Over 200 Jobs Being Created for Home Services

City News 1 9/3/17 14:31 Page 1

Spring 2017 stoke.gov.uk City News STRONGER TOGETHER A NEW ERA

PAGE 12 FOR CARING Backing the Over 200 jobs being created for home services culture bid with message ORE than 200 new jobs are being their own cars, some will travel on public the independent sector. These are new jobs created by the city council to provide transport and there will even be “walking and we have worked closely with NHS better quality care in people’s homes. rounds” where people can look after clients partners to make sure this project does not in a bottle M close to where they live. only strengthen domiciliary care in the city, A huge recruitment drive has been Duties will include general domiciliary but also improves people’s wellbeing and launched to bring in 216 new domiciliary services to support people in their homes, prevents hospital admissions in the first carers. The plan has been drawn up to place, creating a more sustainable health ease pressure on the NHS by reducing including washing, dressing and some food preparation. economy. admissions to struggling hospitals. ”No experience is necessary.We provide Posts have been accepted by 39 people Age Well Commissioning Manager Ian Clarke said the recruitment drive was going full training and we are more interested already, and the council is organising in people showing caring values like special recruitment open days to reach out well and would continue throughout the year. He said: “We already have 11 dignity, respect and empathy with to people looking for a career in the care other people’s conditions.” sector. co-ordinators who are senior care workers They will be employed directly by the who produce staff rotas and schedules. 80 city council and dedicated planning will people have accepted posts as personal To find out more call the make sure that their workloads and rotas wellbeing assistants with more interviews applications hotline on are scheduled in the best way so they can and shortlists in the pipeline. 01782 231215 or visit do their jobs well. Some carers will use “We’re not looking to poach staff from stoke.gov.uk/jobs

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Part of the new caring team – Campaign to Stoke-on-Trent City Council Personal Wellbeing Assistants keep Iron Age Kathleen McCue, left, and Alison Dawson pictured at the Civic gold jewellery Centre, Stoke. in the city

PAGE 3 Bennett bust belts up for journey LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OFCity News IN JULY to museum City News 2 9/3/17 12:42 Page 1

2 City News SPRING 2017 Message gets through that this council will keep Stoke pound with local businesses By City Council Leader Councillor Dave Conway

NEVER in my wildest dreams did I think I’d see the day when 350 businesses from our city would be gathered in the King’s Hall to hear me tell them about our plans to support local companies. But that’s what happened at our latest Meet the Buyer event when there was almost a full house (see page 19). We’re delighted that the message is getting through that this council wants to support local business. We want to keep the Stoke-on-Trent pound in Stoke-on-Trent, making sure as many council contracts as possible stay in the city. Of course we can’t just give contracts away, and we can’t just write a blank cheque. There are rules and laws in relation to council procurement. But we can give our companies Waste disposal collection is all the help and support they need one of the vital frontline to make them excellent at bidding services the city council has to for work, giving us all the budget for every year.Here information we need, and proving City Council Leader Councillor they are best for the job. Dave Conway is pictured with The feedback we got from the HGV Driver and Supervisor audience that day was superb. James Mika with a new waste As we move towards changing lorry at Northwood. arrangements for the housing maintenance in the city there will be huge opportunities for local businesses. Every contract we keep in the city will help create and secure local jobs. And that’s not all. Every business and organisation we attract to the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone or Smithfield means jobs. The capital programme we’ve unveiled to invest over £500 million Budget set out in updating some of our buildings, improving infrastructure and making the city a better destination for visitors all mean jobs. On the other side of the coin, I’m pleased to see success in the city to support older people who live alone, help parents keep their children safe in often troubling times and build starter homes for young people wanting to get on the for the people property ladder. Local authorities are often the butt of people’s jokes and moans... but this newspaper paints a picture Innovation at heart of plan to raise revenues of a council that’s going places. A forward thinking council, achieving a week or £24 a year for most households, decisions to help us balance the books. success on behalf of the people, NNOVATIVE thinking lies behind the securing investment, transforming of which two per cent will support care “While it was with a heavy heart that we budget set last month to help the council services for older people and those with proposed a council tax increase, it has our city and supporting business. achieve £61 million of savings while It’s not a bad track record in I disabilities while the remaining one per broadly been welcomed by residents in the under two years since we took over. continuing to invest in the city and improve cent will help support the increasing city who responded to the budget But it’s still not enough for me. quality of life for residents. number of children that require care. consultation. We have a great deal to do and, Stoke-on-Trent City Council provides Money is being raised by building new “It has also been helpful that others, believe me, I am determined to more than 700 services from collecting the homes and attracting and supporting including cross party councillors have carry on making these changes. bins and repairing the roads to tackling businesses so more money is generated in acknowledged the scale of the financial fly-tipping and cleaning the streets. council tax and business rates. challenges that are being faced. It also delivers life-changing support for Some of the money raised will go into a “Having an agreed budget provides older people, those with disabilities and new Community Investment Fund which stability for the next three years while Give us your views children in care. will encourage groups and organisations to allowing us to look at what we can do for The council can no longer rely on the put forward initiatives to support the the benefit of the city. WE want to hear your views on City government providing up to half the council in improving the city. “Together with the benefits of a capital News, so please let us know what you money to pay for services in the city. Hundreds of new jobs are bringing investment of £500m, it shows that we are like about the newspaper, what you Like other councils, it now has to find revenue to the area, including 500 at the doing all we can both to support the don’t like and what you’d like to see the money in other ways. Smithfield development and almost 1,000 vulnerable in Stoke-on-Trent and to more of. Everything possible is being done to get at the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone. continue to improve the city for the future.” Email [email protected] or better value for money and cut costs. City Council Leader Councillor Dave Conway said: “We are facing challenging ■ write to FREEPOST City News to There will be a three per cent increase Find out more about the city council’s in Council Tax, which means an extra 46p times and that means making tough budget for 2017/18 at stoke.gov.uk have your say.

LIVE WEBCAST of full council meetings Web: stoke.gov.uk MEETINGS of the full council can now be viewed online.To see and City News is printed on paper from hear the debates and decisions which affect life in Stoke-on-Trent, Facebook: facebook.com/ sustainable sources.When you have visit stoke.gov.uk/webcasting sotcitycouncil finished with this publication please A list of dates and times of council meetings and committee meetings Twitter: @SoTCityCouncil help the environment by passing it can be found on our website at stoke.gov.uk/meetingdates on to a friend or recycling it. twitter.com/SoTCityCouncil City News 3 9/3/17 09:56 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 3 YEAR OF TRIBUTES TO LITERARY GIANT Unveiling of bronze statue is highlight of 150th anniversary celebrations

unique line-up of high-profile events is being staged this Ayear to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Stoke-on-Trent literary giant Arnold Bennett. Among the highlights will be the unveiling of a bronze statue of the acclaimed author and journalist outside The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in the City Centre at noon on Saturday 27 May. The unveiling will be performed by Bennett’s grandson Denis Eldin – son of his only child, Virginia – who will be travelling from his home in Paris. In the evening a gala anniversary dinner will by held by the Arnold Bennett Society at the Jubilee Hall, Stoke, when the guest speaker will be national newspaper columnist and Bennett-admirer Simon Heffer. Stoke-on-Trent’s famous literary son Other tributes taking place in Arnold Bennett pictured in 1918. the city include stage plays, can in the events. We are also film-screenings, exhibitions, a keen to use the anniversary to conference at Keele University, a introduce Bennett’s writing to commemorative church service more people – particularly we and literary lunches. would like to see more schools An exhibition comprising 40 of including his works in their Bennett’s watercolour paintings reading curriculum.” is currently on at The Potteries Carol added: “We believe the Museum and Art Gallery and will anniversary events are very run until 2 July. timely in that they will be The two-metre high statue, extremely supportive to which will stand on a granite Stoke-on-Trent’s City of Culture plinth positioned so the great bid.” man’s gaze is directed down Denise Coates CBE, Trustee of Broad Street, has been funded by the Denise Coates Foundation, the Denise Coates Foundation. said the statue will be “richly Bennett was born in Hanley deserved” recognition for Arnold and lived in Burslem, drawing on Bennett. his experiences of life in The She added: “The statue will be Potteries to pen many a new attraction in the city and I best-selling novels including The am very pleased the Foundation Card, Anna of the Five Towns and has been able to support the Clayhanger. project.” He was also hugely influential City Council Leader Dave in politics and culture in Conway, commenting on the Edwardian and Georgian Britain. statue, said: “It is right that a During the First World War, at the lasting tribute is created to Government’s invitation, he celebrate Arnold Bennett. served as Minister for “Great credit is due to the Propaganda. Arnold Bennett Society and the Carol Gorton, Secretary of the Denise Coates Foundation for Arnold Bennett Society, said: their work in bringing this Arnold Bennett Arnold Bennett Society Vice “Bennett was a superstar of his project forward to coincide with President Ray Johnson has often day. He left a vast cultural legacy the landmark anniversary.” has been named as portrayed the great author on and put Stoke-on-Trent on the one of the UK’s literary literary map. ■ For details about the stage.Ray is pictured in costume “This special anniversary year 150th anniversary events heroes... find out more at with a Bennett bust outside the gives us the opportunity to go to the Society’s website, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. celebrate his life and works and www.arnoldbennett media.visitbritain.com we want to cover as much as we society.org.uk It’s clunk click every trip for Arnold DELIVERY of the Arnold Bennett torso bust to Ray. “I have had the honour of transporting the the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery for a bust around for some time and this is the way I major exhibition in his honour was lovingly do it. He is gently manoeuvred into the front of made by Society Vice President Ray Johnson. my car – and it’s clunk click every trip. I even The metre-high bust was carefully placed in talk to him during the journeys. It is not many the front passenger seat of Ray’s car and the people these days who can claim to be Arnold’s seat belt fastened – as pictured left – for the Bennett’s chauffeur.” journey to Hanley from Middleport Pottery The exhibition, which opened in February where it was on display for a Society literary and will run until 2 July, is a treasure trove of lunch. items including watercolour paintings, clothing, “It was a safe and comfortable journey for photographs and other personal memorabilia – Arnold who does get a few bemused looks from and, of course, the superb bust, pictured right pedestrians when the car is stationary,” said on display in the exhibition. City News 4 9/3/17 10:11 Page 1

