To the Windmill today to look at the improvements which have been taking place. The building was run down but now has a roof that doesn’t leak and a new heating system. The Judo Club are taking up residence so there’s going to be more use of the building. There’s more work to be done but it’s getting to the stage where it’s more aboput decoration than the fabric of the building.

I’m pleased to say that the building is secured for many years to come.

Anyone watching the progress of building the extension will have seen that the company involved in the construction have gone bust. I’m pleased to say that another contractor has been found to complete the works, at no extra cost, and work will recommence tomorrow.

I’m pleased to see that we’ve now got some extra facilities for kids in the area. Leeds Youth Service has now taken delivery of a specially equiped bus which is now coming to the Woodlesford Park and Wood Lane (Manor Estate) areas.

Aire Valley Homes, The Groundwork Trust and a group of green fingered youngsters have come together to sow the seeds for a healthy and happy estate.  Over 30 children and teenagers are now actively engaged with improving and managing the environment on the John O’ Gaunt’s estate by using previously abandoned and derelict land to create a thriving allotment. The project was kick-started with an Environmental Week in February 08, when residents young and old started work on the allotments, including building a 20ft poly-tunnel and creating scarecrows from scrap material collected from a mass clean-up.

The youngsters made the project the focus of their half-term and are responsible for distributing the produce they grow on the allotment. Relationships between old and young have improved, and local residents have become confident and inspired that community action can bring achievements.

It’s impressive enough to get them shortlisted for the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber Making a Difference Awards which are being held at the Harrogate International Centre next week and I’m delighted to have been asked to go with them.

I’ve been involved with the group so I know just how much hard work has been put in and what a difference it’s made on the estate. Fingers crossed for a good result.

The AGM of Rothwell Entertainments takes place on Monday 3rd November at 7.30pm in the Yellow Room at Springhead Park House.

REC put on some major events in Rothwell, most notably the annual gala in the park, and are all volunteers working hard for the local community. If you’d like to get involved in any way then you’ll be made very welcome.

We’re confident of getting funding to improve Oulton Primary School and the plan is to basically bring the school together into one building. This is likely to involve extending one of the existing blocks before demolishing the redundant building and making that part of ther site into a new play area. It is proposed to increase the capacity of the school to 420 places (2 Entry Forms) with a Nursery.

The retained building will be the subject of major refurbishment as part of the project. We are also looking to include resourced SEN and behavioural provision within the project. All works are expected to take place whilst the school is open and start on site is planned for February 2010 with an anticipated completion date of Summer 2011.

Councillors in Rothwell have welcomed an injection of cash to enhance this popular local youth centre.

The Windmill Youth Centre in Rothwell is to receive a funding boost of more than £140,000 next year to improve its condition and facilities. Among the improvements to be carried out are improved disabled facilities, a new heating system, re-roofing and decoration works.

The Windmill Centre is housed in Rothwell’s Mechanics Institute building, which was originally built in 1868 for the education of the people of town. The building has a cherished place in Rothwell’s community history, even hosting talks from Charles Dickens on two occasions.

My colleague Cllr Don Wilson, who has been leading on this scheme, has welcomed the plans:

‘The Windmill Centre is used by young people from all over Rothwell and is a tremendously valuable local facility.

‘We’ve recently had the lease extended to use the building as a youth centre for a further 75 years, so these works should help ensure it retains its place at the heart of Rothwell for a long time to come.

‘Much of this work is sorely needed so I am delighted that the council has given the go-ahead to proceed.

‘This ought to help attract more users to the centre, make it more accessible and ensure it remains in a good state of repair for future years.’

We approved funding for a number of projects yesterday at our Area Committee meeting. There were quite a few which fell under the heading of environmental improvements and so I was very pleased:-

Garden Maintenance Scheme

The garden maintenance service was started in July 2006 and covers both Rothwell and Woodlesford. Provided by Care & Repair Leeds it is targeted at people aged 60 and over and disabled people. The service offers basic garden maintenance, including hedge and lawn cutting, weeding and general tidying. The service is subsidised by funding and a charge is made to each customer per job depending on the sizes of garden and amount of work needed. We provided a small amount of funding to help with costs to the end of the year when it is expected to break even.

If you know of anyone who the service could help then please get in touch.

Litterbins

We ringfenced money from the budget to provide an extra 6 litterbins per ward for use in identified hotspots. As I’m keen to see our streets cleaner I asked for and got funding for an extra 12 litterbins for Rothwell and I’ve already promised the John O’ Gaunts Tenants and Residents Association some for use on the estate but there will be plenty left for use across the ward.  Make your bids now!

John O’Gaunts Planters and Polytunnel

Following the JOG Environment Week held earlier this month JOG In Bloom group will plant up five planters with shrubs and flowers. The new planters will add to the sites already improved by this enthusiastic young group and be a lasting visual improvement that will build on the week long activities undertaken during Environment Week.

John O’Gaunts junior allotment have successfully bid for a 20×10ft polytunnel. The group is predominately 7 – 11 years olds with the occasional adult and teenager involvement. The group wish to continue their activities during the bad weather and grow plants for their allotment which is being prepared on derelict land near to the their flower beds. To allow this work to continue timber for plant staging, equipment and heaters need to be purchased. The project aims to engage with young people from the area in worthwhile activities to educate, encourage and enthuse them with the delights of horticulture and add further learning to their already established interest.

I was at the Community and City Pride Awards presentations last night at the Civic Hall in Leeds. The award scheme has been developed to recognise and celebrate public contribution to looking after the environment. This year’s scheme was launched in February as part of Cleaner, Greener Leeds – a people led campaign to improve the cleanliness of Leeds.

I was delighted that, once again, a local group won an award.

Runners up in the Community Project of the Year were John O’ Gaunts in Bloom:
Inspired by the work of Rothwell In Bloom, around 20 young people from John O’ Gaunts came to help the group, via the council’s youth service and asked if something similar could be set up in their area.  After visiting nurseries, getting advice from professional garden services and learning about sowing seeds and planting seedlings from Leeds City Council’s nursery at Red Hall, they created a garden on their estate. This has sparked an interest in some of the young people who are looking into horticulture as a future career.

Runner up in the Individual of the Year Award was Jay Smith of John O’ Gaunts:
Jay is a highly enthusiastic member of the fledgling John O’ Gaunts in Bloom group.  He has encouraged lots of other young people and adults to be involved with the project, and his enthusiasm is an important factor in contributing to the overall success of the project.

Getting an active community group started on John O’ Gaunts has been an ambition of mine for some time and it’s great to see a new pride growing on the estate.