A winning woman helping women from Longsight!

At the last minute last week I was asked to stand in for someone and present one of the awards at Manchester International Women's Day Awards.  I'd been involved in organising the awards as Chair of the IWD Steering Group but we like to leave the award presenting to previous winners or women leading in their field. 

Imagine my delight when I discovered that the winner I was announcing was a woman who has been working to make a difference for women in Longsight. The winner was Nadia Ali who I presented with the “Women Shaping Their Community” Award at a ceremony held at the Manchester Town Hall. Honoured at the event were women who have made real contributions to Manchester life in fields such as science, art and sport.

Nadia was awarded the honour for her tireless community volunteer work. Years ago Nadia founded a very unique group – the Asian Single Parent Group. This group was formed after Nadia met many Asian single parents in the area, who were facing issues such as isolation, oppression, mental and physical abuse and lack of confidence and self esteem. The group provided a space for these parents to come together and share their feelings and anxieties. The parents involved became more confident, accessed training programmes, applied for paid employment opportunities and formed close friendships.

Nadia went on to successfully produce and present a radio show on ALL FM, named the Independent Woman Show. The show addressed the issues that single parents were facing, particularly those from South Asian communities. She effectively addressed these issues and campaigned for the rights of Asian Single parents.

Nadia has been a crisis worker for the St Mary Sexual Assault Centre and had a voluntary role with Manchester Rape Crisis. Over the past 17 years, Nadia has voluntarily supported over 75 women and has effectively signposted them to relevant service providers.

Nadia successfully completed the training to become a Parent Survival trainer and engaged many parents from Ardwick to participate in the course. Nadia was also instrumental in the initial development of Healthy Ardwick due to her effective partnership working abilities

Nadia is still very much involved in the local community and has recently set up a Zumba and Bollywood fitness class for local women as a way of addressing their health and wellbeing needs. 195 women are registered. This is an extension of the service that Manchester Dragon Tae Kwondo Club, which has provided a safe space for children for seven years.

Well done Nadia a very well deserved award. 

Why we still need International Women's Day

Last Friday, 8^th March was International Women’s Day. I am often challenged when talking about International Women’s Day about why we still need it. Here is an extract from my speech to the International Women’s Day Awards ceremony last week which highlights a few statistics from the Counting Women In Report, illustrating why we still need to celebrate women’s achievements and campaign for equality.

“It (Counting Women In Report) tells us just 22.5 percent of MPs and 17.4 percent of the Cabinet are women.  In Manchester Central we - for the 1^st time ever – last year, elected a labour woman member of parliament, Lucy Powell. But really Manchester what took us so long?

Women make up a mere 13.3 percent of elected mayors and 14.6 percent of Police and Crime Commissioners.

In the league table of the representation of women in politics, the UK has since 2001 fallen from 33^rd to 60^th place.

Tonight we are joined by some fantastic female journalists from the Manchester Evening News and the BBC – in their industry only 5 per cent of Editors of national daily newspapers are women.

When it comes to finance and the economy, a job which the men seem to be making a pretty big mess of at the moment, there are no women at all on the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee. Not one single woman. In 2013 how can that ever be deemed acceptable?

I wondered when reading this report what Emmeline Pankhurst would have made of all this. Over 90 years since her campaign for votes for women sometimes it feels like we have made hardly any progress at all.

We all know that there are consequences to this shocking lack of diversity in public life. It is weakening democracy and the public’s confidence in it.  By not ensuring that women are represented in decision-making we are wasting an enormous amount of talent. The huge economic challenges that we currently face will not and cannot be solved men alone.”

Keep on top of your finances

The Citzens Advice Bureau in partnership with Great Places are running a number of financial literacy classes at Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Rd.

