Stoke-on-Trent ISSUE 38: WINTER 2014

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community hubNew nursery is

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Christmas andNew Year refusecollection dates

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

MEETINGS of the full council can now be viewed online. To see and hearthe debates and decisions which affect life in Stoke-on-Trent, visitstoke.gov.uk and click on webcasting.

A list of dates and times of council meetings and committee meetings can be found on our website at stoke.gov.uk/meetingdates

Live webcast of full council meetings Give us your feedbackon this issue of Our City by emailingourcity@stoke.gov.uk or write to: FREEPOST Our City.

Work to builda great legacyfor our city hasalready startedBy City Council Leader CouncillorMOHAMMED PERVEZ

STOKE-on-Trent is one of the fastest growingcities in the UK because we have created anenvironment to encourage jobs and growth,help new and existing businesses and improvethe quality of life for everyone who lives andworks here.

On this page you can read more about ourcontinuing battle to secure an HS2 station, andtens of millions of pounds worth of financialbenefit every year, to our city.

Our arguments are sound, our business case isstrong, and our proposal makes sense in everyway. We will fight to be heard and will challengethe decision to ignore Stoke-on-Trent’s case...the best case for HS2. This is important becausethe rebirth of Stoke-on-Trent has started and isgathering pace.

We have unveiled our exciting, ambitiousvision for our city’s future, with plans for newhomes, new jobs, new businesses, bettereducation and better quality of life.

But progress is happening now. In this issue ofOur City are three pages of exciting news abouthow we are helping local companies to createnew jobs and recruit new staff.

Growing business means more jobs... andmore jobs mean better living standards andquality of life.

So we have to be ambitious, because thoseambitions are attracting the attention ofGovernment and companies that Stoke-on-Trentis going places and is worth investment.

I will work with any agency, any company, andany individual who genuinely has the interestsof Stoke-on-Trent at heart.

One of my key priorities is to provide a betterquality of life and a better future for the peopleof our city. That’s why we have set our stall outto provide the economic growth which willpower investment in a better city centre, betterschools, better homes and roads and betterhealth... an all round better quality of life for ourpeople.

Our city has huge potential. I was reallyencouraged when I visited a high school as partof local democracy week to see the enthusiasmand passion our young people have forStoke-on-Trent. They see a future in this city.

Education results are improving, and so arethe prospects for training, apprenticeships andeventual employment.

Each and every one of them is part of ourfuture, but so is everyone else who lives andworks in Stoke-on-Trent.

I would like to call on everyone with the bestinterests of our city at heart to show theirpassion, demonstrate their enthusiasm for thefuture and do their bit – not for me and not forthe city council, but for the city, for its peopleand for the future.

Our city’s future will be our great legacy, andthe work to build it has already started.

Web: stoke.gov.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/

stokeontrent.citycouncil

Twitter: @SoTCityCouncil

twitter.com/SoTCityCouncil

2 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

CAMPAIGNERS haveexpressed deepdisappointment at HS2

Chairman Sir David Higgins’recommendation that the new highspeed rail route should bypass thecity and stop outside Crewe instead.

But Government Ministers still saythey have not made their final decisionyet. Business leaders say the city has tokeep on pressing its case to ensure it isconnected into the massive boost tojobs and prosperity that HS2 couldbring.

Stoke-on-Trent and StaffordshireLocal Enterprise Partnership (LEP)Chair David Frost said it would be ahuge missed opportunity.

He said: “Stoke-on-Trent andStaffordshire LEP, working withStoke-on-Trent City Council andStaffordshire County Council, has beenreally successful in promoting the cityas a key investment location. We havebeen one of the top performingpartnerships in the country in attractingmatch funding from Government. Thisis a success story.

“It makes absolutely no sense to riskthis by isolating the city region. We needcontinuity and stability to keep growingour economy. Any decision on HS2 hasto put Stoke-on-Trent and NorthStaffordshire at the heart of theequation.”

Staffordshire Chambers of CommercePresident Jonathan Mitchell said Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshirebusinesses would not accept being side-lined by any decision on HS2.

He said: “This is a city which isundergoing a real renaissance inenterprise and business energy.

“It is the largest city region betweenBirmingham and Manchester with apopulation of almost 500,000. It isgrowing fast as a centre of enterpriseand education.

“It’s a true university city and aleading centre of developing advancedmaterials technology. Stoke-on-Trent isHS2 ready.

“If HS2 is all about connecting upcities, the nation’s engines ofgrowth, it makes no sense to bypassStoke-on-Trent.This city should bea key member of the northernpowerhouse city club. It is thenatural industrial gateway betweenthe Midlands and the north.

“We have made so much progress.This is a city with huge potential.

“It has to work with us to maintain themomentum and keep Stoke-on-Trent ontrack as a key player in the growth innational prosperity. HS2 is a once in alifetime investment in the nation’seconomy and the decision has to delivermaximum return for the tax payer.”

City Council Leader Councillor

Mohammed Pervez said the team wouldlook at every option available to protectthe interests of the city and NorthStaffordshire.

He said: “If this city region isbypassed in favour of the town ofCrewe, with a population of just70,000, then this decision could costthe region over £200 million a year oflost growth potential.

“The Government has still to make adecision but if they go with Sir David’srecommendations then we will look atevery option open to us. There appearsto be no mechanism in place to supportthose areas which lose out as a result.

“Stoke-on-Trent is undergoing amajor economic renaissance and hasenormous future growth potential. HS2would supercharge that growth.

“We will continue to talk through theissues and the opportunities withGovernment and other organisations toensure that this wonderful city and itspeople are not penalised. One thing issure, they won’t be able to ignore Stoke-on-Trent.”

Campaigners determinedto press home case

UNITED FRONT: Members of the delegation who travelled to Westminster to putthe city’s case for HS2, left to right, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce PolicyManager Jane Gratton, Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley, City Council LeaderCouncillor Mohammed Pervez, Stoke-on-Trent South MP Rob Flello, Stoke RouteProject Director Dr Alan James, City Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration,Planning and Transportation Councillor Ruth Rosenau, City Council Director of PlaceJohn Betty and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Sara Williams.

BETTER FOR LOCALJOBS – maximiseseconomic growth, jobsand opportunity forlocal people.

BETTER FOR BRITAIN –liberates Stoke-on-Trent’smassive growthpotential and achievesmore economic impactfor the country.

CHEAPER FOR YOU– £billions savings fortax payers.

FASTER – connects youto more cities direct, andsooner.

GREENER – usesbrownfield land (landpreviously used forindustrial or commercialuse) in the city rather

than cutting throughthe countryside.

The Government says HS2is all about connecting upcities and maximisingeconomic growth. By anyobjective analysis theStoke Route wins out onevery criteria. To see thefull business case go tostoke.gov.uk/HS2.

Why the Stoke Route is the best:

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 3

HOTELS and bed and breakfastsacross Stoke-on-Trent are beingwarned about child sexualexploitation taking place ontheir premises in the run up toChristmas and New Year.

The city’s SafeguardingChildren Board is alertingproprietors, managers and staffabout the possible exploitationor trafficking of girls and boys,

often for sexual purposes.Board Manager Carole

Preston said: “At busy times ofthe year such as this, it can bedifficult for staff to notice someof the key signs.

“So we are asking them tomake extra effort and bevigilant.”

Staff are being asked to beextra aware of:

l Unaccompanied children andyoung people loitering as ifwaiting to meet someone.

l Repeat visits by young peoplewith different adults.

l Repeat guests visiting withdifferent young people.

l Older adults coercing orencouraging young people to drink alcohol.

l Adults making regular room

bookings and clearly meetingdifferent young people.

l Suspicious signs in rooms orrestricted access to the room.

l Young girls made up ordressed to look significantlyolder.

l Any signs of physical abuse.

Carole added:“We also wantpeople working in the leisure,tourism and hospitality sectors

– people like club and bar staffand taxi drivers, for example – to be extra vigilant as well.”

BEING online andusing the internet canfeel just like being in

the real world – your childcan chat to people, playgames and share pictures.

There are some great people onthe internet, but there are alsosome people who use the internetfor the wrong reasons.

Some people pretend to bemuch younger than they really arein order to talk to children andmake friends with them.

They might start off by beingnice, but then say nasty things, orstart talking about things thatmake children feel uncomfortableor out of their depth, or they mayeven ask children to do thingsthey do not want to do.

This is not acceptable. If this ishappening to your child or tosomeone they know – please tellsomeone. Here is some adviceyou can pass on to your children:

How can you keep safe on theinternet?

When you are chatting online,

avoid giving personal details thatcould help a stranger to find you.Do not tell people your last name,the name of your school, or whereyou live and hang out.

Protect your information.

Check to see if the site has afriends list that lets you controlwho can see the information onyour profile or blog. Only acceptpeople you know and trust asfriends. If you do not use theseprivacy settings, anyone can seeyour details.

Never arrange to meet upwith people.

Never get together with someoneyou meet online, in a chat roomor on a blog if you have never metthem in “the real world”.You donot know who they really are andpeople can pretend to be anyoneand any age online.

Think before you put anypictures online.

What is uploaded to the internetcan be downloaded by anyoneand passed around or posted

online pretty much forever. Avoidposting photos that allow peopleto identify you. Avoid postingimages of yourself which aresuggestive. Think about how youwould feel if it were seen by yourfamily or friends. If you wouldnot want any of those people tosee this photo – then don’t put iton the internet for the world tosee.

Check comments on yourprofile regularly.

Do not respond to mean orembarrassing comments. Ifpossible, block out any offensivepeople from commenting further.Be honest about your age.Talk to your parents about sitesthat will be suitable to your agegroup.

How to report concerns.

If someone you are talking toonline says something that makes you feel upset, worried oruncomfortable, or if they ask youto do things you do not want todo, you must do something about it.

If this happens, you mustremember that it is not your fault.Always tell another adult you feelyou can trust.

Save any messages that have

upset you so that you can showthe person who you tell. If youdon’t feel that you can tell anadult, there are other people thatcan help you.

CHRISTMAS is coming – and many children and young people will want the most up to date

gadgets available in the shops. The world of the internet can be dangerous if it is not used safely.

CAROLE PRESTON, the Stoke-on-Trent Safeguarding Children Board Manager, highlights some of

the dangers of the internet and urges parents to be vigilant when their children are on-line.

Helping your child tostay safe online

For further information,advice and support visit theGovernment’s CEOPS website(Child Exploitation and OnlineProtection Centre) where thereis lots of useful information foryou, and provides you with away to report what ishappening to you. The link iswww.ceop.police.uk

You can follow the link to theChildLine website where you

can access advice and supportwww.childline.org.uk

Parents can also getinformation and advice fromwww.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk

Children can contactnational helplines:NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000ChildLine: 0800 1111

In an emergency you can dial 999 and ask for the police.

Staff at hotels and B&Bs urged to be vigilant about child sexual exploitation

Community has role to play intackling growing problem

For further informationabout child sexualexploitation or childtrafficking, please visitwww.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk

PEOPLE living and workingin Stoke-on-Trent are beingurged to help professionalstackle the growing problem ofchild sexual exploitation. Thishorrific form of child abusecan involve any young personfrom any background and canhappen to both boys and girls.

Signs include – but are notlimited to – unexplained giftssuch as clothes and mobilephones, having money thatthey would not usually have,going missing from home andschool, hanging out withgroups of older people, drugand alcohol misuse and repeatsexually transmitted infections.

Jackie Carnell, IndependentChairperson of Stoke-on-Trent

Safeguarding Children Board,said: “Child sexual exploitationcontinues to be a concernlocally as well as nationally.

“Professionals are workinghard to tackle exploitation andraise awareness but we reallydo rely on the community towork with us.

“Information on potential

abuse can be crucial in makingsure action is taken as soon aspossible in order to prevent aconcern becoming a crisis anda child or young personbecoming abused andexploited.”

Here are some helpfulnumbers:

Base 58: 01782 286862

Savana: 01782 221005

Family Information ServiceHub: 01782 232200

Advice and Referral Team:01782 235100In an emergency you can dial 999 and ask for thepolice.

www.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.ukwww.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk

4 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

MARKS & Spencer teamedup with the recruitmentand training programme

managed by the city council to fill250 job vacancies.

The retail giant was referred to JobsEnterprise & Training (JET) as itprepared to open its new store inWolstanton.

It based its recruitment team at TheStore in Hanley – a retail skills academywhere JET helps candidates prepare forjob interviews.

During the process, JET supportedjobseekers to fill out onlineapplications.

JET Employment Broker KellyTomlinson said: “This was the first timewe’d worked in partnership like this andit went really well.

“Marks & Spencer were based at TheStore pretty much full time at the startof the recruitment process as they raninformation sessions. We were able tobook in candidates and support themthroughout.

“It worked really well because theyfelt comfortable in what is a friendlyand welcoming environment so theywere able to perform better at interview.This has really showcased what can beachieved so we’re hoping to get otheremployers involved in the future.”

Employers are increasingly looking tomake sure that they employ the bestand most able person for the job andseeing a recent English or Mathsqualification on a CV reassuresemployers that they have someonecommitted to developing themselves.

Store Manager Ricky Horner said:“Thank you so much for your supportJET.”

Kath Reynolds, Adult Learning TeamManager at the city council, said:“English and Maths are the crucialskills that employers are looking forwhen appointing staff to any job.

“Maths may not seem important ifyou want a cleaning job but it is vital ifyou are mixing cleaning fluids that youunderstand ratios.

“It is also important that you canread and understand the label on thebottle you are using.

“If you left school with noqualifications and now find yourselflooking for a job, English and MathsFunctional Skills qualifications can beachieved in as little as six weeks throughthe Adult and Community Learningservice.”

Please phone 01782 234775 oremail adult.learning@stoke.gov.ukfor more information.

M&S catch JET to

fill vacancies

JET Employment Broker Kelly Tomlinson in discussionwith Stefan Heard, Section Manager at the new£40 million Marks & Spencer store in Wolstanton.

For a full list of courses please visit www.nulc.ac.uk,

call 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk Ref: Our City.

We have an

exciting range

of courses for

adults starting

soon!PART-TIME & SHORT

COURSES FOR ADULTS

We offer courses in a range of subjects:l Recreational courses from sewing to Spanish

l Short courses in subjects including computers, counselling & crafts

l Professional courses to aid career development

l University-level courses

Courses run throughout the week at a range of times to fit in with

your work and family commitments.

Bring this advert to life!Follow the instructions below:

1. Download the FREE ‘NULC AR’ App.

2. Point your device at this advert.

3. Double tap for full screen view.

Jobs and growth

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 5

By City Council Chief Executive

John van deLaarschot

YOUNG people in this city are working hard toimprove their lives. Education results are improvingdramatically. Kids I meet are telling me that they areambitious, they want to do well.They are refusing tobe held back by the perceptions of failure andnegativity which have blighted this city in the past.

It’s the spirit of achievement and ambition that isreally changing this city. It’s the belief that things canchange for the better that is driving this cityforward. People are what success is all about.

