Recent weeks have seen the leadership of the Council criticised for: -

• a lukewarm reception to the proposal by IKEA to locate a new £60m store within Sheffield, which would create 700 new jobs;

• the rejection of a proposal by NEXT to locate a new department store in Sheffield, which would have created 120 new jobs;

• a failure to progress the Sevenstone project, which would create 1,000 new jobs;

• a decision to increase city centre parking charges and vote to ban ice cream vans more than 5 years old.

Nick Clegg has outlined a different approach which could secure the potential 1,820 jobs on offer. His letter notes that the Council should:

‘work with IKEA to overcome any planning issues, open negotiations with NEXT to see how they could go ahead with their investment and invite other developers to look at delivering the Sevenstone project.’

Nick Clegg, said:-

“As a Sheffield MP I can’t stand by and stay silent whilst Labour’s anti-business approach in the Town Hall costs our City nearly 2,000 new jobs. A change of policy is urgently required.

“Having outlined an alternative approach to the Leader of Council, I hope that Labour councillors will now listen and act. Along with the local business community, I am becoming increasingly frustrated that new jobs and new investment are being thrown away at a time when we need them most.”

You can see the full letter here:

Dear Cllr Julie Dore,

I am writing to you as a Sheffield MP in order to express my concern that the policies of your Administration are providing a barrier to new jobs and opportunities for my constituents and local businesses.

Many people have invested a great deal of time and effort in attracting investors and promoting Sheffield as a great place to do business. Unfortunately your actions are undoing this vital work and costing Sheffield hundreds of new jobs in the process.

Specifically I would draw your attention to:-

• your lukewarm reception to the proposal by IKEA to locate a new £60m store within Sheffield, which would create 700 new jobs;
• your rejection of a proposal by NEXT to locate a new department store in Sheffield, which would have created 120 new jobs;
• your failure to progress the Sevenstone project, which would create 1,000 new jobs;

It is vital that Sheffield does not miss these opportunities to create nearly 2,000 new local jobs. As I’m sure you are aware, the local business community share my frustrations and have voiced their concerns.

I would recommend that you work with IKEA to overcome any planning issues, open negotiations with NEXT to see how they could go ahead with their investment and invite other developers to look at delivering the Sevenstone project.

As a local MP I want to ensure that Sheffield is able to benefit from new sustainable jobs and economic growth. That’s why the number of private sector jobs in Sheffield has grown by over 7,000 under this Government. However, your anti-business attitude is in danger of undermining this good work.

I would urge you to listen to the local business community and urgently review how your Administration is dealing with these issues as outlined above. A change of approach in the Town Hall is required if Sheffield is to fulfil its potential to attract new jobs and investment.

Yours sincerely,

Nick Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam

The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill will build on the Coalition Government’s already impressive record on tackling crime and supporting victims by ending Labour’s discredited ASBOs, which became a rite of passage among some young offenders and were routinely breached by them.

Among other measures, the new legislation will introduce a Community Trigger, ensuring communities can trigger investigations if they have not been dealt with properly up to that point, and a Community Remedy which will give victims of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour a say in the punishment of the offender once they’ve admitted guilt.

Commenting, Nick Clegg Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam, said:

“Liberal Democrats want to create a stronger economy in a fairer society. That can only be achieved if our communities feel safe and able to go about their daily business.

“That’s why tackling anti-social behaviour is so important to me and my colleagues. Labour used to talk tough on anti-social behaviour but their record showed a continued failure to deliver safer communities: more than half of their flagship ASBOs were breached.

“Involving the community in punishing anti-social behaviour is shown to be effective and can transform how we deal with such behaviour. Liberal Democrats have introduced these measures to great effect at a local level, including in Sheffield, and will now oversee introducing these proven measures across England.”

Cliff with some of the team at the Count

Cliff Woodcraft has been elected as the new Liberal Democrat councillor for Fulwood Ward after an important Sheffield City Council by-election yesterday.

The Liberal Democrats achieved a 4.35% swing from Labour and increased their majority from 813 to 1,528.

The full result was:

Cliff, aged 63, lives in Fulwood Ward and has a record of supporting local people. The by-election was in Nick Clegg’s Sheffield Hallam consistency. It was caused by the sad death of local councillor Janice Sidebottom.

Cliff said:

“I would like to thank the people of Fulwood Ward, who have put their trust in me to represent them on the Council.

“Having lived here for more than 30 years and raised my family here, I am immensely proud to have the chance to represent my local community in the Town Hall.”

Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council said:-

“I’m delighted to welcome Cliff to our team. He will be a great councillor for Fulwood.

“Labour threw the kitchen sink at this by-election, so they must be disappointed by this heavy loss. Labour must listen and start giving areas on this side of the City a fair deal instead of neglecting them, which they have done over many years.”

Nick and Cliff along with some of the Lib Dem team

Sheffield Hallam MP and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg took to the doorstep yesterday evening in Lodge Moor to support Cliff Woodcraft, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Fulwood Ward by-election.

The by-election is on Thursday May 2^nd and is in Nick Clegg’s Sheffield Hallam consistency. It was caused by the sad death of local councillor Janice Sidebottom.

