Pupils highlight litter, lack of facilities and streetlights

At last Thursday’s meeting of Belford Parish Council, county councillor John Woodman told members that he had been invited into St Mary’s school to take part in a project about the different rungs of government.

The youngsters drew up suggestions of what should change in Belford, looking at who was responsible, for example, the county council or the Government.

Three of the groups focused on litter, two on streetlights and one on facilities for teenagers or older children.

Coun Woodman shared the pupils’ inputs with the council and it was agreed that some of the students should be invited to come and discuss the issues they have raised at a future meeting.

Streetlights were raised, not so much in terms of some being out of action, but there being areas in the village which could do with more light and they were encouraged to mark these on a map.

In terms of litter, Coun Woodman suggested that this issue may be best tackled via a voluntary group which could be set up.

The lack of activities for older children in Belford sparked a suggestion of asking whether the games room at the Community Club could be used by youngsters.

Renovation of play park rolls on

Coun Tracy Bell, one of the main driving forces behind the play-park renovation, said that the latest piece of new equipment, a cantilever swing, had been installed.

She also said that they needed a rethink on the siting of the exercise equipment for older children or adults as providing a concrete base would take over too much space.

The parish council agreed to make a donation of £500 to the play-park group. Members chose not to specify what it should be used for, but left that up to the committee.