Sheila wins Plastic & Cardboard Kerbside Recycling for Chorlton

Following pressure from Chorlton Councillor Sheila Newman, Council Leader Sir Richard Leese has pledged that kerbside plastic and cardboard recycling will be available by the end of the year in Chorlton.

Sheila said: "I met with the Leader of the Council, Richard Leese, to talk to him about residents demands in Chorlton for more and better recycling facilities. Our Labour Council has listened and as a result we now have a commitment to provide kerbside cardboard and plastic recycling in Chorlton by the end of the year."

Free swimming for the over 60s

Councillor Sheila Newman welcomes the news that all over 60s in Manchester will be eligible for free swimming in Manchester's pools.

Manchester is the first city in England to offer such a comprehensive package for the over 60s. The overall aim of the Manchester scheme is to increase the number of people over 60 in the city who swim regularly as part of the Healthy Ageing Strategy.

The scheme will start on 1 June 2008 and run initially for one year and will include access to all Manchester pools including Chorlton Leisure Centre, the Aquatics Centre and the Forum. A full assessment of the impact of the scheme will be undertaken.

Sheila says "This is a great initiative as it will allow over 60s to enjoy socialising and keep fit at the same time."

100 Days Campaign

An excellent event was organised in Chorlton as part of the City Council's 100 Days Campaign. Plastic bags were threaded onto a washing line and each bag displayed a fact about the environmental damage caused by plastic bags: for instance, 13 billion bags are used in the UK each year. Residents and shoppers were asked to sign a pledge saying they would reduce their use of plastic bags. If 1,000 residents sign the pledge the Council will do some extra planting in Chorlton.



Businesses were also asked to display the petition and sign up to the Council's Environmental Business Pledge. One of the main aims of this year's 100 days campaign is to make residents and businesses think about the environmental impact of their actions. Clean-ups are also part of the 100 Days but that doesn't mean this is the only time Chorlton or Manchester are cleaned. Graffiti removal and rubbish clearance happen all year round.



In the Council's recent budget we committed an extra £1million for the next three years to improve waste collection and expand recycling. I know that many Chorlton residents want to see kerbside recycling for cardboard and plastics and I have been calling for this. The Council will be consulting residents to see how we can best improve our recycling services and recycle more. If you have any views, you can call the Freephone number 0800 995 1911 with your ideas.

Market Success For Chorlton

Councillor Sheila Newman has arranged for a French market to come to Chorlton in June and September. The Brittany based market will sell bread, cheese, sausages and non-food items like soap and bath oils. The market will be sited on Manchester Road in front of the library. Assuming the market proves successful, this will be the start of regular markets in Chorlton.

Sheila says "Many Chorlton residents have wanted to see a market in the area for some time. I am delighted that these popular markets are coming to Chorlton. I am sure they will be a success and complement the great selection of independent shops we already have."

Legal Imprint

As I am the Labour Candidate for Chorlton in the upcoming Manchester City Council elections, I am required by law to record the following statement on my blog.

All entries on this blog are made in a strictly personal capacity. However, during election periods, where a post relates to campaigning, please consider the following "imprint".

This post is promoted by T. Grimshaw, 22 South Drive M21 8DY on behalf of S Newman, 234 Ryebank Road M21 9LU .

Plastic Bag Free Zone - Chorlton Leads the Way

I have successfully lobbied the Council to have Chorlton made a pilot for a “plastic bag free zone”. The Council are working with local businesses to promote reusable bags and have held a competition asking residents to design a Chorlton bag for life. Residents are being asked to pledge not to use plastic bags.

I am also campaigning to have kerbside recycling extended to include cardboard and plastics.

Here I am with Councillor Val Stevens and Glenys from Beech Road's popular shop, Creative Recycling.

International Development Minister Visits Chorlton

I know that people in Chorlton are concerned about Fair Trade, Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Labour's Parliamentary candidate for Withington, Lucy Powell, and I invited Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for International Development, to Chorlton to talk to local residents, faith and community groups about these important issues.

Over 50 residents attended a thought provoking discussion with Douglas, who impressed with his obvious knowledge and commitment. The picture shows Douglas at the event with Lucy, Councillor Afzal Khan and me.

Pedestrian Safety is a Top Priority

Manchester’s Labour Council has a policy of putting pedestrians first, then cyclists and users of public transport, followed by car users. To achieve this we have seen a significant increase in pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures and traffic islands in Chorlton in recent years.

The speed bumps and junction platforms on Oswald Road have recently been resurfaced to make them safer and more visible for motorists. Part of Oswald Road and Longford Road will soon become a 20 mph zone as they are near both Oswald Road and St John’s primary schools. This follows the creation of 20 mph zones near Chorlton High School and Chorlton C of E Primary Schools. All schools are encouraged to develop school travel plans to promote walking and cycling to school.

Councillor Sheila Newman says “As a local resident, parent and school governor I am very concerned about road safety, especially for parents taking their children to school. I want to see 20 mph zones near all schools and eventually in all residential roads in Chorlton.”

Progress on Alley Gating

Several alley gating schemes in Chorlton have now been completed including Nicolas/Newport Roads, Cheltenham/Kensington Roads, Attercliffe Road, Albermarle Road/Gresford Close and Reynard/Reeves Roads. Other schemes are in the pipeline.

