More than 20 local residents attended the Cottingley TRAC community group meeting in Cottingley Primary School last night. Issues discussed included:
Community clean-ups
Litter and fly-tipping is an ongoing problem on the estate. Residents have been urged to take a pride in the area and report anyone they know who’s dumping rubbish. The council’s also promised to prosecute offenders. There was a call for permanent litter pickers on the estate. Community clean-ups are being held fortnightly, with the next on Friday, February 3, all residents welcome to attend. Fortnightly walkabouts to identify issues on the estate are being held. The next one’s a week tomorrow, residents can attend and should meet at the community centre at 9.30am.
Flytipping can be reported to the council on 222 4406.
Estate improvements
Aire Valley Homes said they were looking to contribute to some improvements on the estate. They already have a commitment to the £1 million scheme to improve the lifts in the flats, but are also looking to put some money into the shopping arcade to redecorate and freshen up the area, possibly new flooring and signage. A ‘Welcome to Cottingley’ sign could be put up.
Housing office opening
The housing office in the flats will have reduced opening hours due to budget cutbacks and falling footfall. Instead of six hours a week over three days, there will be just one surgery session of three hours a week. Aire Valley Homes re-iterated its commitment to Cottingley and the flats and said the caretaker could be contacted on 07891 272264.
Burglary at community centre
Three Dell laptop computers from the Homework Club were stolen from the community centre between Sunday and Monday. The computers had youngsters’ homework on them and the children are apparently devastated. The meeting was asked to tell police if anyone was offered the computers to buy.
From a crime point of view, police say Cottingley had suffered from three burglaries, seven incidents of criminal damage, four thefts from motor vehicles and two incidents of theft. Police said the figures “weren’t that bad” given the time period covered the Christmas period.
Health and wellbeing
The surgery on Cottingley estate is encouraging residents to joining a group where patients can meet and discuss how services could be improved at the surgery. Leave your name with the receptionist if you’re interested.
Next meeting
Next TRAC meeting will be on 7 March and will be the AGM. A new chair, treasurer and secretary will need to be elected.
