Our City Issue 16

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Stoke-on-Trent

BEST DESIGNED COUNCIL PUBLICATION

Our City ISSUE 16: JULY 2010

WIN CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY at Ford Green Hall SEE PAGE 17

Pop stars join

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YOUR FREE BUS TRAVEL GUIDE

JEDWARD

back city’s extreme tea drinking campaign (with their extreme hairstyle) Page 17

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National acclaim

Let’s all work together to Staff at city get through centre difficult times children’s scoop top

By City Council Leader Councillor MOHAMMED PERVEZ HISTORIC decisions taken by the main political parties in Stoke-on-Trent mean we now have a focused coalition of senior councillors forming a cabinet to decide our city’s future.

Make no bones about it, there are difficult times ahead and difficult decisions to be made.

Just like the coalition and cabinet need to work together, it is important we work with you the people of the city and the rest of the elected members and the officers who work for the city council to help us continue progress.

Communication is vitally important in these difficult times. I promise the city council will be open and transparent about the decisions that need to be made and the cost savings that will need to be implemented.

And we want you to keep telling us your priorities, aspirations and experiences... so we can make sure the services we provide meet your needs.

We have all heard about the spending cuts that will need to be made to address the country’s deficit, and while we will be pressing the case for Stoke-on-Trent’s communities to be spared the worst of the reductions, we know we will not escape unaffected.

Additional support “Austerity measures” announced by the Government are beginning to emerge.

We will do everything we can to protect front line services like education, social care, street cleaning and initiatives to create a safer, greener, cleaner city.

Just as important is making sure the regeneration of the city continues to gather pace as we breathe new life into the city centre, provide the very best high schools and colleges for our young people and attract the investment that leads to new jobs.

The new cabinet is a diverse group of people, from a broad political spectrum, but united in the cause to fight for our city.

We will press our city’s special case for a sympathetic hearing and additional support from Government.

No-one has said it is going to be easy, and none of us are under any illusion that we have a difficult and challenging time ahead.

But we have never had it easy in Stoke-on-Trent, and there is a will in this great city to stand together and help each other through the bad times.

We will do that, and together I am confident we can manage what will be a very difficult time.

Our City is printed on recycled paper. When you have finished with this publication please help the environment by passing it on to a friend or recycling it.

UK accolade

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Stoke-on-Trent children’s centre has won a prestigious national award.

The Crescent, at Meir, beat off hundreds of other entrants to scoop the title of Children’s Centre Team of the Year at the annual 4Children National Children’s Star Awards in London.

The Crescent originally made a shortlist of 10 centres, then the final two and eventually took the top honour after a team from the centre travelled down to the capital to make a presentation to a panel of judges.

Councillor Debra Gratton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said: “This is a terrific achievement and recognises all the excellent work done by everyone at The Crescent.

Our children’s centres throughout the city play a vital part in community life with Motherfamilies taking advantage of the wide range of services on offer.” of-five Claire Mum Claire Lawrence, who has been Lawrence, who using the Meir based centre for four nominated The years, sent in the original nomination.

Crescent for the award, She has five children ranging in age is pictured with three from two to 17 and has a sixth on the of her children, left to way, joking that she has to do something right, Issabel, Daniel to keep her children’s centre going. and Liam.

The former dental nurse pops in at least three times a week and uses the crèche, does courses, attends open days or simply has a coffee and a chat with friends.

“It’s just excellent. The facilities are great “I decided to nominate the centre after and it’s so friendly as everyone knows each talking to other mums and members of other. staff, who I feel don’t recognise the “Everyone is on the same level, parents, outstanding work they do,” she added. staff and management. We all support each The award the centre has picked up other.

Locality Manager Tracy Jackson OBE with Jessica Valentine, 3, of Meir at the Crescent Children’s Centre.

comes from 4Children, which is a national charity dedicated to creating opportunities and building futures for children. It stages an annual awards ceremony with 11 categories.

Manager receives OBE for services to families TRACY Jackson, who manages the Crescent Children’s Centre, was awarded an OBE for services to children and families in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The 40-year-old mother-of-two also runs the Grange Children’s Centre in Meir and Treehouse in Bentilee. She will visit Buckingham Palace later in the year to receive her award.

Tracy, who has managed the Crescent since it opened in 2006, said:“The award is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all the team at the centre, including staff, public service partners, parents and volunteers.

“We are all very proud of the support we provide to families

Meeting dates are now online A full list of dates and times of full city council meetings and committee meetings can be found on our website stoke.gov.uk/meetingdates

and will continue to work hard to make sure children are at the heart of everything we do.”

Councillor Debra Gratton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's Services, said: “The work that Tracy and her team have done has been instrumental in making the Crescent Children's Centre a great success.”

Dr. Sharon Menghini, the city council’s Director of Children and Young People’s Services, said: “This award is testament to Tracy's hard work and dedication.

“Children’s centres make a real difference to people’s lives and we are so proud of what Tracy and her team have achieved.”

Give us your feedback on this issue of Our City by emailing ourcity@stoke.gov.uk or write to: FREEPOST Our City

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Our City

Experienced and diverse team

Down Your Way

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News from South Eastern Neighbourhood

has a common goal KILLED, experienced members of Stoke-on-Trent’s new cabinet are the right people to take the city forward according to the council’s new leader.

Councillors representing a coalition of the Labour, Conservative, Independent and Liberal Democrat groups have been brought together to make tough decisions on cost savings and meet other important challenges such as boosting employment, attracting investment, driving regeneration and creating a cleaner, safer city.

Five Labour members including Council

Leader Mohammed Pervez will sit alongside two Conservatives, two Independents and one Liberal Democrat.

Each cabinet member has been allocated a portfolio so they can work with senior officers at the city council to deliver the best possible services and offer the residents of Stoke-on-Trent good value for money.

They will meet regularly and in public to set policies which will be scrutinised by the appropriate committees of councillors before being implemented to shape the future of Stoke-on-Trent.

Council Leader Councillor Mohammed Pervez has said he had every confidence in the

skills and abilities of the new cabinet, and that the coalition system would work well for the city.

He said: “I am very optimistic that the experience of the cabinet members will be used to good effect to run the city council efficiently and effectively. We are a diverse team of people who share a common goal of making life better in Stoke-on-Trent and regenerating our city.

“Between us we have many years’ experience of running the city council and making the important decisions which reflect residents’ wishes. I am confident these people will deliver.”

The new coalition cabinet line-up:

Council Leader Mohammed Pervez, 43, is married with two children. A research scientist and self-confessed gadget fan, Pervez enjoys IT and computing in his spare time.

He is passionate about supporting Stoke-on-Trent’s communities and driving forward the city’s regeneration. He moved to Stoke-on-Trent with his work and immediately felt at home because of its warm community spirit.

Deputy Council Leader Ross Irving, 62, has two grown up sons and five grandchildren.

His cabinet portfolio comprises community safety, partnerships and the Local Strategic Partnership.

A retired businessman, he has a keen interest in heritage and is an active member of the National Trust. Ross believes that improving educational attainment in the city is key to attracting investment.

Cabinet Member for Resources Councillor Kieran Clarke, 64, is married with one daughter and three grandchildren. He is an avid spectator of the Tour de France cycle race and has only missed three of the last 16, although this year’s trip clashes with the Local Government Association conference in Bournemouth!

His aim is to secure the city’s financial future and see forward its regeneration.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Management and Neighbourhood Services Terry Follows, 63, is a widower with one son and a grandchild on the way. He is a keen crown green bowler and once managed the County Parks team. He wants to get tough on litter louts to clean up the city and aims to expand the network of neighbourhood offices to make services more accessible to communities.

Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services Debra Gratton, 40, is married with two children and two step children and works as an Accounts Services Manager. Her hobbies include gardening, cycling and walking the dogs. A former Miss Port Vale, she is passionate about the regeneration of Burslem.

Improving education in the city is a priority for Debra, who is proud to have been a school governor for 14 years.

LONGTON: Thousands of people turned out for a specially-themed Longton Carnival at Queens Park and were treated to a variety of musical and sporting entertainment. Lord Mayor Councillor Denver Tolley officially opened the day-long “Centenary Celebrations” event on 6 June, which marked the 100th anniversary of the Six Towns Federation.

WESTON COYNEY: A new £190,000 community centre, which will improve facilities for residents in Weston Coyney, has been officially opened.

Weston Heights Community Centre, based in the grounds of Weston Coyney Infants School, features a large multi-function room and smaller rooms, will be used for community, children’s centre and school use, and is available to deliver a raft of public services.

DRESDEN: Dresden and Florence Residents’ Association is hosting a summertime street party to mark 100 years of the Federation. The event will take place on Sunday 1 August, from Midday, on the green spaces and car park around Elim Pentecostal Church between Cobden Street and Ricardo Street. Fun-filled events will include a fancy dress competition, a sumo suits contest and a performance by Dandelion the Clown.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WIDE:

Cabinet Member for Transformation Sarah Hill, 56, is married with two children and three stepchildren. She is a lecturer in social work at Staffordshire University and is currently harvesting a bumper crop of salads from her allotment in Campbell Road. She cares about modernising the city in a sensitive way, and would like residents to be proud of the place where they live and the services they receive.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health (Sport, Leisure and Culture) Hazel Lyth is a management consultant specialising in training and development.

She wants to see the people in the city believe in themselves and value their creative abilities and talents.

Hazel is passionate about helping people feel powerful, not powerless about how they can help shape the city’s future.

Cabinet Member for Communication and Community Engagement Councillor Tom Reynolds, 24, is married with one child and his wife is expecting a second. He is a rugby fan and keen cook.Tom would like everyone in Stoke-on-Trent to feel that the city council is their council and that they can influence the decisions it makes by making their views known.

Councillor Mervyn Smith, Cabinet Member for City Development (Regeneration), 50, is a solicitor working in Stoke-on-Trent. He lived and studied in Italy for seven years and is a fan of all things Italian, including travel, food and culture. He wants to accelerate regeneration by making sure key projects like Hanley bus station and the University Quarter are completed as soon as possible.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transportation Councillor Brian Ward, 62, is married with two daughters.

He retired from working in the motor industry to concentrate on his community and council work. Brian wants to streamline the way council and social housing are allocated in the city to meet residents’ needs, and make sure regeneration happens to attract investors to the city.

Plans for a new £11 million Primary Care Centre have been given the go ahead. The new state-of-the-art facility, to be built on the site of the former King’s Arms Pub in Weston Road, will bring together six GP practices as well as providing a range of additional services such as podiatry, physiotherapy, district nursing and a dental access centre.

MEIR: A RESPECT clean-up session held in Macdonald Crescent, Meir, was a huge environmental success. During the two-day event, new trip rails were fitted, bags of litter collected, grass cut and weeds were pulled out and treated.

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Blooming marvellous M

ORE than a million award winning bedding plants are giving a little known Stoke-on-Trent City Council department the sweet smell of financial success.

Greenhouse 2000 Nursery Assistant Margaret Ball pictured with some of the many hanging baskets she has created.

Greenhouse 2000, the city council’s Festival Park based plant production operation, grows 1.25 million plants a year and puts £375,000 into city council coffers.

The business employs just 11 full and part-time staff and offers work experience and Future Jobs Fund placements.

The team, which includes a full-time florist, produce 550,000 plants for use in floral displays across the city at roundabouts, in hanging baskets, parks and at Carmountside Crematorium.

Another 700,000 plants are produced for neighbouring local authorities and organisations now Greenhouse 2000 is winning a growing number of contracts.

Clients include Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, High Peak Borough Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council Cheadle In Bloom as well as Cheshire East Council, who use plants produced in the Potteries in Crewe, Congleton and Macclesfield.

Dedicated gardeners produce a

City’s plants business just keeps on growing

whole range of bedding plants including marigolds and geraniums for use in borders and hanging baskets. Displays produced for the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show have won gold medals for the last three years and two Best In Show awards.

