Sheffield Green Party has submitted a motion to the December Ist Sheffield Council meeting asking the Council to unite in pressing the coalition government to authorise the release of the promised money for a new youth centre in Lowfield.

The Greens’ motion notes that a large amount of preparatory work has already been done to provide a new youth centre, playground and all-weather football pitch at Lowfield park. But, while money has been secured for a number of parts of the project, the promised central funding hasn’t materialised following action by the coalition government, which means that the project has stalled and could now be at risk.

Local Green Party councillor Jillian Creasy said ‘We want Sheffield Council to show that it supports the Lowfield project, which will provide much-needed facilities for the community, including young people. A large number of local people have expressed their support for the project, with nearly all the local residents we approached signing a petition calling on the government to approve the release of the funding.’

She added ‘Our motion also wants the Council to write to all Sheffield MPs, asking them to urge the coalition government to authorise the　release of the promised funding for the project.’

A photo is attached showing Cllr Jillian Creasy (right), Cllr Rob Murphy (centre) and Green campaigner Rob Unwin (left) at the Lowfield site.

Notes :

T he Green Party’s motion to the 1 December Full Council meeting follows :

LOWFIELD PARK

Proposed by Cllr Robert Murphy, seconded by Cllr Jillian Creasy

That this Council:

a. Welcomes the fact that a large amount of valuable consultation and preparatory work has taken place to provide a new youth centre, playground and all-weather football pitch at Lowfield Park;

b. Recognises that these facilities are badly needed in the community, especially to provide positive activities in a safe environment for young people, many of whom have been involved in the work so far;

c. Notes that a large number of local people have expressed their support for this project, as illustrated by the number who had signed the petition presented to the 6 October Full Council meeting;

d. Recognises the nationally-acclaimed work of the Sharrow-based Football Unites, Racism Divides programme and reaffirms its commitment to seek a secure base for the programme, which the Lowfield project would provide;

e. Notes that, while money has been secured for a number of parts of the project, the promised central funding hasn’t materialised following action by the coalition government, which means that the project has stalled and could now be at risk;

f. Notes that, if the money for the youth centre isn’t forthcoming, the Football Foundation’s　substantial funding for the all-weather pitch on the park could be put at risk, because the two projects are linked;

g. Recognises that, while the recent announcement about new playground equipment was welcome, the full benefits won’t be seen if the park isn’t developed;

h. Affirms its ongoing support for the Lowfield project;

i. Instructs the Council’s Chief Executive to write to the Lottery Fund and the relevant Government Minister, and also to all MPs in Sheffield asking them to urge the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families in the coalition government to authorise the release of the promised funding for the project.