Labour Councillors Dismay as Local Residents are Gagged by Conservative Council

Labour councillors at South Glos Council have reacted with dismay at the Conservative Chair of the Development Management Committee, Cllr Keith Burchell’s, refusal to allow local residents to speak at a Planning Committee about the proposed fencing off of community green space at Shellards Road in Longwell Green. South Glos…

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Labour Councillors Accuse Conservatives of Hypocrisy over Affordable Housing

21 Oct 2020

At the full meeting of South Gloucestershire Council held on 14th October a cross party motion challenging the Government’s proposed planning changes was agreed which included the insertion of a Labour amendment which stated “the proposals in their current state do not do enough to deliver affordable housing to those…

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Labour Councillors welcome overdue rebuild of Patchway Community College

05 Oct 2020

In 2010 the former Conservative Education Secretary, Michael Gove, cancelled the previous Labour Government’s scheduled rebuild of Patchway Community College. Because of the poor state of the buildings, Patchway Community College was included in the Labour Government’s flagship ‘Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme’. The Labour Government’s BSF Programme…

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Councillor Pat Rooney signs Letter to PM asking for targeted support to save jobs and businesses

16 Sep 2020

South Glos Labour Group Leader Councillor Pat Rooney is one of over 1000 councillors who have written to the Prime Minister asking for targeted support to protect jobs and businesses. Councillor Rooney said: “The Government’s decision to end the furlough scheme will result in many more redundancies and a massive…

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Sad News about Councillor John Hunt

07 Sep 2020

“We are sad to announce that former South Gloucestershire Labour Councillor, John Hunt, passed away peacefully at home during the night.  John actively worked on behalf of the Labour movement all of his life and practically held virtually every role possible locally, both in the Labour Party, and as a…

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Labour Councillors Thank Covid 19 Volunteers

15 Jul 2020

As part of a debate on a motion to recognise Local Heroes at tonight’s South Glos Council meeting, Katie Cooper, Labour Councillor for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield said: “I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the volunteers who have stepped up and supported those shielding in the…

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Conservative Council Votes Against Paying the Real Living Wage to its Carers and Key-workers

15 Jul 2020

Ian Boulton, Labour Councillor for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward, proposed a motion at tonight’s South Glos Council meeting which would have seen the council become a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer, and would have given a pay rise to the lowest paid council staff who currently earn less than…

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Labour Councillors Call on South Glos Council to Pay the Real Living Wage

15 Jul 2020

Ian Boulton, Labour Councillor for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward, will propose a motion at tonight’s South Glos Council meeting which, if passed, will see the council become a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer, and will give a pay rise to all council staff currently earning less than the Real…

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Don’t Re-open Schools until it is Safe to do so

20 May 2020

Councillor Alison Evans, Labour Group lead for Schools at South Gloucestershire Council is calling on the council to support the National Education Union’s (NEU) guidance on reopening our primary schools only when their five tests have been passed. Teachers, head teachers, support staff, parents and unions want schools to open…

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A Message from Councillor Pat Rooney

11 May 2020

I thought I would like to provide an update from the South Gloucestershire Labour Group as to the work we are continuing to carry out in our wards. I firstly must send a big ‘Thank you’ to all of our Council employees who have shown great commitment and dedication to…

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South Glos Children Send Hope Messages to Shielding Residents

27 Apr 2020

Children in Staple Hill and Mangotsfield in South Gloucestershire have made pictures and messages for residents who are shielding. The initiative is a development of a volunteer programme organised by Staple Hill and Mangotsfield councillors, Katie Cooper, Ian Boulton and Michael Bell, and Clive Heath of the Mangotsfield Residents Association,…

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How a Labour Councillor set up a Covid 19 Support Group

22 Apr 2020

As the narrative began to turn from ‘herd immunity’ and ‘low risk’ to this ‘might be something major after all and we’re not ready’, my thoughts turned to the residents of Kingswood, our large amount of elderly and low waged/vulnerable residents, how badly this pandemic could potentially impact them, and…

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South Glos Labour Group welcomes Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner as new Labour Party Leader and Deputy Leader

06 Apr 2020

The South Gloucestershire Labour Group welcomes Sir Keir Starmer, as the newly elected Labour Party Leader, and Angela Rayner, as the Deputy Leader, following their successful leadership campaigns. Labour Group Leader, Cllr Pat Rooney, said; “Once we have worked through the awful pandemic which is hurting our communities so badly,…

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Letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from Councillor Katie Cooper

01 Apr 2020

Letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, copying in local MPs. I am writing to you to highlight a problem with Universal Credit that has come to my attention due to the Corona Virus. I am a local Councillor who has been working hard to support my…

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Message from Councillor Pat Rooney

30 Mar 2020

Hi All, I hope you are mindful to look after yourselves and families by staying safe, staying in doors and preventing the spread of the virus. I am proud that we as a Labour Group are helping and supporting our residents as best we can by joining community groups where…

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Clap for our Carers – every Thursday at 8 pm

30 Mar 2020

Every Thursday at 8 pm we will say thank you to all those taking care of us – Health and Social Care workers, cleaners, refuse collectors, supermarket staff and delivery drivers, postal workers, teachers and teaching assistants, nursery workers – in fact anyone who is currently keeping our society going.…

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Coronavirus

30 Mar 2020

South Gloucestershire Council has lots of useful information for residents on their website including information about health and wellbeing, education, information for carers and residents, services for businesses and employers, and service disruption – just click on the following link: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/health-services/covid19/ The South Glos Council website also includes a page listing…

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Whatever Happened to Democracy and Accountability at South Gloucestershire Council?

07 Mar 2020

PRESS RELEASE The Labour Group at South Gloucestershire Council have accused the Leader of the Council, Toby Savage of trampling over local democracy with his cancellation of yet another Full Council meeting on 18th March. Labour group leader Pat Rooney said: “The Leader of the Council has cancelled yet another…

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Labour Budget Amendment to save Pod in the Park voted down by Tory Administration

26 Feb 2020

PRESS RELEASE As part of our amendments to the South Gloucestershire Council Budget for the forthcoming year the Labour group of councillors proposed a Budget amendment which included funding of £40,000 to allow the Pod in the Park in Filton to reopen for 1 year. Filton councillor Adam Monk said:…

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Labour Group at South Gloucestershire Council accuses Tory Administration of Failing Residents

12 Feb 2020

PRESS RELEASE The Labour Group at South Gloucestershire Council has accused the ruling Conservative administration of failing residents in three key areas: Schools, Metrobus, and the Joint Spatial Plan. Pat Rooney, Leader of the Labour Group said: “The Conservatives have been in control of South Glos for the past 10…

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South Glos Council cannot achieve the Government’s per Pupil Minimum for Schools in the Area

03 Feb 2020

PRESS RELEASE The ruling Conservatives on South Glos Council have admitted that the Government’s funding per pupil cannot technically be achieved, and they are seeking approval from the Secretary of State before they can approve their Schools budget. The new Conservative Government pledged that pupil funding will reach £5000 a…

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