The man in charge, Commercial Services Manager Andrew Mayer, said: “We run the operation strictly as a business, producing income for the city council and proving we can still guarantee quality while producing plants on a large scale.

“It’s a very small team, working very hard and with immense pride in the job and what they produce.

“My staff work fantastically hard to maintain quality and our reputation is now growing as we tender for more contracts and business. I’m proud of my staff and the city should be proud too.

In these tough times, what we produce really brightens up our city and only adds to our reputation for excellence,” he added.

Children’s Centres Your children’s centre will provide you with a range of services including: ● Childcare ● Health services ● Family support ● Specialist support for children with additional needs ● Outreach workers ● Information for parents ● Activities to help parents and carers get back to work Each children’s centre will also deliver additional services tailored to meet your local communities’ needs.

Our Centres are: The Crescent Children’s Centre Pinewood Crescent, Meir • Tel: 01782 596421 Stoke-on-Trent North Children’s Centre Bishop Road, Chell Heath • Tel: 01782 232977 We also have an outreach centre at: Whitfield Valley Sure Start Centre Fegg Hayes Rd, Fegg Hayes • Tel: 01782 232977

Ball Green Children’s Centre Ball Green Primary School, Whitfield Road, Ball Green • Tel: 01782 234811 Norton Children’s Centre St Nicholas Avenue, Norton • Tel: 01782 231096 Burslem Children’s Centre Vale Park, Hamil Road, Burslem • Tel: 01782 238989

Blurton Children’s Centre Oakwood Road, Blurton • Tel: 01782 231815

Fenton Children’s Centre Temple Street, Fenton • Tel: 01782 237650

Kingsland Children’s Centre Werrington Road, Bucknall • Tel: 01782 238352

Penkhull Children’s Centre Greatbatch Avenue, Penkhull • Tel: 01782 236333

The Hope Children’s Centre Garth Street, Hanley • Tel: 01782 234357

Tunstall Children’s Centre Woodland Street, Tunstall • Tel: 01782 236655

Thomas Boughey Children’s Centre College Road, Shelton • Tel: 01782 237100 Treehouse Children’s Centre Dawlish Drive, Bentilee • Tel: 01782 233670 Westfield Children’s Centre Buccleuch Road, Longton • Tel: 01782 237500

The Grange Children’s Centre Normacot Grange Road, Meir • Tel: 01782 233775 Trentford Children’s Centre Jubilee Road, Trentham • Tel: 01782 234204 Milton and Baddeley Green Children’s Centre c/o Kingsland Children’s Centre Werrington Road, Bucknall • Tel: 01782 238352

For more information about Children’s Centres call us on 0800 015 1120

stoke.gov.uk

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Our City

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City has great opportunity despite fiscal challenges

First Citizen at the wheel of a First bus – Lord Mayor Denver Tolley in a bus cab once more for our fun picture.

By City Council Chief Executive

John van de Laarschot

New Lord Mayor is on

the right route Ex-bus driver slips into first gear for year of civic duties

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HE city’s new Lord Mayor Councillor Denver Tolley has definite ideas about the route that his year of office will follow.

That’s not surprising as the current First Citizen is a retired bus and coach driver, a job which steered him towards doing what he loves best – meeting the “lovely” people of Stoke-on-Trent.

The chain of office and civic regalia may have replaced the bus company uniform, but Councillor Tolley is looking forward to meeting lots more people while negotiating his most exciting journey yet – as ambassador for the city and its residents.

Councillor Tolley originates from the South Staffordshire village of Hednesford, but having lived in the city for the past 44 years he is regarded as a true son of Stoke-on-Trent.

The 67-year-old has served continuously as a councillor for 25 years – first with the county authority for 12 years before joining the city council in 1997 – and for the past four years has been Vice Chair

Dedicated staff

of Staffordshire Fire Authority.

Together with his city council roles of Vice Chair of Highways and Chair of Road Safety, all these responsibilities have given Councillor Tolley an acute interest in community safety.

Time and energy “While I was on the Fire Authority two drug addicts were killed in a fire,” he recalled. “It was a tragedy that taught me never to be judgemental. It brought home the fact that we should try to help people out of whatever difficulties they may have.

“That’s why as Lord Mayor I particularly want to meet and support those in the voluntary sector who give their time and energy to help others less fortunate.”

Councillor Tolley also intends to meet the “movers and shakers” in order to attract more investment to an area that still needs to replace jobs lost by the decline of traditional industries such as pottery, steel and coal mining.

He said: “The people of Stoke-on-Trent are lovely –

STOKE-ON-TRENT is at a crossroads. Our city has a great opportunity to start moving forward at a rate it has never done before despite the fiscal challenges resulting from the new Government’s goal of systematically reducing the national deficit.

We have a new inclusive cabinet and we are embarking on a major transformation journey to make the city council into a leaner, more efficient authority that will better meet the diverse needs of local residents, businesses and communities.

To do this we need a radical rethink of our approach to customer service and value for money. We need to better understand what our residents and businesses want from the city council and then tailor our service provision to better meet those needs.

Simultaneously we are going to have to rigorously prioritise what we do and perhaps more importantly what we don’t do to ensure we “cut our cloth according to what we can afford”. It is clear that we are going to receive a significant reduction in Government funding and consequently we will not be able to do everything we do today.

With spending cuts as an inevitable backdrop it is pivotal that we cut costs in those areas that have the least impact on the services customers want and to this end we are launching “Let’s Talk” (see centre pages) to gain your views on where we should be saving money.

Lady Mayoress Mrs Lynne Tolley with her husband in the Lord Mayor’s parlour. and I’m proud of how they have proved they are able to adapt and retrain. They have always diversified and proved their ability to bounce back. It is the people who make this city great.”

During his year of office Councillor Tolley will raise money for three local charities – Arch (North Staffordshire) which supports homeless people; North Staffordshire Special Olympics which helps children and young people with learning difficulties to develop sporting and social skills; and the Beatrice Charity which organises days

out on the area’s canals for people with special needs. The Lord Mayor also wants to support smaller charities throughout the year.

Councillor Tolley is supported by his wife Lynne as Lady Mayoress – a role she relishes as “the opportunity of a lifetime”.

The couple have two children and four grandchildren – but the family will be seeing less of Stoke-on-Trent’s first couple as they embark on a hectic year of official engagements – with Denver Tolley firmly in the driving seat once again! ■

In parallel we are re-engineering our services to be more “customer centric” by listening to city council service users and building on the expertise of front line staff. This has already uncovered the fact that many of our systems and processes leave a lot to be desired and despite huge efforts by front line staff we still manage to occasionally “disappoint”.

As an example, consider Stoke-on-Call, the window into the city council if you have a problem. We have some of the most fantastic and dedicated staff but the systems they are using make their task of providing excellent customer service very challenging.

It’s not a lack of staff effort or dedication but bureaucratic processes that frustrate both the staff and, most critically, the customers they are trying to serve.

So far our efforts to re-engineer systems and processes have reduced the average time to deal with a pothole from over a month to one to two days and we are on target to dramatically improve the speed and quality of response in housing maintenance with our Joint Venture Company partner Kier, in benefits and in other front line services as we roll-in the approach.

Our philosophy, eloquently expressed by our new leader Councillor Pervez is to put the city, its residents and businesses in-front of party politics. Rest assured, your team of elected members and city council officers will be doing everything they can to make this happen and to ensure you receive the best possible services in these challenging times of economic austerity.

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Artist Rob Pointon paints a townscape, complete with bride, on the boarded shop window of Roberta’s Bridal.

Out of the adversity of a bizarre accident and boarded up shop window comes a work of art A PRIME example of turning adversity into positivity is on proud display at the front of a shop in Burslem town centre.

Staff at Roberta’s Bridal store in Market Place were left in shock when, during a busy Friday lunchtime, a driverless Toyota Yaris smashed through their display window.

It had rolled from a parking bay on the other side of the busy thoroughfare – narrowly missing a lorry and car – before ending its short, fateful, bizarre journey by skittling a

row of mannequins resplendent in bride’s dresses.

(A rumour swept the town that it was a smash-and-grab raid but the robber couldn’t decide which dress to nick.)

The window was boarded up – presenting a dour frontage to a shop full of beautiful wedding regalia.

Owner Kelly Bates was keen to do something to brighten up the buff-brown blank board – and to the rescue came the acclaimed Mother Town-based artist Rob Pointon.

DAY OF THE ACCIDENT – the Toyota Yaris pictured minutes after it smashed through the shop window.

Rob – whose painting of the full city council in session was praised by Prince Charles earlier this year – offered his services free of charge. On the weekend of Burslem’s Summer Arts Trail event, he transformed the board with a painting of a Market Place townscape incorporating Roberta’s Bridal.

He even included, for good measure, a bride standing on the pavement outside the shop.“It’s absolutely brilliant – we have had so many good comments about the painting,“ said Kelly,“It’s become a real talking point.”

Burslem’s Regeneration Manager Julian Read was delighted to see a prominent member of the town’s creative community helping out a local retailer. He added:“When the glass window is replaced the shop should keep that board – with Rob’s growing reputation, it is undoubtedly the most valuable piece of plywood in the city.”

Six Towns Federation – but not as we know it VETERAN radio broadcaster Sam Plank, pictured right, revealed his own spin on the Federation of the Six Towns when he spoke at The Inaugural Dinner of the new Lord Mayor Councillor Denver Tolley.

The former Radio Stoke and Signal Radio presenter, who now fronts the mid-morning slot on Moorlands Radio, was invited to propose the toast to the city’s First Citizen at the annual celebration at the King’s Hall, Stoke.

Making reference to this year’s Federation Centenary Sam recalled a somewhat

unlikely version of events 100 years ago.

He told the assembled dignitaries and former Lord Mayors:“The Six Towns – Longton, Fenton, Stoke, Hanley, Burslem and Tunstall... decided to come together and the name they came up with for the new authority was, of course – Bentilee! But in the end they settled for Stoke-on-Trent.”

Sam admits he couldn’t resist the temptation on such a high profile occasion to glory in his beloved Bentilee where he spent his “formative years”.

Sam also took the

opportunity in his speech to once again show his great pride for his home city and the local pottery industry.

He reminded guests:“We’re a very special place – for every other city has a piece of our city.”

National Oatcake Day campaigner Terry Bosson about to tuck into his favourite – a double bacon and cheese with brown sauce.

Oatcake Day – a tasty idea S

TOKE-on-Trent’s Lord Mayor has backed a local man’s bid to put the city on the map with an annual National Oatcake Day.

Special events to celebrate the city’s local delicacy have already won the backing of celebrities from TV comedian Ricky Gervais to world darts champion Phil Taylor. And the first oatcake day, on 8 August, will be marked with a concert by local bands at the Sugarmill Club in the city centre.

The day is the brainchild of 37-year-old nightclub DJ Terry Bosson, whose favourite oatcake filling is bacon and cheese with lots of brown sauce.

He said: “I was talking with a few mates about areas like Gloucestershire having cheese rolling days and other events associated with places and thought what a great idea it would be to have an Oatcake Day to put Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire on the map.

“Oatcakes are delicious and unique and as far as I’m concerned we should have a national Oatcake Day every year.”

City Centre Manager Jean Ball backed the event as “lots of fun” while Lord Mayor Councillor Denver Tolley said he supported efforts to raise the area’s profile. He said: “As a people person, I know generations of Potters have been brought up on oatcakes, and I’m all for using our local delicacy to

Star of TV’s The Office Ricky Gervais looks delighted to be supporting the National Oatcake Day campaign. promote our city.”

And the first citizen’s favourite filling? “Bacon and chayse,” he said, “with a splash of brown sauce.”

Visit www.oatcakeday.com for more information or to buy a t-shirt.

