Open Spaces & Planning
City Council promises action on flyover
330 people signed the petition, our local Neighbourhood Partnership supported the project enthusiastically and a small team of Hotwells residents and our local Councillors relentlessly chipped away at official complacency. Now there is the makings of a partnership between local people and the City council to work on a plan to improve Hotwells largest open space.
A
major problem with progressing our campaign to renovate the site has been
getting anyone to make decisions when responsibility is split between
several Council departments. A recent meeting of Service Directors heading
departments of Environment & Leisure, Traffic and Transport, Planning
and Neighbourhoods has now agreed “that each of us would ensure that we
support and put forward officers who can enable and work with the community
to take forward the Environmental Improvements”. They also agreed to review
the progress of the work and “if needed, provide any further support”…..
“I hope this re-assures you that we are all fully committed to providing
an enabling role to help the community take forward the improvements”.
We couldn’t ask for a stronger endorsement, so the community Association
now needs to ensure that a joint working group is set up and it is effective
in developing a scheme that meets the needs of local residents.
There is no expectation that a partnership with the Council will raise
large sums of money to swiftly transform Cumberland Piazza but we know
our own attempts to raise funds from grant-giving trusts or the National
Lottery will fail without the active support of the City. We are currently
working, through the Neighbourhood Partnership, to identify Council officers
who have a responsibility for the site and requesting that they respond
to our proposals.
Meanwhile come and enjoy a weekend of ‘Art Under the Flyover’ on June
4th & 5th and help to reclaim the space for Hotwells!