Labour Party Lichfield, Burntwood & The Villages

Author: timeforchange

Dave Robertson our candidate for Lichfield constituency

It is an honour to again be selected as the Labour party candidate for Lichfield constituency. Lichfield has been my home since before I learned to call a place home. I have had the absolute privilege over the last 33 years to learn in our local schools, shop on our local high streets and call many of our neighbours lifelong friends.

We are blessed to live in such a beautiful and historic part of our country, with stunning natural environments in places like Chasewater, Admaston, and along the Trent; with amazing architecture in the historic centre of Lichfield and in many of our villages; with the amazing people and communities that call Lichfield, Burntwood and our villages home, and who truly make our constituency all that it is.

Over the last 14 years, though, we have all seen our local area be let down by successive Conservative governments. The closure of local doctors’ surgeries, police stations and community venues; the lack of investment in our schools and our economy; the absence of any action on sewage spills in our waterways; a total failure to respect and support our high streets; and the worst cost of living crisis in living memory.

But it doesn’t have to be this way, we can rebuild and renew the infrastructure we rely on and the bonds between our community. That’s why I’m proud to be standing on a Labour Party platform offering a decade of national renewal, and for a mission led government that will change Britain for the better.

Together, on 4th July, we can turn a page on the inaction, sleaze and crisis of the last decade and half, we can vote for change which will get the NHS back on its feet, support our high streets and properly value our natural environment. On 4th July we will all have the power to vote for change and for a brighter, more hopeful future.

Promoted by Colin Ball on behalf of the Labour Party Lichfield constituency, care of 10 Vale Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LJ

Labour Opposition at Lichfield District Council Reviews Its First 100 Days

Labour Opposition at Lichfield District Council Reviews Its First 100 Days – and Plans for Future

Labour Opposition councillors at Lichfield District hailed their recent Away Day a success and a clear signal that Labour is making real changes at the Council. After the 100 Days marker since the elections, Labour now seeks to build on the changes they’ve brought about so far 

The session was held at Chasewater Innovation Centre and Labour Group Chair, Cllr Colin Ball, said:

“I came away from our session feeling really buoyed up, not just by the work we have done so far but, given the depth and breadth of the skills and knowledge of our members, the potential we have to make a real difference to the lives of local residents. There was a great deal of enthusiasm in the room and a clear consensus about our strategies in the months ahead. If any of the Conservatives haven’t yet realised that things have changed at the Council, and will continue to change, they need to wake up very quickly.”

Principal Opposition Leader, Cllr Sue Woodward, said:

“I’m certainly proud to lead the Labour Opposition and we have notched up some real successes in our first 100 Days. We have a very capable and committed Shadow Cabinet, which has been recognised by the Council Leadership.  Labour members have been active in scrutinising proposals by the Cabinet including volunteering for Task Groups that are able to scrutinise in detail proposals on Pedestrianisation, the new Leisure Centre, Climate Change and the City Centre Masterplan.

We have taken through our Food Insecurity motion with unanimous support and will now be making progress on mapping sources of help and bringing together a partnership of organisations supporting food injustice. Whether it is Full Council meetings, Committee Meetings or briefings and training sessions, Labour members, new and old, are far more engaged than Conservative backbench members and it’s great to be able to lead such an effective team.  

There’s a lot more to be done though. The culture of the organisation is changing and we want to work with all parties to achieve a better council but too many still think of Lichfield District Council as it was previously, an almost one-party state. With additional members now, we are certainly making our presence felt.”

Following May’s local elections, Labour now holds 17 seats and the Conservatives hold 23. With the Lib Dems holding 7 seats, the Conservatives are the biggest political Group but no longer have an overall majority.

Call for Equality Training for Lichfield District Councillors “As Soon As Possible”

With the publication of Lichfield District Council’s Equality & Diversity statistics, Our workforce equality, diversity and inclusion data.pdf, the Leader of the Principal Opposition Labour Group has called for greater awareness of equality impacts for Council members. 

Cllr Sue Woodward has welcomed the Council’s commitment to addressing Equality and Diversity issues across its workforce but says more needs to be done to ensure members are fully aware of the implications of their decisions.