Do you support the idea of a National Oatcake Day? Let us know by writing to Freepost Our City or by emailing ourcity@stoke.gov.uk

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Warning on water dangers in the summer

News from Northern Neighbourhood TUNSTALL: Antisocial behaviour and underage drinking in the town are being tackled through a Street Games programme. Young people in areas identified as having few facilities are being offered coaching and sports activities to help improve their health and outlook until Spring 2011.

Ward councillors and the Northern Area Implementation Team have funded the programme.

NORTON AND BRADELEY:

Impromptu hot weather swims could end in tragedy

A

STARK warning about the summer-time dangers of swimming unsupervised in open lakes and pools has been issued in the aftermath of last year’s tragic death of a teenager in Tunstall.

Memories are still raw of the incident at Goldendale Pool where the 18-year-old got into difficulties and drowned after going for an impromptu swim in sweltering afternoon temperatures. Crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were quickly on the scene with a rescue boat, but their attempts were sadly in vain.

Ian Sloss, Head of Risk Reduction for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “When the sun is shining it may be tempting

HUNDREDS of Rainbows, Brownies and Guides will attend a centenary party in the city celebrating 100 years of Guiding.

The event at Vale Park on 20 October will feature a nationwide live video link up when tens of thousands of girls will renew their promise, with each of them pledging to “love my God” and “serve the Queen and my country”.

In June Rainbows, Brownies and Guides planted a flower bed in Central Forest Park, Hanley, to mark the centenary.

The blooms formed the shape of the Guiding movement’s emblem, the trefoil.

to go for a dip – but whilst outdoor pools and lakes may look appealing they often have hidden dangers, such as strong undercurrents and undergrowth not visible from the surface.”

The warning is echoed by Ian Housley, Assistant Area Commander, who raced to Goldendale Pool with colleagues on the fateful day last May. He recalled: “When we arrived the young man had been sub-surface for some time. He had unfortunately under-estimated the risks around water, and swimmers in circumstances like these have the potential to receive thermal shock. We mobilised the rescue boat and used various pieces of equipment to feel down into the pool, which is a left-over from a former steel works and very deep.

“Incidents like these are distressing, especially for family and friends. It makes you more determined to ensure that people around water are respectful of the dangers.”

Ian Sloss added: “If you see someone get into difficulty ring 999 immediately and ask for the Fire Service. Make use of any buoyancy aids available but never enter the water to rescue them yourself as you too may get into difficulty.

“If the person goes underwater pinpoint their exact location to firefighters on their arrival.

“Our firefighters have equipment to deal with this type of incident. However this shouldn’t detract from the point that people shouldn’t risk their lives by swimming in unsupervised lakes and pools.”

Pupils tame the dragons to win £34,000 for projects PUPILS from four city high schools have won a share of £34,000 in a Dragon’s Den-style competition for projects in their area.

The competition was the joint idea of Staffordshire Police and Stoke-on-Trent City Council who both contributed the prize money and the students had to sell their ideas to a panel of judges.

St.Thomas More were awarded £10,000 for a project to tackle higher than average obesity rates and bring the community together through sport. Edensor Technology

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Down Your Way

Crew Manager Andy Luinen, left, and Firefighter Sean Walker with one of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s response boats at Westport Lake.

100 years of girl guides

Our City

College are spending their £10,000 improving their school’s Multi-Agency Centre, where students get advice on issues like sexual health and support to stop smoking.

Joint projects from two groups at Longton High and Sandon Business Enterprise College won £14,000 for workshops on drug and alcohol abuse in schools and to produce 3,000 antisocial behaviour DVDs to try and improve community relations in Meir.

Longton High pupil Bethany Bellingham, aged 13, said: “There is a lot of fear about

antisocial behaviour in Meir but often the fear is greater than the problem. The DVD will show both sides of the story by showing the community what we are really doing and telling young people how to act.”

City council Neighbourhood Manager Janet Simpson said: “We wanted something that would inspire and encourage the young people to come up with innovative ideas.”

Police Chief Inspector Jeff Moore said: “The children have shown a willingness to tackle some really big issues and deserve a lot of credit.”

Improvements are being carried out at the BMX track in Ball Green after consultation.

The project, being supported by the Werrington Young Offenders Institution, involves a new entrance opposite Gorsey Bank and facilities like litter bins made from old tyres as well as benches and bike racks created from fallen trees.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WIDE: Environmental enforcement action has been taken in 65 cases during the past year.

Fixed penalty fines have been handed out in 10 dog-fouling and 55 littering cases. Court action for non-payment has been taken and, in one case, a dropped cigarette butt cost a person £290 in fines, costs and a victim surcharge.

BURSLEM: Funding from the Area Implementation team is helping create better community facilities at Mill Hill Primary School. The pond is being made safer for children and adults, pathways are being upgraded for disabled access, and an outdoor classroom is being created.

FEGG HAYES: More work is planned on a community gardens project on the estate now Fegg Hayes Residents’ Association has been awarded funding. Landscaping is taking place to finish off an existing seating area and path with rockeries, boulders and shrubs.

BURSLEM NORTH: Summer activities are being staged at Moorland Park Youth Centre. Partners like Staffordshire Police, Dimensions, residents associations, Port Vale Football Club and councillors are working together to address respect and community issues.

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Campaigner Bernard’s

proudest moment W

HEN campaigning resident Bernard Wragg received news that plans for a £14 million health centre in Cobridge had been given the green light he confesses it was the proudest moment of his life.

The retired HGV driver and grandfather of 10 spent more than a decade pushing for a new centre to be built in the heart of his neighbourhood.

After gaining the support of thousands of residents, Bernard and his fellow campaigners pressed their case with the city council and NHS Stoke on Trent – backed by his local councillors and MP. Now all the hard work has paid off with a new three-storey community health centre on Elder Road due to open next year.

The facility will bring together three local GP practices – Dr Meena Parikh of Sneyd Green Surgery, Dr Uday Pathak of Waterloo Road and the Aspley House Surgery, also currently based on Waterloo Road.

Bernard, who is Chair of Dr Pathak’s Patients Group, said: “It certainly is the proudest moment of my life. We have put a lot into this campaign and it certainly shows that people power can work.

Long awaited £14m health centre given the go-ahead “This is a real community effort because hundreds if not thousands of people supported us, or signed petitions, which led to the health centre coming here.”

He added: “I have to say that Campaigner Bernard Wragg, left, on the support we have received the site where the new health centre from the local councillors, and my will be built with, left to right, MP, Joan Walley, was marvellous and I am glad to say that the PCT current GP Practice Manager and city council have listened to what Sandra Breeze, Patients Group we have had to say and come through Vice Chairman Derek Hulme for us.” and Dr Uday Pathak. Inset, an The new health centre will include a artist’s impression of how purpose built integrated sexual health the centre will look. unit, and a wide range of other services such as an on-site pharmacy, chest clinic, specialist out-patients clinic and x-ray unit, which will reduce patient journey time to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Contractors are now working on the 4,300 sq metre site and the job is due to be completed in late summer 2011.

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In this role, we act as the first point of contact for all those seeking a home through one of the range of HomeBuy low-cost home ownership and discounted market rent products.

For full details visit our website at www.orbithomebuyagents.co.uk or call us on 03458 50 20 50.

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by Orbit Homes (2020) Limited, a member of Orbit Group Limited which is an exempt charity registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965.

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local childcare – close to home or work

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Our City

Down Your Way News from Eastern Neighbourhood MILTON: Six abandoned allotments behind houses on Leek New Road could be brought back into use. East Valley ward councillors are working with Neighbourhood Management to get funding to clear the site as part of the city council’s drive to encourage people to eat healthily and take more exercise.

L

EADING architects have been appointed to draw up designs and start building the city centre’s new bus station on 28 March next year.

The city council cabinet’s unanimous decision to give the project the green light is just the ticket for thousands of passengers looking forward to the arrival of state-of-the-art passenger facilities in Stoke-on-Trent.

Now citizens will excitedly await first sight of plans for the station which will be designed

by Grimshaw Architects LLP, who created the huge domes of the Eden Project in Cornwall and the 400m curved glass roof of the Waterloo Station international terminal.

Council Leader Councillor Mohammed Pervez said he was excited and pleased with this significant step towards a new bus station.

He said: “At long last the people of Stoke-on-Trent will know their new, state of the art, modern and fit for purpose bus station is within reach.

“The bus station will be located at the heart of the East West Redevelopment which will bring a critical mass of investment into the city directly creating much needed new jobs.

“I will personally be there on 28 March to see the work start on site. It is a project the city council has been keen to progress. It has been a long time coming but we are definitely a significant step closer.”

Grimshaw Architects LLP will now complete the final design for the city centre

BENTILEE: Plans to re-vamp and improve Bentilee Valley have taken a step forward. A friends group has been formed to apply for funding as the Neighbourhood Renewal and Management teams work with landscape designers on a scheme with the environment and enterprise at its heart.

DESTINATION NEW BUS STATION: The words on the bus spell great news for the city centre as city council Leader Mohammed Pervez, pictured, announces a definite start date for the development.

BUCKNALL: Townsend

bus station after producing a concept image for the short-listing stage. This final design for the bus station is expected in November before work begins in March next year.

Demolition of the old bus station will transform the site of the existing East West Centre into a high quality shopping scheme that will include a new department store, a

wide range of new shops, cafes, restaurants, vibrant public spaces, a multi screen cinema, new hotel and a modern new transport interchange and improved parking.

The investment will benefit other areas in the city centre by increasing footfall between the scheme site and the Potteries Shopping Centre.

Long-awaited scheme given warm welcome

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP TRISTRAM HUNT

“It’s the kick start the city centre needs to become the retail and business district we all want to see and it’s just the kind of strategic investment Stoke-on-Trent needs in these times of austerity. We need all parties to make sure work does start in March. I look forward to seeing the cranes, piledrivers and bulldozers on site.”

Spokesperson for City Centre Partnership RICHARD DAY

“It’s fantastic news that we’re now progressing with this important development and regeneration of the city centre. This is a significant step forward for businesses in Hanley and will create hundreds of jobs… it’s great news for Stoke-on-Trent as a whole.”

Chief Executive of North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry BRYAN CARNES MBE

“Our main hope is that this will help restore business confidence and inward investment in the city and it will act as the catalyst for the entire East West Precinct redevelopment and proposed £195 million Central Business District project. It’s very exciting the project is moving forward.”

First Potteries bus company Commercial Director PAUL DE SANTIS

“First very much welcomes this news. Bus users in the city deserve a better facility than the existing bus station which is lacking in basic amenities such as toilets. As the area’s main operator, we hope a new station will encourage bus travel and be a boost for public transport locally.”

Community Residents’ Association is staging a traditional carnival and Federation Centenary Celebration on 24 July at Mitchell High School. Entry between 10.30am and 4pm is free with attractions including family sports and games, coconut shy and test your strength games.

ABBEY HULTON: Fancy dress from a hundred years ago is the order of the day as the third annual carnival at Hulton Abbey celebrates the Federation Centenary.

Organisers and people coming along to the free event supported by the Abbey Partnership on 11 September are being asked to dress up.

JOINERS SQUARE: Wild flower gardens have been created by the Joiners Square Residents’ Association on land where properties have been demolished in Leek Road. It comes as work continues through a friends group to preserve the restored Trentmill Nature Park, which bounds the River Trent.

BUCKNALL PARK: The newly-formed Friends of the Park want to convert an old barn into a community facility and set up a polytunnel to grow plants and raise funds.

It comes as a Centenary celebration event is staged in the park on 28 July from 1pm.

9

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Concert revellers wave their arms as the party gets into full swing.

R’n’B artist Craig David.

Australian pop diva Gabriella Cilmi in action.

A section of the 10,000 lucky pop fans who got tickets for the free concert at Hanley Park.

Chipmunk was a big bonus for rap music fans.

X Factor duo Jedward wowed the crowd with music and antics.

Signal 1 mascot DJ the Monkey gets to meet Diana Vickers.

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11

Singer-songwriter Tiffany Page was one of the up and coming stars in the line up.

