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City News 1 3/3/16 13:05 Page 1 City NewsSpring 2016 stoke.gov.uk STRONGER TOGETHER STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD EXCLUSIVE SUPPORT is growing fast for an 114ft bronze 114 f t Saxon Warrior – as big as the world famous Angel of the North – to be built on a site in the city. Seen here in an artist’s impression, it is estimated the statue could attract millions of WARRIOR visits a year, and contribute a huge amount to the local economy. TO‘GUARD’ FIND OUT MORE ON PAGE THREE GATEWAY PAGE 3 Lord Mayor invites all over-90s to tea party PAGE 9 INDOOR ARENA Horrible ingredients put students PLAN UNVEILED off smoking MBITIOUS plans have been City moved to the Britannia map, while unveiled to build an athletics Stadium in 1997 – was unveiled an indoor Stadium and stadium, major swimming in the documents approved by arena is a A the city council’s Cabinet. must to complex and prestigious indoor Councillor Terry Follows, the assert our arena in the city. Cabinet Member for Greener place as a Olympic size As part of its £473million City and Development, pictured, major city, capital programme for the next said it was a “no brainer” to take capable of five years, councillors have given the ideas forward and the plans hosting the pool also the green light for a feasibility would have a major knock on for very biggest study on the project investigating the rest of the city. events. sites including the former He said: “We are looking at a “It will Victoria Ground. number of sites but The Victoria transform PAGE 18 lined up as It is possible the development Ground site, which has been a which ever site it is built on and would involve replacing Fenton source of frustration for create a need for restaurants, Manor and Northwood Stadium, residents and the council alike, bars and other facilities in the although there is still a lot of could be the heart of one of the city. It would also need to make study looks work to do on the detail of the UK’s most exciting sports and the most of transport links to get scheme. leisure developments, hosting people in and out. What a view to Couples tie The city council’s vision which events the like of which we have welcome visitors arriving here.” could involve the Victoria never seen in this city. ■ See page five for more the knot at at key sites Ground site – empty since Stoke “It would put our city on the information. historic SCHOOLS – win a state-of-the-art metal detector... see page seven bandstand City News 2 3/3/16 09:45 Page 1 2 City News SPRING 2016 Council’s change in direction means major improvements across the city By City Council Leader Councillor Dave Conway BY now the people of Stoke-on-Trent will be noticing the difference being made by this new Council administration. When we were elected we moved quickly to stop the ship and change its direction. That meant rethinking palatial offices and top heavy senior management. It meant reinforcing our Former Stoke City boss and Manchester United legend Lou Macari at commitment to invest in all six the launch of the centre for homeless people which bears his name, with towns of the city. his friend and former Potters kitman Neil “Nello”Baldwin. It meant spending money wisely on our roads, making them fit for purpose so they last longer, rather than scurrying around repairing when things have gone wrong. And it meant tidying up the pavements and verges, and encouraging others to do the same. Since then we’ve scored significant successes. The Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone will attract LOU INSPIRED TO top quality new jobs and big name businesses to the area. One of the Smithfield buildings is attracting interest from new tenants, and with them new income. And our £473million investment programme – laid out for the next five years – will deliver real improvements for everyone living in our city. HELP HOMELESS We’re building houses on derelict sites which will create YE-opening walks around The aim is, where possible, to had lost a family member and revenue. refer people on to other now he was seeking comfort Hanley convinced football organisations who can help at the bottom of the bottle. I We’re investing in our museums legend Lou Macari that the and our main library rather than E them with their individual could relate to him because I shutting them down. city needed a homeless shelter. problems. have lost one of my sons. But We’re investing in roads and The former Stoke City and Former Scottish international I told him whatever he was infrastructure which opens up Celtic manager encountered and Manchester United star Lou feeling it wouldn’t get any vast areas of land for employment several people sleeping rough said: “It was last summer and I better by turning more and sites. and begging on the streets, and was walking around the city and more to drink. We’re preserving our historic after talking to them, was moved seeing people begging on the “I found out it wasn’t just a town halls and making sure they to act. streets. I wouldn’t give them any city centre problem – people are used. He approached the city money because I thought this is were frequently sleeping rough We’re listening to what the council to tell them about what just going to be spent on drink in parks and under bridges and people of the city want, and we’re he had seen and what he felt or drugs. just about wherever they can. delivering genuine improvements needed to be done. “But what I would do is buy “My thoughts were that with Flashback: Lou Macari during which boost their quality of life. As a result, a £150,000 them a hot drink or take them winter approaching they needed his time as Stoke City Manager. But it’s not just about roads and homeless shelter has been for a meal and just chat to them a roof over their heads and I buildings. Look at the shelter launched in the city centre to about why they were there – wanted to help them. People responsive to my suggestions. we’ve opened up to help some of ensure the rough sleepers have what had led to them being shouldn’t have to sleep rough in It is really rewarding to see the most vulnerable people in our a place to go at night. homeless. Everybody had a tale this day and age. this shelter up and running society. We’re supporting schools The Macari Centre, based at to tell; they all had different “I know it is a country-wide and it could be a real model and colleges, helping people into the council-owned Regent reasons for being there. Some problem but I wanted to do for the way this city and work and training and we’ve also Centre in Hanley, has up to 18 were very emotional and it something about it here and try others addresses the issue.” launched an initiative to involve beds and also offers people a really got you thinking. to make a difference. The Macari Shelter will run older people in the future of the hot evening meal, shower and “One man was clutching a “The council acted very for a two-month trial period city. breakfast. bottle of wine. He told me he quickly and have been very during which time the needs of For too long Stoke-on-Trent has homeless people will be had a city council saying we can’t assessed. do this and we must cut that. Lou added: “Although I We’ve changed that... we CAN will leave it to the experts do it, and you can already see ‘Value for money’ pledge as Council Tax is frozen I have been back to see what a difference that change in how it is working out and attitude is making. have sat and talked to COUNCIL Tax in the city is Deputy City Council Leader which could have been paid for several of the people being frozen for the next year. Councillor Abi Brown said: by a two per cent increase in using it. It means Stoke-on-Trent “Until we are 100 per cent Council Tax – was being paid for “I think if we can get to Give us your views remains one of the lowest confident that the council is through savings and from the root cause of why they charging authorities in the UK, using its resources effectively, reserves. are there and pass that on WE want to hear your views on City with a band D property less than how could we possibly go and She added: “We are managing News, so please let us know what to others it will be much £4 a day for a huge range of ask for a single penny from the the city’s finances wisely, and better than just giving you like about the new newspaper, services. residents of Stoke-on-Trent? the first step of that process is them a warm bed and what you don’t like and what you’d The freeze takes place while “We have managed to reduce making sure every penny we then sending them out like to see more of. councillors continue a review to waste and inefficiency, but there spend goes the extra mile.” ● into the world in the You can email citynews@stoke.