Cathedral Ward Worcester City

    The site of the former Porcelain Factory was once a proud heritage asset for our city, sold of years ago to a national builder Berkley Homes.   To one side it is occupied and to the other you could be forgiven to think that it was an abandoned haunted house in the woods which time has forgotten. Over time rats/Gulls and Pigeons have taken over the building causing a huge nuisance to the local residents the roof collapsed and some action was taken to board up the windows. Residents have contacted us and we have taken action – We have been in contact with enforcement officers to ask them to serve notice on the developer to put new windows in and to restore it to its former glory. We have also been in contact with Gull control officers to ask them to implement gull control measures in the area. Developers must be held to account and not just scarper from a site once they have made their money.   We will be writing to the developer to express our concer...

 Cost of Living Crisis As the cost of living begins to bite, with prices rocketing in everyday items and energy prices go to astronomical levels many ordinary hardworking families face the real prospect of not being able to afford everyday items. This time last year, a constituent of mine was a regular donor to the food bank. But in December last year he had to stop. Despite working full-time and being on UC Universal Credit he had to start using it himself. More and more ordinary hard-working people are turning to foodbanks to survive. As someone who grew up on a council estate in the 80’s with my parents in Worcester, I know what it feels like to scrimp, save and get by.   Research by poverty charity Turn2us found that four in 10 of those on universal credit – about 2.5 million people – are struggling to afford food after the removal of the £20 uplift. The cost-of-living crisis in a first world country is something we should all be ashamed off, and only a Labour go...

Ever since nearly drowning at Sansome walk swimming pool as a kid I have been campaigning for free swimming for kids   and when Perdiswell Swimming pool was built I ensured a clause existed in the service level agreement to provide free swimming for kids, who couldn’t swim a minimum of 25 m by the time they leave school! Recently I have also identified another need, Ever since the Closure of Sansome Walk Swimming pool , years ago there has been no provision for ladies only swimming in the city . I identified this need through my role as the chairman of the Perryfields community Association, that works with vulnerable groups and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is a well known fact that women from minority backgrounds are the most vulnerable and least likely to be able to swim, after some high profile drownings recently, I decided that I needed to do something about it. I managed in conjunction with a local school and a qualified teachers to start up swimming classe...

  As a cricket lover, I know   England’s Dramatic World Cup Win! & Worcestershire’s T20 Win lives fresh in the memory for Many! Yet on a grass roots level there are still barriers to enjoy the game. You may be surprised to know that for a cricket loving City we do not have any municipal cricket pitches for use or hire! With the advent of quicker formats of the game T20, the 100, T10 and Tape ball cricket it is even more crucial that our children and people from all walks of life get to experience the joy of cricket. That’s why I am proud to say that I identified this need and with the backing of the council got £10,000 of funding for a new cricket pitch in the city! There is a local consultation going on right now to determine the best site for the pitch and I am trying to get it installed by June, so you can all enjoy it! Your labour councilors bringing the facilities and fun back to our local parks and we are always on your side

  Green Spaces in the City Centre -Action on preserving our Green Spaces   The Lack of green space in our City is shocking, add the alarming increase in air pollution, decrease in our pollinator numbers, it doesn’t make good reading.     I have been working with the Worcester Environmental Group to identify spaces such as these to get them protected and listed as public green spaces and I am calling for a campaign to MAP a network of spaces within the City Centre to be identified and protected.     It is crucial that we preserve these spaces for future generations to enjoy before they get built on, if you have any spaces within the city centre that you can identify and think need protecting, please do get in touch!

  City Centre Community Space is needed! Living in Worcester you get a sense of pride and community in most parts of the City, developers naturally have used the relaxation of planning laws to cash in on unused space above shops . This means hundreds of new Flats are being approved in the City centre with no associated facilities or adequate amenity space. Therefore, a community HUB in the city centre would create a sense of belonging and ownership to residents who often have no access to all the benefits and facilities traditional communities enjoy .   Facilities in the City Centre would enhance the lives of residents and ensure residents for the better and create a sense of belonging.   Lynn and I have been ​working with officers so that we have a vision for the high street that caters for hundreds of new people living in it & that adequate community spaces are close by for them to enjoy.   Your Labour Councillors highlighting the Issues th...

  Diglis Community Centre For years there has been a planning condition on this building behind me, of providing a community center for the residents of Diglis.   Your labor councilors have been trying persistently, to ensure that the property remains visible and is marketed as a community center.   After years of campaigning, we are proud to say that we are making good progress! We are working with the Diglis Hub who are a local community group, they group have now managed to get charity status, with a view of  finding ways to take ownership and convert this empty abandoned space into a fully thriving wellness hub which the residents can enjoy. A much-needed facility for a beautiful area of the city to create a sense of community and belonging. Some results are instantaneous some take years we will continue to ensure that we do everything we can to realize this ambition for the Diglis community! Your local Councillors Working Hard all year round

  Porcelain Property Developer When you buy a new property on a new site, you usually expect your Property Developer to build to the highest standard and finish the job.   Far too many developers get away with shoddy jobs or leave jobs unfinished, often taking the easiest and cheapest route out! Leaving residents to foot the bill in often hefty maintenance and leaseholder charges. Here in the Porcelain the developer has built on the former porcelain site and has left the site with some rather concerning issues! When the old canal Wall was rebuilt by the property developer, it was built poorly The Wall is now bowing out and in danger of eventually falling down!   This poses a danger to canal boat users ! The Metal Railings are falling apart, and the ground is sinking, this is a big concern to residents who were initially been asked to foot the bill for these faults by the developer, residents have contacted us and we are taking action! We need to hold develop...

  Ever since nearly drowning at Sansome walk swimming pool as a kid, I have been campaigning for free swimming for Children.   When Perdiswell Swimming pool was built I ensured a clause existed in the service level agreement to provide free swimming for kids, who couldn’t swim a minimum of 25 m by the time they left school! Recently I have also identified another need, Ever since the Closure of Sansome Walk Swimming pool a few years ago there has been no provision for ladies only swimming in the city. I identified this need through my role as the chairman of the Perryfield's Community  Association, that works with vulnerable groups and people from disadvantaged backgrounds.  It is a well known fact that women from minority backgrounds are the most vulnerable and least likely to be able to swim, after some high profile drownings recently, I decided that I needed to do something about it. I managed in conjunction with a local school and a qualified teachers t...