A Wild Christmas Cheer

Posted on December 7, 2019 by ianswalkonthewildside

A Wild Christmas Cheer

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26 Responses to A Wild Christmas Cheer

  1. Technotronic says:
    December 13, 2019 at 1:17 am

    THE STREET TREE FELLING QUOTA & PENALTIES

    On the sixth of DECEMBER 2019, forty-one PDF documents were released by the Sheffield City Council (SCC) Information Management Officer (Charlotte Mead), in response to a request made under the Freedom of Information Act, submitted to SCC by Marcus Crombie, on 17th APRIL 2019. They are accessible via the following links:
    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/dates_notes_and_shared_media_sta#incoming-1481194

    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/dates_notes_and_shared_media_sta#incoming-1481196

    Here is some content (an e-mail) from one of the documents:

    “From: WAIN David
    Sent: 02 March 2018 06:35
    To: BILLINGTON Paul; BEECROFT Philip; Buck Liz (CEX)
    Subject: Re: Release of schedule 2 (legal privilege applies exempt from FOI)

    Hi Paul

    I’ve reduced the chain down to discuss this.

    It came to me as a thought – obviously the service points will be redacted in the published schedule, but this PR will still say that there is a deduction (unknown amount) for Amey for every tree under 17500 that they don’t replace – which is protestor gold – they’ll say Amey are indiscriminately felling to avoid a whopping great deduction in year 25 – so they may not be getting paid per tree, but they are reducing their deduction per tree, so it is in their financial interest.

    Say they do 10k of 17.5k
    7500 trees x 500SP x 4 ratchet = £15million so it is a whopper of a potential adjustment in
    year 25.

    I think we need to say something positive to offset this – like we are happy for Amey to plant additional new trees up to the final 17,500 number in order to fulfil this element if the contract as that will give us future longevity on the tree stock as the decline in tree health continues after hand back as we can’t guarantee funding for replacements once back in house.

    Cheers

    David
    Sent from Email+ secured by MobileIron”

    SOURCE:
    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/569406/response/1481194/attach/html/5/FW%20Release.pdf.html

    *****
    A KEY TO PEOPLE NAMED IN THE ABOVE E-MAIL

    DAVID WAIN:
    SCC Environmental Technical Officer within the SCC Highways PFI Client Team (Leader of the Council’s Environmental Maintenance Technical Team “responsible for highway trees”). Also a witness at High Court and panel ‘expert’ at the ‘bi-monthly’ SCC Highway Tree Advisory Forum (which hasn’t met since its second meeting, on 2nd September 2015).

    Click to access dillner-v-scc-judgment.pdf

    https://1drv.ms/b/s!AsWguV74n6x7nFMEknqLklbakQ8W
    (see Annex 2 – page 35)

    PAUL BILLINGTON:
    SCC Director of Development Services, with overall responsibility for highway trees (2017 & 2018 – since resigned).

    Great news and a small victory in the battle to save Sheffield’s street trees


    (see reference #2)

    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-officer-asked-about-tree-felling-targets-under-oath-1-9195687

    The face of protest?

    The face of protest?

    PHIL BEECROFT:
    SCC Head of Highway Maintenance.
    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/591283/response/1416547/attach/html/3/Memo%20Style%202%20Redacted.pdf.html

    Great news and a small victory in the battle to save Sheffield’s street trees

    *****
    OF INTEREST:

    THE STAR, Thursday 7th June 2018:
    “The judge also rejected an accusation made during the trial that Sheffield Council officer PAUL BILLINGTON had given ‘MISLEADING EVIDENCE’ THAT LED TO INJUNCTION BEING GRANTED in relation to the number of trees due to be felled under the contract.

    He said:
    ‘I found him to be an honest and reliable witness, a conscientious and fair-minded council officer doing a challenging job.’”

    SOURCE:
    ‘Sheffield tree campaigners vow to continue protests despite convictions’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-campaigners-vow-to-continue-protests-despite-convictions-1-9198315

    Also see:

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees


    &
    TREE MASSACRE – A FEW FACTS.
    (A letter to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 10th April 2018)

    Chris Packham in Sheffield to see for himself ……


    (See Reference #8)

    *****
    SOURCE:
    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/what_is_the_quoted_adjustment_if#comment-90381

    NOTE:
    On the Streets Ahead Project Delivery Team, responsible for the £2.2bn Streets Ahead highway maintenance project, LIZ BUCK was the ‘workstream leader’ responsible for PROCUREMENT:

    Click to access SCC_Kirby_2010_Streets%20Ahead%20PFI_CIHT.org_.uk_.pdf

    Click to access SCC_Platt_2011_Streets%20Ahead%20PFI_studylib.net_.pdf

    FOR COVERAGE BY THE STAR & THE YORKSHIRE POST, SEE:

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    Reply
    • Technotronic says:
      March 25, 2020 at 10:06 pm

      THE STAR – Thursday, 5th March 2020:

      ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTEMPTED TO BLOCK EMAILS ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL TREE FELLING PLANS FROM BEING RELEASED’
      https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/sheffield-council-members-attempted-block-emails-about-controversial-tree-felling-plans-being-released-2092120

      http://web.archive.org/web/20200306010023/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/sheffield-council-members-attempted-block-emails-about-controversial-tree-felling-plans-being-released-2092120

      QUOTE:
      “Sheffield Council tried to stop dozens of emails about controversial plans relating to tree felling from being released under the Freedom of Information Act.

      THOSE INVOLVED IN THE EXCHANGES INCLUDED Julie DORE, leader of the council, Gillian DUCKWORTH, director of legal and democratic services, councillor Bryan LODGE, THEN CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, John MOTHERSOLE, then chief executive and Paul BILLINGTON, then director of environment.

      THE EMAILS RELATED TO THE PLANNING OF OPERATION QUITO, the name given to the policing work around tree felling which was part of a £2.2 billion highways improvement scheme.

      STAFF MEMBERS WRONGLY PUT ‘LEGALLY PRIVILEGED – NOT SUBJECT TO FOI’ IN THE SUBJECT HEADER OF THE MESSAGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO PREVENT THEM BEING RELEASED through requests made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

      THE NAMES OF MOST OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WHO ATTEMPTED TO USE THIS DISCLAIMER WERE REDACTED FROM FOIS, BUT THE REQUESTS REVEALED MULTIPLE WERE SENT BY MR BILLINGTON.

      OUT OF THE DOZENS OF EMAILS THAT USED THE SUBJECT HEADER IT INCLUDED ONE THAT REVEALED THERE WAS A TARGET FOR FELLING TREES – which the council previously denied having – and another that was about a press release.

