Ballot to select candidates for council elections in May 2023
Responses to questions in their application forms follow from each candidate. A video of the hustings held on October 11th is available here:
https://youtu.be/6H-YKmwkFBE
Please contact candidates via e-mail to ask questions or seek more information about their candidacy before voting
Angela Argenzio – Broomhill & Sharrow Vale ward – argenzioangela@yahoo.com
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
I am the incumbent Councillor in Broomhill & Sharrow Vale and I have managed to commit long hours to my Councillor role over the last three+ years as well as working part time. I am totally committed to perform my job to the best of my abilities. I am very organised and a bit of a perfectionist, so I always give my whole to everything I do.
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I was elected in May 2019 in B&SV and have worked hard to maintain the reputation of SGP in the ward as well as building my own. I attend regular community meetings in all parts of the ward: I support litter picks in Broomhall, Broomhill and Hunters Bar. I am involved with the Broomhill Library, The Sharrow Vale Community Association, The Hanover TARA to name just a few of the groups I attend. As well as doing casework for all residents in the ward on a daily basis.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
My interactions in the ward tend to be as a Councillor nowadays so see above.
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection:
I have experience of campaigning for local, national and European elections for SGP and have supported other candidates in all those elections as well as participating in many demonstrations in the City. I am also an experienced charity trustee and continue to be on the Board of Sheffield City of Sanctuary (currently as treasurer).
What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
I have been on the Audit and Standard Committee since being elected in 2019, last year I was Adviser to the exec member for Inclusive Economy,Jobs & Skills. I am currently Co-Chair of the Adult Health & Social Care Policy Committee. I have also been on Licensing committee and Health Scrutiny committee. I am versed in speaking in public and taking the lead in meetings including chairing. In my professional life I am the Finance Manager for a Homeless Charity and I am versed in understanding budgets and Financial information which proves very useful in my role as Councillor.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
Having been the Councillor for Broomhill & Sharrow Vale since 2019, I would like to continue to support the community that I love and carry on working with my fellow Green Cllrs both in the ward and in the Green Group.
Ruth Mersereau – City ward – ruthfnicol@hotmail.co.uk
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
I gave up paid work in December 2018 in order to concentrate on campaigning and learning about the councillor role. After being elected in 2019, I’ve worked nearly full-time hours as a councillor. I understand the level of commitment required and if I’m re-elected, then I’ll continue to ensure that I balance councillor work with my other commitments, to carry out my role.
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I’ve been working in the ward since December 2018, first as the candidate, and since May 2019, as one of the three City ward Green councillors. During this time, I’ve delivered many thousands of newsletters/leaflets/election flyers in the ward. I’ve also recruited volunteers to help with door-knocking and leafleting. I’ve written to the press, planning and transport committees on behalf of SGP on City Ward related issues.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
- Casework that supported vulnerable people to get help with NHS and housing issues, including pushing for better accommodation standards for asylum seekers
- Pressed for residents’ rights for quiet/better light/better space standards/better outdoor/more and better green spaces, through planning and licensing applications and in casework
- Pushed for better neighbourhood facilities and standards for city centre residents
- Supported community groups, attending meetings, keeping attendees informed, raising their issues, etc
- Pushed for better street cleaning, better recycling; reported dozens of bin-related issues; helped residents with public health related issues
- Helped businesses to access Covid support grants and help with issues relating to business rates, etc
- Campaigned for better walking and cycling and public transport improvements, including Division Street pedestrianisation, Pinstone Street, Kelham Island low traffic neighbourhood and public realm improvements; pushed for a city centre pavement parking ban; campaigned for more bike parking around the city
- Pushed for better public transport facilities in city centre, including free bus, improved bus shelters and improved safety at city centre bus station
- Campaigned for better access – submitted dozens of objections to monopoles/telecoms boxes/advertising boards that would obstruct footways and cycleways
- Pushed for cultural/heritage schemes, e.g. Canada House music hub, and for more public art
- Pushed for better air quality in the city centre
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection:
- Deliveries of hundreds of newsletters/leaflets/election materials in Hillsborough, Walkley, Gleadless Valley, Broomhill and Sharrowvale, Nether Edge and Sharrow and Ecclesall.
- City-wide, campaigned for better walking/cycling and public transport, and better road safety, especially for those most at risk of death and injury. Campaigned for better access for people using footways/cycleways
- Advocated for children/young people who have little/no family support, including membership of the Council’s Corporate Parenting Committee
- Pushed for improved access to culture for all
- Pushed for improved safety in the Night Time Economy, pushed for better safeguards against excess noise
- Campaigned for safeguarding of green space/safe walking/cycling infrastructure in Brightside/Chapeltown
What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
I’m empathetic, reflective, considerate and am a good listener. I’ve built trust by being reliable, by responding to enquiries, and by keeping people informed of updates and progress. I’m very persistent, and will do careful, painstaking work in order to push for a response/outcome for resident(s). I have very good attention to detail.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
I want to continue to work alongside councillors Martin Phipps and Douglas Johnson to improve the quality of life for Sheffield residents, especially those in City Ward.I want to continue campaigning to take bolder action on climate and nature.
