Andrew Cooper | Sheffield Green Party

Bob Berzins & Peter Gilbert on the moors

Dear Editor,

On Monday (9th October) Sheffield residents were subjected to a major air pollution incident caused by moorland heather burning.

Sheffield Wildlife Trust reported burning on all four grouse shooting moors within the Sheffield boundary. But it was burning near Wyming Brook Nature Reserve at Redmires which was very obviously spreading smoke into adjacent urban areas from around 10am.

Very quickly local residents complained of smoke and through the day complaints increased from almost all of west Sheffield. The Fire Service said the smoke was due to moorland burning.

Ecclesall resident and Green activist, Peter Gilbert commented,

“Air quality sensors across the city showed elevated levels of pollutants well beyond safe limits (Air quality sensor network).
This level of smoke pollution is not just an inconvenience but causes immediate respiratory difficulty for anyone with existing health problems and Public Health experts in Sheffield tell us there is no safe level of air pollution. Of great concern is the level of PM2.5 particulates which are tiny particles that can become lodged in our lungs and bloodstream with a proven link to increased respiratory health problems.”

So why are people in Sheffield being subjected to this?

Every year from 1st October to 15th April Grouse Moor owners burn heather with virtually no oversight of the resulting air pollution.

Baroness Natalie Bennett and Cllr Marieanne Elliot

Heather is burnt to create artificially high numbers of grouse. It benefits a handful of wealthy landowners and their pay-to-kill clients, with total disregard for the pollution and resulting health problems endured by thousands of local residents.

Bob Berzins, Moorlands campaigner, inspected the burn sites near Wyming Brook which revealed around 30 separate burns, so intense they incinerated all the vegetation. It was the intensity of these burns which created so much smoke.

Prior to burning a mower was used to create a fire break to stop the flames spreading and the same mower could have been used to cut all the heather instead of burning. Mowing vegetation is an accepted and well used management tool and produces no smoke. So the burning which took place was a matter of choice not necessity.

Natalie Bennett, Green Peer in the House of Lords, is very active in highlighting the need to end this outdated practice.

Natalie said “The overwhelming scientific evidence points to burning on peatlands causing damage to key peatland species, peatland ecosystem health, and the sustainability of peatland soils. There is a clear alternative – restoration of our uplands for the benefit of all.

The events of 9th October demonstrate the culture of grouse shooting is incompatible with the health and wellbeing of the people of Sheffield. Driven grouse shooting has no place in our society and we call for a complete ban.”

Yours sincerely

Marieanne Elliot
Green councillor for Gleadless Valley
Group Spokesperson for Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee

Gleadless Valley Cllrs Paul Turpin, Marieanne Elliott & Alexi Dimond

An initiative by Green Party Councillors to tackle poverty has been approved at Sheffield South Local Area Committee. (1)

The proposal, to fund a dedicated advice worker post to address cost of living issues, was the brainchild of Green Councillors from Gleadless Valley Ward. The adviser will provide advice to people during drop-in sessions at community groups, food banks, libraries and Tenants and Residents Associations.

Councillor Paul Turpin who proposed the post said,

“We know that many people do not know what they are entitled to. It has been estimated that around £15 Billion of benefits, that people could claim, is not applied for in the first place. By helping put more money in people’s pockets, this role will also help the local economy in Sheffield, with more money being spent in local shops.” (2)

Gleadless Valley Councillor Marieanne Elliot said,

“Having a trained, dedicated adviser providing face-to-face advice is one of the most effective ways of helping people. This means immediate help with living costs but can also bring about positive longer term changes. The adviser will give advice on how to apply for benefits, manage bills and help with appointments and form filling.They will attend community groups and food banks and focus on income maximisation.

“Talking to food banks in our area, it is clear that more face-to-face advice is needed to reach people who face barriers when using online or telephone advice services.”

Councillor Alexi Dimond said,

“It is often the most vulnerable who have the most difficulty applying for benefits and navigating the complicated processes. Getting online or telephone advice just isn’t possible for many people.
We are proud to create this new service for people in our area.”

