Category Archives: politics

Help Shape Levenshulme’s Future

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There is a general meeting of the Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum this Thursday 3rd December at the Inspire Centre, 19.00-21.00.
We’ve now had three events to gather new ideas and thoughts for Levenshulme and there are 7 areas of interest. We will need to start developing groups that will start focussing on these items:

  1. Parking and Traffic management (traffic lights, one way system, cycling, parking, pedestrian crossing)
  2. Public and green spaces (protection, support to improve green spaces, playground equipment, community facilities)
  3. Build environment (mix of housing, land use, describing the look of our area, conservation area, list of significant buildings)
  4. Environmental improvements (improving existing housing stock, bulk buying, energy and insulation)
  5. Environmental health and wast management (rubbish and litter, fly tipping, recycling, vermin, bins)
  6. Communication (community engagements)
  7. Business and economic development ( A6 development, business diversity.

If you are interested in one of these areas and you would like to look in developing ideas in relation to the above items, please let us know. We will be discussing these areas at our meeting on Thursday and will start putting together groups that will investigate these areas further.

I know we are a little late in releasing the agenda for this Thursdays meeting, but we’ve been quite busy in the background. 
Agenda:

  1. Update our planning application for forum status.
  2. Discuss the above described work groups
  3. Current planning issues, and the method in which the forum deals with current planning application.
  4. Any other business

There are not many items on the agenda, but I think the discussions around the workgroups will be taking most of the meeting.

I hope you will be able to attend and see you on Thursday.

Maria van Elk
Chair, Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum

www.levenshulmenpf.org.uk

  

Levenshulme’s Spontaneous Demonstration Of Solidarity With Paris.

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A spontaneous vigil for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris was held in Levenshulme tonight (Saturday 14th November 2015).

The sentiment of solidarity was clear with the people of Paris. Levenshulme people are determined to defend our diverse and strong community against any attacks on an open, multicultural inclusive community with a successful spirit of tolerance and respect for all.

Organised via the local Levy Massive Facebook group the event was a touching reminder of the solidarity of ordinary people with the victims of terrorism and extremism. Small gestures demonstrate that people of all backgrounds, beliefs, people who are religious or not, share a common revulsion for intolerance, hatred, extremism and violence.

Ce soir, nous sommes français.

Égalité, Fraternité, Liberté.

 (Photos courtesy of Jeremy Hoad.)

  
  



 

  

 

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

 
 

 

Breakfast In Bed With The Guardian

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The Breakfast In Bed project set up by Jamie Whittaker has been profiled in an article in the Guardian.

The best summary of this Levenshulme based project is this:

“…the power of community, of the kindness that occurs when ordinary people come together.”

Levenshulme people overcome adversity, support each other, fight for their community and reach out to others in many different ways.

“Jamie Whittaker started bringing breakfast to homeless people on the streets of Manchester in January. “I had a week off work and I was walking from one train station to another. It was freezing, and there were 10 [homeless] people. They were all supposed to have been offered temporary accommodation because it is that cold, but it was all lies. They shouldn’t have been there.” So he took matters into his own hands.

As with many of the grassroots groups and projects that have sprung up under austerity, social media has played a huge role in the campaigning and organising. Whittaker, 35, who works shifts at a children’s home, started posting about the homelessness problem on the Facebook group Levy Massive, a community group for local people in Levenshume. He gained donations and volunteers as a result. Breakfast in Bed is not a charity and is not government-funded – local businesses and people have donated their time, labour, money and food to keep the project going. The project’s own Facebook group now has more than 800 members and new volunteers are joining all the time.”

  
(Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian)

The article goes on to mention the involvement and support of the local community.

“…Whittaker is… keen to point out that the volunteers act as go-betweens for two, often conflicting sides. He says: “We reach people they don’t reach, people they don’t know are there, and who are trying to stay off the radar. People who have burnt bridges with the council … we hope that we’re able to rebuild those connections.” With more donations, he’s hoping that the group can start helping to house people as well. They already hold monthly “pop-up” events. This month, it’s the haircuts.

