SAVE CAPSTONE VALLEY

SAVE CAPSTONE VALLEY CAMPAIGN

I, like many others, this weekend have been out delivering ‘ballot papers’ to the residents in Chatham. I have been covering Princes Park. Yes yet again I have been playing at being a mountain goat. I am either getting older or those hills are getting steeper.

The reason for the referendum is to highlight the campaign to save Capstone Valley. When the papers come through your door please take a few minutes to read it. Your Conservative Council are opposing the development and have pledged not to sell any land they own for housing. The problem is Medway Magna Group are taking it to appeal with the Planning Inspectors who have the power to overturn any Council decision

It looks as if we will be getting plenty of support. On Saturday a charming couple from Chegwell Drive stopped me. They had just been into the village to put their ballot paper in. It had only been delivered to their house about half an hour earlier.
I have also had a nice young lady come to my house and ask if she could help.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the shops that are holding the ballot boxes. They do take up a lot of their valuable space but they have all found a prominent place for them. This is really appreciated and I hope it brings it lots of people to shop in their stores.

posted by Pat

CCTV

Over recent times I have had many debates with people about the uses of CCTV.

I can happily say that I am in favour of the cameras and seeing the latest statistics released by Medway Council it only concretes my opinion.

Many people say it infringes their human rights etc etc, but all I am interested in is stopping crime and making the area a safer place to live in.

The figures (from last year) are as follows;

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Crimes committed and witnessed on CCTV in Medway - 2,068

Known arrests due to the CCTV footage - 979

Some of the offences include;

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Anti social behaviour: 310 crimes - 54 arrests (17.42%)
Drug-related crime: 34 crimes - 17 arrests (50%)
Shoplifting: 452 crimes - 154 arrests (34.13%)

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Without them cameras a high percentage of the 979 arrested would have escaped arrest.

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Pat and I are campaigning heavily within the Council to introduce some CCTV for the Princes Park ward, whether it be permanent or just some mobile cameras. This hopefully will then cut down on anti social behaviour and other petty crimes within the hot spots in Princes Park.

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Click here to view the full story from the Medway council website.

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posted by matt bright.

Graffiti target surpassed

On the 25th May 2007 a target of 100 sites in 100 days was set by Medway Council involving graffiti.

After the 100 days I am pleased to announce that the target has been met with ease, with 180 different sites being cleaned up.

This was achieved by using 2 dedicated officers and a new state-of-the-art graffiti removal machine.

Although there is not a serious problem with graffiti in Princes Park compared to other areas there is still a problem generally and we (especially Pat) do not like to see it.

If you see any graffiti, the quickest way to have it removed is by contacting Customer First on 333333.

To view the full story about the success of the graffiti team please click here.

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posted by matt bright.

Planning Application

This weeks planning application involves one of the schools within the Princes Park ward.
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Kingfisher School
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posted by matt bright.

Road Improvements

Some road re-surfacing is to be carried out in the very near future in Princes Park.

The main road that is due for re-surfacing in the area is Scotby Avenue, this is long over due and will make an immediate improvement to the local residents.

The roadworks are part of a £1.8million contract in Medway to repair and re-surface roads and paths.

If you know of any paths or roads that you feel are in need of some serious attention please contact myself or Pat.

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posted by matt bright.

New Planning Applications

Here are this weeks planning applications regarding residents within Princes Park.

There are two applications;

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Sundridge Drive

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Barleymow Close.

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posted by matt bright.

Safer Communities

I was handed some statistics recently regarding complaints made during May 2007. These are reported incidents regarding fly tipping, abandoned vehicles and graffiti.

The amount of complaints are low compared to other wards within Medway Council.

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Fly Tipping

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Incidents reported x2; Emily Road, Wiltshire Close.

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Incidents reported x1; Berkshire Close, Fisher Road, Hampshire Close, Heathfield Close, Heron Way, Highgrove Road, Mermaid Close, Princes Avenue, Ryde Close, Somerset Close, Sundridge Drive.

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Abandoned Vehicles

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Incidents reported x3; Highgrove Road.

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Incidents reported x2; Brenzett Close, Heron Way.

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Incidents reported x1; Anglesey Close, Flamingo Close, Freshwater Road, Goose Close, Manchester Close.

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Graffiti

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Incidents reported x3; Mermaid Close.

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Incidents reported x1; Swallow Rise.

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This gives you a breakdown of the hotspots in Princes Park, but we are pleased to say that all the reported incidents have been dealt with.

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posted by matt bright.

Princes Park Warden

We have a change of personnel in Princes Park regarding the warden position.
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His name is Brian Mooney and he used to be part of the Medway Community Safety Team.
He was featured on this blog a couple of months ago.
The wardens job has been expanded combining these duties with the safety team responsibilities.
As well as carrying out normal warden duties he can give out litter ticket fines etc if a member of the public is caught in the act.
Pat and I have met and worked with Brian on a few occasions and he is very dedicated to the job looking to make a real difference in the area.
We will be updating him on issues locally in Princes Park over the next week to bring him totally up to date on what needs to be addressed.
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posted by matt bright.

Recent Planning Application

This is the most recent planning application in the Princes Park ward.

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This application was posted on the Medway Council website last week.

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Shanklin Close

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posted by matt bright.

Saturday Surgery Update

A big thank you to all the residents who attended our Princes Park Saturday Surgery last week (01/09/2007).

We had residents from Shackleton Close, Greenacre Close, Redwing Road and Defiant close.

Pat and I are liaising with our local warden in trying to resolve the issued raised.

The turn out makes it worthwhile in holding an advice centre, the first of its kind in a very long time in Princes Park.

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posted by matt bright.

LITTER BIN

Litter Bin


I was very pleasantly surprised to see a litterbin along side the bus stop in Swallow Rise. Matt and I had both said that one was needed there. If you had seen how much rubbish we cleared from that area, you would understand why. We certainly hope it helps keep the area tidier.

I would also like to say a big thank you to the person who cleaned the graffiti off the garages in Swallow Rise. I had seen it and had meant to clean it off but someone kindly beat me to it. We have a few unsung heroes around Princes Park who pick litter up, and keep some of the verges tidy. We may not know whom you are, but are appreciated.
Posted by Pat

Artistic Roller Skating


We are very lucky to have a very talented young lady living in Princes Park. Her name is Vicky Kemp. Vicky has been skating since she was three years old, and she is almost eighteen now. She has won numerous trophies and medals over the period she has been skating. She has been British Champion three times, including winning both solo dance and freestyle Championships and just this year took the silver medal in the Junior Championship which resulted in a selection for the Junior World Demonstration Event when she will compete in Australia in October.

Vicky will also be competing in the Cup of Europe in Portugal, an event she has been selected for five times.

I will keep you informed of her progress. Also if there is any person or company that would like to sponsor her please contact me. Even a small donation would be a great help to her as she is trying to raise money to take her coach with her.
Posted by Pat