4 City News SPRING 2017

Grant to help growth and job creation Centre gives firm BUSINESS grants from £10,000 to £250,000 are available to help drive economic growth and job creation in Stoke-on-Trent. Grants for Growth can typically fund expansion of premises, new plant, machinery and equipment, specialist consultancy, new dimension intellectual property rights fees and product design and ideal location from which to development. HEN hi-tech company 3D do that.” Grant support must lead Printing Bureau moved CoRE, which includes a to the creation of new jobs. into the council’s CoRE W conference and meeting Anyone interested can enterprise centre it provided an venue, is one of six enterprise contact the programme team immediate boost to their centres run by the council. on 01782 231586, 01782 Companies can either set 233671 or 01782 232145, or business. up on a long term contract or email [email protected] The firm, which employs five people and produces 3D businesses based at home models of all shapes, sizes and can use them as flexible complexity for use in the workspaces to host meetings industrial design process, or presentations. Loan sharks moved into the former Dave added: “The enterprise Victorian pottery building in centres are an excellent idea Normacot Road, Longton, last and can cater for businesses clamp down March. of all sizes. We did not have to put down a deposit and the A multi-partnership initiative They took on two rooms, council have done everything has been launched to clamp one for production and the possible to make us feel down on unscrupulous loan other provides meeting and welcome here. There is also a sharks in the city. conference facilities for new chance for networking with The council has joined and existing clients. other businesses. forces with the national Illegal Group Print Bureau “For instance, also based Money Lending Team (IMLT) Manager Dave Bennett said: here is an IT and Stoke-on-Trent Citizens “It was a great move for us, specialist TP Advice Bureau to sign a the location is perfect and the Solutions and charter which pledges a zero building is very well we work with tolerance approach towards appointed. It is a great setting them to further illegal money lending. to bring existing or new one another’s Additionally, more than 80 clients because it looks very client bases.” council housing staff have impressive too. received training from the “The 3D printing industry IMLT to help them identify is set to expand and the For more information loan sharks, spot their victims British market is currently about how enterprise and then signpost them to worth around £5 billion. centres can help help and support. We are certainly looking to businesses contact expand with it and this is the 01782 233224. 3D Printing Bureau Manager Dave Bennett with a printed model of a pump. City News 5 9/3/17 10:19 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 5

Roundabout scheme is start of work on £40 million link road project DETAILED plans are being drawn up for will ease congestion on the Basford Bank Conway said: “The fact that £40 million breathe new life into our city, and this a £3.85 million roundabout improvement roundabout and surrounding routes. is being invested in an essential link major artery from Wolstanton to Etruria which will open up development land It will also provide access to new sites road in Stoke-on-Trent, which we have will transform travel in the area.” and help create jobs along a major new for development in the Ceramic Valley needed for years, is a huge vote of Principal Project Manager Steve Vitta route into the city centre. Enterprise Zone, extending Festival Park confidence in our job creation initiative. said: “We hope work on the roundabout The roundabout – at the entrance to towards the D-road. Bridges will be built “The Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone will start on Spring 2018. The Etruria Festival Park – will be widened as part of to take the new road over the West Coast is already attracting new businesses to Valley Link Road Scheme will have a the £40 million project to link the A53 at main line and Fowlea Brook before it the city and when the new road opens massive impact on the whole A53 and the flyover to the A500 at Wolstanton. joins Festival Way. this will accelerate. A500 corridors and will support When complete in 2019 the new link City Council Leader Councillor Dave “We are generating investment to economic development.”

Councillor Jack Brereton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, inspects the progress of demolition at the Spode Works site.To the left of the photograph is the listed, iconic Spode chimney which will be restored as a feature of the new VISION development. TO BE REALITY Demolition work paves way for creative village

EMOLITION of disused forming part of a larger project to transform the site into a buildings at the former vibrant creative hub, called DSpode factory is almost Spode Works. Earlier this year regenerated the Upper China city as a whole. We have the Councillor Brereton added: complete – paving the way for work also started on another part Hall section of the former opportunity here to create “I’m really pleased to see that of the site to convert an empty pottery.There are also plans in something really amazing which the artists’ studios have been so its redevelopment as a creative building into a 22-room student place to convert another historic will breathe new life into the successful and it’s great to see village. accommodation complex – which building on site into a digital whole area. Therefore, the work taking shape on the Six buildings dating back to will double up as a hotel outside business start-up facility council is investing the time and student accommodation and the 1950s – but with no historic of university term time. specialising in technology resource this historic site restaurant scheme, with plans value – will be demolished by the The ground floor will feature a companies with a focus on deserves to make our vision a now progressing for the business end of March and preparatory restaurant and office space with graduate entrepreneurs. reality.” incubator unit. groundworks carried out at the plans in place to use it as a Councillor Jack Brereton, Work on the final artists’ “This shows how committed site in Stoke. wedding venue. In 2016, the first Cabinet Member of Regeneration studios is already complete – we are to the site and that the Plans of what will be built in of 43 artists’ studios of various and Transport, said: “Spode is with the student accommodation council’s ambitious regeneration their place will be revealed in sizes were opened as a part of a such an important site not just and restaurant due to be ready plans at Spode Works are being the summer with the work £700,000 scheme that has for Stoke town centre but the by September. delivered.”

New police post keeps officers in the community SMART working at the heart of the community will provide more visual policing on a city estate. A new police post opening in Mill Hill means officers will no longer have to return to Burslem for breaks. Instead, a property on Sunnyside Avenue has been refurbished to provide police with a base and also enable a drop in service for members of the public. City Council Leader Councillor Dave Conway said residents would appreciate the new police post. He said: “It’s much more efficient for the police to be based on the estate and great news for residents.” Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire Matthew Ellis said: “This post will allow officers to stay in their area and remain far more visible to their local communities. “The roll out of mobile technology – which PCSOs Rachel Ford will help free up an extra 250,000 hours of and Nick Warrilow police time to be out on the beat each year – outside the new police means we can take advantage of downsizing post in Sunnyside ageing buildings and get more officers onto Avenue, Mill Hill. the streets.” 6 City News SPRING 2017

PECIALIST advice from a city council team is helping growing Sbusinesses in Stoke-on-Trent with digital marketing and forward planning. The Business Growth Team can Digital advice to analyse a company’s needs and put forward strategies to improve their impact via the internet and social media, and to make the most of specific business intelligence. The service is available to businesses who have been trading for more than three years, with between 10 and 100 employees boost businesses and a turnover of more than £500,000. nailing and stapling equipment To qualify, companies must also nationally, was looking to increase market their services outside the sales of products online and grow area and have been profitable for its business. at least three of the last four years. Director Sian Phillips said: “Over Summit Hospitality – which the last six months, we have been provides quality meeting and working on the website conferencing facilities – was given implementing the actions support to improve the online recommended by the Business experience of visitors to its Growth team and have been able website to better engage with new to capture the impact of changes and existing customers. made by regular monitoring of the Company founder Carol website using Google Analytics.” Shanahan said: “The advice and The results of this monitoring guidance received from the city show some impressive increases council’s Business Development as a result of the SEO changes team has proved extremely made. In October and November valuable to us as a business, and their website received an extra we have taken on board – and 288 users over a four week period actioned – all outline when compared with three recommendations. months prior, equating to an “We are confident that the increase of 91 per cent. changes made to our website and Over the last five months, traffic online offering will help us further coming from search engines to the build, develop and enhance our website has consistently grown relationships with both existing and is still increasing. and prospective customers across the region and help us to grow as ■ Businesses in Staffordshire a business.” who want to find out more Meanwhile, local hardware about the Business Growth team manufacturer Stapling and Nailing package of support can visit Limited asked for help with makeitstokestaffs.co.uk/ Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) services-support/businessgrowth/ to make sure their website had or contact the Business Growth maximum impact with customers. Team, telephone 01782 238091 or S Summit Hospitality founder Carol Shanahan, left, talks with council Business The Fenton-based company email business.growth@ Growth Support Officer Emily Bell at one of the company’s conference suites. which specialises in providing stoke.gov.uk City News 7 9/3/17 14:29 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 7

SECRETARY of the Arnold Bennett Society and retired teacher CAROL GORTON enjoys nothing more than a walk around the streets of Burslem – otherwise known as Bursley in novels of the city’s literary giant.

An aerial photograph of the City Centre with a computer generated image of the Unity Walk development superimposed to show how it will fit in with the townscape.

Carol Gorton pictured by the restored Victorian drinking fountain in St BIG STEP FOR John’s Square, Burslem.

Town evokes UNITY WALK memories of Work on retail scheme soon to be up and running Bennett’s

EMOLITION work on Hanley’s old bus hotel and triple-deck car park with over great stories station and East-West Precinct will 600 spaces. start this Autumn to pave the way for City Council Leader Councillor Dave I make no apology for saying my perfect D Conway: “Unity Walk will be a tremendous city day would revolve around Bursley... the £110 million Unity Walk shopping and boost to the City Centre, with shopping known outside the great author’s novels leisure development creating more than and leisure facilities and Stoke-on-Trent’s and stories as our Mother Town of 650 jobs. first IMAX cinema screen. Burslem. Councillors have given planning “Film fans currently have to travel When I moved with my family from approval to the project, which will see to Derby, Nottingham, Glasgow to the Potteries in the early flagship high street stores side by side Manchester or Birmingham sixties, Burslem became part of my life. with a new hotel and cinema multiplex for IMAX facilities. When So in my perfect day, as I walk around including the city’s first hi-tech IMAX Unity Walk is completed the streets and squares of the town centre screen. This means Stoke-on-Trent’s new they will be flocking to and its surroundings, I’m not only bus station will have a pedestrianised link Hanley instead to shop, transported back to Bennett’s work, but with the rest of the City Centre. stay, eat and enjoy a movie.” also to my formative years. Next and Marks and Spencer have been Duncan Mathieson, Chief In modern day St John’s Square I can unveiled as anchor tenants in the Executive of developers imagine the shop where Sophia Baines, in development. M&S will open a 50,000 sq ft Realis Estates, said: “Now The Old Wives Tale, lived her life. flagship clothing, home and food store at that we have both our retail Yet yards away in Queen Street, I see the the heart of the development. and leisure anchors in town’s famous School of Art, where I was Next would provide a gateway to the place we expect to make taught my trade in Saturday classes as an scheme from the city centre in a new good progress securing artist by the great Arthur Berry. 26,000 sq ft store. Other big names are set more new tenants as we Strolling past The Leopard Hotel, one of to announce their tenancy as the start of move through 2017.” the town’s favourite pubs, and Bennett’s works gets closer. The 435,000 sq ft Unity Walk is set to be “celebrated hotel” The Tiger, where many shopping and leisure centre completed and of his characters would meet. will also include a open for business Across the road in Market Square, I can 90-bedroom in Spring 2019. almost see, hear and smell the wakes of the short story, The Elixir of Youth, where bears fought, swings and slides screamed and slammed and a mysterious salesman A computer generated offered his “magic” potion. image showing how the Unity Yes, a perfect walk round Burslem is a Walk development will look step back in time for those of us who love from Parliament Square. the town, and who love Bennett’s work. Now, 150 years after his birth, my perfect city day is still a walk around The Mother Town, where memories and imagination can transport me to great stories and many, many fond experiences. City News 8 9/3/17 14:47 Page 1