Headline act The Saturdays on stage.

Stars come out for

Federation bash A

HOST of the country’s hottest pop stars turned up the heat for Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations when they joined 10,000 fans for the biggest birthday party the city has ever seen.

Huge crowds descended on Hanley Park to see chart topper Diana Vickers, headline act The Saturdays and Gabriella Cilmi join a host of other stars on stage for the 2010Live summer concert.

And it has been hailed as one of the best live performance events the city has ever hosted… and a memorable way to celebrate 100 years of the Federation of the Six Towns.

Almost 40,000 people applied for tickets to the free event, which also featured MOBO award-winning rapper Chipmunk, former boy band heart throb Dane Bowers and popular R’n’B artist Craig David.

The 10,000 lucky winners were treated to a fun-packed carnival day in the park with a family atmosphere shining through.

Among the highlights were X-Factor duo Jedward who wowed the crowd with their mini-set of hits and comedy antics. And it was

One fan is lifted shoulder high for a better view.

Chart topper Diana Vickers sang her number one hit Once.

Heart throb Dane Bowers had the girls’ pulses racing.

also a day for up and coming stars with singer-songwriter Tiffany Page and South African pop star Elan Lea going down well at the concert, presented by Signal 1 radio station.

Councillor Hazel Lyth Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health (Sport, Leisure and Culture) said: “It was a very well organised and extremely popular

live event hosted at a fantastic venue in Hanley Park – and credit must go to the organisers and all the partner agencies that made it possible. I think it was a perfect way to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary. This city is renowned for having a creative gene and this was a diverse, artistic and cultural event which really puts us on the map.”

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Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants the public’s views on where Government cuts need to be made in the city this year

I

t costs £695 million each year to run Stoke-on-Trent City Council. But after taking into account grants (for example, for schools), fees and charges (the price that we charge for our services, for example, sport and leisure) and internal charges for services within the city council, we need £209 million to provide our services to you.

Due to unprecedented Government cuts, we need to save approximately £30million from this £209 million. That’s a reduction of 14 per cent.

The city council is responsible for many services in the city from bin collections to schools. Some of our services are “statutory” which means we have to carry them out by law.

This includes, among others, looking after children in care and vulnerable adults to highway maintenance and planning regulations.

Even though a service is statutory the amount of money we spend on it is a matter for the city council.

We also provide many “discretionary” services which we do because we think it’s right. This includes, among others, libraries, swimming pools, museums and allotments.

The Government told us in its Emergency Budget that we would not be allowed to raise Council Tax next year, so we need your help to identify where the savings must be made.

We need residents’help to save approximately £30m £30m

Legal Services Elections Human Resources Information and Communication Technology ■ Audit Services ■ Corporate Purchasing

■ Benefit Services ■ Business Support ■ Corporate Financial Services ■ Directorate Finance Support Units ■ Revenue and Paymaster Services

■ This money pays for civic spending, ward budgets and councillors’ expenses, but a large part of it is committed to repaying our loans

Central Services

Regeneration

£28m

£70m

£5m

■ Older People’s Social Care ■ Younger Adults’ Social Care ■ Development Evaluation and Commissioning

■ Department of Health Grants ■ Community Services such as libraries and sport ■ Museums and Archive Services

£27m

£48m

£5m ■ ■ ■ ■

Culture Highways Property Services Planning Services

■ Economic Development ■ Employment and Skills ■ Development and Regeneration Programmes ■ RENEW

■ Corporate Organisation and Development ■ Customer Access Centre ■ Member Support ■ Communications ■ Sustainable Community Development

1

What city council services are most important to you and your family? Have a look on the left hand page at how we spend your money to see what we do.

2

Where do you think the city council wastes money?

3

How important are the following (please tick the appropriate box)?

Adult Social Care, Health and Communities

THIS IS HOW WE SPEND THE MONEY

Non-Departmental and Corporate Costs

■ ■ ■ ■

£179m

Please answer the following questions to help the city council set its spending priorities.

Children and Young People

Very Important Important

Encouraging more jobs and businesses in Stoke-on-Trent Reducing antisocial behaviour and fear of crime Looking after the environment and tackling climate change Improving the health and well-being of residents Repairing and maintaining roads and pavements Street cleanliness: graffiti removal, fly tipping and dog waste Improving educational achievement in children and adults Supporting and protecting vulnerable adults and children Increasing the amount of rubbish we recycle Providing sport and leisure facilities Providing decent and affordable housing Other – please specify

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Neither

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Not Not important important at all

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

4

Would you be prepared to pay higher charges for services like swimming pools rather than see services reduced?

5

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

£26m

Chief Executives Housing, Environmental and Neighbourhoods ■ Housing Services: Homelessness, Repairs and Maintenance.

■ Environmental Services: Waste Collection and Recycling.

■ Neighbourhood Services: Local Centre.

■ Regulatory Services: Parking Services, Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Markets.

Name* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

■ High quality learning for young people between the ages 0-19 ■ Provision of an inclusive service for children with additional needs ■ Provision of high quality

youth services ■ Ensuring that children and young people are kept safe ■ Supporting effective school organisation including admissions, transport and school meals

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Address* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.................................................................................................

Are you a council tenant: Yes ■ No ■ Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Male ■ Female ■

* If you wish to provide it

Please cut out the form and send it to Freepost OurCity, or alternatively you can email your answers to ourcity@stoke.gov.uk We will publish the results shortly.

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13

Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants the public’s views on where Government cuts need to be made in the city this year

I

t costs £695 million each year to run Stoke-on-Trent City Council. But after taking into account grants (for example, for schools), fees and charges (the price that we charge for our services, for example, sport and leisure) and internal charges for services within the city council, we need £209 million to provide our services to you.

Due to unprecedented Government cuts, we need to save approximately £30million from this £209 million. That’s a reduction of 14 per cent.

The city council is responsible for many services in the city from bin collections to schools. Some of our services are “statutory” which means we have to carry them out by law.

This includes, among others, looking after children in care and vulnerable adults to highway maintenance and planning regulations.

Even though a service is statutory the amount of money we spend on it is a matter for the city council.

We also provide many “discretionary” services which we do because we think it’s right. This includes, among others, libraries, swimming pools, museums and allotments.

The Government told us in its Emergency Budget that we would not be allowed to raise Council Tax next year, so we need your help to identify where the savings must be made.

We need residents’help to save approximately £30m £30m

Legal Services Elections Human Resources Information and Communication Technology ■ Audit Services ■ Corporate Purchasing

■ Benefit Services ■ Business Support ■ Corporate Financial Services ■ Directorate Finance Support Units ■ Revenue and Paymaster Services

■ This money pays for civic spending, ward budgets and councillors’ expenses, but a large part of it is committed to repaying our loans

Central Services

Regeneration

£28m

£70m

£5m

■ Older People’s Social Care ■ Younger Adults’ Social Care ■ Development Evaluation and Commissioning

■ Department of Health Grants ■ Community Services such as libraries and sport ■ Museums and Archive Services

£27m

£48m

£5m ■ ■ ■ ■

Culture Highways Property Services Planning Services

■ Economic Development ■ Employment and Skills ■ Development and Regeneration Programmes ■ RENEW

■ Corporate Organisation and Development ■ Customer Access Centre ■ Member Support ■ Communications ■ Sustainable Community Development

1

What city council services are most important to you and your family? Have a look on the left hand page at how we spend your money to see what we do.

2

Where do you think the city council wastes money?

3

How important are the following (please tick the appropriate box)?

Adult Social Care, Health and Communities

THIS IS HOW WE SPEND THE MONEY

Non-Departmental and Corporate Costs

■ ■ ■ ■

£179m

Please answer the following questions to help the city council set its spending priorities.

Children and Young People

Very Important Important

Encouraging more jobs and businesses in Stoke-on-Trent Reducing antisocial behaviour and fear of crime Looking after the environment and tackling climate change Improving the health and well-being of residents Repairing and maintaining roads and pavements Street cleanliness: graffiti removal, fly tipping and dog waste Improving educational achievement in children and adults Supporting and protecting vulnerable adults and children Increasing the amount of rubbish we recycle Providing sport and leisure facilities Providing decent and affordable housing Other – please specify

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Neither

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Not Not important important at all

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

4

Would you be prepared to pay higher charges for services like swimming pools rather than see services reduced?

5

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

£26m

Chief Executives Housing, Environmental and Neighbourhoods ■ Housing Services: Homelessness, Repairs and Maintenance.

■ Environmental Services: Waste Collection and Recycling.

■ Neighbourhood Services: Local Centre.

■ Regulatory Services: Parking Services, Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Markets.

Name* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

■ High quality learning for young people between the ages 0-19 ■ Provision of an inclusive service for children with additional needs ■ Provision of high quality

youth services ■ Ensuring that children and young people are kept safe ■ Supporting effective school organisation including admissions, transport and school meals

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Address* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.................................................................................................

Are you a council tenant: Yes ■ No ■ Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Male ■ Female ■

* If you wish to provide it

Please cut out the form and send it to Freepost OurCity, or alternatively you can email your answers to ourcity@stoke.gov.uk We will publish the results shortly.

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Down Your Way

Your call counts Professional teams of advisers provide front line services for city’s residents

News from Western Neighbourhood ETRURIA PARK: Children have given a £48,000 “wildplay” facility in the park the thumbs up. The play area, which features tree stumps to walk over and climb on, has just been officially opened after it was built under the national Playbuilders scheme.

It is one of 22 playground schemes being carried out across the city after the city council won funding totalling £1.1m from the Government.

SNEYD GREEN: Traffic calming measures have been introduced in the Crossway and Granville Road area after residents complained speeding vehicles were making them feel unsafe. A project to install speed humps and changes at a junction were funded by the Burslem South Ward budget.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WIDE: Three thousand pounds is being made available to help community groups with events across the area. Up to £250 a time is available for things like event leaflets or even to hire a face painter for a fete. Anyone who is interested should call 01782 235753.

HANLEY PARK: Two teenagers aged 12 and 15 have come up with a scheme for wildlife improvements at Hanley Park. The members of Safer Angling For Everyone have already spoken to the Area Implementation Team and talks involving Thistley Hough High School are now on-going.

BIRCHES HEAD: A one-way system has been introduced on three streets to solve a long-standing problem with parking and traffic congestion.

The Northwood and Birches Head Ward budget paid for the changes in Campbell Terrace, Bradford Terrace and Hammersley Street.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WIDE: Action has been taken against 42 people for littering during an environmental crackdown in the past year. Fixed penalty fines have been handed out with 14 people paying up.

People who fail to pay could face court action.

CALL centre and One-Stop Shop staff who deal with more than 15,000 enquiries a week for Stoke-on-Trent City Council are being praised as a review gets underway to improve services.

Customer Service Team Leader Katie Smithson takes another call from a Stoke-on-Trent resident at the Stoke-on-Call centre at Fenton.

Fewer than 80 trained professionals process inquiries at the Stoke-on-Call centre in Fenton, dealing with core services like housing, highways and environmental issues as well as taking calls on revenue and benefits and adult and social care.

A specialist team oversees the 24-hour a day Lifeline facility, which offers a red button service for the elderly and vulnerable in case of medical or other emergencies. Call takers also have to deal with out of hours civil emergencies. Emails and texts are also processed.

Faye Batchelor, the city council’s Customer Access Change Manager, said: “It’s relentless, day in day out, really tough and pressurised.

“What all our advisors do often goes unnoticed and they don’t get the credit they deserve. I’m so proud of the Lifeline service, for instance, which is life critical.

What they do saves lives.”

Just two in ten calls are for basic switchboard services while the majority are dealt with at the time. Each call is logged with questions answered, advice offered and jobs filtered through to the relevant city council departments.

Beyond the call of duty Call handlers deal with a whole host of issues ranging from housing repairs, potholes and antisocial Customer Service behaviour to fly tipping, bins and Advisor Zuher Rehman bulky waste collection. Staff at city busy at his work council walk-in centres in Bentilee, station.

