5% Council Tax Increase

Manchester City Council has changed its plans and now proposes to increase council tax by the maximum possible next year, 4.99%.

A consultation on the proposals is open until 7 February 2023. The council’s explanation is below. You can go directly to the consultation HERE

Council tax 2023/24 – final chance to have your say on the revised proposal

We still want to hear your views on revised council tax proposals for 2023/24.

Your views will help shape the decisions we need to take around council tax increases.

Our other budget proposals remain the same, so if you gave views on these in the earlier consultation, they still stand.

Make sure you have your say before Tuesday 7 February.


Circumstances have changed since we previously asked you about our budget for 2023/24.

The Government’s Autumn Statement has moved the goalposts considerably. They have decided that council tax can now increase by up to 2.99% in the general charge plus an extra charge (called a precept) of up to 2% to help fund adult social care. This means there can now be a 4.99% increase without the need for a costly local referendum – 2% more than the original limit which is what we had originally proposed and consulted with you about.

The Government has put off making the most difficult decisions about funding cuts to address the black hole in public sector finances until 2025. It has also provided some additional funding to help us support the most vulnerable.

But while the immediate position is not as severe as we anticipated, we still need to plan now for tough times looming on the horizon to ensure our funding is sustainable and we can continue to provide support to those who need it most as well as the services everyone needs.

Our funding allocation from Government effectively assumes that we will increase council tax by the full amount now allowed. If we don’t do this it may impact on future funding settlements, with the Government assuming the Council has more money than we actually do.

From speaking to other comparable councils we know they have reached the same conclusion which we reluctantly have – that there is little choice but to look at raising council tax in line with the new limit.


Our proposals

We are therefore now proposing to increase general council tax by 2.99% plus a 2% adult social care precept – a 4.99% increase in total.

Putting up council tax is not something we do lightly when we are acutely aware that there is a cost of living crisis facing many of us.

But the extra money for adult social care will enable us to support the social care sector more, helping to relieve some of the well-documented pressures on the NHS. We will also be able to provide more targeted help for the most vulnerable people in our city.

Funding from the extra 1% on council tax will also be targeted at supporting our most vulnerable residents and the voluntary sector who do such valuable work in our city.

Even a 4.99% increase will still be well below inflation and less than the increase to other household bills. Our strengthened Council Tax Support scheme will also mean that Manchester residents on the lowest incomes will get more help with their bills.

The Council’s financial position remains challenging against a backdrop of high inflation (even higher now than when we first consulted), rising interest rates and a volatile economic climate.

This comes on top of more than a decade of central government funding cuts to our budget, even as our city and the need for our services grew. Manchester was one of the hardest hit places in the country by these cuts. Since 2010 we have had to make £428 million of savings to cope with cuts to our government funding and unfunded budget pressures such as inflation and a growing population.

We still need to make savings to balance the budget over the next three years and have consulted on proposals as part of the previous consultation. If you have given views on these, they still stand.

We remain firmly focused on delivering your priorities – from overseeing the building of 10,000 affordable homes over 10 years to leading the charge to become zero carbon by 2038; from promoting a healthier and happier city to creating vibrant neighbourhoods and investing in your parks and roads.

Your views in this consultation will help inform decisions about council tax levels.


Increasing the council tax on empty homes

Government rules currently allow us to charge a 100% council tax premium on any unfurnished homes that have been empty for over two years, doubling the charge absentee owners must pay. This is to encourage owners of long-term empty properties to bring them back into use. Planned changes to those national rules would reduce the period after which we are allowed to charge double to just one year. We are considering charging owners and landlords the extra 100% premium after one year.

In addition, national changes in the offing would allow councils to charge a 100% premium on empty, furnished homes (second homes and rental properties between tenants) as well. This will mean second home owners and landlords with furnished properties will pay double council tax for any period that their property is empty. We are also considering charging this higher rate of council tax for empty, furnished properties if we are allowed.


To have your say and read full details of the proposals, visit manchester.gov.uk/budget

The consultation runs until 7 February 2023.

Have Your Say

Murder Investigation Launched

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of Ibraheem Ali who was critically injured in an attack on Stockport Road on 22 January.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “Over the weekend we have now launched a murder investigation after the victim has sadly passed away as a result of his injuries.”

