Your Voice
Your guide to what’s happening in Telford and Wrekin
www.telford.gov.uk
Spring 2013
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Leader’s View: Jobs, growth and supporting businesses
Our mission over the coming months and years is absolutely clear– we must do all we can to create jobs, support growth and businesses and protect council services as far as possible.
One of the few certainties we face will be further cuts on top of the £42m savings the council has made in the last four years and the £9.5m we must make this year.
That is why we must do all we can to continue to stimulate the local economy and growth. We have made significant progress.
· We’ve opened the Council’s First Point for Business & Planning at Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre – giving businesses a single dedicated point of contact to deal with the Council
· Through our Business & Development Charter, we’ve committed to doing all we can to cut red tape to make it as easy as possible for businesses to deal with the Council
· We’re refurbishing our Business Development Centre on Stafford Park to make this a great location for the start up businesses that this borough is so well known for
· Telford has attracted a major conference and exhibition which will bring around 6,500 visitors to the town this summer. This is one of the leading plastics industry events and one of the draws for them has been the progress of our Southwater development
Our Building Schools for the Future programme will also play a key part in this and we have now identified the site for the new faith academy in Priorslee while work is now under way to rebuild Ercall Wood Technology College.
This issue of Your Voice also focuses on the launch of our new free Telford Loyalty Card – TLC. This will encourage people to get more active offering discounts at council leisure facilities and at more than 60 local businesses. It provides an opportunity for smaller and medium sized businesses to sell themselves to the local community while, as we take on responsibility for public health, encouraging more people to get more active.
I am delighted that we have achieved our goal to have 100 apprentices working in the Council ahead of target.
Finally, we have now appointed a contractor to begin much needed regeneration work on the local centre in our co-operative pilot ward Brookside as part of a £6m investment in this area.
Cllr Kuldip Sahota
Council Leader
Thank you from the Mayor
Councillor Kevin Guy, the mayor of Telford and Wrekin, would like to thank all the individuals and organisations that have helped him raise money for his charity during the past year.
Councillor Guy’s Caring For Our Future Appeal is raising money for a Garden Room at the new Women and Children’s Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. The appeal has focussed on supporting young patients to “thrive, learn and play”.
Packed spring at theatre
Oakengates Theatre @ The Place is hosting a varied programme of live events this spring – including dance, music, celebrity talks and children’s shows.
Performances will include Dave Spikey (April 26) who promises a ‘Champion The Wonder Horse’ style sing-a-long. The theatre also has some fascinating celebrity talks lined up. Madness frontman Suggs (April 20) will be appearing with his show My Life – In Words and Music. Another musical show sees national treasure Noddy Holder (May 9) looking back over a lifetime of achievements in a special evening with renowned broadcaster and author Mark Radcliffe.
Those who enjoy drama are also well catered for with bittersweet comedy Me And Me Dad from Nick Lane (May 1) and the Hormonal Housewives (May 22) will also hit the stage, featuring Toyah Wilcox. There will also be a vast array of musical acts performing during the coming months including tribute acts like the Ultimate Eagles (May 10).
More information including tickets and prices is available from the theatre box office on 01952 382382 or by visiting
www.theplacetelford.com
Ted’s breaking news... Ted’s breaking news...
Changes for Waste Collection Coming Soon!
We’re making our recycling and rubbish collections more efficient. This means that, for 60% of homes, the day you have your recycling and rubbish collected will soon change.
Telford & Wrekin Council is continuing to look at the way it delivers services to make sure they are run as efficiently as possible to meet savings targets set by the Government.
We looked at our rubbish and recycling collection service and realised that we could save several million pounds by redesigning the service and delivering it in a more targeted and effective way. This money can help protect other Council services.
From early summer, the collection day will change for more than 60% of Telford and Wrekin households.
Redesigning the way collection rounds travel around the borough will mean a reduction from six large refuse vehicles to five. The way the rounds will be arranged will mean that less fuel is used, with less travelling needed to complete the collection rounds.
Flo says “Dont worry”...
If your collection day is changing, you will have a message attached to the red lidded bin handle of your grey wheelie bin, letting you know your new collection day. Please look out for this in June. If your bin does not have a message on it then your collection day will remain the same. You can also check your collection day on www.telford.gov.uk/bindayfinder
Less grey bins, help to reduce our landfill waste!
Additional grey bins were given out temporarily to large families or those struggling with their rubbish and other waste.
Many of these households may no longer need an extra bin.
We will be collecting the additional bins from properties who no longer require the use of the bin or meet the criteria.
In order to qualify for an additional smaller grey bin, you must have at least six people living permanently in the household and recycle all possible materials that are collected by our recycling services.
If this affects your property, look out for a letter which will let you know the new guidelines and the option to reapply for an extra bin if you are eligible.
For more information and advice on recycling visit... www.telford.gov.uk/recycling
A great day out!
If you’re looking for a free family day out or a place to simply relax then look no further than Telford Town Park.
With lots of open space and parkland, children’s activities, historic features and events - it’s certainly worth a visit.
This year we’re bringing you a number of developments in the park starting with the introduction of a new water play area in late Spring. The water play area will have pressurised water jets, sneaky soakers and a musical fountain to keep your little ones entertained for hours.
