The following press release has been issued by Staffordshire County Council.

The Renewable Energy Centre is in the Halmer End Ward of the Borough Council.

A flagship renewable energy project at Apedale Community Country Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme will officially open on the Friday.

The Visitor Centre at Apedale will be officially opened by Leader of Staffordshire County Council Phillip Atkins at 10.30am.

County Councillor Phillip Atkins said the centre was a great resource for local people.

“Apedale Visitor Centre provides a fantastic base for local people and community groups to come along and take part in environmental activities. It is a model of sustainable building and practice, acting as a flagship building for the region. By visiting the centre and taking on board the energy conservation messages, people can save money in their own homes.”

County Councillor Mark Winnington, Cabinet member for Environment and Assets, added: “Apedale country park is incredibly popular with the local community. The beauty spot already attracts hoards of visitors and the centre will bring even people to the area.

“It is an innovatively designed building with features and activities that appeal to people of all ages.”

Local community groups and school children will be part of the event, joining the craft and gardening projects which will form the basis of activities at the centre.

Construction of the Apedale Visitor Centre began last year and it is one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in the region. Energy conservation and management is central to the building and the centre demonstrates renewable energy options that can be used in homes.

Following the official launch, the centre will be open to the public and will be used as a base for the County Ranger Service to manage the country park.

Newcastle Borough Council has voted to oppose the Boundary Commission proposals to merge part of the Newcastle Constituency with Stone and part (including this ward) merged with Tunstall and Kidsgrove.

The motion to oppose the Boundary Commission was proposed by Cllr Eddie Boden (Labour) and seconded by Cllr David Becket (Lib Dem). It received support from Lib Dem, Labour and UKIP councillors. Apart from one Tory who abstained the Tories voted to accept the Boundary Commission proposals.

The next step is to produce an alternative proposal that meets Boundary Commission criteria in respect of constituency size, and to take into account changes forced on other constituencies.

David has produced a draft proposal for the Lib Dems and Labour have produced an almost identical proposal (There is basically only one option).

Both our proposals resolve the other contentious issue, the suggestion that central Burslem should be divided across two constituencies.

We hope shortly to mount a campaign based on one proposal.

Your councillors have been busy this week. Andrew has persuaded the Electricity Contractor to mend the broken lights in the Miles Green area this week, and not leave it to October. Andrew has also persuaded Royal Mail that the replacement post box in Station Road was urgent, and that Aspire should get a move on to repair the Station Road wall.

Dylis has got a dog litter bin promised at Scot Hay Cricket club, and David has got one in Common Lane Betley.

Both David and Andrew have advised a number of residents on issues such as planning, benefits, housing as well as representing them on highway issues.

D&G have made changes to the early morning services, with additional buses. Details may be found in the timetables in the village shop and Reading Room. There is a direct link to D&G Bus Times on this web site.

Following concerns raised by Cllr Dylis Cornes the final date for comment has been extended to 19th September, and not 25th August as stated in the notice.

Concern has been expressed in the local press over the application for a metal furnace at Apedale, close to the Halmer End Ward Boundary.

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Long standing residents of Betley and local cricketers will be saddened to learn of the death of Gerald Cork.

For many years the Cork family, headed by Gerald and including future England player Dominic Cork, were very active in  Betley cricket. Cricket in Newcastle owes an enormous debt of gratitude to Gerald, in particular at Betley and Porthill Park.

Gerald had a well developed sense of humour, he was an entertaining companion. He was a committed Conservative, and was for some years a Conservative Councillor on Newcastle Borough Council. Humour was always present in political discussions with Gerald.

The PCT has launched a consultation into proposed changes to the mental health service in North Staffordshire.

The consultation document can be found at the following address

http://www.northstaffordshire.nhs.uk/documents/3758.pdf.

Further information including how to comment can be found at the following address

http://www.northstaffordshire.nhs.uk/get-involved/model-of-care-consultation/what-it-is-all-about-oauwk/

Many of you will have seen in the media articles relating to issues concerning a consultant at the hospital.

As Chairman of Newcastle Health Scrutiny I have met with the Chief Executive of the Hospital and the Chairman of the Trust. Cllr Dylis Cornes, a county member of Staffordshire Health Scrutiny accompanied me.

There are five separate inquiries under way, with reports due by the end of August. The Hospital Trust will present these to a meeting of Staffordshire Health Scrutiny in September, this will be followed by a public accountability meeting in Newcastle. It would be inappropriate to make further comment before this process is complete. In the meantime please be assured that work is in hand to get to the bottom of this issue.