Saltburn Ward Councillors Newsletter February 2014

COUNCILLOR STUART SMITH
stuart.smith@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Contact no. 07557 540628

REFURBISHMENT OF THE CLIFF LIFT DRIVERS CABIN
Listed building consent has been submitted to dismantle and undertake refurbishment work on the Saltburn Cliff Lift Drivers Cabin located on Marine Parade. The main timber structure of the Driver`s Cabin has been affected by decay, due to age, wear and tear and the exposed location of the building. Previous patch repairs and splicing of timbers have not been successful and are showing signs of extensive deterioration. The Cliff Lift is a Grade 2 listed building and authorization had to be sought from English Heritage to carry out the required work. Once complete residents and visitors will notice no difference in appearance to the cabin because its replacement will be an exact replica. Works should be complete for the season opening of the lift in April.

REINSTATEMENT OF PLAY EQUIPMENT SEESAW GLENSIDE PLAY PARK
The seesaw located in the play park Albion Terrace had to be removed in the summer due to this equipment becoming a hazard. Replacement was unlikely under the financial restraints. At my request Councillor Thomson and Guy have agreed to fund the replacement from Saltburn Ward Councillors Community fund.

CLOSURE OF ‘THE WORKS’ BY SCAA MARSKE MILL LANE BASE SCHOOL
Due to the financial difficulties that Saltburn Community Arts Association are facing at this present moment, the trustees of this organization have decided that the running of The Works @ Marske Mill in the former Saltburn Primary School at Marske Mill Lane as a community are no longer viable. Negotiations are underway with the Council to return the lease which was acquired under a community asset transfer back to the control of the local authority. The building will now be advertised either as a separate entity for community use or jointly with the available playing field as a residential development opportunity.

UPDATE: STORM DAMAGE LOWER PROMENADE AND PIER
Stonemasons have started work replacing the sandstone blocks which make up the construction of the sea wall and slip ways. Damaged railings will not be re installed until this work is complete. The Council has also employed a civil engineer to assess the necessary work required to repair the pier amusement arcade building.

NEW SIGNAGE: DOG DIRT OFFENDING
To try and counter the continuous problem of irresponsible dog owners not picking up after their own dogs, which appears to affect all parts of the town, the Ward Councilors have funded the purchase of 20 Dog Watch signs. The signs will clamp around lampposts in dog fouling hotspots. 2 of the sides will indicate a Dog Watch area with telephone numbers to report sighted offenders. The remaining side will have a different design to profile the winning painting from a competition on the subject by a local school pupil.

ROAD LINE MARKING
The local authority is drawing up a list of works required for road line marking in the town which will be undertaken in the spring. At present the list is quite substantial but if you feel that a particular area should be added for re-lining, please do not hesitate to contact me and the area will be inspected for suitability for the scheme. The lining is for the renewing of old road lines only.

News and views from the Valley

What a relief! Flushed with success! Okay, we are a bit euphoric about the fact that the Woodland Centre now has a toilet! It is very significant though. It really is the final piece in the jigsaw that makes the centre fit for hire. So please consider The Woodland Centre as a venue for family and group activities and celebrations. Days are beginning to get longer again. Where better for your children’s party? Tutus and wellies are a fabulous combination and I know this first hand.

The Christmas tree selling venture: well, sadly we are not awash with profit and the committee will not be holidaying in the Caribbean this year. We worked very hard and have just about broken even on our outlay. Lots of people said “If only we had known,” or “There wasn’t enough publicity.” Other people were put off because we could not unwrap all the trees for inspection and we realise
that was an important issue. We had very good feedback from people who did buy from us. Many emailed to say their tree was the best they had ever bought and hope we do it again. So thank you to all who did support us and we are having a big think about whether we should do it again and where or how etc. Any thoughts or opinions: contact our web site.

The Task group has continued to meet every Friday. New undergrowth clearing work has been done in the community orchard and paths opened up for the enjoyment of the public. We are also pleased to report that Millfield Meadow which has been the focus of a lot of our work has now obtained the status of a People’s Meadow in the Coronation Meadow scheme. This is a national initiative to revive Britain’s lost and endangered wild flower meadow sites (Google Coronation Meadows). Thanks to Katie for all her hard work on this.

This time last year the disabled access path was a churned up building site. One year on and it is looking attractive and full of creative possibility. More work has recently been done in digging up the old ramp which was a slip hazard and putting in some more steps. We are planning to make the top grassed area into a mini meadow and we have the continuing help of the Community Payback Team on projects around the site.

I really hope that we are not facing more onslaughts of extreme weather in the near future. Bring on the spring flowers and new life in the Valley. I can’t wait!
www.saltburnwoodlandcentre.co.uk

Valley Adventures still have an operational base at the centre.
Here is their latest message:

"We will be launching our new website in February and offering even more activities this year, such as gorge walking, rock climbing, abseiling, hill walking and stand up paddling. We have also applied for accreditation by the Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) to offer these activities to youngsters. Further, we are proud to be working closely with Hunley Golf Course to support their corporate clients and outdoor enthusiasts.

Thanks to all of you for supporting Valley Adventures in 2013 and we look forward to sharing great outdoor experiences with you this year.”