Stoke-on-Trent ISSUE 19: JANUARY 2011...

OurCityStoke-on-Trent ISSUE 19: JANUARY 2011

Victorianvampiresadd bite tofilm festivalHORROR MOVIE SHOT AT GLADSTONE POTTERY MUSEUM AIMS TO STOKE YOUR FIRES PAGE SIX

Our City p1 6/1/11 10:54

2 Our City J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1

IT was hard to conceal my angerwhen Government Minister EricPickles announced the city councilwill have to cut a massive £25 millionfrom its budget on top ofunavoidable costs of £11 million inthe next financial year.

This is our worst nightmare cometrue and is a kick in the teeth for thepeople of Stoke-on-Trent.

We had already written to theGovernment and pressed our case atevery opportunity, but it seems ourpleas fell on stony ground.

Since the announcement, we havecalled for an urgent meeting with theminister to push the Government totreat Stoke-on-Trent, and deprivedcities and towns like ours as specialcases, and help them avoid the fullforce of the cuts.

The Let’s Talk consultation exerciseattracted over 2,000 comments andshowed just how valued, and howneeded our services are.

The response proved to us whichservices you think are a priority,which are the most important to yourlives, and which are not.

We knew we needed to seek asmuch feedback as possible if theexercise was to be a success.

When we met the publicface-to-face, most of them showedtremendous understanding thatthese proposals had only beenbrought forward as a response to theGovernment cutting council budgets.

Any reductions we have to makewill be caused by the reduction in ourfinancial settlement fromGovernment and unavoidable costpressures, not from our desire toreduce services.

So we are grateful to the thousandsof you who spent your time to give usyour views and help us understandwhere you want us to prioritise.

These are difficult times, but havinglistened to you we can try to reflectyour wishes as much as we can.

Elsewhere in the city, I amdelighted to see some of the pledgeswe said we would achieve before theend of March come to fruition.

The regeneration of the city centre,including the new Tesco store andring road extension, mean therecovery is gathering pace and ourcity is changing.

Long may it continue, and long maywe work together for the good ofStoke-on-Trent.

MEETINGS of the full city council can now be viewed online.To see and hear the debates and decisions which affect life inStoke-on-Trent, visit stoke.gov.uk and click on the councilmeeting webcast button. A list of dates and times of citycouncil meetings and committee meetings can be found onour website at stoke.gov.uk/meetingdates

Live webcast of full council meetings Give us your feedbackon this issue of Our City by [email protected] or write to: FREEPOST Our City.

Our City is printed onrecycled paper. Whenyou have finished withthis publication pleasehelp the environmentby passing it on to afriend or recycling it.

COUNCILLORS areseeking urgent face-to-facetalks with Secretary of Statefor Communities and LocalGovernment Eric Picklesafter Stoke-on-Trent was hitwith far worse spending cutsthan were expected.

Grant reductions imposed bythe Government mean the citycouncil will receive £25 millionless for the financial year fromApril 2011 to March 2012 thanin 2010/11. Unavoidablecontractual increases andGovernment policy changes willcost an additional £11 million.

Previously the city council haddrawn up and publishedproposals to save up to £33 million – but with savingsnow needed totalling £36 millionthe impact will be even harder.

Council Leader CouncillorMohammed Pervez is calling fortalks with the minister, as noexplanation has been given whyStoke-on-Trent’s settlement isso much worse than many otherlocal authorities.

He said: “We have asked foran urgent meeting betweenmyself, our coalition leaders, thecity’s Chief Executive, the threeStoke-on-Trent MPs and MrPickles.

“It is not fair that some localauthorities, like Stoke-on-Trent,have been hit much harder thanothers, and that councils are notbeing asked to share the burden.

“These cuts are not of ourmaking.

“They are being imposed onthe city by the Government.Politicians from all parties ofour own coalition are pressingthe case for a fairer deal forStoke-on-Trent.

“We are committed toproviding the best services andwant to improve, not cut them.But if the Government insists onthis package of savings we willhave no choice but to make

some very tough decisions.”Raising the council tax level –

which is already the lowest inStaffordshire and seventh lowestof all unitary authorities in theUK – may not be an option.

Councillors do not want topass on the burden ofGovernment funding cuts to thepublic, many of whom arealready making sacrifices.

And the Government wantscouncils to freeze council taxand has offered a £2 millionincentive to the city council tomaintain the current level ofcouncil tax bills.

The city council would haveto increase council tax bills bymore than 2.5 per cent togenerate more income than this.

Councillor Pervez, the LabourLeader of Stoke-on-Trent’s

Coalition Cabinet, is supportedby the leaders of the otherpolitical groups running the citycouncil – Councillor KieranClarke (Liberal Democrat),Councillor Ross Irving(Conservative) and CouncillorBrian Ward (Independent).

Legally-binding

Meanwhile, city councilfinance chiefs have explainedthe reason why an extra£11 million of savings need tobe made on top of theGovernment’s £25 million ofdirect cuts in grant.

Some local media haveincorrectly reported that theadditional £11 millionrepresents an “overspend” by thecity council, but this is untrue.

The figure is made up of

unavoidable costs – legally-binding commitmentswhich the council cannot ignore.

It includes costs relating tostaffing issues, includingcommitments on salaries,increasing pensions andNational Insurancecontributions, a new climatechange levy payment andfinancing charges relating toinvestment in regeneration,infrastructure, housing andbuilding new schools.

Assistant Director – FinancialServices Peter Bates said: “Thisis contractually committedexpenditure in line with the sizeand complexity of the council,which employs around 10,000people (including schools staff)and has a total annual turnoverof over £600 million.”

Why we arepressing theGovernmentto give us afairer deal

By City Council LeaderCouncillor

MOHAMMED PERVEZ

AN 11th No Cold Calling Zone has been setup in Stoke-on-Trent offering residentsadded peace of mind in their homes.

The zone, which covers an area ofLongton, will help to discourage roguetraders and reduce the fear of crime.

Each resident has been provided with adoor sticker and covering letter explainingthey live in a No Cold Calling Zone andStaffordshire Fire and Rescue Service havealso put up lamppost signs in the area.

The introduction of the new zone fulfilsone of the city council’s cabinet’s “Pledges”, alist of commitments to be carried out beforeMarch 2011. The pledges cover seven coreareas including housing, education,employment, health, safety, cleanliness anddelivering value for money services.

Councillor Terry Follows, Cabinet Memberfor Environment, Waste Management andNeighbourhood Services, said: “No ColdCalling Zones have been successfully used

in other parts of the city to reduce thelevels of distraction burglary and roguetrading and to reduce the fear of crime.

“They also discourage rogue traders whotarget vulnerable residents – falselyclaiming that work needs doing and thencharging high prices for shoddy andunnecessary work.”

No Cold Calling Zones further extended gPledgeDELIVERED

Coalition Cabinet calls forurgent talks with minister

City Council LeaderMohammed Pervez writes

to minister Eric Pickles –supported by other

Coalition Cabinet politicalgroup leaders, left to right

standing, Kieran Clarke,Ross Irving and Brian Ward.

Our City p2 6/1/11 15:19 Page 1

SANDFORD HILL: Morethan 20 streets and walks arenow covered by the city’s 11th‘No Cold Calling’ zone.Residents, trading standards,the police, the city council’sNeighbourhood Managementteam and the Safer CityPartnership’s Respect Team,attended the launch.

LONGTON: Action is beingformulated to improve thevisual image of the towncentre by tackling the litterproblem. Also, a workinggroup is liaising with tradersand property owners on plansto improve shop fronts as wellas void and vacant properties.

MEIR PARK AND SANDON:Soil tests are being carried outto see if land close to the oldsand and gravel quarry issuitable for allotments. If theland is suitable and the projectis backed by consultation it willbe paid for by councillors’ wardbudgets.

FLORENCE AND LONGTONSOUTH: Only two antisocialbehaviour incidents have beenreported since police startedusing Section 30 DispersalZone powers. Smaller groups ofyoung people who met inLongton Park have nowengaged with the city council’sYouth and Play Service.

DownYourWayNews from

South EasternNeighbourhood

LONGTON NORTH: Trafficcalming measures to tacklespeeding motorists areplanned in Linnburn Road.Ward budgets are set to payfor speed humps andextended double yellow linesto stop congestion at thejunction with Amison Street.

WESTON AND MEIRNORTH: Work has started on anew pavillion and green for theMeir King’s Arms Bowling Club.The £82,000 for its new homebehind Meir Sports and SocialClub has come from wardbudgets, NHS Stoke on Trentand the CoalfieldsRegeneration Trust. The 150-year-old club had to leaveits original home more than ayear ago to make way for anew health centre on the siteof a former public house andadjacent bowling green.

HOW much do you think you areworth? As far as being a citizen ofStoke-on-Trent is concerned theanswer is £2,600 a year.

That is the amount ofGovernment funding secured foreach person listed on the Census

for vital services in the city – atotal of around £625 million a yearfor the NHS, Staffordshire Police,Staffordshire Fire and RescueService and the city council – andwhy it is important for everyoneto take part in the latest Census inMarch.

It is estimated that four per centof people did not complete thequestionnaire for the last Censusin 2001 – which has cost the cityapproximately £26 million in lostfunding during this financial year.

The numeral snapshot takenevery ten years not only updatesthe population of the UK, it alsoidentifies how more than £100billion distributed by centralGovernment each year can bestbe used to shape services at local

level. In March the 2011 Censusquestionnaires will arrive by postand can be returned using apre-paid envelope or, for the firsttime, it can be completed online.

The questionnaire should takearound ten minutes for eachperson’s details to be entered andthe confidential data you providewill help to plan communityservices – such as GP surgeries,housing, education, transport andeven shops – for years to come.

Will Griffin, the city council’sAssistant Census Liaison Manager,said: “The Census statistics feedinto the allocation of funding forlocal authorities and play a majorpart in their ability to providelocal services, so it’s crucial thatthe population estimate is as

accurate as possible.”Help to shape tomorrow by

completing your 2011 Censusquestionnaire on, or, as near aspossible to, Sunday 27 March,2011. Failure to do so could costyou a £1,000 fine.

For more information aboutthe 2011 Census visitwww.census.gov.uk

AFIVE-METRE high piece of public art, erected to mark the city’s centenary celebrations,

has been hailed as a symbol of Stoke-on-Trent’s continuing commitment to creativity and culture.

The eye-catching Light of the City sculpture,which was unveiled outside the Potteries Museum& Art Gallery last month, features male andfemale figures holding a plate and a chalice. Theilluminated figures stand on stainless steelhexagonal pedestals and are made of bronze andtreated to look like clay.

Scottish artist David Annand produced thesculpture, while a two-line poem penned byPenkhull musician David Vickers is etched ontothe underside of the plate. The verse reads:

Salute with light, our city’s year; acentury embracing,Reflect with pride our city’s skills; fromearth to table gracing.

The unveiling was part of a full year ofactivities throughout 2010, which celebratedthe 100-year anniversary of the federation ofthe six towns of Stoke-on-Trent. However,Councillor Hazel Lyth, Cabinet Member forAdult Social Care, Sport, Leisure andCulture, said the sculpture was also deeplyrooted in the city’s creative heritage.

Councillor Lyth, who was joined byschoolchildren and other members of thecommunity to unveil the piece of art, said:“The sculpture is wonderful and beautifuland aptly marks the 100th anniversarycelebrations.

“But it also demonstrates the fact thatcreativity and culture are so importantto the Potteries. They are part of ourheritage and despite the economicsituation must also be part of ourfuture.”

Census is key to extra funding

LET THERE BE LIGHT:Raenne Stone and DylanForbes, both aged seven and pupils at St Gregory’sCatholic Primary School,Longton, pictured in front ofthe Light of the City sculpture.

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1 Our City 3

Sculpture is symbolof city’screativityand culture

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4 Our City JANUARY 2011

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PARKING congestioncaused by football fansattending matches at

Stoke City’s Britannia Stadiumcould be kicked into touch aftersolutions were put forward by atask force of councillorsinvestigating the problem.

Many roads in areas such as HeronCross, Stoke, Fenton and Blurton arebadly affected on match days, and theproblem is having a knock-on effect onlocal communities and residents tryingto park near to their own homes.

Now members of the city council’sImproving Communities Committee –who have carried out a spotlight reviewinto the Britannia Stadium parkingsituation following residents’ concerns– have made a number ofrecommendations. They include:● Plans to open up city council carparking for weekend matches andferrying fans to the stadium byshuttle bus.● Consulting through theneighbourhood area implementationoffices to look at resident-onlyparking zones, or to change TrafficRegulation Orders for badly affectedroads.● Paying for enforcement officers topatrol problem areas on match days.

The recommendations will bediscussed at a cabinet meeting thismonth and, if approved, could beimplemented later in the year.

As part of the review, councillorsworked with Stoke City Football Club,Staffordshire Police, city councilofficers and other agencies to draw uppossible solutions.

They also contacted members of thecommunity to seek their views by

sending out leaflets, through radiomessages and even by Bluetooth directto the mobile phones of thoseattending Stoke City matches.

