carol is also well known for her fund-raising activities for local charities. The recent successful Royal British Legion concert in St Anne’s Church and the Millbrook Suite appeal coffee morning held at the Rowing Club being amongst them.

It was because of her work and dedication to our town that Carol was awarded the Town Council’s Civic Award last year. This award is presented to those who have given outstanding service to the community of Bewdley.

If you were not previously aware of any of these activities and achievements you may have tasted Carol’s delicious puddings at the Mulberry Restaurant where she is the Sweet Chef.

Her organisational skills and common sense are needed on the Town Council. Her commitment to the town would be a great asset, especially when the Town Council has to cope with cuts due to be made by the District Council which may severely affect our town next year.

Wyre Hill Play Area

Carol Gittins working hard for Bewdley.

I was disappointed to hear that the Play Area at Wyre Hill, Bewdley could possibly close due to insufficient funding from Bewdley Town Council. This Play Area was due to close in 2003 because of District Council cuts but the Town Council decided to keep it open funding it from a District Council grant. However the grant of over £12,000 which is used to support the Play Area and other items such as the Christmas Lights, the War Memorial the towns flowers and other items is due to be withdrawn next year which could mean that the the Play area could close then anyhow. It was partly due to this that Councillors decided to support the illumination of the bridge instead as a lot of work had already been carried out to progress it. Although my husband was against the proposal to fund the Play area for only 6 months it was passed. However he and councillor Edginton have submitted a written request to revisit the Council Budget to seek a way to fund the Play Area for a year. I am collecting a petition urging the Town Council to fund the Play Area for a whole year and then to consult with the District Council for future years. I will also be asking our District Councillors who supported the cessation of the Grant to find ways to reverse their decision next year. Petition forms can be found at the Black Boy public house and at the shop on Bark Hill or from me.

Coffee morning in support of the ‘Millbrook Appeal’

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Carol is holding a coffee morning in support of the ‘Millbrook Appeal’ to modernise the Cancer Treatment Centre at Kidderminster Hospital . The event is being held at Bewdley Rowing Club on Thursday 26th March 11am-1pm. there is parking opposite the club.

Grit bins needed at Bark Hill, Bewdley

Paul Gittins campaigning for Grit Bins in Bark Hill

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

With reference to the Kidderminster Chronicle front page article last week headed TRUE GRIT It was interesting to note that grit bins are placed on a number of eligibility criteria such as close to bends or on steep gradients which I am sure everyone would agree with. I have been campaigning for a number of years to have a survey carried out on Bark Hill, Bewdley to see if we qualify for these criteria. As the name implies Bark Hill is on a hill and I would welcome a meeting with the Highways Manager to discuss this.

Monthly Surgery

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Councillor Paul Gittins will be holding his monthly surgery at Bewdley Library on Saturday 7th March between the hours of 10am – midday.
Every welcome. No appointment required.

New Bus shelters for Bewdley

Paul Gittins outside the new bus shelter in Load Street

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Paul Gittins is pleased to report that eight shelters in Bewdley have been replaced and the final one which is opposite the one pictured will be replaced soon. The shelters have been funded by the ‘Connecting Wyre’ Rural bus Challenge grant managed by WCC and received from the Department for transport for improvements to transport services and infrastruction in Wyre Forest. The Heritage style shelters have a footpath buildout and will enhance the street scene of Load Street. All the shelters will be maintained by the Town Council.