The report states that in December 2022, the Council employed 315 people, of which 129 were female (41% compared to 51% of residents in
the district) and 186 were male (59% compared to 49% of residents in the district). Just over 3% of our of the Council’s employees were from black and other ethnic backgrounds (compared to 5% of the district) and of those staff who provided the information 2.7% stated they had a disability (compared to 18% of

residents living in the district).

Cllr Woodward said:

“In terms of the Council workforce, progress is being made to ensure that it reflects the Lichfield District communities that it serves and I welcome this but more still needs to be done on the recruitment of women, black and ethnic minority officers and officers with disabilities. We must not allow the needs of these groups to be overlooked.

Of more concern to me is that the membership of the Council, the elected councillors, is far less diverse than our communities. This makes it all the more important for councillors to be aware of impacts on the under-represented groups in our communities and in our workforce when we are making decisions. 

I’ve seen far too many examples of inappropriate behaviour and language since the elections. The bias may be unconscious, or not, but it can not be ignored. 

I’ve therefore called on the Leader and Chief Executive to ensure that Equality & Diversity training for councillors will be organised as soon as possible, that it should be made compulsory for all members and that direct advice should be given to members who are felt to have crossed certain lines.  I’ve had positive responses from the Council Leader and Chief Executive but now want this to happen as soon as possible.”

Back to School Bank

The Mayor of Lichfield is ditching an outdated civic event in favour of supporting a project helping families struggling with the cost of school uniforms and equipment.

Cllr Ann Hughes confirmed she would replace the ‘Mayoress at home’ afternoon tea event. Instead, she will host the Mayor’s School Uniform Bank session at the Guildhall from 2pm to 4pm on 25th August.

The child-friendly session will offer free refreshments and a chance to pick up pre-loved uniform and educational equipment to help those struggling with cost of living challenges ahead of the new year.

Cllr Hughes said:

“This event replaces the very traditional Mayoress at Home tea party, with its echoes of a world long gone. Uniform exchanges offer vital help at a time of severe financial pressure for families. They also contribute to saving the environment by avoiding clothes waste. We all know that children grow faster than clothes wear out, and it’s good to share rather than throw away.”

Further collection events will be held on dates to be confirmed at Life Church and Boley Park Community Centre.

Cllr Hughes said: “The uniform exchange worked well last year and we want it to take place on a larger scale, promoted by myself as Mayor with the support of Lichfield City Council. Clean, good quality items of school uniform, branded items from all city schools as well as generally useful trousers, skirts, jumpers and PE kits etc can be donated at the city council offices in Donegal House, or at Tesco Extra, Morrisons, St Chad’s Church and the Life Church at Netherstowe. We particularly need secondary school blazers and stationery items are also useful.”

City Council Establishes Climate Change and Biodiversity Committee

Lichfield City Council established a Climate Change and Biodiversity Committee at its meeting of 24 July.

The Committee, an initiative of the controlling Labour Group, received cross-party support when discussed at the Council meeting. Councillor Rosemary Harvey-Coggins, the Council’s Deputy Leader, proposed the creation of the Committee and was elected as Chair. The Committee also includes members from the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties.

Cllr Harvey Coggins said:

The continued burning of fossil fuels, intensively farming livestock, and deforestation are major contributing factors to the earth’s temperature rising, adding enormous amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

The effects of this are most devastating to those already marginalised by society. Women constitute 70% of the world’s poor and are more likely to look for income from industries that will be most affected by climate change, for example agriculture. And it is worth noting that in this crisis, forms of inequality work together. Black, migrant, old and disabled people will be disproportionally affected.

But there is hope. We are not at the point of no return. A change can be made by aiming towards net zero carbon emissions, by moving from a reliance on coal, oil and gas to renewable energy, and by increasing biodiversity to protect the landscape.

The establishment of the Committee was seconded by the Leader of the City Council, Councillor Dave Robertson.