Councillor RandolphConteh, Chair of the BritanniaStadium Parking SpotlightReview, said: “It is a burningissue for residents and we arehoping the proposals will help toalleviate the frustrations andproblems that can be caused onmatch days. The vast majority ofStoke City fans park responsiblyand I would like to thank them fortheir consideration.”

Sergeant Ian Revans, Road PolicingOfficer for the city, said: “We haveworked very closely with the localauthority and other partner agencies tocome up with proposals which willwork for both fans and residents.”

Members of the public can getinvolved in overview and scrutiny byputting forward suggestions for subjectsto be considered by councillors, or cantake part in reviews through givingtheir views on issues.

Reviews that have already taken placeinclude investigations into climatechange, neighbourhood management,health effects of takeaways, smallbusiness growth and serious violentcrime.■ For more details visitstoke.gov.uk/scrutiny

Councillor Randolph Conteh, Chair of theBritannia Stadium Parking Spotlight Review,

inspects a traffic regulation zone in WhittakerRoad, Heron Cross – which has helped to ease

match-day parking problems.

Councillors’ task force tackles

soccer parking problem

Our City p4 5/1/11 17:00 Page 1


This year will see evenmore changesto improveservices

IT’S no secret that 2011 will be achallenging year for the whole country,and Stoke-on-Trent will be no different.Throughout the next 12 months the citycouncil will change even more so than ithas done since January 2010.

Changes to the way we deliver servicesand work with you, the residents, will playa big part in the further transformation ofyour council.

Our housing repair service has alreadyseen a reduction in the length of time ittakes to get calls answered. During the lastthree weeks in November before the badweather arrived, we were answering callswithin an average of around a minute anda half. We also had an average answerpercentage of around 92 per cent. Thestatistics show that’s a notableimprovement on the 67 per cent beingachieved less than a year ago.

Revenues and benefits have also beenpart of the work we have done to improveservices. Residents calling to report achange of address or requiring any otherchange to their council tax bill are nowable to speak directly to an officer whodeals with the change immediately.

In most cases the amount of the revisedbill and all payment arrangements can besorted out in one phone call. This processwas previously taking up to two months tocomplete.

Our winter gritting policy has also had apositive impact over Christmas. The teams– who have worked to keep traffic movingthroughout some of the coldest and mosttreacherous weather Stoke-on-Trent hasever seen – deserve a great deal of credit.

Based on last year’s winter, we orderedin more stocks of salt this year, and that'sbeen justified by the extent of the cold wehave suffered.

The highways staff will be keeping aclose eye on the weather over the next fewweeks to ensure we are in a position to gritthe roads quickly and effectively as soonas any snow or ice is forecast.

This year will also see an all out electionin the city for the first time. This will reducethe number of elected members in the cityand also redraw all the current wards.

The city council as a whole needs toadapt to these changes and continue toprovide the services that people expectand need. Whatever the outcome of thoseelections, the senior officers here will beworking closely with all councillors tomake sure that they have the resourcesthey need to be able to work effectively fortheir communities.

Stoke-on-Trent needs to meet anychallenge in 2011 head on. We can only dothat by working together closely withresidents and making change happensooner rather than later.

By CityCouncilChief Executive

Johnvan deLaarschot

THE world comestogether in a smallbut cosy café next

to the Methodist BookCentre in Hanley thatdoes more than serve hotdrinks and a bite to eat.

The tempting choices ofteas, coffee and chocolatedrinks and delicious snackslike cakes, muffins and cerealbars are Fairtrade and all theprofits generated by the TradeAid café in Gitana Street areploughed back into theFairtrade cause.

In fact Ann Worthington,who runs the café with a teamof fellow volunteers, reckonsthat only the milk and waterused to make the drinks is notsourced from farmers andproducers from the developingcountries across the globe.

Retired teacher Ann isamong a number of Fairtradechampions in Stoke-on-Trent– one of 500 towns and citiesin the UK that support theFairtrade Foundation in itsquest to ensure that farmersand producers in developingcountries get a fair deal fortheir goods throughguaranteed minimum pricesand premiums for social,business and environmentalprojects.

Also on sale in the café areFairtrade craft goods, such ascotton clothing from India,wooden toys made in SriLanka and greetings cardsproduced in the Philippines.

Now Ann and her friendsare looking forward to a seriesof events that will be held inStoke-on-Trent during thisyear’s national Fairtrade

Fortnight between 28February and 13 March.

A number of retailers largeand small in the city arealready committed to stockingFairtrade goods and otherorganisations, like the citycouncil, also offer Fairtradeproducts from their vendingmachines and canteens.

Back at Trade Aid AnnWorthington took time offfrom serving customers in thecafé to recall how her ownpersonal Fairtrade crusadestarted.

She said: “When I was aprimary school teacher Ialways enjoyed telling mypupils about countries in thedeveloping world. When Iretired in 1997 I ran aFairtrade stall at Swan Bank

Methodist Church in Burslem,then I opened the café in2009.

“I’m passionate about thewhole ethos of Fairtrade as away of improving the lives ofmillions of people across theworld.

“Everyone who works in thecafé is an unpaid volunteerand all profits are ploughedback into the venture so wecan buy more Fairtrade goods.

“We are away from the mainshopping area of the citycentre but we have a goodnumber of regular customers,as well as those who find us byaccident who like what we doand return.”

Ann had the thrill of hearingfirst hand how Fairtrade helpsothers when banana farmer

Conrad James, from St Lucia,one of the Windward Islandsin the Caribbean, visitedStoke-on-Trent when hetoured the UK during the2007 Fairtrade Fortnight.

Conrad, who farms 5.6acres, told Ann and her friendsthat it was only access toFairtrade markets that isenabling the Windward Islandsbanana industry to survive thecompetition of large scale, lowcost producers from LatinAmerica and Africa.

For details of specialevents to mark Fairtrade Fortnight inStoke-on-Trent visitwww.fairtrade.org.uk and click on to thecalendar.

Fairtrade cosy café whereworld comes together

COUNCILLORS in Stoke-on-Trent have beengiven the green light to drive the cityforward after the local government ministerdissolved an independent board whichmonitored how the city council was run.

The Governance and Transition Board,whose members included academics andemployers, was set up in 2008 after a reportinto the city council’s performancedescribed politics in Stoke-on-Trent as“broken.”

But now Local Government Minister Bob

Neil said it was time to give power back tothe elected officials after political stabilityreturned to the city.

City Council Leader CouncillorMohammed Pervez welcomed the news andsaid: “We have worked extremely hard withthe Governance and Transition Board toaddress the issues that were highlighted tous in 2008.

“The decision is proof that we have madesignificant progress in reforming the waythe city council works. The Government feels

we are now in a position to move forwardon our own, and we must continue to buildon the improvements we have made.”

City council Chief Executive John van deLaarschot added: “We have worked hard toget our house in order and are confidentthat we have the political and managerialleadership to successfully steer the cityforward in an open, honest and transparentway. We still have challenges to overcomebut the city council is well equipped todeliver continued and rapid improvement.”

Government dissolves board after city council progress

CHEERS!Trade Aid

café Manager AnnWorthington, left, and café

Assistant Ann Weetman enjoy acup of their Fairtrade coffee.

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Our City p5 6/1/11 15:24 Page 1


Jools Holland’s visit to museumgoes with a boogie woogie swingTHE reconstructed Victorianpublic house, circa 1900 – afavourite feature in the socialhistory galleries at the PotteriesMuseum & Art Gallery –certainly struck a chord withmusic legend Jools Holland,pictured right.

The former Squeeze pianist,bandleader, singer andtelevision presenter was inStoke-on-Trent for a concert atthe Victoria Hall with hisRhythm & Blues Orchestra andspecial guest vocalist AlisonMoyet – part of his current 28-city UK tour which is gettingrave reviews.

And the boogie woogie pianoman was generous in his ownpraise for the museum – with aspecial mention for that pubexhibition, pictured top. He wrotein the visitors’ book:“This is abrilliant museum. There is never adull moment – every room offerssomething wonderful. Wept whenI saw the preserved public bar.Congratulations to all on afantastic celebration of thePotteries.”

Jools is probably one of many tohave had a tear brought to the eyeby the authenticity and nostalgiaof the tap room from a bygone era– based on the old Dog andPheasant pub in Knight Street,Tunstall.

It’s a heady mix of a display –men playing dominoes with awhippet and spittoon at their feet,wall-mounted music box and

mirrors advertising historic beersand the famous Parker's Breweryof Burslem.

This is just part of the gallerywhich is packed with fascinatingdisplays of social history such asthe terraced house, with an oldiron range and clothes rackhanging from the ceiling, and the1940s fish and chip shop whichonce fried for real in nearbyRegent Road, Hanley.

The awe-inspiring Anglo-SaxonStaffordshire Hoard exhibition hascaptured the imagination ofpeople around the globe andattracted tens of thousands ofextra visitors to the museum –including many from overseas.

It is satisfying to know thatthose attracted to the city by thepull of the Hoard will find manyother treasures in the museum toadmire.

Just ask Jools.

Corrie parrot at pirate ship launchSOAP opera fans enjoyingCoronation Street’s 51st year ofbroadcasting may not be awareof a visit to Stoke-on-Trent byone of the TV show’s stars.

The colourful character whoflew in to help officially openBlurton Children’s Centre’s pirateship play area was none otherthan Charlie the parrot, who

played a bird called John on ‘TheStreet.’

The three-year old McCaw issaid to have caused havoc on setby mimicking actors, directorsand producers. The story linesaw him move into the streetwith children’s entertainer JesseChadwick, played by actor andcomedian John Thomson.

RESIDENTS have thechance to helpengineers and

planners cut the risk ofserious flooding in the city.

Anyone who lives inStoke-on-Trent and whoseproperty is regularly affected by abuild-up of water whenever it hasrained heavily or for a longperiod of time are asked toanswer three questions.

The answers will help the citycouncil to develop its SurfaceWater Management Plan(SWMP) which local authoritiesare required by law to have inplace to help minimise flood risk.

There may be problems thatthe city council is not aware of,so engineers would like anyoneaffected to answer the followingquestions so that as muchinformation as possible can begathered for the city’s SWMP:● How does the build up ofsurface water or floodingaffect you?● Where does the surfacewater build-up or floodingtake place? If possible, pleaseprovide the road name or thename of a nearby landmark.● When does the problemoccur? Does it happenthroughout the year or is itseasonal?

SWMPs are a useful tool toassess the risk of surface waterflooding, identify ways ofmanaging risk to an acceptable

level, make the right investmentdecisions and plan action tomanage flood risk.

Councillor Brian Ward,Cabinet Member for Housing,Planning and Transportation,said: “We would like to know ofany concerns that residents mighthave.

“For instance the problem maybe a roadside drain that tends toget blocked by leaves, causing abuild up of water when it rains.The SWMP covers the whole city

and we also identify areas of landnear to the city boundaries inneighbouring local authoritiesthat could potentially causeflooding problems for residentsin Stoke-on-Trent.”

If you have a problem withflooding or a build-up ofsurface water please look atthe questions on the left andsend your answers toFREEPOST Our City, or goonline to respond atstoke.gov.uk/swmpflooding

Fangs at festivaljust got better

Planning ahead tocut flooding risks

After torrential rain this brook at Trentham became swollen andcaused flooding in nearby gardens. This is the type of potentialflooding and surface water problem which needs to be identified.

FILM fans can get their teeth into anew vampire drama when it has itsworld premiere at the annualStoke Your Fires animation andfilm festival.

Blood and Bone China is a 12-partmini series written and directed byaward-winning Stoke-on-Trentfilmmaker Chris Stone set in ThePotteries in Victorian times andshot at various locations across thecity including the GladstonePottery Museum.

The first episode is screened on2 March as part of the Festival ofthe Moving Image, which starts on18 February.

Chris, who got the project offthe ground with some financialsupport from the city council, said:“It’s great filming in the city. Icouldn’t have done it without thesupport of Stoke Your Fires and thepeople of the city.

“We’ll screen the series on-lineafter the premiere. We can reachthe whole world that way – billionsof people.”

The festival, now in its fourth

year, is growing all the time andattractions include screenings ofThe Insatiable Moon, a NewZealand made film involving TimSanders who worked on Lord of theRings: The Fellowship of the Ring.The festival will also welcome backSoulboy, a Northern Soul inspiredstory – part of which was filmedon location at the King’s Hall,Stoke.

Speakers from internationallyrenowned companies like Wallaceand Gromit producers AardmanAnimations are due to share theirsecrets at a convention from 1- 4March at The Potteries Museum &Art Gallery.

Other attractions involve threemajor exhibitions, a 48-hour filmchallenge and awards fornominated work. Workshops arebeing staged at schools andcolleges with many public eventsfree of charge. Admission fees arebeing charged for the conventionand some special events.

Festival partners include thecity council, Staffordshire

University, The Producers Forum,Animation Forum West Midlands,Renaissance West Midlands andWest Midlands based Museums,Libraries and Archives.

For more information andevents listings go towww.stokeyourfires.co.uk Ticket prices range from £5for screenings to £35 for afull festival pass and areavailable from www.enjoystaffordshire.com

COVER PICTURE:Tough guy actor David Lembergplays villain Linus Hemlock inThe Potteries Vampire dramaBlood and Bone China.