8 City News SPRING 2017 Bid to keep Iron

A torc with a design thought to be the oldest Age gold in city example of Celtic art. Ancient jewellery could go on permanent museum display

fundraising campaign is set to be permanent exhibition of Staffordshire launched this summer so that a Hoard artefacts, which date back to the treasure trove of ancient gold dark ages. A City council Deputy Leader Councillor discovered in Staffordshire Moorlands Abi Brown,said: “This city is steeped in countryside can go on permanent display arts, history and culture – and as we at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery. make our formal submission to become Three necklaces and a bracelet, UK City of Culture in 2021 this find will named the Leekfrith Iron Age Torcs, are renew pride and wonder in the area. believed to be the oldest gold find of Stoke-on-Trent is proud to hold, care the era discovered in Britain, dating for and display the archaeological back as far as 400BC. heritage from the whole county, a role it Experts say the jewellery is of huge has held for nearly 40 years. international importance and could be “We have worked hard with partners worth hundreds of thousands of to ensure such magnificent finds pounds. remain in Staffordshire and we would After being declared as treasure by be thrilled for The Potteries Museum HM Coroner Ian Smith in March, the and Art Gallery to become custodians of stunning pieces went on display at the another such important international city centre-based museum for three discovery.” weeks and have now been sent off to be The jewellery was unearthed by formally valued. amateur detectorists Mark Hambleton Bids will then be sought from public and Joe Kania in a farmer’s field in the City council Deputy Leader Councillor Abi Brown bodies and the city council is expected Staffordshire Moorlands parish of holds one of the Iron Age gold torcs – flanked by to lead a campaign to acquire it for the Leekfrith. Proceeds from the sale would the detectorists who unearthed the ancient Potteries Museum and Art Galley. be split between the finders and the treasurers, Joe Kania, left, and Mark Hambleton. The venue is also home to a landowners.

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Tel: 0845 224 1215 Email: [email protected] Web: www.staffscu.co.uk Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 485498. City News 9 9/3/17 14:50 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 9 Support to keep rare vase in the city reflects how much community values heritage

LOCAL people and organisations in was overcome – this triggered a influential potters of all time. It is their droves have been supporting a £60,000 grant from Arts Council something that he actually fundraising campaign to keep one England via the Victoria & Albert conceived, made, and held in his of the rarest pieces of Wedgwood Museum to bolster the effort. own hands, on the very day his pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. By the time City News went to world-famous factory opened.” The First Day’s Vase, pictured, press, already over £14,000 had been City Council Leader Councillor was created by master potter Josiah raised locally. Many people and Dave Conway said the First Day’s Wedgwood’s own hands on the groups have dug deep – and as the Vase was an important part of the opening day of his factory at Friends of the museum charity is city’s industrial heritage and should Etruria in 1769. able to benefit from tax relief, it remain in Stoke-on-Trent. It had been on loan to the means every £1 donated is worth He said: “The fact that so many Potteries Museum and Art Gallery £1.25. people are joining in and backing for 37 years until it was withdrawn Ian Lawley, Chairman of the the fundraising with donations and by its owner and sold at auction to group, said: “Although we have support shows how much local an overseas buyer last year. applied for funding to national people value that heritage. In February, the Friends of the bodies towards buying the vase, “I am sure that sense of Potteries Museums and Art Gallery every pound raised locally helps to community and support will shine launched a campaign to raise prove to the national funding through in our bid to become the £482,500 to keep this unique piece charities that we care about our UK’s City of Culture for 2021. of culture and heritage in the city. heritage here, and that it is worth “Once again, we are Stronger The Government has placed a saving. The First Day’s Vase is not Together and we look forward to temporary export ban on the vase, just closely connected with bringing the vase home.” giving the museum until April to Stoke-on-Trent’s history but with ■ To make a donation, visit raise the money to keep it in the our wider national life too. stokemuseums.org.uk/savethevase country. Early in the campaign, the “It is a tangible link with Josiah or uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ first fundraising hurdle of £12,000 Wedgwood himself, one of the most fund/wedgwoodvase

A multi-million scheme to restore Hanley Park to its former glory is now well underway.As well as work being carried out by contractors, local residents are doing their bit. Here city council Park Liaison Officer MAJORMAJORMAJOR Claire Studman is working with MAJORMAJORMAJOR volunteers, left to right,Tom Emery, Mark Hackett and Matt Bateman on PROJECTSPROJECTSPROJECTS a clean up of canal banks in the park. TAKETAKETAKE OFF OFF OFF Half billion pound spend on schemes to improve the city

AJOR capital projects worth half a train station, £7.1 million for the billion pounds are on track to be development of industrial units to delivered over the next five years. support the Ceramic Valley Enterprise M Zone and £4.5 million expenditure on Work is now well underway as part of the £500 million programme which will infrastructure works in the Ceramic help to boost the economy and improve Valley Enterprise Zone. the overall appearance of the city for Deputy Council Leader Councillor residents and to attract inward Abi Brown said: “Stoke-on-Trent is one investment. of the fastest-growing cities in the UK It includes a total of £51 million and we are investing in attracting jobs, being spent on a range of key heritage, businesses, residents and visitors. culture and regeneration projects. “To meet future demand for services As part of this £12 million is being it is vital we grow our tax base – and spent on The Potteries Museum and Art that means more businesses paying Gallery and the City Central Library as rates and more homes paying council well as a creative walkway between the tax. Ours is the second lowest tax base two buildings. A further £3.3 million of all authority areas in the country – has been earmarked for historic town this has to improve. halls and £3.9 million is being used to “That is why we have pledged to restore Hanley Park. continue with this £500 million capital A major chunk of the funding is also investment programme which will run being used to build around 1,200 new to 2022. The money comes from a range homes in the city and £9.6 million is of sources including grants, capital being spent on works to improve the receipts and borrowing. city centre. “This investment is critical if we are Other projects include a £14 million to bring new business to the city and scheme to develop a super depot and attract residents which, in turn, will salt barn facility, £9.5 million to develop grow our tax base and help us to a new car parking facility near Stoke become more financially independent.” City News 10 9/3/17 11:01 Page 1

10 City News SPRING 2017 Credit Union offers loans with flexible repayments More bungalows RESIDENTS are being urged to save and borrow with a credit union which looks after their interests and saves them money. People who may be unable to access finance from traditional banks and credit card providers for older people may feel they have no alternative but to turn to expensive payday loan Elsie Slater signs tenancy papers UNGALOWS bought by the city council are providers or even loan for her new bungalow at Longton being refurbished and let to older sharks. But Credit Union with council Housing Co-ordinator residents, and a few lucky tenants have Staffordshire offers much B Nicky Robinson. even moved into brand new properties. more support than a A survey of the city’s housing stock found traditional bank, more a shortage of bungalows, which are a flexible payment plans popular choice with older people as they are and much cheaper easier to get around than houses with stairs. interest rates. The council initially bought five bungalows For example, a £300 – three in Longton, one in Bucknall and one loan from payday loan in Sneyd Green – and is in the process of company Wonga.com buying 10 more. The money comes from would cost at least receipts from the sale of council properties £381.60, plus an under the right to buy initiative, and more additional £2.40 a day bungalows will be bought next year. after 34 days. Pensioner Elsie Slater is delighted to have The same loan from the moved into a brand new bungalow in credit union would cost Longton, after a knee injury left her unable just £332.28, with no to climb the stairs at her old house. maximum time to pay it The 91-year-old said: “At first I was told I back, and each customer couldn’t get a bungalow, but an assessment would end up with money showed I needed one and thankfully this one in a savings account. became available. The credit union also “”I’m very happy. “I’m very happy.The house is lovely, it’s provides advice and easy for me to get around and I have really support on budgeting and The house is nice neighbours.” organising personal Philip Brundrett, Strategic Manager of finances to make sure lovely, it’s easy Housing Development and Regeneration, important priorities, like said: “These new additions to the council’s rent and other bills, are for me to get housing reinforce its commitment to older paid without any worry. people, and we’ve made sure they are all To find out more visit around. close to local amenities.” www.staffscu.co.uk or ELSIE SLATER The city council owns and manages telephone 01782 792187. around 18,500 properties, including flats, Other loan schemes are available. bungalows and various sized houses. City News 11 9/3/17 11:08 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 11