At Shine, a salon in Levenshume, the atmosphere is almost festive, thanks to the cheery manner of the staff and the Shepherd’s pie steaming in the corner. Soon all the chairs are full. Joanne is given a new, chic bob, while Dave, an alcoholic who has been homeless on and off for 15 years, gets a shave and a cut. At the back of the room another staff member rolls cigarettes almost as quickly as they are smoked. A staffie darts about in excitement. The event is a testament to the power of community, of the kindness that occurs when ordinary people come together. In its matter-of-fact Mancunian way, it’s very moving. Outside, where there are extra seats, people are eating. A man cries as his hair is cut. Others are worrying about the freezing temperatures to come, that groups such as this can’t ever fully breach the widening gaps in services.”

Read the full article HERE

Planning Forum Public Events

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Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum (LNPF) public events.
Come along and find out about the LNPF and how our community can influence local planning issues.
What matters to you? Green spaces? Affordable housing? Improving our High Street? Supporting businesses for local jobs? Protecting buildings? Takeaways? Parking? Litter? Transport?
Everyone is welcome to get involved and help decide what the priorities and desires are for people who live and work in Levenshulme. This will become our plan for our community.
Saturday 31st October

09.30-16.30

Levenshulme Library (Cromwell Grove)
Thursday 5th November

15.00-19.00

Inspire Centre (Stockport Road)
Saturday 7th November

10.00-16.00

Levenshulme Market (Station Car Park)

  

Manchester Devolution Discussion

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Come along to Inspire on Stockport Road to find out about and discuss DevoManc tonight at 19.00, 25th September 2015.

   
 

Council Consultation On Hot Food Takeaways

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Manchester City Council is consulting on planning guidance for hot food takeaways. This would be come part of the council’s Strategic Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The consultation is available HERE
If you wish to comment you must register with the council’s consultation portal. You can do this by following the instruction on the link above.

The council’s introduction is provided below:

The City Council intend to prepare a Hot Food Takeaway Supplementary Planning Document and would welcome any comments you have on this issue.

The Manchester Core Strategy includes a number of policies relevant to Hot Food Takeaways and the intention of the SPD is to provide further detail on these policies. A copy of the Core Strategy can be found on the City Council’s website HERE

We are particularly interested in how you think planning policy relating to hot food takeaways can support the most appropriate mix of uses within our District and Local Centres and promote healthy lifestyles, especially for young people.

We would like your views about the right planning policy for Hot Food Takeaways.

Petition To Control Speeding On Manor Road

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A petition has been set up by Levenshulme resident Sue Millichap to stop the excessive and dangerous speeding on Manor Road.

The petition text says:

“Manor Road is a residential street in Levenshulme, Manchester. The road runs alongside Greenbank Playing Fields – a large open park where children and families play. Manor Road is very long, wide and straight and it connects two main roads together. As such, drivers use it as a ‘rat run’ and incessant speeding has led to a large number of pet fatalities and near misses with children. Some residents have tried to take action by gesturing to drivers to slow down in order to protect our children and pets but have been faced with abuse and threats. We need speed calming measures that actually work. We want speed bumps that span the full width of the road. We have to act now before a child is killed. Enough is enough. 

We are aware that there are many roads in Levenshulme that are suffering this issue but residents from all areas of Levenshulme use Greenbank Park.”
You can view and sign the petition HERE

  

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum Meeting and Elections

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The next meeting of the Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum will take place on Tuesday 1st September, 19.00, at Levenshulme Inspire on Stockport Road.

Since the July meeting the Interim Committee has finalised the draft constitution as agreed. This constitution will be presented for approval at the meeting as well as formal adoption of the Designated Area that was accepted by the July meeting.

The September meeting will formally:

  • create the Levenshulme a neighbourhood a planning Forum;
  • adopt the Designated Area;
  • approve the Constitution; and
  • elect a committee to replace the Interim Committee that was appointed in July.

