stronger together ahousing kickstart · to kickstart housing development in stoke-on-trent in the...

City NewsS T R O N G E R TO G E T H E R

Winter 2018 stoke.gov.uk

PAGE 7

LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF IN FEBRUARY

PAGE 4

City News

Maths projectadds up tomuch improvedexam results

PAGE 2

Pharmacistsand helplineare vital firstports of call

MORE than £50 million isbeing invested by thecity council to continue

to kickstart housingdevelopment in Stoke-on-Trentin the next three years.

The ambitious business planunveiled by the council-ownedhousing company Fortior Homesshows how it will put together aportfolio of more than 400properties by 2021.

This year alone theorganisation has made

tremendous progress in turningaround a shortfall in housingprovision and bringing topquality development to key sitesin the city.

By March 2019 Fortior Homeswill have rented out new homesto 68 tenants and will have afurther 297 properties beingbuilt that it has directlycommissioned.

Building work will havestarted on land next to theEmma Bridgewater factory andon apartments at Smithfield.

Homes have been bought from private sector developers at the Lyme Gardens, BucknallGrange and Alexander Gatedevelopments and a convertedchurch development with 12apartments – known as theWarehouse – has also becomepart of the Fortior portfolio.

City Council Leader CouncillorAnn James said: “We are investingheavily in Stoke-on-Trent,making it a place where peoplewant to live, work and visit.

“Fortior Homes is one

important part of that strategyand will allow the council todeliver on our objective to createsignificant investment in qualitynew housing and new jobs.

“It will also provide acommercial revenue for the citycouncil though the acquisitionand construction of propertiesfor supply as market rentedhousing.

“Projections show the value ofthe Fortior portfolio will rise tomore than £65.4 million within adecade.”

£50m plan to build hundreds of new homes

A HOUSINGKICKSTART

Befriendingvolunteersmake a realdifference

Cash prizesand greatbargains at

CITYMARKETS

centrepages

City News 1 25/10/18 15:20

2 City News WINTER 2018

Facebook.com/sotcitycouncil or Twitter @SoTCityCouncilContact the council via social media on

PEOPLE experiencing loneliness or socialisolation are being supported by anumber of community-led projects that

have been set up around the city.From dedicated volunteers who put in

calls to people or visit them at home, todrop-in cafes and weekly support groups,there is a wide-ranging number of initiativeslooking out for others who are on their own.

The charity CareLink, based in Burslem, ishelping older people live more fulfilled livesthrough it elderly befriending service.

A team of volunteers – many who haveexperienced loneliness themselves in thepast – either put in regular calls to peopleover 50 who live alone or pop in to see themand share a chat and a cup of tea.

Volunteer Kathleen Chadwick said: “Astime goes on, many older people spend moreand more time at home, usually on theirown. When they start losing contact withtheir neighbours, family and friends, theyoften suffer more with their health andwellbeing.

“As volunteers we befriend lonely and

isolated people in our neighbourhoods. Ifsomeone is feeling low and there’s no onearound who cares they can always lookforward to a call from us.

“Sometimes all that’s needed is a chatabout the weather or about what’shappening on their favourite soap opera.”

If a person needs more help there is a teamof CareLink workers specifically set up to goout to meet clients and their families – andhelp with practical things like paying bills,shopping or calling a GP or social worker.

Many people who are lonely or isolatedare not necessarily older, which is why drop-in sessions for the whole communityare so valuable too. One such examplerevolves around the Penny Coffee House inLongton, where regular sessions are held forpeople who wish to make new friends or getinvolved in a group activity.

The sessions, which are run through theMy Community Matters project, have grownin popularity and now many peopleregularly attend taking part in craft makingworkshops, music sessions and cakedecorating activities.

Organiser Alex Nisbeck said: “It has beenamazing to see the impact on the peopleattending, they have gone from beingdepressed, lonely and not feeling that theybelong to looking forward to each week,feeling valued and knowing that they willsee a friendly face.”

In addition, the YMCA North Staffordshire,based in Hanley, runs a monthly communitycafé on the first Friday of every month. Itaims to bring people together, help tacklesocial isolation and build relationships – and is open to the whole community.

The venue has recently been given acomplete makeover thanks to a £50,000grant from the city council’s CommunityInvestment Fund.

Young people taking part in the NationalCitizen Service scheme help to serve meals,from a menu including tortilla chips, lobbyand apple crumble.

The monthly sessions are well attendedand in the past MPs, councillors and localbusiness people, including EmmaBridgewater, have attended to talk toresidents.

When a call canmean the world

� Befriending volunteersat the CareLink offices inBurslem, left to right,Kathleen Chadwick, AudreyDawson and Alan Taylor.

Dedicated volunteers help project to combat loneliness

IT’S six months since Ibecame the first femaleleader of Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil and, as the councilprovides over 700 services inthe city, it’s not been withoutits challenges.

On a personal level, mymum, who was my best friendand an inspiration to me,recently passed away at thegrand old age of 95. Eventhough I was, and still am,grieving for the loss of mymum, I have continued towork to do the best I can forour city. I would like to sendmy thanks to those who wereso supportive around this.

Juggling demands not onlyas leader and portfolio leaderfor health and social care, butalso as the ward member forGreat Chell and Packmoor ischallenging.

But from a council point ofview, one of the biggest testshas been how we can bestbalance our budget up to2020, given the cuts fromgovernment for councils.

This is something that hasmeant tough decisions and issomething we have to do bylaw. But, on a positive, incomehas increased in many areasof the council which is beingput towards funding essentialservices in the city.

Unitas, our housing repairservice, continues the workstarted by my predecessorCouncillor Dave Conway, andFortior Homes, which is nowtwo years old, carries ongrowing housing in the city.

These are just twoexamples of the continuinggreat work since the CityIndependent/ConservativeCoalition took control of thecouncil back in 2015.

I recently took the decisionto initiate the purchase ofUnity Walk as it was the rightthing to do – it generatesmoney for services and it willkick-start development inthat part of the city.

I have the same beliefabout the investment we’remaking in the new homelesshub which will better supportthe most vulnerable people inStoke-on-Trent.

This is about doing the bestthing for the people of thiscity and it goes hand-in-handwith Stoke-on-Trent trulybeing on the up.

I would like to take thisopportunity to wish everyonea Merry Christmas and I hopethe New Year brings peaceand happiness to you all.

By City

Council

Leader

Councillor

AnnJames

Balancingthe councilbudget is oneof biggestchallenges

City News 2 25/10/18 15:04 Page 1

WINTER 2018 City News 3

MUSEUMS and libraries in the city have a packedprogramme of events to

usher in the festive season.Here is a flavour of the events

and activities, many of them free ofcharge, which provide the perfectpreparation for Christmas.

Potteries Museum & Art GalleryA Winter Wonderland: November10 – February 17 2019. A display of ceramics in which shape,decoration and design has been inspired by winter.The Moon at Christmas:The Epic Voyage of Apollo 8,December 8. A presentation full of the drama of the first manned moon flight. Free, 2pm.A Georgian Christmas:December 8. Discover the customs and traditions celebratedby the Georgians at Christmas.Woman in Gold: December 9. Explore the lure ofgold in fashion and the hiddenworld of women in art. Talk at 1pmfollowed by a glass of Mulled Wineand mince pie with fresh cream.Please book in advance by calling01782 232323, tickets £10.Friday Twilight – Ghost Storiesfor Christmas: December 14.An evening of restless spirits andmalevolent ghouls for those braveenough! Tickets £19.95, please call01782 232323 to book. Priceincludes a two course buffet servedfrom 7pm followed by theatreperformance from 8-10pm.

