Dear [NAME]

It’s been a little while since my last eNewsletter - my apologies for that – I’ve been very busy of late. It’s usually the case that following distribution of my Little Red Rosette I’m inundated with requests for help with various issues across the ward. Having now caught up a whole lot with just 4 long term cases and 13 other cases slowly progressing, this year has been by far the busiest year ever… and it’s only just turned June. Thus far I’ve helped resolve 73 requests for action.

The Harrowgate Hill Community Website is in need of an overhaul, many of the scripts have become redundant to the World Wide Web browsing applications and it has become impossible for me to add new content backend, create an eNewsletter or even edit the Walk of the Ward section. I plan to upgrade the site and even give it a whole new look and feel, so watch this space… now that I’ve said it - I’ll have to do it!

I’m currently putting together the next edition of the Little Red Rosette which will hopefully be back from the printers and ready for distribution by the end of July… There’s plentiful goings on and items to write about, but this edition will focus more on other councillor engagements I take part in, such as scrutiny committee’s and how you as a resident can get involved too.

In addition to this; the Friends of the Hill residents group has received some positive feedback with regards to our plans to adopt the land to the front of the former Beaumont Hill School site. As this is a first for Darlington there are some other matters which the council must consider before giving full approval and it is thought that cabinet may have to give their final stamp of approval. Hopefully, once approval is final, with the help of all local residents, schools and other interested parties the group plan to transform the area into a Communal Garden along with its own allotment areas to produce plants to bring the area to life. Groundwork is to help with planning and design whilst eVolution is to help with applications for funding from various sources.

Here are the latest news items on the Harrowgate Hill website;

Make sure you have your say
Darlington Borough Council, Groundwork and the Play Rangers would like to hear your ideas on how they should invest £30,000 in Bensham Park.

The Play Rangers will be in Bensham Park on Saturday the 20th June for an hour from 10am. You can also contact the Play Rangers senior officer; Emma Rutterford on 07796 694 152

Send your children along, Play Rangers are looking for the views of 8 to 13 year olds!

Up for sale
Darlington Homes have instructed Carver Commercial in Darlington to sell the former Harrowgate Hill Infant School on thier behalf -  I will let you know of any progress.

As it should look
The cast iron grates surrounding the trees along North Road (from Longfield Road to the White Horse public house) are to be lifted today (Wednesday 03 June 09), cleared of debris and rubbish and re-set giving a much nicer appearance to the area as you walk along the footpath.

You may have also noticed that one of the tree's here has died; this is believed to be the result of some flooding on the footpath. The tree is to be replaced in November and at the same time workmen will investigate the flooding issue as it may be related to how the pit for the tree was dug in the first place.

Clear Cut
The walk way from North Road to Marina Road has now been litter picked, swept and de-weeded and looks much better for all who use it. It has been a bit of a problem area were Street Scene can not access with a mechanical sweeper - but new methods and resources have been put in place to keep the walk way looking much cleaner.

Interest in Beaumont Sites
A local Registered Social Landlord has expressed an interest in the former school sites and is to undertake preliminary work including a survey on site 3, the former Beaumont Hill First School, to consider the viability of their proposals - on Thursday 04 June 2009.

Cllr. M Burton