Going online is saving time and effort MORE HOME IN MANAGING benefits and paying Council Tax are more straightforward for customers thanks to the council’s online services. Claiming benefits has been streamlined from a 32-page written form to an online process which guides customers through their ON THE E-ZONE application. Anyone who needs help can pop into their city council local centre where Development starts to move apace in the Ceramic Valley an assessor will help them through the form. Anyone who does not have access to the internet can get online ERIOUS interest in the city’s for free at their local library. Ceramic Valley Enterprise Benefits Manager Daniel Zone is growing as more big Marson said: “There has S been an increase in people names commit to sites. The city’s biggest private applying for benefits online employer bet365 has submitted a but we would like to see planning application to build a many more people saving training and sports centre for its SCAN PHOTO themselves time and effort. employees at Etruria. FOR VIDEO “In October to December And a stone’s throw away the 2016 over 2,000 forms were steelwork is already up on the filled in online, and we saw West Midlands Ambulance an increase of 269 per cent service’s new maintenance and against the previous year.” operations hub. “In the same period 3,500 Tile Mountain’s manufacturing people paid their Council and retail centre at Tunstall is Tax on the user-friendly almost complete, and further up portal at stoke.gov.uk,an the Chatterley Valley there is increase of 101 per cent over exciting news from the Tunstall the same period the Arrow site. previous year. Developers Network Space are Daniel added: “We are not building five units sized between forcing people to go online, 10,000 sq ft and 35,000 sq ft with but we do encourage it. We the aim of attracting businesses continue to provide a service to the zone. Agents say interest for those who are unable to is brisk, and with one unit use the online version.” already pre-let to leading ballustrade and railing manufacturer Q-railing, they are confident in letting the other buildings. Help to make Richard Mounsey, of Mounsey Chartered right choices Surveyors, said: “The market is strong at the moment and A guide has been published demand is much greater than to help older people in supply. Stoke-on-Trent make the “Speculative development in right choices for their the city stopped in 2008 and now housing needs. there is a demand from potential Enabling and Projects occupiers for top specification Officer Eleanor Taylor said: accommodation. “People consider moving “Speculative developers have home for a variety of reasons and have very clear and started to pick up on this and we are seeing lots of interest from City Council Deputy Leader Abi different preferences about the greater North Staffordshire Brown and Chartered Surveyor where they want to live. area and further afield, from last Richard Mounsey discuss plans at the “Some people want the mile distributors to Tunstall Arrow development site. privacy of a bungalow, others manufacturers. want to live in a retirement “We are confident the scheme village and some people want will be a success and will be a help and assistance to stay where they are.” catalyst to drive confidence in from bet365, the ambulance to the company’s employee and Zone comprises six key sites Booklets are available at the rest of the Ceramic Valley service and a growing number of recruitment and retention. totalling 140 hectares along the council offices and the Civic Enterprise Zone, setting a expressions of interest were “Along with the restaurant, strategic A500 corridor in the Centre. For further advice becnhmark in quality of driving the zone forward. DPD logistics hub and the West heart of Stoke-on-Trent. contact the city council’s buildings and the look and feel of He said: “bet365’s training and Midlands Ambulance Service Housing Solutions Service – the developments.” sports centre for the exclusive centre it will make Forge Lane an To find out more visit call 01782 233696 or email Steve Lovatt, the city council’s use of their staff is another major impressive gateway to the Etruria makeitstokestaffs.co.uk/ housing.adviceservices Enterprise Zone Project commitment from the company. Valley site.” locations/ceramic-valley- @stoke.gov.uk Manager, said votes of confidence “It will be a significant support The Ceramic Valley Enterprise enterprise-zone/

Download the FREE Ceramic Valley AR app on to your smartphone (iOS or Android) to bring photographs to life in Tap into bonus this magazine using the power of augmented reality. To access the bonus interactive video content on this content with the page, simply follow the three easy steps: Ceramic Valley Augmented

Reality (AR) app Download our free Scan the photo or logo When the video starts, Ceramic Valley AR app where you see the double-tap your screen from the app store. ‘Scan Here’ marker. for full-screen view. City News 12-13 9/3/17 15:00 Page 1

12 City News SPRING 2017 SPRING 2017 City News 13

Revamped Television’s website set Throwdown

to go live judge moves Photo courtesy of Love Productions/BBC. Love of courtesy Photo EYE-CATCHING design and his factory user-friendly features are the hallmarks of the city council’s revamped website to the city set to go live at the end of GREAT Pottery Throwdown April. judge Keith Brymer Jones is Existing out-of-date backing Stoke-on-Trent’s arrangements will be cultural significance by replaced by a customer relocating his world-famous focussed site which will pottery factory to the city. make it much easier for the His design and production public to book repairs, make team will move to the historic payments, report highways Spode site, in Stoke town repairs and much more – centre, as part of the city just by going online. council’s initiative to The new site has also revitalise the area as a hub been set up to scale for creative businesses. properly to mobile devices, Keith joins a growing so people can use it on the community ranging from go. Lots more features will artists and photographers to a be rolled out over the next designer who makes bow ties. 12 months. Keith, who has spent time Deputy City Council in the city while filming the Leader Councillor Abi popular BBC TV reality show, Brown said: “Everyone will said: “There are many notice a big difference when reasons for the attraction to the new site goes live. It has Stoke. Most importantly, it been developed to be fit for has to be Stoke’s rich history purpose and user-friendly of ceramics. It has a and will become an even reputation across the world more important for its production of quality communications channel for ceramics. For many years, the council.” the majority of the The web address remains Steelite International population was directly the same – stoke.gov.uk Company Secretary Phil Ray connected to pottery is proud to be a business manufacturing in some way ambassador for the bid. – it was a way of life! “With this in mind I felt Bishop of Stafford Rev Geoff Annas joins Thomas Coomer and his partner Ebony Pearson to cut ribbon to officially open a Television potter Keith Brymer Jones has thrown his weight behind Stoke-on-Trent’s Opportunity memorial art garden at the YMCA in Hanley.The garden was named after their daughter Lydia Louise Rebecca Coomer who Throwdown presenter Sara Cox, left, and fellow that it is important to died aged just three weeks.The YMCA is a key partner in a £1.5 million bid to include young people in promoting culture. cultural heritage.He is pictured with explore the possibilities of expert judge Kate Malone at Middleport Pottery where the programme is filmed. manufacturing in Stoke to become before we lose a whole generation who remember, a foster carer and indeed worked within, the pottery industry. PEOPLE from all “Stoke has power as a backgrounds are being Staffordshire University Lecturer Nic Gratton manufacturing location and it urged to consider becoming with one of the jars containing the public’s ideas is very well placed logistically foster parents to provide about what makes up the city’s culture. within the UK. Pottery is to safe and stable homes for Stoke what the Beatles are to children and young people Liverpool – no matter where in the city. you go in the world visiting There is no such thing as SUPPORT FOR CULTURE ceramics factories, everyone a typical foster carer, and has heard of Stoke!” the council wants to hear Attracting the celebrity from anyone who wants to potter to the global home of make a difference in a ceramics is a double coup, as child’s life. Keith is moving production of People who are are his popular “Word” range married, divorced, single, in from China to Stoke-on-Trent, a same sex relationship or home of true premium pottery living with a partner can brands. apply, although anyone BID GAINS MOMENTUM living with someone in a relationship should ideally have been living together for Others talked about investing in HOUSANDS of messages in bottles Free books were handed out to families at the intu at least two years. and jars written by all kinds of schools, breathing new life into Vital support To find out more neglected historic buildings, carnivals Potteries Shopping Centre as part of the launch of the telephone 01782 234555 or Tpeople from Stoke-on-Trent will be and festivals. Stoke Reads initiative.Pictured is storyteller Glenn from business email fostering@ included in the bid to become City of People also talked about culture James reading to children at the centre, left to right, stoke.gov.uk Culture 2017. being important to bringing Sienna May Wilshaw, aged three, Serraya Bergqvist, Answers to two key questions are communities together and in relation aged four, and her brother Dalton, aged seven. ambassadors painting a picture of attitudes and to religion, dialect, customs, HIGH-FLYING ambassadors ideas towards culture in a very togetherness and community values. from some of the city’s Proposal for diverse range of people. Nic said: “Going forward we will be biggest companies are Community groups, individuals asking people’s views on the city’s backing the bid as they work hands-on and even crowds of people cultural resources and how being City to raise the city’s profile. attending events were asked to of Culture could fill any gaps.” Phil Ray, Company write down their answers and put Efforts are also being made to reach Secretary at Steelite laboratory them in a bottle or jar before out to groups who might not always be International, said it was handing them in. The answers able to have their say, such as people refreshing to see residents, PLANS are in place to ranged from the kind and caring with learning difficulties and homeless community groups and install a hands-on to the weird and wonderful, but people. To find out more email businesses rallying behind laboratory inside the all showed a fascinating insight [email protected] or call 01782 the campaign. Potteries Museum and Art into the way the Potteries thinks 292751. He said: “As a company we Gallery to bring science about culture. As City News went to press, activity are backing the bid, and we vividly to life for school The questions were: to prepare the first stage of the city’s have a link to sot2021.com on pupils. bid was at fever pitch. Documents ■ our website. It will be a good The city council is What does culture mean to you? must be submitted to the Government thing for everyone associated working with local ■ If you had £1 million, what would by 28 April. with the city if we are organisation Wavemaker you do to share your culture? A shortlist will be announced in July fortunate enough to become to bid for £1 million of and the winning city will be unveiled City of Culture. lottery money to bring Nic Gratton, a Senior Lecturer in in December. “But irrespective of the exciting chemistry Youth and Community Work at The bidding process has already whether that happens or not I and physics sessions Staffordshire University, runs the helped Stoke-on-Trent secure think it will be good for the alive. They are set to Bottling Culture initiative in £300,000 from the Arts Council city whatever the result. include lessons on lasers, partnership with the city council and England Cultural Destinations “It has created activity, 3D modelling, robotics other organisations. programme which will pay for projects interest and a positive feeling and science-based cookery She said: “We had some great to attract more visitors to the city. which will have a knock-on sessions. responses, especially to the £1 million Another bid has been submitted – in effect for the whole city. Funding bids will be question. partnership with neighbouring “As time goes on and we submitted to the Big Lottery “Someone said they would buy councils and organisations like the Abi Brown said more and more people momentum at a crucial time, and we what winning the bid could mean for see the bid progress and Fund and other charitable everyone a Sunday dinner, and one YMCA – for £1.5 million to help from all walks of life were getting would still urge anyone who is not yet local companies. more and more events take trusts. If successful the hub person said they would buy a camper engage young people in culture and involved and backing the bid, from involved to get behind the bid. “We have already got huge backing place the whole process will could be up and running by van and drive round the country create a new, vibrant cultural identity residents to Stoke-on-Trent’s biggest “In March more than 100 businesses from the business community, but the gather even more 2018. promoting the city by giving away free for the city and region. businesses. attended an event to find out what response from this event was very momentum.” Facebook /sot2021 Twitter @sot2021 cups of tea in the best Potteries china.” Deputy Council Leader Councillor She said: “The bid has picked up they could do to support the bid and positive.” City News 12-13 9/3/17 15:00 Page 1

