Latest news with #Councillor
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plans in Stoke-on-Trent for nearly 5,000 new homes to meet 'urgent need'
Plans to deliver nearly 5,000 homes to meet a city's "urgent need" for housing are set to be approved by City Council has devised a housing development pipeline to help meet the government's national target of delivering 1.5m new homes a programme will see the authority work with Homes England, developers and landowners to deliver 4,857 houses across 23 sites in the council's cabinet is being asked to approve the plans at their next meeting in July. Sites include completed and near-completed developments, such as Goods Yard and Chatterley Court in Chell Heath, as well as sites under development, such as Scotia Road and Bournes Bank in Burslem, Booth Street in Stoke, the former Doris Robinson Court site in Meir and the former Brookhouse Primary School site in Wellfield Road, to the council, the number of applicants on their housing register has been climbing over the last three are more than 3,138 households on the register, a 41% increase in the last 12 months. Over half of those households are in urgent and high need for the same time, the council's housing stock has fallen by 2,550 homes -13% - over the last 10 years. Almost 1,800 homes included in the council's housing pipeline project are expected to be affordable homes for people on the housing addition to this, the council is proposing to deliver an Empty Homes programme of around 100 new homes per Chris Robinson said: "We recognise that there is an urgent need to deliver new homes in the city to meet the increasing demand and, while it will be challenging, we are committed to working closely with our partners to increase the pace and scale of housebuilding across Stoke-on-Trent."We need to act quickly and take action to ensure all our residents can access decent homes in a city where they can stay, grow and thrive – and watch their children do the same." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Too much growth too fast, says councillor, of rezoning proposal in her ward
Social Sharing A proposal coming to London politicians this week that could transform a southwest London neighbourhood is being received with apprehension by the councillor whose ward it would impact. In a report that landed on the desks of councillors last Wednesday, city planners recommend that council greenlight the proposal from Southside Construction Ltd., which seeks to add roughly 4,000 new dwellings to a stretch of Pack Road, between Colonel Talbot and Bostwick roads. It would do so in part by changing the zoning rules at 6309 Pack Rd., to allow increased density and building height limits. "I'm so disappointed," said Coun. Anna Hopkins, whose ward the potential development site is in. "It's great to see all this intensification, but we don't need this [much] intensity." "Our schools and our parks and our amenity spaces are going to be so far behind." The zoning application at 6309 Pack Rd. is the latest in the area near Lambeth and Talbot Village that would add to the significant growth seen in that portion of the city in the past decade — growth that has only accelerated in recent years. Its approval would pave the way for 206 single family houses, 36 street townhouse units, and five high-density apartment blocks, served by six new streets. It would significantly increase the maximum density of parts of the area to 300 units per hectare, and raise maximum building heights along pack road as high as 16 stories. Future developments in the area could make room for more than 17,000 new people, with a number of high density residential blocks along Pack Road, and lower density areas including single detached homes and townhouses south of those. The added density, while expected in the neighbourhood that's been home to many recent developments, is too much too soon, and with too many questions still unanswered, Hopkins said. "If you read this recommendation, there's still a lot more work to be done as we approve it. We still have to look at how we get in and out of Pack Road [with the additional traffic]." Issues identified by staff in the report include concerns over the capacity of the existing sewer system in the area. Another concern is potential great blue heron habitat existing on nearby land. Development actually happening once the land is rezoned is dependent on some of those concerns being addressed before any shovels hit the dirt. The site plan process required for anything to be built on the land is likely to address the issues, but Hopkins questions if city hall would be doing the right thing by deferring such critical decisions to later. "We're starting to do that more and more with applications, and I'm starting to put my feet on the brakes a little bit. We want to meet our housing targets. We can still get to where we're going, but we can do it, I think, in a more thoughtful way," Hopkins said. She said she's heard similar concerns from constituents, some of whom have submitted letters to the committee in opposition to the application. Those letters say the neighbourhood would be drastically altered by the plan, and the addition of high rises across the street from homes that back on to Pack road would be detrimental. While Hopkins isn't on the planning and environment committee, she said she'll encourage councillors on it to ask for more work to be done to address the existing concerns before approving it. The committee will consider the proposal on July 15, and if it's approved there, it will go full council for approval later this month.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Too many workplace cultures are putting alcohol at their heart, says Inverclyde MSP
