Town Council to take on park and toilets
News release issued:
A riverside park in Bewdley could soon be the responsibility of Bewdley Town Council as it is working with Wyre Forest District Council to take on more local services.
The popular play area and surrounding open space on the riverside off Northwood Lane would be handed over to the Town Council as part of Wyre Forest District Council’s localism initiative. This gives community organisations the opportunity to have a more significant role in the way local services are delivered. The District Council is supporting Town and Parish Councils as well as other organisation to take ownership of assets or to run services.
The public toilets in Load Street look set to be handed over to the Town Council as well as the office building at 6a Load Street.
Councillor Helen Dyke, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Community Protection said:
“We know that town and parish councils across our district are keen to develop their activities and deliver more local services. We are working together to try to make sure facilities locals value are still available. The pressures on local authority funding are well documented and so this collaboration with Bewdley Town Council is very welcome. We have already announced the outcome of our work with Stourport Town Council and we remain in discussions with Kidderminster Town Council. Our Localism Strategy is exploring new ways to deliver services, and we are delighted with this progress.”
Councillor Anna Coleman, Mayor of Bewdley said:
“Nobody wants to see local services reduced or ended and so we are pleased to be able to get together with the district council to discuss a way forward. We know the park and the toilets are valued by locals and visitors alike and by taking responsibility for them we can help make sure they are still available for all in our town.”
As part of the agreement the authorities have decided that the paddling pool at the park will be closed and removed due to the substantial running and maintenance costs. In recent years the Friends of Riverside North Park have taken on responsibility for the paddling pool.
Gemma Robson, Chairperson for Friends of Riverside North Park said:
“We are all sad to see the inevitable demise of our dear paddling pool from sheer old age which was finished off by the really bad floods last year. The Friends would like to thank WFDC for giving us the opportunity to keep it going for the last three years.”