12 City News SPRING 2017 SPRING 2017 City News 13

Revamped Television’s website set Throwdown

14 City News SPRING 2017

Councillor Randy Conteh visits the City Waterside housing development at Hanley which includes starter homes – soon more will be built on locations around the city as part of a Discounts new Government-backed scheme. on starter homes

TOKE-ON-TRENT has been chosen to developers, aim to build around 400 new be part of a national house building homes – about half of Sscheme which will offer discounted which will be starter homes. available with starter The city is one of 30 local authority homes discount. partnerships across the UK which will be Construction on supported by the Government’s £1.2 could begin on the billion Starter Homes Land Fund to build homes – many of on brownfield sites. which are expected Under the project, first-time buyers to be two or three aged between 23 and 40 years will be able bedroom houses to buy a new home at a discount of at suitable for families – least 20 per cent of the market value. in about a year’s time with the first to spearhead this scheme, as it helps us to and secure their dream homes sooner The city council is currently identifying available for sale late summer 2018. deliver our Stronger Together priority of than would have been possible. locations for the developments that are Councillor Randy Conteh, Cabinet investing in homes and driving up “It will also support the wider growth likely to be in the first wave. Member for Housing, Communities and housing standards. and regeneration of the city through the In total the council, working in Safer City, said: “It is fantastic news that “The Starter Homes programme will construction jobs created and the money partnership with private sector we have been selected by the Government help people get onto the housing ladder spent on supplies in the local economy.”

Librarian Amy Capewell pictured in the seaside reminiscence pod with a selection of “sniffing”oil aromas.

Two new attractions at library aim to stimulate senses and memory A sensory room for children and a located in a quiet corner of the Hanley reminiscence pod for elderly people venue, can be accessed without are proving to be popular new appointment. A picture backdrop of a attractions at the City Central Library. beach, pier and donkeys and props Interactive equipment including including a deckchair and bucket and fibre-optics, a Borealis tube and an spade aim to evoke memories of happy infinity tunnel project coloured lighting days at the seaside. which combines with soothing music to To add to the atmosphere there is a create a calming environment in the box of “sniffing” oils which have sensory room. common beach smells such as the sea, Youngsters can change light colours ice-cream and sun tan lotion. in the infinity tunnel by clapping and Librarian Amy Capewell said: “We touching buttons. Story massage are delighted with the take up of these sessions are being held which involve new facilities – they are being used parents massaging their children’s everyday and numbers are growing. backs, shoulders and necks while they They add a completely different Five-year-old Kane Summer of Hanley plays with the listen to stories or rhymes. dimension to the library and are infinity tunnel in the sensory room at the City Central Library. The reminiscence pod, which is another reason for people to visit.”

Contact the council via social media on Facebook.com/sotcitycouncil or Twitter @SoTCityCouncil City News 15 9/3/17 11:23 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 15 COMMUNITY CAMPUS University’s first class facilities are now available for residents

TAFFORDSHIRE University’s University Vice-Chancellor campus in Stoke-on-Trent – Professor Liz Barnes said: boosted by a £40 million “Staffordshire University is the S connected university.We play an investment in new buildings and important role in and for the city facilities – is throwing its doors through a vibrant community of open to the local community. over 10,000 staff and students. People can make the most of a “Alongside providing formal range of learning and leisure offers education, we are also an intellectual including a well-equipped gym in hub engaging with our local the Sir Stanley Matthews building communities through working with on the Leek Road site. groups, schools and local people. We Sports therapy student Melanie Bower gives a massage at the clinic in the Sir Stanley Matthews building. In the nearby Brindley Building also offer a range of activities on the Below left, Adam Gratton of Weston Coyney enjoys a cuppa at the Grumpy Mule coffee shop.Below, right, there is a sports therapy clinic campus including family Hospitality Assistant Annette Waterson dishes up Mexican cuisine at the Pavilion Fusion Eating restaurant. where injuries are treated and there days, science is a massage service to ease away days and aches and pains that may not be sports. related to sporting activities. There is plenty to tempt the taste buds with a variety of restaurants and cafes. At Pavilion Fusion Eating on the College Road site the menu changes every day and takes diners on a gastronomic trip around the world, offering “street food” from diverse cuisines including Mexican, Oriental, Indian, Italian and American. On the Leek Road site, the Brindley Food Court is a popular venue to eat. There are also many places to catch a cuppa and a snack with two Costa Coffee outlets and two Grumpy Mule coffee shops. The Film Theatre cinema has been a long-standing attraction and there is a hospitality suite which is hired out for business and social events. There is even a crime scene house – which is used by forensic science students – that can be hired to create a murder scene challenge for corporate team building sessions. Smart new buses have free WiFi and local stories to tell

LUXURIOUS new buses when Stoke-on-Trent’s are running between skyline had 4,000 bottle Stoke Railway Station ovens. and the City Centre Vinyl stickers have thanks to a £1 million been placed on buses and investment from First bus stops near the station Potteries. to promote the frequent The smart new buses – service, which also serves decorated with attractive Trentham estates and the panels telling quirky University Quarter, and Potteries stories – all runs every 15 minutes. have leather seats and Brian Edwards, the complimentary WiFi. council’s Team Manager Specially-designed for Safe and Sustainable panels tell stories from Transport, said: “This the city’s history like the route is really important origin of the word for residents, visitors and “potholes” – supposedly commuters and we are caused by potters digging pleased First have put Student Alex O’Donnell catches one for clay – how glaze was brand new buses into of the new buses outside Stoke Station. invented and the days service.”

Follow the 2021 City of Culture www.sot2021.com or Twitter @sot2021 City News 16 9/3/17 15:19 Page 1

16 City News SPRING 2017 Vital link for isolated and

lonely people Carelink has organised a series of trips to local attractions. Here Joan Bailey, aged 85, decorates a figure at the visitor centre at the Royal Stafford pottery ARING support is available for us, and we talk about how to factory, Burslem, where she older people living in the city stay well with reminders about used to work. who feel isolated and lonely. medications and meal times.” C For more information on They can sign up to the Carelink, its services and how CareLink project, which means to volunteer, visit staff and volunteers will make regular phone calls to them, saltbox.org.uk/carelink giving them someone to talk to One carelink user, Barrie, said while also monitoring their daily contact from the service health and wellbeing. was helping him come to terms Anyone over 50 who is with the loss of his wife. registered with a family doctor Having looked after his wife in the city can access the full time for years, when she service, which is saving the NHS died last October he felt lost, and other services money while and even suicidal, at the offering a vital contact to prospect of facing life on his residents. own. Carelink Manager Linda Stone He said: “When my wife died I said: “In under two years we didn’t know what to do with have helped prevent almost 500 myself and wasn’t sure how long medical interventions, saving the I could go on living. NHS £3 for every £1 invested in “Since I started receiving calls the service. from CareLink things are still “There are some really really hard but it has helped me shocking statistics that highlight so much to have contact with the need for a service like ours. people who are like friends. “For instance, half of all “The volunteers ring me every elderly people in the UK say day and give me someone to talk television is their main source of to when I don’t feel so good, and company. someone to share with when Gwen Pickstock, “Carelink helps to plug the something good happens. aged 89, also pictured gap by making regular calls to “While I was caring for my on the Royal Stafford older people, up to five times a wife I neglected my own health, day out with Carelink week. but now CareLink are Adviser Tim Davies. “We are there to make sure encouraging and helping me to that they know someone cares look after myself. and is looking out for them. “Knowing I will be getting “They share their news, friendly calls from CareLink interests and reminiscences with makes life a bit more bearable.”

Defibrillators for each of Firefighters help to the Six Towns keep elderly safe

RESIDENTS are being asked to help celebrate and well at home the centenary of a major international charity by suggesting locations for FIREFIGHTERS have carried individual cases to Age UK. lifesaving equipment it out hundreds of home visits “The Safe and Well visits wants to install around to help older people in the look at issues such as the city. city stay Safe and Well as whether people feel lonely Stoke-on-Trent Lions part of a ground-breaking or isolated, if they are Club want to donate a initiative. experiencing financial defibrillator, which can The project works with the difficulties and whether restart the heart after a Age UK charity and other they have any signs of cardiac arrest, in each of public services to reduce dementia or are at risk of the city’s Six Towns. winter deaths, accident and suffering a fall. The gift to The Potteries emergency visits and the “It has only been running is in celebration of the demand on acute services. for a matter of months but 100th anniversary of Lions Firefighters also deliver there is no doubt that this Clubs International which life-saving advice and partnership project is making has 46,843 clubs in 210 identify potential fire hazards a very real and very positive countries and geographical to people aged 65 and over. difference to people’s lives as locations worldwide. Visits have led to well as easing the pressure A club spokesman said: improvements to people’s on the NHS by allowing “We hope members of the homes to help with mobility, residents to keep their public, local businesses like installing wheelchair independence for as long as and other organisations, ramps. they want to and for as long will help us to do this by Station Manager Dez as is safe.” contacting us with Stoddart, who is leading the ■ To contact the suggested locations for this project, said: “It enables us to Community Advice Team help improve the lives of for fire safety advice or lifesaving equipment.” Staffordshire Fire and Anyone who wants to some of our most vulnerable more information about suggest a location in their Rescue’s Rose Hampton residents by assessing their Safe and Well visits call area for one of the presents a new smoke alarm needs, not just in terms of 0800 0241 999 (lines are defibrillators should call to resident Frances Davies fire safety, and, where open from 8am-6pm, 0800 849 6325. during a Safe and Well visit. necessary, referring Monday to Friday). City News 17 9/3/17 11:50 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 17 STREETSTREETSTREET SCENESCENESCENE

Piccadilly Brasserie owner Ray Dobson whose restaurant is one of the businesses helping to revitalise BOOSTBOOSTBOOST the Piccadilly area of the City Centre. Public space transformation