I have heard people say we are too focused onbusiness and jobs.We spend too much time workingto boost the economy and not enough moneyhelping local people.They say we should be lessambitious and be more realistic.

However, you may not realise that we do spendalmost two thirds of the funding we receive on justthese people-focused activities, on social care, onhousing, on supporting communities.The councilremains as committed as ever to supporting thevulnerable in our society.

A couple of years ago I joined a group of youngpeople abseiling down the outside of the YMCA inthe city centre. Many of them were children in care orcare leavers.They don’t let little obstacles stand intheir way! I was impressed with their determination.These are people who are taking control of their ownlives despite all the difficulties they have faced.

This year I will be joining another group on stageat the New Victoria Theatre in their very ownfundraising pantomime.

Every ticket sold helps to buy a Christmas presentfor young people leaving care. We have 570 childrenin care in the city, living with foster carers and insmall group homes.The number of Foster Carers isgoing up thanks to a concerted campaign (see page21). Plus we have been leading the way nationally inallowing children to stay with their foster familiesafter they are 18.

This approach to helping them move gently intoindependence has been recognised nationally asbest practice.We are leading the way.

We are one of the best communities in thecountry in helping children in care achieve their fulleducational potential.This year ten of our youngpeople have gone onto to University.We providethem with an extra £5,000 bursary to help themmake the most of their studies.These children arethe future of this city. If we encourage and supporttheir ambitions they will make us all proud.

You can’t improve people’s quality of life if youdon’t help them to develop the skills they need todevelop their potential and the positive attitudethey need to succeed in life.The same applies to thecity as a whole.We have to grow our horizons bothas a city and as individuals.We can’t just turn ourbacks on the realities of a more competitive worldand close the door.We have to seize everyopportunity to grow and develop.

That’s exactly why this city has ambitions to growand prosper. It’s why we want to squeeze themaximum benefits from HS2, making theconnections to new opportunities.We want to growthe city to become one of the UK’s leading cityeconomies, plugged into the national success story.We will be one of the UK’s powerhouse cities.

So in the pantomime spirit – let’s nurture thosegolden eggs! What’s good for the goose is good forthe gander; and the whole flock. By supportingindividual growth and opportunity we are growing abig city success story too. It’s not a fairy tale – itshappening.

Ambition forthe future – there’s nothingwrong with it

PEOPLE struggling withhousing costs can apply forspecial support.

To qualify for a Discretionary HousingPayment (DHP) residents will already bereceiving housing benefit or UniversalCredit including a housing elementtowards rental liability.

If they find they need further help withrent, rent in advance, rent deposits orremoval costs, a DHP might be the wayforward. Applicants need to show that theygenuinely require further financialassistance with their housing costs.

The payment is funded by theGovernment and the city council takesinto account special circumstances whichmake it difficult for householders to paytheir rent. An application for DHP is alsotreated as a request for a Council TaxHardship Fund payment.

When assessing people’s eligibility thecity council take into account all theircircumstances including debts,expenditure on non-essential items, otherbenefits entitlement, steps taken to moveto a more affordable home or whetherapplicants are fleeing domestic violence.

Special support available tohelp with housing costs

Libraries an open book on huge range of services

HERE TO HELP:Benefit Assessor AshleyBradbury advises a residenton an application for adiscretionary housingpayment at Stoke’s One StopShop in the local centre.

FROM exotic zoo sessions to lending books the City LibraryService offer a huge and diverse range of services. Through agreat selection of books and fun events libraries encouragechildren and families to read together. Community Librariansalso visit communities and schools and welcome class visits intolibraries.

Working with adults, the service runs reading groups forpeople who have not had the opportunity to access books andreading. These include groups for adults with learningdisabilities, and adults who are improving their literacy skills.

Through specialist reading for health groups and workingwith volunteers libraries bring people together who feel isolateddue to age or health issues to enjoy the love of reading.

Janet Thursfield, Strategic Manager for Libraries and Archives,said:“In addition, we deliver work clubs and support forjobseekers. This has included nearly 4,000 people visiting alibrary for job search support since February 2014, 257 one-to-one Employment Support sessions delivered sinceMarch and 452 one-to-one IT support sessions delivered byvolunteer ICT buddies.”

Janet added that the city’s library management system hadrecently been upgraded. She said:“This is the first step towardslaunching a new interactive library catalogue which will also behome to our fantastic online resources, such as e-books,e-magazines and talking books, as well as library news andevents and the place for books and reading in the city.”

WILD THING:Oliver Peach-Birchall,

5 from Longton, meets atwo-year-old West Africandwarf crocodile broughtto the library by exotic

zoo presenterSam Jones.

Call 01782 232982 for further advice or to make an application.It is also possible to apply online forDiscretionary Housing Payment and Council Tax Hardship Relief atstoke.gov.uk/benefits

Supporting people

6 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

If you get caught drink driving the

consequences listed are the

minimum that will happen to you.

You may also be liable to a fine of up

to £5,000 and up to 6 months in

prison. The morning after, don’t rush

to get behind the wheel. You may feel

fine but you could still be over the

legal alcohol limit or unfit to drive!

• Your Job

• A driving ban of at least 12 months

• An endorsement of your driving licence for 11 years

• A criminal record

• Insurance will increasesignificantly – some insurerswill not offer any cover!

READERS have had their say on Our City magazine through lastissue’s Reader Feedback

competition.Suggestions for new articles include more

focus on local events, a history and heritagepage and stories featuring teenagers and elderlyresidents.

There is also a call for city council jobadvertisements to be published, morecompetitions and a spotlight on a differenttown or area of the city each issue.

The majority of people (72 per cent) saidthey felt more informed about city councilservices after reading the magazine and 93 percent of people stated they would recommendOur City to someone else to read. More thanone in three people said they would like to beinvolved in a focus group looking atcommunications in the city.

Most readers think the length of articles isjust right (93 per cent) with the majoritythinking the language and tone used in thearticles is very good (39 per cent) or good (49per cent).

Additionally, 70 per cent of people said theyhad read the whole of the last two issuesrather than just one or two articles andidentified news and information about councilservices among the most useful sections of themagazine.

We value the views of everyone who

responded and we’re looking to set up a focusgroup to involve the public in shaping themagazine and our communications overall.

All the feedback received will be used tohelp the council communicate moreeffectively with residents.

l Four readers who took part in thefeedback competition have each won a £25 shopping voucher after their nameswere drawn from the hat. They are A.Fisher of Hartshill; T Silvester of Longton;M Barrigas of Meir and S Burrell Duet of Norton.

Reader feedback to shapefuture issues of magazine

Charles Aked visits the City CentralLibrary with his granddaughter

Mollie to read the Autumn issue ofOur City. Inset, the summer issue

featuring pupils from New FordPrimary School, Smallthorne, whoplanted poppy seeds to mark thecentenary of the First World War.

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 7

To contact the council by telephone just call the Customer Access Team on 01782 234234

BUILDERS LaingO’Rourke and theirsub contractors are

on schedule to completethe first phase of the £55 million Smithfielddevelopment formerlyknown as the CentralBusiness District byspring next year.

Internal fits are now beingcarried out at the two buildingsset to be occupied by the citycouncil around next summer.

Public realm and landscapingwork is also planned now thefive-storey buildings have beenglazed – one of them withdistinctive coloured honeycomb-shaped glass.

Developer Genr8 has alreadylaunched a marketing campaignto let two ground floor units inone of the buildings.

The project to create 1,250,000square feet of office, shops and

leisure space is also about jobcreation, training opportunitiesand apprenticeships.

Nearly half the suppliers andsub contractors on site are fromthe Stoke-on-Trent area.

Mike Smith, Partner at Genr8Developments, said: “It’sfantastic to see the vision forSmithfield coming to fruition.

“Smithfield is an ambitiousproject which will play a hugepart in the regeneration ofStoke-on-Trent.

“These two buildingsrepresent the high qualitystandards that the developmentwill continue to deliver over thecoming years, providing amassive boost to the economicregeneration of the area.

“We look forward to seeingthem in occupation over thecoming months and announcingfurther phases of thedevelopment in the near future.”

THE next stage of public realmimprovements is underway totransform Stoke-on-Trent andcreate a City Centre fit for the21st Century.

With Phase One and Twocomplete, Phase Three is nowfocusing on the area from the topof Piccadilly down to the newSmithfield development.

The work includes high-qualitypaving, seating and lighting andwill create a clear pedestrian linkbetween the main shopping areaand Smithfield, including the

Cultural Quarter and its shops,restaurants and theatres. Weworked closely with the RNIB,Guide Dogs UK and Action ForBlind People in developing theimprovement works.

Trees are also being planted tofurther enhance the area – allpart of the public realmprogramme being funded by thecity council and the Departmentfor Communities and LocalGovernment through the WestMidlands European RegionalDevelopment Fund (ERDF).

Phase Three work will also becarried out at the Broad Streetjunction as well as parts ofCheapside, Bethesda Street andWarner Street and should becompleted by autumn next year.

A total of £11.55 million willhave been invested over thethree phases to support existingbusinesses, attract fresh inwardinvestment and create a muchbetter environment to encouragevisitors to spend more time in thecity.

Open space in the City Centre isbeing upgraded to transform theappearance of the city andprovide an inspirational series oflinked spaces and streets thatcan accommodate events andfestivals in a safe, accessible andattractive environment.

Work on Phases One and Twocentred on Percy Street, TontineStreet, Albion Street, AlbionSquare, Old Hall Street,Parliament Square and LichfieldStreet. Though complete, thereare plans to install a sculpture inAlbion Square which shouldbecome a focal point andmeeting place for visitors.

High quality City Centre landscaping moves on to next phase

Smithfieldscheme isright onschedule

Goldenhill resident Mary Bloor, aged 78, makes themost of the new seating area in Albion Square.

Smithfield Two with its distinctive colouredhoneycomb-shaped glazing. Below right,

sections of the honeycomb glass openoutwards to let in air.

The stylish Smithfield One building.

Landscaping work is underway in Piccadilly.

A great place to live

8 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

EMPLOYEES at a charity

resource centre are saving time

and money thanks to the city

council’s Travel Plan Grant Scheme.

VAST – a charity providing services andsupport to voluntary and communitygroups, charities and social enterprises inStaffordshire – was awarded £3,000 andinstalled a shower, changing facilities and a

bike rack for use by all 16 tenants andvisitors to The Dudson Centre in HopeStreet, Hanley.

Jackie Wheeler, Facilities Manager forThe Dudson Centre, said: “It’s great to beable to give our tenants and all theirvisitors a choice of a cheaper, greener andhealthier way of travelling to and from theworkplace. We are extremely thankful toStoke-on-Trent City Council for awarding

us this grant and we are proudto have these facilities withinour centre that not onlybenefit tenants and visitorsbut the city as a whole.”

The centre has a café andnew Chef Ian Woodhouse hasbeen cycling to work andmaking good use of thefacilities. He said: “It’s greathaving the facilities at thecentre. It is so much easier tocycle rather than drivethrough the city. It’s a realtime saver.”

The Travel Plan GrantScheme aims to help makeStoke-on-Trent a greener,healthier place to live and

work, by supporting localbusinesses andorganisations to carry outsustainable travel initiativesenabling employees to cuttravel costs and get to workfaster.

Funding of up to £5,000is available until Marchnext year for schemeswhich may include buyingpool bikes, installingcovered and secure cyclestorage, showers orchanging facilities and caneven fund the delivery ofcycle training and bikemaintenance clinics.

Sarah Hollinshead, citycouncil BusinessEngagement Officer for theLocal SustainableTransport Fund, said:“Whether a company islooking to improve their environmentalcredentials, encourage a healthier, happierworkforce or simply save money on traveland transport costs, I would encouragethem to get in touch and make a bid.”

For more information on thescheme, call 01782 232164,email travel.smart@stoke.gov.ukor visit www.travelsmartns.co.uk/travel-plan-grants

Grant boosts green travel atcharity resource centre

Chef IanWoodhouse

parks his bike atthe new rack

outside TheDudson Centre.

Peter Caine, aGraphic Designerfor VAST, by thenew shower.

InstructionsDownload our free app to yoursmartphone or tablet and bringthis advert to life!

• Download the TravelSmart AR

app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).

• Open the app, point your device at the Travel Smart logo(bottom left) and wait for the surprise.

• Double tap for a full-screen.

To contact the council by email enquiries@stoke.gov.uk

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 9

TWO Stoke Citylegends have spokenof their honour at

each being awarded theFreedom of Stoke-on-Trentby the city council.

Councillors unanimouslybacked World Cup winninggoalkeeper Gordon Banks andformer Potters kitman Neil‘Nello’ Baldwin to receive theaccolade.

Gordon, who was madePresident of Stoke City after thedeath of Sir Stanley Matthews in2000, said: “It’s a fantastichonour.”

Banksie’s 1970 save fromBrazilian star Pele’s powerfulheader at the Mexico World Cupfinals is still widely regarded asthe best parry in soccer history.

A YouTube clip of the save,showing Gordon leapingacross the goal to palm the

goal bound ball round thepost, has been viewed over1.4 million times.

Nello, immortalised inthe TV film Marvellous,

which told the story of his life,from circus clown to formerStoke City boss Lou Macari’s kitman and mascot, was nominatedfor his “heart-warming,inspirational perspective on life.”

Indeed, people were so movedby the touching, yet humoroustale, that over 6,000 people joineda Facebook page urging theGovernment to give Nello aknighthood. When he learned ofthe Freedom of the City honour,he said simply: “It doesn’t getmuch better than this.”

They were nominated for thecity’s highest honour at a meetingof the full council.

Councillor Adrian Knapperproposed the award for Gordonwho played 192 times for Stoke.

He helped the club win theLeague Cup in 1972 – sevenyears after lifting the Jules Rimettrophy for England.

His career was tragically cutshort when he lost the sight inone eye after a road accident.

Councillor Knapper saidGordon Banks was one of thegreatest footballing heroes thecountry had ever known.

He added: “Stoke-on-Trent isthe city he has felt the strongestaffinity for. He is one of the city’smost famous adopted sons andstill lives locally today.

“He has been with us throughthick and thin and by granting theFreedom of the City to GordonBanks OBE, the city council isrecognising his outstandingcontribution to city life.”

Councillor Paul Breeze, innominating Nello, told his fellowcouncillors: “Marvellous was awonderful true story of awonderful man. Neil encapsulateswhat should be universal idealsfor humanity – be nice, befriendly and choose to be happy.

“We should all be very proud togive Nello this honour and tohave him come from our city.”

As for Nello, he is hoping hisrun of good fortune will rub offon his favourite football club. Ashe told The Guardian’s TV critic:“Last year I got an honorarydegree from Keele University.This year, a film about my life.Who knows, maybe next yearsomething nice will happen toStoke City.”

SCHOOLS, highways and waste collectionare among the city council’s most highprofile services. But beyond the frontlineand the highly visible work carried out bycouncil employees there are a thousandand one other services without which thecity would grind to a halt.

