Redcar Lib Dems fight for Roseberry Library

Labour-run Redcar and Cleveland Council appears to want to split Roseberry Library up with the books going into the 25K Community Centre, the IT section staying where it is and Adult Education taking over the purpose built Library building, as part of the Council’s cost cutting Shaping Our Future 3 programme.

But the possible partial closure of the library is unacceptable. My Newcomen Ward  Lib Dem Community Campaigners Laura Benson (pictured centre) and my daughter Kelly Seaman (left) have joined the campaign and hope to encourage more people to sign our online petition.

The Council should leave Roseberry Library intact as it currently is. More should be made of its potential as a meeting place. Roseberry Library is in the best possible position for the area it has served for around 50 years.

It had been the hub of the former Roseberry Square Shopping Centre and is now an important feature of the modern Roseberry Shopping Centre.

Losing the Library will also have a negative effect on the businesses that operate in the Shopping Centre.

The Meadows area, Redcar Week of Action highlights

Day 1 of the Week of Action in The Meadows area of Redcar (formally known as the Closes) was bin audit day. An attempt to find out who requires bins after many have been stolen.

Day 2 was skip day. Fellow Ward Councillor Billy Wells and I provided three skips out of the Councillors Neighbourhood Action Partnership funding for residents to dispose of unwanted items. residents were asked to contribute £3 if they wanted to use the skips and around 25 took up the offer.

It is hoped that a residents' group will shortly be formed to help deal with the problems on the estate and help people work together to keep the area clean and tidy.

The skips were available between 10 am and 1.30 pm. The day was organised by Redcar and Cleveland Council's local Community Development Officer, Emma McLoughlan with Billy Wells and myself on hand to assist.

Day 3 was healthy living day. Community Development Officer Emma McLoughlan, supported by myself and Councillor Billy Wells, provided a 'smoothie bike' and the ingredients for local youngsters to make their own by pedalling the bike. A health information boards were also on display.

Day 4 was litter pick day. I was joined by granddaughters Charlotte and Jessica Seaman and Grandson Daniel Abbott, and we formed one team working in The Meadows, Devon Close and Brathay Walk. Two local residents, Neil Johnson of Coast and Country Housing plus Community Development Officer Emma McLoughlan, supported by myself and Councillor Billy Wells were also involved.

Day 5 was patch walk day. Cleveland Fire Service, Coast and Country Housing, Redcar and Cleveland Council's Community Development Officer, Councillor Billy Wells, my daughter Kelly Seaman and myself, looked at problem alley way areas, where youths have been hanging about and setting fires. We also noted a considerable amount of dumped rubbish at 9 Field Head (pictured) which has been reported as a fire hazard.

Youth behaviour problems in the area between West Dyke Road and Roseberry Shopping Centre at Redcar

In response to numerous complaints from residents in the area between West Dyke Road and Roseberry Shopping Centre at Redcar. my daughter Kelly Seaman and Prospective Lib Dem MP for Redcar Josh Mason have been keeping local people informed of actions being taken to deal with nuisance problems and damage being caused by local youths.

We have also reported issues raised with us. and we have also sought to talk to the local youths and advise them about the various youth facilities that are available in the area.                                                                                                  
A couple of examples of incidents reported involved youths taking short cuts through a gate leading to the rear of Oxendale Road and Dovedale Court; damaged  damaged property and sheds being broken into in West Dyke Road, Ambleside Avenue and Westmorland Road; vulnerable residents being picked on and abused. We recently received a detailed response from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Anti Social Behaviour Officer listing the interventions that have been implemented to address the problems and with the exception of a couple of items which refer indirectly to individuals I have posted it below:

• A number of young people have been identified as being involved in antisocial behaviour and accordingly were issued with warning letters as part of the Acceptable Behaviour Campaign, this also involves being spoken to in front of their parents.    
• A number of young people have been issued with Acceptable Behaviour Agreements.
• Warnings in respect of acceptable behaviour for tenants have also been given to those that have Coast and Country tenancies.  
• I can also confirm that some other actions continue to support intelligence and evidence gathering.  
• Neighbourhood Policing Teams have stepped up patrols in the area and residents have been circulated with a questionnaire to support the intelligence gathering.
• Negotiations are currently underway with our partners exploring possible “design out crime” initiatives.
• The Police continue to use the new Dispersal Powers as and when required.  
• The issues / concerns in this area are also the subject of a ‘Task and Finish Group’ that reports to the monthly, multi-agency Community Safety Group meetings.  These task and finish groups have proved successful in bringing together a range of agencies / partners to address the issues and identify both immediate and long term solutions / interventions.  This includes looking at diversionary activities as well as enforcement action.
• The local youth and community centre 25k Centre is close by and this provides regular diversionary activities for young people.  In addition to this Roseberry Square was identified as one of the areas where young people may be interested in taking part in a new boxing scheme designed to get young people off the streets and in to the positive discipline of sport. 
• I understand that some of the stolen property from the sheds has been recovered and that arrests were made.
• The Local Authority are currently in the process of purchasing a mobile CCTV.  
• Coast and Country are currently exploring the possibility of installing security systems to the communal doors of the flats on Roseberry Road.
• The Antisocial Behaviour Officer and Targeted Youth Support are due to commence a 10 week Ambassador Programme at Redcar Academy.  Such Programme is aimed at those young people at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour.    

The Olympic torch comes through Newcomen Ward at Redcar in pictures

My daughter Kelly Seaman in the queue for the free refreshments provided by Dave Stones on behalf of Newcomen Ward Community Forum, whilst she waits for the Olympic torch to pass through Corporation Road, Redcar.

Here it comes!

The Mascot.

The Sponsors.

Coca Cola.

Lloyds TSB.

The Police Escort.

Here it is!