ORK has begun on the latest phase new lighting columns and of the multi-million pound project tree planting to further to transform public space in the enhance the pedestrian W environment. City Centre. Attractive landscaping will be carried The old toilets in Crown out in the key shopping areas of Stafford Bank have already been Street and Crown Bank as well as in Lidice demolished to make way for Way at the rear of the Victoria Hall. the improvements which will It is envisaged the scheme will continue provide a flexible space with the process of linking the prestige offices benches – ideal for staging events at Smithfield, the Cultural Quarter and the such as markets and street theatre. new bus station to Hanley’s main retail Lidice Way will be given a facelift to heart. boost the “sense of arrival” for the tens of estimated total of £2.5 million and is Council Leader Dave Conway said: “The In Stafford Street pavements will be thousands of visitors coming to the scheduled to be complete by the end of latest landscaping work shows our ongoing widened where possible, with the theatres and other cultural venues. The October – follows on from the success of commitment to make the City Centre a place introduction of robust granite paving in landscaping will include a subtle blend of the £10 million of public space to attract more local people and visitors from warm natural tones from red to buff grey paving with varied textures, matching improvements in nearby Tontine Street, outside the area. This will, in turn, lead to charcoal kerbing while the road will be that used in John Street and Bethesda Percy Street, Albion Square, Piccadilly and further private sector investment with the resurfaced using tarmac with buff Street. Broad Street. associated job creation.” coloured chippings. There will also be This latest phase – which is costing an Since these works were completed, ■ The old toilets at Crown Bank are to visitor numbers have increased by up to 30 be replaced by improved public toilets per cent in Piccadilly where a number of near to Hanley market and a JC Decaux new bars and restaurants have opened. on-street toilet in the Crown Bank area. Global hotel giant set to unveil plans for Smithfield THE global hotel group “excellent opportunity” for industry and further which wants to build at the a development. revamp the area with Smithfield site will be They also praised the increased footfall. unveiled soon. location, which is close to “It shows the confidence A planning application is the shops in the City there is in the city centre expected to be submitted, Centre, Cultural Quarter from the private sector and and if approved, and a bus or car journey will undoubtedly lead to construction work could away from attractions like further interest and start in the next 12 months Alton Towers and investment from other on the site between the Trentham Gardens. businesses and Smithfield buildings and City Council Leader organisations. the Potteries Way. Councillor Dave Conway “Stoke-on-Trent is a city The hotel, expected to said: “This will be a major on the up right now and have around 140 rooms milestone in the continued this is further evidence and prestigious transformation of the City that our drive to attract conferencing facilities, will Centre. new business and jobs is be a major boost to the “A lot of hard work has achieving fantastic results.” City Centre and will give gone on behind the scenes Cabinet members at the further momentum to the to make this development city council have agreed to bid to become UK City of a reality. a £4.55 million loan to help Culture 2021. “It will not only improve fund the project, and The business – a the hotel offer in the city, Stoke-on-Trent and household name among which is vital if we are to Staffordshire Local hotels around the world – be successful with our City Enterprise Partnership will has suggested that of Culture bid, but will also provide £2.95 million in Smithfield offers an help grow our tourism grants. Call for volunteers to help park project VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with 100 special events and activities staged the £5.8 million restoration of Hanley at the park, from bandstand concerts Park. Gardeners and helpers of all to the annual Six Towns Carnival as abilities can join in every Tuesday and the work to bring its beautiful Thursday from 10am to help with buildings back into use and transform planting, pruning, path laying, graffiti its bridges and gardens continues. removal and litter picking. Anyone who would like to volunteer, Volunteers occasionally deliver or become a Friend of Hanley Park, leaflets to spread the word to the local should contact Park Liaison Officers community about progress on the Tom Pine (07787 005946) or Claire refurbishment. Studman (07584 174465) or email This year there will be more than [email protected] City News 18 9/3/17 12:08 Page 1

18 City News SPRING 2017 Fun courses teach a healthier way to cook

EALTHY cooking courses across inspired Margaret – who works the city are helping local part-time at Meir Health Centre Mrs Margaret Bishop of Weston Coyney people make better food – to the next step, and when the serves up a healthy biryani she learned to H weather improves she wants to prepare on a Cook and Eat course. choices and improve their health by get more exercise by walking. reducing fat, sugar and salt intake “The course was great fun,” and eating more fresh food. she said. “At the end we all The six week programmes, called sampled the dishes people had Cook and Eat, give people an made. understanding of healthy food, “I couldn’t believe it was laid food preparation and cooking on for free. They even provide skills, confidence to make meals the ingredients.” from scratch, tools to understand Cabinet Member for Health food labelling, gain tips on cooking and Social Care, Councillor Ann healthier and making healthier James, said: “I would encourage choices when shopping. people to book on a Cook and Places are limited to 12 per Eat course and find out more course and the courses are free to about eating more healthily and attend... even the ingredients are using more fresh produce and provided. less processed food. Margaret Bishop, 62, from “We have high levels of Weston Coyney, completed Cook obesity in the city and that’s why and Eat at Meir Community Centre we are trying to re-educate to reduce the amount of sugar she people about what’s in the and husband Neil eat in things like food we eat and drink. shop bought jars of sauces. “For older people, Now she makes her own from especially those who are fresh ingredients, with no sugar, lonely, the sessions are a and she’s enjoying the results. great way to get out of the “I didn’t go to the lessons to house and meet new people.” learn to cook... I’m a good cook,” Cllr James also added that the city council was trialling some she explained. “But I wanted to get Cook and Eat sessions for advice on reducing the amount of parents, so the whole family can sugar we eat. benefit from knowledge and “I’ve tried lots of the recipes we skills offered through the made. A sweet and sour sauce programme. made from fresh is much better than using one in a jar, and I’ve Any adult living in the city also made a lovely biryani, which can take part in Cook and has much less fat than one you’d Eat. To find out more or buy.” sign up for a programme Healthy eating success has please call 0800 085 0928. Groups can apply Two major cycling races come to the city for share of new TWO major cycling races are being staged in Stoke-on-Trent this summer giving people the community fund chance to see some of the world’s top professional riders in action. GROUPS from all over the city are The Tour Series circuit race will being invited to find out how they can arrive in the city centre for the bid for a share of a £3 million cash pot eighth time on Thursday 11 May to buy new equipment and facilities. featuring seven professional The city council has launched the men’s teams, as well as the Community Investment Fund, which women’s Matrix Fitness Grand will give out £1 million a year for the Prix Series. next three years. Council officers Four weeks later on Thursday 8 have already spoken to many June the city will welcome stage community groups, charities and two of the Women’s Tour, the UK’s other organisations who may be biggest professional race for eligible. female riders. It is the first time All can attend the launch event at the city has hosted a start and the King’s Hall on 28 June to find out finish stage for the event which more and pick up an application pack. ends in London three days later. Grants of up to £50,000 will be Councillor Terry Follows, available to pay for new equipment Cabinet Member for Greener City, and refurbishing buildings. Development and Leisure, said: Projects must have an impact on at “Both of them promise to be real least one of the following areas: spectacles for the public and with ● Supporting families to fulfil their them being only four weeks potential. apart, there should be a real buzz in the city.We will also have a ● Thriving places and communities. range of fun community activities ● Strong communities, where taking place to support both people live their lives well. events on the day. Deputy Council Leader Councillor “Both races give people Abi Brown said the local authority fantastic opportunities to watch was supporting groups in the at the start, finish or along the community to do something for route and get themselves right themselves which also improves the next to the action.” city. She said: “We know they need ■ Highlights of both races help and support, and this kind of capital funding will help them make a Top riders in action on the will be broadcast on ITV4 start. It’s exciting that the fund will streets of Stoke-on-Trent. and available on demand support dozens of projects.” via the ITV Hub.

To contact the council by email [email protected] City News 19 9/3/17 12:12 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 19

STRONGER TOGETHER: City Council Leader Councillor Dave Conway addresses delegates at the hugely successful Meet the Buyer event. Left, hundreds of companies and traders were represented at the King’s Hall. CONTRACTS PLEDGE Firms pack the hall for ‘Meet the Buyer’event

ORE than 350 local offer agreements of three years companies packed the or more, to provide a long-term King’s Hall to find out how commitment to local companies. M Councillor Conway said: “I’ve they can bid for millions of pounds always been really clear that worth of council contracts. supporting local businesses is The near full-house heard crucial to enabling our city to plans from City Council Leader grow. I want to see local Councillor Dave Conway to businesses bidding for council replace the current Kier Stoke work, and winning our contracts, housing maintenance service and I’m giving them every with a city council team opportunity to do this. supported by local contractors. “It’s all part of the Stronger It is part of the city council’s Together vision we are commitment to supporting local promoting around the city the business and keeping the money city... to help each other.” the council spends within the city Steve Simcock, Finance to promote investment and job Director of Cobridge-based creation. builders Carson Powell Companies will be able to construction said the Meet the register their interest in Buyer event had been well worth upcoming work, enabling the attending. authority to establish a He said: “We definitely found it Stoke-on-Trent building company Carson Powell framework of local contractors by useful and will be looking out to Directors Steve Simcock, left, and Nicholas Grange this autumn. Once on the bid for future opportunities with talk with Councillor Conway at the event. framework, the intention is to Stoke-on-Trent City Council.” Pro-active blitz on potholes and road damage pays dividends

A pro-active blitz on potholes and other The team has also responded quickly road surfaces by up to five years. Transport funding our total budget has highway damage is reducing the number to repairs on city roads including ● Eleven miles of pavement grown to £7.2 million. of complaints, cutting down on repair everything from holes in the tarmac to reconstruction. “This demonstrates how much this is costs and helping with the durability of replacing damaged guardrails, bollards ● Twenty-two miles of footway a priority area in Stoke-on-Trent. roads and pavements. and signs. treatment works, which, again, will “It has allowed us to take a very As a result of a significantly enhanced The approach is not only having a prolong the life of pavements by up to pro-active approach to maintenance budget the Highways Asset and Group positive effect on the road network but five years. programmes and use techniques which Co-ordination team has been able to has led to fewer potholes and other make pathways and roadways more The council has also drawn up its own carry out a comprehensive programme issues being reported – down 20 per durable and longer lasting. Asset Management Plan, which aims to of improvements and resurfacing cent in the current financial year “This in turn cuts down on the cost of maximise return from highways measures during the current financial compared to 2015/16. repairs in the long term and means investment and deliver efficient and year. Improvements carried out throughout improved road and pavement surfaces effective services. the last 12 months include: for motorist and pedestrians.” Highway Asset and Group ● Nine miles of complete carriage Co-ordination Manager Lyndsey Pajor resurfacing within the city. said: “This financial year our team has For more details about the Asset ● Thirty miles of carriageway had £5.25 million allocated to it by the Management Plan visit enhancement treatment works – a city council compared to £1 million the stoke.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/ technique which prolongs the life of previous year – and with Department for transport-and-streets/streets/ City News 20 9/3/17 15:32 Page 1