News reports can be found here:

Christmas Toy Exchange

The Christmas Toy Exchange is on at St Mark’s Church, Barlow Road, today until 12.30.

Levenshulme Community Choir Christmas Concert

Join Levy Community choir for an evening of festive entertainment held at St Peters Church – Levenshulme. 18.00-19.30 on Saturday 3rd December 2022.

This concert promisses to fill you with Christmas spirit and joy. Featuring unique arrangements of ‘Carol of The Bells’, ‘Somewhere in My Memory’, ‘I Believe in Father Christmas’ plus many more contemporary choral works.

The concert will also feature guest performers and the children’s choir from Fairfield Road Primary School.

Tickets can be bought via Eventbrite HERE

Levenshulme Artbeats

Levenshulme Artbeats will be happening again at The Talleyrand on Friday 2nd December from 18.30. Thanks to Siobhan Daniel for organising the event.

Christmas Lights Switch On 2022

The annual Christmas Lights Switch on is happening today.

Santa will be at Fred’s Ale House from 16.30. Levenshulme Traders Association have raised funding for free presents for the first 200 children to come along.

The Christmas Tree Lights will be switched on at 17.30.

Levenshulme Community Association has arranged the Christmas Tree lights in partnership with the Levenshulme Traders Association with support from Manchester City Council. The whole event is supported by businesses and groups across Levenshulme. Thanks to everyone who support this event.

Remembrance Day in Levenshulme

Remembrance Day commemorations will be held on Sunday 13th November at 10.45am outside St Peter’s Church on Stockport Road.

Photograph courtesy of St Peter and St Mark’s Parish Remembrance Day 2019

Friends of Chapel Street Park / Bluebell Green Meeting

Friends of Chapel Street Park / Bluebell Green are holding a meeting on Saturday 12th November, 10.00-11.00.

They have some exciting funding news to discuss and will start of planning their next 12months of activities. They’re also looking for a new chair for Friends of Chapel Street Park and a Secretary. Could this be you? Volunteers old and new really welcome.

Learn To Ride A Bike For Free

FREE adult cycle training at Cringle Park basketball courts. Book your place using the links in the poster.

Inspire Taskforce Crowdfunder

The Inspire Taskforce at Levenshulme Inspire is running a crowdfunder. Find out more and donate HERE

Why are we raising money?

This winter is going to be a hard one for us all, but none more so than for our older people. As energy prices and food prices sky rocket, older people on fixed incomes will have to make difficult choices in order to keep themselves healthy and warm over the winter. Older people are at increased risk of hypothermia when the room temperature drops below 16 C.
As costs continue to increase we want to help older people avoid the difficult decisions that would otherwise mean they are left without heating or food this winter and our Warm Spaces project would allow us to reduce the living costs for many older people by giving them a warm, safe environment with food options over winter.

What will we do with the raised money? 

The Inspired Taskforce already provides activity sessions on 3 days a week and we would like to expand this to 5, so that every weekday throughout the months of winter, there is an option to come and sit in a Warm Room and drink a Hot Brew with friendly companions.
We will have many options of activity on the day, from Sewing, Knitting, board games, arts & crafts and much more – Similar to our already currently running Happy Mondays Social Group.

The Inspired Taskforce’s mission is to make the world a better place for older people – starting with our own backyard in Levenshulme and Gorton.

Selective Licensing In Levenshulme

Manchester City Council has launched a consultation on proposals for Selective Licensing in parts of Levenshulme. This would affect private rented properties.

This is the area proposed in Levenshulme. It would Include flats, suffixed and sub-addresses in this area.

StreetPost code
1-48 Damien Street (All)M12 4GW
72-118 Hemmons Road (Evens)M12 4QG 
M12 5ST
37-94 Longden Road (All)M12 5SG
1-38 Maida Street (All)M12 4QQ
1-57 Ollier Avenue (Odds)M12 5SU
1-42 Seddon Street (All)M12 4GP
81-135 Stovell Avenue (Odds)M12 5SE
M12 4GN

Levenshulme | Proposed areas for Selective Licensing | Manchester City Council

The consultation will run for 10 weeks from 5th October – 14th December 2022.

