Local County Councillor’s Report

Rob Fraser Writes in The Spotlight

Some of you may recall the front page of last month’s Spotlight, regarding the proposal to construct a skateboard park at Groby Community College.
I have recently been introduced to the chairman of the skatepark committee Borough & Ratby Parish Cllr Ozzy O’Shea and the committee members already representing Groby and Ratby residents’ best interests, Ratby Parish & Borough Cllr Chris Boothby, Ratby Parish Cllr Merle Joyce, Groby Borough & Parish Cllr Martin Cartwright along with village residents and youths of both Parishes.
I was delighted to be asked by the chairman if I would like to join with their efforts to get a skateboard and BMXers park. This would significantly improve and add to the excellent facilities at Groby Community College and potentially provide much needed added youth facilities to both parishes. I consider this to be all the more important with the much-published concerns over obesity in our children and youths.
Local teenagers have given excellent presentations to both Groby Community College and Brookvale High School as highlighted in last month’s Spotlight article, and are a credit to the area.
The need for additional youth facilities in the two villages were identified in both Groby & Ratby Parish plans.
Have no doubt this is a major project but, to be successful, it needs the co-operation and support of Leicestershire County Council, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, both Parish Councils, the Police and the support of local residents through consultation.
The youth of Groby and Ratby have worked very hard on this and I would urge Groby Parish Council - and local residents - to give the project their full support.
To allay some myths or misunderstandings that this will cost rate payers of both the Parishes massive amounts of money in extra council tax, this could not be further from the truth.
The capital costs to complete the project will be met entirely by grants and no costs have been asked of either Parish Councils at this point.
I believe that this is a fantastic opportunity that shouldn’t be missed, and I sincerely hope that all of the local authorities can work together to bring the project to fruition.
I wish all readers a very happy and healthy New Year and look forward to keeping you informed of local issues throughout 2008.

Regards

Rob

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How the proposed skatepark might look

The Groby & Ratby Skatepark Committee would like to invite a representative from both Groby and Ratby - that are not Parish Councillors or part of the youth group - to join us and represent the residents’ views as we move forward.
Our aim is to provide a new local sports facility that is well run, well used and does not interfere with residents’ enjoyment of the Parish.
Of course we will bring as much information as we can to local residents as the proposals develop.
Sceptical? Please come to a meeting and talk to us, we welcome your questions and concerns. Meetings are usually held on Wednesday evenings at Groby Community College at 7.15pm

Any one interested in joining the committee please contact the Secretary on - 0116 238 7742.

(Information supplied by Groby & Ratby Skatepark Committee and Youth User Group)