From alleyways and allotments throughto walks and wedding venues, the list ofthings the council is responsible for isseemingly endless.

And while at first glance some of theservices might seem unimportant, they allhave a vital role to play in the life of thecommunity of Stoke-on-Trent.

For example, the council operates anEmpty Homes Team which aims to bringlong-term empty homes back into use toimprove the standard of housing in thecity and to reinvigorate communities.

There is also a Licensing Team

responsible for regulating and licensing awide range of activities including taxisand private hire vehicles, streetcollections, lotteries, raffles and scrapmetal dealers.

The owners and operators of taxis andprivate hire vehicles have to take them toa special testing station – operated by thecity council – to obtain their MoTcertificates. And where would the city bewithout its cemeteries – there are nine –and its crematorium, all of which areoperated by the council to provide asmooth and sensitive service at a timewhen families need it most.

How would someone register a birth ora death without the city council’sRegistration Service based at HanleyTown Hall? How would people get rid ofrats, fleas and wasp nests without thecouncil's pest control service?

And how would city residents find outabout things like road safety, No ColdCalling Zones, climate change issues andeven where they can walk or enjoy a spotof fishing within the city’s boundarieswithout the information servicesoperated by the council?

“People tend to notice the big, frontlineservices like highways, education andsocial services, but they don’t see all thehard work that goes on behind the scenesto make everything else in the city runsmoothly,” said Assistant Chief ExecutiveCharlie Stewart.“All those services have animportant place within the communityand a vital role to play in the lives of thepeople of Stoke-on-Trent.”

Full details of all services offered by thecity council can be found on theauthority’s website at stoke.gov.ukwhere an A-Z listing is available.

Thousands of services keep the city moving every day

Banksie andNello granted

freedomaccolade

GORDON BANKS:

“It’s a fantastic honour.”

ESSENTIAL SERVICE:the beautifulsurroundings ofCarmountsideCrematorium.

NEIL ‘NELLO’ BALDWIN:

“It doesn’t get much better than this.”

10 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

WhereCity?

FOR the chance to win a Samsung digital camerahave a go at our photo competition called Where inthe City? Below are three pictures showing close-upimages of parts of three buildings in Stoke-on-Trentwhich are all playing a part in regeneration.

All you have to do is name the buildings – andsend your answers with your name, address andcontact telephone number by email toourcity@stoke.gov.uk or post to:

Where in the City competition,

FREEPOST Our City

Deadline for entries is Friday 9 January.To give a little help in identifying the buildings,there is a clue with each photo. The winner of adigital camera for last issue’s competition wasSandra Clarke of Meir Park.

Win a digital camerain photo competition

This state-of-the-art facility is just the tonic.

A great community facility in the north of the city.

A fast expanding, world-class company.

in the

A

B

C

Anew addition to the skylineof Stoke-on-Trent – and tothe city’s acclaimed

sculpture trail – is set to attractadmiring glances from residentsand visitors alike.

Golden, a 20 metre tall steelcolumn, will be erected in the heart ofthe Chatterley Valley in Tunstall. Thetitle of the piece reflects the flameswhich previously lit the night skyduring the heyday of the Goldendaleironworks which locals referred to as“the flame that never dies”.

During a site visit, award-winningartist Wolfgang Buttress, who iscreating Golden, found a piece of ironfrom the old works which has aremarkable resemblance to a humanheart. This will be suspended in theinterior of the artwork to represent thebeating heart of the community.

Covered in more than 1,000

hand-blown glass prisms, Golden willsparkle with light during the day and –thanks to internal LED lights – shineout across the Chatterley Valley atnight.

Each of the glass prisms will containa memory or wish written onhandmade paper by hundreds ofpeople in the local community.

City council Culture and EventsManager Paul Bailey said: “Goldenwill be a fantastic addition to thesculpture trail in Stoke-on-Trent whichearlier this year was judged one of thetop 10 cities in the world to visit forarts and culture walks.

“It will bring the total number ofpieces in the sculpture trail to 40. Thetrail is a collection of important,imaginative and fascinating public artsculptures, all with a unique story totell.”

The sculpture trail is divided intothree distinct subject areas with nine

pieces depicting Great People –including Sir Stanley Matthews andSpitfire designer R J Mitchell – and 11reflecting Local History such as Manof Steel, Angel of Victory andUnearthed, a magnificent piece ofartwork dedicated to unearthing thestory of Stoke-on-Trent’s relationshipwith the Czech village of Lidice wherehundreds of people were massacred bythe Nazis in 1942.

The Stanley Matthews statue at theBritannia Stadium was voted one ofthe top 10 pieces of public art by theIndependent newspaper.

A further 20 pieces come under theheading of Inspirational and includeGolden, the Tunstall Shard, TreeStories and The Pace of Recovery.

THE number of people in Stoke-on-Trent claiming Jobseekers’Allowance (JSA) has fallen by morethan 2,700 in the last year,outstripping the UK’s overallreduction rate, new figures haverevealed. Data provided by theOffice for National Statistics (ONS)shows that the JSA claimant countin the city has reduced by 2,744since October last year – a reductionof 38.6 per cent.

This compares with the nationalaverage decrease of 29.9 per centover this period, while the West

Midlands regional reduction in JSAclaimants was 28.8 per cent.

The decline in joblessness alsomeans that Stoke-on-Trent’sclaimant rate of 2.7 per cent hasnow dropped below the regionalaverage for the first time since 2007.

The number of people in the cityclaiming JSA now stands at 4,371,which is 42 per cent lower than thepeak of 9,056 which the cityreached in January 2010, at theheight of the economic downturn.

Earlier this year, Stoke-on-Trentwas ranked among the top four UK

cities for job creation in 2013 by theCentre for Cities think tank, and thethird fastest growing economic areaaccording to accountancy firm UHYHacker Young.

Council Leader CouncillorMohammed Pervez said:“Thesefigures from the ONS show thecouncil really is delivering on itspromise to secure more jobs andinvestment for the city. Since wetransformed our economic strategythrough Mandate for Change,unemployment in the city hasalmost halved.”

Number of people out of work decreases

Sculpture trail’s latestaddition is pure gold

Full information about thesculpture trail – including adetailed map – is available atwww.stokesculpturetrail.co.uk

A great place to live

An artist’s impressionshowing how theGolden sculpture will look at night.

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 11

People have say onFUTURE OF CITY

THE City Music Service hasreceived a grant to the tune of£30,000 to extend its popularSoundpots project for youngchildren.

The money, which has beenawarded through the nationalYouth Music grantsprogramme, will extend theproject, which is delivered inpartnership with Make SomeNoise, until March 2016.

It also enables the deliveryof weekly musical activities at16 more venues and furthertraining sessions for EarlyYears practitioners andteachers.

Soundpots engages withchildren up to the age of fiveat schools and nurseries acrossthe city.

In schools, the project teamwork with small groups ofaround 10 pupils for half anhour each week, encouraginglanguage development andsocial skills through carefullychosen musical activities andengaging resources.

In private day nurseries themusician often becomes more apart of the team for a half day aweek, mentoring staff and

working in a more play-basedway with smaller groups ofchildren or one to one, as wellas with larger groups.

Soundpots Co-ordinatorPenny Barfield said:“Encouraging and supportingstaff is an important part ofthe Soundpots project.

“At least one member ofstaff comes in to each session,and it has been brilliant tohear them recounting howthey have tried out activitieswith the whole class, orperhaps gone over activitiesagain during the week withthe smaller group.

“In many cases, theSoundpots children havebecome leaders in class,helping to teach songs andactivities to the whole class.”

Louise Holland, Receptionclass teacher at St Teresa’sCatholic Academy in TrentVale, said:“I honestly believe Ihave achieved much morethan I thought I would and thechildren that have being goingto the Soundpots sessionshave grown in confidence somuch. The transformation isquite often unbelievable.”

Music funtime extendedthanks to £30,000 grant

COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN ACTION...Fenpark Hilltop Allotments Secretary

Tony Williams takes part in acommunity tidyup in Fenton.

A green oasis at the heart of thecity... Burslem’s restored park.

My City,

My SayWorking with you for a better Stoke-on-Trent Early Years

Musician PennyBarfield makes music

with Christchurch school pupils Layla May,

Leon, Kaitlyn andRyleigh, all three

years old.

FEEDBACK from 1200 peoplereceived at 50 events held across thecity is helping to shape future

priorities for the city.Over 300 people attended events at community

venues while at least 930 filled in an onlinequestionnaire.

Residents praised community spirit, heritage andparks and gardens but urged the city council totackle jobs and prosperity, dirty streets and safety.

People who took part were very positive aboutbeing involved in their local area; half were alreadyinvolved and a further twenty percent said they werereally keen to do more in their community.

At a special feedback event at the King’s Hall localpeople, officers from council and other organisationsin the city worked together to identify ways in whichthey could work together to address these issues.This feedback has helped to inform a 30-year vision,called ‘Renaissance’ of Stoke-on-Trent as aneconomic northern powerhouse.

City Renaissance plans to slash unemployment,create more jobs and new homes, provide bettereducation and training and opportunities for all in acity with a vibrant and diverse heart. It sees a new corecity – a world capital of ceramics – with enhancedtransport links and digital infrastructure and:

l A population of 750,000.l 110,000 new jobs.l Economic growth of £4.3 billion.l 1,900 new businesses being created each year.

l 85,000 new homes with a significant proportionworth over £250,000.

l 100 per cent of working age people withqualifications and skills appropriate to their chosencareer.

l Childrens’ educational performance in the topquarter in the country.

l Resilient families with better life chances.

l Crime and antisocial behaviour below the nationalaverage.

Council Leader Councillor Mohammed Pervezsaid: “Stoke-on-Trent is one of the fastest growingcities in the UK and is undergoing economicrenaissance. We want to realise Stoke-on-Trent’sfull potential for future generations by growing intoa new, vibrant and prosperous core city. “But thecity council can’t do this alone.

“We need to work together with a host oftalented and passionate people who live and workhere to better understand the city’s needs andshape its future direction, to build on our strengthsand help the city grow and prosper. It has beenreally helpful for us to hear first-hand what peoplethink.”

The city council is now working closely withpartnership organisations like the universities,neighbouring councils and the emergency services as well as voluntary, community and faith groups,to develop three pilot forums across the city. Thesewill look at how the voice of the community caninfluence services to meet local needs.

12 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

HEALTH and wellbeingissues linked topockets of poor

housing are being tackled in anew initiative starting in thePortland Street area.

Under the Safe and SoundHomes (SASH) scheme, teamsare visiting households to offerfree checks for

problems like damp and mould,poor heating, draughty windows,fire and trip hazards andproblems with electrics.

The SASH Coordinator willalso speak to local residentsindividually to help identify anyhealth or support needs theymight have in order to benefittheir health and wellbeing. Thiscould range from money and

debt advice, help with accessinggrants to help with fuel povertyto finding a doctor or dentist.

The area is alreadyundergoing a raft ofenvironmental improvements aspart of the council’s £1 housesproject.

The link between housingconditions and health is wellproven and SASH will enablethe city council to work closelywith residents and homeowners,including private landlords, totackle issues caused bysubstandard accommodation.

As well as offering freehousing inspections fortenants, the city council canalso help homeowners secureaffordable finance and adviceso they can carry out necessaryrepairs that will improve theirwellbeing or that of theirtenants.

At the start of the £1 housesproject the authority pledged toimprove the area for everyoneliving there and city councilofficials are confident that is whatis happening.

The response from residentshas been very positive anddemonstrates that there is avibrant and engaged community

there and that people are readyand willing to make changehappen.

Safe and Sound HomesCoordinator Jordan Hitchin said:“My role will be to visithouseholds in the area to askresidents about the quality oftheir housing as well as theirhealth needs.

“I can offer advice and

guidance about local services thatcan help many different groups ofpeople, including advice for theover 55s, information about freeearly education and help withcareers and employment.”

Funded by the city council’sPublic Health Directorate,the SASH team can becontacted on 01782 232786.

Improving homesto boost health

Environmental Health Officer Sarah Fitzpatrick who will becarrying out the property checks in Cobridge.

Healthy lives

Safe andSound Homes

Coordinator JordanHitchin with leaflets

explaining how the scheme

works.

WINTER 2014 Our City 13

PEOPLE tempted toremain in abusiveand violent domestic

relationships over thefestive period are beingurged to think twice andseek help.

The advice comes from ARCH,the Stoke-on-Trent based charityorganisation dedicated to keepingvictims of domestic violence safe.

Part of the StaffordshireHousing Group, the charitydelivers a range of services acrossStaffordshire and Cheshire Eastincluding education programmes,referrals to counselling servicesand help lines operated byvolunteers.

Teams visit victims in Accidentand Emergency and train medicalstaff to ask the right questions.

They also operate a supportservice for men and women tohelp them stay in their homessafely and four 24-hour staffedrefuges for women and children,one of which is in Stoke.

The charity works withperpetrators through a 30-weekprogramme designed to raisetheir awareness about the effectsof their behaviour and help themchange it.

Tackling domestic violenceneeds a multi-agency response,bringing together the police,social care, education, probationand voluntary sectors – so ARCHtrains a wide range of partneragencies.

It also provides recovery,confidence and self-esteem raisingprogrammes at the SunriseCentre.

Wendy Wainwright, Head ofDomestic Violence Services atARCH, said: “As Christmasapproaches, many victims willstay in an abusive relationship totry and give their children ahappy time and hope things willbe different.

“However, this is unlikely to bethe case because domesticviolence usually escalates overtime and tensions around financeand increased use of alcohol willonly exacerbate an abusivesituation.

“Anyone needing informationand support should ring us atArch. We are here to help andsupport you.”

Seek help beforethe festive period

Charming at first– then he startedto make changes

Call ARCH on 01782 222421or the helpline on 01782205500.

Domestic abuse victim

Marie was physically and

emotionally abused by her

husband for more than 20

years but managed to

break the cycle with the

support of all agencies

involved and is now

rebuilding her life. Here,

she tells her story…

Domestic violence and abuse, one of the most harmful of crimes, continues to be actively addressed by all agencies withinthe Stoke-on-Trent Domestic Abuse Partnership, including the city council, domestic abuse charity ARCH, and statutory andvoluntary sector partners. Here, Our City tells the harrowing story of one victim as others are urged to come forward.

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WHEN I met him he wascharming and a bit of a badboy. He moved in and wehad a baby but he startedto make changes from thebeginning. Things like Ididn’t need make up or towear short skirts. As timewent on he becameincreasingly moody andstopped me working.

I can’t remember exactlywhen he started to hit me, Ithink it was when he washaving one of his affairsand I found out. As timewent on he isolated me andstopped me going out. Hedrove my friends away bymaking them feeluncomfortable andunwelcome.

He instilled fear in me likeI had never felt before, Iwould dread being hit if Ididn’t comply to hisneeds/demands and hisconstant jibes about myweight and appearance.

I had no confidence orself-esteem left. He madesure that I knew if I left himhe would harm familymembers. We all learned tojust comply with his

demands – we were all hisslaves. I knew I had to getaway before he killed me.He attacked me again butthe police were called andhe was arrested and latersent to prison.