Please see link below to Manchester City Council’s website, which provides background information about the proposals and includes details of how residents and landlords can have their say, by completing an online questionnaire or by attending an in person drop-in event.

www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations

Further information from Manchester City Council is available HERE and below:

Why are we considering selective licensing?

We have introduced a revised Private Rented Sector Strategy (2020-2025) with a detailed implementation plan. This sets out the Council’s approach to the private rented sector over the next five years. The new Housing Strategy (2022-2032) reaffirms our commitment to improving the safety, quality and management of private rented sector homes.

There are approximately 90,000 private rented properties which is 38% of the total housing for the City of Manchester. We know that many PRS (Private Rented Sector) properties provide good quality accommodation, however there are areas of Manchester where PRS properties are not managed to a good standard.

We work with teams across Community Safety, Compliance and Enforcement regularly and work with landlords in the private rented sector in dealing with complaints about anti-social behaviour, poor property management, waste issues and proactively work to remove any concerns in these areas. 

Despite this, we have not seen sustained improvements in areas unless additional interventions are introduced. Enforcement against individual properties alone will not improve standards to the level required across each area. 

Manchester has previously had an accreditation scheme, and we have considered voluntary accreditation as part of our work in Manchester. However, our experience is that these schemes inevitably attract landlords who are already providing a good service to their tenants and do little to engage or improve the property conditions of those landlords who are not. 

The Council has the power to introduce ‘selective licensing schemes’ in areas of Manchester. In these areas private landlords, or their managing agents, would need to have a licence for each house that they rent out. There are approximately 3,200 private rented properties in the current selective licensing schemes and the proposed selective licensing schemes would affect 1,100 private rented properties.

Selective licensing ensures that:

  • The proposed licence holder is fit and proper to manage their properties. 
  • The licence holder complies with the conditions of the licence, leading to improvements in property management and reductions in anti-social behaviour 
  • Property inspections can be targeted 
  • Landlords provide necessary certification
  • Unlicensed landlords can face an unlimited fine if prosecuted through the courts, or up to £30,000 if issued by the council. 

To make sure that selective licensing helps to improve social or economic conditions, we want to introduce designated zones within the ward areas of Cheetham, Levenshulme, Longsight, Moss Side and Whalley Range, and Rusholme. 

See which areas we are proposing for selective licensing and have your say

Find out more about the benefits of selective licensing and how areas are chosen

Read conditions the licence holder must comply with

How an area is picked for selective licensing

When a Selective Licensing designation is being considered an area has to be experiencing one or more of the following conditions: 

  • Low housing demand  
  • A significant and persistent problem caused by anti-social behaviour 
  • High levels of migration
  • Poor property conditions
  • High level of deprivation 
  • High levels of crime

Before identifying any areas for selective licensing a ‘hotspot’ mapping exercise was undertaken looking at levels of anti-social behaviour, crime and service requests relating to housing and environmental issues, as well as levels of deprivation across the City. This data was overlaid to identify areas where challenges were likely to be concentrated.  

Updated statistics for each of the areas can be found on our key statistics page.

View the key statistics for: 

Views were then sought from local Neighbourhood and enforcement teams on boundaries for potential selective licensing areas within these ‘hotspot’ areas based on their local knowledge of the issues within each area.

In September 2020 the Council Executive held a meeting on past selective licensing in order to inform any new selective licensing schemes.  The new licensing schemes being considered are in relation to tackling property condition, deprivation and anti-social behaviour.  For more details on this you can read point 96 in the report and associated appendix on this topic in the Wednesday, 9 September, 2020, 2pm (manchester.gov.uk) agenda for Council Executive.

In June 2022 the Economy Scrutiny Committee reviewed updated local statistics which confirmed that the proposed areas continue to meet the necessary criteria for selective licensing and approved an outline consultation plan. For more details you can read section 11 onwards in the report and associated appendix in the Thursday, 23rd June, 2022 2.00pm (manchester.gov.uk) agenda for Economy Scrutiny

How much would a licence cost?

The proposed licence fee is £800. The licensing fee is split into two parts, the application fee and the grant fee which is payable before any licence is issued. Non-payment of the grant fee will result in an application being delayed.

Once we have set an area for selective licensing, landlords will have three months to get their licences.