Our City p6 5/1/11 17:05 Page 1

TUNSTALL: Ten offenderswere put to work under theCommunity Payback Schemeduring a multi-agency RespectWeek. They worked over twodays installing planters whileroadside checks were carriedout elsewhere. Seven cars weretaken off the road and 13motorists reported for allegedoffences. Anti-theft screws werefitted to about 200 car licenceplates and a tea dance wasstaged to encouragecommunity spirit.

FEGG HAYES: Communitygroups took part in a clean upday organised by the NorthernArea Implementation Team.Free skips were placed aroundthe area to encourage peopleto get rid of rubbish while citycouncil environmental teamsalso worked on the alleywaysand greenways. People wereoffered personal alarms, doorchains and bike locks, all paidfor from ward budgets.

WESTPORT LAKE:Volunteers are being urged tocome forward as the Friends ofWestport Lake group isre-launched. The group willwork in partnership withexisting users of the lake, suchas bird and angling clubs.Anyone interested is asked tocontact city councilInvolvement Officer PaulineWithington on 01782 235808or email [email protected]

DownYourWay

News from NorthernNeighbourhood

NORTON: Antisocialbehaviour reports havedropped between 25 and 30per cent thanks to a series ofinitiatives and activities.Off-road motorcycling is nolonger one of the top antisocialbehaviour issues in the areawith virtually no complaintsover a three-month period.

GOLDENHILL: Children andcommunity groups have beenputting the golden back intothe area by planting 2,000bulbs. 40 children fromSt. Joseph’s Catholic andGoldenhill primary schoolsjoined forces with the Out andAbout Club to play their part ina citywide cleaning, greeningand growing day. The bulbs,due to flower in the spring,were donated free of charge bylocal nurseries.

IT doesn’t take much tokeep Rachel Mansellhappy in her work. In

fact nothing more than asmile is needed to ensure a“good day at the office”.

Her “office” is in fact AbbotsHouse Centre of Excellence, theaward winning facility in AbbeyHulton that supports people withdementia, and that all-importantsmile is provided by the residentsRachel helps to look after as a

care assistant. “To see peoplesmiling during my shift makesme go home feeling very happyand fulfilled,” said 33-year-oldRachel, one of a team of oftenunsung heroes who work avariety of shifts to make sure thevulnerable people in their careenjoy the best possible quality oflife.

She has worked in care sinceleaving school at 16 and has beenat Abbots House for the past 14years during which time Rachelhas seen the former residentialcare home transformed by a £1.3million revamp by the citycouncil into the first of theStoke-on-Trent’s facilities thatare purpose designed to meet theneeds of people with dementiaand their families.

Memory boxes

The centre incorporatesleading-edge design to give theresidents independence, selfconfidence and stimulationthrough state-of-the-art featuresthat include memory boxes withitems from the residents’ past tohelp them find their own way totheir rooms, colour schemes toaid orientation, a sensory gardenand an assessment and therapyunit.

Rachel is usually responsiblefor nine residents in the upstairs

lounge, each with varying degreesof dementia and very differentneeds – though she can also beasked to help out in other partsof the centre.

Working hours for careassistants like Rachel are spreadover shifts and they are on dutyevery other weekend.

Rachel said: “In one week Ican work every kind of shift, butI don’t mind because the shiftsystem actually gives me moretime with my family than a nineto five job would.”

While no shift could bedescribed as “routine,” Rachel’sfirst task is to call into thecentre’s office to attend ahandover briefing fromcolleagues on the outgoing shiftso she can be alerted about anyissues that may have arisen andwill need her attention.

Then she supports eachresident in the lounge withpersonal care – such as helpingthem to eat a meal – and lookingafter their other practical needs.

However, just as important,Rachel always finds time tosimply sit down and chat to theresidents.

“Care assistants are the firstpoint of contact and usually thefirst person the resident sees,”explained Rachel.

“It’s usually the care assistant

that is first aware if any of theresidents has a problem. We getthem to talk about it and buildup a bond of trust so that theydon’t clam up.

“No one shift is ever the samebecause we are caring for peoplewho have such different, andsometimes complex needs andwe are an extended family forthem.”

Love the job

She added: “What drew me tothe job in the first place was toget to know about the lives andhistory of people of differentgenerations who have probablygone through world wars.Through their experiences I havelearned a lot about life myself.”

When Rachel goes home tohusband Darren, a financemanager, and their nine-year-oldson Joel, she sometimes can’thelp taking the job home withher, although she doesn’t talkabout it to her family.

She said: “You are dealing withpeople and it’s not alwayspossible to just switch off afteryour shift if one of the residentsis having a problem.

“However I love the job. Thereis quite simply nothing else Iwould like to do, and I hope I’llbe doing it for many more yearsto come.”

Make it

Easystoke.gov.uk

Click and

� For information onsafe driving in severeweather conditions,which roads and busroutes will be grittedthis winter and thelocation of roadsidegrit boxes across thecity, please visitstoke.gov.uk/gritting

One smile can ensure it’s agood day at the office


IN GOOD HANDS:Care Assistant

Rachel Mansell with94-year-old Abbots

House residentElsie Cyples.

Our City p7 6/1/11 12:21 Page 1


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CHILDREN’S services andprojects in Stoke-on-Trenthave scooped prestigiousnational accolades.

The winners overcame

competition from hundreds

of other entries from around

the UK at the annual Children

and Young People Now

Awards, which took place in

London.

The Socca, Rocka and

Hoppa Uth Services’ vehicles

received the Youth Work

Award, and Jane Blizzard –

who promotes the rights of

disabled children and their

families – was “Highly

Commended” in the Young

People’s Champion category.

Councillor Debra Gratton,

Cabinet Member for Children

and Young People’s Services,

said: “These awards

recognise the excellent work

being carried out throughout

our children’s services and

highlight the valuable

contributions made by the

numerous groups and

individuals.”

IT has been a tough winter so far –but whatever the weather still has instore, the city’s fleet of nine gritting

vehicles should be able to keep trafficmoving on the main routes acrossStoke-on-Trent.

A record amount of 5,000 tonnes of saltgrit was stockpiled at three depots in thecity before the icy grip took hold inNovember 2010 and more grit is purchasedwhenever stocks fall below 2,500 tonnes.

During the severe winter of 2009/10 atotal of 4,200 tonnes of grit was spread oncity roads – so the decision was taken toincrease stocks to 5,000 tonnes in order tobe prepared for extreme conditions.

Around 550 miles of roads are treatedwhen all of the gritting vehicles are used.

All major roads are treated, along withfrequent bus routes.

In addition around 400 self-help salt binsare located around the city so residents canspread grit on pavements or local stretchesof road where ice or snow is causing aproblem.

Bob Brock, Team Manager, HighwaysResponsive Maintenance, said: “We closelymonitor the Met Office weather predictionwebsite each day before making a decisionon gritting.

“In addition we are in weekly contactwith the Government Office of the WestMidlands as well as the salt quarries inorder to ensure we have sufficient stocks totreat the roads.”

Celebratingtop awardsfor children’sservices

Record salt stocks bolsterwinter gritting operations

A JCB Loadall scoops upanother huge bucket full ofrock salt as it replenishes agritting lorry at the citycouncil’s Weighbridge Depotin Cromer Road, Northwood.

Our City p8 6/1/11 10:41 Page 1


EAST VALLEY: Residents onlyparking is being introduced inAdams Street, Milton, to endfrustration for householders.The scheme is being funded bythe ward budgets of East Valleycouncillors. Road andpavement work in FitzherbertRoad, Sneyd Green – nownearing completion – included26 dropped kerb or wideningimprovements, provided toresidents at special rates.

BENTILEE ANDTOWNSEND: Funding andbookings are being sought tosecure the future of theBeverley Drive VoluntaryCentre. Ward councillors fromBentilee and Townsend as wellas Berryhill and Hanley East aresupporting a managementcommittee while one of itsfounders, the Bentilee andDistrict Dads Group, has madea generous donation to helpthe centre grow.

DownYourWay

News from EasternNeighbourhood

NEIGHBOURHOOD WIDE:Work to support activitiesacross the neighbourhood iscontinuing through the newlynamed Eastern Events andActivities Board. It replaces the2010 Events Board set up tomanage and share resources aspart of the city’s centenarycelebrations. It will bid forfunding on behalf of groups inits area and is planning acatalogue of information tohelp inexperienced groups andoffer mentoring to organisetheir own events.

BERRYHILL AND HANLEYEAST: Volunteers from ThePrince’s Trust carried out a two-week tidy up at TrentmillNature Park near JoinersSquare. Ten members of Team240 helped at the site underthe guidance of Friends ofTrentmill Nature Park. Pupilsfrom Eastwood Nursery Schoolmarked the end of theimprovements by planting fruitand vegetables.

ABBEY GREEN: Wild flowermeadows are being created inareas where the grass isdifficult to cut. The borderbetween Leek Road and theHulton Abbey site has beensown with seed so it onlyneeds cutting once a year andwill self-seed to create a lowmaintenance wild flower areaevery year.

MUM-OF-FOUR ClaireHassall is now pursuing her dream of a career in

childcare thanks to help from anumber of local organisations.

The 28-year-old from Bentilee has workedintermittently while having her four childrenaged 11 to two but apart from a temporaryChristmas job, has not been in employmentfor about four years.

She had completed an NVQ Level 2 inChildren’s Care, Learning and Developmentbut a lack of recent experience was holdingher back. Claire went to Bentilee-based pilotproject STAR, which works with partners tosupport people in Bentilee and Townsendback into work.

Her STAR advisor Helen Allcock suggestedvoluntary work in a childcare environment tohelp her gain experience and work referencestowards paid employment.

Helen approached the city council’svolunteer co-coordinator at TreehouseChildren’s Centre in Dawlish Drive, Bentileeand set up the placement. Claire now as a

volunteer at Treehouse is working towards herNVQ Level 3. Her son Kieron uses the centrecrèche while she works.

She said: “He’s loving it and I’m reallyenjoying volunteering. It’s great that it gets meout of the house.

“When I’ve got my NVQ Level 3, I want toget a job in a nursery setting. Jobcentre Plusand Helen Allcock at STAR have been very

helpful, pointing me in the right direction.”Helen said: “Claire’s confidence is growing

and she’s always got a smile on her face.“We can see a positive future shaping out

for her now that Treehouse has given her abreak.

“Their Volunteer Co-ordinator MichelleFahey has been brilliant and the centre hasmade it all possible.”

BEING partially sighted hasnever held Carole McConnellback. She has lived life to thefull, working for 17 years inthe pottery industry, gettingmarried to Stephen andspending 14 years at homebringing up their daughterKirsty, who is now atStaffordshire University.

And although she has had afew part-time and voluntaryjobs since she decided toreturn to work in 2004, the52-year-old is now back infull-time employment thanksto the help and support ofher disability advisor JoyHeal at Jobcentre Plus.

To gain work experienceafter securing IT qualificationsthrough Access to Work,Carole started voluntary workand now works full-time atNCA Enterprises in Newstead,a social enterprise dedicatedto helping people intotraining and work.

She looks afteradministration and the onlyconcessions to her disabilityare a special tabletop

magnifying machine, whichhelps her preparedocuments, and a 23-inchscreen on her computer.

NCA Chief Executive BillHardy said: “She’s brilliant,pro-active and so efficient. Iknow when I give heranything to do, she’ll just goaway and get on with it andwhen it comes back it’ll be100 per cent.

“You wouldn’t know shewas visually impaired if youmet her in the street. She’s areal inspiration to everyonehere – not just people withdisability.”

Carole said: “My 18 monthsvoluntary experience at theDouglas Macmillan Hospicehelped me get this job andI’m really enjoying it. I’d liketo stay here, if I can, until Iretire.

“Bill has been veryunderstanding and NCA havebeen hugely supportive,brilliant.

“The support I’ve had frommy advisor at Jobcentre Plushas been excellent.”

VOLUNTEERING is just one route back into full-time employment. Here Our City takes a look atthe cases of two women who have been helped to get relevant experience as they move on in life.

Partially sighted Carole is an inspiration

AdministratorCarole McConnell

at her officedesk at NCAEnterprises.

Motherpursuesdream ofchildcarecareer







Volunteer ChildcareAssistant Claire Hassallwith her son Kieron at theTreehouse Children Centre.

Our City p9 5/1/11 17:48 Page 1


� Support groups

� Childcare

� Local services

� Benefits

� Respite and short breaks

� Equipment and funding

� Parenting issues andmuch more

0800 015 1120or 01782 232200

www.stoke.gov.uk/stokeknowhow

Your friendly local FamilyInformation Service ishere to help you.

Do you know/care for a child or young person (0-25) who has a disability or additional needs?

GO-getter Aneesah Begum isjust 16 but already well onher way to business success.

The Fenton teenager sells Halal andvegetarian sweets from a stall at Hanley’soutdoor market after getting free help andadvice from a city council funded supportservice.