Gladstone Pottery MuseumChristmas Shopping DiscountNovember 2 to December 1,December 20-22. Save 15 per centwhen you spend £5 or more in theshop. Admission tickets notincluded. The shop and caféwelcome non-museum visitors.Snowman Trail, Tuesdays –Saturdays duringDecember.Find the hiddensnowmen. Freepencil and entry intoa prize draw foreveryone whotakes part. £1plus admission.VictorianChristmas FunDay, December 1.Enjoy festive storiesfrom characters from

Dickens’ Christmas Carol, join ournaughty elves in a snowball fightand take part in seasonal craftactivities. There may even be avery special visitor in a red suit!Included in normal admission.Make a Light Up ChristmasTree Card, December 8. Make aworking electrical circuit in theshape of a Christmas tree andconnect it to make the star light upat the top! Suitable for all ages andincluded with museum admission,

11am-3pm.Gladstone Gigs – TheWedding Present, December

8. Part of their international‘Tommy’ Anniversary Tour. Doors

will open at 7pm and tickets are£22 each (including booking fee),available from www.gigantic.comToddler Thursday – Fun for theUnder 5s, December 13. Learn,play and explore in our sessionsespecially for under 5s and theirparents or carers. £1 per child butnormal admission applies if youwish to visit the rest of themuseum. Booking essential – call01782 237777, 10.30-11.30am.Christmas Carol Evening,December 14. Spend anevening at the museumcelebrating the festive seasonwith a twilight opening.5–7pm, admission free.

Tis the Season to be Jolly,December 15. A seasonal talklooking at Christmas traditions,celebrations, food and favouritetoys! 11am, this event is free andnormal admission applies to therest of the museum. Please call01782 237777 to book a place.

City Libraries Libraries are holding Christmasdiscos for pre-school children andtheir parents/carers, featuring amixture of fun tunes, dancing andparty games at the following timesand venues:December 11, 10-11am at LongtonLibrary, ST3 4HY.December 11, 2-3pm at TunstallLibrary, ST6 6BD.December 12, 10.30-11.30am atStoke Library, ST4 4SZ.December 12, 2-3pm at MeirLibrary ST3 7DJ.

TOP LINE UP FORFESTIVE SEASONMuseums and libraries offer sparkling Christmas events

� Libraries are holding Christmasdiscos for pre-school youngsters.Getting some dance practice at theCity Central Library, Hanley, areEvangeline Salmon, left, aged three,and two-year-old Edee Salt.

� Bone china flowermaker Rita Floyd creates

Christmas roses at theGladstone Pottery

Museum.

WE want to hear your views onCity News, so please let us knowwhat you like about thenewspaper, what you don’t likeand what you would like to seemore of.

Email [email protected] write to FREEPOST CityNews to have your say.

Give us your views � TheWeddingPresent.

City News 3 25/10/18 15:05 Page 1


MEETINGS of the full council can now be viewed online. To see andhear the debates and decisions which affect life in Stoke-on-Trent,visit stoke.gov.uk/webcastingA list of dates and times of council meetings and committee meetings can be found on our website at stoke.gov.uk/meetingdates

Web: stoke.gov.ukFacebook: facebook.com/sotcitycouncilTwitter: @SoTCityCounciltwitter.com/SoTCityCouncil

City News is printed on paper fromsustainable sources.When you havefinished with this publication pleasehelp the environment by passing iton to a friend or recycling it.

HUGE investment in improving mathsteaching and learning in the city paid off inthis year’s GCSE results.

Just two years after the £1 million MathsExcellence Partnership was funded jointlyby the city council and The Denise CoatesFoundation, 39.9 per cent of studentsachieved strong passes in the subject(grades five to nine) – an increase of 3.7 per

cent over last year.A total of 60 per cent of

students achieved astandard pass in Maths(grades nine to four),and 53.8 per cent ofstudents achievedgrade nine to fivepasses in Maths and

English, both

improvements on last year. Figures arebased on 2,156 students at 18 schools,academies and colleges across the city.

In 2016 the authority and the DeniseCoates Foundation each invested £500,000in a Maths Excellence Partnershipprogramme, supporting the professionaldevelopment of maths teachers, helpingtrainee teachers to build their skills inschool classrooms, and offering bursaries toretain maths teachers in the city.

Councillor Janine Bridges, CabinetMember for Education and Economy, said:“The results are really encouraging.

“We are driving up the standards ofeducation in the city – now more pupilsthan ever before are at good or outstandingOfsted-rated schools. But we know there isstill much work to be done.

“Our approach to focus on higher-endmaths performance is working, and we nowneed to continue this work into other areasof the curriculum.”

Denise Coates CBE added: “The trusteesagreed to support the Maths Excellence

Partnership as we believe that educationis a cornerstone to an individual being

able to realise their full potential.“I am therefore delighted that the

Foundation was able to play a part inthe programme’s success and that ourfinancial support has contributed

towards the tangible improvement inacademic attainment in the City’sschools.”

SIX silhouette panelsillustrating local people’sexperiences of wartime are

providing a moving tribute aspart of the city’s commemorationof the World War One armistice.

The Hope and Glory seriescommissioned by the citycouncil has been made by socialenterprise PM Training workingwith renowned Stoke-on-Trentartist Andy Edwards.

It forms a trail of reflection,education and remembrancewith one panel to be situated,eventually permanently it ishoped, in each of the six towns.

The arched window formatbrings viewers into theexperience as if they werelooking at stained glasswindows inside a cathedral.

After the scenes weredesigned and drawn by thesculptor the eight-foot-highsilhouettes were digitised, cutand fabricated at PM Training'sstudios.

Seventeen-year-old apprentice

Luke Steadman applied hisprecision engineering andwelding skills to complete thepieces as part of his NVQ inPerforming EngineeringOperations.

“It meant a lot to me to beworking on the Hope and Gloryproject,” said Luke. “The peoplein the silhouettes were fightingfor all of us.”

Sculptor Andy, who alsodesigned the iconic dock-frontBeatles sculpture in Liverpooland is PM Training’s residentartist, said: “The panels are toillustrate real life stories of thecity’s people and theirexperiences in the conflict,many of which have directrelevance to today.

“Their narratives show theresilience and generosity ofspirit of the local people duringthe war despite the sufferingand horrors they endured.”

One panel depicts a terrified,shell-shocked soldier in thetrenches, another recalls afather and son both killed at

Gallipoli, while a third relates tothe story of Staffordshire-bornMatron Helena Repton of theBritish Red Cross who receivedthe Military Medal for her workunder fire in a hospital inFrance.

Other initiatives to mark the1918 armistice under theStoke-on-Trent Remembersbanner included the showing atMiddleport Pottery of thesculpture called Poppies:Weeping Window from aninstallation originally located atthe Tower of London where888,246 poppies were displayed.

A “lost” 69-foot long wallhanging created by returningservicemen was unveiled at thePotteries Museum and ArtGallery.

The artwork entitled For theFallen is on display untilNovember 18. Admission costsare £5, concessions £3, childrenunder 16 free. Funds raised willgo towards restoration of thehanging for it to go on fulldisplay in 2021.

Maths excellence project adds up to improved exam results

� PM Training Apprentice Luke Steadman with one of the silhouettepanels he worked on. The photo was taken during the production process.

� Teacher Rhiannon Bedford,who is Head of Maths at theExcel Academy, Sneyd Green,with students Jodie Collins,left, and Abbi Williamson,both aged 15. The academyachieved one of the bestimprovements in GCSE maths results in the city.

Silhouette panels mark Armistice centenary

Moving tributeto war heroes

City News 4 25/10/18 15:05 Page 1


Big lights switch-on is set to be A Proper Stokie Christmas

It only takes seconds to join,visit pottolotto.co.uk or call

01782 313849How

it w

orks

CHOOSE YOUR 6 NUMBERSTickets only cost £1 per week

WIN UP TO £25,000Every ticket has a 1 in 50 chance

of winning a prize

SUPPORT LOCAL CAUSES60% of the ticket price goes tosupport good causes in Stoke

A tram network, electricbuses using priority lanesand an improved heavy railservice are among theoptions being considered bythe council as it bids for ashare of a £840 millionnational transport fund.

It follows Stoke-on-Trentbeing shortlisted for a grantfrom the Transforming CitiesFund, which is aimed atimproving public andsustainable modes oftransport to cut congestionand improve journey time.

The authority’s successfulinitial bid to the Departmentfor Transport programmemeans Stoke-on-Trent is oneof only 10 city regions acrossthe country left vying for thefunding.

The council is nowworking with the DfT todevelop detailed plans overthe coming months with theallocation of funding tosuccessful cities beginningnext year. Schemes will thenbe developed over the nextfour years.

Council Leader CouncillorAnn James said: “We aresetting out a very clearstatement of intent for thefuture transport systems thatthe city needs and deserves.

