Variety is the spice of life, as they say – whoever they are! The last few weeks have certainly proved that as I, often accompanied by our ward councillors, have supported, visited and had a range of discussions with local residents.

At our latest surgery at Plymstock Library, we had a variety of casework to discuss and follow-up including parking issues, delayed hospital appointments, weeds, noise nuisance and animal welfare. Among these conversations, was one where a resident especially came to thank me for helping her and her family over an issue. I was touched by this, and as the lady said, ‘most conversations would, by the very nature of the role, involve people sharing concerns and moans, so I wanted to share my appreciation.’

New bus services prove popular

Cllr Maria Lawson and I have been delivering bus timetables in Plymstock, including sunny Stanborough Road.

The new No. 19 and No. 4 bus services linking Plymouth, Plymstock and Plympton are proving popular. New bus stops and a pelican controlled crossing outside the Park Crematorium will open in early autumn so that residents will be able to access the Park’s Crematorium and Café, and Saltram House. Timetables are available in Plymstock Library as well as online.

Honoured by Cabinet post

I feel privileged to have been appointed as Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport on Plymouth City Council.

The variety of responsibilities this role includes are strategic and regional transport on foot, wheels, rail and water, city-wide infrastructure planning, highways, pavements, parking, and city centre public realm infrastructure.

One of my early highlights was stepping into the cabin of one of the new electric buses – beating my daughter who drives for Citybus!

Plymouth has been recognised as a Tree City of the World – and you can read more about this prestigious award on page 22 of this edition.

Since November of last year, there are over 35,000 new trees growing across the city. This has been possible because of a partnership with a number of organisations making our city greener, which helps towards our target for fewer carbon emissions.

Our council’s long term vision and plans are coming together. Hundreds of trees have been planted across Plymstock at Horsham Fields, Dunstone Woods, Elburton Primary School and at Radford Arboretum. We should express our gratitude to all those involved.

In our patch of Plymstock Dunstone, we also have good news to bring to your attention.

Last year, we contributed some of our councillors’ community grant to purchase and install solar panels at Plymstock Bowling club.

We were invited to see for ourselves what it looks like and celebrate with members of the club in the newly refurbished bar.

The treasurer of the club was so enthusiastic about the new installed solar panels and informed us of the savings they are making on monthly basis.

We have also learned that their initial proposal for installation of solar panels had to be reduced on instructions of the energy supply representatives.

Their investment will be fully repaid within the next five years. We are so glad and happy that this will make a great difference for all members of the club and give them more flexibility in raising funds for different charities.

Councillor Stephens and I recently had the absolute pleasure of meeting with Stuart Koehler-Lewis, headteacher, and Mark Taylor, assistant headteacher, of Plymstock School.

We had a tour of the school and the excellent facilities and were able to see first-hand the passion that the senior leadership have for their school, their staff and their pupils. They were also enthusiastic about the school’s engagement with the local community. We enjoyed watching the school choir’s performance at the VE celebrations on the Broadway.

I took the opportunity to look at the school through the lenses of the elected representative for the area, a mum and grandparent. We saw students actively participating and engaging during the varied lessons and activities. They were clearly enjoying the lessons being taught. Through the lens of a parent/grandparent, I witnessed an environment that fostered learning in a supportive and controlled way. We observed students moving to different classrooms and to break in an orderly and respectful manner, which is no mean feat considering the size of the school and number of students in attendance. It was clear from the interactions with the students that Mr, Koehler-Lewis and Mr. Taylor knew their students.

Through the lens of the elected representatives, there are areas that we can support the school with which include road safety, school activities and community engagement. We will arrange a further visit to observe students exiting the school and the safety concerns with the roads outside. Cllr. Stephens will arrange for the school leadership to meet up with council officers who are drawing up a scheme to improve road safety outside the school.

The Plymstock Labour Councillors will be looking to support a school activity with our community grant. Recognising the positive impact that students can have on the local community, we will also arrange through our community grants, a Plymstock School Good Citizen Award, inspired by recent events when students stopped to help residents who have fallen and fallen ill.

Both Cllr. Stephens and I were mightily impressed with the school, and we were excited by the opportunities that Plymstock School has to offer. We look forward to visiting other local schools in the near future to savour the great work going on for our young people within our great local schools.

One of the best things about being a councillor is getting to meet the amazing volunteers and local groups making a positive difference to the lives of residents in the ward.

One of those organisations is PEM Disability Children’s Club. They bring together young people with disabilities from across Plymouth to have fun, access sports and other activities, make friends, and learn new things. When I attended one of their events last year you could also feel how it provides a community for their parents too.

It is a special organisation doing great work. That is why I was pleased to support PEM with some of my community grant alongside a number of other councillors. And PEM have gone from strengthen to strengthen. In February, this year they successfully achieved charitable status. This has expanded the funding routes and opportunities available to them.

The Saltram Meadows development, another organisation I have engaged with as your ward councillor, is Persimmon Homes. They have a scheme, Community Champions, which provides grants to support local charities, sports clubs and good causes in the areas they are building homes. It was clear to me that PEM fits the bill, and I connected them with the scheme.

I was thrilled to hear in April that PEM’s application was successful, and they had secured their biggest donation yet of £2500! It goes without saying, PEM secured the funds because of their hard work, dedication and the difference they make to young people’s lives. But I was glad to play my part by keeping my eyes and ears peeled for funding opportunities and making sure our local groups get their fair share.

As we have entered the new financial year, I have a renewed pot of community grant funding available to support local groups benefiting the ward. So, if you are part of or know of any great local organisations, and you would like to request funding from my community grant or support applying for opportunities like Persimmon’s Community Champions, please do not hesitate to get in touch!