Burslem, Stoke, Longton and Tunstall also offer face-to-face advice.

Faye said: “I’ve done the job myself and it’s really hard work. People don’t realise for instance that sometimes we’re dealing with 20 or 30 calls on exactly the same problem. But we have to deal with each customer as if they’re the first and offer them all the same high quality service.

“All our advisors go above and beyond the call of duty but the system and processes are failing them. Advisors aren’t responsible if things don’t get done when the customer expects but they are the face of the city council. So we’re working really hard to meet the needs and expectations of our customers.

“A review of our processes is underway aimed at streamlining what we do and adding value.

We are looking to reduce the timescales to do jobs.

“We are all in this together and we must do better together.

We are improving as we work in the best interests of the customer. The bottom line is that we’re not a private company who people choose to call, they have to call us about their services so we need to do better.”

Stoke-on-Call on 01782 234234 operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm and A section of the busy Stoke-on-Call centre Saturday from 9am to which deals with thousands of enquiries a day.

1pm. Lifeline is a 24-hour a day service.

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15

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

EASTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD – NUISANCE PAIR GIVEN ASBOS: Two teenage tearaways have been given ASBOs after 86 complaints about their behaviour in 18 months. Dempsey Murray, 18, left, and Cory Gilchrist, 16, have been banned from going into a supermarket, petrol station and neighbourhood centre in Bentilee after threatening and abusing staff and customers. They have also been banned from associating with each other in any public building.

Tony Grainger holds the city council’s ceremonial mace in front of the Lord Mayor’s limousine.

A safe pair of hands for

limousine and mace

H

E’S got one of the most high profile roles in the city and each year is seen by thousands of people – but you may find it hard to put a name to the face.

As chauffeur and mace bearer for the Lord Mayor for the past 10 years, Tony Grainger attends as many official functions as the First Citizen, providing a safe pair of hands for the steering wheel of the Lord Mayor’s limousine as well as the ceremonial mace.

Tony is well qualified for the job, having clocked up 12 years’ experience as a chauffeur and recently he achieved a Road

Passenger Transport NVQ Level 2 qualification. He’s also a member of the Guild of Mace Bearers.

As Tony is often just a few respectful steps away from the Lord Mayor he gets a close view of famous people who visit Stoke-on-Trent. This year alone he has seen darts ace Phil Taylor, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and once comedian Ken Dodd shared a joke with him.

Tony said: “As the Lord Mayor’s chauffeur it is most important that I ensure my passengers have a smooth and comfortable journey and that they arrive at their function on schedule. After so many years in the job I am sometimes able to

offer guidance to new Lord Mayors at the start of their years of office.”

He added: “Carrying the mace can also be challenging. It can feel heavy on my shoulder when I have to carry it for any length of time – especially during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony. I love my job and I’m particularly proud to be involved in the city’s centenary functions.”

The stretched Daimler, which was the Lord Mayor’s official car when Tony first joined the civic team as chauffeur, has been changed for a more up to date Audi A8.

“The Daimler really turned heads, but the Audi is much nicer to drive,” said Tony who drives his more modest family Ford Focus when he’s off duty.

Hot tips to stay safe at summer barbecues FRESH safety warnings are being issued about barbecues

by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Now the summer is well and truly here, people are being encouraged to barbecue safely to prevent injury and flames spreading.

Ian Sloss, Head of Risk Reduction at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Barbecues are a great way to have fun and enjoy the summer sun with friends and family

however we’d urge people to ensure they follow some simple fire safety tips.

“The most common problem we come across is barbecues being sited too close to sheds, fences and trees. With them being wood, they can very easily catch alight.

“Other issues occur after the barbecues have finished when people dispose of the ashes in their wheelie bins which then melt and set alight. Instead we advise people to wait until the

ashes are cool and then empty them onto bare garden soil,” he added. Other barbecue safety tips include: ■ Keep a bucket of water or sand or garden hose nearby ■ Use only enough charcoal to cover the base to a depth of 5cm ■ Never use paraffin or petrol to revive the barbecue ■ Keep children and pets away ■ Don’t play garden games nearby

■ Never leave the barbecue unattended ■ Don’t drink too much alcohol if you’re in charge ■ Let the barbecue cool before moving it

SOUTH EASTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD – TEEN GIVEN SECOND ASBO: * A 15-year-old girl from Meir with a catalogue of “appalling behaviour” has been given a second antisocial behaviour order after terrorising residents in Meir. A court heard she had already spent time in custody for breaching an ASBO she received when she was 12.

She has been banned from visiting Longton High School, Yarnfield Close and Stansmore Road, using racially offensive language, throwing stones and visiting a shop where she caused problems.

NORTHERN NEIGHBOURHOOD – WOMAN JAILED AFTER KNIFE ATTACK: Three years in prison was the penalty for Susan Thomas after she stabbed her sister-in-law in the leg.

She had repeatedly lunged at the victim with an eight-inch kitchen knife. Mr Justice Roderick Evans told Thomas going armed with a knife was a “very dangerous and unwise thing to do”.

WESTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD – VIOLENT ROBBER SENTENCED TO PRISON STRETCH: Drug addict William Phillips has started a three year, four month prison sentence after being convicted of robbing a massage parlour where his girlfriend worked. He threatened a 60-year-old woman with a knife before making off with £400 in cash.

He was caught after a police officer recognised the serial offender on CCTV footage of him spending the money at a local shop.

SOUTH WESTERN NEIGHBOURHOOD – SAFER STREETS: * Staffordshire Police, the city council and other partners working together for a safer city have hit back at a group of young people who have terrorised parts of Fenton and Stoke. Members of the self-styled ST4 group have threatened members of the public, carried out violent attacks and caused a nuisance. 20-year-old Nathan Walley, of Fenton, was sentenced to four months in custody for threatening a woman with a knife, while Daniel Watson, 19, pictured, now of Nantwich, was jailed for 32 months for throwing a brick which fractured an off-duty bouncer’s skull. Police have also worked to secure antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) against three more members of the group, after which officers reported a marked drop in the number of reported incidents in the area. Sentencing Walley, Judge Paul Glenn said: “I do not see why the people of Fenton have to be subjected to this behaviour.” *Picture courtesy Staffordshire Sentinel News & Media

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Courses get top marks from learners M

ORE than 5,000 adult and family learners have taken part in courses provided

by Stoke-on-Trent City Council so far this year… up around a thousand on the same period last year.

Floral Art Tutor Sharon Morris, right, helps Hayley Anderson create a table arrangement during a class at Hope Centre, Hanley.

Hobbies can lead to new careers IMPROVED job skills and earning potential are one of the key benefits of many adult-learning courses.

Help is on offer with CV writing and IT skills while specific courses have also been set up for people who want to become teaching assistants. Hobbies can help people into whole new careers so courses like photography and even

flower arranging are always popular.

Floral Art Tutor Sharon Morris, who has taught well over a thousand people over 16 years, said: “We have had several ex-pottery workers come along as the first step in their journey to retrain for a new career. I know that one or two of these people have gone on to open up their own businesses.”

Ninety-five per cent of those who signed up for the extensive range of sessions and workshops rated them good or excellent.

Kath Reynolds, Adult Learning Programme Manager, said: “I’m thrilled that so many more people are taking part in our courses and delighted that they rate them so highly. All the courses are aimed at raising confidence, improving skills and are fun. They are delivered in a relaxed environment, by hand picked tutors who understand the needs of adults who are returning to learning.

“Our courses range from just two hours to longer sessions running for two to 20 weeks so you can dip your toe in the water without worrying about over-facing yourself. We strive to make it as easy as possible for people to get to courses by

running them in convenient locations and at times to suit everyone,” she added.

Courses are offered in schools, community centres and other venues across the city and include Computers for Absolute Beginners, Salsa Dancing, Skills for Jobs and Stress Management, while Family Learning classes include English, Maths, Arts and Crafts and even Robot Making.

New brochure All Family Learning classes, which are for mums, dads and carers along with their child, are completely free. Many other adult learning courses are also free while costs for other sessions are kept low. A wide range of concessions are on offer for those on means tested benefits and for people over 60.

A new course brochure will soon be available through a range of community venues including libraries and community and children’s centres.You can call an outreach worker on 01782 234775 for advice or email adultlearning@stoke.gov.uk to be added to a mailing list.

One third of adults need to improve their Maths and English SURVEYS show a third of adults in the city need help to improve their Maths and English skills but many find the thought of courses daunting.

However, feedback from adults who do sign up for literacy and numeracy courses show 90 per cent of them have had a really positive experience and quite often continue on to do further qualifications. The city council’s Family Learning courses are often a great first step back in to learning for adults with children.

Family Learning courses support the role of mums and dads as the primary educators of their children but at the same time offer adults the chance to brush up on their skills. One learner said: “It is always enjoyable and educational.You learn lots in a short time and it’s fun. It’s not just classroom learning.”

Kath Reynolds, Adult Learning Programme Manager, said: “Many of our parents who take English and Maths courses say they feel much more confident in supporting their children with their homework. They’ve helped themselves and are more able to help their children at the same time – so that’s great.”

More than 1,500 families have taken part in Family Learning in the city so far this year.

You can get advice or information about courses from your local school or by calling an Outreach worker on 01782 234775 or email adult.learning@stoke.gov.uk

Teenagers can gain NVQs and earn money

Tutor Gisela Duran leads a lively Salsa class at Willfield Education Centre, Bentilee.

Dancing their way to physical fitness HEALTH and wellbeing are the focus of several adult and community learning courses.

Learners feel better about themselves as a result of taking part in courses but sometimes the outcome is actually physical fitness.

Salsa dancing for beginners and intermediates is taught by tutor Gisela Duran from Spain. Gisela has been running classes

across the city for about a year and a half. She has dancers aged 19 right through to their 80s.

She said:“I’ve been dancing all my life. It’s good fun and the music makes you feel happy.

It’s a very easy dance to learn and it’s very sociable.

“You don’t have to be fit but you’ll become fit and all ages are welcome.”

THE majority of adult learning courses are aimed at the over 19s but courses are available for younger people.

Apprenticeship programmes in both Sport and Business Administration are on offer with young people getting the chance to gain National Vocational Qualifications at the same time as earning some money.

Those aged 16 to 19 who want a career in the sport and leisure industry are catered for through the Advantage Sport programme.

For more information on these programmes ring 01782 234435 and ask to speak to either Janet or Duncan.

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It’s tea-time for

extreme cuppas A

DVENTURE fans all over the world are being asked to put Stoke-on-Trent on the extreme sports map... by posing for photographs drinking a cup of tea.

The hunt is on for the world’s wackiest, wildest snap taken of someone sipping a cuppa from finest Potteries ceramics. It could be on top of a mountain, at the bottom of the ocean, bungee jumping, wing walking or parachuting.

The latest viral internet craze has been launched by the city council to promote a different side of Stoke-on-Trent as a tourism destination. And stars at the 2010 Live pop concert at Hanley Park were among the first to support the campaign by posing drinking a cuppa Tourism Marketing Officer Sam Hall said: “The city has a proud historic tradition of ceramics dating back hundreds of years, including some of the most famous names in pottery.

“But we also have a vibrant, happening modern ceramics scene with companies like Emma Bridgewater leading

the way in trendy pottery and accessories. The Extreme Tea Drinking competition leads people to our website which shows there is literally something for everyone in Stoke-on-Trent.”

The competition is being promoted through Twitter, Facebook and Flickr social networking sites and the winners could scoop trendy prizes including the latest flip video cameras, VIP passes to Alton Towers and a weekend sampling the city’s delights.

Residents can take part in the competition.

Anyone who wants to enter an extreme tea drinking photo should go to www.visitstoke.co.uk

17

Down Your Way News from South Western Neighbourhood BLURTON FARM: The newly re-vamped £653,000 St Albans Community Centre is being opened at the end of the month. The multi-functional Finstock Avenue centre has been transformed and now includes a café. A free fun day is being laid on during the opening on 31 July at 1pm including a circus skills workshop, bouncy castle and face painting.