“Through thetransformation fund, wewant to tackle barriers headon so that residents, workersand visitors can travel morequickly by taking cars off theroad and introducing newforms of transport thatmaximise technology tocreate a much moreconnected city.”

TALENTED young singers willjoin forces with famous facesfrom stage and screen to help

lay on a good-old traditionalfestive feast of fun at this year’scity centre Christmas lightsswitch-on.

Hundreds of families areexpected to descend on Hanleyon the afternoon and evening ofNovember 15 for the freeextravaganza of entertainment.

The city council has teamed upwith The Sentinel to organise andhost the event, which is called AProper Stokie Christmas.

There will be a stage show,celebrities – including stars of thelocal pantomime Robin Hood,which will run at the RegentTheatre – school choirs,reindeers… and of course SantaClaus.

The switch-on is being billedas reminiscent of the kind offestive event that will invokememories of old-fashionedChristmas lights switch-ons thatparents and grandparents canremember from their ownchildhood. But this time they canshare the excitement with youngmembers of their family too.

Council Leader Councillor AnnJames said: “We have a reallyexciting free event planned andwe’d love as many people aspossible to come and join the funsurrounding this year’s Christmaslights switch-on in the city centre.

“This will be a traditional-stylecelebration, with something forall the family and guaranteed toput a smile on everyone’s facesand evoke the spirit of the festiveseason.”

As well as famous faces, eventorganisers felt it was important toinclude as many young peoplefrom the city as possible.

In the run up to the lightsswitch-on a competition called ASong for Christmas has beentaking place. The contest wasstaged to find primary schoolchoirs who will sing in front ofthe crowds on the night.

Many schools took the time tosubmit a video clip of their choirsinging, with an expert panel setup to pick those who will performon the big day.

Events will be centred aroundHanley Town Hall and AlbionSquare on November 15.

Activities starting to attract thefestive crowds to the city centreat 4pm will include face painting,a juggler and a magician.

Penkhull Brass Band will also

be getting things off with a funmusical swing.

School choir performances willget underway on the main stagefrom 5pm and the lightsswitch-on will take placebetween 6.30pm and 7pm, with aspectacular firework finale.

As City News went to pressmore details were beingfinalised, so to find outmore visit stoke.gov.uk/events or keep in touchwith the latest A ProperStokie Christmas plans onFacebook and Twitter.

Exciting bidfor shareof transportfund cash

City is nowon the app REPORTING issues likefly-tipping and litter to thecity council has become eveneasier for residents with thelaunch of a new mobile app.

The MyStoke app is nowavailable for both iOS (Apple)and Android (Google Play)devices and gives residents anadditional means of staying intouch with the city council.

And people who downloadthe app before December 17stand a chance of winning a£50 shopping voucher – just in time for Christmas.

A mobile app is the lateststage in a programme of workintended to increase choicefor residents, following lastyear’s launch of the newcouncil website.

The launch of the free appties in with the launch of anew MyStoke online account.

Search for MyStoke on theApp Store or Google Play.

� Pupils from St George and St Martin CatholicAcademy at Birches Head who will be among the school

choirs selected to take part in the entertainment onthe main stage during the lights switch-on evening.

City News 5 25/10/18 15:06 Page 1


TENS of millions more poundsof council money will be spent with local businesses

as the authority ramps up itscommitment to keep the “Stokepound” in the city.

This year has seen a huge leapin the proportion of this cashstaying local, from less than 10per cent in 2016-17 to over halfin 2017-18.

Now former Council LeaderCouncillor Dave Conway, whodrove the changes and made thepledge to local firms, has promisedthe council will do even more tosupport companies in the city.

He held sessions attended byhundreds of businesses wholearned how the council hadsimplified the way firms andtraders bid for contracts.

In 2018 the council awarded 358contracts, totalling £121 million ofwhich 137, worth £66 million,went to local companies.

Councillor Conway said: “I don’twant to see business going toEast Anglia and Derby whenthere are companies here whocan provide the service.

“We have made a good start butthere is more to be done and I’dlike to see more local companies

bidding for council contracts.”Deputy Leader Abi Brown,

Cabinet Member for Finance andPartnerships said, manybusinesses had benefitted fromthe drive.

She said: “By supporting localbusinesses we are keepingmoney and investment in the city,helping businesses to keep andcreate jobs and giving localpeople the opportunity todevelop their employment skills.”

Businesses have welcomed thecouncil’s commitment tosupporting local companies.

‘Stoke pounds’ stay in the city

COUNCILLORS in Stoke-on-Trent agreed to change theway the authority buys services to encourage localpurchasing while remaining within the law.

And a large number of local construction firms have thatdecision to thank for the business they have managed towin from the council’s new maintenance and repairscompany Unitas, which launched earlier this year.

As well as buying locally, Unitas has also forged positivelinks with local colleges and has advertised severalapprenticeships as part of its commitment to provide careeropportunities for the Stoke-on-Trent community.

In the last six months Unitas has received 77compliments from customers for various service areas.

Unitas uses local suppliers

� Supporting local businesses – City Council Deputy Leader Councillor Abi Brown shakes hand withGunn JCB Area Sales Manager Mark Robinson who has supplied two telehanders to the local authority.

Revised Christmas and New Year 2018/19

COLLECTION DATESRevised Christmas and New Year 2018/19

COLLECTION DATES

Cardboard, glass bottlesand plastic bottlesshould be put in theblue bin – all items mustbe loose with no foodwaste/liquids.

NORMAL COLLECTION DAY REVISED COLLECTION DAY

Monday December 24 Saturday December 22

Tuesday December 25 Monday December 24

Wednesday December 26 Thursday December 27

Thursday December 27 Friday December 28

Friday December 28 Saturday December 29

Monday December 31 SAME – normal collection

Tuesday January 1 Wednesday January 2

Wednesday January 2 Thursday January 3

Thursday January 3 Friday January 4

Friday January 4 Saturday January 5

For more informationcall 01782 234234

or email:[email protected]

City News 6 25/10/18 15:06 Page 1


CCTV TEAM HELPSKEEP PEOPLE SAFETHEY are unsung heroes in the

ongoing effort to makeStoke-on-Trent communities

safe for local people.The 10-strong team at the city

council’s CCTV control centreuse their skills to keep a watchfuleye over the busiest parts of thecity.

One of their roles is to supplyvital information and evidence tothe police – and they are oftenkey players in the successfulsolving of crimes.

The control centre features 18state-of-the-art wall mountedscreens which can deploy morethan 300 views at any one time.

Information flows in from 450CCTV cameras which arepositioned in town centres,shopping malls, train and busstations, major roads and councilhousing blocks. As well asscanning potential troublespots,the operators have access topolice radios and they respond assoon as police despatchers putout calls to patrols.

They immediately monitor thelocation in question and track theprogress of suspected offenders.

“We are the eyes and ears ofthe emergency services until theyare able to reach the scene of theincident,” said Jason Handy,CCTV and Security Manager.

“We are often able to direct thepolice as to where the offendershave made off after committing asuspected crime.”

A recent tweet from aStaffordshire Police officerencapsulates the vital service:“Excellent work by CCTVoperators who led police to theoffenders.”

Working closely with thecouncil’s education service,members of the control centre

team respond to panic, fire orintruder alarms when they areset off at schools by monitoringtheir screens and despatching analarm response patrol in urgentcases.

They are also a vital cog insupporting the multi-agencyNightlife Partnership, liaising

with door staff to warn them ofpossible problems.

CCTV operators are in somecases able to talk directly to thepublic, using speakers mountedon cameras to deter people fromdrinking in alcohol-free publicplaces for example.

In response to new hotspots of

antisocial behaviour the team isable to bring in RedeployableCameras to successfully identifyoffenders. Monitoring traffictroublespots often leads tohighways improvements.

The CCTV team has evenhelped reunite people with theirlost pets.

PEOPLE with non-emergencyhealth problems during thewinter are being urged to callthe 111 helpline or visit theirlocal pharmacy rather thangoing to the A&E department.

Phoning the NHS non-emergency line, which is free from both landlinesand mobile phones, will easethe intense seasonal pressurefacing hospitals.