The classes are FREE but there are only 10 places available at each session so please call into the centre or email to book on a class.   Each class will run from 11am to 1pm  on the following dates:

27th Feb

13th March

27th March

10th April

24th April

Women's keep fit in Longsight

Quite a lot of residents have been asking me about women only sports in Longsight. Here are the ones that I know about (I will add more and update this page as I find out about new classes):

Zumba 
@ Jain Community Centre, 669 Stockport Road,
Monday
6.30-7.15pm  Zumba
7.15-8pm  Belly & Bolly Bootcamp
£3 for both classes
Thursday
10-10.45am - Zumba
£2

Zumba

@ Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Rd

Tuesday

5.45pm

£1

Gym Session & Zumba Class 

@ Belle Vue Leisure Centre, Kirkmanshulme Lane

Gym 

Monday

12noon to 2pm 

12-2pm every Monday

£2.10 

Zumba 

Monday 

12.15 to 1pm

£3.30

Manchester celebrates International Women's Day 2013

Since 1911, the 8 March is celebrated around the world by governments, education departments, charities, businesses, women's groups and people as International Women's Day (IWD). On this day and throughout March thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women and reflect on the continuing challenges women still face. Many groups around the world choose different themes each year relevant to global and local gender issues.

I have the honour of Chairing Manchester City Council's International Women's Day Steering Group with partners such as, Manchester University, Manchester Co-operative group, Manchester Galleries and Museums, local third sector groups and local businesses. The IWD steering group chose the theme for Manchester's International Women's Day celebrations in 2013 - Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  In the UK women make up only 9.1% of those working in STEM industries in the private sector. This years theme is an opportunity to raise awareness of STEM careers for women in the city.

As part of IWD 2013 Manchester City Council will be hosting the International Women's Day Awards on the 8 March at Manchester Town Hall, these awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievement of women in the city often working in industries where women are under represented.

In addition to the awards there are over 50 events taking place across the city, some funded through the Manchester City Council IWD small grant fund and others from the fantastic Wonder Women Festival and other partners.

Please download the Diary of Events for information about all the events across the city throughout March 2013. Download the Diary.

Finding out about bins and recycling in my area

I have been getting a lot of enquiries lately about bins and recycling.

The City Council has an online system for waste and recycling so you can find out when your bins are collected here

You can order a free collection for a bulky item here (two free collections per household a year).

If there is a problem with your bin collection you can report it here

Finally if you need to you can order new bins here

If you are having persistent problems with your bins and bin collection please report them to me by email

Consultation on drug and alcohol services

Manchester City Council is asking residents to give their views on its proposals for drug and alcohol services in Manchester. This is the latest consultation for residents to find out more about the 2013 -15 budget proposals for the directorate of Adults Health and Wellbeing.

The proposals look at ways in which savings can be made in commissioning services for drug and alcohol treatment as a result of a reduction in Government funding, without having a detrimental impact on the treatment of drug and alcohol users in the city.

The consultation runs until 10 May.  Consultation details are as follows:

•     8 March 1pm - 4pm Hapurhey Neighbourhood Project, Carisbrook Street
•     11 March 3pm - 6pm Conference Hall, Town Hall
•     14 March 1pm - 4pm Wythenshawe Forum

For full details of the proposals, links to further details including the full committee reports and a chance to give your views about the plans, go to www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations, where you can complete the online questionnaire or visit any branch library.

Weekly List of Planning Applications week ending 1 Feb

Below are the most recently submitted planning applications for Longsight. You can get more detail on Manchester City Councils Planning Portal: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/planning

If you need more detailed information or want to submit comments in support or against the applications you can do so by contacting North Area Planning Group Manager - Des Jones Tel: (0161) 234 4522 email: d.jones5@manchester.gov.uk

101165/FO/2012/N2
7 Lazonby Walk Longsight Manchester M13 0WT
Erection of single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation, erection of new 1.8m high side boundary wall in association of enclosure of highway to form private garden area

Northmoor Community café is back for the half term….

The café which brings the community together is opening again during half term.