20 City News SPRING 2017 Advice issued after revelations of sexual abuse cases in youth football It is OK to challenge ARENTS and carers are being carers assume that the adults who are running these activities advised that it is OK to are skilled, enthusiastic and Pchallenge people looking trustworthy individuals and in after their child at sports and most cases they are. But parents social clubs to help make sure need to remember that it’s OK to children are safe during activities. check and challenge.” High profile cases of alleged The Safeguarding Children historical sexual abuse in Board has issued advice to football have raised awareness of parents and carers to help make the risks children can face when sure their child is safe when taking part in any activity. taking part in activities. When a child joins an activity or group, The Stoke-on-Trent ask the following questions: Safeguarding Children Board promotes the fact that child ● Has the person running the protection is everyone’s group had a police check? responsibility, and parents, Ask to see their certificate. carers, partners and the city ● Have any other adults involved council need to keep working in the activity had a police Parents and carers are advised to check safeguarding procedures when their children take part in sporting and social activities, together to help keep children check? Ask to see some proof. to make sure they stay safe while enjoying themselves. and young people safe. ● What qualifications do the Carole Preston, the city’s people in charge of the activity ● Safeguarding Children Board have? Ask to see some proof. advice. Anyone who rents out What child protection training training in first aid? Manager, said there is a range of premises for activities that have you had and can I see ● ● Is my premises properly sporting and social activities on Where have they taught these children and young people attend, proof of this? activities before? It is a good insured for this activity? offer which will enrich the lives they might want to ask the ● Will the children and young ● of children and young people in idea to contact them and ask following questions: What risk assessments do for references? people be carefully supervised we need to carry out before Stoke-on-Trent. ● from the start of the session She said: “We know how ● What child protection training Are the adults suitably qualified I can agree to host the to run these activities? right up to the end of the activity? important it is for them to join in have you had? Can I see proof session? and develop social skills and of this? ● Can I see proof of a police ● learn new areas of expertise If individuals or outside check? Will there be more than one For more information which often helps when they organisations use your premises ● Where have you taught these adult present? visit: make their career choices. to run activities for children and activities previously and can I ● Have the individuals running www.safeguarding “Most of the time, parents and young people, there is additional see proof? the activity received adequate children.stoke.gov.uk

Sculpture is a brilliant beacon of light in city STANDING taller than the City Council Leader world-famous Angel of the Councillor Dave Conway said: North, Stoke-on-Trent’s 21 “It’s an uplifting and metre high Golden statue impressive sight, looking out shines like a beacon across over the city and visible from Chatterley Valley. the A500 and much of the Since it was officially Ceramic Valley enterprise launched last summer the Zone. artwork, made up of 1,500 “And it shows again how we glass balls, each containing a have succeeded in using art to wish from a member of the bring communities together, community, has become a which is a mainstay of our bid popular landmark in the city. to become city of culture.” City News 21 9/3/17 16:10 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 21

Residents urged to report sites if they suspect illegal dumping

IGILANT residents are being urged to are liable for the correct disposal of their waste and need to use reputable suppliers help in the fight against illicit waste with the correct paperwork to avoid Vstorage sites which can cause a risk to prosecution, possible fines and public safety. imprisonment. The call comes after the huge fire in Landlords are also being asked to be Redhills Road which sent thick black smoke vigilant and to be more cautious about hundreds of feet into the air and took weeks leasing land/buildings to individuals who for firefighters to damp down. offer large sums of money. The government’s Environment Agency There have been a large number of cases had identified it as an “illegal site” without where this has happened only for the Black smoke towers the proper licences and had ordered owners land/building to be filled with illegal waste skyward at the height Hanbury Plastics Recycling to remove which the landlord is then responsible for of the fire at Hanbury 10,000 tonnes of waste. clearing at their own expense, which can Plastics Recycling in A number of other high risk sites have run into millions of pounds. Milton. been identified across Staffordshire where Director of Response for Staffordshire Photograph courtesy of The Sentinel. waste might be being stored illegally to Fire and Rescue Service Tim Hyde, said: avoid disposal costs. “This is a serious issue that we collectively Residents across the city are being urged need to address as soon as possible and we to report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, need the support of local residents and giving the registration details of any businesses. suspicious vehicles that may be going to and “The recent highly publicised waste fire in from sites where dumping has already Stoke-on-Trent was really just the tip of the occurred. iceberg. They are also being asked to keep a look “We have identified high risk sites that out for waste arriving at sites such as rural should fires occur, there will be massive land or vacant buildings, that large vehicles disruption to road and rail networks in would not normally visit at unusual hours. addition to the devastating environmental Businesses are being reminded that they impact.” Support

Adult learner for carers Alizia Mata takes BUSINESSES and part in a functional organisations who support skills class held at carers in Stoke-on-Trent One Smithfield. are being invited to a major event in the city. Community groups, charities and companies will put on stalls, demonstrations and give out information about their service at the King’s Hall on Thursday 15 June. It is being organised to mark National Carers’ Week. The council especially wants to hear from small businesses offering services and therapies, including mobile services, and also from local groups who can support carers in the community. Places are limited, and anyone who would like to attend the event should email [email protected]

Sandrina Datoko, left, and Marena Szumielewicz are also adult learners in the functional skills class. Bulky items UNWANTED bulky items like fridges and TVs can be Booking adult learning courses made easier collected from residents’ homes by the council for BOOKING of Adult Community Learning A series of non-accredited courses are debit or credit card. Alternatively, people as little as £15 for up to courses has been made easier with the also on offer covering topics such as can call into the main office, which is now five appliances. Additional introduction of a new payment system. crafts, computers, employability, yoga and based at One Smithfield in Hanley to pay items cost just £3 each. The council offers a range of accredited languages. by card, with a cheque or cash. To find out more or learning programmes and subjects in This year for the first time anyone make a booking, please more than 130 venues throughout the booking a course will be asked for a For more details about all the 2017 call 01782 234234 or call city.They cover a wide range of topics deposit or payment-in full-up front to courses on offer call 01782 234775 in at one of the council’s including English, Maths, First Aid and guarantee they are allocated a place. or visit stoke.gov.uk and search for local centres, where staff Family Learning. This can be paid over the phone or by adult community learning. will organise the service and take payment. City News 22 9/3/17 16:17 Page 1

22 City News SPRING 2017 Work to start on new public square in town

WORK will start in the next Taking training few weeks on a £500,000 scheme to create an attractive public square in Burslem town centre. New paving, benches, tree-planting, improved lighting and toilets will transform the site in Market Place where the former Ceramica building once stood. to new heights It is a prime location next to the iconic old town hall building – now occupied by the the Haywood Sixth Form EADING training and Academy – and will be an ideal apprenticeship provider PM area for community events. Training is celebrating 20 Councillor Jack Brereton, L years’ success of working with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and City Council on its nationally Heritage, said: “Installing new, acclaimed Homeworks service. high quality public realm in PM training is reaching out to Market Place will improve the more young people and appearance of the town centre, employers in the city. No other increase footfall and create a training provider places more more welcoming environment apprentices in Stoke-on-Trent, with a better overall and the Shelton-based team now experience for visitors.” has around 300 young people a The work is expected to take year going through up to 18 weeks to complete comprehensive training and will also include pay and programmes to prepare them for display machines on Market the world of work. Place brought back into use to They provide services which improve the turnover of have a massive impact on local parking spaces for shoppers. communities and residents, from caring for and maintaining elderly and vulnerable people’s gardens to painting and decorating, putting in carpets and curtains and even creating Continental beautiful metal sculptures which bring a touch more culture to the market comes city. Other young people can learn more about office and admin to City Centre duties. A popular continental market Of these 300, around 70 per selling mouth-watering foods cent go into full-time and craft products from around apprenticeships with some of PM the world returns to the City Training’s 1,300 business partners. Centre later this month. Around 40 traders will set up Around 90 per cent of the PM Training’s longest standing client Evelyn Pomfret in the garden at her their stalls in Parliament Row apprentices either stay with the Mill Hill home with Supervisor Dave Smith and Trainee Dominic Howard. and Upper Market Square for company in full time work, or go four days from Wednesday 22 on to a job with another company to Saturday 25 March and will on the strength of their Will said: “We want to do more She said: “The lads have been construction and plumbing. be open all day from 9am to experience. and more to support the city.We coming for a good while now He said: “I’m very interested in 5.30pm. It means over the years PM are proud of our learners and since I decided I couldn't look engineering but I’ve enjoyed Market Place Europe, one of Training – which started as a what they go on to achieve, and after the garden any more. learning and working on the the UK’s leading operators of small project to train young we hope they take with them our “They always do a good job and Homeworks side. It’s given me specialist markets, are people by looking after people’s commitment to providing they are such nice people. lots of experience and hopefully delighted to be returning to gardens – has helped more than excellent service in everything “I used to be a baker so I made it will help me secure an Stoke-on-Trent with some of 10,000 young people into jobs, we do. sure there were cakes for them. apprenticeship at the end of the their traders for the third year turning lives around and “Now we want more young I’m sure they used to plan to year.” running after the success of inspiring them to succeed. people and more businesses to come on baking day!” the previous visits. Chief Executive Will Nixon get in touch and join us.” Learner Dominic Howard, 16, PM Training has an open “Thousands of extra people said talks were underway with Evelyn Pomfret, 82, of Mill Hill, from Penkhull, is four months door policy and young are attracted to the City Centre the city council – a major is one of PM Training’s longest into a year long placement with people who want to train when the continental market is supporter of the organisation – to standing customers. PM Training. for an apprenticeship can staged – so that’s a boost for explore other ways in which PM Learners and supervisors have As well as working on the either visit the offices in our own Hanley Market, shops Training could give something looked after her garden for many Homeworks project he has also Shelton, call 279121 or and other businesses,” said back. years. learned skills in bricklaying, visit pmtraining.org.uk Julia Smith, a city council Markets Development Officer. The market is expected to return again in the Autumn but dates have yet to be confirmed.