See the current fee structures

Income generated from licensing fees will be used to pay for the consultation process, administration, management and running of the scheme.

The Council does not generate surplus funds from selective licensing schemes. The income generated, the bulk of which is collected in years one and two, is required to manage and resource the scheme for its full designation.

Manchester City Council Website Review

Resident & Business Digital Experience Programme

Have your say on making manchester.gov.uk easier to use

Manchester City Council wants to understand how it can improve its website so that it is easier and quicker to use. The Council is seeking views about what works well on manchester.gov.uk, what doesn’t work well and what you want to use the website for.

There are two options to take part as a resident or as a business.

Residents

What will be involved

The feedback sessions will be events (in-person and online) taking place at a number of locations in Manchester between October 2022 and April 2023. Other residents will attend, and we will gather feedback from everyone in a group setting, with structured discussions facilitated by our team. 

These events will be run specifically to gather feedback about manchester.gov.uk, we won’t be able to answer specific questions about council services, such as bin collections etc. 

How to sign up

Complete the Manchester Resident Website Feedback Group Sign Up Form before 14 October 2022, with your name and contact details. Places in the feedback group are limited, but we may invite you to take part in other feedback sessions in the future. 

In this form, you’ll be asked to provide some contact details so we can share details of the Website Feedback Group events with you. See Manchester City Council’s privacy policy.

Businesses

What will be involved

You will be invited to attend feedback sessions (in-person and online) taking place in Manchester between October 2022 and April 2023. Other businesses will attend and our team will facilitate structured workshop discussions. 

If you would like to be invited to take part in the feedback sessions, please complete the Manchester Website Feedback Group for Businesses sign up form by 14th October, with your name and contact details. 

Places in the feedback group are limited, not everybody who registers will receive an invitation to the first feedback event but we may invite you to take part in future sessions.

Your feedback will help us improve our digital systems so that they are better in the future.

Have your say on making manchester.gov.uk easier to use

At Manchester City Council we want to understand how we can improve our website so that it’s easier and quicker for Manchester businesses to use. 

We’d like to hear your views about what works well on manchester.gov.uk, what doesn’t work well and what you want to use the website for. 

You’re invited to sign up to take part in the Manchester Website Feedback Group for Businesses.

Levenshulme Old Library Art Clubs

The LOL Arts Clubs return next Monday with another fantastic Collage Club from the mighty @LHP_collageart

The LOL Art Clubs are free to attend, materials are supplied and all adults are welcome. So next Monday head down to Levenshulme Old Library.

LOL Art Clubs are intended to put our community space to good work for the local artist community here in Levenshulme. 

We’ll be running the following weekly sessions

Collage Club – first Monday of the month 

Come down and create a collage, using photos, magazines, postcards and, well, pretty much anything to express yourself. Run by Katie AKA LocalHotelParking, a local artist whose studio is in the Old Library building and whose incredible collage work will be familiar to regular customers at Levenshulme Market and beyond.

Crotchet Club – second Monday of the month

Join Sophie Benson to learn about crochet and clothing repairs. Bring along your knitting, embroidery, dressmaking, macrame, cat’s cradle or anything else fabric-related for a stitch’n’ditch (the fast fashion) experience.

Zine Club – third Monday of the month

A zine is a DIY book, designed, created and bound by its maker and usually produced in small batches, giving people the means of producing a publication dedicated to their passion. These sessions are run by our very own Levy zinesters Hette and Adam from Let’s Make Zines. Come and learn techniques for repurposing paper into a range of sketchbooks and booklets, and expect to be challenged to fill them!.

Art Club – fourth Monday of the month
Hosted by a range of facilitators, come down for these sessions to talk about art, debate or learn about an element of art or art history, or a practical topic such as preparing for art markets. Bring among your own expertise and share with the group!

Everyone is welcome to attend – whether you’re a total novice or a professional artist, come down to Levenshulme Old Library for some top notch community creativity.

Further information available HERE

Levenshulme Community Choir

Ever thought about singing with a group of lovely people once a week? Levy Choir is launching the start of their autumn term on Sunday 11th September with a free open evening for anyone who is thinking of giving it a go

We explore all genres of music in a relaxed, fun and inclusive environment – no audition required. Previous performances have included music from the Beach Boys, Lady Gaga, Fleetwood Mac and Kate Bush, along with many other styles of choral music.