Opening times:
Monday 18th February to Thursday 21st February from 10am—1pm

There is an affordable & tasty menu  adn event a crafts table to keep the children entertained whilst you have a well deserved cup of tea and slice of cake!

Please go along and support your community cafe @Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Rd, Longsight.

Have your say on important changes

The City Council will be holding a consultation and drop-in sessions in the coming weeks, giving residents the chance to find out more about the 2013-15 budget proposals for its directorate of Adults' Health and Wellbeing.

The events will give an additional opportunity to discuss plans proposed by the council, which is seeking to address an overall funding shortfall of £80m over the next two financial years. The first of three consultations, which launched today, on the Supporting People Programme, which provides a wide range of housing-related services to help vulnerable people to set up home or continue to live independently.

In response to the budget settlement, Manchester City Council is looking at ways to save £3.4m from the Supporting People programme, while ensuring that vulnerable adults receive the help that they need.

The closest consultation to Longsight is at the Library on Thursday 21 February 1pm - 4pm.  There is also a consultation event on Sunday 11 March 3pm - 6pm Conference Hall, Town Hall.

The consultation period runs until 6 May 2013. For full details of the proposals, links to further details including the full committee reports and a chance to give your views about the plans, go to www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations, or visit Longsight library.

Weekly List of Planning Applications week ending 25 Jan

Below are the most recently submitted planning applications for Longsight. You can get more detail on Manchester City Councils Planning Portal: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/planning

If you need more detailed information or want to submit comments in support or against the applications you can do so by contacting North Area Planning Group Manager - Des Jones Tel: (0161) 234 4522 email: d.jones5@manchester.gov.uk

100775/NMC/2012/N2
St Peters R.C. High School, Kirkmanshulme Lane Longsight, Manchester M12 4WB
Non Material Amendment to planning permission  098966/FO/2012/N2 to allow elevational alterations and replacement doors with windows.

101156/FH/2012/N2
25 Hector Road Longsight Manchester M13 0QN
Erection of a single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation

Have your say on leisure and library proposals

Following on from my update last month on the Councils consultation on the budget proposals, a specific consultation is now ongoing regarding the proposed changes to leisure and library services in the area.  The main impact for Longsight residents is the closure of Levenshulme Swimming Pool until a new facility is built in spring 2015.  

Councillors and senior officers will be in attendance to hear residents' opinions and to explain the proposals in detail about Levenshulme Library & Leisure Centre on Tuesday 12 February at 5pm in Crowcroft Park Primary School.

A consultation drop-in session to find out more about the library strategy from senior council officers will take place on Saturday 16 February from 10am to 12noon at Longsight Library.

For full details of the proposals, links to further details including the full committee reports and a chance to give your views about the plans, go to www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations

Be part of Manchester Day 2013!

Preparations for the much anticipated Manchester Day Parade have already begun and there is only a week left to submit an application to be involved, with this year’s theme Wish You Were Here!

The parade will return on 2 June 2013 once again Manchester City Council are inviting community groups, volunteers and organisations to put forward their ideas inspired by the theme to create the incredible artworks that make up the Manchester Day Parade.

This could be designing a float, creating costumes, making music or choreography – but it must be inspired by the theme: Wish You Were Here.

To apply to take part in the 2013 Manchester Day Parade, fill in the parade application form at www.themanchesterdayparade.co.uk/participants

Applications must be received by Monday, 18 February 2013.

Be a women's cycling champion!

Want to be a cycling champion for women in your area? Then this course on Saturday at the National Cycling Centre is for you.

THIS Saturday 9 February 2013
From 8.45am – 5pm
At the National Cycling Centre, Stuart St, Manchester, M11 4DQ
To register email: breeze@britishcycling.org.uk

The Breeze network is British Cycling’s exciting programme to get more women riding a bike. It is about fun, friendly and social bike rides in a local area – led by women for women. They have over 450 Breeze champions across England and bike rides organised on a daily basis. Funded by Sport England, Breeze relies on a hugely important group of volunteer champions to make the programme happen. Without their amazing energy, enthusiasm and commitment to get women bike riding, we simply wouldn't be able to offer these exciting experiences.