I have been beaten,mentally tortured,imprisoned, deprived ofsleep and I have beenassaulted on countlessoccasions but I am now in anew relationship and veryhappy.

My family is helping meto rebuild my life. I sufferfrom post traumatic stressdisorder – however I amstrong and confident. I havehad loads of support fromthe police, social serviceshousing, Arch and theSunrise Centre.

I have completed theFreedom programme, theDomestic Violence RecoveryToolkit and an accreditedvolunteers programme.

I am a volunteer now andco-facilitate programmes. Iam doing loads of coursesand hope that I can helpwomen who are goingthrough what I did.

14 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

Spotlight onOUR CITY’S RESIDENTS’

ASSOCIATIONS AND

COMMUNITY GROUPS

ONE of the busiest streets in the city is getting a pelicancrossing – thanks to a

campaign by the local residents’association.

Traffic safety measures are beingintroduced on a stretch of Keelings Roadnear Northwood Broom CommunitySchool.

The initiative comes two years after theNorthwood Residents’ Association beganworking with the city council, the schooland local police to improve conditions forpedestrians.

The issue was first flagged up byresident Malcolm Hughes whose daughterhad experienced some near misses.

He spoke to a Highways Agency officialduring an association meeting and asubsequent traffic survey established thatKeelings Road was one of the busiest inStoke-on-Trent.

“Since then the road has got busier andbusier,” said association Chairman JohnBirch.

“The much-needed pelican crossing will

benefit not only thechildren at the school butalso people using thenearby shops and postoffice.”

Once the crossing isinstalled, the Associationis planning to set up amemorial bench with aplaque to rememberMalcolm Hughes, who hassadly died since.

The NorthwoodResidents’ Association,working with BirchesHead Residents’Association, has also beensuccessful in securing£20,000 funding forsports sessions for youngpeople at Northwood Stadium.

The two-year project has been match-funded by Stoke City’s Kicksinitiative and the StreetGames programmerun by the city council.Young people agedbetween 12 and 19 are coached in footballat Kicks sessions and are provided with a

range of sporting activities includingbasketball and cricket by StreetGames.

John Birch said: “We decided to go formore funding after the success of a pilotscheme two years ago.

“The new grants are a good result forlocal youngsters who are supervised by

trained personnel during the sessions.”New members are always welcomed at

Northwood Residents’ Association. Johnsaid: “Our members get a real chance tomake things happen in their area. We givethem a voice through having access tolocal councillors.”

THE Pinnox Junction Residents’Association, in Tunstall, responded to acity-wide call from the council forresidents to help clean up theirneighbourhoods.

Eight members went to Pinnox Street litter picking during a Cleanerand Greener event during which thecouncil appealed to community groupsand businesses to take part.

The local authority providedequipment and sent out trucks to

collect rubbish across Stoke-on-Trentand the association was keen to play aleading role in tidying up theenvironment.

Chairman Charles Edmonds said:“Weare passionate about keeping our areaclean and tidy. We do litter picking on aweekly basis but the Cleaner andGreener event was a great chance forus to make even more of an impact.

“We took the lead in our area,working with the council’s

environmental team and doing athorough litter pick throughout thestreet and in the back alleys. We alsopointed out fly tipping sites in our areaso that they could be dealt with.”l There are residents’ associations allover Stoke-on-Trent. For more detailsabout joining one or setting up acommunity group, contact the citycouncil’s Tenant Involvement Team on01782 235916 or emailtenantinvolvementteam@stoke.gov.uk

MEMBERS of Tunstall NorthResidents’ Association have comeup with a smart idea to ensurepeople in their area experienceincreased security in their homes.

The association has used partof a £1,000 People Power grantfrom Staffordshire’s Police andCrime Commissioner to purchase100 SmartWater forensic markingkits.

SmartWater is a propertymarking system that residents andbusinesses can use to protectivelytag their property as a crimeprevention measure.

An invisible liquid is applied topossessions, acting as a DNA-stylefingerprint which links ownerswith their property and criminalsto the crime scene.

The association discussed the

idea of using the system withPolice and Crime CommissionerMatthew Ellis when he visitedrecently.

So far it has purchased 100kits, which are being sold toresidents in its 900-property areafor £10. All proceeds are re-invested into the scheme.

Chairman Dennis Viggars said:“We are very grateful for thefunding which has allowed us tolaunch this crime preventioninitiative.

“Anyone inside our catchmentarea who has not beenapproached with the idea andwishes to purchase a kit is invitedto attend one of our meetingswhich take place on the secondThursday of each month at7.30pm at Tunstall Reform Club.”

Dedicated group leads big community clean up

Water smart way toboost home security

Busy roadsafer aftercampaign

Chair of the Northwood Residents’ Association John Birch,left, and Treasurer Alan Wrench, at Northwood BroomPrimary School, where a new crossing is being installed.

Tunstall North Residents’ Association Minute SecretarySue Viggars, right, and Chairman Dennis Viggars, left,show the smart water property marking technologywith Treasurer John Bannister on Parsonage Road.

Making a difference

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 15

Contact the council via social media on

MORE than 200delegates attended amajor networking

event designed to acceleratebusiness growth in the city.

Staged at the King’s Hall,businesses were welcomed byCouncil Leader CouncillorMohammed Pervez before key noteaddresses from the council’s ChiefExecutive John van de Laarschot andSimon Burton, the founder of theGreat British Entrepreneur Awards.

The third annual GrowNorthStaffsevent featured one-minute pitchesfrom a diverse range of businessesand organisations explaining their

business. Subjects covered during thepitches ranged from venture capitalinvestment, UK Trade andInvestment help for exporters, tokeeping it local, advice on how togrow and find new customers andhow young people can develop theirbusiness acumen.

Twenty business booths were alsoshowcased to help promote localprojects and programmes tobusinesses, which will help them onthe fast track to success.

This included Keele UniversityScience and Business Park,Staffordshire Business EnvironmentNetwork (SBEN), the council’sMandate for Change, the Business

Innovation Centre and PM Training.Useful networking opportunities

had been organised and feedback wasthat it was an “excellent event,extremely well represented by seniormembers of the council.”

Ramona Hirschi, ManagingDirector of Fairtrade productsdistributor Little Trove, said shefound the event extremely useful. Sheadded: “It’s always good to see whatsort of vision the city’s leaders havefor Stoke-on-Trent and how we canboth gain from and contribute to it.”

For more information and to seethe event’s presentations, go tostoke.gov.uk/grownorthstaffs and follow the links.

BAKING queen Liz Wroeturned to her passion forcakes when she lost her salesand marketing job two yearsago and her new business wasborn.

She now trades from herWerrington home as Miss Liz –making themed celebrationcakes and selling sock animalcraft kits.

To grow her business, the32-year-old attended theGrowNorthStaffs event and isnow following up a number ofleads.

She said:“I’ve beenpassionate about bakingforever and used to bake for

friends and my colleagues atwork. They always said Ishould go into business formyself.

“When I lost my job that’swhat I did. I now trade onlineand at craft fairs with thesupport of my family.

“The Prince’s Trust invitedme to the GrowNorthStaffsevent and it was a really,really useful way to network.

“It was also useful findingout about the council’s plansto grow the city. It was greatto talk to people and I got afew leads. The Princes’ TrustTomorrow store has ordered40 of my sock monkey kits.”

Support has star rolein film firm’s success

Mandate for Change... Stoke-on-Trent : a great place to do business

Hundreds sign up todrive business FILMMAKER Ruairi Cahill is focused on using his skills

to build his business and jumped at the chance tonetwork at GrowNorthStaffs.

The 23-year-old from Ireland graduated with a filmproduction degree from Staffordshire University earlierthis year and decided to stay in the city as he launchedFunk-Soul Media – a small video production company.

Ruairi said:“GrowNorthStaffs was very valuable, alifeline to get exposure and to get to meet people. I wasvery nervous making my one-minute pitch but I did getleads from it, which I’m following up. It was verysuccessful.

“I’ve learned life lessons in this city I couldn’t havegot anywhere else so I’m staying.”

Commissions undertaken by Ruairi so far include acommunity project with Stoke City Football Club to tellthe story of the National Citizen Service and a

corporate promotional film for Delta Surgical, anindependent distributor of medical and

surgical products.

Liz Wroe hasmade a businessout of baking.

Funk-Soul Media founder Ruairi Cahill, left, with DylanBanks, aged 16, from Fenton who took part in one ofhis video projects.

City CouncilLeader CouncillorMohammed Pervezwelcomes hundredsof delegates to theGrowNorthStaffsevent.

Bake-off take-off isrecipe for progress

Facebook.com/sotcitycouncil or Twitter @SoTCityCouncil

16 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

OFFICERS driving businesssuccess in the city scooped threeawards at two prestigious events.

The city council’s EconomicDevelopment Team’s work onMandate for Change won BestSmall Business FriendlyProgramme or Campaign at theregional Federation of SmallBusinesses Awards.

Judges recognised theauthority’s sustained approach tobusiness support including aninnovative Start-Up competitionto foster local entrepreneurship,inward investment and mentoringas well as affordable finance andgrant aid through the RegionalGrowth Fund.

Two commendations were alsohanded to the council at thenational Enterprising BritainAwards in London. The firstcommendation, Promoting

Entrepreneurial Spirit, wasawarded for the team’s worksupporting new businessstart-ups and existing businesses.

A partnership drive involvingpottery manufacturer EmmaBridgewater and former Tradeand Investment Minister LordGreen to drive up exports saw thecouncil commended in theSupport for Export section.

Council Leader CouncillorMohammed Pervez said: “Theteam has helped local firms to tapinto millions of pounds of grantfunding to create and secure jobs.

“The award and commendationsreflect the hard work that hasgone into building up ourbusiness support service andshow that we are well on the wayto making Stoke-on-Trent theplace to bring and growbusiness.”

EXTENSIVE business supportis offered through city councilsponsored services as the

authority’s Mandate for Changedrives economic growth inStoke-on-Trent.

From start-ups to existing companies,local authority experts work with partners toprovide loans, mentoring, competitiveintelligence, space at enterprise centres,recruitment and training consultancy.

Packages are available to help businessesgrow and thrive:

l Finance is available through the Stoke-on-Trent Business Loan Fund, jointlyfunded by the council and the EuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF). Loanamounts depend on the business plan andare also available to new businesses in theirinitial phase. Call 01782 367148 or emailapply@yesup.co.uk

Loans can range from £10,000 to£50,000. Call 0845 313 8410, emailenquiries@bcrs.org.uk or visit bcrs.org.ukl Government-backed low interest Start-UpLoans typically of around £4,500, deliveredby partner Youth Enterprise, are available forthose who want to be their own boss andlaunch their own enterprise.l The council manages Enterprise Centres

for small businesses in Longton, Shelton,Burslem and Chatterley Whitfield. They offercommunal facilities and shared resources likemeeting rooms and high-speed internet. Call01782 233233 for more information.l Reports offering information on trends,gaps in a market, buyers and suppliers in thesupply chain and the best place to findcustomers are available to small and mediumsized companies from the council.Call 01782 238327 or emailbusiness.growth@stoke.gov.ukl Mentoring to help firms overcomedifficulties and improve practice is partiallyfunded by the city council and delivered freeof charge by Staffordshire Chambers ofCommerce. Call 01782 213929.l Jobs Enterprise & Training (JET) is thecouncil-managed recruitment and trainingconsultancy that helps firms find a trainedworkforce. Call 01782 233530.l Supply Chain opportunities are availablethrough Make It Your Business – an onlineweb portal delivered by the council inpartnership with Staffordshire Chambers ofCommerce.

It is free to register and provides a range ofbusiness information and email alerts withcontract opportunities. Call 01782 234552,email miyourbusiness@stoke.gov.uk orvisit miyourbusiness.stoke.gov.uk

Team’s sustained approachattracts glowing praise

Economic vision and support packages help

businesses to thrive and grow

ENTRIES are still being takenfor the Sentinel BusinessAwards – although theclosing date is Friday 19December.

There are 10 categories andawards honouring apprentices,businesses, entrepreneurs,innovation, training, scienceand technology, growth andinternational trade.

Judging takes place early in

2015. To enter any of thecategories visitwww.stokesentinel.co.uk andcomplete the application.

Still time to enter for awards

Mandate for Change... Stoke-on-Trent: a great place to do business Mandate for Change... Stoke-on-Trent: a great place to do

Spongedecorator MelanieHulme adds blue

glaze to the EmmaBridgewater Union

Jack line.

Backing business

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 17

FROM redundancy to a growingglobal fan base – Anita Harrisreally is flying the flag inStoke-on-Trent for the small,artisan potter.

Based in Longton, Anita, herson Peter and business partnerSamantha Johnson producehighly original hand-madedesigns using their signaturereactive glazes.

Stoke City Football Club hascommissioned pieces and HenrySandon from the BBC’s AntiquesRoadshow has supported eventdays at the firm’s new shop in theintu Potteries Shopping Centre.

Anita, who moved to the city in2002 after a 10-year stint as Headof Design at Poole Pottery inDorset, said:“I secured a positionas a designer for Moorcroft’ssister company CobridgeStoneware but was maderedundant when it closed, so Iused my redundancy money toset up Anita Harris Pottery fouryears ago.

“It hasn’t been easy, but we’vemanaged to keep goingbecause we have a greatfollowing of local people as wellas collectors from Australia,Canada, the USA and manymore countries.

“The city council has alwaysbeen very supportive of whatwe do and has come to us forspecial one-off presentationpieces like the vase we made topresent to Sir Bradley Wigginswhen he won the Stoke leg ofthe Tour of Britain.

“It’s hard work and you needto be passionate and dedicated.

“But with the support of thecity council, the intu PotteriesShopping Centre, Stoke City andour many friends and collectors,we’re going from strength tostrength.

“We hope one day to set onan apprentice to pass our skillson to because otherwise thetechniques we use willgradually die.”

Alastair boxes clever withdocument storageAMBITIOUS entrepreneur AlastairMachin launched his Stoke-on-Trent based securedocument storage business justthree years ago and already hashis eye on the prospect offurther expansion with citycouncil support.

The 27-year-old ManagingDirector of Chaffinch Documenthas built a strong relationshipwith the city council teams toaccess financial and mentoringsupport.

Alastair secured funding toexpand his storage facilities andhire an extra member of staff.

He has also improved hisfinancial managementknowledge and businessacumen through theStaffordshire Chambers ofCommerce mentoring sessions,which are partially funded by thecouncil.

Chaffinch Document hasgrown substantially since 2011with turnover doubling eachfinancial year since then.

With three employees, the firmnow stores up to 30,000 archiveboxes at triple-locked premiseson Festival Park and at the North

Staffs Business Park in Tunstall.Alastair said: “The support of

the council teams has been veryuseful. It’s always a challenge forsmaller businesses to accessfinance so you need to knowhow and where to go.