Come along for an evening of uplifting singing that will fill you with positivity whilst meeting a group of likeminded individuals!Why not come and give it a go – you may surprise yourself! There may also be some free biscuits thrown in – what have you got to loose?

Please share and spread the word to anyone who may be interested!

You can find Levenshulme Community Choir on Facebook and Instagram.

FitFest at Cringle Park

FitFest is coming to Cringle Park on 4th September.

Bee Hive Summer Fair

The Bee Hive Summer Fair will happen in Cringle Park on Sunday 10th July, 11am to 2pm.

Manchester Library Of Things Volunteer Call

A message from the new Manchester Library of Things at Levenshulme Old Library.

We need a bigger team of volunteers! If you have some free time and want to help us open Manchester’s first Library of Things, please come to our next online meeting on 27th July at 7.30pm.

Drop us a message or email info@mcrlot.com for the link, or to find out more.

Coming soon to #Levenshulme…MCR’s first Library of Things!

MCRLoT is your community shed: full of things you need, but don’t want to buy. You can borrow everything from power tools + pizza ovens to carpet cleaners + jet washers.

Council Integrated Communities Strategy Consultation

Manchester City Council is holding a consultation on its “Integrated Communities Strategy”.

The council wants views on:

  • How [the council can] strengthen the ways Mancunians could get along even better.
  • Your experiences of how different communities interact where you live.

Summary information is below or you can see more detailed information and respond to the consultation HERE

The consultation closes on Friday 15th July 2022.

Manchester Integrated Communities Strategy Consultation

Getting along with each other is key to making Manchester the best it can be for everyone who wants to call our city home.

The Council is currently running a consultation so that residents can tell us about how we strengthen the ways Mancunians could get along even better, and their experiences of how different communities interact where they live.

These views will be used to create the city’s first Integrated Communities Strategy. This strategy will support communities and relationships within them to become stronger – it’s about improving everyone’s chances of a good life.

Yard Sale at The Klondyke

There is a yard sale at The Klondyke on Saturday 16th July, 11.00-16.00.

  • daytime tunes
  • serving wood-fired pizza
  • offer on Aperol Spritz
  • various stalls including clothing, decorative items, baby clothes, toys, household items …

An endless array of products offer a more sustainable way to consume based on recycling and saving money. If you are searching for originality at a low price then don’t miss it. Someone’s junk is someone else’s treasure!

Further Discretionary £150 Council Tax Rebates

Manchester City Council is making additional £150 payments to people via a council tax rebate.

This is a further payment from the government that Manchester City Council has decided how to allocate from the government’s £1,626,150 discretionary fund allocation to Manchester.

Manchester City Council says:

“We’ve made discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate payments of £150 to some of our residents most in need. For some families and residents aged 80 or over, this is a second payment of £150. If you pay your council tax by Direct Debit, we’ve paid the £150 directly into your bank account and sent you a letter. If you don’t pay by Direct Debit, or have no council tax to pay, we’ve sent you a Post Office Voucher.”

Manchester City Council

People who qualify for these payments should receive them by 11 July 2022.

Further details are available HERE

Stories In The Woods

St Marys RC Primary School have been working with a group of 8 Year 5 children for this project, based in our local nature reserve, Highfield Country Park, alongside the Friends of Highfield Country Park.

The children have been making woodland crafts, and Martin Maudsley has told the group nature stories over the 4 seasons and been filmed there.

The whole project will be at The Whitworth Art Gallery for the day on Saturday 2nd July. The children will have stalls to tell visitors about the woodland crafts (foraging, whittling, coppicing, charcoal making, willow bark weaving, wreath making and clay), and Martin is telling stories.

Listen to the stories HERE

GM Green Spaces Fund

The £2.6m Greater Manchester Green Spaces Fund supports community-led projects that increase the amount and quality of accessible, nature-rich green space in the city region, particularly in the areas where people need it most.

The first round of applications will close at 9am on August 22nd, 2022.

Further information is available HERE

Levenshulme Writer Paul Magrs Wins National Award

Levenshulme writer Paul Magrs has won the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association award for best crime short story of the year 2022.