References

1 – (Public Pack)Agenda Document for South Local Area Committee, 12/10/2023 18:00 (sheffield.gov.uk)
2 – Billions of means-tested benefits remain unclaimed each year (entitledto.co.uk)

The Green Party, locally and nationally, have condemned the terror and violence being waged against civilians in both Gaza and Israel, and have also opposed the raising of the Israeli flag on Sheffield Town Hall.

Responding to the unfolding horror in Israel and Gaza, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:

“Our first thoughts are with the hundreds of innocent victims who are faced with the devastating and escalating violence. Most civilians caught up in the conflict have an overriding desire to live in peace.

“The Green Party calls for an immediate end to the violence in Israel and Palestine. The targeting of civilians is an outrageous breach of international law and is unacceptable under all circumstances.

“We urge the international community to take immediate steps to protect civilian life and infrastructure from attack, and to launch immediate humanitarian relief efforts.

“The long absence of a meaningful political dialogue and peace process has created a vacuum, which has been filled by those who offer violence as a solution. The pathway to ending these waves of violence and bringing about a long-term political settlement must begin with an end to illegal occupation.

“The UN Security Council, of which the UK is a permanent member, must act to prevent the spread of the conflict to neighbouring states such as Lebanon and Iran. They have so far failed to agree any new political initiative to address the fundamental causes of these latest acts of violence. For the sake of thousands of people on both sides in this conflict, they urgently need to do so.”

Responding to Sheffield City Council’s decision to raise the Israeli flag on the Town Hall Councillor Alexi Dimond said,

“Sheffield Green Party opposed raising the Israeli flag on the Town Hall.

“Hamas’ attack on civilians is a horrendous war crime, and so is the Israeli occupation, with its system of apartheid and current & frequent indiscriminate bombing of innocent civilians & the infrastructure they rely on.

“Gaza comprises a captive civilian population of 2.3 million people with nowhere to go. Two thirds of whom are refugees & half of whom are children.

“Cutting off water, food & medicine, and targeting civilians are war crimes under international law

“It would be more appropriate for the Council to raise the Peace Flag above the Town Hall to show our opposition to all war crimes whoever commits them”.

Greens on Sheffield City Council have proposed a plan to help fund local public services following years of cuts.

Walkley Green Councillor, Bernard Little, at Wednesday’s Full Council meeting, will propose a plan of action to address the Government cuts that mean that the Council has £856/household per year less to spend on local services than in 2010.

Councillor Little said,

“What really concerns me is that neither the Conservatives, nor a potential Labour-led Government, have a proper plan for ensuring cash-strapped councils get the funding they need to deliver the services so many people rely on.

“The good news is that the answers to how we raise the funds needed have been developed here in Sheffield. The ‘Taxing Wealth Report’ (1) being produced by Economics Professor Richard Murphy of Sheffield University, shows that, by fairly taxing the top 1% of the wealthy and high earners, the Government could raise £83.3 billion each year. Unfortunately, this is something that both Labour and the Conservatives are unwilling to consider.

“In the absence of a plan from both larger parties (2) the Council needs to develop its own plan to make it more resilient to funding cuts, whether it is a Conservative or Labour Government that is imposing them.

“Greens are proposing three policies to bring much-needed extra cash to support local services.

“Establishing a wholly-owned Council company to help deliver the council’s objectives and raise income by delivering reliable services for Sheffield residents. These could be useful services such as gardening, household repairs, heating system servicing and replacement and retrofit works. This has been successfully piloted by Oxford City Council where, this year, it will make a £600,000 contribution to council funds. (3)

“We need to invest in renewable energy projects on Council land and buildings to generate energy and income. Cambridgeshire County Council will soon be receiving £1 million each year from a solar farm it has developed. (4)

“Introducing an Employers’ Workplace Parking Levy to help fund public transport, road safety and active travel measures. This could raise around £10 million each year. This has been successfully trialled in Nottingham where they have raised nearly £100 million and attracted over £1 billion in investment for public transport and active travel over the last 10 years. (5)

“Together, these measures will improve the standards of our homes, our transport and our quality of life for everyone in Sheffield.”