Apart from this formal business to enable the Forum to exist the meeting will discuss a plan for the future and how best to develop the Neighbourhood Plan in a way that includes input from as many people in Levenshulme as possible and that reflects our priorities and issues.

As always, anyone who lives or works in Levenshulme is welcome to attend the meeting and also join the Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum.

Shell Garage Licence Application

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It has been drawn to our attention that the Shell Garage at 1081 Stockport Road (close to the junction with Crossley road and McVities) has applied for a 24 hour license to sell alcohol and that some people may wish tocomment.

Details of the application are available HERE

You can comment by sending an email to Manchester City Council at:

premises.licensing@manchester.gov.uk

The deadline for comments is 3rd September.

Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum Meeting

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A meeting of Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum will take place this evening, Thursday 16th July, 19.00-21.00 at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road.

The meeting will:

  • vote on the area covered by the Forum;
  • approve a constitution for the group; and 
  • elect a committee.

The agenda, draft constitution and proposed designated area are provided below.


AGENDA


 

PROPOSED AREA

  
DRAFT CONSTITUTION

   

    
   
   
 

Seventeen Days of Art, Philosophy and Action in Levenshulme

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Levenshulme Contemporary Art Centre (LCAC) activities start today with an exhibition at Bankley Mill (19.00) and a launch party at Fred’s Ale House (21.00). Even before that readings on the Village Green happen at 12.00 and 20.00.

Details are available HERE

There are loads of events and activities on over the next seventeen days from imaginary bike rides to a marathon reading of Das Kapital Karl Marx, discussions about regeneration, home and the urban environment, readings and discussions of work by Marxist geographer David Harvey, Communist era children’s games from Poland and a public intervention to highlight access to public services at the railway station: “To show our desire to use the station we will form a queue to fail to get up the stairs.”

Far from failing LCAC are showing what can be achieved with £2,210 funding from Levenshulme Market Fund to produce a packed programme of events by Levenshulme artists, philosophers and residents to revitalise our High Street and attract people to our community.

This is genuine local direct action and imagination at work and what fringe events should be all about during the Manchester International Festival. An explosion of creativity emerging organically from a vibrant, diverse, challenging and exciting community like Levenshulme.

  

Levenshulme Contemporary Art Centre Summer Programme 

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The Levenshulme Contemporary Art Centre Summer Programme has been published. A packed series of events, readings and activities spread over seventeen days to coincide with Manchester International Festival.

The Fringe comes to Levenshulme courtesy of our own artists, philosophers and academics and enabled by a grant of £2,210 from the Levenshulme Market Fund 2015.

Highlights are listed below and a full interactive programme is available HERE

LCAC are also raising money for the Wood Street Mission by undertaking a  live reading of all three volumes of Karl Marx’s Capital on Levenshulme Village Green.
LCAC Programme 

Friday 10 July 2015 | Housing

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Use Value and Exchange Value 
  • (Time tbc) Chris Hamer – Bankley opening  
  • (Time tbc) Opening Party at Fred’s  

Saturday 11 July 2015 | What is Money?

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • The Social Value of Labour and its Representations by Money 
  • 2pm – 4pm Children’s Games from Communist Poland 
  • Sunday 12 July 2015 | Private Property
  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Private Property and the Capitalist State 
  • (Time tbc) Discussion: Modern Slavery in Manchester 
  • (Time tbc) Philosophy for Kids 

Monday 13 July 2015 | Us and the Banks

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Private Appropriation and the Common Wealth 
  • Tuesday 14 July 2015 | Money and Work
  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Capital and Labour 
  • (Time tbc) Art Art Labour  

Wednesday 15 July 2015 | What Does Money Do?

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Capital as Process or Thing? 

Thursday 16 July 2015 | Making and Selling

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • The Contradictary Unity of Production and Realisation 
  • (Time tbc) Zine Workshop with The Edge of the Universe Printing Press 

Friday 17 July 2015 | Work and Technology

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Technology, Work and Human Disposability 
  • (Time tbc) Old Projectors  
  • 9pm Film Screening on the Village Green  

Saturday 18 July 2015 | Who Does What Job?