She said: “Muslims and vegetarians haveto look at the ingredients in sweets toensure they are suitable for our diets so Ithought it would be great if you could buythem without having to check.”

So she took her idea to Enterprise CoachGayle Jessiman at Business EnterpriseSupport and now trades as Mr Latifs Halaland Vegetarian Confectionery.

She sets up her stall early on a Sundayand stocks lines like jelly sweets, marshmallows and rainbow drops. She also takesorders for bespoke boxes and hampers aspresents to celebrate events like Eid, Diwaliand Christmas, birthdays and weddings.

“When I left school I knew I wanted togo into business.” said Aneesah.

“My sister Raeela is already a self-employed carer so the thought didn’tfrighten me.

“I went to see Gayle and got adviceabout how to get customers and all sorts ofinformation.

“She was very helpful.”She said: “My sweets are not exclusively

for Muslims or vegetarians. They’re foreverybody to enjoy including people whosuffer from Coeliac Disease, as a lot of mystock is gluten free.

“It’s going well and I’m very busy. I’vehad help from local business to keep mystart up costs down.

“The traders at the market have mademe feel very welcome.

“I’m now working on an on-linepersonalised gifts section that complementsmy confectionery business and eventuallywant to open some shops.”

Her Enterprise Coach Gayle Jessimansaid: “Aneesah came along to one of ourEnterprise Panels at Cobridge.

“Her sister, who we also helped, hadalready been trading for about 12 monthsso they’re obviously very entrepreneurial.

“They’re not afraid to take the plungeand the risk so I gave basic advice aboutthings like bank accounts and referredAneesah to Business Initiative and theInland Revenue.

“Stoke-on-Trent is full of talented peoplewith ambition just like Aneesah who maybejust need pointing in the right direction toget their business idea off the ground.”

Might you benefit from the advice ofan Enterprise Coach? If so call GayleJessiman on 07969 557915, email heron [email protected] orgo to www.enterprisesupport.org

The sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness successThe sweet taste ofbusiness success

AneesahBegum with

a selection of her Halal and

vegetarianconfectionery.

ABBEY HULTON (Main) 0300 123 0976Children and Adolescents 0300 123 0987Mental Health Service

BENTILEE 01782 231300

BLURTON (Main) 0300 123 0971Children and Adolescents 0300 123 0977Mental Health Service

BURSLEM 0300 123 0979

WHITFIELD VALLEY 01782 425720

FENTON 01782 743100

HANFORD (Main) 0300 123 0974Children's Airway Support Team 0300 123 0977

HANLEY 0300 123 0980

LONGTON 0300 123 0993

LONGTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL 0300 123 0993

MEIR 01782 425676

NORTON 01782 534599

PACKMOOR 01782 794600

PICCADILLY CENTRE (Main) 0300 123 0985Sexual health helpline 0300 123 0970

SMALLTHORNE 0300 123 0982

STOKE 0300 123 0986Out of Hours District Nursing Service 0300 123 0989

TRENT VALE 01782 425260

TUNSTALL (Main) 0300 123 0972Dental Advice Line 0300 123 0981

For more information and advice on healthissues please call NHS Direct – 24 hrs a day

0845 46 47or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk

HEALTH CENTRESYourYour

Fire & Rescue contact numbers EMERGENCY RESPONSEMANAGERWayne Bowcock01785 898894

PREVENTION ANDPROTECTION MANAGERRebecca Bryant01785 898542

RISK REDUCTION MANAGERMick Daniels01785 898927

HANLEY STATION MANAGERStan Cooper01785 898641

LONGTON STATION MANAGERRich Willliams01785 898594

SANDYFORDSTATION MANAGERGlynn Luznyj01785 898693

HANLEY NEIGHBOURHOODCO-ORDINATORMick Warrilow

01785 898902

LONGTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CO-ORDINATORTracey Cresswell

01785 898951

SANDYFORDNEIGHBOURHOOD CO-ORDINATORPete Hall

01785 898886

RISK REDUCTION CO-ORDINATORRehana Iqbal

01785 898891

SAFER CITY PARTNERSHIPOFFICERDonna Broadhead

01785 898904

To book your home fire risk check ring: 0800 0241 999

For all city council services contact 234234

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 999AND ASK FOR THE FIRE SERVICE

Our City p10 5/1/11 17:50 Page 1


TRENTHAM ANDHANFORD: New bins arebeing installed along the canalin Trentham after complaintsfrom local residents about litterand dog waste. BritishWaterways has paid for thethree dual waste bins, whichwill be emptied byStoke-on-Trent City Council ona regular basis. Residents whouse the canal helped to chosewhere the bins would go.

BLURTON: Free informationcafes are being staged on thefirst Thursday of every monthat the St Albans CommunityCentre in Finstock Avenue.Useful information on training,jobs, employment, homeimprovement, family issues andways of maximising income areall on offer. Free oatcakes aswell as hot and cold drinks areprovided. For more informationcall 01782 233265.

FENTON: Two new ”No ColdCalling” zones have been setup to protect people in thearea. Signs have gone uparound the bungalows inMounfield Place, HayfieldCrescent and Morville Close.The idea is to improve securityand make the residents feelsafer in their own homes.

HARTSHILL ANDPENKHULL: Former Stoke Citystar Ian Cranson is helping runfootball skills schools forchildren of all abilities aged fiveto 16. Ian along with Ashley Hillare delivering coaching threetimes a week to professionalUEFA and Level 3 standards.Evening sessions are staged atSt Peters High School on aWednesday and Thursday andat Richmond Street Park onSaturday mornings. For moreinformation call Rob Simms on01782 236602 or 07939 906168.

DownYourWayNews from

South WesternNeighbourhood

STOKE AND TRENT VALE:About 20 adults and childrenlaunched the London RoadCentenary Walk to celebratethe centenary of the Six TownsFederation. The three-hourevent was organised by StokeWest and Oakhill CommunityAssociation in partnership withCloser to Homes Walks. Theevent included a lanternmaking workshop.

THE winter vomiting bug seasonis here but taking a few simpleprecautions can prevent the

spread of the unpleasant infectionalso known as norovirus.

Last winter saw a high number of outbreaksthat affected large numbers of elderlyresidents in care homes in Stoke-on-Trentand caused ward closures at the UniversityHospital of North Staffordshire.

However if people at home suffer thesymptoms of violent vomiting, diarrhoea, fever,headache and stomach cramps, they shouldstay there, rest and drink plenty of fluids untilthe bug passes out of their system – whichusually takes around 48 hours and they willrecover naturally without treatment. Practisinggood hygiene by washing hands regularly isalso important.

Kim Gunn, Head of Infection Preventionand Control for NHS Stoke on Trent, said:“The important thing is to stay away fromA & E units and GP practices becausenorovirus is highly contagious and this couldspread the illness to vulnerable people andhealthcare workers. In fact most cases do notrequire any medical treatment.

“It’s best to keep yourself to yourself but ifyou are concerned then ring NHS Direct on0845 4647 or your GP’s surgery for advice.”

She added: “The winter vomiting infectioncan sometimes be more severe in the elderlyand very young as they may becomedehydrated.”

It’s estimated that the winter vomiting buginfects up to one million people in the UKevery year and is particularly common incontained communities such as hospitals,

schools and nursing homes. This is becausethe norovirus spreads easily from person toperson and can survive for several days in acontaminated area.

Norovirus is one of the reasons why theNHS is busier and under greater pressureduring the winter months as more elderlypeople are admitted from nursing orresidential homes, while outbreaks occur inhospitals among patients being treated forother reasons.

As Our City went to press the signs werethat outbreaks of the bug in Stoke-on-Trentwould not be as severe as the winter of2009/2010.

Kim Gunn said: “In the previous winter the norovirus season started in NorthStaffordshire in September, while this timeround the first cases were reported at thebeginning of December 2010 so we arehoping it will not be as widespread thiswinter.”

Ways to prevent spread ofwinter vomiting bug

A GROUND breaking ceremonymarked the start of constructionwork on the city’s new REACHschool for up to 80 pupils withbehavioural, emotional and socialdifficulties.

The £4.3 million project at TrentVale will replace the current awardwinning REACH pupil referral unit atBucknall – and is the first school tobe built under the Building Schoolsfor the Future (BSF) programme inStoke-on-Trent which will

eventually see every secondary andspecial school in the city rebuilt orrefurbished.

REACH Head Teacher LornaMatley, her staff and pupils joinedmembers of Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil and representatives ofdevelopers Balfour Beatty towitness the ceremony on the site ofthe new school that is due to openits doors in February 2012.

Once the school is open,community use will be encouraged

so local people will be able toenjoy the new facilities

available at the complex,which will include an

all-weather sports

pitch and indoor performance space.Councillor Debra Gratton, Cabinet

Member for Children and YoungPeople’s Services, who was amongthe guests at the ceremony, said:“This is a hugely significant step forour BSF programme.

“The beginning of this workshows the people of the city that atlast building is underway and ouryoung people will have a newcutting-edge, 21st century facilitiesin which they can learn and play.

“There is still a great deal of workto do but I would like to thank allthose – staff, parents and pupils –who have worked so hard to make

this project areality.”

Building work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m schoolBuilding work starts on new £4.3m school

Practicing good hygiene by regularlywashing hands is a simple way to

reduce the spread of norovirus.Here, Leah Frost and Elliot Healey,

both aged 10 and pupils at JohnBaskeyfield VC Primary School in

Burslem, set a good example.

Heavy winter rain failed to stop the ground breakingceremony going ahead. An excavator digs the first soil on thesite of the new REACH school watched by Councillor DebraGratton, right, REACH Head Teacher Lorna Matley and pupilsAshley Prince and Josh Ward. The city council’s Cabinet madea pledge to start work on the project before the end of March.

Our City p11 6/1/11 14:06 Page 1

12 Our City J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1 Our City 13

GREEN fingered residents’groups throughoutStoke-on-Trent are being urgedto go for gold in the next Britainin Bloom contest in 2011.

With involvement from twocommunity groups the citycouncil gained an award inBritain in Bloom 2010 when thecity competed for the first timein nine years.

The Friends of TrentmillNature Park in Joiner’s Square,who transformed waste groundinto a garden and wildlife havenwith the help of Prince’s Trustvolunteers, and Friends ofBakewell Street Park Trust,Penkhull, who are in the processof restoring a piece ofovergrown parkland,contributed to the localauthority being awarded a SilverGilt in the Heart of England inBloom Competition.

The city council is nowencouraging other residents’associations and othercommunity groups to enter withenvironmental projects andimpress the Royal HorticulturalSociety judges when thecompetition comes round againthis year.

Horticultural map

When RHS judges visitedentries around Stoke-on-Trent in2010 they said they werepleasantly surprised by theamount of green space in thecity, and one of them remarked:“The city has come back with abang.”

City council EnvironmentalManager Michelle Tinsley said:“After the success in 2010 I amsure that we can putStoke-on-Trent on thehorticultural map with a goldaward.

“The residents who took partand helped win the award reallyentered into the spirit of thingsand involved other sections ofthe community like schools andeven nurseries.

“The legacy of the Silver Giltaward achieved this year will becommunity facilities thateveryone can enjoy. In Joiner’sSquare the group have created aplot of land where local childrencan grow their own vegetablesand the first crops will beharvested soon.

“I would urge all residents’associations across the city tojoin in and make the most of thebenefits that communitygardens and improving thelandscape can realise.”● For advice about how to enterBritain in Bloom contact theResident Involvement Team on01782 231914 or 01782 238515.

NATURE loverSuzanne Wykes hasher dream job…

walking on Stoke-on-Trent’swild side. From monitoringendangered butterflies toadvising on the reclamationof former industrial sitesfor nature, Suzanne plays avital role in protecting thecity’s wildlife and greenspaces.

Far from urban decay, she sees agreen and pleasant land withnatural parkland, hay meadowsand waterways, which support adazzling array of wildlife fromskylarks to the resurgent otter.

And she has a dream to plant anurban wood in the heart of the cityas other regeneration projectscontinue to breathe new life intoformer industrial and brown fieldsites like the £10 million creationof a country park at ChatterleyWhitfield.

Green space

She said: “I love it.Stoke-on-Trent’s brilliant forwildlife with a huge diversity ofgreen and sometimes wild spacesas well as rivers, canals andbrooks. It’s so important that welook after all our green spaces andwildlife for everyone to enjoy.”

The 38-year-old Ecologygraduate has been the citycouncil’s Ecology/EnvironmentOfficer for six years, havingpreviously worked for theworld-famous Slimbridge Wildfowland Wetlands Trust, the NaturalHistory Museum in London andHampshire County Council.

She advises on planningapplications, building and road

schemes and planning policy tomake sure green spaces, wildlifeprotection and enhancement arepart and parcel of futuredevelopment plans. Suzanne alsotalks to schoolchildren andlectures at StaffordshireUniversity.

Volunteers are a vital help in herwork so Suzanne liaises closelywith groups trying to improvetheir areas. She has worked withthe Friends of Cockster Brook,who have spent the last yearworking with the city council totransform the urban beauty spotand Townsend CommunityAssociation on their plans todevelop wildlife in an area ofunder-used green space.