There had been delays with some of the schemes as it was a legal requirement to get 100% support from residents before a scheme could go ahead. Recent changes to the law mean it is now possible for a scheme to go ahead where the overwhelming majority of residents are in favour. The police support alley gating schemes as they are shown to have a positive impact on reducing crime in the area.

Christmas event on Chorlton Green

I would like to thank everyone who helped organise the community event on Chorlton Green on Sunday 9th December. The event was organised by the Friends of Chorlton Green Group, and Council officers from ward co-ordination, environment and events teams all assisted, along with Police Community Support Officers and the Community Network. Residents, officers and councillors swept leaves, planted bulbs, made Christmas decorations, sang carols and enjoyed refreshments. The Christmas Tree which was funded by a Council CASH grant lit up the proceedings. Hopefully this will now become another successful annual event in Chorlton.

Speaking Up for Ryebank Fields

Chorlton Labour Councillor Sheila Newman, continues to support local efforts to turn Ryebank Playing Fields into a Village Green.

The campaign to bring Ryebank Fields into community use, and to stop them being developed on, is gathering pace as we near decision time. Most local residents want the authorities to give the scheme the go ahead and to stop any development on this unique piece of land.

Sheila attended the formal inquiry on 26 November and gave evidence in support.

Sheila said:

“Ryebank Fields is a valued green space in Chorlton and we want to keep it that way. It benefits the area to have the space open to the local community. That’s why we’re doing all we can to support the campaign.”

Council Says No to Tesco

Local Councillor Sheila Newman, Labour's Lucy Powell and Chorlton residents celebrated on Thursday, 22 November after the Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to reject the planned Tesco Express on Manchester Road.

Labour’s Sheila Newman said:

“I’m absolutely delighted with the decision taken by the council committee. I have been working with local people and local shops to make a strong case against the proposed Tesco and I’m really pleased that the joint efforts of the community have paid off.”

Speaking to the Planning Committee before the vote, Sheila said

“Chorlton has a thriving local economy with a wide variety of independent shops. This is what makes Chorlton such a unique place. A supermarket in this area could jeopardise their viability and that’s why I and so many local people are opposed to this development.”

Over 50 local residents attended a site visit by the Planning Committee to the proposed site. This took place before the meeting, in response to a strong request by Sheila. The Committee received nearly 200 letters of objections from local people, an unprecedented number of objections.

Call For a Moratorium on Bars in Chorlton

With 22 bars opening in Chorlton in the last few years, Chorlton Councillor Sheila Newman has called for a moratorium on bars there.

Sheila said “Chorlton has an amazing array of exciting and innovative businesses. I particularly welcome the large number of independent businesses in Chorlton, which contribute so much to its unique retail offer.

"However, many residents have complained to me recently about the increasing number of licensed bars opening in the area. Whilst some bars are welcome, too many can tip the balance of an area and make it less attractive to residents and the general shopper.”

The Council's Employment and Skills Scrutiny Committee met in Withington recently and one of the items they considered was the South Manchester Regeneration Framework report, which lays out ideas for the development of South Manchester over the next 10 to 15 years.

The report suggests that a bespoke plan should be drawn up for the Chorlton District centre. Sheila commented “I very much welcome this but have called for a moratorium on any new licensed bars until these plans are drawn up. Chorlton should remain a vibrant retail centre but to achieve this we have to plan for the future, encourage investment and ensure a balanced retail offer. Let's put bars on hold until we decide what the area needs.”

Make Chorlton a Plastic Bag Free Zone

Councillor Sheila Newman is launching a campaign to make Chorlton a plastic bag free zone. A number of traders in Chorlton already use paper bags and supply re-usable bags to customers. She applauds the recent initiative of the ‘Little Green Bag’ - a unique and ambitious joint venture between Manchester City Council, a major retailer, and the fashion buying students of Manchester Metropolitan University - in a bid to make shopping an altogether more green experience.

Sheila says,

“This is an issue that has been raised with me many times and customers in Chorlton are ahead of the game. A number of independent traders already offer alternatives. There is a growing problem with plastic bags and their impact on the environment. I want to encourage all the retailers in Chorlton to offer re-usable bags.”

Cleaner, Greener, Safer Chorlton

Chorlton Labour Councillors Sheila Newman and Val Stevens work all year round with residents, council officers and the police to create a cleaner, greener, safer Chorlton

On the 14th May a Beatsweep was held in the Keppel Road area. This involved Council officers and the police cleaning up the area and giving crime prevention advice to residents.

During this Beatsweep the following took place:-

16 instances of graffiti removed
6 Parking tickets issued
3 Untaxed vehicles removed
20 poop scoops handed out
1.5 tonnes of rubbish removed from passageways
400+ properties leafleted with crime safety advice

Councillor Sheila Newman said “It was great to see the Council and the police working together to improve the environment and reduce crime. Many residents have told me how pleased they were with the work done on that day.”

On 22nd June another BEATSWEEP took place the CHORLTON GREEN AREA with police and council officers working together to reduce crime and clean up the environment. The Youth Service Youth Bus was also in the area to inform young people about positive activities they can take part in.

Alleygating schemes are now progressing on Cheltenham, Reynard, Nicolas and Newport Roads. There were delays with these schemes because of the need to get 100% consent from residents. The law has now changed and these schemes are progressing well. Alley gating schemes are supported by the police as they help to reduce crime in an area.