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Labour SYPCC Shaun Wright Visits Birley Ward

Labour South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate Shaun Wright Visits Birley Ward
Labour South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate Shaun Wright and Councillor Denise Fox Discuss Crime Priorities with a Birley Ward Resident

On Saturday, Labour’s candidate for the vital post of South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner visited Birley Ward. Shaun Wright joined Councillor Bryan Lodge, Councillor Denise Fox, Councillor Harry Harpham and Birley Ward Labour Party Secretary Mike Drabble in touring Basegreen, where he talked to residents about their crime priorities.

Over the course of the morning many vigorous doorstep discussions took place, with residents leaving Shaun in no doubt as to the  issues the police should focus on. Shaun went away with a clear idea of their concerns – including anti-social behaviour, burglaries and the impact of drugs on communities – and pledged to do his best to address them if elected. He said:

“Visiting areas such as Basegreen is extremely valuable: there’s no substitute for talking to people and learning their views on how crime affects them. Unlike the other candidates, if elected I’ll make sure I continue to listen to the people to ensure South Yorkshire Police is not only a model of efficient policing but a force that is totally responsive to the needs of the community it serves.”

Having spent time with Shaun during his campaign, we at Birley Labour Party have no hesitation in urging all inhabitants of South Yorkshire to vote for him on November 15th. He is the only candidate for South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner that will defend front-line policing, oppose privatisation of our police force, and ensure that the police serve the interests of each and every community across the county.

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Slippy pathway cleared on Jaunty Avenue

Your local Labour Councillors were out recently in the Basegreen area delivering leaflets on the Police Crime Commissioner and our support for Shaun Wright. We spoke to a resident in the flats on Jaunty Avenue who reported how slippy the pathway along the bottom of the flats was due to moss growing on the block paving. Councillors reported this to Sheffield Homes and we were pleased to be informed earlier this week that the Estate Officers did some work removing the moss from this area.

If you have anything you would like to discuss with your local councillors please get in touch with anyone of us and we will do our best to help.

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Labour’s South Yorkshire Police and Crime and Commissioner Candidate Shaun Wright in Birley Ward This Saturday

Shaun Wright Labour Candidate for South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Shaun Wright Labour Candidate for South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner

The campaign to elect South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is gathering pace, with the election being held on Thursday 15th November: that’s three weeks away. Given the lacerating cuts the coalition is inflicting on the people of South Yorkshire, it’s essential that the Labour Party candidate is elected.

As a long-serving Rotherham councillor and Vice Chairman of the South Yorkshire Police Authority, Shaun Wright has the history of public service, qualifications and experience to be an excellent Police and Crime Commissioner. He’s the only candidate standing for the post that can be trusted to protect frontline services and ensure that South Yorkshire Police continue to serve everyone in our county, regardless of their background.

The Tories and Lib Dem candidates are guaranteed to carry on their government’s remorseless attack on public services, while the candidate from the virulently right-wing UKIP would be even more draconian. A victory for any of them would be disastrous for the people of South Yorkshire.

But though we urge all eligible voters in Birley Ward to vote for Shaun Wright, we think it’s important that those who wish to have a chance to speak to the candidate, so they can put their concerns about crime and policing to him. To this end, we’ve organised for Shaun to be in our ward this Saturday: from 11:30am-1:00pm he’ll be joining us at Basegreen shops on Jaunty Way to talk to the public, and to answer your questions on the forthcoming poll. It’d be great to see as many ward residents there as possible: this is your chance to speak to Labour’s candidate in person. In addition, Councillors Bryan Lodge and Denise Fox will be there, along with members of your ward Labour Party: we’ll be happy to discuss with you just why it’s essential that Shaun is elected South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

In case you’re unaware of the location, this link to Google maps shows you where it is:

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday. This is one of the most important elections of recent times, and we have no doubt that when you’ve joined us you’ll agree: Shaun Wright is the outstanding candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire.

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Labour SYPCC Candidate Shaun Wright Supports Under One Roof (Basegreen Youth Project)

Labour SYPCC Candidate Shaun Wright at Basgreen Youth Project
Birley Ward Labour Party Secretary Mike Drabble, Cheryl Barrott of Change AGEnts Network UK Ltd, Labour SYPCC Candidate Shaun Wright, Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Bryan Lodge and Project Manager John Johnson at Basegreen Youth Project

This morning Shaun Wright, Labour’s candidate for South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, visited a new youth project in Basegreen called Under One Roof.

