Thank you all the people who voted for me in the recent election. We all know that in Topsham the Conservative Party currently have a hold on this ward. But there are any people in Topsham (including Southbrook and the ever-growing Rydons) who appreciate that the social values and experience of the Labour Party reflect their own view about what makes a successful community. I was pleased to be able to represent them on the ballot paper and to give them a credible alternative to the Tories.

I shall work throughout the year in my own community to implement our principles of equality and social justice and will be pleased to stand again in future elections, determined to erode the Tory majority year on year.

Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education is hoping to move from it’s current location on Topsham Road to a new home on the site of the old St Lukes school, after securing an agreement with the County Council to buy the land. Following a successful event last year, the Academy held a second community event at St Nicholas Catholic Primary School on 2nd March for local residents to see the latest design for the scheme.

Cllrs Tony Wardle and Pete Edwards attended the event to see the plans and to hear from residents about their thoughts and concerns. Tony Wardle commented; “I’m very excited by these proposals; it’s great to know this site will continue to be used for education”.

Concerns remain about the playing field, which Devon County Council recently put up for sale. Cllr Edwards said; “The playing field is one of the only open spaces on the estate and I would like to see it protected for the benefit of the community. I will be pressing the County Council to recognise the importance of this space and put all the options back on the table.”

We want to hear from you – please get in touch and let us know what you think about this issue.

Last year we reported that planning permission had been secured for nine affordable homes on Leypark Road. We are now pleased to report that work is due to begin on site by the end of March. Housing association Sovereign will be delivering the eco-friendly houses, which will be provided to people over 55 to free up much-needed family homes in the city.

Welcoming the development, Tony Wardle said; “This is great news for older residents looking to downsize; these homes will be modern and very energy efficient. I’m proud that this Labour-run City Council is committed to providing more truly affordable housing, especially since market rents are among the highest in the region”.

Around the Ward

• Birchy Barton Hill: rocking speed cushion reported and due to be repaired
• Carlyon Gardens: sections of footway to be resurfaced
• Honeylands Drive: police have identified the individual responsible for criminal damage in the area
• Lloyds Crescent: Leylandii trees removed (pictured)
• Ribston Avenue:  ‘A’ buses running engines during layovers reported to Stagecoach
• Ringswell Avenue: a traffic regulation order for parking restrictions is due to be advertised shortly
• Sycamore Close: rubbish behind a garage to the rear of the bungalows reported
• Thornpark Rise: poor quality of road resurfacing reported
• Vaughan Road: grass cutting plan agreed (pictured)
• Whipton Labour Club: the club is now serving food – pop in and ask for details
• Wilton Way: debris cleared from the Green

Graffiti – PCSO Justin Willis has reported that police area aware of an ongoing problem with graffiti, particularly around Hamlin Lane and the playing fields. The City Council graffiti-removal operatives have been
informed. If you witness graffiti or any other anti-social behaviour, please call police on the non-emergency number 101. In case of emergency you should call 999.

Internal Redecoration Programme Update – Blocks of flats around the ward have been having their communal staircases redecorated. Flats in Hamlin Gardens and Headland Crescent are now complete, and work is ongoing to flats in Lloyds Crescent and Hillyfield Road. Brookway and Thornberry Avenue are also due to be redecorated this year. The full programme of work for 2012/13 has not yet been finalised but residents will be kept informed of plans.

Community Diamond Jubilee Flower Planting Project – Cllr Olwen Foggin has provided money from her locality budget for the planting of primroses and bluebells in Vaughan Road in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Planting will take place in the early autumn.

In 2011 all of Devon’s County Councillors were given an equal one off share of the remaining capital funding from the sale of Exeter Airport to use in their local areas in addition to the normal annual allocation of community funding. St Thomas County Councillor Rob Hannaford has been working closely with the local community to ensure that the funds are put to good long term uses. As usual in the new financial year £10,000 will be again allocated to Cllr Rob Hannaford for local community projects so please come forward with your ideas and suggestions to help improve St Thomas.

So far the following grants have been made and we will update you about the remaining grants shortly.

AGE UK – £4,000 towards the new expanded centre on Cowick Street to maintain and increase the important work already being done for local people.

Bowhill School – £2,950 granted for new multi purpose climbing frame and new play area.

Exeter Scouts – £1,000 towards an £18,000 refurbishment and redevelopment of the Exeter Scouts HQ at Ashton Road Marsh Barton, to support the work of the 936 local members, that includes over 700 children and young people in and around Exeter.

St Thomas Primary School – £1,700 granted for a new classroom audio system to help improve the teaching environment.

Redhillls Community Primary School – £3,000 granted for a new covered play area, sun sails and out door play equipment.

St Andrew’s Church – £1,000 granted for new community notice board.

Emmanuel Church – £2,000 to help repair the roof area near the community centre entrance to ensure that the nursery and outdoor areas are kept safe and in use.

After a Labour Party campaign led by local Councillor Heather Morris, we are very pleased to confirm that shoppers will no longer incur parking penalties if they temporarily leave the site.

In the past local people were penalised with a parking fine if they left Exe Bridge Retail Centre to visit toilets, or use facilities such as the post office or bank in nearby Cowick Street.

We understand that the owners of the site have now changed their procedures and signage. Please let us know of any further problems.

Concerns about new signs in and around Barton Road have been taken up with the Highways Department.

Please keep us informed of any other signage problems.

Several residents have contacted Rob about the former Showman Pub on Cowick Street . Although its apparently being rented out, there is no trading activity, and the building is becoming derelict, and also a magnet for graffiti & fly posting.

Rob Hannaford is pursuing various options with City Councils Environmental Health and Building Control Departments, and we will report back in due course.

The much loved and historic Pinces Gardens are to celebrate their centenary this year. Labour led Exeter City Council are investing £55,000 to preserve the historic gate house, that in future may be put into community use, and resurfacing works to paths around the parks. Unlike the local Lib Dems who “have concerns about the cost of these projects,“ we welcome this work , especially as many older residents regularly use these paths to access the local croquet and bowling clubs.

Furthermore Rob Hannaford is also working to support new plans to put in two new sets of ornamental gates at the Waterloo Road and Cowick Barton Playing Fields entrance with some match funding. We will keep you fully updated on this project.

Labour City Councillors have been dealing with a range of problems and issues at the leisure facilities in Exeter that are managed by Parkwood Leisure. The Riverside Leisure Centre in St Thomas has been the focus of some of these concerns which have included faulty lockers and hair dryers.

Rob Hannaford said, “Together with my other Labour Councillors we are receiving problem after problem from people about Parkwood Leisure. We are looking at ways we can help deal with these issues and hopefully improve the service that people are receiving.”

Please continue to let us know about any difficulties that you have been experiencing.