The awards were announced at a dinner in London last night. Congratulations, Paul. The judges said of the winning story:

“Paul Magrs’ story, ‘Flesh of a Fancy Woman’ is a wonderfully evocative mix of the Dickensian and the Ealing black and white films. The sparkling dialogue of Lily Mahon slowly unveils the dark, and sometimes comedic experiences of Lily’s bizarre marriage to her husband, Patrick.”

Flesh of a Fancy Woman is one of 14 stories published in the collection Criminal Pursuits: Crime Through Time in support of the charity PoHWER.

  • Flesh of a Fancy Woman by Paul Magrs
  • From: Criminal Pursuits: Crime Through Time
  • Edited by: Samantha Lee Howe
  • Published by: Telos Publishing
  • Available: HERE
Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award
Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Award dinner

National Rail Strike Information

Information from Manchester City Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Three days of strike action across the country’s railway networks are due to take place this week on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday 25 June, resulting in very few services running.

Disruption is expected to spill over into non- strike days and services that do run are expected to be extremely busy. Local rail operators Northern and Transpeninne Express are encouraging passengers not to travel with them.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is working with operators to provide enhanced services across the bus and tram network, where possible.

Additional double trams will be running across Metrolink on strike days and will be prioritised in areas of greatest demand to help passengers get around, with thousands of free park and ride spaces available at dozens of sites across Greater Manchester.

A dedicated travel information page has been set up to help people plan their journey HERE

Jobs Available in August

Three Community Worker roles are available for August to support a Holiday Activities and Food programme.

Household Support Fund

Information and advice on the Household Support Fund.

You can download all information as a single PDF here:

Do You Recognise Anyone?

Carol Cook is hoping to identify people in this wedding photo taken in Levenshulme.

This was in the 1950s, probably before 1955. The best man was Ronnie Johnston.

If you have any information drop us a line at the LCA and we’ll pass it on to Carol or put you in touch with her if you can help.

Email: secretary@levenshulmecommunity.org.uk

Thanks,

Jeremy Hoad (LCA Secretary)

Highfield Country Park Nature Recording Event

The Bee Sanctuary has got together an amazing group of people with specialist knowledge to help them make as comprehensive as possible record of the wildlife on the Bee Sanctuary and Highfield Country Park in ONE DAY.

Birdwatchers, Bug hunters, Bee botherers, Slug lovers and all nature watchers welcome.

12 June starting 10am

Help Clear The Ground For The New Manchester Library Of Things

Manchester Library of Things Ground Clearance Day

Volunteers needed! We need all hands on deck at Levenshulme Old Library on Saturday 11th June 10.00-14.00 to help us get the grounds ready for our shipping container.

This is where we’ll keep all of the lovely Things for MCRLOT, and planning permission has now gone in – woohoo!

While we wait to hear back, we’ll be clearing and levelling the ground, and tidying up the library garden while we’re at it. We’d love as many people as possible to help us, so please come along and share this event!

What is the Manchester Library of Things?

Coming soon to Levenshulme… Manchester’s very first Library of Things!

MCRLoT is your community shed: bursting with things you need, but don’t want to buy. It works just like a normal library, you can borrow whatever you like – from power tools and pizza ovens to carpet cleaners and camping equipment.

Together, we can have more, save money and protect the planet.

Check out our new website here: www.mcrlot.com

Chapel Street Clean Air Day Event

There will be a School Street Event followed by lots of family activities in the park, supported by MCC Parks, Friends of Chapel Street, Bluebell Gardens, Bee Sanctuary Movement and Grounded MCR CIC.

  • Thursday 16 June
  • 14.30-16.00 Chapel Street
  • 15.00-17.00 Chapel Street Park

A Portrait of Levenshulme

Reminder that this exhibition is on today at Levenshulme Old Library until 3pm. Thanks to Ciara Leeming and Laura Deane.

Vivaldi Ensemble Concert At St Mark’s Church

Venice comes to St Mark’s!

Come and join the Vivaldi Ensemble at 7pm on Sunday 26th June in a concert of light classical music at St Mark’s Church, Levenshulme.

This is a family friendly event so all are welcome. Admission is free, and all donations will go to UNICEF to support children in areas of war.