References

(1) Taxing Wealth Report – Professor Richard Murphy

taxingwealth.uk

(2) Labour needs to level up its offer to local government

Labour Needs To Level Up Its Offer To Local Government – The Social Review

(3) Oxford City Council Medium Term Financial Strategy – Page 20

DRAFT (oxford.gov.uk)

(4) How Cambridgeshire Council is raising revenue with solar farms – Friends of the Earth

How Cambridgeshire Council is raising revenue with solar farms | Local action (friendsoftheearth.uk)

(5) Nottingham’s Workplace Parking Levy – 10 year impact report

WPL-10-Year-Impact-Report-Digital-Nov-22.pdf (transportnottingham.com)

Green Party Councillors have welcomed the reduction in the use of glyphosate, a chemical used to kill vegetation, by Sheffield City Council.

Use of glyphosate by Streets Ahead (contracted to maintain Sheffield’s street scene) has been reduced from 140,000 litres of diluted product in 2019 to 50,000 so far in 2023.

There are concerns about the health impact of glyphosate use, with it being cited as a possible cause of cancer and organ damage.

The UK is also facing a nature emergency with a 60% decline of flying insects lost in the last 20 years¹, with glyphosate one of the reasons cited for a decline in bee populations².

Councillor Alexi Dimond Green Party Spokesperson on the Waste and Street Scene Committee said,

“With the spraying period almost over, this is a huge ⅔ reduction in use. While glyphosate will unfortunately still be sprayed on hard surfaces, it will not be used on verges or tree pits.”

Cllr Dimond also asked for indicative targets for further reductions and for a report to be brought to the committee on options – showing costs and impacts – of phasing out glyphosate use by StreetsAhead entirely by 2025. The Greens also asked for the council to spread awareness of the nature emergency to build tolerance of vegetation growth and supporting biodiversity.

The Waste and Street Scene Committee agreed to consider this proposal and added it to its work programme.

Cllr Dimond welcomed progress so far saying:

“These reductions are really substantial. We also called for more details of how further reductions can be achieved. We want to see options & cost implications for phasing out glyphosate entirely within the constraints of the StreetsAhead contract.

“It’s important that this information is in the public domain to help inform residents & ensure decision making is transparent”.

References

UK’s flying insects have declined by 60% in 20 Years – Natural History Museum

UK’s flying insects have declined by 60% in 20 years | Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)

¹https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2022/may/uks-flying-insects-have-declined-60-in-20-years.html

What’s the problem with Roundup – Ecology Center

²So What’s the Problem With Roundup? | Ecology Center

At a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Waste and Street Scene Committee Green Councillors called for better enforcement of parking offences by inconsiderate drivers.

Councillor Alexi Dimond, Green Party Spokesperson on the Waste and Street Scene Committee said,

“Illegal parking is endemic in Sheffield & is one of the reasons many people don’t feel safe to cycle & why buses are so unreliable. Selfish parking forces people who cycle, walk or wheel into roads & into traffic. It partly explains why Sheffield’s roads are considerably more dangerous than other core cities – especially for children. Currently, enforcement officers just don’t have the power or resources to do their jobs effectively. The measures in the report – such as enforcement against people parked on dropped kerbs, double parking & reduced grace periods for new restrictions & reduced observation times for illegally parked vehicles are a welcome step in the right direction.”

The Liberal Democrat Chair of the Committee, and his Lib Dem colleagues wanted to retain longer observation times before Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) were issued by Council Highways staff. His proposal was for the observation time for vans and larger vehicles parked illegally to remain at 10 minutes rather than reduced to 3 minutes as officers recommended.

Councillor Alexi Dimond said,

“Long observation times are a real waste of council officers’ time and make for a far less efficient parking enforcement service. They send a message that we go easy on inconsiderate drivers who park illegally. If it is a legitimate delivery to a premises, then drivers will have paperwork to demonstrate that. The changes will substantially increase efficiency of enforcement and should allow more areas to be enforced. Lib Dem Councillors in the South LAC have called for more parking enforcement in Woodseats, so it was very strange to see them voting against these measures today”.

Councillor Otten’s proposed amendment was defeated.

References

Sheffield City Council Waste and Street Scene Committee Meeting Agenda Papers 27/9/23

Green councillors expressed anger and frustration after the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee voted to remove traffic-calming measures on Archer Lane in Nether Edge and reopen it to lorries, cars and vans. .

At the same meeting, Greens welcomed the decision to confirm the Sheaf Valley cycle route, including the permanent protection for Little London Rd. They also welcomed the remaining traffic calming in Walkley and Crookes being confirmed.

