Improving Highfield’s playground
The last big piece of new play equipment has now been put in at Duchess Road Pocket Park.
Cllr Douglas Johnson applied for government funding with Shoreham TARA, St Mary’s Church and housing officers, after the Council decided not to apply. He said,
“I hope this makes a real difference to the park because children in Highfield don’t have much green space to play.”
New benches have also been installed beside the revamped basketball court.
What have your councillors been doing in City Ward?
With our ward-based funding, we have supported some local activities and amazing community groups that make the city a better place:
- Homeless and Rootless at Christmas and the “Help Us Help” campaign – to support vulnerable people and tackle homelessness and begging in the city centre
- Christmas trees and events in Kelham Island and Highfield
- Promoting local businesses in Kelham Island and Neepsend with the Buy Kelham! campaign
- More cycle parking – in the Peace Gardens and with Plantlocks at Nursery St!
- Community work in Highfield
- A music project for vulnerable adults (Rite Trax)
- The Element Society, for a young people’s “Dragon’s Den” event and a homework club
- Sheffield Steel Junior Rollers, for new equipment for an inclusive roller derby group for 8-1 7-year-olds
- Residents’ groups like Shoreham TARA, Changing Sheff (for the city centre) and Kelham Island & Neepsend Community Alliance
Let us know if you want funding for a project that benefits City Ward.
Better transport, warmer homes, more social care
Cllr Douglas Johnson gave the lead speech on the Green Party budget proposals at the council meeting in March. He said,
“Despite the Council formally declaring a climate emergency over a year ago, nothing has really happened. With our proposals, the Council could fund a new team of sustainability officers, to work on better transportsystems,home insulation and energy production in the city. What’s more our budget would result in an extra £1 million a year for social care in the future.”
The Labour majority voted against the proposals.
Kelham Island parking
The Kelham Island Parking Scheme has been delayed again but is finally due for consultation in March. It is responding to complaints of rat-running and uncontrolled parking by non- residents.
Buy Kelham!
A new initiative has been launched to support local businesses in Kelham Island.
Kelham Island and Neepsend businesses are known to be busy on the weekends, with many attracted to Kelham Island for its great range of food, drink and atmosphere, but during the week Kelham businesses are struggling and have to contend with high rents. “Buy Kelham” is a new scheme to help local businesses over the week and encourage Kelham Island residents to shop locally where possible.
#BuyKelham
Best Bar None
The Sheffield night time economy has won “Best Overall Scheme” at the national “Best Bar None” awards. This award recognises the good work put in by Sheffield venues, the police and the Council, to promote responsible alcohol consumption and raise standards.
Street repairs
City Ward councillors have been chasing up repairs to Surrey St, Tudor Square and Orchard St … and many other places around the ward.
Division Street pedestrianisation a big success!
The weekend trial in Division St in October 201 9 was a big success, despite poor weather. Many businesses said it had a positive impact. People of all ages reclaimed the street for walking, cycling and mobility scooters.
Cllr Ruth Mersereau commented,
“It was great to see people enjoy having more space to browse the shops and businesses on Division Street.
“Without cars, the street space was much easier to walk around and more pleasant to be in. The future of city centres is building them around people, and we would love to see Division Street become permanently pedestrianised, and to have more trees, planters, artwork and outdoor seating!”
Cycle Sheffield is recommending more consultation on a design for daytime pedestrianisation for Division St and Devonshire St.
Big change to the council in May?
Cllr Douglas Johnson will be standing again for council in May and urges residents to vote for him.
If the results are the same as last year, we will force the council away from single-party control and achieve a “hung” council where all councillors will be forced to work together.
On the same date, 7th May, there is also a referendum, where voters can choose to change the way the council is run and end the “strong leader” model that has done so much damage to Sheffield’s reputation, like with the tree-felling fiasco.
Check you are registered to vote at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You can vote if you are a British, Irish, EU or Commonwealth citizen.
Profile: Douglas Johnson
“I was elected in 2016 with former Cllr Rob Murphy and I’ve spent the last 4 years keeping up the Green tradition of working in the local community.
“It sometimes seems like a constant round of sorting out bins, housing repairs, rats and planning or licensing applications, but it means I get to meet all sorts of interesting people.
“A really challenging task is finding solutions to aggressive begging and anti- social behaviour in the city centre. I have got to know some very committed front- line workers, who deal with people with very complex needs.
“I also lead the Green group of eight councillors, who have been effective at making the Council leadership more accountable. Together, we make full use of our place in the Town Hall and speak up for residents. We campaign for a safer, healthier city that is just more pleasant to live in, with less traffic, better local services and good community spirit.
“Before being a councillor, I worked as an advice worker and legal aid lawyer, saving people from eviction and using the law to fight discrimination. In 2014, I won a national Legal Aid Lawyer ofthe Year award for my work.”
Register with a local doctor
If you have recently moved to the ward, register with a local GP. Even if you are in good health, it can help bring in more medical resources for other people.
Bike locks
We would like to install more plant-locks” and bike stands in City Ward. If you would like one outside your business, let us know.
Useful contacts
Your green councillors
Cllr Douglas Johnson
07500 766 189
@DouglasJSheff
douglas.johnson@sheffield.gov.uk
Cllr Martin Phipps
07581 364 252
@MartinPhipps13
martin.phipps@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Cllr Ruth Mersereau
07825 1 94 751
@RuthMersereau
ruth.mersereau@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Council and local services
Roads, pavements, streetlights, bins, gritting and fly-tipping,
0114 273 4567 or streetsahead@sheffield.gov.uk
For crime and anti-social behaviour
Emergency – 999; non-urgent – 101
www.southyorks.police.uk
Concerned about help for someone sleeping rough?
0800 066 5358 or at www.streetlink.org.uk
Or 0800 731 1 689 (evenings and weekends)
Residents’ groups
Shoreham TARA
Meets 1 st Monday of the month, 6.30 at Duchess Rd community centre
Sheffield City Centre Residents Action Group
Meets 2nd Tuesday at Mappin St www.sccrag.org
Kelham Island Community Alliance
www.kica.uk.com
Blog
Find out more about what’s going on in City Ward on our blog.
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