Referendum

We were very disappointed in the referendum result. It has always been the Liberal Democrat view that we should be part of a strong Europe, leading the way working with our closest neighbours to promote our values of justice, co-operation and tolerance.
Our leader in Sheffield, Shaffaq Mohammed says “Our fight for an open, optimistic, hopeful, diverse and tolerant Britain is needed now more than ever”.
The national Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron, has pledged that the Liberal Democrats will fight the next general election with a pledge to take Britain back into the EU. He says that the referendum result was with a collection of cheap slogans from the exitters and the public will feel betrayed when promises on the NHS and immigration are not delivered.
Across the country the Lib Dems have recorded thousands of voters signing up to become members, and here in Gleadless Valley we are welcoming many new members.
Only the Liberal Democrats have a consistent record of supporting our EU membership, and the fight goes on.

Liberal Democrat Team for Gleadless Valley

For the local election on May 5th, Liberal Democrats will field three candidates:-

  • Phil Shaddock – local campaigner for several years and volunteer in Newfield Green library.
  • John Dryden – lives in Heeley and is particularly interested in the natural environment and education. He is a member of an academy trust and wants to ensure that all local parents have access to a good school for their children.
  • Simon Clement-Jones – lives in Heeley and was a Councillor for 11 years, part of the leadership team when the Liberal Democrats last held control of the City Council.

Vote for the only party that can realistically challenge Labour on Sheffield Council.

 

LABOUR COUNCIL REFUSE TO DELAY SALE OF HISTORIC BUILDING IN GRAVES PARK DESPITE PETITION

CobnarA petition to Sheffield City Council to stop the sale of Cobnar Cottage in Graves Park has already gathered 12,000 signatures. The sale is scheduled for 26th January.

Cllr. Ian Auckland, Liberal Democrat councillor for Graves Park ward, asked Cabinet Member Sioned Mair Richards, if she would consider delaying the sale in order for the petition to be debated but was refused.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ian Auckland for Graves Park Ward said

”
It is completely wrong to press ahead with the sale in the face of such massive public opposition. It is in insult to those people who have signed the petition not to at least delay the sale until after February so we can have a proper debate in council. This is an issue that clearly matters to the Sheffield public.
”
The building is within the bounds of Graves Park, which was gifted to the people of Sheffield by alderman J.G Graves in 1925 for public use as a park in perpetuity.

What concerns us mostly is that this will set a principle. What other parks across the city are likely to lose tracts of land so the Council can sell the land for development?

Add your name to the petition here.

Petition to Save Rustlings Road Trees

Campaigners continue to fight to save 11 Lime trees on Rustlings Road. They can see no disease affecting the trees, they are not obstructing the footpath, and if there is any damage to pavements or kerbs, there should we ways of correcting this without damaging the trees. Sign the petition.

As far as we know, the Council is still planning to remove the trees as reported in the Guardian on Saturday. Liberal Democrats called for a pause in the tree felling programme until a proper tree strategy had been agreed, but the Council contractors just moved to other areas of the city and carried on removing trees.

Please let us know of any concerns about roadside trees in the Gleadless Valley area.

Public Meeting

Gleadless Valley Liberal Democrats held a well-attended public meeting on Britain’s Role in Europe on July 24th 7:30 at Meersbrook Park United Reformed Church. The main speaker was Edward McMillan Scott, former Liberal Democrat MEP. He is a strong campaigner on Human Rights.

As the Referendum Bill has now been passed, we look forward 2017 when Britain will decide whether to stay in the EU, or pull out and try to make trade agreements on its own.

The main speaker is Edward McMillan Scott, former Liberal Democrat MEP.

Agenda
Introduction. Phil Shaddock – local campaigner for the Liberal Democrats in Gleadless Valley ward.
Sheffield in Europe – Liberal Democrat Councillor for Dore ward who stood as candidate in the European elections 2012.
Yorks and Humber and Europe Edward McMillan Scott
Questions and Comments Your chance to ask questions of Edward and Joe, or to give your views.
Refreshments – 9:30pm
Continue reading →

Britain’s Role in Europe

As the Referendum Bill has now been passed, we look forward 2017 when Britain will decide whether to stay in the EU, or pull out and try to make trade agreements on its own.
The Guardian article lists ten areas where life could change dramatically.
Britain should be leading the way in Europe, but for now our relationship is on hold.
Gleadless Valley Liberal Democrats are holding a public meeting on Britain’s Role in Europe on July 24th 7:30 at Meersbrook Park United Reformed Church.
The main speaker is Edward McMillan Scott, former Liberal Democrat MEP.
This may be a popular event, so please book your place soon to avoid disappointment,

Gleadless Valley Priorities

The ward councillors have determined the priorities for the next two years for our ward. It will be interesting to see how these are developed into actions that will help local residents.