“As for the mentoring, I’vebeen able to access expertisethat a business of our sizewouldn’t necessarily be able toafford and that’s given me adifferent perspective.

“I’ve learned a lot and it’sgiven me a wider base ofknowledge. It’s good to knowthere is a support structure inplace locally to grow businessesin the city.

“We hope to expand and takeon further clients. I’m local andI’m passionate about the ideathat Stoke-on-Trent should haveas many opportunities toprogress as possible.

“The city council is providingthe best possible access toexperts so I will remain in touchwith their teams and want todevelop that relationship.

“Last time I expanded I tookon one new member of staff,next time I hope it’s two.”

Economic vision and support packages help

businesses to thrive and growSt James Enterprise Centre, Longton,is one of six across the city offeringfacilities to for use by local businesses.

Alastair Machin, Managing Director of ChaffinchDocument, inside one of the companystorage centres.

Artisan potterAnita Harriswith some ofher pieces.

Mandate for Change... Stoke-on-Trent: a great place to do business Mandate for Change... Stoke-on-Trent: a great place to do business

Popular pottery launchedwith redundancy money

GRITTERS are on stand-by in Stoke-on-Trent to help

road users battle through theicy blast of winter.

Seven gritting vehicles and a4X4 vehicle with a trailer arepoised to spread grit salt to

prevent ice forming and clearsnow in a bid to keep trafficmoving safely.

They are able to draw on2,800 tonnes of grit salt whichhave been stockpiled at variousdesignated sites, as well as top-upsupplies which salt mines have

agreed to makeavailable in the eventof extremely harshweather conditions.

The currentavailability of saltallows for the councilgritters to go out 120times in frostconditions and 30times in snowconditions during thewinter.

A full-time nightshift is backed up byon-call drivers, drawnfrom various areaswithin the citycouncil’s existingworkforce.

The decision tosend out the gritters istaken by a qualifiedofficer and is based ondaily informationprovided from a

number of sources includingspecialist weather predictionsoftware linked to an onsiteweather station, which predictslikely road surface and airtemperatures.

Around 260km of roads aretreated each time the gritters gointo action. These include majorroads and regular and frequentbus routes together with some

infrequent bus routes which arepart of the main network.

Attention is also given toaccess roads for emergencyservices including police,ambulance stations and hospitals.

The council also makes trips tofill the 400 self-help grit binsstrategically placed around the cityfor use on roads and footpaths.

The grit in these bins is

intended solely for use on thepublic highway and not onprivate driveways etc.

Please call 01782 237061 torequest that a bin be refilled.For more information go tostoke.gov.uk/gritting and stay up-to-date with issues affectingtravel in the local area byfollowing @stokehighways onTwitter.

18 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

Plan to build realistic WW1 trench exhibit at museumA replica trench has been built next to ThePotteries Museum & Art Gallery as the citycommemorates the centenary of theoutbreak of World War One.

A full-scale section of trench complete withdugout will offer museum visitors anatmospheric, thought-provoking

understanding of some of the conditionsexperienced by soldiers on the battlefields.

Engagement days are planned for bothschool-age young learners and adults, whichwould combine activities and displays withscience demonstrations. Working inpartnership with the Forensic departments at

Staffordshire and Keele Universities, a CSI-style event on 25 April 2015examines how scientific advanceschanged the art of warfare.

Visitors will be able to learn aboutartillery shells, how poison gas was madeand even get to try their hand at makingperiscopes. Science students from bothStaffordshire and Keele Universities areset to help deliver the interactiveactivities and demonstrations.

Melanie Firman, the council’s museum-based Audience DevelopmentOfficer, said: “We’re really excited aboutour plans for the semi-permanent trenchexhibition.

“It’ll really bring to life the horrors ofthe war and show people what soldiershad to endure.”

The trench is just the latest in a packedprogramme of commemorative projectsand events taking place at the museumthrough until 2018.

World War One items are on displayuntil 26 April 2015 in an exhibition calledEchoes of War, which focuses on thecontribution that Stoke-on-Trent made

to the war effort through its infirmary.Costumes and uniforms will be used duringWomen and the Great War on 22 March nextyear in a presentation highlighting thecatastrophic impact of the war on the HomeFront.

An artist’s impression ofthe planned replica trench.

For a full events listing and moreinformation on the commemorationof the First World War centenary,please visit stokemuseums.org.uk andstoke.gov.uk/firstworldwar

READY TO ROLL:LGV Driver Dave Fergusonwith the gritting trucks.

STOCKPILE:Place Reactive Technician Nick Cartlidge andData Collection Engineer Emily Robinsonwith the mountain of grit at Cromer Road.

HORRORS OF WAR: A scene from the trenches.

True gritall set forICY BLAST

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 19

MORE and more peopleacross Stoke-on-Trentwould happily volunteer

for the benefit of theircommunity according to thefindings of the My City, My Saypublic consultation.

Of nearly a thousand people who filledin questionnaires, 20 per cent said theywould like to offer their time, skills andresources in the future.

Volunteers already play a key role inhelping to keep the wheels turning atlibraries, museums, schools, adult andyouth services and parks across the city.

They carry out clean-ups and parkrevamp projects, give administrationsupport and even help people take partin sport.

Many will help neighbours this winterif bad weather sets in with things likeshopping and making sure they are safe.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)checks are carried out for some roles andthe council offers induction training andsupport as volunteers pick up valuable

experience, which can often improvetheir CVs and enhance their jobprospects.

Valued volunteers support adults withlearning difficulties to enjoy activities likebowling, shopping, the cinema andcourses. Disability awareness training isoffered for those taking part.

For more information contact KerrySummerfield on 01782 236174 or emailvaluedvolunteers@stoke.gov.uk

There are volunteering opportunitiesto work with young people aged 10-17who are affected by the criminal justicesystem – either bringing themface-to-face with a victim at a YouthOffender Panel or acting as anappropriate adult during policequestioning.

Enhanced DBS checks are carried outand training offered. Contact SheetalMistry on 01782 238830 for moreinformation or email sheetal.mistry@stoke.gov.uk

Sports volunteers help deliver activitiesat leisure centres across the city so to getinvolved call 01782 236930 or email

sportsdevelopment.activities@stoke.gov.uk

Schools also take volunteers in supportroles that are subject to DBS checks,medical clearance and references.

For opportunities contact theheadteacher at a school directly.

SPIDER lover Sara Ponting is in herelement as a volunteer at The PotteriesMuseum & Art Gallery where she ishelping to catalogue the arachnidcollection.

The 23-year-old University of Edinburghzoology graduate can spend up to twodays a week in the basement workingwith hundreds of dead specimens inboxes and others in jars of alcohol.

Currently studying for her Mastersdegree in Invertebrate Ecology andConservation at Staffordshire University,Sara’s job is to organise the collection intofamilies, re-label and identify specimenswhen a label is missing. She said:“I lovespiders and have two at home, a pinksalmon Goliath bird-eating tarantulacalled Rasputina and Anna, a Chilean rosetarantula. They eat crickets andcockroaches.

“I’m a passionate arachnologist andwant to work in conservation so theexperience I’m getting at the museum isincredibly useful. I’m able to studyspecimens, use equipment I wouldn’tnormally get to and it’s helping build myexperience.

“It’s a lovely place to work. All thevolunteers have their specialities andhave made me feel really welcome.”

Sara has a long track record of givingher time as a volunteer having worked inher native Scotland for Scottish ExoticAnimal Rescue as well as the LothianAmphibian and Reptile group.

She has also worked as a laboratoryassistant and in a shop for the charityShelter UK.“I’d encourage anyonethinking about volunteering to go for it –it’s a great way to expand your hobbiesand experience,” she said.

HOSTS are being recruited to helpshowcase the incredible display ofStaffordshire Hoard artefacts at ThePotteries Museum & Art Gallery.

The volunteers would join an existingteam of enthusiasts who chat to visitorsabout the find, new research and AngloSaxon life in general.

Interpretation Officer Cathy Shingler,who helps organise museum volunteers,said:“Our Hoard Hosts have been aparticular success because they can tellits story better than panels or labels evercould.”

The museum wants to hear fromprospective Hoard Hosts who could

offer an afternoon or a full day. There areother volunteering opportunitiesincluding administration and at theGladstone Pottery Museum.

Sara is city’svery ownSpiderwoman

To find out more, call Cathyon 01782 232323 or emailcathy.shingler@stoke.gov.uk

More peopleare ready tovolunteer

Hosts tell the story of the Staffordshire Hoard

Volunteer Hoard Host Mark Higginson with nine-year-oldIzaac Liddall who had the chance to try on an AngloSaxon costume during his visit to the museum.

VolunteerSara Pontingworking with the arachnid

collection at themuseum.

People doing it for themselves

20 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

Ahi-tech concept carwill be driving homepotentially life-saving

messages to young people inStoke-on-Trent.

The VF4 Ford FocusST has been kitted outwith state-of-the-artequipment whichsimulates the impactof a car crash. It aimsto reduce thenumber of incidentson the city’s roads by

educating youngpeople on the possible

risks they face if they fail todrive safely and sensibly.

The vehicle will be visitingschools and colleges next yearand students will be invited to

sit inside it while a DVD isplayed.

The actors featured make avariety of mistakes, includingtaking a call on a mobile phonewhile driving and not wearingseatbelts, which result in a roadtraffic collision.

On impact, the car dropsdramatically as though it hasbeen in a collision and smokefills the interior. Blue flashinglights are then activated,indicating the arrival of theemergency services.

Mick Warrilow, CommunitySafety Officer for the north,said: “The car is an amazingeducational tool as the youngpeople are able to experiencethe sights, sounds and smells ofa road traffic collision without

actually being involved in areal-life incident.

“It is a very dramaticsimulation which will stay inthe minds of participants for along time – with the aim beingto dramatically reduce thenumber of young people whowill actually go through it inreality.

“The experience will bebacked up by a hard-hittingpresentation which includesfacts and figures relatingspecifically to our target group.

“These include safetymessages around the use ofdrink and drugs while driving,speeding, using mobile phonesand not wearing seatbelts, all ofwhich can have life-threateningconsequences.”

STAFFORDSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service isurging people to make sure their elderlyrelatives, friends and neighbours are assafe as possible from fire this Christmas.

Ron and Kath Hughes from Bentileehave received their free Home Fire RiskCheck from the service – one of the bestways to ensure protection in the home.

Kath said:“My granddaughter bookedus in for a check, we’d had one at our oldaddress but she thought it was importantfor us to have another one in our newproperty.

“Ron is hard of hearing and so a normalsmoke alarm wouldn’t wake him when hetakes his hearing aid out. So we’ve aspecialist smoke alarm for him, whichincludes a vibrating pad under his pillow,which would wake him if there were a fireat night.

“We certainly feel much safer now – thevisit is free so there’s no reason whypeople shouldn’t have one. We’d definitelyrecommend it.”

Prevention Lead for Stoke-on-Trent

Donna Broadhead said:“There have beenover 150 fires involving elderly people inthe city in the past five years and alreadythis year we have had two older ladiessadly die.

“If you have elderly parents,grandparents, neighbours or friends we’durge you to book them in for a free HomeFire Risk Check with us – it will give them,and you peace of mind.”

A Home Fire Risk Check involves afirefighter or a technician visiting yourhome to give fire safety advice and fitequipment such as smoke alarms toensure you are safer in your home.

Hi-tech car simulates

crash impact

Ron and Kath Hughes discuss fire risks and firealarm systems withStaffordshire Fire and RescueTechnician Paul Bragg.

Home fire risk check is vital

Right, thehi-techsimulationequipmentin the car’sboot.

CommunitySafety OfficerMick Warrilow

with the eye-catchingconcept car.

To book a check, call FREEPHONE 0800 0241 999.For people who are deaf or hard ofhearing and require a specialistalarm a referral will be made duringthis visit to get this equipmentfitted during a separate visit.

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 21

To contact the council by text simply send your message to 07786 200700

WATCHING theirown girls makingfriends and playing

with foster children in thestreet inspired Sue andDavid Howe to take upfostering themselves.

That was around 17 years agoand the couple from Talke, who areregistered with the city council,have since fostered sevenyoungsters – the latest being a 13-year-old boy.

Fostering is about looking afterother people’s children when theyare unable to remain with theirown families.

With three grown up daughters,six grandchildren aged 14 years to12 months and an extended familyof foster children who keep intouch, life in the Howe householdis never dull.

Sue, who has just turned 60,said: “Fostering was somethingwe’d always wanted to do but wewaited until our girls were a littleolder and the time was right.

“It was a bit difficult to startwith and a real steep learning

curve. There was a little trepidationbefore our first foster child arrivedbut it was fine. She was 10 yearsold and stayed 12 weeks.

“Our second was only supposedto be with us two weeks butstayed eight years and our latestlong term child is fantastic.

“Fostering to us is about givingtime, life, love and stability. Welaugh at times and cry at timesand I’d encourage anyone elseconsidering fostering to do it.”

Dave, a 59-year-old manager ata distribution centre, said: “I’dcall fostering a calling. It’s a wayto give to other families what yougive to your own family.

“I’m always pleased to see howour foster children get on plus it’snice to be able to make adifference.”

Foster care provides a safe,secure and stable environment forchildren and young people. Thecity council works with children,young people and their families tohelp them, where possible, toreturn home or move on to apermanent and secure placement.

Foster carers can look after

children and young people for afew days, weeks, months or years,depending on their needs.

As well as mid-and longer termneeds, carers are also needed forshort break fostering for childrenwith disabilities, to providemuch-needed support for theirfamilies.

Stoke-on-Trent FosteringService offers an allowance tocare for the child, local 24-hoursupport along withcomprehensive, high quality

training. More foster carers arealways needed in Stoke-on-Trentwhere the council has a policy oftrying to keep as many children inthe city as possible so they canmaintain links with their familyand friends.

If you are thinking aboutfostering, or simply want somemore information, why notcontact the Fostering Duty Teamon 01782 234555 to receive aninformation pack and talk to oneof their friendly advisors.

CARERS will benefit from areshaping of services thataims to offer increasedsupport to them and theirfamilies.

The city council is lookingto create an integratedCarers’ Hub in conjunctionwith county-wide partners.The move would see theauthority and Stoke-on-TrentClinical CommissioningGroup (CCG) jointly

commission the hub inpartnership withStaffordshire CountyCouncil and StaffordshireCCGs. One lead provider

would be expected to workwith others for the provisionof the service across thewhole of the county –offering consistency indelivery and improvedoutcomes for carers througha person centred approach.

The Carers’ Hub model hasbeen developed on the backof considerable consultationwith carers, current servicesand professionals. Citycouncil officers have alsolooked at other areas wherethis type of provision is inoperation, to help shape it.

The hub will offer a singlepoint of contact and act as ahost for a number of servicesincluding advice andguidance, carers’ breaks,volunteering opportunitiesand crisis prevention.

New hubto benefitall carers

Sue and David Howe with their two-year-old collie Guy.