“The helpline service is thegateway into all healthservices locally and thetrained operators can getpeople where they need tobe,” said Dr Steve Fawcett,Medical Director for Stoke-on-Trent and NorthStaffordshire ClinicalCommissioning Groups.

“Using a clinical tool calledNHS Pathways the callhandlers direct people to themost effective service and aclinical assessment service isalso available.”

Community pharmacists,who are trained for five yearsand are experts in medicines,also offer an initial port ofcall at the first sign of winterillness.

They can give flu jabs,advise on minor ailmentssuch as colds, skin conditionsand allergies – and they arealso well-qualified to guidepeople to the right place forfurther treatment.

Wellbeing support workerTina Turner is having a freeflu vaccination this year toprotect herself and the peopleshe looks after.

She said: “I had flu last yearwhen I hadn’t had the jab,and I was really poorly withit. So this year I decided Iwould definitely getvaccinated against it.

“It’s a preventativemeasure, and helps to protectmyself, my family, the peopleI care for and my colleagues.”

Pharmacists are the firstcontact for winter illness

� Stoke-on-Trent’s state-of-the-artCCTV control room, which drivescommunity safety and helpsprevent crime and antisocialbehaviour in the city.

� Zahida Khalaf, SuperintendentPharmacist at MiddleportPharmacy, shows a range of cold and flu medications.

New marketin Burslemtown centre

A community group-runweekly market for Burslemis set to be up and runningbefore Christmas.

The council has given thego-ahead for the OurBurslem group to hold themarket – which will be calledArtisan Plus – everyWednesday from 3pm to 8pmon public space outside theOld Town Hall.

It follows an online publicsurvey, which showed that 95per cent of people whoresponded believed a marketwould be a positive move forthe town.

After reviewing the results,the council has offered thegroup a 12-month licence todirectly operate the market,with the land being providedfree of charge to minimiseoperational costs.

Cllr Dan Jellyman, CabinetMember for Regeneration,Transport and Heritage, said:“All the feedback we receivedhas been considered and Ithink the solution we havecome up with is a win foreveryone involved.”

Our Burslem Founder JuneCartwright said: “We wantBurslem to be an excitingplace to visit. We have the bestnightlife in Stoke-on-Trentand the market wouldcomplement this and supportthe daytime economy too.”

To find out more visitstoke.gov.uk/markets

City News 7 25/10/18 15:43 Page 1

UP to 100 artisan traders, atraditional brass band andvintage style singers are alllined up to help to make theannual King’s ChristmasMarket go with a swing.

The event being held at theKing’s Hall Stoke on Sunday

2 December, will also feature a Santa’s grotto, free facepainting and balloonmodelling.

There will be a vast range ofgifts for sale from Christmasdecorations and specialistfoods to arts and crafts.

Admission for over 14s is £1 and there will be freeparking. Those paying toenter will be entered intohourly draws to winvouchers to spend on anyof the stalls in the market.

everyone and at Christmas time theyreally do demonstrate their roles inthe heart of our community. There isalso the chance to win one of anumber of cash prizes andplenty of festive activities toenjoy. So it really is a greattime to support the localmarkets.”

For the latest onthe markets –including openingtimes – visit theStoke-on-TrentMarkets pageon Facebookor follow@sotmarkets

WINTER 2018 City News 98 City News WINTER 2018

PEOPLE shopping at the city’smarkets in the run up tothe festive season could be

in line to win big cash prizes –thanks to a £1,250 Christmasgiveaway.

Anyone visiting one of thefour indoor markets – Hanley,Longton, Stoke and Tunstall –will be entered into a free prizedraw, with the winner at eachvenue receiving £250. At thecity’s outdoor markets, a socialmedia draw will be taking placewith a £250 prize pot.

A lucky shopper will win a£100 prize by liking andsharing outdoor markets’festive posts on Facebook andTwitter.

In addition, anyone snappinga selfie at one of the threeoutdoor markets – Bentilee,Fenton and Hanley SundayMarket – and posting it onsocial media could be in line towin one of three £50 prizes.

If that isn’t incentive enoughthe line up at each of themarkets is as mouthwatering asthe prospect of a Christmaslunch with all the trimmings.

Santa’s grottos are being setup at Hanley Indoor Market(every Friday and Saturdayfrom November 30 andChristmas Eve) and at Longtonon the December 15, 21 and 22.

At Stoke Indoor Marketpeople can get into the spirit ofthings by joining traders for afree mince pie while doingtheir festive shopping – onDecember 15, 21 and 22.

Tunstall Indoor Market willbe staging a switch-on ofChristmas lights on November24. It will feature liveentertainment throughout theday, including a choir, children’sentertainment and a magician.

Santa will be seen strollingaround the stalls at all three ofthe outdoor markets handingout gifts (Bentilee December18, Hanley Sunday MarketDecember 16 and FentonMarket December 20). Therewill be free mince pies and hottreats on hand too.

Councillor Dan Jellyman,Cabinet Member forRegeneration, Transport andHeritage, said: “The city’smarkets offer something for

� Trader Lorraine Stubbs sets up her LivingRoom stall at Hanley Market.

� Emma Watson showsproducts on sale at her PictureFrame and House-to-Home stallat Tunstall Market. Emma is alsoon the front page photograph.

� Andrea Machine, of the Say Cheese stall at StokeMarket with a traditionalfestive food gift pack.

Real crackerof a time forall aroundthe towns

A packed line up of Christmasevents are being laid on around

the city’s towns and villages thisfestive season – with residents of allages in for a real cracker of a time.

As well as the city centre Christmaslights extravaganza – A Proper StokieChristmas (see page 5) – there will beplenty of fun activities at the heart of thelocal communities too.

Live music, fairground rides, freeactivities, fireworks and lots of festivefood to tuck in to will be the order of theday. So, here are just some of the dates for everyone’s festive diary. More will be confirmed over the coming days so in order to keep up to date visitstoke.gov.uk/events

In Burslem, Friday, November 30 is thetown’s lights switch-on. There will be livemusic on Queen Street and FatherChristmas and his elves will be in theBurslem School of Art handing out presents.

Reindeer and a donkey will be in thetown. Children can enjoy free facepainting sessions and a balloon and magicshow. The event starts at 5pm with theChristmas lights switch-on takingplace at 6pm.

Santa’s GrottoLongton’s family fun night and

lights switch-on also takes placeon Friday, November 30.

The event will take place between4.30pm and 7pm and the lights willbe switched on at 5.15pm.Celebrations will centre around theStrand and include a Santa’s Grotto,fairground rides, food and gift stallsand live performances. Signal Onepresenters will also be on stagehosting proceedings and playingmusic to keep people entertained.

Middleport Pottery will be the settingfor a Victorian Christmas this year. Eventswill get underway at the historic potteryon Saturday, December 1 from 6pm until9pm when there will be the opportunity tojoin the team for Christmas tales on theboat, potters in period costume andtraditional carol singers.

Entry is £3 on the door (no ticketsrequired) and will include clay modellingactivities. Middelport Studios, ClayCollege and the Burleigh shop will beopen so people have the chance to dosome Christmas shopping at the sametime.

In Tunstall families will be gathering for the lights switch-on on Saturday,November 24. As well as liveentertainment from a local choir therewill be plenty of free street entertainment,indoor and outdoor stalls and anappearance by Santa to hand out gifts.

Lights spectacularBentilee will hold its annual Christmas

party and lights switch-on on Tuesday,November 27 from 4pm to 8pm and inEaton Park the fun starts with aChristmas fair on Sunday, December 9 atmidday followed by the annual lightsswitch-on from 4pm.

Fenton will be getting in on the act onWednesday, December 5 and Meir will

have its own lights spectacular onFriday, December 7.In Stoke, hundreds are expected

to turn out for the big Christmas lightsswitch-on on Sunday, November 18. Thereis expected to be all-day arts and craftsand charity stalls and live music too.Abbey Hulton and Blurton will also bestaging their own events with details to beconfirmed.

People can also keep up-to-date withthe latest festive events they areinterested in by keeping an eye on localresidents’ association announcements onFacebook and Twitter.

As well as times and dates, there is alsoinformation on how people can volunteerto help out at many of the communityevents on the day or other ways to play apart in the preparations and ensure things go with a swing.