Following consideration of statistics, consultation and input from local service providers your Councillors for the Gleadless Valley ward have identified four priorities that we fill focus on in partnership with local service deliverers, community organisations and local businesses.

1. Financial Inclusion

  • Initiate awareness campaigns to support residents with the impact of the Welfare Reforms
  • Ensure there is good access to advice services Promote and improve access to Sheffield Credit Union
  • Improve digital literacy skills and access to on-line services in the more deprived areas of the ward

2. Employment & Skills

  • Improve access to citywide skills and apprenticeship opportunities for young people not in employment, education and training

3. Reducing Health Inequality

  • Ensure there is a range of activities available for children and young people in the more deprived areas of the ward
  • Make better use of existing facilities – such as schools – to extend the range of recreational opportunities in the Gleadless Valley neighbourhood
  • Develop arrangements for local engagement with general practitioners and other health professions to tackle health inequalities

4. Social Cohesion

  • Support the sustainability of local community organisations
  • Tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour

BUS LANE BLUNDERS

Transport planners presented the Council with a plan to improve bus services in the Gleadless Valley. Included in the scheme were

  • A new crossing at the top of Blackstock Road near Constable Road
  •  A new crossing on Gleadless Road by Newfield Green shops
  • A bus lane on Blackstock Road to get buses to the front of the queue at Newfield Green
  •  A parking bay on Richards Road to stop cars blocking buses
  • A bus lane on Prospect Road and improved junction with Myrtle Road

Many residents were staggered at the extent of the work which would save just a few minutes on each bus journey. There were protests on Blackstock Road where a rare holm oak tree was threatened.
But the biggest protest is against the bus lane on Prospect Road which will mean the loss of 129 trees along the boundary of Heeley City Farm. A protest meeting held on 17th Feb attracted over 70 people and the ‘S2 & S8 Residents Action Group’ has been formed to try to stall these plans. See the facebook group “SAVE THE HEELEY TREES!” for more information, or sign the petition at chn.ge/19tbpBC.
The problem for the council is that the hugely popular crossing on Blackstock Road will be held up waiting for the decision to made on the whole scheme. Local Lib Dem campaigner Phil Shaddock said “The Council is now faced with a dilemma. Force the changes through causing ongoing protests about the loss of trees, or further delay the introduction of a much needed crossing which has been a high priority with local residents for years. Earlier consultations with people affected might have avoided these problems.”
Questions were also asked in Council about the lack of consultation over the proposal for one-way traffic on Albert Road which will cause much more traffic on Thirlwell and Plantation Roads.

A Fair Deal for Private tenants

Sheffield Liberal Democrats have launched a petition to crack down on so-called ‘revenge evictions’ by private landlords.

Local campaigner Phil Shaddock is backing the campaign. Phil is calling on local people to help by signing the petition.

Some 35,670 households in Sheffield now rent from private landlords – double what it was ten years ago. Across England, nine million people live in private rented housing. One third of the property rented out doesn’t come up to the Government’s standard. Each year tens of thousands of people in England are evicted simply for asking for repairs to be done.

AMAZINGLY THESE ‘REVENGE EVICTIONS’ ARE PERFECTLY LEGAL

“As more and more people rent, rogue landlord’s have greater opportunities to exploit tenants. This means we need to act now to help people whose homes need to be brought up to standard.”

Last week, Liberal Democrat councillors for nearby Graves Park Ian Auckland and Steve Ayris put forward a motion to Sheffield Council calling on councillors to back a private bill in Parliament. Lib Dem MP Sarah Teather’s private members’ bill will target landlords who refuse to maintain properties and try to evict tenants who report poor living conditions. The bill will be discussed in the House of Commons on 28th November.

This will tackle the issue of people forced out of their home simply for asking for vital repairs to be done. Housing charity Shelter is backing the bill. To get this important measure made into law more people need to support the campaign.

Sign the petition here.

See the Lib Dem motion to Sheffield City Council motion here

or to find out more go to http://england.shelter.org.uk.