PENKHULL: New play

Sam nt row: Tim Sharman, TEATIME TERROR... Fro ms and llia Wi ire Cla a, ad Ob Hall. Back row: Julie the city's tourism Sarah Matthews – all of me Tea Drinking tre Ex service – launch the th13teen roller w ne the on n Campaig Alton Towers. at r coaste the campaign by Left, Jedward support the 2010 Live concert. posing with a cuppa at

COMPETITION

equipment is now in place at a re-vamped Richmond Street Park. The modernisation work includes slides, swings, climbing frames and football posts. A deployable CCTV camera ensures protection for the equipment and the children using the play area. A free fun day is being staged during a grand opening on 7 August. A variety of Street Games sessions are also being staged at the site.

HARTSHILL: The Tea at Two over 50s social group is going from strength to strength and is now so popular it runs on a fortnightly basis. The group, which operates from the Minton Community Centre, serves refreshments, lays on free entertainment and organises social outings. Call Margaret Simpson on 01782 614374 for more information.

WIN a children’s birthday party with a difference at historic Ford Green Hall READERS can win a children’s birthday party at historic Ford Green Hall in our great competition.

A lucky child and up to 14 friends could celebrate in style by dressing up in Elizabethan costume, making masks and puppets and enjoying some historic storytelling.

The birthday boy or girl will go away with a free goody bag – and museum staff at the city’s oldest house will even provide the cake.

To enter the competition, just write 100 words on why you would like to hold your birthday party at Ford Green Hall, using your imagination to travel back in time to describe a traditional Tudor or Elizabethan party.

Museum Manager Malgosia Phillips said:“Ford Green Hall is an ideal setting for the birthday boy or girl to be treated like a prince or princess for the day and to hold court by being treated like royalty. The competition is an opportunity to win a fantastic free experience and ensure a truly memorable birthday celebration.”

Ford Green Hall is a 17th century timber-framed farmhouse complete with period garden, and was home to the Ford family for almost 200 years.

Now an award-winning museum, the hall offers visitors a fascinating insight into the life of the 17th century.

We Entries for the competition can be sent by email to would also like museums@stoke.gov.uk or posted to The Potteries to hear your views Museum & Art Gallery, c/o Marketing Department, on Our City magazine.

Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3DW. Please include with The closing date for entries is 31 August 2010. your entry, email to Please mark all correspondence “Birthday Party ourcity@stoke.gov.uk Competition” and include your name, address and or write to Freepost telephone details.

Our City.

Our City

BLURTON: Hem Heath

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Museum assistants Pam Mincher, left, and Nicky Gane complete with Tudor dress and a cake outside Ford Green Hall.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. The winning party must agree to being photographed and give permission for the images to be used for publicity purposes. A copy of the photographs will be provided to the child on CD-rom as part of the prize.

Birthday parties at Ford Green Hall

last around two hours and are available on Sundays between 2pm and 4pm.There is a maximum limit of 15 children and the party prize must be booked before 31 March 2011.

Drinks will be provided and parents are welcome to bring their own party food (non-refrigerated items only).

Bowling Club is encouraging new members to join. The club operates next to Longton Cricket Club off Ripon Road most days of the week and is open to all ages. It has a junior team and promotes bowling as a great social activity and way of staying mentally and physically fit. Pete Dudley on 01782 613130 has more information about the club.

FENTON: Play equipment has been installed at Foley Fields off Goldenhill Road.

Groundworks secured funding as part of a year long project with Staffordshire University and the city council in which the Youth and Play Service has been holding sessions in the fields and reaching out to young people.

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Creating a healthier and safer city

Young People’s Drug Project is expanded THE team behind the successful Young People’s Drug Project has expanded to provide a service to more children and young people.

Six full-time and four sessional staff now work for the scheme, which identifies and helps young people vulnerable to drug and alcohol misuse.

In 2008 the project helped to increase substance misuse awareness to more than 1,500 young people. School attendance, physical and Project Development Worker Steve Morrey, centre, with volunteers Stevie Lee Colclough, left, and Amber-Rose Harrington examine drug samples on the Buzz mobile unit.

mental health and emotional wellbeing was improved for many young people. Their substance misuse was also reduced.

Diane Morgan, Young People’s lead, said:“Based on the project’s success, it was developed further to reach more young people.”

One aspect of the team’s work is outreach workers visiting targeted areas in a special ‘Buzz’ mobile unit to connect with young people. An extra benefit is a reduction in alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.

Pete Hall, left, Safer City Partnership Fire Officer, loads an old armchair into a skip with the help of Gareth Barron, Staffordshire University Student Activities Officer, and Vanessa Brumby, an Education Officer at the university.

Skips prevent fly-tipping problems STUDENTS who leave their rented accommodation for the last time after the end of their courses at university are being targeted as part of a big clean-up operation run by the Safer City Partnership.

Two skips were set up in Shelton allowing departing tenants to dispose of old furniture or other unwanted items without littering

the local neighbourhood.

Pete Hall, Safer City Partnership Fire Officer, said:“In the past we have seen students clearing out their rented rooms after finishing university who leave unwanted items in alleyways or on the roadside.

“This has an antisocial knock-on effect, because not only is it unsightly and can attract vermin,

but it is also a potential fire hazard.

In previous years we have carried out environmental clean-ups after the students have gone – but this can be costly.

“So we decided that, by bringing in the skips, we can actively help students get rid of their unwanted items responsibly and also cut down on the cost of a clean-up at a later stage.”

Home burglary reduced by

almost 20 per cent AN INNOVATIVE project is giving elderly and vulnerable people peace of mind by enhancing security in their homes. The Handyman scheme has been expanded to help people affected by burglary.

Anyone who is the victim of a crime at their home is referred to the Safer City Partnership-co-ordinated project by Staffordshire Police.

Subject to a survey, security devices such as bolts, chains, window locks and intercom systems could be installed. People are given safety advice and referred to other services if necessary.

The Safer City Partnership pays for the equipment. Revival Home Improvements, the maintenance arm of Staffordshire Housing Association, provides the labour free.

The latest phase builds on work carried out by Revival along with Beat The Cold and the Safer City Partnership over the last two years.

Safer Neighbourhoods Programme Lead Mike Brunt said: “Originally we helped these two organisations successfully

bid for money to deliver the Handyman scheme on a city-wide level and it had a real impact.

“Following on from that success we have now refined the scheme to target the elderly and vulnerable who have been affected by crime.

“It provides peace of

mind and reduces burglaries.

“In the last 12 months we have noticed a significant reduction in burglaries. They are down from 1,635 to 1,341 and the Handyman scheme has played a significant part in this.”

New advisors to help teachers TWO Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Advisors have been appointed by the Safer City Partnership to work with schools.

The Young People’s Substance Misuse Needs Assessment 2008 identified the need for the posts and subsequently two years of funding was secured from

NHS Stoke on Trent and local Government.The advisors will help schools provide this information in line with national standards.

They will also ensure that teachers are competent and confident to deliver drug, alcohol and tobacco education sessions.

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Our City

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A two-page special Our City report

Ex-offender’s job chance

transforms his life W

HEN Steve Wilshaw was offered the chance of employment with one of the country’s top construction and property maintenance companies, it’s safe to say it transformed his life completely.

Steve had just left Featherstone Prison – the final chapter in a 15-year spell of his life, which had spiralled into petty crime and a series of convictions.

During his last few months in prison Steve enrolled onto a painting and decorating course as part of the City Break project provided by the Safer City Partnership and Stoke on Trent College.

The scheme is set up to give people leaving prison the chance to gain training, work experience or employment, build self-confidence and ultimately reduce the chances of re-offending.

For Steve, it was just the kick-start he needed, as it led to him being offered a trainee painting and decorating job with Seddon, one of the area’s best-known construction companies.

More than five years on and the father of three is still working for the company, has gained a whole set of new qualifications and, most importantly, has left his earlier life of crime far behind.

GOING UP IN THE WORLD: Painter and decorator Steve Wilshaw, right, with his colleague at Seddon’s Steve Hancock.

‘‘’’

A fresh start Steve, 41, said: “It has transformed my life and although I’m open about my past I have left it a long way behind me. The scheme and Seddon gave me the opportunity I needed to secure a job and prove to the people close to me, like my family, that I had turned over a new leaf.

“Seddon put a lot of trust in me in the first place and I will always be grateful for the chance I got. I can now hold my head up high.

My dad says that he is proud of me again – and that sums up everything that has changed in my life for the better.”

Steve now works with Seddon throughout the north west, particularly on social housing projects. He has gained his NVQ Level 2 in Painting and Decorating, holds various health and safety certificates and is trained in using machinery such as a “cherry picker” boom lift.

He is even working as an “ambassador” for the City Break project now and goes into prisons to encourage others to get involved.

My dad says that he is proud of me again – and that sums up everything that has changed in my life for the better.

STEVE WILSHAW Seddon Contract Manager John Tilstone said: “I can’t praise Steve enough. He is a valued part of the team, always enthusiastic about his work and looking to better himself with extra training and qualifications.”

Dawn Cliff, Reducing Re-offending Programme Lead, said: “One of our priorities is to a deliver a plan which reduces

re-offending and promotes rehabilitation.

The City Break project is a major factor in accomplishing this.” ● Any businesses that would like to learn more about taking part in the City Break project should call Stoke on Trent College on 01782 603603 or email employerservices@stokecoll.ac.uk

New officers to tackle antisocial behaviour A SPECIAL team of five new Police Community Support Officers has been recruited by the Safer City Partnership to tackle antisocial behaviour on a city-wide scale.

The new officers are deployed into antisocial hotspots when and where they are needed to deter trouble.

The presence of more highly visible uniformed officers – who work with the local neighbourhood policing units and neighbourhood management staff – also creates

peace of mind for residents and reduces the fear of crime.

Bill James, Respect Programme Lead, said:“This is a multi-agency scheme involving the city council, Staffordshire Police and other

agencies to clamp down on antisocial behaviour. Through this partnership approach we are determined to tackle antisocial behaviour, and recruiting PCSOs is a big part of that.”

Following the initial success of the scheme the Safer City Partnership is now looking to recruit five more PCSOs to expand the project. These are likely to be in post by the end of October.

Residents’ groups help to cut crime and disorder RESIDENTS’ groups in Tunstall have been asked to come up with imaginative ways of tackling antisocial behaviour.

The Safer City Partnership asked communities to suggest projects that could reduce disorder or crime in their neighbourhood.

Around £12,000 worth of funding has been provided. The best ideas will receive a share of the money to put the ideas into practice.

To set the ball rolling, an interactive workshop was held at Norton Cricket Club so members of the public could get a feel for the kinds of projects that could make a difference.

Ruth Kemp, of the Safer City Partnership, said: “This is a great way of empowering residents and helping them tackle antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood.”

Specialist solicitor joins team A NEW solicitor has been appointed by the Safer City Partnership to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Lionel Desa is an expert litigator specialising in antisocial behaviour. He has more than 10 years experience working with partnerships.

In his new role, he liaises with the Safer City Partnership and the Courts Service to gain Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Antisocial Behaviour Injunctions (ASBIs).

Lionel said:“There are various solutions available to us from ASBOs and demoting secure tenancies to injunctions. If ASBOs are breached custodial sentences can be given.

“This is a challenging role for me and the Safer City Partnership but we are working hard to cut antisocial behaviour in all its forms.”

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Facebook site aims to reunite members PHAB Freewheelers, the Burslem-based social group for physically disabled and able bodied people, is inviting members past and present to log on their newly-launched Facebook online social networking site.

The aim is to reunite past and present members of the 37-year-old group formed to encourage those with and without physical disabilities to share fun activities, make new friends and learn new skills.