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Divisions of Labour 
  • 11am – 12pm Failed Journeys 
  • 2pm – 4pm Discussion: What is Home? 
  • 5:30pm – 7pm Exhibition Talk and Walking Tour  
  • 9pm Film Screening at Bankley Studios  

Sunday 19 July 2015 | Competition

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Monopoly and Competition: Centralisation and Decentralisation 
  • (Time tbc) Orçamento Participativo: Stockie Road to Rio… and back… 
  • 2pm – 4pm Philosophy for Kids 
  • 6pm – 8pm Performance: Case Studies in Joint Action 

Monday 20 July 2015 | Town Planning

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Uneven Geographical Developments and the Production of Space 

Tuesday 21 July 2015 | The Rich and the Poor

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Disparities of Income and Wealth 
  • (Time tbc) Talk: Homelessness  

Wednesday 22 July 2015 | Family Life

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Social Reproduction 
  • (Time tbc) Pregnant then Screwed  

Thursday 23 July 2015 | What is Freedom?

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Freedom and Domination 
  • (Time tbc) Philosophy for Kids 

Friday 24 July 2015 | Endless Growth

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Endless Compound Growth 
  • (Time tbc) Round Table Discussion 
  • (Time tbc) Portfolio Review: Is Debt Worth It?  
  • 9pm Film Screening on the Village Green (TBC)  

Saturday 25 July 2015 | Destroying the Planet

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • Capital’s Relation to Nature 
  • 2pm – 4pm Children’s Games from Communist Poland 
  • 4pm – 5pm Owl Project: iLog Talk and Demo  

Sunday 26 July 2015 | How Will It End?

  • 12pm + 8pm Reading Group: Seventeen Contradictions and the End of Capitalism (David Harvey)
  • The Revolt of Human Nature: Universal Alienations 
  • (Time tbc) Painting Levenshulme’s Rubbish 

 LCAC Market Fund 2015 Bid Summary

Levenshulme Contemporary Art Centre
LCAC Shop
Bidding for: £2210.00
FULLY FUNDED
The LCAC Shop will be a temporary, non-profit making hub of radical thinking for the Levenshulme community. It will open for two weeks during the Manchester International Festival (2nd-19th July 2015), with the aim of helping to seed the development of a future independent fringe festival. The Shop will function as an open social space, the aim of which is to create the possibility of imagining a new locality. It will serve coffee, sell radical texts and work/prints by local artists, and host free public talks, including connecting participants with other radically-minded individuals across the world via video-conferencing. It will be open to the public at varied times, including late nights for post-work discussions. The group are bidding for funds to run the shop, including rental and fittings, marketing and promotion of the space and paying/reimbursing visiting speakers and artists.
(Information from Levenshulme Market)

  
 Photos courtesy LCAC / Gautam Narayanan

Levenshulme Neighbourbood Planning Forum Meeting

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The next meeting of Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum will take place on Thursday 16th July 2015, 19.00 at the Inspire Centre on Stockport Road.

The meeting will consider and agree the area defined for the Forum, constituting the Forum as a group and electing the first committee members to help take the idea further and make the Forum a reality.

Exciting steps to move forward and formally establish a Forum so that the people of Levenshulme can have a direct influence over what happens in our area.

Everyone is welcome.

   
 

Council Kills CASH Grants – Say Hello To NIFs

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Manchester City Council has killed off its CASH Grant scheme for council wards and replaced it with a new Neighbourhood Investment Fund (NIF) worth £10,000 less per ward.

CASH Grants of £30,000 per year were previously available to each Ward with local councillors deciding on where and how the money was spent. These have now been abolished and replaced withthe NIF that provides up to £20,000 per ward each year.

The new scheme comes into effect immediately from today (Monday 22nd June 2015). Information from Manchester City Council states:

“Local people and community groups can have a huge impact in their community and Manchester City Council remains committed to supporting activity that improves neighbourhoods and enhances peoples lives.”

