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The ward councillors have determined the priorities for the next two years for our ward. It will be interesting to see how these are developed into actions that will help local residents.

Following consideration of statistics, consultation and input from local service providers your Councillors for the Gleadless Valley ward have identified four priorities that we fill focus on in partnership with local service deliverers, community organisations and local businesses.

1. Financial Inclusion

• Initiate awareness campaigns to support residents with the impact of the Welfare Reforms
• Ensure there is good access to advice services Promote and improve access to Sheffield Credit Union
• Improve digital literacy skills and access to on-line services in the more deprived areas of the ward

2. Employment & Skills

• Improve access to citywide skills and apprenticeship opportunities for young people not in employment, education and training

3. Reducing Health Inequality

• Ensure there is a range of activities available for children and young people in the more deprived areas of the ward
• Make better use of existing facilities – such as schools – to extend the range of recreational opportunities in the Gleadless Valley neighbourhood
• Develop arrangements for local engagement with general practitioners and other health professions to tackle health inequalities

4. Social Cohesion

• Support the sustainability of local community organisations
• Tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour

Transport planners presented the Council with a plan to improve bus services in the Gleadless Valley. Included in the scheme were

• A new crossing at the top of Blackstock Road near Constable Road
•  A new crossing on Gleadless Road by Newfield Green shops
• A bus lane on Blackstock Road to get buses to the front of the queue at Newfield Green
•  A parking bay on Richards Road to stop cars blocking buses
• A bus lane on Prospect Road and improved junction with Myrtle Road

Many residents were staggered at the extent of the work which would save just a few minutes on each bus journey. There were protests on Blackstock Road where a rare holm oak tree was threatened.
But the biggest protest is against the bus lane on Prospect Road which will mean the loss of 129 trees along the boundary of Heeley City Farm. A protest meeting held on 17th Feb attracted over 70 people and the ‘S2 & S8 Residents Action Group’ has been formed to try to stall these plans. See the facebook group “SAVE THE HEELEY TREES!” for more information, or sign the petition at chn.ge/19tbpBC.
The problem for the council is that the hugely popular crossing on Blackstock Road will be held up waiting for the decision to made on the whole scheme. Local Lib Dem campaigner Phil Shaddock said “The Council is now faced with a dilemma. Force the changes through causing ongoing protests about the loss of trees, or further delay the introduction of a much needed crossing which has been a high priority with local residents for years. Earlier consultations with people affected might have avoided these problems.”
Questions were also asked in Council about the lack of consultation over the proposal for one-way traffic on Albert Road which will cause much more traffic on Thirlwell and Plantation Roads.

Around 25 local residents attended a public meeting last night where Cllr Mazher Iqbal outlined the proposed changes to the library service. There will be 11 core libraries, remaining open and fully staffed, and the Council will support a further 5 community libraries, staffed by volunteers but with some support from libraries staff. Newfield Green is well-placed to be one of these 5 libraries, with the Gleadless Valley Community Forum working up a business plan by the deadline of 10th January.