Over the past few years she hasbeen instrumental in protectingthe great crested newt, whendevelopments have threatenedtheir pond habitats.

Rare butterflies

She has also worked closely onthe two-year transformation, forthe city council, of the formerChatterley Whitfield mining siteinto a 50-hectare wood, grass andwetland haven with watercascades, footpaths, ponds andbridges. Her input has helpeddevelopers safeguard badgers, batsand the dingy skipper butterfly onthe site.

“The dingy skipper is onButterfly Conservation’s Red Listas vulnerable and only exists at afew sites in the West Midlands,”said Suzanne. “We counted 50 inone day the last time wemonitored them at Chatterley,which is really good.”

“Otters are back on the River

Trent, which shows just how muchthe water quality is improving and wehave skylarks at Berryhill Fields LocalNature Reserve.

“I also look after plants andhabitats and manage areas like haymeadows.

“I love meeting people and workingin a place which is so diverse. I like tothink, in my own quiet way, that Ihelp maintain the wildlife and habitatof the city for us all. It’s such a richlegacy. Imagine what it would be likeif you never saw a robin or heardbirds.

“There’s a lot of emphasis on jobsand money at the moment so it’simportant to remember how muchwildlife and green spaces contributeto our health and sense of wellbeing.

“It’s overlooked sometimes but our

green spaces also help encourageinward investment,” she added.

Suzanne continues to build strongpartnerships with other agencies alsoworking to improve the environmentin the city including the StaffordshireWildlife Trust, Natural England, theForestry Commission, theEnvironment Agency and BritishWaterways.

And she is also talking to theWoodland Trust and others asshe promotes her dream of anew urban wood in thePotteries.

“It would add to thediversity of our habitats, bebrilliant for wildlife and thepeople of the city – a greatplace to enjoy the fresh air,”she said.

You may be surprised but...city is brilliant for wildlife

Residentsurged to getcommunitiesblooming

There’s a lot ofemphasis on jobsand money at the

moment so it’simportant to

remember howmuch wildlife and

green spacescontribute to ourhealth and sense

of wellbeing

‘‘’’

CITY COUNCILECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT

OFFICER SUZANNE WYKES

Suzanne Wykes picturedat Smiths’ Pool nature

reserve at Fenton – oneof the many wildlife

havens in the city.Top, a rare dingy

skipper butterfly athome in the Potteries.

The former ChatterleyWhitfield colliery site has

been transformed intoStoke-on-Trent’s newest

country park.

A fish eye lens captures anotherstunning view at Chatterley.

A panoramic view from Berryhill looking towardsBentilee – with a standing stone in the foreground.

The Ford Green reed beds at the Whitfield Valleynature reserve – a site of scientific interest.

Cuckoo flowers in ameadow at Bentilee.

A Great Crested Grebe onHolden Lane Pools.

An idyllicsetting in theScotia Valley

Greenway.

Our City p12/13 6/1/11 11:39 Page 1


Washyour

hands of

Norovirus

Diar

rhoe

a

Shiver

s

Vomiting

Fever

Ach

ing

mus

cles

Stop getting all of these and more by

simply washing your hands

Hand cleaning techniqueThis should take around 40 - 60 seconds

Wet hands with water

0

cover all hand surfacesApply enough soap to

1

Rub hands palm to palm

2

Rub back of each hand withthe palm of other hand with

fingers interlaced

3

Rub palm to palm withfingers interlaced

4

Rub with backs of fingerto opposing palms with

fingers interlocked

5

Rub each thumb claspedin opposite hand usingrotational movement

6

Rub tips of fingersin opposite palm ina circular motion

7

Rub each wrist withopposite hand

8

11 1210 1199

Your hands are now clean

Rinse hands with water until all

soap has gone - remember to turn off

the water

Dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel,

clean towel or hand dryer.

ELDERLY people, andtheir relatives, carersand friends are being

targeted in a bid to boost firesafety this winter.

Staffordshire Fire and RescueService has launched its OlderPerson Campaign, which aims toraise awareness about thedangers of domestic blazes inpensioners’ homes.

The campaign is a prioritybecause in just over a year therehave been five fire deaths and 16injuries involving elderly peoplein Staffordshire.

Hard-hitting posters andleaflets have been produced tocoincide with the awarenessraising initiative. They highlightthe importance of fire safety andbooking a free Home Fire RiskCheck.

The posters have beencirculated to places commonlyvisited by elderly people,including libraries, careassociations, health and social

care centres and otherorganisations.

Staffordshire Fire and RescueService’s Risk ReductionManager Dave Steele said: “We’llbe running our campaign untilMarch, as the majority of ourfatal fires occur during thesewinter months.

“We all know elderly peoplewhether they be grandparents,parents, neighbours or friends –we have a responsibility to ensurethese people are safe from fire.

“We’re asking people to thinkhow they would feel if an elderlyperson they knew died in a fire,or had their home and life-longpossessions lost in a house fire,knowing it could have beenprevented if they’d received afree Home Fire Risk Check.”

To request a check call,freephone 0800 0241 999.

■ For more details about firesafety log onto:www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk orwww.direct.gov.uk/firekills

Home fire riskcampaign forolder people

Mascot Welephant has a trunk full of fun CHILDREN can enjoy a trunk fullof fun and learn important firesafety lessons at the same timethanks to a very friendlyelephant mascot.

The Welephant Club is run byStaffordshire Fire and RescueService and aimed at youngstersaged from four to eight. Newmembers receive a Welephantjoining pack, which includes a

personalised certificate andspecial joining gift. Youngstersalso receive regular newsletterscontaining information on howfamilies can stay safe, funactivities, colouring-in pagesand competitions.

The club, which is free to join,is part of Staffordshire Fire andRescue Service’s cradle to oldage approach to fire safety and

links in with other importantmessages, such as road safety.

To find out more about joiningthe Welephant Club log ontowww.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/welephantclub.asp● Pictured above at the newSandyford Fire Station isWelephant with FirefightersCraig McGlyn, left and RobertWindsor.

Our City p14 6/1/11 11:32 Page 1

MIDDLEPORT: A localresidents’ association hasbought a children’s bloodpressure/oxygen/heartbeatmonitor for Middleport HealthCentre. The Middleport,Longport and DalehallCommunity Association, whichmeets at the centre, raisedabout £100 through raffles andare presenting the monitor asa thank you.

NORTHWOOD ANDBIRCHES HEAD: Pupils fromBirches Head High Schooljoined forces with the citycouncil and StaffordshirePolice to brainstorm ideas forimprovements to a recreationground. Their ideas on how toimprove Drive Park have beenrelayed to landscape architectsas designs are now drawn upahead of discussions on theallocation of funds.

SHELTON SOUTH:Alleygating schemes toimprove security in the areahave been completed. The thirdand final phase covering ninestreets involved 25 doublegates being installed in backand side alleys. Thirty doublegates were installed in the firsttwo phases, which began inApril 2009. The project wasfunded by Hanley West andShelton councillors’ wardbudgets together with theSafer City Partnership.

BURSLEM SOUTH: Miningcommunities are rememberedwith a new plaque at theentrance to Central Forest Park.Councillors paid for the £450memorial, which was the ideaof the Union Street and ForestPark Residents’ Association,from the Burslem South wardbudget. The heather bed theplaque sits in was created bypark keepers and shows amining wheel and headstock.

HANLEY PARK: Miles ofrailings, gates and canal sidehandrails at the park have beenpainted heritage green. Wardbudgets paid for the 644railings and gates to bespruced up by PM Training, asocial enterprise that providestraining and apprenticeopportunities for youngpeople. Even railings behindhedges have been tackled.

THE future of servicesfor people withlearning disabilities

in Stoke-on-Trent is beingshaped by the very peoplewho use them.

A far-reaching city councilstrategy that spells out howimprovements can be achieved inall aspects of life over the nexttwo years has been launched afterclose involvement with Reach, theregistered charity that supportspeople in Stoke-on-Trent andStaffordshire with learningdisabilities to speak up aboutissues that affect their lives.

Reach formed a series of focusgroups of their members as partof a comprehensive consultationprocess, and they asked peoplewhat they wanted to see in thestrategy.

The feedback provided much ofthe information needed for a draftstrategy, and after this waspublished Reach held more focusgroups that concentrated onasking those with learningdisabilities how they think lifeshould be in the future comparedto what it is like now.

The wide range of viewsprovided by the focus groups

have formed most of the aims andaspirations laid out in the finalversion of the strategy that hasnow been adopted by the citycouncil.

They include measures to betaken to ensure bettercommunication between peoplewith learning disabilities and staffat the University Hospital ofNorth Staffordshire after serviceusers reported they sometimesexperienced difficulty inexplaining what was wrong withthem or understanding themedical treatment they received.

Other key issues covered by thestrategy concern a wider choice ofaccommodation for people withlearning disabilities and theprovision of support to acquireskills that will improveemployment prospects and amore independent lifestyle.

Kevin Day, JointCommissioning Manager who co-ordinated the development ofthe strategy, said: “Theinvolvement of Reach and thehigh quality information obtainedby people with learningdisabilities from other service

users provided an accurate insightinto the needs and aspirations ofpeople with learning disabilities inour community.”

Andrew Garvey, a ProjectWorker with Reach, said: “We areall pleased that it is quite clearthe work put into thisconsultation by the focus groupshas been properly considered andthat their ideas have been used.”

Alan Titley, one of the Reachmembers on the focus groups,said: “It was important and onlyright that disabled people andtheir carers were consulted.”

Reach members speak up toshape future services

TOP quality service from Stoke-on-Trent CityCouncil is paying off with prestigious WOW!Awards – the UK’s only national award forcustomer service based purely on customernominations.

The awards normally go to members ofstaff of nominated organisations, butCouncillor Barbara Beeston made history bybecoming the first elected representative inthe city to collect a WOW! Accolade.

She won her certificate for five years of

tireless campaigning for the provision ofpublic toilets for the disabled to be providedin the city.

Last year her campaigning paid off whenthe first disabled toilet of its kind in the UK –complete with changing bed, hoist andshower – opened in the City Centre.

Councillor Beeston said:“I was honoured toreceive the award and really thrilled to be thefirst councillor to win anything at theawards.”

There was national success, too, for DonnaHammersley, an Improvement andDevelopment Support Officer in the ChiefExecutive’s Department, who was judged theUK’s Best Leader 2010 for her work inmotivating council staff to improve their levelof customer service.

Donna said: “I’m honoured to have beenrecognised nationally for the work I’ve doneand hopefully it shows how good a job we aredoing at the city council.”

Councillor Barbara Beeston, right, is presented with her WOW award byLord Mayor Councillor Denver Tolley with 19-year-old Amy Hudson – whohas supported Barbara’s campaign – looking on.

Improvement and Development Support OfficerDonna Hammersley with her WOW award.

Councillor and officer both have the WOW factor

Council officers and Reach members at one of the focus group meetings which helped to draw up a new strategy forthe provision of services for people with learning disabilities.

DownYourWay

News from WesternNeighbourhood


gPledgeDELIVERED

Our City p15 6/1/11 09:15 Page 1


WHATEVER someone’s financialcircumstances, they should beable to make informed choicesabout managing their moneyand have access to the right kindof advice, support and financialservices.

That is why the FinancialInclusion Group (FIG) was set upjust over 12 months ago.

The Group brings togetherpublic sector partners such asStoke-on-Trent City Council andNewcastle Borough Councilalongside organisations such asthe Citizens Advice Bureau, WarmZone, Staffordshire Credit Union,Moneyline and the area’shousing associations.

The aim is that by workingtogether and pooling ideas andresources the services providedto the public are betterco-ordinated, more effective andoffer best value for residents.

FIG is responsible for thecreation of Chatterbox andsupports initiatives like theKitted Out white goods loanscheme, both of which you canread more about on thefollowing two pages along withother ways of accessing usefulinformation.

We believe that it is extremelyimportant that people in the cityare able to access appropriatefinancial advice and services.

There are a considerablenumber of people in the areawho have trouble managingtheir finances on a tight budget.

Some need to accessaffordable credit but havedifficulty with this because theydo not have bank accounts, orhave a bad credit history. Giventhe current economic conditions,access to the kind of servicesthat the FIG supports is morecrucial now than ever before.

By Mark GaterChair of the Financial Inclusion Group for Stoke-on-Trent andNewcastle-under-Lyme

AN INNOVATIVE partnership scheme is offering low cost loans

so people can buy essentialappliances for their home like cookers,fridges and washing machines.

The Kitted Out initiative is a link upbetween Staffordshire Credit Union, the citycouncil’s Supporting People team and TheCo-operative. People moving out oftemporary accommodation into a morepermanent home often find their newproperty is not furnished and they don’t havethe money to buy new goods.

Now through the scheme they are referredto the Staffordshire Credit Union, whichprovides people with loans up to £500 sothey can buy a range of white goods at low-cost prices.

Kevin Waters, Staffordshire Credit UnionChief Executive, said: “People moving into anew property from temporaryaccommodation often find their new home isunfurnished and they simply can’t afford tobuy essential items like fridges or cookers.