Application Criteria

The fund is open to established groups, voluntary groups and other community groups, as well as groups of residents working together for the first time. School Parent Teacher Associations can also apply if they have the support of local residents and parents and the project benefits the wider community as well as the school.

Your group must have a bank account in order to receive any approved funding, or have permission from another group to receive the funding for you as a referee. Payment can not be made to personal bank accounts.

NIF funding is available for projects that fall in to the following categories:

Work & Skills
Projects that help people in a community to get back in to work by offering additional learning and opportunities to improve skills. It could also help fund any activities relating to coaching, mentoring or volunteering.

Community Groups
New groups can bid for initial seed funding to get an idea off the ground, become more recognised in the local neighbourhood and actively engage the community with activities. Established groups could also receive one off funding to help support smaller groups and deliver local projects.

Improving the Environment and Increase Recycling
Groups looking to organise community clean ups or planting projects can bid – with special encouragement for ideas focussed on increased recycling and waste reduction in a community.

Other Activities and Events
Applications will be considered for events that benefit the community and support the ward priorities of the local area. Any ideas should be discussed with your local Regeneration Ward Officer before applying.

What you can’t get funding for

Some projects, activities, events or schemes do not fall within the criteria for a neighbourhood investment funds, therefore applications will not be considered for the following:

  • Projects that do not directly benefit Manchester residents;
  • Traffic-calming schemes or CCTV;
  • Projects that simply replace existing facilities with no significant improvement;
  • Projects that improve or benefit privately owned land to which the public have no access and un-adopted roads and footpaths;
  • Projects that have already been completed or will have been by the time the grant is issued;
  • Ongoing revenue funding of staff wages, salaries or expenses or overheads such as rent, leases or utility costs;
  • Projects that only benefit individuals (e.g. qualifications, counselling sessions, professional legal advice etc.);
  • Groups cannot directly benefit financially from their own application (they cannot be a fiscal beneficiary);
  • Purchase of alcohol and gambling activities;
  • Activities of a religious or political nature; or
  • Activities that are contrary to Manchester City Council’s equal opportunities policy.

Assessment

Applications are reviewed by a panel to decide where funds should be allocated. Your Regeneration Ward Officer will keep you updated through the process – each application should not exceed £10,000.

More information on NIF and access to the on-line application is available HERE 

The Northern Powerhouse – From The Horse’s Mouth

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Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society Lecture 2015

A lecture from Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council on the development of the “Northern Powerhouse”. 

Free event hosted by the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

WHEN
Wednesday 1st July 2015, 19.00

WHERE
Manchester Conference Centre (Sackville Street)
BOOKING
Register a place HERE
SUMMARY

“We are delighted to welcome the Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein to address the Society on the hot topic of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

The term ‘Northern Powerhouse’ may have come into common currency recently, but the underlying concept is one which our great northern cities – with Manchester very much in the vanguard – have been advocating for many years.

Put simply, it’s about recognising the need to rebalance the nation’s economy with major northern cities, both collectively and individually, being backed to unlock their potential. This means complementing, not competing with London and the South East. But it also means recognising and investing in the distinctive strengths of cities such as Manchester – whether it’s in culture or cutting edge research.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Manchester is fundamental to this vision – and that unless Manchester can realise its full potential no such rebalancing of the national economy will be possible.

This means investing in excellence, whether it’s improving transport infrastructure – for example the £15bn One North proposals to radically improve east-west transport connections between northern cities and complement HS2, supporting cultural facilities such as the £78m new Factory Manchester Arts Centre or supporting pioneering research into advanced materials such as graphene.

But also integral to the Northern Powerhouse concept is the recognition that city regions such as Greater Manchester – places with their acts together and clear strategic visions – need to be freed from stifling over-centralisation. Greater Manchester is in the forefront of the devolution agenda which recognises that instead of having ‘one size fits all’ national policies imposed centrally, we are better placed to create the conditions for growth and improving people’s lives by investing in local needs and priorities. This will enable us to use the available funding in a much smarter way.”


Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum Meeting 10th June

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Following the recent information evening the Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum group are holding a meeting to talk about how to progress the Levenshulme Neighbourhood Planning Forum and look at how Northernden Neighbourhood Forum have established and run their Neighboruhood Forum.

Graham Pheby from Northernden Neighbourhood Forum will be attending to talk to us about their experience in setting up and running a Neighbourhood Forum.

Everyone is welcome.

When

Wednesday 10th June from 18.30-19.45
Where

Levenshulme Library Meeting Room.

Thank You To Everyone Who Came To The Hustings

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A big thank you to everyone who came along to the Levenshulme and Gorton South hustings organised by the LCA this week. Both meetings were packed to capacity and showed again how enthusiastic and engaged the people of Levenshulme are with our area.

Thank you to Les James for allowing us to host the meeting at the Klondyke on Tuesday and to Revd. Caroline Throup who allowed us to use St. Peter’s Church on Thursday.

And a big thank you to everyone who donated money to help us with the costs of these events and the ongoing work of the LCA.

Elections 2015: Levenshulme in the Press

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Mancunian Matters seems to have been impressed with Levenshulme’s councillors with mentions of both Basat Sheikh and Peter Cookson. It reported:

‘Basking in success over his first time win, Basat Mahmood Sheikh for Levenshulme said to one of his colleagues while the counts were being verified: “I have certainly proved myself”.’
and

‘The other side of Gorton also had a triumphant success, victor Peter Cookson said it was a ‘record breaking result’ after finding out he had 4564 votes.

UKIP failed to provide competition for Mr Cookson, with an uninspiring 966 votes for second place.

At the end of his winner’s speech, he added: “It’s an unbelievable result in the history of this seat”.’

Read the full article HERE.

2015 Elections: Paul Magrs at the Hustings 

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The marvellous Paul Magrs did a painting of the Levenshulme hustings organised by the LCA at the Klondyke. Have fun seeing who you can identify in the crowd.

  

Elections 2015: Hustings start tomorrow

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The hustings for the 2015 elections start tomorrow. Everyone is welcome.

Hustings for the local and national elections in May 2015 are planned as follows:

Levenshulme Local Election
Tuesday 21st April, 19.30 at the Klondyke, 1 Burnage Range

Organised by Levenshulme Community Association

Gorton South Local Election
Thursday 23rd April
19.30 at St. Peter’s Church, Stockport Road

Organised by Levenshulme Community Association

Manchester Gorton Parliamentary Election
Wednesday 29th April
19.30 at the Jain Centre, Stockport Road

Organised by Levenshulme Interfaith Group


Candidates are listed HERE


Parliamentary Hustings 29/04/15

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Levenshulme Interfaith Forum are hosting hustings for the parliamentary election on Wednesday 29th April, 19.30-21.30 at the Jain Centre on Stockport Road.  

How To Register To Vote

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Registering to vote is easy. You can do it online HERE

If you want to vote in any of the elections next month – local or national – you must have registered before 20th April 2015.


2015 Elections Candidates

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These are the candidates standing in the 2015 local and national elections.

Both Levenshulme and Gorton South are listed for the local elections because Levenshulme is covered by both wards and the Levenshulme ward alone does not include all of Levenshulme. You can find out which ward you are in for council elections HERE.

Levenshulme Ward, Manchester City Council

John Commons (Liberal Democrat Party)

Fiona Higgins  (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

Khawar Iqbal (Conservative Party)

Basat Sheikh ((Labour Party)

Dick Venes (Green Party)

View the official candidate list HERE

Gorton South Ward, Manchester City Council

Dick Brown (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

Bob Catterall (UK Independence Party)

Peter Cookson (Labour Party)

Andrew Hickey (Lineral Democrat Party)

Melvyn Newton (Green Party)

Timo Opesan (Conservative Party)

View the official candidate list HERE

Manchester Gorton Parliamentary Constituency

Mohammed Afzal (Conservative Party)

Laura Bannister (Green Party)

Cristian Chesha (Pirate Party UK)

Phil Eckersley (UK Independence Party)

Simon Hickman (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)

Gerald Kaufman (Labour Party)

Dave Page (Liberal Democrat Party)


View the official candidate list HERE


NOTE

Levenshulme Community Association is an apolitical organisation. Any mention of candidates or elected representatives by the LCA is for information purposes and should not be taken to imply an endorsement of any individual or political party.