They are looking for a number of Breeze champions across the country.  There is no need to be a cycling expert - just be confident on a bike and keen to help others. They are looking for enthusiastic people to get involved in the Breeze network and inspire women to get more out of their bike, have fun with friends and get a recognised qualification at the same time.

To become a Breeze champion:

•     You'll take part in a fun one day ride leadership course where you'll have a chance to meet other Breeze champions.
•     The certificate qualifies you to independently plan, deliver and promote rides to groups of women.
•     In addition to free training, they will provide you with a Breeze kit, British Cycling Ride membership and plenty of support along the way.
•     Furthermore, to ensure you're able to deliver safe bike rides, British Cycling will support you to gain a first aid qualification.
•     In return they ask champions to deliver on average 12 rides over the year to local women in their area.

Weekly List of Planning Applications week ending 18 Jan

Below are the most recently submitted planning applications for Longsight. You can get more detail on Manchester City Councils Planning Portal

If you need more detailed information or want to submit comments in support or against the applications you can do so by contacting North Area Planning Group Manager - Des Jones Tel: (0161) 234 4522 email: d.jones5@manchester.gov.uk

101098/FO/2012/N2 325 - 327 Dickenson Road Longsight Manchester M13 0NR Erection of three storey rear extension to form additional accommodation for existing men's hostel together with reconfiguration and refurbishment to provide 29 no. single bedrooms (reduction in occupancy from 33)

101341/FH/2013/N2 1 Daisy Avenue Longsight Manchester M13 0LY Installation of external insulation works

101399/FH/2013/N2 1 Sullivan Street Longsight Manchester M12 4WS Erection of part singe and part 2 storey rear extension and rear dormers to form additional living accommodation

Medlock Residents Association

If you live in the Daisy Bank Rd / Longford Place area of Longsight then you have a local residents group called Medlock Residents Association

The groups next meeting is today (Thursday 7th February) at 6.30pm Methodist International House,68 Daisy Bank Road M14 5QP.

As well as their website they also have a facebook page They have been really active in the area organising community clean-ups and engaging with students but they need more help. If you live in the area please go along and support.

Longsight Resident? We need your views....

Longsight Ward has its own specific action plan. We refresh the plan each year to reflect the changing needs and priorities of the area. Its important that local residents views are fed into this plan so please email me with your comments on what our future priorities should be.

Connecting ideas and inventions to patents and profitability

In my day job I recently undertook some research on patenting levels of different countries around the world. In summary the end result was that in the UK we are currently pretty rubbish at getting patent applications in and profiting from our creativity.

Graphene is the current buzz word amongst scientists and inventors across the globe. A new wonder material discovered by scientists at the University of Manchester. YET the UK holds only 54 of the 5,172 graphene patents. By contrast China and the USA hold 2,204 and 1,754 respectively. This is the "patent paradox"; global companies and competitors can cash in on patents for marketable products on the basis of UK and European research. As a result the European Union has recently established an EU wide patent. This will make it easier and cheaper for SMEs, individuals, NGOs and university spin-offs to patent their ideas.

That is why I was pleased when I found out that Manchester Libraries are going to be teaming up with the British Library to become part of a new national information network. The network is modelled on the British Library’s flagship Business & IP (Intellectual Property) Centre, a business and innovation advice centre which provides support to small businesses, inventors and entrepreneurs. Only six cities have been chosen to participate in the scheme – Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield.

The project’s aim is for each city to establish a ‘one-stop-shop’ information service along the lines of the successful Business & IP Centre, which has provided practical advice and business information to more than 300,000 people since opening its doors in 2006. I hope the result for Manchester businesses will be to connect the vast wealth of creativity and inventiveness we have in the city to the profits and growth that can come from being able to more easily patent your ideas and inventions!