Free childcare now on offer

IT’S as easy as ABC to gain free childcare for youngsters in Stoke-on-Trent. Two-year-olds are able to receive free childcare based on their eligibility for 15 hours of care. An application form is required which can be found online. No form is needed for three and four year olds, as all are entitled to 15 hours of free care each week after the term of the child's third birthday. For more information and to make use of the initiative, visit Trainee Brad stoke.go.uk/beststart to find a Leonard and Artworks list of providers, check Manager Phil Brown eligibility, and to apply for a with a sculpture PM two year old funded place, or Training created as contact the advice and access public art for Phoenix team on 01782 232200. Retail Park at Homeworks Supervisor Dave Baddeley trims hedges at homes in Meir. Longton. City News 23 9/3/17 12:45 Page 1

SPRING 2017 City News 23

Abbey Hulton and Townsend MELANIE BADDELEY RICHARD BROUGHAN (City Independents) (City Independents) (01782) 859354 07881 332870 Your 07979 508837 richard.broughan@ melanie.baddeley@ stoke.gov.uk Councillors stoke.gov.uk Baddeley Green, Milton and Norton Bentilee and Ubberley JACK BRERETON DAVE EVANS ANTHONY MUNDAY STEPHEN FUNNELL SHEILA PITT (Conservative) (Conservative) (City Independents) (Labour) (Labour) (01782) 541368 07447 914011 (01782) 239737 07919 564369 07957 948896 07855 916134 dave.evans@ 07743 876421 stephen.funnell@ sheila.pitt@ jack.brereton@ stoke.gov.uk anthony.munday@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk

Birches Head and Central Forest Park Blurton East Blurton West and Newstead Boothen and Oakhill JEAN BOWERS SABRINA BOWERS JOAN BELL LLOYD BROWN ANDY PLATT (City Independents) (City Independents) (Labour) (Labour) (Labour) (01782) 262613 (01782) 534797 (01782) 341398 07824 496282 07946 713893 07919 564493 07827 281594 07757 708703 lloyd.brown@ andy.platt@ jean.bowers@ sabrina.bowers@ joan.bell@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk Twitter: @CllrAndyST4

Bradeley and Chell HeathBroadway and Longton East Burslem Central Burslem Park Dresden and Florence GURMEET SINGH CHRIS ROBINSON ALAN DUTTON JOY GARNER LILIAN DODD KALLAR (Labour) (City Independents) (Labour) (City Independents) (Labour) 07720 975697 07982 231567 (01782) 768846 (01782) 319285 07900 604232 chris.robinson@ alan.dutton@ 07986 442770 07880 179802 gurmeetsingh.kallar@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk [email protected] lilian.dodd@ stoke.gov.uk Twitter:@button1001 stoke.gov.uk

Eaton Park Etruria and Hanley Fenton East Fenton West and Mount Pleasant Ford Green and Smallthorne RITA DALE MAJID KHAN PAUL SHOTTON MICK BELL CANDI CHETWYND (City Independents) (Labour) (Labour) (UKIP) (Labour) (01782) 285075 01782 236663 07769 697771 (01782) 847760 07910 534163 rita.dale@ majid.khan@ paul.shotton@ mick.bell@ candi.chetwynd@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk

Goldenhill and Sandyford Great Chell and Packmoor Hanford and Trentham MARTIN GARNER JANINE BRIDGES ANN JAMES TERENCE FOLLOWS DANIEL JELLYMAN (Labour) (City Independents) (City Independents) (City Independents) (Conservative) (01782) 768846 (01782) 851842 (01782) 836766 (01782) 643553 (01782) 899000 martin.garner@ 07771 331893 ann.james@ 07944 055379 daniel.jellyman@ stoke.gov.uk janine.bridges@ stoke.gov.uk terence.follows@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk

Hanley Park and Shelton Hartshill and Basford Hollybush and Longton West Joiner’s Square Lightwood North and Normacot AMJID WAZIR SHAUN PENDER KATH BANKS ALASTAIR WATSON SADAQAT (Labour) (Labour) (Labour) (Labour) MAQSOOM 07747 830461 07914 851349 (01782) 399759 07736 837822 (Conservative) amjid.wazir@ shaun.pender@ 07790 699379 alastair.watson@ 07595 531859 stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk kath.banks@ stoke.gov.uk sadaqat.maqsoom@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk

Little Chell and Stanfield Meir Hay Meir North Meir Park Meir South DAVID CONWAY CRAIG BEARDMORE RUTH ROSENAU ABI BROWN DEBBIE WHEELDON (City Independents) (Conservative) (Labour) (Conservative) (Labour) (01782) 232468 07941 098364 07870 503575 07793 844169 (01782) 595043 david.conway@ craig.beardmore@ ruth.rosenau@ abi.brown@ 07870 777807 stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk debbie.wheeldon@ Twitter: stoke.gov.uk @CllrRuthRosenau

Moorcroft Penkhull and Stoke Sandford Hill Sneyd Green Springfields and Trent Vale MOHAMMED PERVEZ RANDOLPH CONTEH OLWEN HAMER JOANNE JACKIE BARNES (Labour) (City Independents) (Labour) POWELL-BECKETT (City Independents) 07919 917632 (01782) 256869 07717 714207 (City Independents) (01782) 845619 mohammed.pervez@ 07920 835902 olwen.hamer@ 07816 518275 07813 539410 stoke.gov.uk randolph.conteh@ stoke.gov.uk joanne.powell- jackie.barnes@ Twitter:@pervezstoke stoke.gov.uk [email protected] stoke.gov.uk

Tunstall Weston Coyney FORTHCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, STOKE: LEE WANGER ROSS IRVING Cabinet meetings take place at the Civic Centre The next full City Council meetings will be in the (City Independents) (Conservative) at 1pm on the following dates: 4 April, 9 May and Council Chamber at 2.30pm on the following (01782) 856712 (01782) 335982 13 June 2017. dates: 23 March, 18 May (Annual Council). 07971 303729 07842 709011 lee.wanger@ ross.irving@ stoke.gov.uk stoke.gov.uk For more information on your Councillors go to stoke.gov.uk/councillors Councillors can also be contacted through the Councillor and Civic Support Team who can take messages and forward them on.They can be contacted on (01782) 231922 or 231924.

Information on city councillors was correct at the time of going to press. City News 24 9/3/17 12:51 Page 1

24 City News SPRING 2017

In training for the big walk are Lord Mayor Councillor Anthony Munday, the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain, Rector of Hartshill, Penkhull and Trent Vale Rev Chris Rushton, and actress Rachel Shenton, pictured near Westport Lake.

Major upgrade for leisure hubs

DIMENSIONS Leisure Centre and Fenton Manor Sports Complex are being given a £300,000 refit. Old equipment from the opening of MASS WALK Dimensions 12 years ago will be replaced along with an update of air-conditioning and catering. Roger Moore, General Manager for Dimensions and Fenton Manor, said: “The investment will see an update and expansion of what the centres offer with Dimensions having the bulk of the work. “The current gym will be made into a bespoke studio for dance, exercise FOR THE BID and spinning classes, which presently use half of the sports hall.” New equipment, including strength training kit, will be installed at Fenton Civic charity fundraising trek to spotlight Manor. The renovation will happen in April and will take approximately two weeks to complete. dynamic campaign for City of Culture status Nordic walking UNDREDS of people will join Lord picturesque parks, greenways and canal Rudge, several members of the Stoke towpaths.” City Old Boys Club, former World Squash Mayor Councillor Anthony Munday The sponsored walk is in keeping with Champion Angela Smith and many other comes to parks on a charity walk next month – and the Lord Mayor’s “sporting” theme for local personalities will either take part H NEW sports sessions are being at the same time show their backing for his civic year in office. or make an appearance at Northwood “We want to use the walk as a way of Stadium. introduced when the Parklives outdoor Stoke-on-Trent’s City of Culture bid. exercise programme for this year is There will be options to walk five, 10, encouraging people to exercise,” he said. “Rachel and Nick intend to walk the “Residents who do not take regular full 25 miles and John Rudge is still as fit launched in early April. 15, 20 or a marathon 25 miles, with three Nordic Walking – with special poles – looped routes starting and finishing at exercise can start walking in preparation as a butcher’s dog – the support I’m and cross country running are being Northwood Stadium on Sunday 23 April. for the event. We want people of all ages receiving from everyone has been added to the popular events at parks Participants will walk along the city’s and levels of fitness to take part. If they fantastic,” said Councillor Munday. throughout the city this summer. canal towpaths and greenways as well as are unable to complete 25 miles, they Funds raised will be split equally Parklives 2017 will be launched at the passing historic pottery factories and can walk part of the route – or just a few between the Lord Mayor’s chosen Caudwell Charity Colour Run in Central other iconic landmarks. Along the trek laps around the Northwood Stadium charities – the North Staffordshire Heart Forest Park on 8 April between 10am there will be displays and posters athletics track. Committee, the Sir Stanley Matthews and 2pm. Parklives sessions start on 10 promoting the bid – and highlighting the “There has been tremendous interest Coaching Foundation and the Macari April. city’s rich industrial heritage. in the walk so far and I’m hoping Foundation for the homeless. Visitors on the day will be able to “As well as being a charity fundraiser, I hundreds will be involved – the more the Councillor Munday has been part of enjoy taster sessions in Zumba and want this event to be a people’s walk for merrier. Sponsor forms are available, or the team who have “mapped” out the badminton, as well as picking up the City of Culture bid,” said Councillor people can just make a donation at walk route – details of which are on the leaflets containing the summer Munday.“It is a very public and dynamic Northwood Stadium on the day.” council’s website, stoke.gov.uk/people’s programme. Or simply search Parklives way to show support for the bid by Actress Rachel Shenton, comedian and walk. “They are great routes which may Stoke-on-Trent on the internet for celebrating some of what this city has to TV presenter Nick Hancock, Potteries take some people to parts of the city dates, times and registration details. offer such as its unique heritage, football legends Lou Macari and John they have not seen before,” he added.

To take part in the civic walk email the Lord Mayor’s Secretary [email protected]