It's Alcohol Awareness Week – and this year's theme is alcohol and work. Alcohol Change UK's website says that with longer hours, more stress, the blurring of lines between work and home, and too many workplace cultures placing booze rather than people at the centre of things, there are so many ways work and alcohol are linked. In many ways, there are already changes that have happened over time when it comes to work and alcohol. For example, it used to be commonplace for people to enjoy an alcoholic drink, or drinks, during their lunch break. That is much less common now. READ MORE: Councillor who went through prostate cancer battle urges others to seek support Inverclyde taxi driver shares dream of using his artistic talent to help others 'I lost a little bit of her every day': Greenock councillor on dealing with dementia 'No one took my pain seriously': Greenock woman waited years for endometriosis help Grassroots group for families affected by alcohol and drugs celebrate first year What is still commonplace for many workplace cultures, though, is going to the pub after work. That pressure to join in – not just to go along, but to drink alcohol – can be huge. For people with caring responsibilities, the majority of whom are women, this inability to take part or unwillingness to drink alcohol can feel like you're missing out or being a 'buzzkill'. This shows that alcohol is still deeply woven into our culture, and that many people use it to relax after a stressful day at work. This year's Alcohol Awareness Week theme is 'alcohol at work'. (Image: PA) Too often there is a conception that people living with drink dependency can't hold down a job – but when one in four people in the UK worry about their drinking, it's clear this is a myth. I'm not suggesting 25 per cent of the adult population in the UK have an alcohol addiction. However, these figures indicate that increasing numbers of people are concerned about the impact alcohol has in their lives. It's no wonder though, as alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 medical conditions, including high blood pressure, liver scarring, and cancers. Other research shows that alcohol is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health, and disability among 15-49 year-olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages. Research shows that alcohol is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health, and disability among 15-49 year-olds in the UK. Governments across the UK therefore have a duty to help prevent alcohol-related harm, and many charities and community groups do fantastic work to help those affected by harmful drinking habits. For most of us, though, we don't need specialist support. But we do need to be more open about how alcohol impacts us, and try to foster healthier habits. The popularity of alcohol-free products shows that many people are looking for alternatives – whether that's alcohol-free beer, wine, spirits or mocktails. Locally, one idea that has been suggested to me is a 'sober bar' – which would give people a place to go that feels like a pub, but without the presence of alcohol. I would hope this can be successful, as it could also provide opportunities for more people to engage in their local area, and could reduce the sense of isolation some people in our community live with daily.
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Teenager, 18, is put in charge of Reform-led council after his boss quits for health reasons
An 18-year-old councillor has been put in charge of a multi-million-pound county council after the recently elected Reform UK leader stepped down for health reasons. George Finch, who only recently switched allegiance from the Conservatives to Reform UK, is now interim leader of Warwickshire County Council - one of the largest local authorities in the Midlands - despite still being in his teens. He takes over from Reform Councillor Rob Howard, who quit his post with immediate effect just weeks after the party's shock gains in the May local elections saw it form a minority administration in Warwickshire for the first time. In a brief statement, Mr Howard, who had been at the helm for less than two months, said the decision was made 'with much regret'. 'The role of leader is an extremely demanding role and regretfully my health challenges now prevent me from carrying out the role to the level and standard that I would wish,' he added. He went on to confirm that Mr Finch, his teenage deputy and fellow Reform UK councillor, would now serve as acting leader until a permanent replacement is chosen. Mr Finch, councillor for Bedworth Central, now finds himself in charge of a local authority with over £1.5 billion in assets and a revenue budget of around £500 million. He has not yet commented on the appointment. He takes over from Councillor Rob Howard, who quit his post with immediate effect just weeks after the party's shock gains in the May local elections saw it form a minority administration in Warwickshire for the first time Just earlier this month, Mr Howard told the BBC he was 'not intimidated' by the scale of the task at Warwickshire County Council and seemed optimistic about the Reform-led administration's ability to deliver results. Despite stepping down from the leadership, Mr Howard said he would remain a councillor and continue to represent his local constituents. 'I am honoured and privileged to have held the role, even if only for a short time,' he said. 'I remain committed to my continued role working as a county councillor for the benefit of Warwickshire residents.' Before joining Reform UK, he was a member of the Conservative Party for just three months. He reportedly switched allegiance after concluding that Reform would take a tougher stance on illegal immigration — an issue he described as central to his political beliefs. On the New Reformer website, Mr Finch outlines his views under three core themes: 'Brexit, sovereignty and a strong and united family unit.' Reform UK, led nationally by Nigel Farage, made unexpected strides in the local elections earlier this year, gaining council seats in areas previously considered solidly Conservative or Labour. Warwickshire was among the party's most striking victories, with Reform overtaking the Tories as the largest group, though without an outright majority.
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Edmonton councillor launches mayoral campaign
Longtime west Edmonton Coun. Andrew Knack has officially launched his bid for mayor in the 2025 municipal election in October.
