Comment

Representation ID: 17967

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Miss Margaret Jarvis

Personal response to council proposals for all areas indicated have been given considerable thought and I honestly believe are unbiased, free of any political preference and are based on nearly 40 years of unbroken service to education across all levels and age groups and a personal similar background within the Midlands area that suffered from heavy constant boming raids throughout the second world war with its varied ills. Life lessons learned and fantastic understanding support from remarkably committed parents and teachers. Experiencing this for this second time enabled children like me and my five siblings achieve our talent potential and much was to be expected in return.

1) Planning proposals should be based on open accountability, sound management, over sight non political agreement, practical community involvement, security and public safety.

2) Renovating, restoring the shopping, commercial creative social and accommodation Dudley from town centre and immediate adjacent areas to encourage to be part of and enjoy visits and help the economy of the town. Reclaiming the parks and support voluntary groups utilising recent retirees and redundant skilled works to build play areas, seating in quiet places, replanting etc - basic materials and professionally skilled supervision provided by the council.
Roads and streets leading into town and connected suburbs to be enhanced to make an attractive destination to visitors from other regions etc.

3. Upgrading existing buildings and imposing the inclusion of responsibility for acceptable shop facades suitable to good design and historic emblance maintenance of clean facades, windows, doorways, litter, good decorative window displays, interior decor and layout - possibly handing boxes etc with the help from Chamber of commerce, commercial enterprises and local societies/ schools.
Council spreading varied enterprises - avoiding clusters of similar range of goods fast food outlets, cafes, cheap outlets, estate agents, charity shops. Balance supermarket with good butchers, fish mongers, bakeries, stationers / bookshops, drapers, cheese shops, health foods, vegetarian, craft/ art supplies etc. Group tea shops / cafes in attractive spaces in high street, precincts - the (relatively) new at the top of the town which could also accommodate majority of charity shops and a walk in health centre which includes at various times and days GP nurse, minor treatments simple surgery etc chiropody, dentist, information / advice (council input), citizens advice - shop reglons and any (if existing) upper rooms. Commercial/ traders would pay usual rental and agree to same responsible requirements and the rest of the main hubs market should restore life to original fruit/ veg/ flower, plant/ curtain and dress fabrics etc. Good quality at competitive price can hold their own with larger concerns.

4) Empty property, above shops, unlet private rentals, existing council offices/ buildings no longer in use could become 1/2 bedroom studio flat or apartments for young couples, single parents (according to number and needs of the children), elderly couples, rehabitated, homeless and those with special needs with appropriate on going support and support personal living on site.

5) Existing schools renovated, updated - expanded (where needed and where possible) within an attractive environment which enables practical addition to the required curriculum and ethos of the school. Establish links with other schools across age levels for use of skills/ instruction / sharing facilities and opportunities to understand / experience future schooling. Encourage input practice periods - mentoring - sharing skills - visits to 'academy' schools colleges graduate year students so that they too can see the possibilities of the teaching profession. This would I believe, encourage good/outstanding teachers to the area, raise the level of learning, life skills, social responsibility, self confidence and discipline. Parents should be actively engaged as they I'm sure, would respond to reform and all these opportunities would be available to children, regardless of race creed colour or gender. All too often in the past it was failing to consider the possibility that even the most disadvantaged have ability, and aspirations and can reach beyond their own hopes and expectations.

6) School space and facilities are underused, 4:30-6:30, 7-9pm and in even day time slots could be utilised by recent leavers teenage unnames / parents elderly and groups and societies. Lots of these units provide their own leaders/ teachers. Share responsibility for organising, arranging, material provision and teaching input and each co exist and even inspire young steps to try 'old' skills the classes etc. Reading groups, photography, creative writing, life skills 'health and exercise, simple cooking, creative arts knit and natter, seeds, potting on, window boxes and hanging baskets, literacy, numeracy, speech (elecution, verbal communication, public speaking), restyle and recyle / wardrobes and household furnishing, singing and simple woodwork and horse painting. The list is endless - there a a lot of untapped skills outage and soon to be graduates and the unemployed graduates - in every area on the list could volunteer and get experience to add to CV I'm sure those of us who are decluttering/ house clearing / down sizing / keen gardeners would be happy to donate any items that would be of use - both sides would benefit. Charity shops could give unwanted clothing that could be adapted or unpicked unravelled and reused. It must not be needed by donors and a way of unloading rubbish !!

7. Finally society and safety - cctv, visible policing and efficient / swift response, honest application of law and order / how tolerance of abuse assault, bullying, intimidation, theft and burglary etc. Support and recognition of the result of community pride and engagement, in response to provision of council commitment.

All of the above applies to all the areas that make up the Dudley region; the council should not settle for the soft option of settling for the few existing green sites (bearing in mind government policy on the greening, tree planting to promote clean air, carbon, climate problems, and should look to obtain ful sites and inappropriate scrap/ waste sites created by unscrupulous traders.

My apologies for the length but age and its attendant ills have diminished respect and affection for the region and the belief that it isn't too late to build a better world with the combined unbiased help of council and community.

Thank you for affording me the opportunity to respond, and in anticipation of your patience and willingness to read it.