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!