Nick said:-

“It is always welcome to get out the Westminster bubble and talk to Sheffielders on the doorstep.

“Liberal Democrats have a strong track record of fighting for this area going back 20 years. Cliff is a fantastic local candidate and I know he would do a great job and ensure this work continues.

“People in Lodge Moor told me that they want a fair deal for their area from the local Labour Council, who have neglected this part of the City over many years.”

The funding is the equivalent of around two days a week of a primary teacher’s time to provide more sport for their pupils. A typical primary school with 250 pupils would receive £9,250 per year.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP for Sheffield Hallam and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said:

“This money means children in Sheffield will be able to take part in sport in primary schools.

“Sport can help children to build confidence, understand teamwork and, above all, keep healthy.

“Liberal Democrats are determined to make sure we take advantage of the enthusiasm we saw during the Olympics last year. The best legacy of the Games would be more children taking part in sport and learning how to live a healthy lifestyle.”

Edward McMillan-Scott MEP with Cliff Woodcraft and local Liberal Democrats in Fulwood.

Last weekend Liberal Democrat MEP Edward McMillan-Scott was in Sheffield to campaign for Cliff Woodcraft, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Fulwood Ward by-election.

The by-election is on Thursday May 2^nd and is in Nick Clegg’s Sheffield Hallam consistency. It was caused by the sad death of local councillor Janice Sidebottom.

Edward said:-

“It was great to join Cliff along with dozens of volunteers to talk to residents on the doorstep. We received a great reaction.”

“It’s clear that local people are tired of Sheffield’s Labour councilors wasting taxpayers money in the Town Hall, whilst at the same time cutting local services such as libraries.”

Nick Clegg took a tour of the site in Whirlow, viewing developments so far on a new £5 million inpatient unit, while announcing the big donation from a Government funding pot.

On 6 April 2013, the Personal Allowance will be raised to £9,440 – the largest rise in the Personal Allowance ever. This means that 188,000 ordinary basic rate taxpayers in Sheffield will see their Income Tax cut for the third year in a row. That will bring the total Income Tax cut since Labour’s time in government to £600.

Thanks to this rise in the point at which you start to pay Income Tax, the number of the lowest paid people who have been lifted out of paying any Income Tax will reach 18,880.

Commenting, Nick Clegg said:

“This Income Tax cut is real help for ordinary people in these difficult times. It is evidence of how in the Coalition Government, the Liberal Democrat priority is to create a fairer society and a stronger economy, enabling everyone to get on in life.

“Labour increased taxes for lower paid workers by abolishing the 10p tax rate and now stand on the side-lines denying their responsibility for the economic mess they created. It shows how people still can’t trust them to make the right decisions on the economy.

“At the same time, we know that you can’t trust the Tories to deliver a fairer society. It is thanks to Liberal Democrats that 24 million basic rate taxpayers are getting an Income Tax cut on 6 April. At the same time, Liberal Democrats in the Coalition are cracking down on tax avoidance and ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share.”

Cliff and Nick on the doorstep speaking to the local residents of Fulwood.

Cliff, aged 63, lives in Fulwood Ward and has a record of supporting local people. As a member of St Thomas Church he offers technical advice and support to several other churches across Sheffield. Cliff is also a volunteer driver with St Luke’s Lunches, who support elderly people in Lodge Moor.

The by-election is on Thursday May 2^nd and is in Nick Clegg’s Sheffield Hallam consistency. It was caused by the sad death of local councillor Janice Sidebottom.

Cliff said:

“I knew Janice very well and I know how hard she worked for us all as part of the local Liberal Democrat team. I want to make sure her hard work continues.

“I’m a local person who has lived in Sheffield with my family since 1969, when I came here to study electrical engineering at Sheffield University. I have raised all three of my children here and I am proud to call this part of Sheffield my home. I would be delighted to represent our area on the Council.”

Nick said:-

“Cliff is a credit to his local community and he will make an outstanding local councillor for Fulwood, where he has lived for many years.

“The Lib Dems have a strong record of fighting for Fulwood over the last twenty years. I’m certain that Cliff would ensure this action continues, which is more important than ever when we have a Labour Council wasting millions in the Town Hall at the expense of local services.”

Nick and his wife Miriam at Abbeydale Playing Fields looking over development plans with local residents last Summer

Following the closure of Abbeydale Grange School, Sheffield City Council is consulting on options for the future of the site. One option includes building upon the green space which includes sports pitches used by local football teams.

The Council’s consultation ends today and Nick Clegg has made a submission which outlines his opposition to building on the green space.

Last summer Nick took part in a picnic organised by local residents interested in protecting the use of Abbeydale Playing Fields.

Nick said:-

“There is a great deal of concern that Abbeydale Playing Fields could be built on. This green space is well used and much loved by the local community. The Council should resist any temptation to build on it.

“Many of my constituents value the playing fields and the sports pitches are used by Ecclesall Rangers and Millhouses Juniors. It would be a huge mistake to lose this green space.

“I have urged the Council to listen and develop in other more appropriate locations.”