 Thanks to investment from Rotherham Council’s Towns and Villages Fund, the accessibility and appearance of the Broadway shopping area in Swinton has been improved.
Previously, this area was difficult to navigate with various sets of steps, ramps and uneven surfaces.
The walls and surfacing at the shopping area was dated and it was felt that the area needed a facelift.
Access to the site has been improved with new steps and ramps. The footways in front of the shops have also been extended, making it easier for shops to offer outdoor seating in the summer months. Alongside this, new surfacing has been installed.
A number of trees have been planted on the large green space at the site, improving the appearance of this well-used shopping area.
Extensive consultation was carried out with local residents and businesses, who told us that they would like to see CCTV in the area. Councillors listened to the feedback and used the Swinton Rockingham Ward budget to install new CCTV.
Councillor Gina Monk, Councillor for Swinton Rockingham Ward, said:
“The work that has taken place supports our ward priority around improving the local environment.
“We are really pleased that we have been able to add more value to the scheme, using our ward budget to install new CCTV.”
Councillor Ken Wyatt, Councillor for Swinton Rockingham Ward, added:
“The Broadway shopping area was in need of improvement. This area is now more accessible with new walls, steps, ramps and surfacing. The work carried out will make it easier for local residents to use the shops.
“The Broadway shopping area is well-used and it is great news that these improvements have been delivered for local residents and businesses.”
Councillor Sarah Allen, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Working, said:
“We are working with our communities to deliver the changes that people want to see in their neighbourhoods through the Towns and Villages Fund.
“The investment from the Council has improved the Broadway shopping area, which is now a more accessible space and looks so much better.”
The Towns and Villages Fund is a multi-million pound commitment from the Council to deliver improvements to local towns and villages across the borough.
You can find out more about the Towns and Villages Fund on the Rotherham Council website.
Councillors Gina Monk and Ken Wyatt shared more about the work that has taken place as part of. video. You can watch this on the Rotherham Council YouTube channel.
Rotherham Council is seeking the views of residents to help shape the delivery of its updated Thriving Neighbourhoods Strategy, which was agreed by the Council’s Cabinet in November 2022.
On the 3rd March 2023, residents of the Swinton Rockingham Ward were invited to take part in the Thriving Neighbourhoods consultation at an event.
The event also provided an opportunity for local residents to speak face-to-face with their councillors and a variety of organisations and teams, including:
- The local Policing team
- The Council's Neighbourhood, Library, Fostering, Inspire and Advance teams
- Workers Education Association
- The Swinton Precinct Development
- RotherFed
Have your say
If you couldn't make the event, there is still time to have your say.
A short online survey can be completed and you can join the conversation and share your thoughts on where you live.
The Council’s vision is for every neighbourhood in Rotherham to be a great place to live, where people are able to work together to achieve a good quality of life and residents feel safe, happy and proud.
Councillor Sarah Allen, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said: “I would like to encourage people to take part in the survey. Your feedback will help us to deliver our Thriving Neighbourhoods Strategy and help to shape the ward priorities for councillors.
“We want to know what the best things in your neighbourhood are, what could make your area even better and what you think makes up a successful and thriving neighbourhood.
Complete the survey on the Rotherham Council website.
The online survey closes on Sunday 30th April 2023.
Rotherham Council invited Swinton Academy pupils to work on a project to design a cover for school exercise books around the theme of hate crime.
The council’s Head of Community Safety, Emma Ellis, and the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Councillor Alam, chose two designs for the book cover.
The design showed in the image above shows a striking montage of eyes, denoting a variety of people.
Ward councillors were delighted to be asked to present the printed books to Amelia and Lucy, whose artwork had been combined to create the book cover.
A total of 1,000 books were printed so that they could be issued to pupils.
- 800 books were issued to Year 7 pupils in secondary schools across the borough, including Swinton Academy
- 200 books were issued to Year 6 pupils from five primary schools who attended an event at Magna Science and Adventure Centre in early February, where hate-related bullying was discussed
The project has been such a success that further funding has been secured so that more books can be provided to schools in Rotherham.
On Friday 17th March, Councillors from the Swinton Rockingham and Kilnhurst and Swinton East Wards attended a School Council meeting at Swinton Academy.
Involving young people in local democracy is something that your ward councillors are very passionate about and they thoroughly enjoyed the discussions they had with School Councillors on important subjects, including both local and national issues.
During March the Swinton Community Focus Group arranged a litter pick of the Creighton Woods area.
Quite the haul of litter and rubbish was collected, as you can see from the photo above.
Future litter picks that you can get involved in are as follows:
- Friday 14th April, 9.30am to 11am at the end of St John's Road near the woods
- Thursday 27th April, 9.30am to 11am at Golden Smithies
- Wednesday 10th May, 9.30am to 11am at Cliffefield / Brookfield Avenue
- Monday 22nd May, 9.30am to 11.00am at Whitelee Road / Canal
- Friday 2nd June, 9.30am to 11am at Grange Road
For further details on the litter picks arranged by the Swinton Community Focus Group please follow them on Facebook.
The Don River Catchment Trust have also been busy with local volunteers. They took part in a litter pick in March.
We can all do our bit to keep the local area clean and tidy by taking litter home or by placing it in a litter bin.
If you have any unwanted household items, please take them to a household waste recycling centre.
King's Coronation celebrations
With just a month to go until the King's Coronation bank holiday weekend, here is a quick update on what is planned for the weekend so far.
Town Fair
There will be a town fair on St Margaret's Church vicarage field on Saturday 6 May, 2pm to 5pm.
Expect lots of stalls, rides, food and music. If anyone is interested in a stall, please contact scestalls@gmail.com for more details.
Grand Coronation Concert
On the Saturday evening at 7pm, St Margaret's Church will be hosting a Grand Coronation Concert.
This will feature one of the nation's top brass bands, the Unite the Union Brass Band. Alongside the band, there will be performances from entertainer Chantelle, Anna Corinne and Sarah Bush.
Tickets cost £5 including refreshments and are available to buy from St Margaret's Church or from Councillor Wyatt (contact details below)
A beacon lighting and bonfire event
On Sunday 7 May, a beacon/bonfire will be lit at 8pm on the vicarage field at St Margaret's Church.
There will be 3 musical acts performing. Refreshments will be available to buy during the evening from 7pm to 10pm.
Its going to be quite the weekend of celebrations in Swinton, so do make sure to add the events in your diaries.
 Next week, community boat trips are taking place with Swinton Lock Activity Centre.
The boat trips will take place on Wednesday 12th April throughout the day. It costs £6 per person for a 1 hour trip.
To book a trip, please visit the Swinton Lock website and click 'what's on'.
 A special spring concert is taking place later this month at St Margaret's Church.
This will feature St George and the Dragon, a special musical composition by Robert Webb.
The concert takes place on Saturday 22 April and starts at 7pm.
|