The Freewheelers meet every alternate Thursday at the Burslem Day Centre, and new members and volunteers are always welcome.

Development Officer Paul Austin said:“The site is for members past and present.

A few members from years gone by have already joined our Facebook page and we would like to hear from more so they can catch up with old friends, talk about old times and get to know the present group members.”

He added:“We have a very active group but there is always room for more members and volunteers.

The group offers everyone the chance to make new friends, and opportunities to go to places and do things they’ve never done before.”

For more details about the Facebook page or about joining Phab Freewheelers as a member or volunteer, phone Paul on 01782 812625, email him on katrina.paul@hotmail.co.uk or visit the group’s website at phab freewheelers.org.uk

Maps to help cyclists explore

city’s green routes

C

YCLE-FRIENDLY Stoke-on-Trent is offering bike riders new ways to experience the scenic magic of its green corridors where exploring on two wheels is tranquil and traffic-free.

The greenways and canal towpaths – one of the best off-road cycle networks in the country – can now be travelled along looped routes using a series of maps produced by the city council’s CycleStoke team.

Many of the 161 kilometres of cycle routes are leafy pathways tucked away in the core of the city itself, leading out through open spaces to places like Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The peaceful green arteries, often old railway lines which have been surfaced, guarantee a leisurely means of uncovering hidden charms of the city and its surrounding area.

The eight route maps revealing the “country in the city” routes are user-friendly, and are accompanied by an overview leaflet giving details of each looped course with a grading of the journey. Many can be joined together to create longer routes.

“Information about the length of the rides, and the time they will take to complete, is supplied along with hints and tips about cycling. The highlighted routes vary in length from an easy six-mile loop between the Britannia Stadium and Trentham, to a moderate 14-mile ride from Ford Green to Biddulph Grange.”

Tyler Surtees, aged 10, who enjoys cycling on the city greenways with his family, shows a couple of the Leisurely Cycle Rides maps.

The maps have been compiled with the aim of introducing cyclists to ways to get around the city and beyond with hardly any road riding, and at their own speed.

They will be of special value to participants in the Leisurely Cycle Rides organised by volunteers on the third Sunday of each month, covering each of the routes in turn.

Maps can be downloaded by visiting cyclestoke.co.uk

Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded the rare Cycling City status by Cycling England. The CycleStoke team at the city council aims to double cycling in the city by 2011.

Promoting everyday cycling for everyone

Summer activities CYCLESTOKE is organising a variety of free rides, training and activities throughout the summer – so sign up for their regular newsletter by visiting cyclestoke.co.uk alternatively email cyclestoke@stoke.gov.uk or telephone 01782 238692.

Bikeability courses are being held at Port Vale Football Club, Stoke City Football Club, Fenton Manor, Dimensions and the Wallace Centre during August, and a circular Leisurely Cycle Ride will run from Central Forest Park via Hanley Park and Acreswood Park on 15 August.

To request a copy in the post, or for more details about the Leisurely Cycle Rides, email cyclestoke@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 238692.

Cycling training instructor Mike Bolton, left, takes Jessica Cartwright, aged 16, and her father Simon Cartwright on a ride to show how canal towpaths can be used to cycle in and out of the city centre.

A WIDE range of National Bike Week activities in Stoke-on-Trent encouraged local people to get more out of life by taking to two wheels.

The “Wheely Fun” annual event, sponsored

by Team Great Britain, demonstrated the health, social and environmental benefits of cycling.

Held from 19-27 June, the week-long, cycle-packed programme began with a Sanity Fair in the city centre featuring an Extreme Mountain Bike Display and an easy “get on your bike” ride to demonstrate the freedom of being in the saddle.

Free Bikeability Level 2 cycling training was provided at the Dimensions Leisure Centre, Burslem and Fenton Manor.

Also featured were a ladies-only evening leisurely ride, mountain bike training, a cycle tour of the remaining bottle ovens in the city and a treasure hunt.

Emily Robinson, Cycling City Project Manager at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Our aim during National Bike Week was to promote everyday cycling for everyone, and we want to continue doing this throughout the year. CycleStoke has a vast array of free training, rides and route improvements to ease people on to two wheels.”

Visit cyclestoke.co.uk for more information or email cyclestoke@stoke.gov.uk to sign up to our e-newsletter. ● Stoke became the only city in the UK to stage a professional women’s race as part of the televised Halford’s Tour Series which was once again held in the centre, on 17 June.

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Valuable guide to services T

HIS issue of Our City includes a free copy of the North Staffordshire Bus Network Guide – a valuable companion to travelling by public transport in the city.

The pocket-sized, fold-away guide gives people everything they need to have the confidence to use the local bus service, whether it is to start using it more regularly to go to work, or the shops or just for emergencies.

One of the most noticeable things highlighted is that much of the city has a reliable and frequent bus service – at least every 10 minutes – so customers can just turn up and go.

The guide also includes an easy to follow colour-coded

“overground” map of all the major routes and services throughout the city and surrounding North Staffordshire area.

There is also a simple guide to bus fares in North Staffordshire so people can see at a glance what they have to pay.

However, for those who want more precise information – such as exactly where the nearest bus stop is, or the exact time the bus goes – there is plenty more information out there too.

The easiest way is to call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or to go onto the Traveline website at www.traveline.info The city council’s Passenger Transport Team Manager Brian Edwards said: “The guide is a convenient and handy-sized way

3

21

Review underway on how disabled residents apply for passes

Pensioner Beryl Shingley with one of the North Staffordshire Bus Network Guides. of accessing the information you need about using the local bus network.

“So, please keep it in a safe place and it will always be at hand when you next need to use the bus.”

Anyone who doesn’t receive a copy of the Guide with their Our City should contact the Passenger Transport Team on 01782 234500 or email transportation@stoke.gov.uk

A Sat Nav for public transport USING postcodes to guide Sat Navs is becoming more and more popular for motorists… now the same benefit is available for anyone planning a journey by public transport.

Whether it is a long distance journey by rail, a local bus journey, or a combination of both, people can click on a website and work out the best way to get from A to B. Would-be travellers can log onto www.traveline.info and simply type in their start and finish post codes.

They can also choose from various travel options – for example the fastest route or the fewest changes – and they will receive a fully detailed description of the best journey tailored to their individuals needs.

This will include an easy to understand map showing full journey details.

The site is easy and completely free to use and really takes any hassle out of planning a journey by public transport.

The fact it can be tailored to suit so many different requirements also makes it an invaluable online tool.

Our City

Philip Davies checks the new and improved timetables at a bus stop in Stoke town centre.

steps to easy bus travel

AS strange as it may seem, to many people the “rules” of bus travel are a complete mystery.

Transport experts believe this uncertainty even puts some people off using public transport when it would be the cheapest and most convenient way for them to travel.

But the truth of the matter is it is really very simple – as simple as one, two, three. So here are three easy steps to give people the confidence to catch the bus: STEP ONE – checking when the bus is due. So, you’ve got your information and now you are at the bus stop. What now? Well, at the bus stop there will either be a printed timetable confirming your bus times or there will be an eight-digit reference code which you can text to 84268 for details of the next few buses due to arrive at the stop.

STEP TWO – getting on the bus and paying. Put your hand out as the bus approaches to signal the bus to stop. Then, you simply tell the driver where you wish to go and he/she will tell you the correct fare. If you are not sure of the best ticket for you – single, return, day ticket etc – then just ask.

STEP THREE – getting off the bus. When you wish to get off the bus, simply press the bell on the bus and the driver will stop at the next stop. Please feel free to ask the driver where the bus picks up for the return journey.You’re at your destination… and it was as easy as one-two-three.

■ If you have any questions about public transport contact the city council at transportation@ stoke.gov.uk or call us on 01782 234500.

A WIDE–REACHING public review is underway which is looking at how the city council allows disabled residents to apply for a bus pass.

The consultation which began in June and runs for 11 weeks until the end August is being conducted with six disabled charities and more than 200 pass holders.

The aim is to improve the current system to ensure that only residents who qualify for a bus pass receive one, and to allow disabled people to have a pass for three years rather than one.

The new method of issuing passes will not affect people who automatically qualify, but those who apply using a medical recommendation form signed by their doctor.

Anyone who has one of the following documents automatically qualifies: ● BD8 or CVI form. ● Registration with sensory loss team. ● Registration with social services as having a learning disability. ● Higher rate Disability Living Allowance for help with getting around. ● War pensioners mobility supplement. ● Letter from DVLA. Councillor Brian Ward, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transportation, said: “The consultation process is a vital part in making sure that the plans the city council have put together meet the needs of the public. By getting views from people who will actually feel the effects, we can make sure that the changes will serve the community in the best possible way.”

Residents who want further information or a copy of the consultation and feedback form can contact the Concessionary Fares Scheme Officer, Passenger Transport, Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke, ST4 1RF, telephone 01782 235995, email transportation@stoke.gov. uk or go to the city council’s website stoke.gov.uk/concessionary fares

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Hi-tech teamwork tracks down

prolific fuel thief I

T was just a car air freshener hanging from the rear view driving mirror… but it was enough for a crime busting hi-tech police/city council partnership to bring one of the city’s most prolific “fuel drive off ” thieves to justice.

The vital piece of evidence was captured by the Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology used by the city council’s Community CCTV Centre to help police track down criminals in the city.

And its latest success comes as a warning to motorists thinking of carrying out a “drive-off” – filling up with petrol then driving from the service station without paying for the fuel.

This sort of offence is on the increase as the price of petrol and diesel has soared at the pumps, but in Stoke-on-Trent there’s a good chance that vehicles used in this sort of crime will be caught on CCTV and identified.

That’s what happened to a 22-year-old Trentham man who committed a string of drive-offs using a series of different stolen number plates on his car to avoid detection.

Captured on camera Each stolen number plate used was captured on CCTV at service stations where the scam was carried out and police passed these details to the city council’s CCTV Centre team in Hanley which was automatically alerted when one of the plates was captured on camera.

Each time the suspect car appeared the community CCTV cameras were activated to zoom in for close-up shots that might reveal anything that could identify the vehicle and its driver.

Even though this vehicle appeared on camera with different number plates, the CCTV operators used their sophisticated equipment to determine that in each sighting the tax disc was displayed in the same position on the windscreen – and that

A member of the city council’s CCTV Centre team monitors banks of screens using state-of-the-art computer technology.

For all city council services

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Your

HEALTH CENTRES

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

01782 231300

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

0300 123 0979

WHITFIELD VALLEY

01782 425720

FENTON

01782 743100

HANFORD (Main) Children's Airway Support Team

0300 123 0974 0300 123 0977

HANLEY

0300 123 0980

LONGTON

0300 123 0993

LONGTON COTTAGE HOSPITAL

0300 123 0993

MEIR

01782 425676

NORTON

01782 534599

PACKMOOR

01782 794600

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

0300 123 0982

STOKE Out of Hours District Nursing Service

0300 123 0986 0300 123 0989

TRENT VALE TUNSTALL (Main) Dental Advice Line

01782 425260 0300 123 0972 0300 123 0981

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

0845 46 47

or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or www.nhs.uk

distinctive air freshener could clearly be seen.

It wasn’t long before police found out the genuine registration of the vehicle and arrested the owner, who admitted to a long list of fuel and number plate thefts.

Magistrates gave the driver a 12 month community order, which included 40 hours unpaid work and he was ordered to pay for the petrol he had stolen.

Chief Inspector Wayne Jones said: “This has been an excellent investigation using some of the latest technology to allow us to bring charges against this individual. I have no doubt more offenders will be caught by ourselves and our partners as a result of how we work together.

Serious offence “So-called drive off incidents are on the increase, but working with the city council and service stations there is a very good chance that CCTV technology will help us to catch those who commit this type of crime.”

Chief Inspector Jones added: “Some may not regard drive off theft as a crime, but it is a serious offence which causes significant losses to businesses, the cost of which is ultimately paid for by other road users in higher pump prices.”