LCA Election Results and 2015-16 Priorities

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The LCA AGM this afternoon included elections with the following results:

Officers

  • Peter Naughton (Chair)
  • Jeremy Hoad (Secretary)
  • Malcolm Cowen (Treasurer)

Core Group Members

  • Matthew Ball
  • Karen Broady
  • Lawrence Hennigan
  • Mark Lake
  • John Roby Brown

Sir Gerald Kaufman MP (LCA Honorary President) was generous in his praise of Levenshulme’s diversity, initiative and identity as a fantastic place to live and work. He was particularly impressed with the strength of the LCA and the many other community groups across Levenshulme. He stressed the importance of having active and engaged residents that form the basis of a cohesive and mutually supportive community.

The meeting identified key areas for the work of the LCA over the coming year including:

  • finding a future for the Levenshulme Library building;
  • increasing community engagement;
  • ensuring active community involvement in the development of the new Arcadia Leisure Centre;
  • sharing information both online and through distributed means to reach as many people as possible;
  • building on the larger LCA membership of the past year;
  • providing more events such as the very successful LCA Community Forum meetings;
  • providing information on community funding opportunities and sources;
  • enabling and supporting greater involvement in the LCA from currently less represented groups in line with LCA key aims of inclusiveness;
  • exploring how to improve access at Levenshulme Station;
  • strengthening, developing and promoting Levenshulme as a great place to live, work and play.

LCA Officers and the Core Group will develop these ideas into firm proposals and practical priorities for 2015-16.

We are grateful to the support and hard work of the many groups that we collaborate with in Levenshulme and look forward to another positive and productive year for the benefit of all Levenshulme residents.


2015 Election: Pirate Party Candidate Launch Meeting

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A launch meeting for Cristian Chesa who is standing as a parliamentary candidate for Manchester Gorton will be held at 18.00 on Monday 16th March at the Klondyke (1 Burnage Range).

Cristian is standing as a candidate for the Pirate Party UK.

This is an opportunity to meet Cristian, ask questions and take part in a policy workshop that will help decide “…what you would like to see go into the a Pirate Party crowd-sourced manifesto for 2015.”

Register for the policy workshop HERE

Find out about the Pirate Party HERE



NOTE: Levenshulme Community Association does not endorse or promote any political party or political organisation. Membership of the LCA is not available to any political parties or groups. Any information provided is for information only.

Council Budget Cuts Last Chance To Comment

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Today is the deadline for comments on the council’s proposed budget. This includes significant and severe cuts to services.

Comment via the council’s website HERE

Levenshulme Labour Councillors Release Statement On Ward Coordination Changes

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Levenshulme Labour Councillors have today released the following statement on the changes to Ward Coordination Meetings:

“Ward Co-ordination Meetings in Levenshulme

The current ward co-ordination meetings, which are held quarterly during working hours and are attended by the Levenshulme councillors and council officers, will now be closed to resident groups.

In order for there to be more accessibility and interaction between all groups and associations within the Levenshulme ward, it is proposed to hold a Levenshulme Neighbourhood Networking Forum in January, May and September of each year. Each association or group, or residents within Levenshulme, will be welcome to attend this.

This forum will be chaired by a Levenshulme councillor. Council officers and an Executive Member of the Council will also be invited to attend each forum.

This Forum will be held on Saturday mornings, and the first one will be held in September 2014.

If you have any questions regarding this change, please feel free to contact Nasrin, Dzidra or Aftab to discuss.”

No contact details were provided with the post but you can find these on the LCA website HERE