See you there! 7pm, Sun 26th June, at Mark’s Church, Broom Lane, Levenshulme, M19

Bluebell Green Gardening Sessions

Gardening sessions at Bluebell Green in Chapel Street Park

Just a reminder if you have green fingers or would like to learn more about gardening, we’re open at these times through the growing season.

Monday and Wednesday are for adult gardening but children welcome to come and play in the kids area while grown ups garden.

Saturdays are our regular community and volunteer sessions. Come down to play, garden, volunteer or just sit and enjoy the space.

Council Approves Lidl Store

The new Lidl supermarket on Fallowfield Retail Park has been approved by the council.

All buildings on the right side of the retail park will be demolished to make way for the new store with the exception of the Doctor’s Surgery that will remain.

The range of shops will be dramatically reduced which is unfortunate when the aim is to have people travel less and stay local. For example after losing Gay Lyfe a few years ago the area has now lost Jollye’s Pet Store.

It also seems likely this development will generate more traffic in the area at a location known for its congestion.

Further information is available on the Place North West website HERE.

Cringle Park Community Dog Show and Fun Day

A message from the lovely people at Grounded MCR.

The BARK HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR in aid of Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home, is coming up fast on 3rd June, 12.00-17.00.

Please follow THIS LINK to enter your dog. All proceeds from the dog show go to the Dogs Home.

And it ain’t just Cringle Crufts. We also have:

  • free kids activities – giant games and arts and crafts
    @mcrlot Manchester Library of Things which we are reet excited about
  • @manchesterlibrarytrail with their amazing book selection
  • halal bbq
  • amazing vegan & veggie hummus and toppings from @musmushummus
  • @thedogcakeco with their delish creations
  • dancing, merriment and sun, cos we’re hard at work manifesting that!

Spread the word and see you there, Cringlers, dawgs and fwends.

Levenshulme in the 1990s

Manchester Evening News has published ten photos of Levenshulme from the 1990s.

Are you in one of the photos? What memories do the photos bring back for you?

One of the photos is of the Community Centre on Chapel Street where Levenshulme Community Association used to be based.

View the photos HERE

Highfield Country Park Walk

Join the Friends of Highfield Country Park for their monthly walk around the park on Saturday 28th May!

They will be exploring different areas of the park and discovering the range of nature and wildlife that can be found. This will also be a chance to find out more about the Friends group and their future plans.

Everyone is welcome to join and the walk will be suitable for all ages and abilities. Meet by the Bowler Street entrance (postcode: M19 2UA) at 11am with the walk lasting until around 12.30pm.

Find out more about Highfield Country Park HERE

Friends of Levenshulme Station Meeting

The Friends of Levenshulme Station will hold a meeting on Wednesday 18 May 2022, 18.30-19.30 at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre.

Streets for People Pavement Parking Day of Action

Streets for People Levenshulme & Burnage

If you want to…

  • Send a message to drivers and the council that pavement parking isn’t acceptable
  • Meet fellow residents who share your concerns about pavement parking
  • Find out how you can get involved in our campaign to end pavement parking

Come to our day of action this Saturday (30 April)! Meet outside Arcadia at 11am.

Find out more on the Streets for People website HERE

Levenshulme Market Artists In Residence

A new initiative from Levenshulme Market…

LEVENSHULME MARKET ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

That’s right! With support from Arts Council England we’re proud announce Levenshulme Market is funding two local artists to work in the heart of Levenshulme’s local high street, creating an artistic project which connects with the community.

As regular customers know, each week Manchester’s artists can be found at the market, selling their incredible work directly to the warm and welcoming people of Levenshulme.

Now two of those artists, both of whom are Levenshulme locals, have been appointed as the market’s artists-in-residence.

This spring their joint project A Portrait of Levenshulme will see Laura Deane and Ciara Leeming popping up at a market stall offering FREE photographic portraits and drawing and collage workshops, and inviting participants to reflect on what makes this neighbourhood special.

This initiative has been made possible by Arts Council England’s Let’s Create Jubilee Fund to mark the Queen’s 70 year reign. Similarly, this project aims to celebrate the resilience, longevity and diversity in Levenshulme.