Opening in Easter, we have our newly-built sensory area, providing a quiet garden setting in which to relax close to our Visitor Centre. The sensory area sports a well positioned picnic area with views across the Withy Pool and play areas as well as featuring some fantastic sculptures.
Later in the year, we will also be opening our new aerial ropes course as well as a mini adventure golf course offering something for grown ups as well as catering for groups and children.
All these new zones are a great addition to the existing attractions such as the multiuse games arena, fishing pools, toddler area and sand pit and our newly opened all ability play area, meaning there truly is something for everyone to come and enjoy.
Telford Town Park Visitor Centre, Hinkshay Road, Telford TF3 4EP
Tel: 01952 382430
What’s on in Telford Town Park?
Weekly ParkRun
every Saturday from 9am
19 April Bird Walk/Talk
22 April Fungi Foray
27 April Extreme stunts Europe
17 May Bat Walk
18 May Foraging and food preparation
28 May Making Elder Bracelets
and Bangles
4 June Nature Photography Walk
9 June Race for Life
27-29 June Mobility Roadshow
17 August Jolly Green Day
(Please note the events in orange have limited spaces and places must be booked in advance, contact details below)
To find out more about Telford Town Park visit www.telfordtownpark.co.uk
or connect with us on
Twitter @TelfordTownPark and
Facebook /TelfordTownPark
Would you like to volunteer to help protect and improve our park? You can, visit
www.friendsoftelfordtownpark.org for more information.
Gorge gets Trip Advisor boost
The historic Ironbridge Gorge has been ranked the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK and second in the world, according to a leading travel website.
The famous site has not only beaten Bath, Edinburgh and Canterbury Cathedral in the UK but worldwide it has proved more popular than the French palace of Fontainebleau with TripAdvisor website travellers.
The Gorge, designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986,was only beaten internationally by the Potala Palace, in Lhasa, China, as being the most highly recommended site in the world.
The travel website surveyed more than 1.1 million people with feedback forms, collected in partnership with UNESCO, in one of the largest studies ever its kind. In the UK second place went to Neolithic Orkney on Orkney Islands with Studley Royal Park and the ruins of Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire third. Pontcysyllte aqueduct and canal came ninth.
Telford is open for business
Telford & Wrekin Council’s £250m Southwater scheme is now well under way and set to create a vibrant heart for the town centre including a lively night time economy.
Contractors are already on site and buildings are starting to rise out of the ground after many years of discussion and planning.
The Southwater scheme will see significant inward investment into the town. It will boost the local economy and provide even more employment opportunities to support the growing labour market.
Gathering momentum
Already finished is a £4m refurbishment and extension to Telford Ice Rink, a major regional leisure attraction.
Phase one of Southwater will also include an 11 screen Cineworld cinema (steel frame pictured below), an 85 bed Premier Inn hotel and a range of leading restaurants including Bella Italia, Pizza Express, Wagamamas, Harvester, Zizzi’s, Nandos, and Chimichanga. All of these are due to open in spring 2014.
This development is a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council and the private sector and is being delivered by Citygrove Securities Ltd. It is expected to generate over 260 jobs.
Telford & Wrekin Council is also investing in a number of other Southwater based schemes - including a 600 space multi storey car park, and a mixed use building called Southwater One. This community building will include a cafe and restaurant space, a new library and will also house the council’s one stop shop (First Point) for customer enquiries.
The Co-operative approach to success
The success of the Southwater development is based on the relationships built between both the public and private sector, working hand in hand to take this major initiative forward.
The Council, the Homes & Communities Agency, landowner Southwater Event Group and developer Citygrove have worked together to attract a range of household names.
Telford & Wrekin Council and Southwater Event Group are working together to ensure the town is the destination of choice for developers and business investment, and this reflects the council’s drive to be a business supporting and winning authority.
Want to talk business?
Call one of our Business Support Officers on 01952 567589 or look online at
www.investintelford.co.uk
Something big is happening in Telford
Keep up to date at www.heartoftelford.co.uk
100 Apprentices
Telford & Wrekin Council has achieved its target of employing 100 apprentices. The total includes newly recruited apprentices, apprentices in schools and existing employees following apprenticeship frameworks.
In keeping with our work as a co-operative council, we are continuing to recruit apprentices and the figure is expected to increase over the next few months.
Apprentices at Telford & Wrekin Council work across a huge range of different areas and apprenticeships range in length from 12 months to two years, with each individual receiving development and support in entering the world of work.
Apprentices are employed in areas including Business Administration, Customer Services, Activity Leadership, Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools and even a new qualification in Trees & Timber.
The council set out its stall at the beginning of last year to increase the number of apprentices it employs and has worked with local business and training providers to ensure that the number rises.
This campaign started with the council and local businesses successfully taking part in the nationwide 100 in 100 campaign. This aimed to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days across a range of companies and organisations.
To find out more about apprenticeships visit www.telford.gov.uk/careerstart
Free School Meals
Can you afford not to apply?
There are people in the borough who aren’t accessing free school meals for their children - despite being entitled to them.