“It’s almost four years since the City Council declared a climate emergency but that was followed by very little real action to try and reduce carbon emissions across our city. I’m really proud that, after the change in control in May, the council has set up this committee to bring forward ideas about how we can make a difference on one of the biggest issues facing our community”

When asked about the impact that a parish council committee could have to what is a worldwide problem, Cllr Harvey Coggins said:

The City Council is not too small to make a difference, there are several groups operating locally who are very small, but their impacts are significant. We wish to work with those groups and add to their efforts with our own. In turn, acting locally and including some of those most marginalised, will encourage others to act on their own initiative or contribute to the efforts of this Committee. The greatest threat to our climate is the belief that someone else will solve the crisis.

Notes:

The Committee consists of six councillors, four from the controlling Labour Group (Cllrs R Harvey Coggins (Chair), E Strain (Vice Chair), J Blackman and A Hughes (Mayor). The minority group members are Cllr A Rushton (Liberal Democrat) and A Lax (Conservative).

The committee aims to examine how the council can reduce its own impact on the environment, identify further ways of supporting biodiversity across the City and, working together with other councils and local groups, lead the behavioural changes needed to preserve the environment.

ALLOCATION OF RESERVES TO SUPPORT SUMMER PROJECTS

Lichfield City Council is allocating £10,000 of its Grants Reserve towards provision of summer activities for children and families.

In light of the cost-of-living crisis it is hoped that such grant provision will facilitate and expand events providing parents and families with an increased choice of free and low-cost activities during the school summer holidays.

Councillor Colin Ball, Chair of the City Council’s Grants Advisory Committee said.

“We know that there have been cutbacks across the board in services for children and young people over the past few years. This is an opportunity for the City Council to support children and families over the summer – a chance to see families having fun in these difficult times.”

Dave Robertson, Leader of Lichfield City Council said “”The cost-of-living crisis continues to make life difficult for families across the City. As the school holidays arrive, we know that many household budgets will be even further stretched and so we’re eager to work with partners across Lichfield to provide activities for young people this summer by freeing up this funding to help things happen.”  

Applicants can apply for a maximum of £2,000. However , consideration will be given to requests for higher amounts from community organisations who are seeking to provide additional staffing resources to support a co – ordinated effort with other partner organisations or authorities. Anyone interested should request an application form by emailing administration@lichfield.gov.uk. Or collect from the City Council Offices, Donegal House, Bore Street. Lichfield WS13 6LU

Labour Members Welcome Publication of City Centre Animation

Members of the Labour Opposition Group at Lichfield District Council have welcomed the release of an animation showing plans for the Lichfield City Centre Redevelopment Scheme which have been under wraps for many months. 

Since the elections in May, Labour councillors have been briefed in confidence on the overall strategy for the long-awaited plans for the former Friarsgate site and the wider City Centre but called for the “full public disclosure and explanation” a month ago, They are pleased that at last this has happened.

Cllr Colin Ball, who has chaired a Task Group on the City Centre Redevelopment Plans for several years, said:

“I welcome this step forward so that all of the council members and the public can see how the parts of the scheme fit together. It’s understandable that a lot of the plans have had to be confidential due to commercial sensitivities but the public we represent need to have the same overview. I’m pleased that the Council Leadership has now accepted what we, as Opposition members, have been calling for.”

Labour Group Leader, Cllr Sue Woodward, said:

“We are certainly supportive of the overall vision, which has been a very long time coming. This doesn’t mean that we are offering a blank cheque and will continue to challenge the Leadership as the plans progress but this is a really positive sign of progress.”

She added:

“Cllr Pullen’s comments at last week’s council meeting that our call for full exposition were ‘frustrating’ as Labour members had been briefed on the plans were a bit disingenuous. All of the briefings we’ve had have been in confidence, and we have honoured this confidentiality while also calling for the plans to be made public as soon as possible. He can’t have it both ways.”

Councillors create new “food security champion” to help tackle hunger in Lichfield.

After a letter was sent to all candidates by Lichfield Foodbank during the local elections calling on all levels of government to deliver an action plan on the issue, the Labour group at Lichfield District Council has now submitted a motion for members to take the first steps on that path.

Cllr Sue Woodward, who leads the principal minority group, said:

“The cost of living crisis has hit every household in Lichfield district, none more so than those who are struggling to meet their food bills. The work by food banks and other voluntary organisations is so very important and is to be commended – but we all hope that food poverty will soon be a thing of the past. The motion we are putting to council is a first step along this path.”