I’ve been a member of the Green Party (and previously the Ecology Party) and Scottish Green Party for most of the last 30 years, and want to see more Greens elected to Sheffield City Council and Parliament.
Peter Gilbert – Ecclesall ward – peter.richard.gilbert@gmail.com
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
I am a part-time social care worker and work a varied shift pattern. As a result I have lots of time (at a variety of different times) available to commit to my Green Party role.
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
Since being chosen by the Ecclesall ward group to be their candidate in the 2022 local elections I have worked hard within the ward to engage with our community and also to develop the capacity of the ward group. During this period, and with a strong election result, we were able to transform from a Development Ward to a Target Ward.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I have been involved with the Street Tree campaign since 2016, including the infamous battle of Rustlings Road. I am currently involved with the work of Ecclesall Swift Supporters group and their wider campaign across Sheffield.
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection:
In Kenya I co-founded a social enterprise to support informal sector workers to develop businesses. In Vietnam I supported the development of Vietnam’s first ethnic minority owned community-based tourism company, with profits going to running a school. I volunteered with Nature Trust Malta to plant trees and protect marine turtles.
Before joining the Green Party I was active with Extinction Rebellion Sheffield, planning actions and coordinating our media output.
What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
I have been told that I have strong interpersonal skills. I’m a good listener. And because I care about people and planet I do my best to help. I am energetic and hard working when it comes to campaigning and I have a talent for getting the right sound bite out in interviews.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
This is my home. I was born here. As a child I attended the local schools and played in the local parks. I love this ward, and from my early adult life spent working in across 10 countries and 4 continents l know how lucky residents are to call Ecclesall home. This doesn’t mean we cannot make it even better, and that’s what I intend to do!
Paul Turpin – Gleadless Valley Ward – paul.turpin@sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
I have been a councillor for 3½ years now and am used to balancing my responsibilities in life; council work, private work and family.
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I was active in the community in my ward before being elected but since then my community work has increased a great deal. I prefer to work in my ward than to work in the town hall and am in regular contact with and have supported many groups such as the GV Foodbank, GV TARA, Heeley TARA, GV Wildlife Trust, Heeley Trust, Heeley City Farm, various friend’s groups and community activists.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I always try to work with groups in a supporting role rather than manage projects and have been involved with a mural in Meersbrook Park, improvements to the ward’s parks, community gardens, getting roads cleaned and repaired, dealing with inconvenient or dangerous traffic, such as at the tip and Myrtle Road, youth provision, ASB, fly tipping, protecting green spaces. There is more, too much to list.
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection:
I have been involved in campaigning for the Green Party since 2014. I was on the SGP exec for three years and was honoured to be on the cooperative executive in the council last year as Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Jobs and Skills.
What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
I have improved as a councillor vastly during my time in the council, learning the ropes, the people and building relationships. I understand when and how to act in order to make a difference.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
GV is my home and my community. I want to use the skills and contacts I have acquired to represent the ward for another four years.
Toby Mallinson – Hillsborough ward – toby.mallinson@gmail.com
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
I work four days per week as an elected Joint Secretary of the Sheffield Branch of the National Education Union. I can work flexibly particularly during school holiday periods. During the election period I will reduce my personal activities and use my spare days to engage with the election campaign. If elected, I will reduce my working days from 4 to 3 days per week from September 2023 allowing 2 weekdays per week to undertake councillor duties.
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I assisted the successful 2021 and 2022 campaigns to elect Christine Gilligan and Henry Nottage in Hillsborough undertaking leafleting and door. This year, I also welcomed local Green Party members to my house/garden for social events and meetings that I hope have helped to build the strength of our local group of activists in Hillsborough. I have continued door knocking and leafleting through this summer.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
From 2006 to 2010 I was chair of the campaign to prevent the closure and merger of Wisewood and Myers Grove Schools that later formed Forge Valley School. It was a bitter and hard-fought campaign with overwhelming community support, widely remembered in the ward. It was at this time that I joined the local Green Party as then Green Cllr Jillian Creasy provided genuine and very helpful support and advice.
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection:
I have been a life-long campaigner for Amnesty International and latterly Greenpeace actively involved in local groups. I chaired several Amnesty groups and am currently press officer for the Sheffield Greenpeace Group. I am treasurer for Schools’ Climate Education South Yorkshire (SCESY) which exists to promote climate education embedded within schools’ curricula, and to encourage staff and students to engage and act. SCESY organised two successful virtual annual South Yorkshire conferences for schools and are planning a face to face event for 2023.