      Councillor Douglas Johnson, LEADER OF THE GREEN PARTY, SAID:

      ‘It’s a really clumsy attempt to withhold information. It makes it obvious there is something they want to hide, IF IT GENUINELY WASN’T SUBJECT TO FOI THEY WOULDN’T NEED TO DO THAT. IT SHOWS A CULTURE OF DISHONESTY and it’s actually pretty nasty.’

      It was revealed when Marcus Combie, street tree activist, only received some of the emails he asked for under the FOIA which prompted him to ask for an internal review – which was pushed back three times before completion.

      THE INTERNAL REVIEW CONFIRMED THERE WERE 41 EMAILS MISSING FROM THE RESPONSE because they were from the account of ‘someone who had left’.

      More importantly, Mr Combie said it highlighted that in just one month from one account there were 20 emails which used the ‘not for FOI’ subject header.

      A follow up FOI from fellow street tree activist JUSTIN BUXTON UNCOVERED A MESSAGE SENT FROM SOMEONE ON BEHALF OF THE FOI DEPARTMENT TELLING CHIEFS WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS WRONG:

      ‘[THE EMAILS] WERE NOT LEGALLY PRIVILEGED AND WE CANNOT DECLARE THAT SOMETHING IS NOT SUBJECT TO FOI.’

      Mr Combie has now requested that all emails from that account which relate to street trees using that subject header are released.

      He has also called for an investigation into the extent of the practice across the council and how it may have affected information being released.

      A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER SAID AN INVESTIGATION WOULD NEED TO BE UNDERTAKEN TO DETERMINE IF WHAT OFFICERS AND COUNCILLORS DID WAS ILLEGAL and stated:

      ‘PUBLIC AUTHORITIES WHICH FALL UNDER THE FOIA MUST COMPLY WITH THE LAW AND REFER TO OUR CODE OF PRACTICE. Anyone who is not satisfied with the response they receive can request an internal review. If they are still not satisfied, or have received no response at all, they can make a complaint to the ICO.’

      Sheffield Council were contacted for comment”

      ******
      OF INTEREST:

      ‘EUROPEAN ELECTIONS & YORKSHIRE’S INCOMPETENT POLITICIANS’
      (Selected extracts from a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 22nd May 2019. Not printed)

      Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

      Quote:
      “In the case of R (Dillner) v Sheffield CC and Amey Hallam Highways Ltd (2016), Sheffield’s politicians went to the High Court of Justice…

      Commenting on the £2.2bn project, SECTION 195 of the judgement states:

      ‘…THE ONLY PERSON OR BODY WITHIN THE COUNCIL WITH THE POWER TO TAKE ACTIONS OR MAKE DECISIONS WITH REGARD TO THE WORKS WAS THE CABINET MEMBER responsible. In particular the full Council had no power to do so.’

      However, at SECTION 200, commenting on a meeting of full Council at which a petition with over 10,000 signatures was presented by Sheffield’s first tree group (Save Our Rustlings Trees) and ‘debated’ by Councillors, THE JUDGE WROTE:

      “The full Council meeting of 1st July 2015 is important. I do not consider that WHAT IS SAID BY THE RELEVANT CABINET MEMBER DURING A DISCUSSION CAN NECESSARILY BIND THE COUNCIL.”

      Reply
    • Technotronic says:
      October 9, 2020 at 11:16 pm

      SCC MALFEASANCE & WILFUL OBFUSCATION

      (an SCC e-mail, provided in response to a Freedom Of Information Request, submitted by Marcus Crombie, on 10th March 2020)

      *****
      “FROM: ECCLESTON STEVE (CEX)
      SENT: 18 February 2020 10:16
      TO:
      CC: CROFTS MICHAEL; Henderson James (CEX);

      SUBJECT: trees: possible issue regarding email header “legal privilege applies etc”

      Hi

      Xxxx asked me to drop a line on this. He thought it was possible that a negative slant might be placed on the use of the header “privilege applies etc”.

      Just to be clear, in case questions are raised about this, I ASKED FOR POTENTIALLY PRIVILEGED EMAILS INVOLVING LAWYERS TO CARRY THIS HEADER RIGHT AT THE START OF THE PROCESS. I recognised that there would be a huge amount of email traffic and, in due course, a number of FOIA’s. I was aware, in that context, that identifying which emails might be subject to FOIA would be a mammoth task. THE PURPOSE OF THOSE HEADER WAS TO FACILITATE FILTERING potentially applicable emails to make life easier.

      I WAS WELL AWARE THAT THE ‘PUBLIC INTEREST TEST’ HAS TO BE APPLIED so there would always need to be that extra layer of checking but I was of the view that, without something like this:

      1. The task would be monumentally time consuming and difficult
      2. Emails which shoddily remain confidential because of privilege might be inappropriately released. It would facilitate a process of “thinking”.

      I WAS ALSO AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RISK THAT IT WOULD BE WRONGLY APPLIED but, also, that the necessary checking process would also pick this up so I WASN’T CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. I considered that the bigger risk was the opposite: emails being released wrongly.

      Hope this helps.

      Steve

      Regards

      STEVE ECCLESTON
      ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES PEOPLE
      Legal Services,
      Resources,
      SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL

      Telephone: 0114 2735012 ”

      SOURCE (an FOI response provided on 8th of October 2020):
      https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/653944/response/1653630/attach/html/4/Q1%20Redacted.pdf.html

      http://web.archive.org/web/20201009215509/https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/653944/response/1653630/attach/html/4/Q1%20Redacted.pdf.html

      https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statement_by_eugene_walker_on_hi#incoming-1653630

      ****
      STAG FACEBOOK COMMENTS:
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1655098598000556/

      http://web.archive.org/web/20201009220450/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1655098598000556/?comment_id=1655113971332352&reply_comment_id=1655154537994962

      http://web.archive.org/web/20201009220900if_/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1655098598000556/?comment_id=1655223271321422

      ****
      OF INTEREST:

      1)
      ESSENTIAL ARB – Thursday, 2nd APRIL 2020
      ‘NEW STRATEGY AIMS TO PROTECT SHEFFIELD’S STREET TREES FOR GENERATIONS’:

      GET INVOLVED WITH THE NATIONAL GARDEN BIRD SURVEY

      2)
      ‘SHEFFIELD TREE FELLING INVESTIGATION REPORT’
      (selected extracts):

      Mystery photograph of the day No. 26

      3)
      ‘CRIMINALITY, GROSS INCOMPETENCE & MALADMINISTRATION’:

      Breaking news – Leading city councillor responsible for the tree felling programme has resigned…..

