Labour Party Lichfield, Burntwood & The Villages

Category: Lichfield

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The Mayor of Lichfield is ditching an outdated civic event in favour of supporting a project helping families struggling with the cost of school uniforms and equipment.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 [email protected]. Or collect from the City Council Offices, Donegal House, Bore Street. Lichfield WS13 6LU

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.”

Labour Leader at Lichfield District Council Introduces Front-Bench Team

Following recent elections which saw the Labour Party increase their number of councillors by seven, the Leader of the Labour Group at Lichfield District Council has announced her Shadow Cabinet.

Cllr Sue Woodward said:

“There is a real opportunity now for Labour councillors to influence decision-making far more than has been possible in the past 24 years and we want to make sure that the communities we represent are listened to as well.

There is amazing strength and depth of skills and experience across the Labour Group. I’m proud to lead such a capable and committed Group.”

Along with Deputy Leader, Cllr Dave Robertson, the Labour front bench will lead on the themes of their Labour 2023 manifesto as follows:

  • A Fair & Prosperous District – Cllr Darren Ennis
  • A Greener District – Cllr Paul Taylor
  • A Safer District – Cllr Di Evans
  • A Healthier District – Cllr Claire Booker
  • Place-making across the District  – Cllr Colin Ball

Cllr Woodward added:

“We are waiting to hear the final details of Conservative Cabinet appointments but, rather than shadowing an individual portfolio holder, we are intending to take a more thematic, cross-cutting approach to services and decision-making across the Council as a whole.

“Many opportunities ahead”, Says Labour Group Leader in Response to Lib Dems

Responding to a statement by Lib Dem Group Leader at Lichfield District Council, the Leader of the largest Opposition Labour Group Cllr Sue Woodward said:

“I think Cllr Ray has proved my point for me. 

Let me explain this really clearly and simply to him and to others accusing me and my Labour Group of missing an opportunity to seize control, of staying on the side-lines or of some sort of moral cowardice.

The electorate in Lichfield District have voted for change, the sort of change I‘ve longed for in the 24 years that Labour has been in opposition here.  No longer do the Conservatives have a majority of 21 as they did at the last election; they have no overall majority at all. This opens up many opportunities ahead for other voices to be heard especially the voices of residents who have not been listened to in the past.

However, the reality is that Lichfield District electors, in spite of what a Conservative Government have thrown at them, still voted for more Conservatives councillors than Labour or Lib Dem councillors: 23 Conservatives, 17 Labour and 7 Lib Dems. I may not like it, I certainly wish it had been different but that is the reality.

If we had gone into some sort of pact, that would have given a majority of one for a Labour/Lib Dem administration. That would mean that every single Labour and Lib Dem councillor would have to attend every single meeting of the Council to take decisions forward – and electors should take a look at the attendance records up to now of some of the key people in this debate.

That would lead to instability and uncertainty and a lack of progress on subjects which electors have been crying out for –  leisure facilities in Lichfield, the promised cinema, action on the pile of rubble that is Friarsgate but also on real investment in my town of Burntwood, in Fazeley and in the rural villages which all appear to be invisible to the Lib Dem Group.

I firmly believe that there are many more opportunities now for all voices to be heard and that is what I am hearing from the current Conservative leadership. If Labour and the Lib Dems don’t like a proposal from the Conservatives or they don’t come up with a budget that spreads the Council’s resources more fairly, then we can vote against it. At last, it gives a look-in to long-neglected areas and issues such as climate change.

This is a time for cool, calm heads and a focus on residents’ priorities rather than what might seem on the surface to be quick and easy fixes. Cllr Ray and his colleagues need to compose themselves, think this through in a far less heated way and remember that Labour will keep this constantly under review, not just in a knee-jerk less than a week after the elections but for the four years ahead.”

Focus on best outcomes for LDC residents, not political stirch-ups – Opposition Leader on Talk of Pacts

Responding to questions about whether a pact with the Lib Dem to take over control of Lichfield District Council was being considered , the newly-elected Leader of the Labour Group Cllr Sue Woodward has said

“First of all, I want to say many thanks to the electors of Chase Terrace who put their faith in me and Steve to represent them for the next four years. We will not let you down.

Having been elected as my Labour Group’s Leader on Saturday, I made it clear to my colleagues that I want us all to focus on getting the best outcomes for our residents and not political stitch-ups behind closed doors. People have had enough of ding-dong politics and I want to cooperate with the majority Group at the Council as far as possible, as well as the Lib Dems, in focusing all our efforts on making the best possible decisions on behalf of our communities.  It’s time for grown-up politics now.

If anyone thinks that I’ve gone soft on the Conservatives, they can think again. I will challenge them every step of the way. Over the 24 years that they have been in control, they have made many half-promises about supporting some of Labour’s local priorities which were not honoured. That cannot and will not be the case anymore – they will have to get support from outside their group at council meetings.”

Outgoing Opposition Leader, Cllr Steve Norman, said:

“Sue has one of the sharpest political brains and is the most hardworking, caring and co-operative councillor I know.  ‘So what attracted you to the hardworking Labour activist Sue Woodward?’ Mrs Merton could have asked me in 1994.

If we want a ‘Better Council’ then we should see if this approach works for 12 months, I hope and believe it will, but it will take all members of all three parties to play their part.” 

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