As Joint Secretary for the National Education Union I implement many campaigns for education workers’ rights ranging from those within individual workplaces to local activity on national campaigns. I engage in frequent ongoing negotiations with education employers including Sheffield City Council.
What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
My current job for the National Education Union (NEU) encompasses individual casework, collective support, campaigning and negotiations in education settings. Over the last 11 years I have developed a strong skill set in all of these areas, which would be very useful in a councillor role. I undertake frequent interviews with all types of news media. I chair and manage a variety of meetings with NEU members and our local union committee. Through my job, I have a respectful, though not cosy, relationship with officers in Sheffield City Council. This was tested through the pandemic where there were frequent meetings with council officers in negotiating and discussing major issues in Sheffield schools.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
I have lived in Hillsborough for 31 years after moving from London. It is a sometimes neglected area of the city where I enjoy living. I want to help ensure that the area continues to develop as a great place to live with residents enjoying a peaceful, sustainable and safe community. I have a lot of skills to offer the community whilst promoting Green Party values of equal opportunity, support, fairness and environmental protection. It would feel like a natural development of the work I currently do, but in a new setting.
It is important to acknowledge that the hardship that is about to be inflicted upon local communities by the current Government’s policies is going to create truly enormous challenges for everyone. I want to be doing what I can working alongside Christine and Henry to build community support networks and hope for the future.
Beverley Bennett – Nether Edge & Sharrow ward – bennettbeverley85@gmail.com
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
During my 10 years of extensive community work , I have employed strong organisational skills. This has meant I have been able to deliver events and services in a timely and professional manner. Utilising my community network of contacts, volunteers and workers to provide a cohesive framework which gets the job done!
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
Born and brought up in Nether Edge and worked in Sharrow. Over the years I built have a strong community network and have enjoyed supporting, enabling and bringing people together to improve the community. This was evident in the recent Windrush Events (June and August 2022). These were held in Mount Pleasant Park and Broomhall. All supported by the Green Party.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
2021 Windrush Event at Sharrowvale school – this showcased the community with music, food ,artists and music at the event. 2018 to present, Independent Caribbean Kollective – which supports local businesses and networking. Anniversary of Jamaican Independence. Community picnics for the whole diverse community in Mount Pleasant park, Clarke Street, Broomhall. More in the pipeline !!
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection & What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
As above. Having extensive experience of community meetings and network support. I have recently been appointed the Executive Equality and Diversity Officer for Sheffield Green Party. This post puts me at the heart of local community and enable me to examine and act upon its needs. I am motivated by a strong commitment and vision creating more cohesive and sustainable communities.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
Due to nature of the report on Equality and Diversity (Sheffield City Council, Race Equality 2022), I am compelled to utilise my experience , knowledge and community networks to improve and enhance experiences of underrepresented members of the community . Also I would like commence serious youth work in these areas, to improve the lives and safety of the whole community.
Ash Routh – Walkley ward – routhy1@gmail.com
Please advise any relevant information on how you will balance councillor, work and other commitments:
If elected, being a councillor will be my full time job.
Please outline relevant work you have done for the Green Party in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
I’ve not worked in Walkley, but I have worked around the city, in Nether Edge & Sharrow, City, and Ecclesall wards.
Please outline work you have done as a community activist or in another capacity in the ward you are applying for and the time period:
As above, but I have worked around the city, in Nether Edge &Sharrow, City, and Ecclesall wards on the campaigns of current and (hopefully) future Sheffield green councillors.
Please outline any other relevant campaigning activity and experience in Sheffield or elsewhere including in wards where you are not seeking selection:
Since 2017, I’ve been a student & LGBT activist in the city, and have delivered training and appeared at rallies (most recently as a speaker at Sheffield’s anti conversion therapy rally) over the last five years.
What skills do you have that are relevant to the councillor role? Please detail briefly:
I have experience as a local councillor, as well as extensive experience in representative roles, having represented both Lancaster University and the University of Sheffield in the NUS, and having served as LGBT+ officer at Lancaster University, as the President of Sheffield University Young Greens, as Equality & Diversity officer of Sheffield Green Party, and most recently as the LGBTIQA+ co-chair in the national party.
As a local councillor, I worked hard within a majority-Conservative parish and district council area to advocate for environmentally friendly, affordable housing development. I have the skills needed to engage constituents on a rage of political issues, the confidence needed to ensure that they are heard, and the passion needed to canvass for, and represent the Green Party. I have over a decade of experience in the party, and have spent virtually my entire adult life championing environmental and equality issues, and have never been shy about doing so loudly and proudly.
Why do you want to be a councillor in this ward?
I want to build on our successes across the city, and help to promote the idea that the Green Party are a party that can win across Sheffield, not just at local elections, but in future national elections too. I believe that the key to gaining the public confidence to become the leading party in the city is by fighting our image as a predominantly middle aged, middle class party, and I believe that this message will resonate particularly strongly in all of the wards that make up Sheffield Central – a seat that we should be winning in the next general election.