Cllr Ruth Mersereau, a member of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee said, on the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route,

“Schemes like the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route provide long-term benefits to all road users by providing real choices. Routes like this help people who are fearful of travelling on a hostile road network, and those who have no access to a vehicle – between 20-75% of residents in the vicinity. It’s fantastic to learn that the scheme has been so successful in meeting its aims to increase walking and cycling, with cycling increasing by 66%, showing the latent demand for cycling. There have also been other benefits, like a reduction in crime.”

However, only Green Party councillors voted in favour of the continued closure of the Archer Lane rat-run, meaning that road safety measures will now have to be removed.

Cllr Christine Gilligan, Deputy Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee said

“The community in Nether Edge has been let down by the Council today. The changes were a step in the right direction towards safe, quiet and liveable streets. Now they will have rat-running and speeding cars again. There is no way that this can be regarded as progress .”

Cllr Ruth Mersereau added,

“The vast majority of people from Nether Edge who contacted me, were in support of the Active Travel Neighbourhood. They have been ignored by those Lib Dem and Labour councillors who have voted to re-open these roads to motor vehicles today. This decision does nothing to improve Sheffield’s appalling statistics on road safety. This is a huge step backwards for walking, cycling, for public health, for road safety and for better, more liveable neighbourhoods

“Archer Lane is used by large numbers of children walking to school – Mercia, Carterknowle and Holt House. Children don’t generally get consulted on transport schemes or rat runs, but they are the ones who have lost their play space, lost their freedom to walk/pedal to school safely and their chance to socialise safely with friends.”

Cllr Maroof Raouf, who represents Nether Edge and Sharrow ward, said,

“As the local Councillor for the Nether Edge area I am dismayed at this decision. This choice not only goes against the data that has been collected but also fails to prioritise the well-being of my constituents. It’s very disheartening to see a decision that disregards the long-term consequences for residents of Nether Edge and I hope that in the future, different elected Members can make more responsible choices that prioritise the well-being of my constituents

References

The decisions on the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route, Crookes / Walkley and Nether Edge active travel neighbourhoods were taken at the meeting of the Transport, regeneration and Climate Committee on Wednesday 20th September 2023.

Agenda for Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee on Wednesday 20 September 2023, 2.00 pm | Sheffield City Council

Each of the traffic-calming measures had been established under an Experimental Traffic Regulation order which must be confirmed or removed after 18 months of a trial.

The proposal to reopen Archer Lane to motor traffic was made in a pre-prepared amendment by Cllr Andrew Sangar (LibDem) and seconded by Cllr David Barker (Labour).

A Green Councillor has secured more habitat for wildlife in a new housing development in the Woodhouse area.

At a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s Planning & Highways Committee Councillor Bernard Little proposed the inclusion of swift bricks and bat boxes to be included in a development of 19 three and four bedroom houses on land between railway tracks and Junction Road at Woodhouse.The land is a former railway sidings and scrapyard with adjacent woodland

The report at the Planning Committee confirmed the planning application would have a negative impact on nature on the site as well as the loss of 3 mature trees that provide habitat for wildlife.

Cllr Bernard Little in response, called for the addition of swift bricks to each of the 19 properties and the condition that the developer will implement a woodland management plan providing suitable habitats for wildlife. The swift bricks provide nesting accommodation for birds and can be embedded into walls under the eaves. The Planning Committee accepted Cllr Little’s proposal.

Cllr Little said

“In 2021 Sheffield City Council declared a Nature Emergency and at the time I said that good design of the built environment can help anchor wildlife in urban spaces. Even small changes to planning applications can improve the lot of birdlife and other animals in our communities.

“Wildlife is under threat from the loss of habitat, food sources and the impact of climate change. We need to be taking every opportunity to consider nature in all the decisions we take. I am pleased that we have been able to improve this development to address the ecological impact of new housing developments.”

A Labour motion to Sheffield’s Full Council, expressing enthusiasm for nuclear power and more investment in aviation has been described as disappointing by Green Councillors as the wrong path to take to tackle the growing threat posed by climate change and soaring energy bills.

