If It H’ASDA Be Here, Can We Take Some Time To Think About It?

Rumours abounded for a while, but late last year we found out that ASDA wants a new supermarket in Longton, and the site chosen is the former Somerfield store off Spring Garden Road. A public exhibition took place over the weekend, and firm planning proposals are expected to be submitted in the next few weeks.

Having visited the exhibition last week, I have some outstanding concerns about the impact on the surrounding road network, both from my own knowledge of the area but also as the councillor of a ward where a similar planning situation arose a number of years ago, and continues to impact the area.

Neighbourhood Forum – December 2011

The inaugural meeting of the Meir Park Neighbourhood Forum was well attended, and a number of ideas came out that residents would like to see developed over the next few months.

The Intriguing Case of the White Pavement Problem

In the latter part of 2011, a programme of resurfacing pavements across the wider Meir area took place. This largely passed off without incident, however in the following few weeks, I had several complaints from residents about white patches appearing on the pavement. The worst places for this were Tarragon Drive and roads off it, and also Polperro Way and surrounding roads.

Meir Park – Gateway to the City **Update**

Whilst driving down Sandon Road over the weekend, I noticed something a little different about the city boundary sign. A return visit yesterday revealed that it had been cleaned, presumably as a result of my highlighting it’s ‘tired’ appearance at the December full Council meeting.

Although it is still not entirely in keeping with the corporate image of the city (new signs are red and black, and feature the Council logo introduced several years ago), the appearance has been much improved.

Meir Park – Gateway to the City

Meir Park lies in the south easterly corner of Stoke-on-Trent and covers several key gateways into the city, namely the A50 – bringing people in from the east – and the A520, which links Stone and Stafford with Leek, passing through Meir Park, Meir and Weston Coyney on the way.

Parking – Pay Your Money, Take Your Choice

I had a funny moment a few weeks ago. I won’t bore you with a blow by blow account, however basically I ended up with a reporter from the Evening Standard asking me the background to the City Council’s Parking Strategy, and me asking him why he had called me. His reply? “Aren’t you the Leader of the Council?”

The Importance of Lambananas

Regular readers of my blogs will know I’m a big fan of economic regeneration through culture. At times, I personally struggle with the application of ‘culture’ – I like music, plays and books, but I confess that I don’t really like Shakespeare, never read my GCSE English set text of ‘Great Expectations’ (I did read the Letts Study Guide for it though) and although I have also sorts of CDs in my collection, you’re more likely to find me singing along to the Manics and Amy Winehouse, than Mozart and Beethoven. You could say I like my culture how I like my oatcakes – served fresh, with a bit of tangy cheese, and rolled up into an easy-to-eat package.

Anti Social Behaviour at Lysander Road Bus Shelter

Residents in the upper part of Meir Park may have noticed the recent removal of the bus shelter at the top of Lysander Road. Unfortunately, after over 12 months of incidents, including smashed glass, drinking, rowdy behaviour and other anti social behaviour which have plagued nearby residents, the bus shelter has been removed.

View From The Big Chair

Two weeks last Monday I chaired my first Licensing sub-committee. This is one of several quasi-judicial committees of the Council, and as such is held in the Council Chamber, with the Chairman in the Lord Mayor’s seat. Having been a member of the Licensing Committee last year, I had sat on Licensing sub-committees before, and therefore occupied one of the smaller wooden seats on the ‘top bench’ several times in the past, but being the chairman for the next four years meant I was now in the ‘big chair’.

New Meir Health Centre Opening Delayed

I have been informed that the opening of the new Meir Primary Care Centre, which will serve a number of residents within the Meir Park ward, has been delayed. The health centre had been due to open in early November, but will now not open until 28th November – this partly due to construction delay.