Your ward priorities 

The ward lies in the west of the Rotherham Borough, combining the parishes of Brinsworth, Catcliffe and the newly-formed parish of Waverley.  

We have been working with local residents, community groups and organisations within the ward to find out what is important to them. Through a variety of meetings, engagement sessions and community events we have developed a ward plan, which sets out the for main priorities for the area.

• Support community organisations to be well-connected to partners, the Council and each other enabling them to deliver locally-based services and activities
• Develop and deliver community safety initiatives in response to emerging hot spots and areas of concern
• Support and develop community based initiatives that tackle environmental issues and improve the appearance of hot spot areas
• Support initiatives to decrease loneliness and social isolation and improve physical and mental health and wellbeing

Billy and Belinda Bollards at Brinsworth Howarth Primary School 

Councillors and Neighbourhood staff have visited Howarth Primary School to discuss ways of addressing inconsiderate and dangerous parking outside their school.

They met with the head teacher, Mrs Crawford, and the School Council, and decided to set a competition open to all pupils, to provide designs for four ‘Billy and Belinda’ Bollards.

These bollards are in the shape of children and are designed to raise awareness to motorists who are driving passed the school. Not only do they prevent cars mounting the pavement to park, they also act as a mechanism to slow them down, making outside school a safer place.

The lucky winners all received a framed certificate and were invited along with the School Council to an afternoon guided tour of the Town Hall with the Mayor. 

The Councillors allocated funding from their ward budget to purchase and fit the bollards and have been out on site with highway staff to decide on the most effective location for the child-like bollards.

Whilst on site, Highways agreed to provide a further six standard bollards that will prevent dangerous parking outside the school.  It is anticipated that work will start over the summer.

Catcliffe Heritage Day

Catcliffe Kiln is a listed monument with Historic England, and is an undervalued asset to that community. Catcliffe Parish Council and other community groups share an interest in promoting the kiln and looking at ways to raise its profile, to showcase it to the wider community, not just across the borough but Nationwide.

Councillors used some of their ward budget as match funding with Rother Valley West Area Housing Panel, which enabled them to provide a power supply to the Kiln. This has allowed us to work with Museum staff, Friends of Catcliffe the Church group and the Brinsworth and Catcliffe local History Group to hold an annual nativity scene and carol service.

Plans are now underway for the next Catcliffe Heritage day which will take place on Saturday 21 September 2019 from 10.00am and 3.00pm

This family-orientated event will celebrate the heritage of Catcliffe, with a number of historical displays, photographic talks, and glass and pebble decorating.

The kiln will be opened by museum staff who will be giving a guided tour at 11.00am, 12 noon and 1.00pm.

We will be running a Catcliffe Heritage day arts competition for local children to take part in. We are asking children to draw or paint a picture of the Kiln or St Mary’s church. The images will then be displayed on the day and the Mayor of Rotherham will be awarding the winners with their prizes. Twelve of the images will be chosen to make into a 2020 Calendar that will be available in December.