Jason Handy, Operations and Development Manager at the city council’s CCTV Centre, said: “Effective partnership with the police works both ways. When our system picks up something suspicious we pass the information to the police.

“Also, the police can feed us details of a suspect vehicle with certain markings or other identifying features, and, between us, our systems will filter these details so we will be alerted if the vehicle enters the city. From then on our operators will keep track of the vehicle so we are able to keep police informed about its precise location.

“This technology has proved to be particularly effective in dealing with drive off incidents at service stations.”

Fire & Rescue contact numbers S-O-T AREA COMMAND AREA COMMANDER

ASSISTANT AREA COMMANDER – BURSLEM

Wayne Bowcock 01785 898894

Ruth Watchorn-Rice 01785 898554

ASSISTANT AREA COMMANDER – LONGTON

Glynn Luznyj 01785 898693 ASSISTANT AREA COMMANDER – HANLEY

Andy Leedham 01785 898765

HEAD OF STOKE-ON-TRENT RISK REDUCTION

Kelvin Knapper 01785 898882 ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Paula Goodwin 01785 898895

COMMUNITY SAFETY ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS Chris Thompson 01785 898883

RISK REDUCTION OFFICERS Donna Broadhead 01785 898904 Jim Taaffe 01785 898976

Neil Cheshire Burslem 01785 898498 Mick Warillow Hanley 01785 898902

Dave Gallimore 01785 898885

Rehana Iqbal 01785 898891

Pete Hall Safer City Partnership Officer

Paul Shaw 01785 898755

Tracey Cresswell Longton 01785 898951

07967 573263

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

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Abbey Green

COUNCILLORS

ELLIE WALKER (Non-aligned) (01782) 397870 07917 854352 ellie.walker@stoke.gov.uk

Berryhill and Hanley East

Blurton

RITA DALE (City Independents) (01782) 267451 rita.dale@stoke.gov.uk

ADRIAN KNAPPER (Labour) 07714 334453 adrian.knapper @stoke.gov.uk

JOHN DAVIS (City Independents) (01782) 264126 07786 440876 john.davis@stoke.gov.uk

Burslem South

JAVID IQBAL NAJMI (Labour) 07846 879920 javid.najmi@stoke.gov.uk

DEBRA GRATTON (Labour) 07748 251695 debra.gratton@ stoke.gov.uk

MOHAMMED PERVEZ (Labour) 01782 232468 07584 407273 mohammed.pervez@ stoke.gov.uk

GWEN HASSALL (Labour) (01782) 263166 07851 751813 gwen.hassall@stoke.gov.uk

SARAH HILL (Labour) (01782) 845044 07833 249272 sarah.hill@stoke.gov.uk

PAUL SHOTTON (Labour) 07805 638609 paul.shotton@ stoke.gov.uk

TOM REYNOLDS (Labour) (01782) 342295 07850 828717 tom.reynolds@stoke.gov.uk

ZULFIQAR ALI (Liberal Democrat) 07838 262062 zulfiqar.ali@stoke.gov.uk

BRIAN WARD (City Independents) (01782) 312670 07879 115704 brian.ward@stoke.gov.uk

PETER KENT-BAGULEY (Non-aligned) 07773 464626 peter.kent-baguley@ stoke.gov.uk

MARGARET BARBER (Labour) (01782) 305514 07825 882059 margaret.barber@ stoke.gov.uk

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

JANINE BRIDGES (Non-aligned Group) (01782) 851842 07989 385631 janine.bridges@ stoke.gov.uk

HAZEL LYTH (Conservative & Independent Alliance) 07825 732680 hazel.lyth@stoke.gov.uk

BAGH ALI (Labour) (01782) 343246 07973 848428 bagh.ali@stoke.gov.uk

AMJID WAZIR (Labour) 07747 830461 amjid.wazir@ stoke.gov.uk

OLWEN HAMER (Labour) (01782) 657133 olwen.hamer@ stoke.gov.uk

Norton and Bradeley

DAVE SUTTON (Liberal Democrat) (01782) 542998 07512 564815 dave.sutton@stoke.gov.uk

ALAN RIGBY (Christian Independent) (01782) 542364 07790 374152 alan.rigby@stoke.gov.uk

JEAN BOWERS (Liberal Democrat) (01782) 262613 07712 350430 jean.bowers@stoke.gov.uk

KIERAN CLARKE (Liberal Democrat) (01782) 788010 07886 358143 kieran.clarke@stoke.gov.uk

Trentham and Hanford

MARK WRIGHT (Conservative & Independent Alliance) (01782) 642653 07814 744775 mark.wright@stoke.gov.uk

MOHAMMAD IQBAL (Labour) (01782) 266893 07792 071266 mohammed.iqbal@ stoke.gov.uk

MEGAN RYAN (Conservative & Independent Alliance) (01782) 866761 07903 458768 megan.ryan@stoke.gov.uk

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

DAVID MARFLEET (BNP) (01782) 876661 07745 157918 david.marfleet@ stoke.gov.uk

MICK SALIH (Non-aligned Group) (01782) 533542 07977 843026 mick.salih@stoke.gov.uk

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

JOY GARNER (Labour) (01782) 768846 07986 442770 joy.garner@stoke.gov.uk

MATT WILCOX (Labour) 07810 825600 matt.wilcox@ stoke.gov.uk

JOANNE POWELLBECKETT (Cons & Independent Alliance) 07816 518275 joanne.powell-beckett@ stoke.gov.uk

East Valley

KASSEM AL-KHATIB (Labour) (01782) 849823 kassem.al-khatib@stoke.gov.uk

RANDOLPH CONTEH (City Independents) (01782) 256869 randolph.conteh@ stoke.gov.uk

BARBARA BEESTON (City Independents) (01782) 612072 07729 896622 barbara.beeston@ stoke.gov.uk

Meir Park and Sandon

MICHAEL BARNES (Non-aligned Group) (01782) 870065 07850 939611 michael.barnes@ stoke.gov.uk

CLIVE BRIAN (Conservative & Independent Alliance) (01782) 315702 07584 174484 clive.brian@stoke.gov.uk

JOHN BURGESS (BNP) (01782) 394397 07889 137308 john.burgess@stoke.gov.uk

ABI BROWN (Conservative & Independent Alliance) 07793 844169 abi.brown@stoke.gov.uk

Stoke and Trent Vale

DUNCAN WALKER (Labour) (01782) 533198 duncan.walker@ stoke.gov.uk

Tunstall

ROSS IRVING (Conservative & Independent Alliance) (01782) 335982 07900 135565 ross.irving@stoke.gov.uk

MERVIN SMITH (Labour) (01782) 537211 07891 395199 mervin.smith@ stoke.gov.uk

Hartshill and Penkhull

Longton South

DENVER TOLLEY (Labour) (01782) 316815 07799 032939 denver.tolley@stoke.gov.uk

STEVEN BATKIN (BNP) (01782) 859054 steven.batkin@ stoke.gov.uk

Burslem North

Northwood and Birches Head

TERENCE FOLLOWS (City Independents) (01782) 318127 07944 055379 terence.follows@ stoke.gov.uk

MELANIE BADDELEY (BNP) (01782) 763615 07979 508837 melanie.baddeley@ stoke.gov.uk

Hanley West and Shelton

Longton North

MARK DAVIS (Labour) 07813 473625 mark.davis@stoke.gov.uk

TONY FRADLEY (Labour) 07919 528515 tony.fradley@stoke.gov.uk

23

Bentilee and Townsend

Chell and Packmoor

Fenton

MICK BELL (City Independents) (01782) 847760 mick.bell@stoke.gov.uk

ROY NAYLOR (City Independents) (01782) 313975 07833 183922 roy.naylor@stoke.gov.uk

Our City

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

JEREMY DILLON (Labour) 07505 777571 jeremy.dillon@stoke.gov.uk

PAULINE JOYNSON (Non-aligned Group) (01782) 413683 07813 836057 pauline.joynson@ stoke.gov.uk

Weston and Meir North

MOHAMMED MATLOOB (Labour) (01782) 577658 07811 147372 mohammed.matloob@ stoke.gov.uk

MAJID KHAN (Labour) 07989 441707 majid.khan@stoke.gov.uk

MICHAEL COLEMAN (BNP) (01782) 311697 07926 532922 michael.coleman@ stoke.gov.uk

JOHN DANIELS (Conservative & Independent Alliance) (01782) 396780 07885 894804 john.daniels@stoke.gov.uk

RUTH ROSENAU (Labour) (01782) 501940 07870 503575 ruth.rosenau@ stoke.gov.uk

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Reaching out to young people with

super SoniQ Radio I

NTERNET radio and a range of new technologies are being used to reach out to the young people of Stoke-on-Trent.

Uth Services at the city council are using radio, Bluetooth, a new website, social networking sites and a virtual youth worker to get more information across.

SoniQ Radio is a new 24-hour, seven days a week station on the youth services website featuring five young people presenting music, interviews and information aimed at 13 to 19 year olds.Youth development workers are overseeing the mainly pre-recorded material.

Bluetooth is being used to relay messages from a fleet of youth service vehicles and to teenagers passing youth centres around the city while the new website features a Postitive Activities finder.

Advice and help is on hand via a Virtual Youth Worker on Facebook and a Twitter account feeds information too.

Pat Shelley, Head of Youth Services, said: “These are methods and disciplines young people use to keep in touch and communicate and we need to make sure we tap into every available resource to make sure they know we can be contacted 24/7.”

Youth Development Worker John Simmonds said: “We want to be able to reach as many young people as possible and for them to feel they can turn to us, whether it’s to find out what’s on at their local youth centre or if they need advice or help with any problems they might have.”

To listen to SoniQ Radio and for more information log on at stoke.gov.uk/uthstoke or facebook.com/uthstoke or twitter.com/uthstoke

u

th

READY TO BROADCAST...

SoniQ Radio DJ Ashley Hubszer, aged 19, of Chell.

the city in 2008 and 2009.

On the big day there will also be family and community events taking place in the city centre.

City Council Leader Councillor Mohammed Pervez said:“The Tour of Britain is a prestigious event for the city to host and we are delighted to welcome the race back for the third year running.

“It promises to be another great day, and the start in Burslem will add another dimension.”

Our City is published by a partnership of

Stoke-on-Trent City Council, NHS Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue and Job Centre Plus

Contact us by mail at FREEPOST Our City or by email at ourcity@stoke.gov.uk or telephone 01782 236703

PUBLIC services in the city are using the latest social media websites to give out information to the public.

Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Vimeo are used by millions of people seeking information from all over the world.

You can find out more from the city council on Twitter at twitter.com/sotcitycouncil or see the latest photos at www.flickr.com/photos/stokeon-trent/ News from Staffordshire Police is available at www.facebook.com/stafford shirepolice, while updates and footage of incidents from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service is at www.vimeo.com/ 8259295

Teddy bear’s picnic at Meir A TEDDY bear’s picnic was held at Meir Library to help celebrate National Breastfeeding Week.

Families were encouraged to bring their favourite cuddly, furry toys to the event held last month, which encouraged mums to feel proud and comfortable with feeding their babies.

The NHS-funded campaign was delivered in partnership with the NHS Mum2Mum team and was organised as part of the Better Information (BIBH) project.

Top cycle race to start in Burslem TOP cycling event the Tour of Britain returns to the city for the third year running with the highprofile stage starting on the historic streets of Burslem.

Cyclists from all over the world will complete the race which will finish in the city centre after they complete a gruelling course through North Staffordshire.

The action takes place on 12 September and is sure to attract crowds of thousands after successful tour stages came to

Service news on social media sites

Food advice wins award

A sprint to the finishing line in Stoke-on-Trent city centre at last year’s Tour of Britain.

HYGIENE teams from the city council won a prestigious national award for dishing up innovative advice.

They joined colleagues from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to win a Food Champion award.

The teams had linked up to deliver a six-month campaign educating small catering businesses about new laws.