From the fight to save the historic King’s Arms pub to restoring Cornwall Beach and protecting green spaces, Devonport’s councillors are taking action on the issues residents care about most.
In this latest ward update, Cllrs William Stevens, Mark Coker and Anne Freeman detail their work to improve bus services, challenge unpopular housing plans and stand up for communities across Devonport, Keyham, Morice Town and Mount Wise, showing how local campaigning is delivering real results.
3Saving Devonport’s Heritage: From the King’s Arms to Cornwall Beach with Cllr Bill Stevens
Recently, I’ve been working with Devonport residents to bring the historic King’s Arms pub into a fit state.
This historic building survived the Blitz, but has been allowed to go to rack and ruin, so I’ll continue to put pressure on the owners to do the right thing and give the King’s Arms the love and care we all know it deserves.
In Keyham, I’m putting plans in place to get the railings at Alexandra Park restored and freshly painted. Keyham is a great community that’s gone through a lot in recent years and getting the park looking good will help boost local pride.
Another historic area I’m working to get back to its former glory is Cornwall Beach. This historic site was where the famous ‘Cockleshell Heroes’ mission was launched from, and our MP Luke Pollard is helping me get the abandoned boats removed to allow us to be proud of this spot once again.
Councillor Anne Freeman and I have been lobbying hard against the proposed bin storage changes in the flats at Ross and Pentamar Street. Local people are dead against these plans and we stand alongside them in wanting officials to refuse them permission.
Every day brings new issues and fresh challenges. I want to encourage everyone in our Ward to continue to keep in touch, so I can continue to get the bins emptied, the fly tipping removed, the potholes repaired and the drains cleared.
I pledge to continue working alongside everyone in Devonport, and will always be a hardworking, approachable and accessible local councillor for everyone.
To contact me email william.stevens@plymouth.gov.uk
2Sunday Buses Secured for Devonport and Keyham wit Cllr Mark Coker
The Number 14 bus serving Devonport and Keyham which operated Monday to Saturday was recently extended to run on Sundays providing a link to both the City Centre and Derriford Hospital.
I had been working closely with our cabinet member for transport and the council’s public transport team to fund this valued link at weekends.
Thanks to the government’s extension to the Bus Service Improvement Fund we were able to get this extension.
I have long championed better bus services for Devonport and Keyham and I am delighted that together we have delivered this extension to a popular route in the ward. The extended timetable can be found on both the Stagecoach and www.bustimes.org websites. Please let’s make sure we use this bus and make it a permanent extension!
To contact me email mark.coker@plymouth.gov.uk
1Standing Up for Residents on Housing, Green Spaces and Community Rights with Cllr Anne Freeman
It’s been a constant learning curve for me after being elected to represent the Mount Wise, Devonport, Morice Town and Keyham areas in May 2024.
There is a steady stream of individual casework where residents need help and support. In particular I have been supporting residents who have had issues with social housing landlords.
Somebody living in social housing should never have to live in sub-standard accommodation with leaky roofs or windows. I will always do my utmost in helping to tackle this unfairness.
I have been working closely with residents of Morice Town regarding the application by a social landlord to install a new outdoor waste bin system. This system would have resulted in the loss of green space areas where children play.
It would have also increased pests around the area and anti social behaviour through fly tipping, household waste and graffiti.
We had the official decision on January 15 that the application was refused, which is good news for local residents and shows that collective action can work. Your voices will be heard.
As councillors we are allocated to represent the City Council on ‘outside bodies.’ Mine is the North Yard Community Trust. We look at grant applications for small, medium and large funding requests.
With Mount Wise Village by the Sea, I have worked with some residents from Leeward House to get Firstport to honour their responsibilities and this has resulted in Building Control from Plymouth City Council intervening.
For such action to take place, as this is part of a private development, demonstrates serious issues where intervention was the only correct course of action.
I am now also the Joint Chair of Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee. The Joint Committee is split between Plymouth and Cornwall and is a hive of information. The recent storm heavily impacted both the Ferry and the Bridge – actually resulting in the Bridge being completely closed to all traffic for a little over an hour.
As Joint Chairs, we are regularly updated on major changes such as this. Did you know you can undertake a tour underneath Tamar Bridge and see all the actual mechanics and workings of the supports?
To contact me email me at anne.freeman@plymouth.gov.uk