      4)
      THE LAW SOCIETY GAZETTE – 21st AUGUST 2017:

      ‘LAWYER IN THE NEWS SOUGHT INJUNCTIONS FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY’
      http://web.archive.org/web/20170821084844/https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/lawyer-in-the-news/sought-injunctions-for-local-authority/5062493.article

      5)
      THE STAR – Tuesday, 10th March 2020:

      ‘WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT’ – SHEFFIELD COUNCIL RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OVER ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK RELEASE OF EMAILS ON CONTROVERSIAL TREE FELLING PLANS’

      A review of some publications from the past

      Reply
  2. Technotronic says:
    December 14, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    SCC Vs CHARITY

    6th March 2017 – Trees for Cities
    ‘STATEMENT ON SHEFFIELD’S STREET TREES’:
    http://www.treesforcities.org/statement-sheffield/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20171011191430/http://www.treesforcities.org/statement-sheffield/

    7th March 2017 – The Star
    TREE PROTESTERS ‘INFLUENCED CHARITY WITH INCORRECT INFORMATION’, CLAIMS SHEFFIELD COUNCILLOR*:
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tree-protesters-influenced-charity-with-incorrect-information-claims-sheffield-councillor-1-8426296

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191116215245/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tree-protesters-influenced-charity-with-incorrect-information-claims-sheffield-councillor-444907

    8th March 2017 – The Star
    ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL IN WAR OF WORDS WITH ECO CHARITY OVER TREE-FELLING’*:
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/sheffield-council-in-war-of-words-with-eco-charity-over-tree-felling-1-8428726

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191214004415/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-war-words-eco-charity-over-tree-felling-445788

    8th March 2017 – Horticulture Week:
    ‘TREES FOR CITIES PULLS OUT OF SHEFFIELD OVER STREETS AHEAD CONCERNS’:
    http://www.hortweek.com/trees-cities-pulls-sheffield-streets-ahead-concerns/arboriculture/article/1426738

    https://web.archive.org/web/20170308213208/http://www.hortweek.com/trees-cities-pulls-sheffield-streets-ahead-concerns/arboriculture/article/1426738

    11th August 2017
    Sheffield City Council misrepresentations prompted the WOODLAND TRUST’s Project Leader for the Woodland Charter (“a key document to GUIDE POLICY AND PRACTICE and ensure that woods AND TREES are VALUED and protected FOR THE BENEFITS THEY BRING TO SOCIETY.”) – Matt Larsen-Daw – to comment:

    “They [Sheffield City Council] maintain that we are working with them. Amazing. You might think that one of the prerequisites of a successful partnership would be both partners knowing it exists… WE FOUND THE STRATEGY THEY REFERRED TO ON THEIR WEBSITE, AND ONE OF OUR TEAM DID ATTEND A WORKSHOP TO INPUT from our side (that’s what we do – try to get good results for trees and woods by inputting to decision-making) and on that strength they have listed ‘Woodlands Trust’ (sic) as a ‘Key Strategic Partner’. There is no letter of agreement, MoU or contract between us and THIS WORK WAS UNRELATED TO THE PFI CONTRACT ANYWAY. Implying a working partnership in a letter explicitly and exclusively about the street tree fellings when even THEIR DEFINITION of us working together has nothing to do with that work SHOWS AN ATTEMPT TO MISLEAD AND MISREPRESENT. THEY FLUCTUATE BETWEEN INCOMPETENCE AND CUNNING.”

    Source (STAG Facebook. 13:30):

    11th August 2017 – The Yorkshire Post
    ‘WOODLAND TRUST REFUTES SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’S CLAIM CHARITY IS ‘WORKING WITH’ AUTHORITY ON TREE-FELLING’:
    http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/woodland-trust-refutes-sheffield-council-s-claim-charity-is-working-with-authority-on-tree-felling-1-8699037

    15th August 2017 – The Yorkshire Post
    ‘BECCY SPEIGHT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WOODLAND TRUST’:
    http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/yp-letters-gove-right-to-intervene-on-sheffield-tree-felling-1-8702849

    * See:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/740.html#comment-740

    *****
    It should be remembered that the Woodland Trust were invited by Sheffield City Council to participate in the “bi monthly” Highway Tree Advisory Forum (HTAF) that was set up by Sheffield City Council in response to the SORT petition [1] and SORT petition-hand out [2]. They accepted and sent Mr Nick Sandford (Woodland Trust Regional Policy Administration Officer) to participate as a panel “expert”. There were no arboriculturists on the forum panel. There have only been two HTAF meetings; the most recent was held on 2nd September 2015.

    To quote Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (Cllr Terry Fox – Labour), from a transcript of one of his speeches presented at the meeting of full Council held on 1st July 2015 (when the SORT petition was “debated”):

    “And it’s also welcoming, Lord Mayor, that, as decision-makers in this Town Hall, we have our policies and procedures to scrutinise not by only by us in this place but scrutinised by the public…

    We had an independent survey done in 2006-2007 [3] which HELPS US INFORM OUR PRIORITIES FOR THE FORMATION OF THE CONTRACT…

    THE PROCESS IS THAT AMEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL about which trees, in their expert opinion, should be removed by the highway, and in which categories.

    THE COUNCIL WILL THEN ASSESS EACH INDIVIDUAL TREE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEN MAKE A DECISION ABOUT WHETHER THAT TREE SHOULD BE FELLED OR NOT.

    Lord Mayor, sometimes WHEN WE plant and PLANE THE TOPS, WE IDENTIFY THAT WE HAVE ROOT PROBLEMS OR NOT, is if we have not then we obviously do not take that tree. TAKING THE TREE IS THE LAST RESORT, Lord Mayor.

    THE SHEFFIELD HIGHWAY TREE STRATEGY CONSISTS OF THE SIX D’s: dangerous; dead, dying, diseased, damaging and discriminatory. [4]

    By incident, Lord Mayor, if I may, on to Rustlings Road. There are over thirty trees on Rustlings Road. … Out of the eleven that have been identified to be felled, three have been noticed, and that ONCE WE DIG UP THE PAVEMENT, as I say,

    ONCE WE TAKE THAT PLANING OFF, IF THEY CAN BE RETAINED, THEY WILL.

    I have said on numerous occasions that ONCE AMEY DESIGNATE THE TREES THEY WANT TO FELL, THE COUNCIL GO AND DO THEIR INDEPENDENT CHECKS. Lord Mayor, ANY FELLING OF A TREE IS A LAST RESORT.