The motion noted the Sheffield bid for Government Investment Zone funding which includes a partnership with the world’s second largest arms manufacturer, Boeing, whose weapons such as Apache helicopters are used to kill civilians (1),

Green Party Councillor Henry Nottage said of Labour’s support for nuclear power,

“Nuclear energy is by far the most expensive form of electricity generation and is almost 3 times the cost of offshore wind. The many billions the Government spends on nuclear power would be more cost effectively spent insulating peoples homes and expanding renewable energy with energy storage.

“The problem of how to safely contain toxic nuclear waste for thousands of years has still not been resolved (1) and the history of nuclear power is one of accidents and some catastrophic ones.”

Councillor Nottage also criticised Labour prioritising investment in aviation.

“Minor improvements to the efficiency of aircraft will not negate the unregulated, uncontrolled carbon emissions of the aviation sector.

“The aviation industry’s non-binding goal of being net zero by 2050 is meaningless and, even if it were possible, would be too late to address the climate impacts of air travel. The Council should not be pandering to the fantasy that the aviation sector will be able to significantly reduce emissions through any other means than reducing the number of flights.

“When local Labour leaders decided to bid for failed former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s Investment Zone proposal, it had a choice of what it could bid for. (2) Instead of seeking funding for ‘green industries’ it chose instead to go for ‘advanced manufacturing’. Instead of technologies that could super insulate thousands of homes or have more of our energy generated locally by renewables, they chose to help an arms manufacturer build aircraft a little bit better for those who can afford foreign holidays. They chose to back the few who can afford flights, not the many who can’t afford their energy bills . They made the wrong choice”.

References

1 – Boeing, the world’s second largest arms manufacturer. Apache helicopters used to kill civilians

https://www.palestinecampaign.org/psc-company/boeing/

2 – Nuclear Waste clean up could cost £260 Billion
UK’s nuclear waste cleanup operation could cost £260bn | Nuclear waste | The Guardian

3 – Investment Zone Policy Prospectus
Investment_Zone_Policy_Prospectus.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

At Wednesday’s Full Council meeting the Liberal Democrats either voted against OR abstained on the draft Sheffield Local Plan. The Labour group was also split with some voting in favour, some against and some abstaining. Green Party Councillors and the majority of Labour Councillors voted for the Local Plan so it had a majority and was passed. It will now be submitted to the Government’s Planning Inspector for approval. If approved, it will then regulate future planning applications.

Councillor Douglas Johnson, Leader of the Green Group on Sheffield City Council said,

“Without an up-to-date Local Plan, property developers can get away with sub-standard planning applications. The Local Plan may not be perfect but it would have been completely irresponsible for us to vote against it after so much cross-party work has been done on it. National Planning rules mean that Councils without Local Plans are less able to control where development does or does not take place. It effectively makes all land fair play for rapacious property developers and therefore disadvantages socially-conscious businesses.

“It is frankly hard to believe that councillors would vote against the Local Plan when they had – quite rightly – criticised the previous Labour administration for the many years of delay that allowed far too many low-quality planning applications through.

“If there is a local green space in your area that people use for exercise, walking the dog, to enjoy nature or for children to play in, then the Liberal Democrats’ votes put that at risk. . This sort of self indulgent posturing in pursuit of political gain is not the act of responsible local politicians who have a duty to balance the legitimate needs of the whole community.”

The Final Vote was 37 Councillors for the Local Plan, 17 against and 20 abstentions.

Cllr Johnson commenting on the result said,

“Labour was clearly split on the Local Plan, with several Councillors saying they were defying their Party whip. Though many Liberal Democrats spoke against the plan some clearly and quietly abstained, showing they were also split. Greens were clear that without a Local Plan we would be putting developers in the driving seat, our green spaces under threat and losing local control over the planning process.”

Author: Andrew Cooper

Letter to the press – “Greens say Ban the Burn”

Greens welcome new advice worker

Greens condemn violence in Israel and Gaza

Greens plan to fund local council services

Greens welcome reduction in use of toxic chemicals on Sheffield streets

Greens back better parking enforcement on Sheffield Streets

Green dismay at removal of road safety measures on school route

Green Councillor secures more provision for wildlife on housing development.

“Labour Party backing for expensive nuclear energy and air travel are not a solution to climate change” say Greens

“Lib Dems posturing on Local Plan risked our green spaces” say Greens