Brass band and vintage singers

�Stallholder

Amy Osbourne, ofDaisy’s pet boutiquestall, decorates the

Christmas tree in theSanta’s Grotto atLongton Market.

�Robert Smith

on his Card Planetstall at Bentilee

Outdoor Market with arange of Christmas

gift bags.

�Sparkly

jumpers forChristmas are on sale

at Harpreet Sanghera’sclothing stall atFenton outdoor

market.

�Shopper Rose

Grafton of Bentileewith a selection ofgifts at the Classy

Cards stall inHanley Market.

AT GREAT VALUE MARKETS

City News 8-9 25/10/18 16:25 Page 1


Secret garden onroad to recovery

A new drug and alcoholservice is set to improvethe way it helps people torebuild their lives afteraddiction.

Community-basedservices close to wherepeople live and newtechnology will be rolledout in the new year.

The city council hasjoined forces with the NHS,mental health charityAddiction andrehabilitation specialistsBAC O’Connor to launchthe Stoke-on-TrentCommunity Drug & AlcoholService (CDAS).

Under CDAS serviceusers will be encouraged toplay an important part intheir own recovery, as wellas helping people at earlierstages of their ownrecovery.

CDAS will also work withpartners who can help withissues that impact on drugand alcohol use, such asdebt and poor housing, tohelp people rebuild theirlives.

Service user Laura Lloyd,aged 31, from Bentilee,said: “I feel that support inthe city has reallyimproved over the pastcouple of years and lots ofpeople have benefittedfrom the services.”

To contact CDAS call01782 283113.

A“secret garden” locatedwithin a Stoke-on-Trentcommunity is giving people

in recovery from drugs and alcohola new focus in their lives.

An overgrown area betweenCity Road and Edison Street inFenton is at the centre of aproject launched by the StokeRecovery Service.

Clients of the abstinence-basedrecovery centre are helping to

clear the weeds from the greenspace during weekly visits.

They are being encouraged toget creative – and one of themhas already designed a woodengazebo. “People who have takenpart are getting a sense ofachievement from the hard workthey have put in,” said VickyLomas, Operations Manager.

“The secret garden is a safespace for them to relax. They maybe struggling with their mental

health, depression or low moods– and being there helps them tolet go of day-to-day issues.”

The project has received anumber of donations, including abench, and there are plans for asensory area as well as vegetableplots.

Local residents are welcomingthe idea of a community gardenand they have been invited to aHalloween event to meet theteam.

Stoke Recovery Service, part ofthe Community Drug and AlcoholService (CDAS) commissioned byStoke-on-Trent City Council,launched the project with the aimof changing the stigma attachedto people in recovery.

Enhanced communityparticipation is also beingachieved through the clients'involvement with the garden, aformer play area which is ownedby the council.

ALCOHOL Awareness Week 2018 is beingfully supported by Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil and their commissioned CommunityDrug and Alcohol Service (CDAS).

The week will run from November 19 to25 with the theme of this year’s event being“Change”.

Alcohol Awareness Week is a chance to:

● Start a conversation about alcohol.● Signpost those who need help to access

the support they need.● Call for change at every level, including

individuals and communities.The initiative will highlight the way small

changes to drinking habits are possible andhow this will help contribute to improved

health and well-being, or even totalabstinence.

CDAS will be arranging a number ofevents in the city to support AlcoholAwareness Week. For information aboutsupport for yourself or a friend or familymember, contact CDAS on 01782 283113or email: [email protected]

AN appeal is going out topeople who would like towelcome an adult with alearning disability into theirhome to contact the citycouncil’s Shared LivesScheme.

The project championsthe needs of people agedover 18 who have a learningdisability and need ofsupport from a real familyrather than a residentialhome.

Carers can be of any age,culture and area. They willneed to have a good homewith a comfortablefurnished bedroom for theperson to have sole use ofduring their stay.

The person may stay for afew days or weeks to givetheir family member abreak or the person mayneed somewhere to live ona permanent basis.

An approved SharedLives carer who accepts aperson into his or her homemay need to support withpersonal care, preparinghealthy and varied meals,administering medication,attending appointments,outings and holidays.

Potential Shared Livescarers, will go through athorough assessmentprocess including: DBSchecks, home visits, trainingand approval by the SharedLives panel.

An approved SharedLives carer will receive afortnightly allowance once aperson moves in with them.■ Anybody wishing to carefor a person with learningdisabilities and become aShared Lives carer shouldcontact [email protected]

Service tohelp peoplerebuild lives

Share careand make adifference

�Working at the secretgarden are Emma Vingrass,Community EngagementOfficer for the Stoke RecoveryService with service users NickBall, centre, and Carl Simpson.

Making changes is the theme of alcohol awareness week

City News 10 25/10/18 15:11 Page 1

HUNDREDS of workers have taken uptheir jobs in brand new buildings on sites in the Ceramic Valley

Enterprise Zone.It marks the continued success of the

initiative launched two years ago by thecity council and its partners to attract newinvestment – and new employers – to thecity.

On the southern side of the TunstallArrow site alone, four units are alreadyoccupied, by railings and balustradespecialists Q-railing, equipment hireleader Boels Rentals, SG Fleet (formerlyMotiva) and industrial generator firmPramac Generac.

A fifth unit is already in a business’ssights and an announcement which willbring the number of jobs on the site up toaround 340 is imminent.

Elsewhere, work on both sides of themain road into Tunstall at the Highgatesite continues to accelerate.

Tile Mountain owner Mo Iqbal isinvesting £8million in a mirror imagedevelopment of his own warehouse andretail unit and already has interest frompotential tenants.

In the trade park across the road threeof the ten units are occupied – byToolstation, Glass Installation andmaternity clothing specialists PurplessMaternity – with interest reported in theremaining properties.

Bringing jobs to derelict and brownfieldsites, regenerating large areas of the cityand showing Stoke-on-Trent is a greatplace to do business were among thepriorities when the Ceramic ValleyEnterprise Zone was set up.

At an event to celebrate its secondbirthday, and the success it has alreadyachieved, Deputy City Council LeaderCouncillor Abi Brown said the zone, whichis on track to create more than 2,000 jobs,always had potential and had put the city

on the national and international map.She said: “The fantastic news on jobs

which are secured and in the pipeline is a direct result of the hard work byeveryone across the enterprise zoneproject and we are extremely excitedabout the further benefits this will bringfor Stoke-on-Trent.”

Councillor Janine Bridges, CabinetMember for Education and Economy, said:“The success of the enterprise zone clearlydemonstrates the confidence and ambitionthat is growing in the local economy.

“It’s great news for the local workforceand shows that businesses are recognisingthe benefits of investing in this area.”

■ The city council and its partners haverolled out the red carpet to attractemployers to the area – with a packageof support and financial incentives –and notable early successes sawdistribution giant DPC and WestMidlands Ambulance Service attractedto the zone.


ARROW HITS JOBCREATION TARGET

Download our freeCeramic Valley AR app

from the app store.

Scan the photo or logowhere you see the‘Scan Here’ marker.

When the video starts,double-tap your screen

for full-screen view.

DEMOLITION of Hanley’s eyesoreEast-West Precinct is set to start early in the New Year to kick-start itsredevelopment.

Councillors have given the go-aheadfor £4 million to be spent on buying thesite and demolishing buildings, and toinvest £3.5 million in a youthdevelopment.

In the short term some of the land will

be used for additional city centre parking.But long-term options include a focus oncommunity, leisure, commercial andresidential developments.

The youth development could includeleisure and sporting facilities, givingyoung people from across the city lots todo 364 days a year. The council’sinvestment is a shot in the arm for thesite which for years has been earmarked

for different shopping centredevelopments, only for developers tostep back and put their plans on hold.

Now the council has promised to takethe lead and create confidence in thesite to attract even more investment, asit has done at Smithfield and in theCeramic Valley Enterprise Zone.

City Council Leader Councillor AnnJames said: “This is a once in a lifetime

opportunity and we can’t let it slip by.Our track record shows we get thingsdone and that helps to attract privatesector investment.”

Councillor Dan Jellyman, CabinetMember for Regeneration, Transportand Heritage, said: “This is a site withhuge potential – we want a developmentthat matches our ambition andaspiration for the city.”