Carers give life,time, love and

stability

MARKETS across Stoke-on-Trent are running an easy to enter drawin the run up to Christmas with prizes worth £2,000 up for grabs.

First prize will be £1,000 in cash with a further eight runners upeach receiving market vouchers worth £125. Forms are available atall markets with a closing date for the draw of 24 December.

Traders are pulling out all the stops this year asshoppers are encouraged to try the many fabulousindoor and outdoor stalls near them.

More and more younger people are starting to shopin markets as younger entrepreneurs start businessesselling goods not easily found on the High Street.

Success stories include Andrea and Gary Wall whostarted Wall Flowers at Longton Market with the helpof Business Enterprise Support and Gemma Hall whoopened her Flaunt It boutique at Hanley Marketfollowing the tragic loss of three babies. Gemmanow gives 20 per cent of her profits to SANDS – thestillbirth and neo-natal death charity.

Julia Smith, from Stoke-on-Trent Markets, said:“Ourcity markets are truly vibrant and our knowledgeabletraders work really hard to offer great value productsand fantastic customer service so why not give them a try.

“Where else could you get a key cut, speak to anequine vet, have a guitar lesson or have your shoesre-heeled whilst doing your Christmas shopping?”

To find out about special festive events and offers,visit the Stoke-on-Trent Markets Facebook page whichnow has over 3,000 likes.

£2,000 in festive marketvouchers up for grabs

Sneyd GreenResident Iris

Wedgewood looksat the Cards

Galore stall inHanley Indoor

Market.

22 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

Astint at the localCitizens Advice Bureaustood 26-year-old Paul

Pennell in good stead whenhe swapped to a new job as aCustomer Service Advisor atthe city council’s CustomerAccess Centre just over a yearago.

Already used to dealing with awide range of problems andinquiries, he found the move toproviding answers to questionsabout city council services arelatively easy one to make.

“People call in with questionson just about everything andanything,” he said. “We try toanswer queries immediately if wecan and we have access to a hugerange of information on screenwhich we can refer to.

“We try very hard to providethe information people want sothey don’t have to call again. It’snot often that we are stumped.”

Many of the calls dealt with byPaul and his colleagues are aboutpayments to the council,environmental issues and refusecollections. In the summermonths there are also calls aboutpest control matters – dealingwith wasps nests and otherhazards.

Paul said: “We try to answer allcalls as quickly as possible – assoon as a Customer ServiceAdvisor is free they will pick upthe next call.

“We don’t like leaving peoplewaiting. Occasionally you’ll getsomeone who complains abouthaving had to wait a long timefor someone to pick up their call,

but it really doesn’t happen veryoften and we have training so wecan deal with people in the bestway possible.”

After a year in his role Paul stillvery much enjoys what he does.He added: “It’s a really rewardingjob. It’s always nice when you canhelp someone – even withsomething quite small – and theygo away happy.”

The Customer Access Centrecan be contacted on 01782234234 and deals with queriesabout all services provided by thecity council. Its busy staff handlearound 7,500 calls each week aswell as responding to emailswhich can be sent toenquiries@stoke.gov.uk

The centre operates from8am-8pm Monday to Friday andfrom 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

Handling dozens of queries every day, Paul Pennell is one of

around 40 people who staff the phones at the city council

Customer Access Centre. He spoke to Our City about his job...

A group of young peoplefrom Bentilee embarked on avoyage of discovery whenthey spent their half termholiday as crew on a tall ship.

The 14 to 16-year-olds – allmembers of Bentilee YouthClub – boarded the Queen

Galadriel, a Baltic Trader-typevessel, on a five-day trip onthe high seas.

Accompanied by threeyouth workers and joined bythe ship’s captain and threecrew members, they cleaned,cooked and learnednavigational skills as thesailing ship followed theNorth Sea coastline fromIpswich in Suffolk toRamsgate in Kent.

Despite stormy conditions,they rose to the occasion andimpressed their supervisorsand the ship’s seasoned crew.

City council YouthDevelopment Worker AndrewJohnston said:“The idea ofthe trip was to instil a senseof responsibility and boostself esteem by taking theyoung people out of theircomfort zone and seeing howthey would cope with thechallenge.

“They did fantastically welland their resilience and senseof achievement was nothingshort of awesome.

“Despite the rough seas

and sometimes being askedto be out of bed at 3.30am tocarry out their duties, no onemoaned at all and theteamwork really came to thefore.”

One of the youngsters,Paige Tomkinson, said:“I feel very lucky that I have had thechance to go on this sailingadventure, organised by theYouth workers at BentileeYouth Club.

“We worked together as ateam. Being in rough seaswas horrible, but we got overit and faced each challengetogether.

“I feel I have achievedsomething, it wasn’t easy butit was so rewarding and Ithink I will be able to copewith challenge better in thefuture.

“When I got back home Imissed everybody from theship and now wish I could doit again, it was fantastic.”

l For more details about theactivities laid on by BentileeYouth Club call Andrew on07717 714187 or emailandrew.johnston@stoke.gov.ukAnyone wanting to getinvolved with their localyouth club should contactthe city council’s youthservices team by emailingyouthteam@stoke.gov.uk

Helping people isa rewarding job

Full details of all city councilservices can also beaccessed on the city councilwebsite: stoke.gov.uk

READY TO TAKE YOUR CALL:Customer Service AdvisorPaul Pennell.

Onboard the Queen Galadriel in the North Sea are Youth DevelopmentWorker Andrew Johnston, left, and Youth Worker Libby Wilkinson, right atthe back, with Bentilee Youth Club members, left to right, Emily Stevenson,Jessica Reynolds, Paige Tomkinson, Jack Finch and Kieran Downie.

Youth club teenagers go on a voyage of discovery

Supporting people

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 23

DOG owners who fail toclear up after theirpets or let them run

loose in town centres,playgrounds and other areasface stiffer penalties as partof a tough new approach bythe city council.

The warning comes after newDog Control Orders were adoptedacross the city followingwidespread consultation with thecommunity. The control orders –which came into force on 14October – mean court fines of upto £1,000 can be handed out todog owners who let their dogs offthe lead in town centres, children’splay areas, cemeteries, churchyards and sports pitches.

And on-the-spot penalties foranyone failing to pick up dog messdeposited by their pet have been raisedfrom £50 to £80 in a bid to encourageowners to keep the city's streets clean.

Public consultation earlier this yearrevealed strong support for the DogControl Orders which mean the wholeof the city is now covered byregulations requiring owners to cleanup after their pets – and for dogs to bekept on the lead in designated areas.And in the case of fenced play areasdogs are now banned altogether.

Carol Gibbs, the council’s StrategicManager for Environment, Waste andFleet City Renewal Services, said:“The city council is taking a hard lineapproach to dog fouling.

“Responsible dog owners havenothing to fear, but the irresponsiblefew who blight ourcommunities needto change theirbehaviour or faceprosecution.”

IN 2010 the UK dog populationwas estimated to be 8 million,with dogs producingapproximately 1,000 tonnes ofexcrement each day.

The biggest threat to publichealth from dog excrement istoxocariasis. Toxocariasis is aninfection caused by theroundworm toxocara canis.

The eggs of the parasite canbe found in soil or sandcontaminated with faeces and ifswallowed, result in infectionthat lasts between six and 24months. Symptoms include eyedisorders, aching, dizziness,nausea, asthma and, inextremely rare cases, seizuresand fits. Almost 100 childreneach year pick up a serious eyeinfection from dog mess.

Children and adults can alsoget it on their shoes withoutrealising it and walk it indoors.

Who ShouldClean It Up?Everyone walkinga dog must cleanup after it. Noexcuses. Alwaystake a bag, close andtie it and dispose of themess in either the red dog binsor any street litterbin providedby the council – otherwise put itin the bin at home. Remember,in most areas of Stoke-on-Trentit is a criminal offence not toclean up after your dog. Failureto “bag it and bin it” will run therisk of £50 on-the-spot fines orup to £1,000 if taken to court.

What if there is aproblem with dogfouling in my area?If you wish to report dog foulingissues in your area please phone01782 234234.

Tough line on fouling...owners face £1,000 fine

STOKE-on-Trent City Council has expanded itsteam of Environmental Crime Officers who workoutside normal hours in a bid to catch fly-tippersin the act.

It comes after the city council was praised bya national body for clamping down on peoplewho dump rubbish illegally.

The Local Government Association (LGA) –which represents nearly 400 councils in Englandand Wales – singled out Stoke-on-Trent as agood example of a local authority which wastaking firm action to deal with the problem.

The national body is calling for a shake-up oflaws controlling illegal dumping of waste –which costs LGA member councils more than£36 million each year to clean up.

But it warned that current laws relating tofly-tipping were “unfit for purpose”.

An LGA spokesman said:“Currently, councilscan only take fly-tippers to court and this canbe expensive and time-consuming – frequentlyinvolving lengthy investigations. Often councilsare left out of pocket after legal action because

courts only award partial costs.”The LGA wants councils to be awarded full

costs and to have the flexibility of issuingon-the-spot Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) forsome cases, rather than having to go to court.FPNs would be handed out for offences likedumping items, such as pieces of brokenfurniture, old televisions and mattresses.

Stoke-on-Trent’s Cleansing andEnvironmental Enforcement Team ManagerNick Bentley said:“The council currently spendsaround £21,000 a month on dealing withfly-tipping across the city and everyone whopays Council Tax has to contribute towards thatbill. Fly-tipping is simply irresponsible.”

l Fly tipping is illegal and dangerous. Itruins the appearance of a neighbourhoodand can bring an area down. Residents arebeing urged to work with the city council byreporting fly-tipping. They can either fill in aform at stoke.gov.uk/envirocrime or phoneofficers on 01782 234234.

Environmental CrimeOfficer Chris Oldfieldcollects evidence at aflytipping scene inHanley in a bid toidentify the culprits.

Crime team expanded to boost city’ssuccessful clampdown on fly-tippers

Facts & Figures

Meir Resident SylviaSweetmore, aged 80,walking her LabradorMilo and, inset, behavingresponsibly by cleaningup the pavement.

24 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

WHEN retired newsagent Cyril Lawtonwas told he had lung cancer he andhis wife Janet were devastated.

Cyril was receiving treatment for a chest infectiontwo years ago when his GP suggested he went to theUniversity Hospital of North Staffordshire forfurther tests including chest X-rays and an MRIscan.

And it was the scan that revealed a growth in oneof his lungs – which experts at the UHNS quicklyidentified as cancer.

“It was a real shock,” said Cyril, 83, of NurseryAvenue, Stockton Brook. “But my consultant toldme they had caught it early and that as long as I hadthe tumour removed then I stood a good chance ofsurvival. They took away part of the lung affected bythe cancer and although I still go back to hospitalevery three months for a check up, so far everythinghas been fine and I’ve been really well.

“I’m very grateful for all the treatment andsupport I have had – it was fantastic from the wordgo. But my experience shows why it’s so importantfor people to get themselves checked if they have anysymptoms which could suggest lung cancer.”

Cyril now volunteers with his local CancerAwareness Team. On three mornings each month hehelps man information stands at supermarkets andlocal health centres where he hands out cancerawareness leaflets and talks to people about theimportance of getting themselves checked out if theyhave any of the symptoms of lung cancer.

“It’s my way of saying ‘thank you’ for the care Ireceived,” said Cyril.

“Early diagnosis of cancer helps to save livesbecause the sooner treatment gets under way thebetter the chances of survival.”

Living proof thatchecks can work

CRISIS support from Stoke-on-Trent City Council means peopleneed not suffer in the event of a one-off or out of the ordinaryemergency – especially over the festive period.

The Social Fund provides help all year round for those whoare not able to meet an urgent need that poses a threat tohealth, safety or wellbeing in situations including flood, fire, anunexpected death or domestic abuse.

It could be they have no access to essential items like food orfuel, need travel expenses, risk being made homeless or aretrying to prevent children being taken into care.

Community Planned Support is also available to help peoplere-settle, remain in the community or set up a home. Help isalso there for those leaving an institution like hospital, prison,a residential home, a hostel or a refuge.

Help involves giving food vouchers and food bank referrals,clothing, electronic vouchers for gas and electricity top ups,white goods and furniture, resettlements packs, pots, pans andeven bedding. To qualify for crisis help, people need to be over16, live in Stoke-on-Trent, be entitled to public funds and be inimmediate need.

To receive Community Planned Support, people must beclaiming Employment Support Allowance, JobseekersAllowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credits or Pension Credit.

Support does not cover simply overspending and having nomoney left. No cash is given and no repayments are needed.

To apply, call 01782 238888 or visit stoke.gov.uk/moneymatters.

Fund available to help in times of most need

Food bank volunteers Emily O’Brien and Keith Stubbs at SwanBank Methodist Church in Burslem.

LUNG cancer is the UK’s biggestcancer killer. It is the mostcommon cause of death fromcancer for both men and women,claiming almost 35,000 lives ayear.

Early detection of lung cancermakes it more treatable, soencouraging people to recognisesymptoms and to see their doctorsooner, rather than later, couldsave lives.

Make an appointment to seethe doctor immediately if any ofthe following symptoms occur:l A cough which continues formore than three weeks.l Any change in a long-termcough.l Coughing up phlegm withblood in it.l Feeling more out of breath thannormal.l Repeated chest infections.

l Feeling more tired than usual forsome time.l Losing weight for no obviousreason.l An ache or pain in the chest orshoulder that has lasted sometime.

Any of these could be anindication of lung cancer so do notdelay. Make that appointment andremember – early diagnosis saveslives.

Early signs to stop big killer in its tracks

Volunteers were out and about during November as part of Lung CancerAwareness Month, encouraging people to visit their GP if they had any of the symptoms of lung cancer. Our City spoke to one man who did just that – and survived...

Cyril Lawton, who now volunteers withthe Cancer Awareness Team, afterwinning a battle with the disease.

Healthy lives

For more information and advice visit the citycouncil website at stoke.gov.uk/lungcancer

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 25

SINCE September this year, morethan 2,000 eligible two-year-oldchildren have been able to benefitfrom free early education availablethrough quality approved child-minders, nurseries, pre-schoolplaygroups and schools acrossStoke-on-Trent.

The entitlement offers children upto 570 hours of free early education ayear which is usually taken 15 hoursper week for 38 weeks of the year,but the flexibility of the entitlementallows families to take less hours overmore weeks if they prefer.

A family is eligible to receiveearly education for their child with

effect from the term following theirsecond birthday if they receive oneor more of the following:l Income Support;

l Income related Employmentand Support Allowance;

l Income based JobseekersAllowance;

l Child Tax Credit and/or WorkingTax Credit (and have an annualgross income of no more than£16,190 per year);

l Support through part 6 of theImmigration and Asylum Act;

l The guaranteed element ofState Pension Credit.

Additionally, a child can alsobenefit from free early education ifthey:l Have a current statement of

Special Educational Needs or anEducation, Health and Care plan;

l Are entitled to Disability LivingAllowance;

l Are looked after by the localauthority;

l Have left the care of the localauthority as a result of anadoption order, a specialguardianship order or aresidence order.

