Moor View, Eggbuckland & Southway Councillors Share Community Updates and Local Projects

Being a Southway councillor is a privilege and never boring! I really enjoy being able to support people across the ward with issues from housing to health, from potholes to play parks.

It is a vital part of my role to ensure that Southway’s voice is always heard in the Council House.

Phase 1 of the Woolwell to The George road scheme is complete and Phase 2 has just started and is expected to take about 18 months. I am working hard with teams to minimise the disruption to residents and ensure everyone has plenty of time to plan their day.

I appreciate it has not been easy. In the long term this will make our journeys on these roads much safer and less congested.

On a more positive note, I would encourage all residents to make a visit to the Southway Community Hub and Cafe on Hendwell Drive, it’s a great place full of wonderful people able to help and support and they have an amazing number of events for all ages including arts and crafts, bingo, singalong, a men’s club, coach trips and much more, so come along bring a friend and have lunch – you won’t be disappointed.

I also made a Community Grant donation to Southway Youth Centre to make the perimeter more secure for the children and young people who use it.

I am also pleased to have been able to support the Tamerton Foliot May Carnival Association. They do a fantastic job every year bringing the community together and showcasing the best of Tamerton.

And there’s a great group of lads who like playing football in Southway and Tamerton and I’m pleased to say the coach has contacted me and asked me to support the team by providing much needed football kits and some training balls to help the guys progress to the next level, good luck Tamerton Foliot under 16s football team!

This has been a fascinating year for the ‘other’ work of councillors… sitting on committees.

It sounds dull as ditchwater, but it’s the complete opposite. In Housing & Community Services Scrutiny I sat as chair in the session where we looked at the future of Plymouth Active Leisure who run the Life Centre, Tinside and Mount Wise Pools, and really have the future health of Plymothians in their hands.

The team in charge have exciting plans to make Plymouth the most physically active coastal city and to promote swimming to all young people. We were cautious about the sums involved, but decided to protect their projects for years into the future. Maybe we have another Olympian in our future!

I’ve also had a full year with Taxi Licensing, which sits at least once a month. This committee decides whether drivers can continue to carry children to school, bring home party-goers from late nights, and get older folk to where they need to be. Anyone can make a mistake, and those are the drivers we see.

My primary decision always has to be ‘would I feel safe putting my son in a car with this driver?’ It’s a really satisfying job with real-life impact on safety in Plymouth.

And of course, last but not least… the Community Grant funding. I’ve been able to allocate funds again to MJ at Soul Singers, who is leading the group ‘Singing for Lung Health’ at the Elm Centre in Leigham.

Their wonderful music can be heard on the Elm Centre Facebook group. Singing is something my mum did into her old age. It has amazing physical and mental health benefits, as well as being great fun.

Then there was Blooming Well, who run a therapeutic garden for people recovering from cancer, and as a gardener myself I know how beneficial it is.

And as usual, I have been glad to support outdoor sports for young people. This year it’s been the fantastic Plymouth Youth Sailing club, who have been delivering Fit and Fed for years, giving children from families suffering poverty, often in-work poverty, the chance to gain a recognised sailing qualification and hopefully start a lifetime on the water. What could be more ‘Plymouth’ than that?

I feel very lucky to be an Eggbuckland resident and continue to enjoy working as your ward councillor.

A challenge for all of us at the moment is the proposed Manadon Interchange scheme, set for an overhaul thanks to government investment. Residents most affected must be listened to and I was pleased to help organise the meeting recently to discuss outcomes of the latest consultation with Cllr John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport.

Residents are also concerned about the location of the bus stop for the 27/28 service, now located in Mayflower Street rather than Royal Parade. I have been assured that the matter will be reviewed later this year.

School parking remains a major concern. I have been working with the Road Safety Team, looking at possible solutions around Manadon Vale and Eggbuckland Vale schools. Schools are working hard to reinforce the message to park responsibly.

There has been a reduction in reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Frogmore area. It is a topic that I raise at monthly meetings with our Neighbourhood Police Team. We are now benefiting from an additional police team patrolling in Manadon.

Some residents contacted me about social events at the Manadon Hub. They are concerned about the levels of noise from people as they wait for their transport home. I held a successful meeting with the manager of the Hub and three residents last month. Residents are strongly advised to report complaints on the council website. I am pleased to support local Eggbuckland communities through the councillors’ community grant. Donations to local and city causes include:

• Friday Crafternoon at William Sutton Hall; Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club; St Edwards Church Community Christmas Lunch; 1st Crownhill Scouts; Manadon Vale pupils attending Parliament; Eddy Bears Parent/Toddler Group; Provide Devon and Planting at Crownhill Library

As we move through 2026, our area continues to see significant growth.

While major infrastructure projects like the Woolwell to The George Scheme and the Derriford Hospital extensions deliver essential facilities, I remain committed to the belief that ‘getting the small things right’ is just as vital for our neighbourhood.

Local progress is driven by your feedback. To ensure your voice is heard, I continue to host regular surgeries alongside ‘Cuppa with Cops’ sessions at Estover Library (Tor Bridge High) on the last Friday of every month, starting at 12 noon.

As a member of the Elm Centre Committee, I am proud to share that we have successfully updated the centre’s charity status. This is a pivotal step toward a community asset transfer, ensuring the centre’s long-term future. These changes have strengthened our partnerships with Livewell, the NHS, and Barnardos, allowing us to better provide health, wellbeing, and family activities for everyone.

Inspired by the Clean Our Patch initiative, we are revitalising the Elm Centre’s courtyard garden. After clearing the beds and borders, we are now looking to establish a gardening club for 2026. Can you help? Whether you are an expert gardener or a willing volunteer, we would love to see you at our next Community Garden Tidy Friday on April 10 from 9am to 12 noon (drop in anytime!)