    Other, not only cities in England, in Britain, but in EUROPE ARE WATCHING HOW WE MANAGE THIS, Lord Mayor, and I’ve to do that; WE HAVE TO TAKE EVERYBODY WITH US.

    As I say, I believe, Lord Mayor, because this is such a delicate and in-depth debate, I’ve suggested the Council will endorse an Highways Tree Forum, where, as we have already heard, so MANY BIG ISSUES NEED TO BE TALKED THROUGH and, also, we are we are not – we are not – able to drive, forget the pun.

    OUR POLICY IS STILL THAT WE WANT TO CROSS-CHECK THEM, not only with methods in this place, but WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND LOCAL CONSERVATION GROUPS.

    Lord Mayor, I’D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THESE, ERR, CAMPAIGNERS, RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE who feel very strongly about our city, BECAUSE WITHOUT THEM, Lord Mayor, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER OUR PROJECTS together.”

    Source:
    https://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/177.html#comment-177

    1)
    THE SORT PETITION:
    https://www.change.org/p/sheffield-city-council-streetsahead-sheffield-gov-uk-save-the-12-trees-on-rustlings-road-sheffield

    https://web.archive.org/web/20170219074302/https://www.change.org/p/sheffield-city-council-streetsahead-sheffield-gov-uk-save-the-12-trees-on-rustlings-road-sheffield?just_created=true

    2)
    SORT COMMUNICATIONS:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hRa_tJ6oC09M-dDS

    3)
    THE 2006/2007 HIGHWAY TREE SURVEY undertaken by Elliott Consultancy Ltd:

    Click to access Elliott_SCC_Highway%20Tree%20Survey%202006-07.pdf

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7lRJfG1dgZIARbORF

    4)
    See page 8 of the document named 6Ds_SCC & AMEY HIGHWAYS INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA – LICENCE TO KILL. Available via the following links:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hRa_tJ6oC09M-dDS

    Click to access 6Ds_SCC%20%26%20AMEY%20HIGHWAYS%20INFRASTRUCTURE%20ASSESSMENT%20CRITERIA%20-%20LICENCE%20TO%20KILL_1.pdf

    Reply
    • Technotronic says:
      December 17, 2019 at 1:43 am

      A QUOTE FROM THE STAR (a Sheffield newspaper), published on 16th September, 2015:

      “Campaigners fighting felling in Sheffield have set up a camp near to 11 TREES which have become THE ‘SYMBOL’ OF THE CITY-WIDE CONTROVERSY.

      A tent for the drive is now pitched in Endcliffe Park, as 11 trees which run alongside it on Rustlings Road are scheduled to be felled…

      The original drive to save those 11 trees led to a 13,000-STRONG PETITION, which triggered a debate in Sheffield Town Hall and was THE SPARK BEHIND CALLS FOR A FORMAL CITY-WIDE TREE STRATEGY to be developed by Sheffield Council.
      […]
      CAMPAIGNERS WANT A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO TREE MANAGEMENT, MORE ANALYSIS AND VALUATIONS of the benefit of trees, and for the strategy to be developed as a priority.
      […]
      AMEY, AND THE COUNCIL, INSISTS the contractor is not paid per tree removed and claims IT IS ‘MORE EXPENSIVE TO REMOVE A MATURE TREE AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE, THAN TO LOOK AFTER MATURE TREES.’ However it has refused to provide a breakdown of the two costs when asked by The Star.

      In BIRMINGHAM, it has been reported AMEY WAS CHARGING THE CITY’S COUNCIL £2,000 FOR EACH SAPLING PLANTED on roadsides.”

      SOURCE:
      https://web.archive.org/web/20151003173044/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-campaigners-set-up-park-camp-as-controversy-grows-1-7462987

      http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-campaigners-set-up-park-camp-as-controversy-grows-1-7462987
      (last accessed on 9th of May 2019)

      *****
      Maybe the £2,000 per tree that SCC’s David Wain calculated covers not only felling a tree but also its substitution, and aftercare for the substitute for the duration of the maintenance contract?

      Reply
    • Technotronic says:
      November 24, 2020 at 7:58 pm

      WOODLAND TRUST CRITICISM

      I’m not sure why the link for the Woodland Trust criticism doesn’t show. Hopefully you can see this:

      If not, try removing the brackets from this link and using it:
      [https://www.facebook.com/saveshefftrees/posts/338981956559700?comment_id=339013319889897]

      Reply
  3. Technotronic says:
    December 15, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    Hi Ian,

    When I made the above contribution, it was properly formatted, with appropriate line spacing. Bizarrely, the blog mechanics have deleted all line spacing. The result appears to be a confusing mess. It would probably be better for you to delete the contribution. If I re-post the contribution in four seperate parts, that might work.

    NOTE TO VIEWERS:

    The above post is a list of selected news items spanning the years 2013 to 2019 inc. All were either published in The Star or Sheffield Telegraph, or contributed to those papers. Each news item is numbered. Each number is followed by a curved bracket – 7) – and then by the title of the news item, in UPPER CASE. Sometimes a quote from the news item is then provided, with key points in UPPER CASE.

    There is no option for contributors to this blog to edit.

    Thanks.
    Tc

    Reply
  4. Technotronic says:
    December 15, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    ADDRESSING BILLINGTON’s (SCC) ASSERTIONS – @100 SELECTED NEWS ITEMS

    PART 1 of 4
    News items spanning the 2012 to 2020 period

    1)
    Friday, 15th February 2013
    ‘BIGGEST EVER SCHEME TO IMPROVE SHEFFIELD’S 36,000 STREET TREES’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171205143508/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/biggest-ever-scheme-to-improve-sheffield-s-36-000-street-trees-1-5412367

    Quote:
    “Fifteen to 20 trees have been classed as dangerous and removed so far – AMONG 1,250 WHICH ARE TO BE REPLACED IN TOTAL.
    […]
    STEVE ROBINSON, HEAD OF HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AT THE COUNCIL, which is working with contractor Amey on the project, said:

    ‘OVERALL THERE ARE 36,000 HIGHWAY TREES AND THERE ARE 1,250 ACROSS THE CITY WHICH WE ARE TAKING OUT AND REPLACING.’

    COUN JACK SCOTT, SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’S CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, SAID:

    ‘THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROGRAMME AFFECTING SHEFFIELD’S TREES SINCE THEY WERE PLANTED IN VICTORIAN TIMES.’
    […]
    RESIDENTS ARE ALSO BEING ENCOURAGED TO BECOME ‘TREE CHAMPIONS’ TO LOOK AFTER SPECIES IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS AND REPORT ANY PROBLEMS. Anyone interested should call the council on 0114 2734567.”