“Through Kitted Out, the city council’sSupporting People team refer them to us and

we can provide £500 loans with competitiveinterest rates. We have struck a deal with theCo-operative so all the items can bepurchased at very reasonable rates comparedto high street prices and delivered to thecustomer’s door.”

He added: “The scheme particularly helpspeople who are moving out of temporaryaccommodation and looking for something

more permanent. It helps them reclaim theirindependence as well as assisting them withtheir financial wellbeing. However, the whitegoods loan is also available to anyone whohas an account with the Staffordshire CreditUnion and would benefit from it.”■ For more details about Kitted Out and the Staffordshire Credit Union log ontowww.staffscu.co.uk

TWO schemes are helping to beat fuel povertyand keep householders in Stoke-on-Trent warmduring the winter months.

North Staffordshire Warm Zone is aGovernment-supported initiative bringingaffordable warmth and energy efficiency toprivately-owned and privately-rentedaccommodation.

Anyone in the zone found to be suffering fromfuel poverty could be eligible to receive freeinsulation measures and central heating measures.

Even households that do not qualify for a fullgrant do qualify for heavily subsidised insulationmeasures, and a typical household could save upto 60 per cent.

All households will be able to access freebenefits advice, free energy advice, freeenergy-saving light bulbs and free smoke alarms.

For more details about fuel poverty andapplying for a Warm Zone grant call 01782479099.

Meanwhile, Beat the Cold providesinformation, advice and referrals for householdsvulnerable to the cold. Residents can eitherarrange to visit the Stoke-on-Trent-based charityor home visits can be booked.■ For more details call 0800 3892258.

Low costloans to buyessentialappliances









HELP is on hand forpeople who need adviceand support abouthousing issues.

The city council’sHousing Solutions Serviceteam can answer queriesin relation to a range ofissues from mortgageproblems to debt orarrears.

The service worksclosely with the CitizensAdvice Bureau,Staffordshire Credit Unionand colleagues across theWest Midlands to helppeople stay in theircurrent home despitefinancial problems.

For more informationcontact the service on01782 233696 or [email protected]

Group’s workis now morecrucial thanever before

Practical helpto stay warmin winter

Providingsolutionson housingissues

Chief Executive of theStaffordshire Credit Union KevinWaters, right, with Co-operativeSales Assistant Stephen Paynewith a range of white goodsappliances available throughthe Kitted Out scheme.

Residents living in the North Staffordshire Warm Zonecould be eligible to receive free or subsidised energyefficiency measures such as cavity wall insulation.

MANAGING money and the threat of debt can be stressful subjects– especially in the current economic climate. Here, Our Cityhighlights the kind of support that is available to help people take control of their finances, whatever their income…

Our City p16/17 6/1/11 09:17 Page 1


PEOPLE are being given the chanceto talk to organisations aboutmoney matters at a series of local

events across the city.Residents who have attended Chatterbox events

so far have found out how to save money throughcheaper fuel tariffs and loans, where to get homecontent insurance, savings and current accountsand where to turn to for help when money getstight.

Over 250 people have already come along tolocations such as Asda superstore, Tunstall,Haywood Hospital and Rowan Village shelteredaccommodation at Meir.

The six-month pilot scheme supported andco-ordinated through the Financial InclusionGroup also gives people the chance to talkinformally to professionals about financial servicesthat can help, particularly Moneyline and theStaffordshire Credit Union.

City council Sustainable Community OfficerVicki Birks said: “Chatterbox provides a usefulvenue for people to get information about moneymatters that are concerning them. It is local andfriendly.

“It is only at the pilot stage at the moment butit is proving to be a real success. People are tellingus the advice is useful and their comments arehelping to improve the services we provide.”

For more information about whereChatterbox is going to turn up next contactVicki Birks on 01782 233060 or [email protected]

PEOPLE looking to borrowmoney are being urged to stayclear of loan sharks and thinkcarefully about lendingalternatives.

Loan sharks prey on peoplewho do not have bank accounts,have a bad credit rating andhave been turned down for loansby financial organisations.

The deals offered by “sharks”have interest rates that are threetimes the price of the highestlegal credit and in some casesas much as 1,000 per cent.

An ongoing Governmentcampaign – backed by the citycouncil – is helping to protectpeople from unscrupulousillegal lenders.

Eye-catching posters – suchas the one pictured left –featuring slogans such as“Don’t get in with a loanshark… it will cost you an armand a leg” and “Stop LoanSharks – they are dangerous.”have been appearing onbillboards and websiteadvertisements.

And the campaign tries todispel a number of mythssurrounding loans sharks,which include: unlicensedmoney lending is not illegal;

illegal money lending is a victimlesscrime and loan sharks provide areasonably-priced service.

The best advice for dealing withloan sharks is “don’t”.

They’re unlicensed moneylenderswho charge very high interest ratesand sometimes use threats andviolence to frighten people who can’tpay back their loan.

For people who cannot lend fromtraditional sources, there arealternatives.

For example, Moneyline is a “notfor profit” scheme which specialises inmaking small, affordable loans topeople who are unable to get creditfrom banks or building societies, orare otherwise financially excluded.

Moneyline’s Staffordshire ManagerKaren Ankers said: “Our aim is tohelp anyone, regardless of financialcircumstances and regardless of theircredit rating. The only thing we ask isthat people are totally honest with usabout their circumstances.”

For details about Moneylineservices call 01782 206836 or logonto www.elmline.co.uk/staffordshire.html For confidential help call IllegalMoney Lending Team on 0300 555222 or email [email protected]

FOR more informationabout managing financesor dealing with debt logon to stoke.gov.uk andclick the money mattersoption. Other usefulcontacts include:

NATIONAL DEBTLINEwww.nationaldebtline.co.uk 0808 808 4000 –Free independent advice.

PAYPLANwww.payplan.com0800 716239 – for debtcalculating, debtsolutions and budgeting.

SHELTERwww.shelter.org.uk0808 8004444 – housingadvice, including rent andmortgage arrearsrepossessions andeviction.

TURN 2 USwww.turn2us.or.uk 0808 802 2000 – benefitsadvice and details ofgrant-giving charities.

FINANCIAL SERVICESAUTHORITY www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk – interactivetools for budgeting andborrowing, informationand leaflets.

Chance to chat onmoney matters

Keep clear of loan sharks – they costan arm and a leg

USEFULCONTACTS

SustainableCommunity

Officer Vicki Birkshands out moneyadvice leaflets at

a Chatterboxevent.

Our City p16/17 6/1/11 09:17 Page 2


SAFETY and reassurance havebeen further enhanced in thecity following investment in

state-of-the-art deployable CCTVunits.

A total of 14 deployable cameras havebeen bought and are to be installed invarious locations across Stoke-on-Trent.

The images are monitored andrecorded 24 hours a day and pictures ofanyone involved in crime or antisocialbehaviour are kept and used by thepolice and other agencies.

The deployable cameras have beenbought by the Safer City Partnership

with the help of NeighbourhoodFunding.They form part of a network ofmore than 200 CCTV camerasthroughout the city.

CCTV operators are able tocommunicate and report any issuesimmediately to enable police or otherenforcement agencies to respond.

Mike Brunt, Safer NeighbourhoodsProgramme Lead, said:“The camerashave a wide range of uses alongsidemany other schemes in Stoke-on-Trentto combat crime and disorder, which arealready low compared to other areas ofthe country.

“The locations where the cameras aredeployed are decided at monthlymeetings attended by representativesfrom the city council, StaffordshirePolice and other relevant agencies. Theydepend on the seriousness of local crimeand disorders.”

Individuals or community groupscannot apply for use of the cameras butthey can influence decisions by ensuringall incidents are reported through thepolice or antisocial behaviour helpline – 0800 561 5610.

For more details about the CCTVscheme log onto stoke.gov.uk/cctv

Creating a healthier and safer city

THE latest city-wide survey carried out bythe partnership has revealed that eight outof 10 people feel safe or very safe in theneighbourhood where they live.

More than half the residents revealedtheir top community safety concerns werebreak-ins at home or antisocial behaviour.This is despite an 18 per cent reduction inhomes being burgled and a 30 per centreduction in loutish behaviour in the lastyear.

The results will be used to informpriorities over the next 12 months. Issuesof most concern were:

● Domestic burglary● Rowdy behaviour in the street● Alcohol misuse● Alcohol-related violence/street

drinking● Litter or rubbish● Drug misuse

Sam Bridgett, Research and InformationAnalyst for the Safer City Partnership said:“A total of 1,550 surveys were completed.

“It was advertised and carried outthrough local newspapers and newsbulletins, through the city council websiteand face to face with residents via PCSOsand Safer City Partnership Officers.

“The data was broken down intopostcode areas so we were able to examinelocal trends and issues.

“Despite this, all the postcode areasnamed ‘Groups of People Causing aNuisance in the Street’ or ‘Home Burglary’as their number one concern.”

PEOPLE in recovery from drug and alcoholmisuse are volunteering their time toencourage people to make a new start.

Through the Recovery Is Out There project(RIOT) former users have become mentors,offering advice and support to people ondrug and alcohol recovery programmes.

The volunteers work on an informal basisoffering one-to-one help or supportthrough group sessions. The project wasset up in the city less than six months agobut is already proving to be successful withservice users and treatment providers.

Suzie Kelly, Alcohol Programme Lead forthe Safer City Partnership said:“Thevolunteers act as peer mentors offeringhope, inspiration and encouragement topeople seeking support.

“They can really relate to their mentorsbecause they have come through similarsituations and are the proof that there islight at the end of the tunnel.”

She added:“The project is in its infancyand we are still recruiting volunteers, but sofar the feedback we have received is verypositive. Both the people who have beenhelped and the support workers havenoticed the benefits.”

New mobile CCTV unitsset to combat crime

Survey shows vastmajority feel safein their community

Former drug andalcohol misusershelp other people

Drugs can bring outthe ‘Mr Hyde’ in usersLEGAL to Buy – Risky to Try is the stark warning being issuedthrough the latest campaign aimed at spelling out the risks oflegal highs.

Adults are being targeted with an eye-catching poster,pictured left, which features the slogan alongside a picture ofhorror novel characters Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

The aim is to show people that just because there is a widerange of legal substances and stimulants available they are not necessarily safe and could have a dramatic effect on theirpersonality or health.

Project Officer for Substance Misuse Hannah Cole said:“Legal highs contain chemicals that could permanently affectyour health or state of mind. Taking them could put a personat serious risk of paranoia, coma, seizure or even death. Mixingalcohol with any drug further increases risk to your health.”

■ For help and advice contact the Community DrugService on 01782 219777.

Mike Brunt, SaferNeighbourhoodsProgramme Lead, right,surveys the banks of CCTVmonitors at the city council’scentral control with CCTVManager Jason Handy. Thecontrol oversees the newdeployable cameras alongwith the fixed units.

Our City p18/19 6/1/11 12:00 Page 1


TRAINED volunteershave been patrollingthe city centre as part

of a nationwide scheme tomake people feel safer onnights out.

Through the Street Pastorsproject, teams of four people headout onto the streets between10pm and 4am to help reduceantisocial behaviour.

Wearing easily identifiablejackets they engage with peopleoffering advice and practical help,such as making sure they gethome safely after a night out.

They also pick up broken glassand hand out water to revellerswho have been drinking.

The teams are trained byorganisations such asStaffordshire Police and

drug awareness specialists.Funding for the project has

been provided by a number oforganisations including the SaferCity Partnership and comesunder the banner of the TacklingKnives and Serious YouthViolence Programme.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the StreetPastors work alongside door staff,police and city council CCTVoperators every Monday andSaturday night.

Councillor Ross Irving, CabinetMember for Community Safety,Partnerships and the LocalStrategic Partnership, said:“There is a lot of support on offerfor people on nights out – butStreet Pastors add something

different.Street Pastors can offer

emotional care and give people afriendly ear or advice which canreally make a difference.”

Inspector Shaun Kerrigan,commander of the city centrepolicing team, said: “We havebeen working hard with partners,including the city council andlicensees, to drive downalcohol-related violence andantisocial behaviour.

“Street Pastors provideadditional help to vulnerablepeople, ensuring our city centre isa safe place to visit. Thevolunteers are local people whooffer a friendly, approachablepresence and can give practicaladvice and help.”

Volunteers are still being soughtfor the scheme. Street Pastors aredrawn from local churches and

are expected to work from 10pmto 4am a minimum of once amonth. They have to undergo aCRB (Criminal Records Bureau)check.

For more details visitwww.streetpastors.org.uk or ring Stoke-on-Trent co-ordinator Barbara Blooron 07585 150560.

PEOPLE are being warnedabout the dangers of drinkdriving – and then getting behind the wheel on “themorning after” – through amulti-agency campaignspearheaded by the SaferCity Partnership.

Throughout the Christmasperiod posters were put upon billboards and displayedon the back of buses, warningmotorists about the risksthey were taking if they hadconsumed alcohol.

The campaign, backed byorganisations including

Staffordshire Police, looks atthe costs of driving whileover the limit, which caninclude a 12 month drivingban, a £5,000 fine, a criminalrecord and, potentially, theloss of employment.

