Councillor Steve Swift

It is disappointing that North Lincolnshire Council has today at its Cabinet Meeting decided to bring down the axe on South Leys (formerly known as Riddings Comprehensive) School under 'Building Schools for the Future'.

Before a packed public gallery the anouncement came that South Leys and Thomas Sumpter Schools were to be merged with the pre determined decision that playing fields at Thomas Sumpter was to be the chosen site.

Despite the official report stating that South Leys had good management of the headteacher and governors and that there was a strong challenge to prposals (for the merger) that seek to maintain the status quo, the South Leys site was dismissed along with all proposed neutral sites for any 'merged school'.

There was, unfortunately, no reason offered for the decision taken.

I can only conclude that this is a sad day for South Leys and the communities it serves. 

After many months of uncertainty the independent Planning Inspector has turned down the appeal to build homes on the old Dresswise site on the South Park Industrial Estate, Bottesford.

Thankfully, it appears, that lessons from the past have been learned. Building residential and commercial developments side by side, let alone housing people on industrial estates, has always been a recipe for disaster with many people experiencing noise pollution within their own homes.

At long last a victory for common sense.

Following the concerns I raised at North Lincolnshire Council's full meeting ragarding the state of many roads not only in Bottesford but throughout the area, which was reported in the local papaer the Scunthorpe Telegraph (Friday 7th April), I have received further representations.

People living in the western part of Bottesford have brought to my attention, not only the number of pot holes but the general state of disrepair of streets such as Sunningdale Road, Goodwood and Low Leys Road.

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Posted by: steveswift    in: My entries

On Monday (3rd April 2006) I attended the monthly meeting of Bottesford Town Council when the following local issues were raised with me, which I've subsequently taken up.

The safety of footpaths surrounding Avenue Field (commonly known as Bulls Field) on the streets of Manor Road, Beck Lane and St. Peters Avenue especially in the Winter months, due to an excess of falling leaves coupled with wet weather.

The number of street lights that are not operational in the Holme Hall Avenue/Manor Road area.

Accessibility to buses at designated bus stops, where users are having to embark and disembark across grassed verges (Cambridge Avenue).

Condition of road surfaces and the build up of excess water (Cambridge Avenue & Manor Road).

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Posted by: steveswift    in: My entries

Over the past weeks and months many parents and residents have raised the issue regarding the future of South Leys School (formerly known as Riddings Comprehensive) with legitimate concerns not only on education but the impact on the wider community.

North Lincolnshire Council is at this moment in time embarking on a consultation, stating that their prefered option is to combine South Leys with Thomas Sumpter on the Manor Park site on Burringham Road, under the 'Building Schools for the Future' programme.

I urge anyone with an interest, whatever it be, and whether they are supportive or opposed to the suggestion to take part in that consultation.

All comments should be returned to Building Schools for the Future, FREEPOST NEA 10154, Pittwood House, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, DN16 1BR.

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Posted by: steveswift    in: My entries