    2)
    16th April 2013
    ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL ALL SET TO AXE 1,250 ROADSIDE TREES’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130521082511/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-all-set-to-axe-1-250-roadside-trees-1-5587392

    Quote:
    “Highways officials have revealed 1,250 trees deemed to be ‘DISEASED or DYING’ are to be felled on streets across Sheffield.

    And hundreds more trees could also be felled where they are deemed to be DAMAGING road surfaces OR ‘CAUSING A HAZARD’ such as when roots break through the pavement surface.

    Some 72 healthy trees have been removed so far.

    Sheffield Council has promised to replace all trees felled with new ones – but they will not necessarily be planted in the same locations, if the existing tree is believed to be causing an obstruction.

    Work is being carried out by contractor Amey, which is responsible for maintaining all 35,000 trees on the streets of Sheffield.

    he plan was greeted with dismay by Nancy Grayson, of Westminster Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, Lodge Moor.

    She said:
    “WHERE TREES’ ROOTS ARE CAUSING DAMAGE TO PAVEMENTS, WHY NOT RAISE THE SURFACE OR LOOK AT OTHER IDEAS INSTEAD. I’m also staggered that so many trees are deemed to be unhealthy and need to be removed.

    The replacement trees will take years to grow back to the same size. There’ll be no greenery left for future generations.’

    Sheffield Council said the ‘dead, diseased or dying’ trees had been identified in a survey.

    The total number of healthy trees to be chopped down has not yet been decided.

    A SHEFFIELD COUNCIL SPOKESWOMAN SAID:

    ‘OUR ARBORICULTURALIST SPECIALISTS and highway engineers have identified trees that are dead, dying, diseased or damaging the highway.

    ‘In many cases, there is a potential risk to the public created and work will be prioritised according to risk.
    TREE REMOVAL WILL ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN AS THE LAST RESORT.’

    She added:
    ‘We inform surrounding residents about the tree replacements in advance of a tree being felled.

    Where possible – for example if a tree is not an immediate danger – NOTICES ARE PLACED ON THE TREE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO FELLING and residents in the immediate area will receive a letter.’

    SHEFFIELD COUNCIL SAID SOME HEALTHY TREES which caused a hazard to blind people, or pushchair or wheelchair users, COULD BE REMOVED.

    THE COUNCIL SAID IT WOULD NOT REPLACE TREES WHERE PLANTING A NEW TREE WOULD BE CHEAPER THAN PRUNING THE EXISTING SPECIES.”

    3)
    23rd October 2013
    ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCILLOR QUITS OVER LATE RATES’
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-councillor-quits-over-late-rates-1-6186303
    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsWguV74n6x7ihGYHAIk81F-KAr4

    Quote:
    “One of Sheffield’s most senior councillors who has overseen collection of council tax and business rates has resigned from his cabinet role after running into arrears with his own payments.

    BRYAN LODGE*, Labour councillor for Birley, said he felt the ‘most appropriate action’ was to QUIT FROM HIS ROLE AS CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE after falling behind with business rates at his city centre sandwich shop on Division Street.

    Coun Lodge said: ‘MY BUSINESS RATES HAVE FALLEN BEHIND by two months…’”
    * The SCC Cabinet Member For Environment And Streetscene (10th May 2016 to 9th May 2018)

    4)
    1st May 2015
    SCC / AMEY LIES & INCOMPETENCE – AN SCC/AMEY E-MAIL ABOUT RUSTLINGS ROAD:

    Latest from Deepa and the Trees Campaign

    5)
    Friday, 29th May 2015
    ‘THE GREAT TREE FELLING DEBATE FLARES AGAIN IN SHEFFIELD’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150726052725/https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/the-great-tree-felling-debate-flares-again-in-sheffield-1-7284189

    Quote (with reference to the Melbourne Road veteran oak that was felled in Stocksbridge):

    “Jeremy Willis, operations manager for grounds and arboriculture at AMEY, said:

    ‘That tree is a really good example because it looked absolutely perfect – but the truth was it could have fallen at any time….THE DANGER WAS THAT IT COULD HAVE FALLEN DOWN AND WE DIDN’T KNOW WHEN. It could have fallen that day, it could have stood up for another two or three years BUT ONCE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT RISK WE CAN’T JUST WALK AWAY FROM IT.’
    […]
    Data obtained by The Star last year showed 576 healthy trees were felled in two years because they were causing ‘irreparable damage or obstruction’ to roads or structures.

    Mr Willis said it was roots from older trees that were breaking up footways and pushing kerbs out of line, and sometimes trees could have structural problems.
    […]
    Last year a 20-year-old woman escaped major injury as she was hit by a rotten tree that smashed on to Ecclesall Road – although it was on private land rather than being a council-maintained tree.

    Mr Willis added:
    ‘She was fortunate it was only a glancing blow. WE’VE GOT A LOT OF TREES THAT ARE CAUSING MASSIVE DAMAGE TO FOOTPATHS AND CARRIAGEWAYS.

    THE HIGHWAY HAS TO MEET HIGHWAYS STANDARDS ACCORDING TO THE HIGHWAYS ACT AND SO FOR US TO GET THEM UP TO THAT STANDARD, THERE ARE TREES CAUSING THAT DAMAGE WHICH NEED TO BE REMOVED.

    There is a reason there. We can’t not do anything about it – WE HAVE A LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY.’*
    […]
    In Stocksbridge the oak will be replaced at Stocksbridge Junior School rather than on Oak Avenue as the roads are too narrow.

    That tree, as well as one removed from Carterknowle Road because it was causing damage to pavements…
    […]
    Mr Willis insisted trees were replaced…

    He added:
    […]
    ‘We need to get a very varied mix of young and old trees so in future if a tree does have to be removed because it is falling apart it won’t impact the street as much because there are younger trees coming up.’

    WITH MUCH OF THE CITY STILL AWAITING HIGHWAYS WORK, THE CONTROVERSY OVER TREES IS UNLIKELY TO SUBSIDE FOR SOME TIME, PARTICULARLY AS THE PUBLIC IS NOT CONSULTED BUT ONLY INFORMED OF THEIR REMOVAL.”

