Maltby ward report 2020/21
Although face to face contact has been limited this year, it has not stopped Maltby Ward Councillors supporting residents and Ward Priorities. This year has shown that the role of a Councillor is dynamic, diverse and evolving to suit the needs of residents and the Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions to keep everyone in the community safe.
Ward Priorities
- Support Maltby Ward to be a strong, well connected community
- Support new and existing community groups after Covid 19 lockdown
- Support Maltby leisure and community facilities
- Develop and support initiatives to improve community safety, including combating anti-social behaviour
- Combating off road vehicles on green spaces
- Supporting multi agency initiatives
- Support initiatives to promote the 5 ways to wellbeing in line with Ward Priorities
- Combating loneliness and isolation
- Support projects around mental health and wellbeing
- Improve the environment
Maltby Councillors have continued to:
- Assist Rotherham Council Departments to effectively deliver projects such as road improvements and planning decisions.
- Work with Maltby Town Council and other key community stakeholders including charities, foodbanks, schools and community groups, to deliver and support projects.
- Support residents and local organisations on the phone or by e-mail with their concerns and questions.
- Hold virtual meetings with the Police and Council Officers to discuss and allocate actions to combat crime and anti-social behaviour.
- Support Maltby Community Groups and organisations, examples include financial support, sign-posting to other organisations and using Councillors’ local and government knowledge.
- Hundreds of hours have been spent by a computer screen to keep the decision-making process going to benefit local people.
Supporting Maltby Residents through the Covid Pandemic
This year has been difficult for many of us, whether it was with low wellbeing, health issues or financial worries, which is why Maltby Ward Councillors have used both the Capital and Leadership Funds to support the Salvation Army and Maltby Food Bank.
Demand for Maltby Food Bank quadrupled during the Covid Pandemic and in response the Coleman Centre was quickly turned into a sorting and packing station. Along with a donation to buy essential goods for local residents in need, the Councillors also funded a new hot water heater to ensure the volunteers had a safe environment to work in.
Supporting Community Groups and residents after the Covid Pandemic
Although community groups and facilities have temporarily closed their doors in order to keep people safe, Maltby Councillors have awarded a significant amount of their Capital and Leadership Funds to support groups throughout the pandemic and ensure they are ready to open when restrictions allow. This is important to Maltby Ward Councillors as they recognise people will need leisure and community group support to raise wellbeing. The following are some of the groups they have supported.
- Maltby Scouts - Funding to purchase a new storage unit to increase provisions and activities when re-open.
- St Bartholomew Community Room - Installation of Wi-Fi and a 3-year licence to allow community group users access to the internet. Workshops will also be delivered to support people gain new skills.
- Bevan Neighbourhood Centre - Outdoor furniture protection from the Winter weather, so that the community can use the garden space and its facilities in warmer months.
- Memorial Garden - Funding towards essential tree works to Maltby Ward Memorial Garden.
- Maltby Stepping Stones - Funding towards purchasing Christmas activities for children, used as an aid to
- encourage community engagement with Outreach Officers throughout the Pandemic.
Supporting Maltby leisure and community facilities
Maltby Ward Capital Funds were used to support Maltby Crown Green Bowling Club purchase storage units and fund repairs to footpaths around greens.
Cllr Beaumont and Cllr Rushforth were also able to support Maltby Main Football Club to purchase lighting and signage to ensure visitors are safe to
return and enjoy supporting their local Football Team when Covid restrictions allow.
Multi Agency work to encourage reporting crimes and antisocial behaviour
Maltby Ward Councillors are continually working with local Police Officers and Rotherham Council Teams on initiatives to encourage people to report crimes in order to make the Maltby Ward a safer place to live. They have also spent a significant amount of time encouraging residents to report off road vehicle nuisance and identify hot spots that the South Yorkshire Off Road Police Team can target.
Working with Rights of Way and Police Officers, Councillors supported residents from Hooton Levitt gain a barrier to stop illegal off road vehicles accessing the village, along with using Ward Capital to fund a barrier on Thicket Lane in order to stop vehicles accessing the Pit Top and local footpaths.