You’ll find Laura and Ciara at the market 11am-3pm this Saturday (23 April) at Levenshulme train station car park.

What’s Going On At Brickie Green?

What’s going on at Brickie Green? A grassroots community project.

Dates for the diary
3rd June – Garden party! in celebration of the queens jubilee
15th August – annual general meeting

If your able to donate material, time, or skills please get in touch! Facebook page HERE

Burnage Ward Hustings 2022

Levenshulme Community Association was pleased to host the Burnage Ward hustings at St Peter’s Church this evening.

We are grateful to Greg Sammons who represented the Liberal Democrats (standing in for Bryn Coombes) and Sham Raja who represented the Conservative Party (standing in for Md Shahed Hossain). They are pictured here with Jeremy Hoad (LCA Secretary) who hosted the evening.

Unfortunately Dick Venes (Green Party) had to pull out due to illness. Murtaza Ranjha Iqbal (Labour Party) sent his apologies.

Thanks to Rev. George Reeves for providing St Peter’s Church as such a splendid venue.

We look forward to returning to St Peter’s for the Levenshulme Ward hustings at 15.00 on Saturday 23 April.

Photo: (L to R) Sham Raja, Jeremy Hoad, Greg Sammons

Local Election Hustings 2022

It’s election time again and we’re back with hustings for both Burnage Ward and Levenshulme Ward after being prevented from holding them because of the pandemic restrictions.

This is your opportunity to ask questions of local election candidates in person and see how they respond. All questions will be addressed to all candidates. These are the people standing to be your local councillor and representative on Manchester City Council.

Thank you to Rev. George Reeves, Rector of St Peter and St Mark’s Parish, for kindly hosting the hustings at St Peter’s Church.

Burnage Ward Hustings

  • Thursday 21 April
  • 18.45-19.45
  • St Peter’s Church, Stockport Road, M19 3BS

Levenshulme Ward Hustings

  • Saturday 23 April
  • 15.00
  • St Peter’s Church, Stockport Road, M19 3BS

Candidates

Posters

Alphabet Trail on Fallowfield Loop

There’s a new Alphabet Trail on the Fallowfield Loop. This is an interactive street-art trail by Oskar with a K and Will Albin-Clark.

Spend a day cycling or walking along the Fallowfield Loop, collecting letters and watching them come to life by using the Artivive App!

Full information and the Apps are available HERE

Unity Iftaar at Madina Masjid

Everyone is welcome to the Unity Iftar at Madina Masjid on Saturday 16 April at 19.30.

You can book a place by scanning the QR code below or via the link HERE

Good Friday Fun At Cringle Park

Eggstatic to announce a party in Cringle Park 10-1pm on Friday. See ya there, egg fans.

Levenshulme Old Library Volunteer Survey

Levenshulme Old Library has set up Levenshulme Community Hubs group, consisting of a range of community organisations in the area, and have been working behind the scenes to secure funding to improve volunteering in the area. They are currently conducting research into what is available in the area and what is needed, to support volunteer programmes.

As people working in and around the community, it would be really helpful to have your input in this survey, which should only take a couple of minutes to complete:

Go to the survey HERE

Please also share with anybody living and/or working in the Levenshulme area so that LOL can get a good picture of what they need to do!

Thanks so much for your help!

Spring Clean event on Mathews Lane

There’s a GB Spring Clean event on Mathews Lane on Weds 6th April (drop-in 11am to 2pm).

Boundary Changes And New Name Proposed For Our Constituency

2023 Review of Parliamentary constituencies

The Boundary Commission for England has proposed changing the parliamentary constituency boundary that includes Levenshulme. It is also proposed that the constituency is renamed to Manchester Longsight. It is currently the Manchester Gorton constituency.

You can find out about the proposals HERE

The current consultation is live now and ends on 4 April 2022.

The existing (dark blue) and proposed new (bright red) constituency boundaries are shown below. You can switch between these views more easily on the Boundary Commission website via the link above.

Lifeguard / Leisure Assistant job at Arcadia

There is a full time job advertised for a full time Lifeguard/ Leisure Assistant at Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre. Anyone interested please see details below to apply.

Details are also available on the GLL website HERE (scroll to the bottom of the page and do a search for jobs in Manchester).