    For further detail, see:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hQa7a1WstiFBlcvx

    * See ‘SHEFFIELD TREE FELLING INVESTIGATION REPORT’:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alleged-illegal-tree-felling-investigation-report-sheffields-streets-ahead-programme

    SELECTED EXTRACTS:
    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statement_to_the_media_respondin#comment-89116

    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statement_to_the_media_respondin#comment-89117

    6)
    ‘SAVE OUR TREES, HAVE YOUR SAY’ (4th June 2015 – MJ)
    (a letter from Sheffield’s first tree group – ‘Save Our Rustlings Trees’ [SORT])
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/save-our-trees-have-your-say-1-7292659

    The original version (addressed to Sheffield City Council’s Head of Highway Maintenance, MR DAVID WAIN & others, dated 31st MAY, 2015), prior to editing by The Star:
    https://www.change.org/p/sheffield-city-council-streetsahead-sheffield-gov-uk-save-the-12-trees-on-rustlings-road-sheffield/u/10951593

    7)
    ‘LABOUR COUNCIL SET TO DECIMATE EUROPE’s EMERALD FOREST’
    (a letter from SORT, dated 18th June 2015, sent to various newspapers on 20th June 2015: The Daily Mail, The Guardian, The Observer, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Independent and The Yorkshire Post. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/155.html#comment-155

    8)
    Thursday 25th June 2015
    ‘SHEFFIELD TREES: ‘ALL OPTIONS OPEN’ SAY COUNCIL CHIEFS AS FELLING DEBATE DRAWS NEAR’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150626181516/http://www.thestar.co.uk:80/news/sheffield-trees-all-options-open-say-council-chiefs-as-felling-debate-draws-near-1-7326774

    Quote:
    “Coun Fox continued:
    […]
    ‘We have to take a citywide, balanced and considered view.

    The tree forum I have in mind would be a bi-monthly meeting where we can openly discuss these issues.’
    […]
    DR DEEPA SHETTY, WHO STARTED THE PETITION TO SAVE 11 LIME TREES ON RUSTLINGS ROAD A MONTH AGO, SAID:

    ‘OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WE HAVE STRONG REASON TO BELIEVE WELL OVER 50 PER CENT OF STREET TREES WITH MEDIUM AND LARGE CROWNS WILL BE FELLED BY AMEY, WITH COUNCIL CONSENT.’

    She said such trees provided ‘millions of pounds worth of ecosystem services’ each year and the council ‘must stop the asset stripping’ of Sheffield’s trees to avoid serious negative effects such as increased pollution.

    The Save Our Rustlings Trees group needed 5,000 names to trigger a debate by councillors.”

    9)
    LABOUR/AMEY INCOMPETENCE AND THE MISMANAGEMENT OF SHEFFIELD’S URBAN FOREST
    (a letter that Mr Long [a Sheffield urban forester and arboriculturist] sent to The Star, dated 24th August 2015. Not printed):

    Sheffield Telegraph – uncovering the facts and myths behind the trees debate

    10)
    Wednesday, 1st July 2015
    ‘SHEFFIELD TREES: WE WILL CARRY ON OUR FIGHT, CAMPAIGNERS VOW AFTER NO ACTION TAKEN ON 10,000-STRONG PETITION’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150703003200/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-trees-we-will-carry-on-our-fight-campaigners-vow-after-no-action-taken-on-10-000-strong-petition-1-7337321

    https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/people/sheffield-trees-we-will-carry-on-our-fight-campaigners-vow-after-no-action-taken-on-10-000-strong-petition-1-7337321

    Quote:
    “COUN PETER PRICE WAS DROWNED OUT AFTER HE SAID THE CITY’S ‘INTERNATIONAL’ GREEN REPUTATION WAS NOT GOING TO BE LOST ‘BECAUSE OF YOU WHINGING ABOUT SOME TREES ON A CERTAIN STREET.’”

    Audio evidence:
    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsWguV74n6x7okjtA5OqOgoe8LMT
    Cllr Price had received the SORT petition hand-out:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hRa_tJ6oC09M-dDS

    11)
    Saturday, 4th July 2015
    ‘STILL ROOM FOR COMPROMISE’ OVER SHEFFIELD TREES DEBATE – SAYS FORMER MP DAVID BLUNKETT
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150812132214/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/still-room-for-compromise-over-sheffield-trees-debate-says-former-mp-david-blunkett-1-7340615

    Quote:
    “Former MP David Blunkett says Sheffield chiefs could take ‘one last look’ at tree felling after councillors took no action on a 10,000 strong petition.

    The ex-Labour Home Secretary took the ‘unusual’ step of writing to The Star in support of campaigner Alan Robshaw who said the debate was about ‘what kind of city we want to live in’,
    […]
    Campaigners fighting tree felling in Sheffield have been calling for a city-wide tree strategy – but documents reveal one was drafted 14 years ago.

    A consultation document for Sheffield’s Tree and Woodland Strategy seen by The Star, which was printed in 2001*, said

    ‘Sheffield is blessed with one of the finest urban forests in the country’ and ‘trees affect everyone’s lives.’
    […]
    THE COUNCIL DID NOT SAY WHY THE STRATEGY HAD NOT BEEN ADOPTED.

    Coun Terry Fox, cabinet member for environment, said:

    ‘This is why we secured additional funding to help us better maintain those highway trees we have across the city.’”
    * http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/sites/default/files/files/Lewis%20et%20al_The%202001%20Document%20That%20SCC%20Ignored%20%26%20Rejected_treewoodlandstrategy-scc.pdf

    12)
    Thursday, 23th July 2015
    ‘SHEFFIELD TREES: NEW HIGHWAY TREE STRATEGY PROMISED AT PACKED MEETING OF SHEFFIELD FORUM’
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/sheffield-trees-new-highway-tree-strategy-promised-at-packed-meeting-of-sheffield-forum-1-7375285

    Quote:
    “Dave Aspinall, woodland manager at the council, said: ‘WE WILL LIAISE WITH AMEY AND INCORPORATE HIGHWAY TREES.

    ‘We are doing a scoping of the document in the next few months and will be consulting with the public and AIMING FOR THE END OF MARCH FOR COMPLETION.”

    13)
    A LETTER FROM SORT
    (sent to The Star and Sheffield Telegraph, dated 27th August 2015. Also sent to The Guardian on 26th August 2015. Published by The Star, on 2nd September 2015):

    Street Trees in the news!!

    14)
    Wednesday, 2nd September 2015
    ‘EXPERTS SLAM SHEFFIELD COUNCIL AND DEMAND PAUSE ON TREE FELLING’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150930085247/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/experts-slam-sheffield-council-and-demand-pause-on-tree-felling-1-7441179

    15)
    Wednesday, 2nd September 2015
    ‘HIGHWAY TREES FORUM’
    (a letter from SORT, dated Saturday, 29th August 2015: ‘Tree Forum 2, Sep 2nd’)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151009104805/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/letters-opinion/highway-trees-forum-1-7439380

    Comment on this:

    Street Trees in the news!!