The project, a co-operative set up by Basegreen resident John Johnson, is supported by bodies such as Sheffield Labour Group (represented by Cabinet Member for Finance Councillor Bryan Lodge), Birley Ward Labour Party (represented by Secretary Mike Drabble), Change AGEnts Network UK Ltd. (represented by Cheryl Barrott), Sheffield College and a number of local employers. It is being set up to help local young people, giving them the educational options and mentoring support to ensure they don’t fall prey to anti-social behaviour or worse.

Though Under One Roof is not yet up and running, Shaun was keen to show his support at this early stage, as boosting crime prevention strategies which focus on early intervention is a key part of his campaign to become South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Shaun was given a tour of the site by project manager John Johnson, after which a discussion ensued in which Shaun made clear his backing of such projects. Shaun said:

“With the Conservatives and Lib Dems slashing funding for valuable local projects like Under One Roof, it’s essential that we support them. Such local initiatives are key in stopping crime happening in the first place by giving at-risk kids a viable future. If elected Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire, I will do my best to support projects like this across the whole county, meaning better communities for us all.”

John Johnson, manager of the project, was grateful for Shaun’s visit:

“It’s a real boost to have Shaun coming out to see what we’re building here at Under One Roof. We know these kids have a future, and now we know that he sees it too. I wish him well in his campaign, and look forward to inviting him back to meet some of the kids once we’re up and running and he’s elected!”

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The Forgotten Estate?

Birley Councillors Denise Fox, Karen McGowan and Bryan Lodge have expressed dismay over proposals for the future of bus services in the Base Green estate. Consultation is underway on the proposed Sheffield Bus Partnership and the future network to serve the city. Under these proposals, Service 44 that currently runs from the city centre to Crystal Peaks via Base Green and Birley, is facing big changes that will effectively cut off Base Green residents in the evenings. Buses will run in the day time only and will terminate at Birley, no longer providing a link to Crystal Peaks. It’s suggested that the tram will provide an adequate service in the evenings.  “There is an aged population in Base Green and this bus provides a link to Crystal Peaks, Manor Top and the City Centre, especially in the evenings” says Cllr Denise Fox “The idea that elderly residents should use the tram in the evenings sounds good until you realise that it’s a steep uphill climb to the nearest tram stops”.
Many people have already contacted their local councillors as they fear it’s already agreed that the bus is to go. ” I’d hope that this can be looked at again by officers. On paper, I can understand the proposals look workable, but they don’t take account of the geography of the area and what it takes to get to the tram “said Cllr McGowan, adding “there is a fear that Base Green is becoming the forgotten estate. In recent years, the Post Office has gone and the Area Housing Office closed. On both occasions, residents were told that alternative provision was available a short bus journey away. Now we hear the bus service is to be reduced”

The bus also serves the Birley estate, again with a large number of elderly residents and there are fears that they too will face difficulties in the evenings as the alternative also involves a climb.

“I’ve  been given a petition of over 900 signatures organised by the Base Green Tenants and Residents Association and they’ve asked that this be considered as part of the consultation ‘” commented Cllr Bryan Lodge “I’d like to invite the officers to visit the area with local councillors and walk the routes they are suggesting elderly residents take. I think they will be surprised at what they see”

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Dropped Kerb Woes

Cllr Karen McGowan, Mr Doug Hancock, Cllr Denise Fox & Cllr Bryan Lodge

 Birley ward Councillors Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox and Karen McGowan recently met up with Basegreen resident Mr Doug Hancock after he told them about problems facing mobility scooter users. “I’m grateful for the dropped kerbs that have been put in but they sometimes get blocked by parked cars” said Doug. “I’m not blaming drivers as they probably don’t realise that they are blocking them, but I wondered if there was anything that could be done to make it more obvious”. Bryan, Denise and Karen have arranged for a white ‘H’ marking to be installed to keep the area clear. Commenting on the news, Cllr Bryan Lodge said “As Doug points out, drivers don’t always realise the problem. I suppose until you’re faced with these types of problems, like many local residents who use mobility scooters, you don’t fully appreciate how hard it can be to get up the kerb. I tried to lift Doug’s scooter and it’s not that easy. I’m sure that drivers will respect the markings when they are put in and help to make life a little easier for everyone”