To ensure there are enough goodquality two year old placesavailable across the city, the citycouncil has used funding madeavailable by the Department for

Education to assist childcareproviders in enhancing the qualityof provision available, and buildadditional capacity whererequired.

As a result, there are more than90 childcare providers offeringfunded places for two year oldsacross the city – visitstoke.gov.uk/fishdirectory tofind out who offers earlyeducation near to you.

MORE two-year-oldsare benefiting fromthe city council’s

free early years educationoffer now that a formercommunity centre inCobridge has beenre-opened as a nursery.

At least 33 children are alreadyenrolled at the Old RectoryKindergarten at MoorcroftGrange – all of them enjoying 15hours a week as part of thecouncil’s £8 million Governmentbacked scheme to transform thelife chances of thousands ofyoungsters across the city.

The business in Bursley Roadhas been partially funded by thecouncil and is the third nursery tobe opened in the city since 2003by Sheena and Stewart Reid.

Eight childcare staff havebeen employed so far andanother seven could be hireddepending on take up of places.

Not just a nursery, thetransformed and refurbishedspace is also a community hubwith a café, police post andtraining room. There are plans tooffer adult education courses likeEnglish for Speakers of OtherLanguages (ESOL) and ICT.

Parents can enjoy coffeemornings as well as Zumba classesand the centre is even used as achanging facility by a Sundayfootball team.

Nursery Manager Kate Suttonsaid: “With a waiting list at ourother nursery in Burslem, weknew there was demand in thearea for places so more childrenare now benefiting as we meettheir early years learning needs.

“Their parents are benefitingtoo as they spend time getting toknow each other so it’s helpingbuild community spirit. Theresponse from the community hasbeen really positive.”

Owner Sheena Reid said: “Ourvision is to work with otheragencies and professionals toprovide classes and groups forparents and carers to attend whilsttheir child is accessingthe quality childcarethat we provide.”

More freeearly yearseducationavailable

COVER PICTURE:Pictured at the OldRectory Kindergartenare Saima Asghar withher daughtersAnayah, aged 18months, and Umaiza,aged three, nurseryowner Sheena Reidand PCSO Jaz Mahil.

The nursery is a placewhere parents can get to

know each other. Picturedhaving a chat are Emma

Belcher, left, with herdaughter Remy Louise

and Kerry Shaw with herson Charlie James.

Some two-year-olds

having fun at theOld Rectory

Kindergarten are,left to right, AayanHasib, Riley Miller

and Imran Asim.

Baby RoomAssistant Megan

Oakley with nine-month-old

Sol Wood.

To make sure you and your family are not missing out, please visit stoke.gov.uk/beststart or call

the Stoke-on-Trent Family Information Service Hub (FISH) on 01782 232200 for more information.

It’s the best start for children – and parents benefit too

26 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

PEOPLE taking childrento school during thewinter months are

being urged to ensure theirjourney is as safe as possible.

A council campaign which putsspecial emphasis on the need topark safely when dropping off orpicking up youngsters is being wellreceived by schools in the city.

The initiative is aimed at peoplewho park in non-authorisedspaces for their own convenience,without knowing that they areputting other people at risk.

The overall plan is toencourage behaviour changethrough re-education for thosewilling to change and enforcementfor those who need a stronger

message. Meanwhile people onthe winter school run are beingissued with a number of “keepsafe” pointers.

Reducing driving speed cutsthe chances of skidding andincreases stopping distancesignificantly.

Drivers should also make surethere is an adequate gap betweentheir vehicle and the one ahead,stop regularly to clear windowsand lights, and use dippedheadlights when visibility isreduced.

To counteract the problems ofwalking in icy, snowy weather onthe way to and from schoolpeople are advised to wear a

bright scarf or a reflective item

of clothing so that they can beseen easily.

Best practice is to walk onpavements wherever possible butif school visitors need to go inthe road they should moveagainst the flow of the traffic and

keep close to the kerb.People taking children to

school in a pushchair or on footand who are forced to walk inthe road, should keep them asclose to the kerb as possible.

Dressing in layers and wearing

boots with non-skid soles is alsoadvisable.

If schools have to be closedbecause of bad weatherconditions, that information will be available online atstoke.gov.uk/schoolclosures

LESSONS at a Meir primaryschool include studying nature“down on the farm”. But there isno trip to the countrysideinvolved – the SandonCommunity Farm is in thegrounds of the school itself.

The ground-breakinginitiative at Sandon PrimaryAcademy is the brainchild ofHead Teacher Rachel Beckett.

The farm is a unique teachingenvironment where theyoungsters aged between fourand 11 can get to knowMediterranean miniaturedonkeys, pygmy goats, kune

kune pigs, chickens, rabbits andguinea pigs. They also help withthe day-to-day running of thescheme which includesgreenhouses, vegetable andwildlife gardens and a pond.

The farm is used on a dailybasis to form cross-curricularlinks between maths andliteracy and it also supports thegeneral development of thechildren.

Teaching Assistant Jim“Farmer” Kiddle, who runs thefarm and who used to work forChester Zoo’s educationdepartment, said:“The project

enables the children toreconnect with nature and it has behavioural as well aseducational benefits.

“A wide variety of subjects can use it – for example, inMaths, the younger children will count the animals.

“The pupils feed and muck out the animals while learningabout nature and the outdoors.”

The farm is open for schoolvisits and the gates are open tothe local community duringschool hours. Local volunteershelp with the day-to-dayrunning.

Park withcare onschool run

Victoria Mirza and her eight-year-oldson Isaac leave Willows PrimarySchool, Penkhull, following the ‘keepsafe’ advice as they walk home.

Pupils have lessons down on school farm

Lyndon Durose, left, agednine, and 10-year-old

David Imobighe collect eggs.

Mitchell Durose, agedeight, feeds farm pigs

Hollie, left, and Lilly.

Brody Burton, left, agedeight, and 10-year-oldEllie Bakskerville feed

farm donkeys Craig,left, and Damien.

CHRISTMAS is a time of conspicuousconsumption – and

there is always plenty ofwrapping paper, uneaten foodand other waste that ends upin the bin.

Residents can help the city councilwith the mammoth task of dealingwith all that extra waste by makingsure they use the right containers fordifferent types of waste.

The grey bin is for general waste sothat means bagged animal or petwaste, bagged disposable nappies,cool ashes from fires, plastic foodpackaging including food waste, oldstyle light bulbs (not energy efficienttypes) and shredded paper.

The blue bin is for materials whichcan be recycled such as cardboard(including pizza boxes, cereal packets,corrugated cardboard), householdcleaning bottles, yoghurt pots, meattrays, margarine and ice-cream tubs,glass bottles and jars,Tetra Paks, cans

and tins, empty aerosols, plastic milkbottles and soft drinks bottles.

The green box is for newspapers,magazines, telephone directories andother paper.

Residents who do not have a bluebin can use the green box for glassand plastic bottles, jars, tins andcardboard and the blue bag fornewspapers, magazines andtelephone directories.

Please remember that residents canalways take any excess waste to oneof the city council’s Household Wasteand Recycling Centres at eitherCampbell Road, Stoke, or FederationRoad, Burslem.

See the city council website –stoke.gov.uk – for opening hoursand the items that can be disposedof.

Over the Christmas and New Yearperiod some refuse collection roundswill be moved to different days – seethe display panel below for fulldetails of how these changes willaffect you.

STOKE-ON-TRENT is set to seelasting memorials to those whowent beyond the call of duty inWorld War One, with new roadsthroughout the city taking thenames of the city’s heroes.

The initiative will see roads in thenew Smithfield city centre businessdistrict named after the first four onthe list.

Then, over the next four years, asthe city develops and grows,

everyone on the list will be given astreet name memorial.

The city council, working with TheSentinel and BBC Radio Stoke, hasso far come up with a list of 31 WorldWar One service personnel whowere decorated for their bravery.

Roads will be named in order ofalphabetical priority, to ensure thereis equality of recognition for all.

The team are busy contacting thefamilies right now to ensure they

are happy with the proposals andthe first names will be announcedas soon as permission has beengiven.

Anyone who already has a streetnamed after them will be filteredout before the final decisions aremade on the new streets.

Recipients of the Victoria Crosswill each get a pavement plaquededicated to their memory ratherthan a street name under a scheme

being administered by the Ministryof Defence.

The city council and their mediapartners say there could be manymore heroes out there who theydon’t as yet know about and theyare appealing for people to get intouch if they have any informationabout a brave family member.

If you have information, send the details through tocommunications@stoke.gov.uk

ONCE recycling is collectedfrom homes, the collectionvehicle transports thematerials to a specialistprocessing plant.

Here they are sorted intocategories, such as paper,plastics and metals, using avariety of technologies.

The materials are thenwashed and treated, beforebeing sold to manufacturersto make into new productsagain.

So, for instance, plasticbottles can be recycled intoa fleece jumper or even loftinsulation.

Problems can arise at theprocessing plant whenitems that are not suitableare included in therecycling.

For example, food andgarden waste cannot beplaced in household

recycling bins, as itcontaminates the othermaterials with dirt andgrease, making themunsuitable to be turnedinto new products.

Electrical appliances aswell as textiles and hardmetal and wooden itemsshould be taken to aHousehold Waste andRecycling Centre (HWRC)for recycling as they candamage the processingplant’s equipment.

The most common itemfound in recycling bins isnappies – these are notrecyclable and should beplaced in the general wastebin instead.

For more information onwaste services, includingwhere to find the nearestcentre visit www.staffordshirewastepartnership.org

Call to recyclefestive wasteCall to recyclefestive waste

Tree shreddingservice venues

Technology turns wasteinto brand new products

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 27

Waste & Recycling CollectionsChristmas and New Year Collections

Revised Collection Day

Saturday 20 December

Monday 22 December

Tuesday 23 December

Wednesday 24 December

Saturday 27 December

Saturday 3 January

Normal Collection Day

Monday 22 December

Tuesday 23 December

Wednesday 24 December

Thursday 25 December

Friday 26 December

Thursday 1 January

Getting into the Christmas spirit to remind residentsto recycle their waste where possible are RefuseCollectors Steven Scott, left, and Ian McGuckien.

Friday 2 January:Longton Park 9am-3pm,Burslem Park 9am-3pm.

Monday 5 January:Westport Lake 9am-11:30am,Tunstall Park 12:30pm-3pm.

Tuesday 6 January:Smithpool Park 9am-11:30am,Fenton Park 12:30pm-3pm.

Wednesday 7 January:Parkhall (golf course site) 9am-3pm.

Thursday 8 January:Hanford Park 9am-3pm.

Friday 9 January:Longton Park 9am-11:30am,Burslem Park 12:30pm-3pm.

WHEN the festive season isover residents can take theirreal Christmas trees to beshredded at variouslocations across the city.

Stoke-on-Trent streets to be named after World War One heroes

28 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

MEGAN Craggs is intoboy bands andspending time with her

friends like most teenage girls.But there the similarity ends –because the 14-year-old FiveSeconds of Summer fan fromFenton is a young carer whospends much of her timesupporting her mum Michelleto look after her three brothers.

Korbyn, aged 12, Brodyn,who is ten, and seven-year-oldByron have all be diagnosedwith either autism, AttentionDeficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD), dyspraxia or sufferanxiety so life in the Craggshousehold can be challenging.

“It can be difficult at times,they’re quite a handful,” saidMegan, who has been helpingto look after her brothers sinceshe was about five. Sheoccupies them with activities,helps tidy up and gives herbrothers structure.

She said: “It can be hardbecause I can’t have my friendsround but I enjoy helping. I’mhappy with life and don’t thinkI’m missing out. I’m in top setsfor everything at school and

passed my GCSE science twoyears early.”

Her mum Michelle said:“She plays part of theparenting role and is mysecond pair of eyes and hands.Without her it would be chaos.I’m very proud of her. Icouldn’t ask for a betterdaughter.”

Megan is registered as ayoung carer with the citycouncil – one of 416 across thecity supported by Young CarersCo-ordinator Karen Holdcroft.

She schedules twice-yearlymeetings with Megan to checkshe is coping and hereducation, health and socialneeds are being met.

Karen said: “Megan’s a realachiever. According to the 2011census there are hundredsmore young carers out therelike her who aren’t yet on theregister so I want to find thehidden ones and make surethey’re not vulnerable.”

CONSTRUCTION of three extra care villagesis now well underway with cranes on siteand local jobs being created. Facilities inAbbey Hulton, Blurton and Chell will see390 apartments built in the next 18months.

The idea is to develop a communitysetting for people aged over 55 – each willinclude facilities such as hairdressers,treatment rooms, gyms, retail outlets andlibraries.

Sapphire Extra Care are developing thevillages after winning the contract fromthe city council.

The development is already bringingnew jobs, contract opportunities andinvestment to the region with contractorsSeddon and Eric Wright Construction usinglocal companies and tradesman as part ofthe three-site construction.

Richard Turpin, Director of Sapphire,said:“Our commitments are clear, we mustmaximise the local supply chain. Sapphireaims to ensure training and apprenticeshipopportunities remain in Stoke-on-Trentand benefit the local communities in whichwe build.”

Young carer is achiever at school and at home

For more information aboutthe support on offer, call01782 235422 or emailyoung.carers@stoke.gov.uk

Jobs created as work starts on three extra care villages

Groundworks are underway on the newextra care village in Turnhurst Road, Chell.

Jobs and growth

A GREATTEAM:

Megan Craggsand her mum

Michelle.

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 29

WHEN Aron Wallaceleft school with aclutch of exam

certificates in his hand hereally had no idea what hewanted to do next.

He embarked on a plasteringcourse at Burslem College butsoon discovered that it was notfor him. With no firm careerchoice in mind, Aron, aged 18, ofEvelyn Street, Fenton, spent thenext couple of months applyingfor various jobs.

“I sent off lots of applicationsbut never seemed to get veryfar,” he said. “I was getting a bitfrustrated by it all when someonesuggested I should get in touchwith the city council CareersService.

“They were really helpful andafter an initial interview I was puton the Career Service’s 10-weekGetSet programme funded by theEuropean Social Fund to learnemployability skills – things likehow to work as part of a team,how to get on with new peopleand how to share ideas.

“I found that very useful and I

learned a lot. At the end of thatcourse I was transferred to thecouncil’s Learn4Work Team whofound me a placement at theFenton Manor Sports Complex.

“After a few weeks themanagement there offered me atraineeship which runs untilJanuary next year, after whichI’m hoping I’ll be offered anapprenticeship.”

Aron’s job at Fenton Manorinvolves a mix of activitiesincluding setting up equipmentfor sports such as badminton andvolleyball, cleaning duties andinteracting with customers.

He said: “To be honest, when Iwas offered the placement Iwasn’t sure if it was going to beright for me. But now I reallyenjoy being here. I like the work,I like the people and I’m glad Iwas given this opportunity.”

Fenton Manor Duty ManagerClare Dunn said Aron was doingwell in his role. She added: “He’squickly become a valued memberof the Fenton Manor team and isliked by all his colleagues.”