    16)
    ‘THE GREAT SHEFFIELD CHAINSAW MASSACRE’ (16th September 2015)
    (a letter from SORT, in response to wrongful comments made by Louise Haigh MP, on BBC Radio Sheffield, on 2nd September 2015):
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151003175707/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/letters-opinion/the-great-sheffield-chainsaw-massacre-1-7463390

    The original version (‘The Great Sheffield Chainsaw Massacre
    – a response to Louise Haigh MP’), prior to editing by The Star:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/305.html#comment-305

    Evidence:

    More Tree Troubles

    17)
    ‘TREES? GET LOST!’
    (a letter from SORT, sent to The Star and Sheffield Telegraph, dated 8th October 2015. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/333.html#comment-333

    SCC Misuse & Abuse of the Freedom of Information Act:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/451.html#comment-451

    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/260.html#comment-260

    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/692.html#comment-692

    18)
    ‘LETTERS: HOW CAN AN ‘OUTDOOR CITY’ HAVE ITS TREES CUT DOWN?’ (13th October 2015 – RJB)
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160201074241/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/letters-how-can-an-outdoor-city-have-its-trees-cut-down-1-7512569

    19)
    ‘TREES, FEAR, LIABILITY AND INCOMPETENCE’
    (a letter that SORT sent to The Star newspaper, dated 1st November, 2015. Not printed)
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/363.html#comment-363

    20)
    Thursday, 3rd December 2015
    ‘SHEFFIELD PROTESTERS AND PUPILS MARK NATIONAL TREE WEEK AMID FELLING CONTROVERSY’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151212195033/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-protesters-and-pupils-mark-national-tree-week-amid-felling-controversy-1-7604561

    Quote:
    “Inside the chamber, COUN TERRY FOX WAS QUIZZED BY RESIDENTS ON WHEN THE NEXT HIGHWAY TREE FORUM WOULD BE HELD and the cost of felling trees compared to other solutions. A DRAFT TREE STRATEGY WAS DUE TO BE REVEALED AT THE NEXT FORUM, WHICH WAS EXPECTED THIS MONTH BUT HAS BEEN DELAYED.

    Sheffield Tree Action Groups also teamed up with illustrator Lydia Monks to celebrate the awareness week in schools.”

    21)
    Monday, 8th February 2016
    ‘COUNCIL CLAIM IT WILL COST £26 MILLION TO SAVE SHEFFIELD TREES’ (deleted prior to 20th May 2019)
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/council-claim-it-will-cost-26-million-to-save-sheffield-trees-1-7718982

    https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/769047159939042/

    https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1212783355565418/

    Quotes:
    “Sheffield Council chiefs have claimed they would have to stump up £26 million if all trees earmarked to be replaced in the city were saved.

    According to the council there are still 2,000 more trees to be replaced on Sheffield highways as part of the contract. Of those, 100 are down to be replaced because Amey says they are diseased or dying.

    The council said there are 200 trees which would cost between £50,000 and £100,000 to save, 1,000 which cost between £3,000 and £5,000, and 700 trees which would cost around £1,000 to save.

    While the authority stressed that the numbers were estimates, this gives a figure of up to £26 million.”

    “Coun Dore said it was not acceptable that disabled residents were unable to use footpaths in Sheffield, due to trees making pavements uneven.

    ‘The facts are that since Streets Ahead started we have removed 3,388 trees and planted 3,618.’”

    22)
    Tuesday, 16th February 2016
    ‘TREES: NEW TREE STRATEGY TO BE REVEALED TO PUBLIC BY SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160217092757/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/trees-new-tree-strategy-to-be-revealed-to-public-by-sheffield-council-1-7733628

    Quote:
    “Sheffield Council bosses are inviting the public to view the draft of a new tree strategy…

    This follows the publication of the ‘Five Years Street Tree Management Plan’ which shows how 36,000 street trees are managed by the Streets Ahead project.

    A full-day event will be held at the Town Hall on Friday, February 26 and members of the public will be able to view the draft strategy and speak to members of staff between 10am and 7pm.
    […]
    Coun Sioned-Mair Richards, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Sheffield City Council, said:
    ‘We know that the issue of trees is very important to communities across our city, which is why we’re organising the event in order to share our plans. HIGHWAY TREES ARE PART OF THIS STRATEGY AND WILL BE INFORMED BY THE RECENTLY-RELEASED STREETS AHEAD “5 YEAR TREE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.’”

    23)
    ‘LETTER DEFENDS SHEFFIELD COUNCIL AND SLAMS ‘LACK OF PERSPECTIVE’ OF TREE CAMPAIGNERS’ (19th February 2016)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/letter-defends-sheffield-council-and-slams-lack-of-perspective-of-tree-campaigners-1-7739862

    https://web.archive.org/web/20160220101057/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/letter-defends-sheffield-council-and-slams-lack-of-perspective-of-tree-campaigners-1-7739862

    24)
    ‘SHEFFIELD’S 1ST TREE STRATEGY’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 22nd February, 2016. Not printed):

    Latest from Deepa and the Trees Campaign

    25)
    ‘IF TREES COULD VOTE!’
    (a letter submitted, by SORT, to The Star newspaper, on 3rd May, 2016. Not printed)
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/507.html#comment-507

    26)
    ‘THE TRUE COST OF SAVING TREES?’ (10th May 2016 – Ax)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/true-cost-saving-trees-457647

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191127011841/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/true-cost-saving-trees-457647

    The original version, prior to editing by The Star:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7o0jfVXw9hMb9YfFG

    27)
    ‘LODGE: A COMPLAINT’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 20th May 2016. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/519.html#comment-519

    Continued below…

    Reply
  5. Technotronic says:
    December 15, 2019 at 5:34 pm

    ADDRESSING BILLINGTON’s (SCC) ASSERTIONS – @100 SELECTED NEWS ITEMS

    News items spanning the 2012 to 2020 period

    PART 2 of 4

    28)
    ‘WHERE’S OUR TREE STRATEGY?’:

    Sheffield Tree Campaign back in the national news in the Guardian


    (a letter from Save Our Roadside Trees [SORT], dated 11th July, 2016, addressed to Simon Green – SCC Executive Director for the ‘Place’ – and David Caulfield – SCC Director of Development Services – ‘Place’ [Billington’s predecessor]. Sent on 11th July, 2016).

