Councillor Alison Norris
In the ward
It’s been very good gradually getting back to normal. Case work has been about housing, mostly repairs and anti-social behaviour.
I enjoyed being at the launch of the Handsworth and Ballifield TARA’s new Citizen’s Advice drop-in. It is running every other Wednesday morning from 24th July, for 3 months and is already well used. If that continues, we will look for funds to keep it going.
I visited Handsworth Grange School, and I’ll be going in once a month from October to listen to students and parents. COVID closures had a huge impact and It’s been a challenging 18 months dealing with disruptive behaviour. The new headteacher is determined the school is going to be outstanding again, and is on track to get there.
Mick and I are delighted that inspector Katie Wilkinson has helped to get the national Clear, Hold, Build initiative piloted in Woodhouse. It means we have the neighbourhood policing partnership we need. In the current ‘Clear’ phase the minority of serious offenders who make their neighbour’s lives a misery are being dealt with faster, with a number of warrants and arrests. Vulnerable people who were being taken advantage of are getting help. There’s still a ways to go, but its been a really good start.
The Hold phase is about stopping other criminals moving into the area, and the Build phase is about residents, voluntary groups and statutory groups working together on positive changes. We want people to feel comfortable again to sit out with their neighbours. We want kids able to play on Water Slacks field. From the Scouts to the Bus Stop Garden, from the new youth group on a Thursday at Now Church to the Community Allotment, there are loads more people making Woodhouse a lovely place to live than causing trouble. There’s been a feeling for a long while that the troublemakers have the upper hand. Clear, Hold, Build is about swinging the balance the other way. If you want to share information or ideas, drop me or Mick a line and look out for public meetings.
In the Town Hall
I applied to be Labour spokesperson on Housing and got chosen. The Housing Regulator is requiring Sheffield to improve its repairs service. We were already making progress, and I want to make sure that continues. There are now two extra in-house repair teams working, and in July we voted extra money to employ trusted private firms so we can clear the repairs backlog faster.
It’s not just about council housing, though. There is a shortage of all kinds of housing nationally, and Sheffield faces the same challenges, The housing strategy will be approved in September. The aim is that:
“Everyone in Sheffield has a home that supports good health and is suitable for their needs and aspirations. We want people to have more housing choice and better access to a home which is safe, affordable, and ready for a changing climate.”
Now there is a Labour government we can lobby hard for the national changes we need to make this possible.
Get in touch:
Back to normal surgeries now!
Alison.norris@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Tel: 07584 596399
Surgeries
1st Saturday of the month (next one 7th September)
10am to 12pm
Ballifield and Handsworth TARA office, Handsworth Rd
2nd Saturday of the month
Walking surgery
10am to 12pm
Get in touch to invite me to where you live.
Councillor Mick Rooney
Obviously we were largely occupied with the elections in May and I was proud to be re-elected with an increased majority. Locally Alison and I have both attended the ceremonies celebrating the contributions to Woodhouse of Peter Wolstenholme and Howard Constable.
Then a national election was called, so again my time went on that. A historic result for Labour!
I have had a lot of casework regarding AMEY and the non-cutting of grass plus trimming nuisance trees. I am working hard to get some progress on this, but finding it frustratingly slow. Through the Local Area Committee, we have purchased a drone for the Police, which they report is very useful, saving officer time and meaning they can be more effective.
Post election has also been a busy time. I attended the Brunswick Gardens summer fayre, the “Woodhouse by the Sea” market, an excellent concert by the Woodhouse Music group, plus the launch of CAB sessions at Ballifield TARA .
I also attended two public consultation events about the Clear, Hold, Build Police operation, which has been the major development in the ward. After years of pushing to get crime and anti-social behaviour in Woodhouse taken seriously, I am delighted to see action taking place.
Get in touch:
mick.rooney@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Tel: 0114 2392698
Surgeries
3rd Saturday of the month
10.30am to 12pm
Woodhouse Library and Hub
4th Saturday of the month
10.30am to 12pm
Badger TARA office, Goathland Place