The city council CareersService – formerly Connexions –

works with young people aged 11to 19 years – or aged up to 25years for people with a learningdifficulty or disability.

The team can offer help andadvice with career choice andplanning, qualifications and how

to choose and apply for collegeand university courses,apprenticeships and trainingcourses, job applications andCVs, work experience, skills foremployment and preparing forjob interviews.

YOUNG couple Chris Benn and RebeccaDennis are looking forward to Christmas intheir new £1 home in Cobridge – aproperty they never could have affordedwere it not for the city council’s emptyhomes scheme.

They would have struggled as first timebuyers to get on the housing ladder andjumped at the chance to buy theirmid-terraced house in Century Streetwhich came with a £30,000 renovationloan.

Rebecca, a 20-year-old photographystudent at Staffordshire University whoplans to train as an art teacher, said:“I loveit. It’s exactly what we wanted. We’vealready knocked the fireplace out,decorated and carpeted. I’ve even got awalk-in wardrobe.

“We’re only paying £290 a month on theloan. It’s much cheaper than a mortgage.Life is perfect and our move has turned outmuch better than we imagined.”

She and her fiancé Chris, who works onthe production line at Bentley Motors inCrewe, are now saving for their wedding.Their family has already grown with thearrival of Teddy – a Pomeranian puppy.

Rebecca and Chris are among more than30 people who have taken part in thepioneering scheme, funded by the citycouncil and the Government’s Clusters OfEmpty Homes programme.

Young people can get a wide variety of assistance and support from the

city council's careers service. Our City spoke to one teenager who asked

for help and is now taking his first steps in the world of work...

Vital help to geton career ladder

For help, more information, toarrange an appointment or tospeak to an adviser if you arebelow 20 years of age, phone01782 237747, text 07879115678, or email careers.advice@stoke.gov.uk

Couple look forward to first Christmas in their affordable £1 home

Aron Wallace atFenton ManorSports Complex.

Chris Benn and Rebecca Dennisat home with their dog Teddy.

A great place to live

30 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

WIDE rangingconsultation isunderway on

whether Fenton should haveits own council after thepeople of two wards submitteda 1,500-signature petition.

All the options includingtown/parish council,neighbourhood management andcommunity or area forums wereset out in a public informationbooklet delivered to homes andbusinesses during October.

Also available as a download atstoke.gov.uk/fenton, the bookletcontains a feedback form forresidents of Fenton East as well

as Fenton West and MountPleasant to complete and send toStoke-on-Trent City Council byDecember 19. Communityfeedback events are being stagedin the area until December 18with council officers on handevery Thursday from 10am to3pm at Fenton Market to listen toopinions and answer questions.

The review sessions will befollowed by further consultationuntil March next year to makesure all residents, businesses andinterested parties have their say.

All feedback will then go beforethe council’s Licensing andGeneral Purposes Committeebefore going to full council.

Any governance changes as aresult of the review will beintroduced next summer.

The city council is committedto strengthening neighbourhoodsand promoting activecommunities to take decisionsand shape their area. This reviewwill give people who live, work or

have a vested interest in Fentonthe opportunity to have their sayabout how the town will begoverned in the future.

It will assess whether or not toestablish a town council as well asthe possibility of introducingother community governancearrangements, for example a

community or area forum, as partof the Government’s LocalismAct.

Following the My City, My Sayengagement events the city councilwill be rolling out three pilots tolook at how the community caninfluence services to meet localneed.

UP to 5,000 amateur sportsmen andwomen are preparing to makeStoke-on-Trent their home for four daysnext summer as the city hosts the UKCorporate Games. Competitors fromcompanies across the country will take partin a range of sports including hockey,cricket, netball and football.

Fenton Manor Sports Complex will hostbadminton, basketball and table tennis,Trentham Gardens will stage open waterswimming, running and Dragon Boat

racing. Poker, karting and ten-pin bowlingare also being staged in the city.

Taking place from June 25 to June 28after a successful joint bid by the citycouncil and Staffordshire County Council,other venues include the Staffordshire andKeele University sites.

Games Director Ben Sedgemore said:“From the first moment that we set foot inthe area, our Venue Inspection Committeestarted to believe that it is the perfectdestination for the UK Corporate Games in

2015. We have been fortunate enough tostage games all around the world in greatcities like Moscow, Zagreb and Bilbao andright across the UK.

“But if you consider the massive indoorcapacity at Fenton Manor and the beauty ofTrentham Gardens in addition to the centrallocation, we genuinely have confidencethat this is a match for any destination.”

Council Leader Councillor MohammedPervez said:“Stoke-on-Trent is a vibrant andrapidly regenerating city and thousands of

people from across the country will bestaying, eating and drinking here –spending money and seeing for themselveswhat we have to offer for future visits.

“Stoke-on-Trent is the place to bringbusiness and these Games will not onlyhave an immediate positive economicimpact on the city but also provide an idealopportunity to showcase its manystrengths to visitors and investors.

“This is exactly what a city undergoingrenaissance should be doing.”

Thousands to converge on the city to take part in Corporate Games

Feedbackon councilfor Fentonproposal

Council Local Matters Co-ordinator Kevin Hawkins, left, talks with Fentonresident Sam Tunstall about the Fenton Community Governanceproposals when they met up at the weekly market in the town.

Council Local Matters Officer Charlotte Eccles, right, wason hand at Fenton Market to seek opinions from Fenton

residents Graham and Linda Burton about theGovernance proposals for the town.

YourCouncillors

Abbey Hulton and Townsend

GWEN HASSALL(Labour)07557 848765gwen.hassall@stoke.gov.uk

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

Bentilee and Ubberley

SHEILA PITT(Labour)07957 948896sheila.pitt@stoke.gov.uk

ALISON WEDGWOOD(Labour)07968 477901alison.wedgwood@stoke.gov.uk

Hanford and Trentham

TERENCE FOLLOWS(City Independents) (01782) 64355307944 055379terence.follows@stoke.gov.uk

PETER HAYWARD(City Independents) (01782) 64498607920 835839peter.hayward@stoke.gov.uk

Great Chell and Packmoor

JANINE BRIDGES(Non-aligned)(01782) 85184207771 331893/07717 714205janine.bridges@stoke.gov.uk

ANN JAMES(City Independents) (01782) 836766ann.james@stoke.gov.uk

Baddeley Green, Milton and Norton

JACK BRERETON(Conservative)07855 916134jack.brereton@stoke.gov.uk

ANTHONY MUNDAY(City Independents)(01782) 23973707743 876421anthony.munday@stoke.gov.uk

DUNCAN WALKER(Labour)(01782) 912422duncan.walker@stoke.gov.uk

Birches Head and Central Forest Park

PAUL BREEZE(City Independents)(01782) 279684paul.breeze@stoke.gov.uk

MARK MEREDITH(Labour)07717 714020mark.meredith@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@markmeredith01

Blurton East

GLENYS WARD(City Independents) (01782) 31267007922 909545glenys.ward@stoke.gov.uk

Blurton West and Newstead

NEIL DAY(Labour)(01782) 74621007796 040002neil.day@stoke.gov.uk

Bradeley and Chell Heath

GURMEET SINGHKALLAR(Labour)07900 604232gurmeetsingh.kallar@stoke.gov.uk

Burslem Park

JOY GARNER (Labour)(01782) 768846 07986 442770joy.garner@stoke.gov.ukTwitter: @button1001

Dresden and Florence

SHAZAD HUSSAIN(Labour)07899 771815shazad.hussain@stoke.gov.uk

Broadway and Longton East

TOM REYNOLDS(Labour)07850 828717tom.reynolds@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@longtontom.

Burslem Central

ALAN DUTTON(Labour)07982 231567alan.dutton@stoke.gov.uk

Boothen and Oakhill

ANDY PLATT(Labour)07919 660221andy.platt@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@CllrAndyST4

Fenton West and Mount Pleasant

KAREN CLARKE(Labour)07917 270594karen.clarke@stoke.gov.uk

Ford Green and Smallthorne

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

Etruria and Hanley

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

Fenton East

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

Eaton Park

TERRY CROWE(Labour)(01782) 26942207818 044755terry.crowe@stoke.gov.uk

Joiner’s Square

ALASTAIR WATSON(Labour)07736 837822alastair.watson@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@CllrActional22

Lightwood North and Normacot

BAGH ALI(Labour)(01782) 34324607973 848428bagh.ali@stoke.gov.uk

Hartshill and Basford

SHAUN PENDER(Labour)(01782) 63210407914 851349shaun.pender@stoke.gov.uk

Hollybush and Longton West

KATH BANKS(Labour)(01782) 39975907790 699379kath.banks@stoke.gov.uk

Hanley Park and Shelton

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

Meir Park

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

Meir South

DEBBIE WHEELDON(Labour)(01782) 59504307870 777807debbie.wheeldon@stoke.gov.uk

Meir Hay

MUHAMMAD AUMIR(Labour)07886 581082muhammad.aumir@stoke.gov.uk

Meir NorthRUTH ROSENAU(Labour)07870 503575ruth.rosenau@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@CllrRuthRosenau

Little Chell and Stanfield

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

Sneyd Green

DEBRA GRATTON (Labour)07917 854981debra.gratton@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@debra_gratton

Springfields and Trent Vale

JACKIE BARNES(City Independents)(01782) 845619 /07813 539410 jackie.barnes@stoke.gov.uk

Penkhull and Stoke

RANDOLPH CONTEH(City Independents) (01782) 256869 07920 835902randolph.conteh@stoke.gov.uk

Sandford Hill

OLWEN HAMER(Labour)07717 714207olwen.hamer@stoke.gov.uk

Moorcroft

MOHAMMED PERVEZ(Labour)(01782) 232468mohammed.pervez@stoke.gov.ukTwitter:@pervezstoke

Weston Coyney

MATTHEW FRY(Non-aligned)07826 891801matthew.fry@stoke.gov.uk

Tunstall

LEE WANGER(City Independents) (01782) 85671207971 303729lee.wanger@stoke.gov.uk

Goldenhill and Sandyford

MARTIN GARNER(Labour)(01782) 768846martin.garner@stoke.gov.uk

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

For more information on your Councillors go to stoke.gov.uk/councillorsCouncillors can also be contacted through the Councillor and Civic Support Team who cantake messages and forward them on. They can be contacted on (01782) 231922 or 231924.

The next Cabinet meetings between the 24 November2014 and 30 January 2015 are as follows: 27 Novemberand 18 December 2014 and 22 January 2015.

The next full City Council meetings duringthis period will be on 4 December 2014 and29 January 2015 at 5.30pm.

FORTHCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, STOKE:

W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 Our City 31

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

Our City is published by a partnership of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Web: stoke.gov.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/

stokeontrent.citycouncil

Twitter: @SoTCityCouncil

twitter.com/SoTCityCouncil

Tel: 01782 234234

New non-emergency number: 101

In an emergency always call: 999

Web: www.staffordshire.police.uk

Facebook: facebook/staffordshirepolice

Twitter: @staffspolice

YouTube: YouTube/staffordshirepolice

Free Home Fire Risk Check: 0800 0241 999

For all other enquiries: 08451 221155

In an emergency always call: 999

Web: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk

Twitter: twitter.com/staffsfire

Facebook: facebook.com/

staffordshirefireandrescueservice

Information in Our City correct at the time of going to press.

32 Our City W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

PETER Mountain joinedShapes Health and LeisureClub at the age of 59 – and

he is still pumping iron in its state-of-the-art fitness suites aquarter of a century later!

The 84-year-old has put his bodythrough its paces three times a week at the council-run facility within FentonManor Sports Complex ever since heenrolled as a member in 1989 to shedsome weight.

Peter still has the fitness assessmentwhich was carried out on him at the gymwhen he joined, showing that he needed tolose some of his 17 stone 5lbs weight.

“I joined Shapes because I wanted toregain the energy that I used to have,” hesaid. “I soon got my weight down to thetarget of 14 stones and it has remainedthereabouts since. The gym has alwaysbeen very well equipped and the staff arewonderful. I also enjoy the camaraderiewhich exists among the members.”

Peter, of Newcastle, a retired marketingresearch company owner, is an inspirationto other users of the club’s equipment,pool and Health Spa.

He begins his three-hour sessions at8am with a programme of personalisedfitness exercises that he never variesincluding cycling, lifting 55 kilo weights,working on the treadmill and toning upon the rowing machine.

He then moves to the Health Spa where he visits thesauna, steam room and spa pool,interspersed with five cold plunges.

“I don’t feel anything like 84 and Ialways feel fantastic after visiting Shapes,”he said.

“My motto is – you only have onebody, make sure you look after it. Myexercise regime is all about being

consistent – people need to do what’sright for them and then maintain theirprogramme.”

Memberships at Shapes Health andLeisure Club are priced at £30 permonth, and include unlimited, anytimeuse of the gyms, pools, spa, over 60exercise, spinning and aquarobics classeseach week, free parking and free racquet

sports with other members at FentonManor Sports Complex.

When joining Shapes, members canenjoy their first month free and pay noinitial or joining fees.

SHAPES Health and Leisure Club isamong a range of council-runhealth and leisure facilitiesin Stoke-on-Trent:

The Wallace Sport andEducation Centre in AbbeyHulton has been at the heart of thecommunity since opening in 2004, andattracts guests from across the city to itsrange of facilities. The fitness suiteprovides a range of cardio-vascularmachines, weight machines and freeweights while fitness classes led byqualified and friendly instructors includespinning, 50+ Zumba and Yoga.

Memberships at the Wallace Centre arepriced at £19.50 per month. Contact the

centre on 01782 233555 or visitstoke.gov.uk/wallace.

Dimensions Leisure Centre’s health andfitness club in Burslem offers a wide rangeof modern cardiovascular and resistanceequipment in an air-conditioned gymfrom as little as £22 a month.

Members receive an individual fitnessassessment to help identify and agreegoals, followed by a gym instruction

session and ongoing support. Packagesinclude unlimited use of the gym and agrowing programme of exercise andspinning classes, and free parking.

As an added bonus, members can bringa child along to any open swim sessionfree of charge (children under eight yearsold require adult supervision in the pool).

Contact the centre on 01782 233500 orvisit stoke.gov.uk/dimensions.

Northwood Stadium gives members thechance to work out whilst overlooking thecity’s only 400m athletics track.

They can also enjoy anytime use of thetrack, weights area and range of indoorand outdoor exercise classes for just£12.50 per month. Packages also includefree parking. Contact the centre on01782 234400 or visit stoke.gov.uk/northwoodstadium

Peter, aged 84,stays inShape(s)

For further details, pop along to seea member of the team, call 01782233444 or visit stoke.gov.uk/shapes.

Peter Mountain exercisingat Shapes Health and LeisureClub. Inset left, Peter jumps in

the cold plunge pool which is partof his regular exercise programme.

Four quality venues offer wide range of fitness activities

For up-to-date details on city council opening times over the Christmas period visit stoke.gov.uk/christmas

Healthy lives