Prof Kevin Anderson's 'real talk' on climate change

The whole Council sat in silence on Wednesday morning listening to the grim reality of how Climate Change will impact on our city and the rest of the world if political leaders continue on their current path. As Councillor Fletcher-Hackwood would say it was 'real talk'. Real talk of the starkest and most depressing kind.

The figure that really shocked me was that 1% of the world’s population are responsible for 50% of the worlds CO2 emissions. That 1% is probably you or me. If you have taken a flight on holiday in the last year it’s definitely you. If you earn over £30k it’s definitely you. But that figure is also where the hope in Prof Anderson’s real talk is. Figures show that making changes to the supply side of energy production won’t have an impact on reducing CO2 emissions fast enough to keep climate change temperature rises below 2°C (the point at which beyond it is now widely accepted the consequences would be devastating to the world). But on the demand side small changes can make a huge impact in terms of emissions. Basically it’s down to us. Deciding to put a jumper on rather than turn the heating on an hour early. Buying the A++ rated fridge rather than the A rated one. Small changes to our lifestyles can make a big difference. If we as individuals can make such a difference how Manchester City Council acts can make a phenomenal difference.

That is why we have the Manchester: A Certain Future Action Plan. In June 2012 we held a mini-Conference in the Economy Scrutiny Committee on Manchester’s economy in the context of sustainability. We came up with a number of recommendations but I think a number of us as Councillors would have liked to have gone further and been more ambitious in our recommendations. In light of Prof Anderson’s talk this week I wouldn’t be surprised if we re-visit our discussion on steady state economics very soon! Watch this space.

Manchester City Council Leader on twitter!

The leader of Manchester City Council has very recently joined the twitter community and is already on his second twitter Q&A session. You can follow him here @SirRichardLeese His 2nd Q&A is taking place on Thursday 31st January between 5.30-6.30 You can follow the conversation via #asktheleader 

Manchester & Salford Uprising

I spent my Sunday afternoon this week talking to an amazing group of young people from Manchester and Salford who have been brought together by an organisation called Uprising . Basically its a leadership programme designed to inspire and support our next generation of community and political leaders. All I can say is WOW! Some of these young people are already beating hands down the current set of rag tag politicians leading this country. I came away from the afternoon inspired and reinvigorated and with a feeling of hope I havent felt since the coalition came to power in 2010. If you get an invite to work with and meet this group of young people take it you wont regret it. I hope that Manchester Labour will continue to strength our links with them and that it wont be too long before we see some of them elected as Manchester Councillors!

Be a friend of your local park

Crowcroft Park Friends Group have just set their meeting dates for the coming year. We are lucky in Longsight to have such an excellent and well used park on our doorstep. Its an important community facility which we all need to support. The Friends of the Park is a voluntary group of local residents, workers or visitors who dedicate some of their time, energy and effort to caring for and improving their local Park. Anyone can join a Friends group and give as much or as little time as they want to nurture their park.

Crowcroft Park friends group will be meeting in the wardens office on the following dates:
Friday 22nd March 12.30pm
Wednesday 22nd May 4pm
Wednesday 24th July 4pm
Friday 20th September 12.30pm
Friday 22nd November 12.30pm

 But crowcroft isn't my local park? - see here - for a list of contacts for other parks in the area.

Northmoor Together

Do you live in the Northmoor area of Longsight? There is a really active residents group based at Northmoor Community centre who are working together to make Longsight a cleaner, greener and generally nicer place to live! The next meeting is at 6pm on Monday 4th February at Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Road. Come along and get involved!

Longsight has a facebook group!

It’s not quite reached Levy Massive proportions yet but a local resident, Louise Bolotin has set up a Love Longsight group on Facebook. We now need to get the message out to as many residents as possible and get the group functioning as an online community hub for Longsight like the Levy Massive does. So please join the group and add all your friends on facebook too! Love Longsight

Wish your gas and electric bills were lower?