The motion proposed four key actions:

  • Appoint a Food Justice Champion who will lead at Lichfield District Council on tackling food poverty locally
  • Map and promote sources of assistance across the district,
  • Set up and support a food partnership to bring together partners with a mutual interest in addressing food insecurity.
  • Develop an action plan to address food insecurity across the district.

 Cllr Woodward said:

“I don’t doubt that candidates were supportive of the principles behind the Lichfield Foodbank letter, but now we need practical steps put in place. We also need to bring together all of the organisations working on food injustice and to see councillors driving this forward. At present, someone in need may not know where to go and I’ve learnt a lot over the past few weeks about just how many volunteer groups are out there offering help. I hope this motion will receive cross-party and public support and that we can make some real progress across the whole district.”

The motion was unanimously supported at meeting of the council on 11th July.

Labour say that the demolition of the multistorey provide a chance to solve some of the issue caused by pedestrianisation.

Pic: Google Streeview – The Birmingham Road multi-storey car park.

Lichfield District Council has proposed demolishing the multistorey to get the redevelopment to finally restart the Friarsgate project which fell apart in 2018. The council is also planning for a “meanwhile use” for the land once the demolition has taken place which would see the area freed up used as an outdoor theatre and cinema, in addition to food and retail stalls.

But Cllr Colin Ball and Cllr Dave Robertson warned that the cabinet risked missing a chance to solve some of the issues caused by pedestrianisation by not seeing the car park as part of the wider City Centre.

Cllr Dave Robertson, deputy leader of the Labour Group, said “Just because the site is part of the Friarsgate area doesn’t mean you can forget everything else. We needed a plan for the car park, but we should really be using this space to fix some of the problems that the council has caused with their bungled implementation of pedestrianisation. There’s a chance here to create some disabled parking spaces and to find a way to connect them to the new cinema and the Three Spires shopping centre. The ‘meanwhile use’ suggested by the council seems to be a plan to create another market square 250 yards way from the one we already have.”

Cllr Colin Ball, shadow cabinet member for A Great Place to Live, said that while it was good to see progress on the redevelopment, the council could not afford to focus solely on that scheme. “I am very glad that something is finally happening with the redevelopment of the city centre and particularly with the car park – we’ve already waited too long for the development to happen and this will hopefully bring it forward faster. But that alone isn’t good enough. Why not think about different parts of the city centre can support each other and think about how some blue badge bays here would benefit the businesses at that end of Lichfield?”

Opposition Call For Lichfield District Council to Share “Friarsgate” Plans With Public

The long-running saga of the plans for Friarsgate, impacting the whole of Lichfield City Centre, now needs full public disclosure and explanation, says the Principal Opposition Group at Lichfield District Council. 

Labour councillors are calling upon the leadership at the Council to share the overall plan for the now-renamed Birmingham Road Site and associated proposals such as the cinema plans for the former Debenhams store. 

Labour Opposition Leader at the Council, Cllr Sue Woodward, said:

“At present, we are getting only piecemeal information about what is being proposed, some confidential and some not, and it’s time now for all District councillors and, more importantly, the public we represent to be given a clear overview of how the various pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together. I have now written formally to the Council Leader and Chief Executive to ask that this happens as soon as possible for the sake of transparency and accountability.”

Cllr Dave Robertson, Deputy Opposition Leader and City Councillor said:

“We’ve all already waited far too long for this development to come forward. It’s almost 20 years since the Council first discussed this and the public deserve to see the plans for our City. After the bungled pedestrianisation of the Market Square this plan must include adequate car parking for people with disabilities. I have already put forward some suggestions for a more appropriate ‘meanwhile use’ which I hope will bear fruit.”

Cllr Colin Ball has been chairing a task group on proposals for the Birmingham Road Site and the wider city centre strategy for several years. He said:

“I’m certainly pleased to see things moving forward as a lot of time and effort has been put in behind the scenes on the best ways forward. I certainly want to see full disclosure now. This doesn’t mean a free pass for the LDC leadership. In fact, I have certain red lines that I have shared with them around infrastructure and appropriate housing but it’s time for the overall plans to be made public.”

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