Eyesore city centre site to be transformed into exciting youth development

SCAN PHOTOFOR VIDEO

� Q-railingGeneral ManagerBruce Bradshawinside company’snew premises atTunstall Arrow.

Tap into bonuscontent with theCeramic Valley

Augmented Reality app

Download the FREE Ceramic Valley AR app on to your smartphone(iOS or Android) to bring photographs to life in this magazineusing the power of Augmented Reality.

To access the bonus interactive video content on this page,simply follow the three easy steps:

City News 11 25/10/18 15:12 Page 1


[email protected] contact the council by email

Spitfire restorationwork on schedule

WORK has started to installsprinkler systems incouncil-owned apartment blocksas part of a city-wide fire safetydrive. A £350,000 installation at46-flat Seddon Court in Hanleywas the first to start. Sprinklerswill be protecting residents in thenew year.

The work has already beencompleted at all seven low-risecouncil apartment complexes inthe city, and will continue untilall 16 high-rise blocks arecovered.

Councillor Randy Conteh,Cabinet Member for Housing,Communities and Safer City,said: “Our buildings are alreadycompliant with all fire and safetyregulations, and we maintainvery regular checks to ensurethat this remains the case.

“The additional measures in this planned programme ofimprovements will furtherreinforce those safety levels, aswe strive to continually raisestandards.”

Seddon Court Resident JessicaMurtagh said: “I do feelreassured about the sprinklersystem programme. Anything wecan do to prevent fires and theinjuries and tragedy they cancause can only be a positivething.”

STOKE-ON-TRENT’S very ownSpitfire is being brought backto its original glory at

workshops in Kent – and soonafter it returns to the city a newgallery will showcase its key rolein aviation history.

The World War Two Spitfire –serial number RW388 – donatedby the RAF in 1972, was handedover to Medway AircraftPreservation Society restorersearlier this year for renovation.

The Merlin 266 engine hasalready been cleaned andpainted, work is currently beingcarried out on the fuselage andthe wings, and the aircraft is dueto return next year.

In the meantime a lifesize“skeleton” sculpture of a Spitfire,created by apprentices atNewcastle-based precisionengineers KMF, is on show in itsplace at the Potteries Museumand Art Gallery.

Visitors have flocked to see thesculpture which is based on apaper template designed by artistand self-confessed “Spitfirefanatic” Suhail Shaikh.

The city council is workingwith a variety of partners –including the Operation Spitfirefundraising group – to restoreRW388 and celebrate theconnection with the designer ofthe iconic aircraft, NorthStaffordshire-born ReginaldMitchell.

When it returns in 2020 it willbe placed in a new gallery

alongside a simulator cockpitgiving visitors a chance to “fly”the plane virtually. The cockpit isbeing constructed by students atNottingham University workingwith Operation Spitfire which isled by Julian Mitchell, great

nephew of the designer, underthe banner Inspiration ThroughRestoration.

An exhibition in the newgallery space will present the lifeof Reginald Mitchell including his education and training in

Stoke-on-Trent together with thestory of the Spitfire’s design andproduction.

“We will use the space toexplore the wider context of thePotteries during the war,including stories of local pilots,”

said Joe Perry, a Curator at thePotteries Museum and ArtGallery. A learning zone willprovide rooms for schools,families and other visitors to beinspired by engineering, designand technology.”

STUNNING depictions of First World Warbattlefields have gone on show in the PotteriesMuseum & Art Galleryafter being “lost” in thearchives for more than 30 years.

A 67ft long tapestry,almost 100 years old, wasfound among millions ofartefacts in the stores.

The wall hanging wasdesigned by Major TomSimpson and painted byreturning servicemen – allskilled ceramic artists anddesigners – as a tribute totheir fallen colleagues.

A three metre section ofthe tapestry will be ondisplay until November 18,when it will be sent awayfor restoration.

A digitised version ofthe complete wall hangingis also on display as partof the exhibition.

The entire hanging willgo on public display tomark the centenary of theRoyal British Legion in2021.

Historic WW1tapestry isrediscovered

Sprinkler system installation underway at flats block

� Hanley resident Anthony McDowellviews the Spitfire “skeleton” sculpture

which is currently impressing visitors atthe Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.

� Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Fire ProtectionManager Stuart Ruckledge shows the new sprinklersystem to Seddon Court residents Jessica Murtaghand her 14-year-old daughter Agapé.

City News 12 25/10/18 15:13 Page 1


AMBITIOUS plans for a £3.5 millionhomelessness hub have been unveiled bythe city council as part of a huge drive toget rough sleepers off the streets.

More than 40 agencies andorganisations across Stoke-on-Trenthave pledged to work together to helpprevent homelessness.

And residents are being urged to dotheir bit by referring anyone they think

needs support in getting off the streets tothe council and its partners.

A summit attended by more than 100delegates at the King’s Hall in Stoke wastold the proposed homeless hub wouldprovide emergency accommodation andwould bring health, mental health andaddiction services together under one roof.

It would offer help and advice onemployment and training, finance and

wellbeing. Councillor Randy Conteh,Cabinet Member for Housing,Communities and Safer City, said: “Wedon’t want to see anyone in our city on thestreets, and want to ensure that peoplewho find themselves in a vulnerableposition have access to the right supportand services to meet their needs.”

Proposals for the hub, which is expectedto be planned for a site close to the city

centre, include 20 accommodation unitsand 10 self contained accommodationunits to help people move on into thecommunity.

If you are homeless, or know ahomeless person who needs help,talk to the council at One Smithfield,Leonard Coates Way, Hanley, or call01782 233696. Call 01782 234234outside office hours.

APPLICATIONS are invited forthe last wave of the £3 millionCommunity Investment Fundmoney.

A total of £1.3 million isbeing made available in thethird and final round, throughindividual grants of up to£50,000, which will be awardedto be spent on equipment orimprovements to buildings andinfrastructure.

So far, 82 organisations havebeen helped by the councilfunding initiative – with£515,000 handed out to 29organisations in the first wave earlier this year and £1.2 million awarded to 53groups this autumn.

Councillor Randy Conteh,Cabinet Member for Housing,Communities and Safer City,said: “The funding is availableand it’s already made adifference to 82 groups in thecity.

“If a group hasn’t beensuccessful with an applicationso far, we can work with themto develop their plans to putanother bid in to give it morechance of being approved.”

The latest raft of successfulapplicants include StokeFoodbank which received£30,000 to improveinfrastructure, £18,000 forGoldenhill Scouts to restoretheir scout hut and £10,000 for

Number 11, a Burslem-basedcharity that supportsvulnerable people in the city.

Number 11 Service ManagerDave Nixon said: “Our charityaims to provide long-term,sustainable support centredaround a café, providingnutritious meals on a drop-inbasis.

“The funding we have beenprovided will help to buy newfurniture and equipment forthis facility.” Applications forthe final round of CIF grantswill close on December 31.

■ For more information visitstoke.gov.uk/cif or [email protected]

NEW RED LINESCOULD ROLL OUT

Plans unveiled for £3.5m homelessness hub to help rough sleepers

Congestion-busting drive would come into force in New Year

Anew raft of congestion- busting red road routescould come into force in

Stoke-on-Trent early next year.Double red lines mean that

motorists – with someexceptions – cannot stop atany time with the restrictionenforced by CCTV camerasand a £70 fine.

Six busy routes prone totraffic jams have beenproposed and a major publicconsultation has been carriedout by the city council.

Highways engineers arenow analysing the feedbackfrom residents and will drawup a report to councillorsbefore a final red route mapis agreed.

“This is all about makingsure road users can getacross the city as quickly aspossible in a safe manner,”said Councillor Dan Jellyman,Cabinet Member forRegeneration, Transport andHeritage.

“Delays to journeys costbusinesses and commutersboth time and money, andcongestion in our city is oftencaused by inconsiderate andillegal parking on the roads.The priority here is to keepthe city moving, not raisingrevenue through fines.

“One of the maincomplaints I get fromresidents is about parking on

yellow lines and the impact itcauses.

“The routes we have putforward are key strategicroads in the city and redroutes will help to supportpublic transport, localbusinesses and jobs.