The campaign also focuseson motorists driving themorning after they have hada drink; warning of thepossibility of still being overthe limit.

Police handed out leafletsto motorists as part of theoperation, spelling out keyfacts such as the drink drive

limit and the number of unitsof alcohol in different drinks.

Suzie Kelly, AlcoholProgramme Lead for theSafer City Partnership, saidthe campaign will berepeated in the year:“Although the campaign waslaunched to coincide with theChristmas period this is anissue that affects people allyear round.

“Working in partnershipmeans we can deliver onestrong effective message tomotorists, highlighting therisks of drink driving.”

A two-page special Our City report

MEMBERS of the Safer City Partnership team put theirbest baking skills to the test to raise hundreds of poundsfor the Lord Mayor’s charities. A coffee and cake morningwas held at the Civic Centre, Stoke, for a number of localcharities. Lord Mayor Councillor Denver Tolley ispictured sampling one of the tasty treats and a cup oftea served at one of the events, which raised £300.

Beware of driving on the‘morning after’ drinking

Late-nighthelp andadvice incity centre









Street Pastors Andrew Teslaand Sarah de Costobadie chat

with teenagers Kate McGing, left,and Beth Reid in the city centre.

Staff bake for charities

Our City p18/19 6/1/11 12:00 Page 2

WHEN mum-of-three VickyEscritt first attended an adultlearning session she admits tohaving an escape route identified.

Vicky was so short on selfesteem after a series of majorblows to her confidence that shewas not quite sure how the familylearning course could help.

But she soon realised it was justwhat she needed to get her backon her feet and a step closer towork.

She said: “The first time I tookpart I sat close to the door so thatI could escape! However, thesix-week course really helped meand I started to gain confidenceagain.”

Now she has gone on to becomea community learning champion,is part way through a universitycourse and is constantly tellingothers about the benefit of having

a go at the courses. She is now afar cry from the person whomoved back to Stoke-on-Trentfrom Northumberland four yearsago following a divorce.

Vicky, 45, who also cares for herdisabled mum and dad, said: “Itrained and worked as apsychiatric nurse for a number ofyears but due to marriage andchild care issues I was forced togive up work eight years ago.

“When I moved here I had lostall my self confidence and selfesteem leaving me hiding in myhome.”

It was at this point Vicky firstmet Marie Savage, an outreachworker for Adult and CommunityLearning, who invited her to takepart in the family learning courseat her daughter’s school.

“It really helped me toovercome the issues I was

experiencing,” Vicky said. “I havegone on to complete a number ofadult and family learning courses,which helped me with my Englishand numeracy skills.”

She added: “Following all this Ihave gained so much confidence

and self esteem that I applied touniversity.

“I am presently completing afour-month Return to Practicemodule so that I can go back tonursing and improve my family’squality of life.”

ADULT learning courses have helped formerPolish clothes designer Wioletta Haras breakdown language barriers and paved the way toher finding work in the UK.

Mum-of-one Wioletta, 33, pictured left, cameto England from Poland in March 2008 withher husband, and had very limited Englishskills, making it difficult to find employment.

However, she enrolled on a Family Literacycourse being run at Northwood and BroomCommunity School – where her daughterJulia, aged eight, is a pupil.

Soon she signed up for a Family Numeracycourse and a longer Family Literacy Courseand achieved Level 1, and after 12 monthsher English skills improved dramatically.

Marie Savage, Adult and CommunityLearning Outreach Worker, said: “I was thenable to encourage her to do voluntary work

at the school – because of her new-foundconfidence she said yes. She is now a lunchtime supervisor and has gone onto complete aLevel 2 Health and Safety Course as well as aSafeguarding Children course.”

Wioletta has also enrolled on a 30-weekInterpreting course at Stoke-on-Trent Collegeand has gone on to do occasionalvolunteering at Jobcentre Plus as aninterpreter. She is also taking a ICT course toimprove her skills.

She said: “I have a degree in clothes designand had my own shop in Poland – I alsoworked as a chef at the weekends.

“Therefore it was quite frustrating to cometo the UK, eager to work, but with limitedEnglish language skills. The Adult Learningcourses have helped me to overcome this andhas given me a new lease of life.”

ADULT and Community Learning is championing

a Government campaign which aims to have

everyone using a computer by 2012.The Race Online initiative has been set

up to encourage public, private andcharitable organisations to sign up to help

some of the 10 million adults in the UK whohave never used the internet.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the Adult andCommunity Learning Service has a range ofinformation and communications technologycourses that have helped thousands of peoplelog on for the first time.

For people new to computers and thosefeeling a little anxious about learning, theComputers for Absolute Beginners course is aperfect first step.

The course is delivered by experienced,patient tutors who understand the concerns ofnew learners.

It is a free six week course and it is runningat venues across the city including Bentilee,Blurton, Ball Green, the City Centre, Fenton,Burslem, Meir, Milton, Stoke and Barlaston.

Last year more than 350 people came alongto this specific course and feedback wasextremely positive.

There are lots more computer courses peoplecan progress on to including Beginners Excel,Powerpoint and Desk Top Publishing andseveral more delivered through city councillibraries.

Councillor Mervin Smith, Cabinet Memberfor City Development (Regeneration), said:“More than 1,000 people joined our ICTcourses last year and they all said what a goodexperience it was.

“I want to encourage people to take up thislearning opportunity and remind everyone thatwe are never too old to learn.”

■ For more details call 01782 234775; [email protected] or log on tostoke.gov.uk/adultlearning

Family classes helpedrestore self confidence

Language course paved way toemployment and new lease of life

FAMILY LEARNING – Vicky Escritt studies with her son Matthew, aged15, and 10-year-old daughter Catherine.

Initiative aims to get everyone online

IT Tutor Geoff Ward, right, with 70-year-old student Colin Barwick who is takinga Computers and Cameras course held at City Central Library.

WEDGWOOD College andConference Centre is one ofthe most attractive settingsfor learning to be found inNorth Staffordshire – andthat coupled with its widerange of courses means it isproving more and morepopular.

The college at Barlaston,just south of the city, is acentre of communitylearning offering one-day orresidential courses in arange of languages –including Esperanto – as wellas the political sciences,history and art, culturalstudies and many more.

The college is owned andoperated by the city counciland ties in with itsprogramme of Adult andCommunity Learning.

A range of courses areoffered by the college formost interests and abilities,including Sugarcraft, Sewing,Mini Manicures, Guitar forBeginners, Literature andDigital Photography. For themore adventurous there arecourses including Beauty ofthe Russian Opera, Wash andLine Watercolours and AnAppreciation of theDerbyshire Dales.

■ For more informationabout courses or a list ofevents throughout thewinter and spring contactthe college on 01782372105 or [email protected]

Council-runcollege is akey learningresource


Our City p20 6/1/11 16:41 Page 1

JANUARY 2011 Our City 21

NORTHERN NEIGHBOURHOOD –DRUG DEALER GETS 10 YEARS:

Two men have been jailed afterpolice found drugs with a streetvalue of £138,420 at propertiesin Chell Heath. Officers seizedheroin, crack cocaine, cannabisand an ecstasy substituteduring raids launched as partof Operation Nemesis. PeterRogers, 23, and Carl Moreton,28, both of Winghay Place, ChellHeath, admitted possession ofdrugs with intent to supplywhen they appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.Rogers was jailed for six and ahalf years while Moreton was given a four-yearsentence.

WESTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD –BURGLAR NOW BEHINDBARS:

Burglar Lee Greatbatch hasbeen locked up for 20 monthsafter a scared woman calledpolice as he tried to get in toher Northwood home. The22-year-old from Truro Place, Bentilee, wascaught when his blood was found on one of twomotorcycles stolen from nearby garages.Greatbatch carried out the offences despitebeing subject to a community order and, whileon bail for them, kicked his way into a flat inBentilee. He admitted two burglaries and oneattempted burglary.

SOUTH EASTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD –COCAINE FOUND IN CAR:

A judge dismissed Longtonman Adam Day’s account ofwhy he had crack cocaineworth £2,760 in a car as being“like a colander, it has so manyholes.”The 38-year-oldpassenger from BlackheathClose said he hardly knew the driver who toldhim to pick two blocks off the dashboard and heonly intended giving them to the owner for nopayment. Day was handed a two and a half yearprison term after pleading guilty atStoke-on-Trent Crown Court to possession withintent to supply.

SOUTH WESTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD –WOMAN CONFRONTSBURGLARS:

Two young children sleptupstairs as a womandiscovered three men in theliving room of her Fentonhome. A mobile phone and alaptop computer were stolen during thelate-night raid at her terraced property inVictoria Road. Nathan Hopkin, 29, of City Road,Fenton admitted burglary. With 37 previousconvictions, the judge jailed him for two yearstelling him:“This is particularly serious becausewhen you and two others forced your way intothe house, the family were present.”

EASTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD –DRUG ADDICT JAILED:

Crime number 99 landed ScottTinsley from Smallthorne with atwo and a half year stretch inprison. He stole items worth£3,000 from a house atCauseway Drive in Sneyd Greento feed his drugs habit and was caughtred-handed with some of the property thefollowing day. Tinsley, 35, of Community Drive,first told police he had been given the goods inexchange for his bike but later admitted theoffence. It was his ninth house burglary.

Our City reports back onconvictions secured to make Stoke-on-Trent safer for us all...

MORE than 5,000 people in Stoke-on-Trent havemade room in their

wallets for something moreimportant than bankcards,driving licences or loyalty cards.

Thanks to the Message in your Walletscheme they carry a potentially life-savingcard with personal and medicalinformation that could save vital minutesfor paramedics, police or fire crews in thecase of emergency.

The wallet-sized card carries crucialinformation such as GP’s name and

phone number, medical conditions,medication, allergies and details of peopleor pets who may need caring for at home.

The card is handy enough to be put inthe glove box of a car, a purse, wallet orhandbag, and it comes with a green crosssticker that can be put on a purse or glovebox to signal that medical informationcan be found inside.

Alyson Shorthouse, of the city council’sAccess Team, said: “Demand for thewallets has been enormous since thescheme was launched six months ago.

“Stoke-on-Trent Lions Club and thecity council have already produced a

second batch of wallets. Additionalsponsors would enable us to producemore cards and keep them available topeople in need of them.”

Stoke-on-Trent Lions Club fund asimilar scheme called Message in a Bottlewhich is left in fridges at home to assistthe emergency services when called tohelp vulnerable people.

For more information about Messagein a Wallet email: [email protected] or phone 01782 236667or contact Stoke-on-Trent Lions on0845 8335724.

AN anti-smoking campaignaimed at children has beenlaunched by the city council.

Called Smokefree 4 Life,the dangers are beinghighlighted to Cubs andBrownies who will getembroidered badges andcertificates to reward theirunderstanding. The project,funded by the Department ofHealth, will focus on thehealth effects of smoking

and second hand smoke.Councillor Terry Follows,

Cabinet Member for theEnvironment, WasteManagement andNeighbourhood Services,said: “The uptake of smokingamongst young people is abig concern in our area asthere are high numbers ofyoungsters aged 11-16 whoare regular smokers.”

Councillor Mark Wright, the

city council’s SmokefreeChampion, said:“This is allabout making smoking lessattractive to young peopleand ensuring that they havethe information that tellsthem about the downside ofsmoking.”

Groups wanting an activitypack should contact TradingStandards Officer CharlotteColeman at [email protected]

JOBS and skills are top priorities for the newbody set up to drive forward regeneration inStoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

The Local Enterprise Partnership, or LEP, isone of just 24 in the country given thego-ahead by the Government.

It replaces the abolished regionaldevelopment agency Regional DevelopmentAgency Advantage West Midlands, and one ofthe LEP’s first tasks was to draw up a bid whichhas been submitted to the Government for cashfrom the first round of regional growth funding.

Former Michelin Managing Director JimRickard, pictured right, has been appointed asChairman of the LEP board.

Mr Rickard said: “Our aim is for growth in theeconomy, which will come from the privatesector. We want more employmentopportunities and for our people to beequipped to do those jobs through the righttraining and development.”● To find out more about the work of the LEPvisit the partnership’s website atwww.stokestaffslep.org.uk

Former Michelin MD appointed LEP Chairman

Making smoking less cool for children

This card in your wallet isthe most valuable

Access SupportAssistant FionaEvans shows aMessage in yourWallet card.

CONGRATULATIONS to MrsMildred Dennis of Trent Valewho won a £250 hamperdonated by Stoke-on-Trent

markets in a special Our City competition.

Mildred, 86, receivedher prize from

Lord MayorCouncillor

Denver Tolley.

Market hamperlucky winner

Our City p21 6/1/11 09:29 Page 1

22 Our City J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 1 0

Tunstall NeighbourhoodNPU commanderTunstall Police Station,Scotia Road, Tunstall,Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6BG.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: tunstall.npu@staffordshire. pnn.police.uk

City Centre NeighbourhoodNPU commanderHanley Police Station,Bethesda Street, Hanley,Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3DR.

