Chorlton Surestart

Last Tuesday I attended a Fun Day at Chorlton Library to mark the launch of Chorlton Sure Start. Many parents and young children enjoyed face painting, balloon models, story time, a visit from the fire engine and much more.

Chorlton Sure Start is based in Chorlton Library and offers support to soon-to-be first time parents as well as parents and carers of children 0-5 years. A range of activities are on offer including:
Parent education classes
Stay and play activities
Baby massage
Advice on weaning
Childminders’ support group.
For more information contact Chorlton Library 881 3179

It is great that there is so much on offer for parents and carers thanks to the Labour Council and former Labour Government. The Lib Dem-Conservative coalition has stated that Sure Start should only be for the most needy families so how long will Chorlton parents have this excellent service?

School visits

As well as being a councillor for Chorlton ward I am the executive member for Children’s Services and I have the lead responsibility for education and schools in the city. As a result I spend a lot of time visiting schools throughout Manchester. Manchester’s schools face many challenges but many schools are doing excellent work and I hope the successes of the best schools can be spread to others.

Last Monday I visited the Willows Primary School in Wythenshawe. This excellent primary school has managed to achieve outstanding in two OFSTEDs despite being in one of the most deprived areas of the city

The following day I visited St Peter’s RC High School in Gorton. This high school has also achieved outstanding in its OFSTED at the end of last year and in the last two years has had a massive improvement in the number of pupils achieving 5 A*-Cs including English and maths. They have done this by focusing on the basics, and providing one to one tuition, as well as using new approaches such as gardening therapy.

On Thursday I attended a ceremony to mark a significant stage in the re building of Acacias Primary School and extension and refurbishment of Levenshulme High School for Girls. This is a very innovative £23.7m project. It brings together the work of the Building Schools for the Future programme which is rebuilding or refurbishing all Manchester’s secondary schools with the primary school rebuilding programme. The two schools will share a site and have some shared facilities.

Chorlton Arts Festival

It’s been a great week in Chorlton as the 10th Chorlton Arts Festival was in full swing. The Festival has grown each year and always brings something new. This year the festival hub and radio station based in the precinct created extra interest.

The launch event on Saturday 22nd had everything for a perfect day out – great music, good food and fabulous weather. On Thursday I attended an event at Chorlton C of E School with the choir singing and lovely art displays. It’s great that all the Chorlton schools got involved. Some of the pupils’ art work was on display in various cafes around Chorlton.

Thanks to all the performers, artists and volunteers that make the Festival such a success.

Metrolink Comes to Chorlton

Yesterday I went to view the laying of the track for the Metrolink line to Chorlton. I was able to get on to the track and see the work at first hand. Work is progressing very well and everything seems to be on schedule. Trial runs will begin later this year and trams will be running with passengers by next spring.

The Metrolink line will be a great asset for Chorlton and provide fast, regular links to the city centre and Salford Quays taking thousands of cars off the road. The funding for this line was provided by the Labour government and supported by Manchester Labour Council. Let’s hope that the Con- Dem government cuts don’t prevent future extensions of the Metrolink to Didsbury and Wythenshawe.

Message from Labour Councillor Sheila Newman

These last weeks and months have been dominated by the general and local election campaigns, the result and subsequent forming of a government. Labour’s theme of 'Vote Lib Dem get Tory' has certainly come true! Many Chorlton residents have told me they feel let down as they voted to keep out the Tories not to let them in by the back door.

Labour did very well in Manchester increasing our vote in many wards and maintaining our majority on the City Council. Thanks to all of you who voted Labour. Unfortunately we didn’t hold Chorlton ward but our candidate, Amina Lone, had a very good vote despite being unfairly maligned by the Liberal Democrats. Amina was described as “employment unknown.” In fact she has a record of over 18 years work with community groups and works to support lone parents, minority ethnic residents and other marginalised groups.

As the remaining Labour councillor for Chorlton I will be continuing to represent my constituents and provide a strong voice for Chorlton on the Labour Council. I intend to regularly update this blog with my activities and views on issues in Chorlton. If you wish to raise any issues with me you can contact me by email - cllr.s.newman@manchester.gov.uk, by telephone on 881 9641 or by attending my advice bureau held every Saturday morning at 10.30am in Chorlton Library.

CHORLTON MEADOWS SAVED!!

Chorlton Residents and local campaigners were celebrating victory last week after the Labour Council’s Planning Committee REJECTED the application to build an “all weather” football pitch on the much loved Chorlton Meadows.

After it was clear that the Labour dominated Planning Committee would reject the plans the football club withdrew the application.

Lucy Powell, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate, said, “I am delighted that people power has won the day and this inappropriate development has been rejected. It shows politicians listen to local people.”

Chorlton Labour Campaigner Amina Lone (pictured) said, “The local Labour Party has been opposed to these proposed plans from the start. We were pleased to work with local residents and ensure their voice was heard loud and clear by the Committee and politicians.”

“The Chorlton Labour Team has a proud history of fighting against inappropriate local developments. If the football club decide to resubmit new, scaled-down plans we will work with local residents to decide the best course of action to take. “

Sheila Wins in Chorlton

In the Manchester City Council elections held on 1 May, I was re-elected Councillor for Chorlton with a majority of 259 votes. My 2,126 votes was the highest vote in Manchester.

I am a Labour councillor and I was the Labour candidate. Considering the national situation and that Chorlton was the most marginal Council seat in Manchester, Chorlton was a brilliant result. I couldn't have done it without the help and support of Chorlton Labour Party, Withington Consituency Labour Party, Manchester City Labour Party and many Labour Councillors. We ran an excellent campaign and coped with all that was thrown at us by the Liberal Democrat machine. Chorlton residents were not fooled by the deluge of Lib Dem leaflets. The result really puts Labour in a strong position for the general election challenge.

However, in addition to committed Labour activists, I was touched by the active help I received from many other Chorlton residents who told me that they supported me because of my record as a Chorlton Councillor over the past nine years.

As I promised in the campaign, I will be a Strong Voice for Chorlton at the heart of Manchester's Labour Council and I will Stand up for the Unique Character of Chorlton.

Best regards

Sheila

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.”