“The red lines are goodnews not only for motoristsbut also for bus users ascongestion can preventservices running on time.

“The proposals went out toconsultation. We’re a flexiblecouncil and every view willbe taken into account beforefinal decisions are made.”

Last year the city red lineswere introduced on fourroads in the city centre andthe latest proposed redmarkings are for thefollowing routes:■ Waterloo Road (A50) from

Vale Place, Hanley, toSwan Square, Burslem.

■ Scotia Road (A50) fromMarket Place, Burslem, toHaymarket andWilliamson Street,Tunstall, and on to HighStreet, Sandyford.

■ Longton town centre,including The Strand,Commerce Street, MarketStreet, Transport Lane andKing Street from VictoriaPlace, Fenton, to Longton.

■ City Road, from LeekRoad, Stoke, to Victoria

� YELLOW LINES COULD TURNRED: Councillor Dan Jellyman in Longton’s Market Street which is one of the proposed red routes.

Last chance to bid for vital grants

Service Manager Dave Nixon, right, with service user William O’Connor, left,during a drop in sessions at Number 11, which has been supported by theCommunity Investment Fund.

Place, Fenton, and Victoria Road(A50) from Victoria Place toDewsbury Road, Fenton.

■ Stoke Town centre, includingChurch Street, Londsdale Street,Fleming Road, Campbell Place,Hartshill Road and Shelton OldRoad.

■ University Quarter, includingLeek Road, from Joiners Squareto City Road, Stoke, CollegeRoad from Avenue Road toStation Road, Stoke, and alsoStation Road itself.Although red route markings

prevent drivers from stopping at

any time, they can still allow forloading and unloading in designatedbays, as well as disabled parking.

Hackney carriage vehicles candrop off and pick up passengers,and the driver of a vehicle with ablue badge can also pick up or dropoff a disabled person.

City News 13 25/10/18 15:30 Page 1


BANS on alcohol and antisocial behaviour are on thetable to make Hanley a safer, more attractive place.

The public are being asked to comment on thecouncil plan to cover the city centre, Festival Park,Octagon Retail Park, Hanley Park and the PortlandStreet estate with a special legal order preventingcertain antisocial behaviours.

The clampdown – Public Spaces Protection Order – isbased on the following conditions:● That no-one shall have in their possession an open

alcoholic drink, other than in the grounds of licensedpremises or at an organised licensed event.

● That no-one shall beg or solicit money in the area.

● That no-one in the area shall cause an obstruction ona street or green space or to a public toilet, afterbeing asked to remove the obstruction which couldinclude those caused by fly-tipping or illegal vendors.

● That no-one in the area shall engage in behaviour orlanguage that causes, or is likely to cause, alarm ordistress.

Figures from Staffordshire Police show that reportedincidents of antisocial behaviour in the wider Etruriaand Hanley area have increased by six per cent over the

last 12 months, from 1,784 to 1,888. Councillor RandyConteh, Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities andSafer City, said: “We want people to continue to enjoyour city centre and public spaces in a safe andwelcoming environment. We work closely withbusinesses and attractions and together we are allcommitted to doing everything we can to ensure the citycentre is a great place to shop and do business.”

The consultation runs until Friday November 9 whichis almost at the end of the City News distributionperiod. People can give their views by filling in anonline form at stoke.gov.uk/PSPO

THE Safer Places initiative to help peoplewho might feel vulnerable while out in the community is going from strength

to strength.A total of 130 establishments have now

signed up to provide a safe zone wherevulnerable persons can be supported. Inaddition a Safer Places app has been launchedto let people know their location, their nearestSafer Places and the best way to get there.

Drop-in familiarisation sessions are to beheld around the city for members who havesigned up to the app, which can be accessedvia the national Safer Places website.

Organisations in Stoke-on-Trent which haverecently signed up to the scheme include theGrocott Centre, Citizens’ Advice Bureau, MeirDental Surgery, Whitfield Valley CommunityCentre and Westport Lake Visitor Centre.

“Every organisation which signs up receivesfree Safer Places awareness training to enablethem to support a vulnerable person usingtheir Safer Place,” said Tracy Wright, memberof city council’s Community DevelopmentTeam (Public Health and Adult Social Care).

Locations which are designated Safer Placesare identifiable by a Safer Places sticker at theentrance.

People who join the scheme have a KeepSafe card, including the names and contactnumbers of two relatives or friends who becalled on for help, which they show to accessassistance.

NEW rounds of courses toteach adults in the cityimportant skills start up in theNew Year. There are sessionsfrom keyboard and mouseskills to Holiday Spanish,Maths and English to sewingand dressmaking.

Lots of different courses –from beginner to moreadvanced – which can helpimprove job prospects aredelivered at venues throughoutStoke-on-Trent, including themain office at One Smithfieldin Hanley.

Any city resident, aged 19and over on August 31 thisyear, can attend one of thecourses. Classes are alsodelivered for families withinschools across the city.

Post 16 Operations TeamLeader Stacey Hargreaves said:“Completing an Adult andCommunity Learning coursecan help you learn new skills,gain qualifications and improve

job prospects. In addition, shortcourses can help you to decidewhich career to go in to beforeundertaking full-timeeducation.

“We want to give all residentsthe chance to fulfil theirpotential and try somethingnew.”

There are also courses forwhole families, includingStorytime, Cook and Eat, FamilyFirst Aid and Family Spanish.

If you would like to seeFamily Learning offered inyour child’s school, pleasespeak with your headteacherand ask them to contact Adultand Community Learning on01782 234775 or [email protected]■ For more information and tobook a place please contact theengagement team on telephone:01782 234775, email: [email protected], orwebsite: stoke.gov.uk/adultlearning

Safe places whenfeeling vulnerable

Courses for adults andfamilies start in 2019

Proposal for legal order to ban alcohol and antisocial behaviour in city centre

�Westport Lake Visitor CentreAssistant Supervisor YvonneBrearley points to the Safe Placesticker at centre entrance.

� Hanley residentMartin Ruiz, left, andDina Hernandez,right, of Sandyfordtalking with theirtutor Ruth Parkeswho leads an Englishfor Speakers of OtherLanguages course.

City News 14 25/10/18 15:18 Page 1

SUMMER 2018 City News 15

Abbey Hulton and Townsend

MELANIE BADDELEY(City Independents)(01782) 85935407979 [email protected]

RICHARD BROUGHAN(For Britain)07881 [email protected]

Bentilee and Ubberley

STEPHEN FUNNELL(Labour)07919 [email protected]:@CllrSFunnell

SHEILA PITT(Labour)07957 [email protected]

TERENCE FOLLOWS(City Independents) (01782) 64355307944 [email protected]

DANIEL JELLYMAN(Conservative) (01782) [email protected]:@DanielJellyman

JANINE BRIDGES(City Independents)(01782) 85184207771 [email protected]

ANN JAMES(City Independents) 01782) [email protected]

Baddeley Green, Milton and Norton

JACK BRERETON MP(Conservative)07855 916134

[email protected]

DAVE EVANS(Conservative)07447 [email protected]:@DaveEvans188

ANTHONY MUNDAY(City Independents)07743 [email protected]

Birches Head and Central Forest Park

JEAN BOWERS(City Independents)07919 [email protected]

SABRINA BOWERS(City Independents)(01782) 53479707827 [email protected]

Blurton East

JOAN BELL(Labour) (01782) 34139807757 [email protected]

Blurton West and Newstead

LLOYD BROWN(Labour)07824 [email protected]:@lloyd_m_brown

GURMEET SINGHKALLAR(Labour)07900 [email protected]

JOY GARNER (Labour)(01782) 768846 07986 [email protected]:@CllrJoyGarner

LILIAN DODD(City Independents)(01782) 31928507880 [email protected]

CHRIS ROBINSON(Labour)07720 [email protected]:@JKRobbo72

Burslem Central

ALAN DUTTON(City Independents)07982 [email protected]:@BurslemCentral

Boothen and Oakhill

ANDY PLATT(Labour)07946 [email protected]:@CllrAndyST4

MICK BELL(UKIP)(01782) [email protected]

CANDI CHETWYND(Labour)07910 [email protected]:@CllrChetwynd

MAJID KHAN(Labour)07989 [email protected]