Tel: 0300 123 4455email: [email protected]

Stoke NeighbourhoodNPU commanderStoke Police Station,Boothen Road,Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4AH.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected]. police.uk

Longton NeighbourhoodNPU commanderLongton Police Station,Sutherland Road, Longton,Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1HH.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: longton.npu@staffordshire. pnn.police.uk

Bucknall NeighbourhoodNPU commanderBucknall Police Post,Ruxley Road, Bucknall,Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 9BG.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected]

Burslem NeighbourhoodNPU commanderBurslem Police Station,Jackson Street, Burslem,Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1AF.

Tel. 0300 123 4455email: [email protected]

IT’S easy to get in touch with a local beat bobby or Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) via their

digital airwave radios. All officers have individual collar numbers which are four or five digits long.

For officers with four digit numbers dial 0300 123 2345 then enter ‘0’ followed by the four digit collar

number of the officer you need to speak to. No ‘0’ is needed for officers with five digit collar numbers.

If the officer is on duty, their radio rings like a mobile phone and you will be connected. If they are off

duty or dealing with victims, witnesses or offenders, your call goes through to the officer’s individual

voicemail box. Remember, in an emergency, dial 999.CONTACT NUMBERSPolicePolice

Inspector4371MattBennton

Inspector4465MartinBrereton

Sgt3615PaulClarke

Sgt4438JohnBuchan

Sgt3415DavidLowe

Sgt 4602PaulClarke

Sgt 3840JohnHazeldine

Sgt4019PeteSlinn

Sgt 4336CraigBurton

Sgt3890IanJones

Sgt4089AndyDuffin

Sgt 3851DaveFenton

Sgt0583JoBlandford

Sgt4653Phil Eaton

Inspector5110ElliottSharrard-Williams

Inspector3734ChristopherHarrington

Inspector3573MarkHardern

Inspector3509ShaunKerrigan

Sgt4777JonathonWard

Sgt4151BrevicJones

Sgt4425PhillipWhite

PC4727Dave Tams

PCSO16295StevenCowan

PCSO16933EmmaCasey

PCSO16934TracyRobinson

Abbey Hulton

PC4867NickBolam

PCSO8893LucyStevenson

Joiner’s Square

PC0865ClaireBowker

PC4020NeilWhitmore

PCSO16932JessicaEdge

Milton & Baddeley Green

PC3911KieronEdridge

PCSO16231CarlRadford

Smallthorne

PC0886SarahGriffiths

PCSO8980CharlotteBarker

PCSO17020FraserGlen

Sneyd Green

PC4969SamanthaBray

PCSO6513SarahBowen

PCSO16941JonSteventon

Fegg Hayes & Great Chell

PC4383AndyBaddeley

PC877ClaireCrank

PCSO16853SimonJones

PCSO16940BlaineWilliams

PC3822RobThomas

PCSO16235SarahWood

PCSO16233HannahMayer

Burslem Park Estate, Smallthorne & Bradeley

PC5055DanielMarsh

PCSO8841AndyPryce

Stanfield & Mill Hill

PC5158AmandaWhitfield

PC4835AdamEdwards

PC5086CraigCarpenter

PCSO8986AndyWootton

PCSO8954RichardFarrar

Tunstall Town Centre

PC3755PaulHarris

PC3930SteveFarmer

PC4233DaveO’ Donnell

PC5279AnthonyBaddeley

Neighbourhood Action Team

PC0735JoPowell

PC0998PeterUnderwood

PC5078ScottTurner

PC 0848RuthBarlow

PC 5373JulieClarke

PCSO8984BeckySimon

PCSO8979MichelleChadwick

Birches Head East & West

Forest Park

PC 4260MarkTrafford

PC 4210LesBertolone

PCSO 8957JustineMarsh

PCSO 17016MatthewBoyles

Burslem & Sneyd Green West

PC 0447ClaireJervis

PC 4912MickJones

PCSO8959HelenRowley

PCSO6628TichNyamayaro

Middleport & Longport

PC5274JamesIbbs

PC5222MatthewHope

PCSO16937StephenLomas

PCSO8892AndrewSpooner

Meir North & Weston Coyney

PC4139DaveMarshall

PC4483Keith Emery(Uni Officer)

PC 5588LynneCallaghan

PCSO16299KatieBrickley

Shelton South

PC4389GuyWain

PC5246DaveBeardmore

PCSO8985LucySlater

PCSO16230VickySmith

Shelton North & Etruria

Sgt4991StevenMeigh

PC 0760LisaJoynson

PCSO 16856KeithMellor

Saxonfields & Meir Hay

PCSO 16854SarahCartlidge

PC4822SeanWoodward

PC5107SimonStone

PCSO6607PhilMcGlynn

PCSO16885CharlotteAbbotts

PC 0873KateRushton

Blurton, Newstead & Hollybush

PC0991TerryDunn

PCSO16852YvonneKlebukowski

Hartshill, Basford, Cliffe Vale & Hospital

PC4475IvorOwens

PC4129ScottBradbury

PCSO16229WendyRogers

PCSO6443RachelMountford

PC4959KerrieMayer

Fenton, Heron Cross, Mt Pleasant

PC4433AndyBirchenall

PC4990JamesMcMillan

PCSO8825KarenBillings

Town Centre & Boothen

PC3684NeilRussell

PC4964AndreaOakes

PCSO16634CharlotteBryan

Trent Vale & Oakhill

PC4685SteveWilson

PC5133ScottGidman


PC4034MalcolmFord

PC0540NerineForrest

PCSO16938ScottWoodward

Trentham & Hanford

PC 4090RussElliott

PC4603Neil Day

PCSO 16635EmmaRichards

PCSO16240LeanneSharratt

PCSO 6500MarkSimon

Meir South & Meir Park

PC5020Jon Ash

PC5169ToniSunderland

PCSO6433GeorgeBould

PCSO16232AndrewAlcock

PC 3862TonyGodwin

Normacot, Dresden, Florence & Lightwood

PC 0971PaulNixon

PC4160PaulMassey

PC4021AndyEdwards

PC5238ScottRobson

PC 4838GarethWhitfield


PC5106GarethCheetham

PC5056AndyPercy

PC5137AdrianFirth

PC0935GrahamPhillips

PC0821ClaireBrooker

PC4924KevinCook

Sgt4594MarcusFerns

Sgt0852Deb Losh

Sgt4401Tony Drinkwater

PC (acting)4904JohnSwinnerton

PC3744NickPalmer

PCSO6616SallyWright

Chell Heath

PC0944JaimeIsaacs

PCSO17022TracyHodgson

Packmoor & Brindley Ford

PC4913BarryJoynson

PCSO16939KatyThorneycroft

Penkhull

PC4632AndyMander

PCSO6612AndrewMeakin

PCSO16226RachelKnight

Bentilee

PC5183NatalieLugg

PC4953AngelaBroadhurst

PCSO8983RobGuthrie

Berry Hill & Eaton Park

PC0975NathanAmes

PCSO17023Nia Nokes

Bucknall & Townsend



PC0817KerryGrant

PC5445GregoryHill

PC0837SharonRibbans

PC5410StevenSmith

PC4149JasonHowell

PC 4092CarlKelsall

PCSO8955ChristopherHill

PCSO8516AndreaBolam

PCSO16936MattHarrison

City Centre

PC5208AndrewSherratt

PC4871LucasHackney

PC4452RogerPoole

PC4133CraigRussell

PC0605NicolaHumphries

PCSO16227DanielNettleton

PCSO8830ChristopherStone

PCSO16935DanielBoote

Etruria & Festival Park

PC0726ClaireHarrison

PC4644RobertKelsall

PC4634LeeRobinson

PC4528DarrenBelford

PCSO16293MelanieBartholomew

PC5164NatalieBall

PC 0400DianeHoyle

PCSO8457SimonHolmes Special constables – All NPUs are supported by a team of special constables.

PC4733GlynTalbot

PCSO8953MichaelFrost

Sandyford & Goldenhill

PC0805KateBeardmore

PC0806AmandaWhite

PCSO8831KatieSullivan

PCSO8987LizOld

Town Centre

PCSO6603GemmaPrice

PC5094AdamRushton

Fenpark

PCSO8827ScottHolland

PC0905RobMountford

Northwood

PCSO16225AdrianHemmings

PCSO9045SueWall

PC3829IanMartin

Norton & Ball Green

Our City p22 6/1/11 10:59 Page 1


Berryhill and Hanley East

RITA DALE (City Independents)(01782) 267451 [email protected]

ADRIAN KNAPPER(Labour) 07714 [email protected]

JOHN DAVIS(City Independents)(01782) 26412607786 [email protected]

Abbey Green

ELLIE WALKER(Community Voice)(01782) 39787007917 [email protected]

GWEN HASSALL(Labour)(01782) 26316607851 [email protected]

MELANIE BADDELEY(BNP)(01782) 76361507979 508837melanie.baddeley@ stoke.gov.uk

Bentilee and Townsend

STEVEN BATKIN(BNP) (01782) [email protected]

MERVIN SMITH (Labour)(01782) 53721107584 [email protected]

DAVID MARFLEET (BNP)(01782) 876661 07745 [email protected]

Blurton

ROY NAYLOR(Non-aligned) (01782) 31397507833 [email protected]

BRIAN WARD(City Independents)(01782) 312670 07879 [email protected]

MARGARET BARBER(Labour)(01782) 30551407825 [email protected]

Burslem North

JEAN EDWARDS(Labour)(01782) 816171jean.edwards@ stoke.gov.uk

DAVID CONWAY (City Independents)(01782) 790922david.conway@ stoke.gov.uk

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

Burslem South

JAVID IQBAL NAJMI (Labour)07846 [email protected]

DEBRA GRATTON (Labour)07748 [email protected]

MOHAMMED PERVEZ(Labour)01782 23246807919 [email protected]

Chell and Packmoor

TONY FRADLEY(Labour)07919 [email protected]

PETER KENT-BAGULEY (Community Voice)07773 [email protected]

JANINE BRIDGES(Labour)(01782) 85184207989 [email protected]

East Valley

HAZEL LYTH(Conservative &Independent Alliance)07825 [email protected]

MATT WILCOX(Labour)07810 [email protected]

JOANNE POWELL-BECKETT (Cons &Independent Alliance)07816 [email protected]

Hanley West and Shelton

ZULFIQAR ALI (Liberal Democrat)07838 [email protected]

AMJID WAZIR (Labour)07747 [email protected]

MOHAMMAD IQBAL (Labour) (01782) 26689307792 [email protected]

Hartshill and Penkhull

KASSEM AL-KHATIB(Labour) (01782) [email protected]

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

BARBARA BEESTON (City Independents) (01782) 61207207729 [email protected]

Fenton

MICK BELL(City Independents) (01782) [email protected]

SARAH HILL(Labour)(01782) 84504407584 [email protected]

PAUL SHOTTON(Labour)01782 434445paul.shotton@ stoke.gov.uk

Longton North

MARK DAVIS (Labour)07813 [email protected]

TOM REYNOLDS(Labour)07850 [email protected]

DENVER TOLLEY(Labour)(01782) 316815 07799 [email protected]

Longton South

BAGH ALI(Labour)(01782) 34324607973 [email protected]

OLWEN HAMER(Labour)(01782) [email protected]

MICHAEL BARNES(Community Voice)(01782) 87006507850 [email protected]

Meir Park and Sandon

CLIVE BRIAN (Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 31570207950 [email protected]

JOHN BURGESS(BNP)(01782) 39439707889 [email protected]

ABI BROWN(Conservative &Independent Alliance)07793 [email protected]

Northwood and Birches Head

DAVE SUTTON(Liberal Democrat)(01782) 54299807512 [email protected]

JEAN BOWERS (Liberal Democrat)(01782) 26261307712 [email protected]

KIERAN CLARKE (Liberal Democrat)(01782) 78801007886 [email protected]

Norton and Bradeley

ALAN RIGBY(Christian Independent) (01782) 542364 07790 [email protected]

MICK SALIH(Community Voice)(01782) 53354207977 [email protected]

DUNCAN WALKER(Labour)(01782) [email protected]

Stoke and Trent Vale

GAVIN WEBB (Libertarian Party)07949 026660gavin.webb@ stoke.gov.uk

JEREMY DILLON(Labour)07505 [email protected]

PAULINE JOYNSON(Community Voice)(01782) 41368307813 [email protected]

Trentham and Hanford

TERENCE FOLLOWS(City Independents) (01782) 31812707944 [email protected]

MARK WRIGHT(Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 64265307814 [email protected]

ROSS IRVING(Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 335982 07900 [email protected]

Tunstall

MEGAN RYAN(Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 86676107903 [email protected]

MOHAMMED MATLOOB(Labour)(01782) 57765807811 [email protected]

MAJID KHAN(Labour)07989 [email protected]

Weston and Meir North

MICHAEL COLEMAN (BNP)(01782) 31169707926 [email protected]

JOHN DANIELS (Conservative &Independent Alliance)(01782) 39678007885 [email protected]

RUTH ROSENAU(Labour)(01782) 50194007870 [email protected]

COUNCILLORSYourYour

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

Our City p23 6/1/11 09:32 Page 1

Our City p24 6/1/11 09:32 Page 1

Stoke-on-Trent ISSUE 19: JANUARY 2011...

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