Earlier today, Leven Park welcomed a new resident - a Forest Giraffe!
In recent months, Yarm councillor Andrew Sherris and I have sought feedback from residents on the new play area at Leven Park.
Almost without exception, residents replied they wanted to see equipment suitable for younger children.
Responding to this we drew up a shortlist of potential new pieces of equipment and asked youngsters at Levendale primary school to select their favourite. Their overwhelming favourite was the Forest Giraffe which Cllr Sherris and I agreed to order, paid for from our Community Participation Budget.
With work having commenced earlier today, it is hoped the new equipment will be 'bedded in' and open for use well ahead of the school holidays.
With Yarm Town Council having wasted over £40,000 of the council's reserves on a futile judicial review grossly mishandled by two Conservative councillors (and then a further £13,000 spent on the cost of the by-election forced by the two councillors' resignations), the council is sadly no longer in a position to replace, renew or add to the town's facilities in the coming years.
It therefore makes it all the more pleasing we have found room within this year's budget to provide this welcome addition to Leven Park.
Although there remains little scope for further schemes this year - with funds having been set aside to replace many of the small, post-mounted litter bins throughout the town which are not fit for purpose - please feel free to contact me with any suggestions for further projects.