PAUL SHOTTON (Labour)07769 697771paul.shotton@ stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@Paul_Shotton

Eaton Park

RITA DALE(City Independents)(01782) [email protected]

ALASTAIR WATSON(Labour)07736 [email protected]

SADAQATMAQSOOM(Conservative)07595 [email protected]

SHAUN PENDER(Labour)07914 [email protected]:@ShaunPender

KATH BANKS(Labour)(01782) 39975907790 [email protected]

Hanley Park and Shelton

AMJID WAZIR(Labour)07747 [email protected]

ABI BROWN(Conservative)07793 [email protected]:@AbiBrown1

DEBBIE WHEELDON(Labour)(01782) 595043 07870 [email protected]: @CllrWheeldon

CRAIG BEARDMORE(Conservative)07941 [email protected]

RUTH ROSENAU(Labour)07870 [email protected]:@CllrRuthRosenau

Little Chell and Stanfield

DAVID CONWAY (City Independents) 07981 348451 [email protected]

JOANNE POWELL-BECKETT(City Independents)07816 [email protected]

JACKIE BARNES(City Independents)(01782) 845619 07813 539410 jackie.barnes@stoke. gov.uk

RANDOLPH CONTEH (City Independents) (01782) 256869 07920 [email protected]

OLWEN HAMER(Labour)07717 [email protected]:@OlwenHamer

Moorcroft

MOHAMMED PERVEZ (Labour)07919 [email protected]:@PervezStoke

ROSS IRVING(Conservative)(01782) 33598207842 [email protected]

Tunstall

LEE WANGER(City Independents) (01782) 856712 07971 [email protected]:@LeeWanger

Goldenhill and Sandyford

MARTIN GARNER(Labour)(01782) [email protected]

Information on city councillors was correct at the time of going to press.

For more information on your councillors go to stoke.gov.uk/councillorsCouncillors can also be contacted through the Councillor and Civic Support Team who cantake messages and forward them on. They can be contacted on (01782) 231922 or 231924.

Cabinet meetings take place at the CivicCentre at 1pm on the following dates:13 November, 11 December 2018, 15January, 19 February (Budget) 2019.

The next full city council meetings will be in theCouncil Chamber at 2.30pm on the followingdates: 6 December 2018, 24 January,28 February 2019.

FORTHCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, STOKE:

YourCouncillors

Broadway and Longton EastBradeley and Chell Heath Burslem Park Dresden and Florence

Etruria and Hanley Fenton East Fenton West and Mount Pleasant Ford Green and Smallthorne

Great Chell and Packmoor Hanford and Trentham

Hartshill and Basford Hollybush and Longton West Joiner’s Square Lightwood North and Normacot

Meir Hay Meir North Meir Park Meir South

Penkhull and Stoke Sandford Hill Sneyd Green Springfields and Trent Vale

Weston Coyney

City News 15 25/10/18 15:19 Page 1


R ESIDENTS in Stoke-on-Trent have been urged to take up plogging – picking up

litter while out jogging – as agreat way of keeping fit whiletidying up the city’s streets andpublic spaces.

The plogging craze, whichoriginated in Sweden, has beenpioneered in Potteries by the300-strong Stoke Fit Club basedin Baddeley Green and Bentilee.

They have organised the“plogs” in support of the citycouncil’s Binners are Winnersanti-litter campaign.

Now Councillor AnthonyMunday, who is spearheading thehighly successful campaign, hascalled on running clubs and localgroups to join the growingnumber of ploggers.

“Trentham running club hasalready followed the example setby Stoke Fit members and it wouldbe tremendous if other clubs andgroups joined in to help rid theircommunities of litter,” he said

“The council has provided bags,picking sticks and gloves toencourage the ploggers,” he said.“Litter blights our environmentand the council has limitedresources to tackle the problem soany help is appreciated. Of course,the best way of beating the litterproblem is not to throw it in thefirst place and put it in a bin.”

Baddeley Green Stoke Keep Fitmember Christine Pezzaioli saidplogging was an ideal way ofkeeping fit while doingsomething positive for the localcommunity.

“We get a really good responsefrom people when they see us

out plogging,” she said. “We arriveback with our bags full.”

As part of the Binners areWinners campaign CouncillorMunday, Cabinet Member forGreener City, Development andLeisure, has visited 12 primaryschools to spread the anti-littermessage.

In total he has addressed morethan 4,300 pupils at morningassemblies and council officershave staged recycling workshopsin the classrooms. In additionCouncillor Munday has joinedfive community litter picks held

across the city on Sundays.“We have had very positive

feedback from the schools,” hesaid. “As a result many schoolshave stepped up their recyclingand have carried out litter picksin their areas.

“It is important to sow theseeds at the youngest possibleage – that’s why we have startedwith primary schools but will alsobe including secondary schools inthe future.”

Meanwhile, the city counciljoined forces with BBC RadioStoke for the Clean Start project

which encouraged schools toorganise litter picks at the start ofterm in September.

Radio Stoke presenter LamontHowie said they were delightedwith the uptake with more than60 schools and thousands ofstudents taking part. It was oneof the station’s year-long Makinga Difference events to celebrateits 50th anniversary on air.

Lamont added: “We areplanning another Clean Startevent around Easter and arehoping that even more schoolswill be involved.”

Residents urged to keep fit and support the community

FOUR gyms run by Stoke-on-Trent City Councilare offering a special money-off deal to peoplejoining this year after December 1.

The offer applies to people signing up atShapes Health and Leisure Club at the FentonManor Sports Complex, Dimensions LeisureCentre Health Club, the Wallace Sports andEducation Centre and Northwood Stadium.

Anyone becoming a member in the run-up tothe festive period will not be liable for a joiningfee or initial payment. Their first direct debitpayment won’t be required until March 1 nextyear.

“Money is tight around the festive period sowe want to make it easier for people to signup,” said Roger Moore, Operations ManagerHealth and Leisure. “As well as access to widerange of gym facilities people joining can takeadvantage of advice given at the centres abouthealthy lifestyle options.”■ Call into your local leisure centre formore information.

Festive money-offoffer at four gyms

�Blurton resident Rio-Poppy Bibie

works out in Shapes gym with Fitness

Leader DarcyMarfleet.

A CLEANPLOGGING FORA CLEAN ITY

STRONG action is being takento protect city residents fromloan sharks.

The council is working withthe national Illegal MoneyLending Team (ILMT) andlocal Citizens’ Advice to sendout a clear message that thisdespicable crime which preyson the most vulnerable people,will not be tolerated in the city.

More than 80 housing staffhave received training on howto identify a loan shark, andhow to spot one of theirvictims and signpost them tohelp and support.

An estimated 310,000households across the countryare in debt to a loan shark.

These criminals usuallyappear friendly at first butquickly trap their borrowersinto spiralling debt with thehighest interest seen by anillegal lender was equivalent toover four million per cent APR.

Many of them will resort tothe most extreme and callousmethods to enforce repaymentincluding threats, violence andintimidation.

Councillor Randy Conteh,Cabinet Member for Housing,Communities and Safer City,said: “Loan sharks cause untoldmisery to those who aredesperate enough to borrowfrom them.

”We are determined to do all we can to put a stop toillegal money lending inStoke-on-Trent, to supportpeople who fall prey to loansharks and to make peopleaware of how they can makeinformed choices about theirfinances.”

The partners are urging azero tolerance approach toloan sharks, making themessage loud and cleat thatthey are not welcome inStoke-on-Trent and protectingsome of the city’s poorestcommunities and mostvulnerable families.

■ To report a loan shark:Call the 24/7 confidentialhotline 0300 555 2222Text ‘loan shark + yourmessage’ to 078600 22116Email [email protected] message onwww.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject

Action toclampdownon scourge ofloan sharks

� PLOGGING AT TWILIGHT: Councillor Anthony Munday, centre, joins Stoke Fit Ploggers at the start of an evening plog atBaddeley Green, left to right, Candice Valentine, Rob Eardley, Christine Pezzaioli and Keighley Proudmore.

City News 16 25/10/18 15:56 Page 1

stronger together ahousing kickstart · to kickstart housing development in stoke-on-trent in the...

Documents