The Citizens Advice Bureau and Great Places are organising a special event for Longsight residents. There are lots of ways to cut the cost of gas and electric bills and you can find out how on Wednesday 13th February from 11am to 1pm at Northmoor Community Centre, Northmoor Rd. Please confirm attendance with the reception at Northmoor Community Centre.

Longsight Community Primary

The Department for Education has approved a bid by The Big Life Group, which currently manages the Longsight Sure Start Centre on Farrer Rd, for a free school in Longsight. A free school is a school in England funded by the taxpayer, academically non-selective and free to attend, but not controlled by a local authority.

Local parents worked with The Big Life group to submit the bid for the free school which will be called ‘Longsight Community Primary’ and be an extension to Longsight Surestart Children’s Centre. It will eventually offer 189 school places to children aged 4 – 11 years old. You can visit the school website here.

We have supported the bid as local Councillors due to the high and growing demand for school places in the ward. The Big Life Group has involved us all along the way as local Councillors. They have now asked for me to become a member of the schools Governing body and I have agreed.

The schools vision is ‘together we can achieve the best future for our children’. Alongside education, delivered in line with the national curriculum, but with a focus on language, the school will provide volunteering opportunities to parents and training opportunities, in partnership with local organisations, for people looking to secure teaching and childcare qualifications.

The school is currently in the Pre-Opening phase and as part of this phase they are undertaking a Statutory Public Consultation. You can read the Consultation document here. If you have children and live locally they would appreciate if you would get involved in this process and complete the questionnaire online. The public consultation will end on 8th February 2013.

Could you be a digital champion?

The Go On Manchester campaign aims to bring the benefits of the internet to every individual and organisation in the city - a goal that is supported by a digital champions initiative. Digital champions can do anything from helping people who have never been online before, to helping colleagues develop their internet skills, to working with other local organisations or businesses to enhance their web presence. A Digital Champion can be anyone from any area of work or experience who can make a commitment, large or small, to help individuals or organisations to get online. All you need is: • To have basic computer skills that you are able to share • To be confident about using the internet • To be enthusiastic about the things that it can do • To have the patience to support people, businesses and local organisations that are learning something new. To find out how you can join in, visit www.go-on-manchester.com.

Longsight Enterprise Network

If you are a business or aspiring entrepreneur in or around Longsight, why not attend the first meeting of the Enterprise Network at Longsight Library? Meet other enterprising people and businesses in your area, share knowledge, and receive expert advice and information from speakers on a range of topics.

Remember to bring along your business cards as there will be plenty of opportunity to network with other local entrepreneurs! Also learn about free business support and information available in Longsight Library to help your business grow.

First meeting: “The Secret of Successful Social Media” with Dean Bartlett Smith Are you making the most out of social media for your business? Dean gives you practical ways of doing just that!

Tuesday 29th January 2013 

5.30pm – 7.30pm 

Longsight Library 519 Stockport Rd, M12 4NE 

To book your FREE place on this event please go to: http://longsightenterprisenetwork.eventbrite.co.uk/ Or call 0161 341 0245

Be the difference. Be a Foster Carer!

An element of my role as a local Councillor involves 'corporate parenting'. Corporate parenting refers to the formal and local partnerships needed between all local authority departments and services, and associated agencies, which are responsible for working together to meet the needs of looked after children and young people. Corporate Parenting is an important responsibility which offers the opportunity to improve the futures of our Looked After children. As part of this role I take part in regular visits to a Manchester children’s home and provide a written report on my visit to the home each month. It’s one of the most challenging but also rewarding things I do. However, not all our Looked After Children are in childrens homes, the majority are placed with Foster Carers in the City. Manchester is currently in need of more Foster Carers to help provide a loving home to some of our Looked After Children. If you think you might be interested then you can find out more here

Be a postcard poet!

Manchester Libraries are running a competition to write a postcard poem. All you need to do is write a short poem about your favourite book, author or anything else you love about libraries and reading! This competition is open to 6-16 year olds and three lucky winners (one from each age group) will see their poems printed on limited-edition postcards. For more information click here.

Get fit and healthy for free!

Get fit & healthy in 2013! Between 21-27 Jan, you can try any Active Lifestyles session for FREE. For information on what sessions are on near you click here

Want to help Manchester City Council with their new website?

Manchester City Council are updating their website in the next few months and need people to help with user-testing. Sign up here to take part.

Any old (or new) wool?

I am collecting wool for Longsight's Bangladeshi Women's Organisation. They have an active group going that are knitting like mad and making lots of lovely things. They hope to make enough things to sell on Longsight Market so that they can raise funds for their centre and keep it going in these difficult times. The Centre provides a lifeline for many Bangladeshi women in the Longsight, Rusholme and Gorton area. The problem is and anyone who knits will know this, wool can be pretty expensive. However, most people who knit regularly have bags and bags of odds and ends and spare wool. So clean out your closet and donate the wool to a worthy cause. You can either drop any donations off directly at the centre on Dickenson Road in Longsight or email me and I can arrange to collect. Thanks in advance!

Hate Crime Awareness Week

The hate crime week will be held from Monday 21 January until Sunday 27 January 2013, and will be used to launch the City Council’s new hate crime strategy – outlining how they will work with Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies to crack down on the problem. This follows a consultation event held at Manchester Town Hall in June, in which a wide range of organisations, including religious institutions, disability groups and those representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were invited to talk about their experiences. The strategy includes measures such as increasing reporting of hate crime incidents, taking effective action against perpetrators, making sure the agencies involved work more closely together, providing proper support to victims and preventing hate crime by educating people and working to change attitudes. Groups across the city will be holidng throughout hate crime awareness week to help their neighbours understand the issue. In Longsight our event will be a drop in styple event at Longsight Library from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday 23rd January. Please come along.

Slash your fuels bills - go collective!

Residents are being urged to start the New Year by slashing their fuel bills by up to £250 and join a ground breaking collective energy switching scheme that could mean massive reductions to the cost of heating their homes. Residents are being urged to register their interest in the collective bulk buy scheme, launched on Wednesday 2 January, by visiting www.gmfairenergy.com or calling 0800 009 3363. Under the scheme, the group then enters a ‘reverse auction’ and gets a cheaper deal together on gas and electricity from energy companies. Residents just need to produce a copy of their current energy bill to register an interest before the scheme closes on January 28, and anyone who enters will receive an offer for a new rate which they do not have to accept. The scheme is also open to residents who use pre-payment meters.

Important Council Budget Consultation

Following a grossly unfair settlement from Government the Council has been preparing plans to find a further £80m of savings from its budget over the next two years. Despite Manchester being the fourth most deprived local authority area in the country, we received one of the five worst settlements in England in 2010. A consultation with residents and businesses on the budget proposals and priorities set out by the Council was launched on Wednesday 16 January and consultations on a number of specific proposals were launched on Wednesday 23 January. Click here for details for details. Firmed up budget proposals will be put forward at the Executive meeting on Wednesday 13 February with a definitive budget to be approved at the Council meeting on Friday 8 March. In addition to the £170m cuts which have been imposed on us since 2010 this is a further blow to the residents of Manchester. It is anticipated that the Council will have to further reduce its workforce by between 700 and 900 full-time posts to ensure it can produce a balanced budget. There is no doubt that this further £80 million in cuts, on top of the £170million we have already received, is going to impact on services. Manchester Labour remain committed to doing all we can to ensure that the most vulnerable in Manchester continue to be protected, that we deliver our essential services effectively and that we encourage economic growth and investment in the city. We will also be leading on campaigns at a national level to challenge this Government’s policies and the impact they are having on the residents of Manchester.