    29)
    Wednesday, 13th July 2016
    ‘SHEFFIELD TREE CAMPAIGNERS QUESTION COUNCIL ‘FLEXI-PAVING’ FIGURES’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-campaigners-question-council-flexi-paving-figures-456370

    https://web.archive.org/web/20160812112106/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-campaigners-question-council-flexi-paving-figures-1-8012728

    30)
    ‘FLEXI®-PAVE’ – the original version
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 28th July 2016, published with the title ‘Letter’. Sent in response to a letter in Sheffield Telegraph that had been published on 21st July, 2016 [‘Do we want the Council to gamble with our money?’] and a news item in The Star that had been published on 22nd July, 2016 [‘Council Defends Felling’]):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    31)
    ‘BULLY-BOY TACTICS’ (3rd August 2016 – SR)
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/your-say/bully-boy-tactics-1-8047901

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191206185303/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/bully-boy-tactics-455786

    32)
    ‘IMPACT ASSESSMENT’ (8th August 2016. DL)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/impact-assessment-455672

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191108004303/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/impact-assessment-455672

    The original version (‘Sustainable Tree Population Management’), prior to editing by The Star:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/534.html#comment-534

    33)
    ‘DECEIT?’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 27th September 2016. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/605.html#comment-605

    34)
    ‘TREE STRATEGY CONSULTATION’ (29th September, 2016. DL)
    The original version (‘Sheffield’s First Tree Strategy’), dated 21st September 2016, prior to editing by Sheffield Telegraph:

    Nether Edge Elm Tree Shortlisted for national award!

    35)
    ‘SCC / AMEY: DECEIT & MISINFORMATION’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 15th November, 2016. Not printed):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    36)
    ‘SUSTAINABILITY – FELLING – RUSTLINGS Rd’
    (AKA ‘Felling: SCC/Amey Incompetence And Deceit’ & ‘How SCC & Amey Get It So Wrong’. A letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 22nd November, 2016. Not printed):

    Like thieves in the night they came to cut down the trees…….

    37)
    ‘NOT THE LAST RESORT’ (23rd November 2016 – Anon)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/not-the-last-resort-452198

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191115150252/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/not-the-last-resort-452198

    38)
    ‘RECKLESS TREE FELLING: OPENNESS, TRANSPARENCY & JUSTICE’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph, dated 23rd November, 2016. Not printed):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    39)
    Friday, 25th November 2016
    ‘COUNCIL ADMITS ‘WE GOT IT WRONG’ AFTER DAWN RAID ON SHEFFIELD TREES’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/council-admits-we-got-it-wrong-after-dawn-raid-on-sheffield-trees-451473

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191115152235/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/council-admits-we-got-it-wrong-after-dawn-raid-on-sheffield-trees-451473

    Sheffield City Council apologise for tree felling – at last!

    40)
    ‘FELLING: SCC/AMEY INCOMPETENCE AND DECEIT’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph, Yorkshire Post & the Guardian, dated 29th November 2016. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/713.html#comment-713

    41)
    ‘DANGEROUS HIGHWAY TREES’:
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 7th December, 2016. Not printed):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    42)
    ‘COUNCIL INCOMPETENCE’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to to The Star dated 19th December, 2016. Not printed):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    43)
    ‘A STATEMENT ON SHEFFIELD’S TREES FROM STAFF AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LANDSCAPE’ (21st December 2016 – The University of Sheffield – AFTER 19 MONTHS OF SILENCE)

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    Of interest:
    Prof Dunnett at the fifth hearing of the SCC Green Commission (18th June 2015):

    The Sheffield Street Trees Campaign Grows as dissatisfaction comes to a head


    (includes a transcript of his contributions at the inaugural meeting of the ‘bi-monthly’ SCC/Amey Highway Trees Advisory Forum – 23rd July 2015).

    For more, see:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hyFY9EBZ6MRgDGqs

    Prof Dunnett on BBC Look North (28th July 2017):

    44)
    ‘LEAVES RUSTLING EVER LOUDER’ (9th January 2017 – AR)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/leaves-rustling-ever-louder-449917

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191109190913/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/leaves-rustling-ever-louder-449917

    The original version (‘The Leaves Are Rustling Ever Louder’), prior to editing by The Star:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7o0jfVXw9hMb9YfFG

    45)
    ‘LETTER’ (21st January 2017 – the day of the first STAG conference. DL)
    The original version (‘Street Tree Massacre – a response to Cllr Peter Price’), prior to editing by The Star:

    The farce continues……

    46)
    ‘Co-OPERATION ‘ESSENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN 2017’ ACCORDING TO STATE OF SHEFFIELD REPORT’ (13th February 2017):
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/co-operation-essential-growth-2017-according-state-sheffield-report-447200

    https://web.archive.org/web/20170214170826/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/co-operation-essential-for-growth-in-2017-according-to-state-of-sheffield-report-1-8387772

    47)
    ‘ARROGANCE BEGGARS BELIEF’ (23rd February 2017. SR)
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/your-say/arrogance-beggars-belief-1-8404854

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191119204016/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/arrogance-beggars-belief-446896

    48)
    ‘WW1 MEMORIAL TREES’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 3rd March, 2017. Not printed):

    On the value of urban trees with large crowns……..

    49)
    Saturday, 4th March 2017
    ‘TREE PROTESTS ‘WASTING MILLIONS OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY’, CLAIMS SHEFFIELD COUNCILLOR’
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tree-protests-wasting-millions-of-taxpayers-money-claims-sheffield-councillor-1-8421508

    https://web.archive.org/web/20170304202218/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tree-protests-wasting-millions-of-taxpayers-money-claims-sheffield-councillor-1-8421508

    50)
    Monday, 20th March 2017
    ‘BREAKING NEWS: SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’S DEPUTY LEADER LEIGH BRAMALL RESIGNS’
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/breaking-news-sheffield-council-s-deputy-leader-leigh-bramall-resigns-1-8448868

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191130125950/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/breaking-news-sheffield-councils-deputy-leader-leigh-bramall-resigns-444979

    Quote:
    “COUNCILLOR LEIGH BRAMALL HAS RESIGNED FROM HIS ROLE AS DEPUTY LEADER OF SHEFFIELD COUNCIL.

    The Labour politician is leaving to return to A CAREER IN COMMUNICATIONS and will take up a position at a company based in the city.

    Of interest:
    https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/946254612218295/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191205231205/https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/946254612218295/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191116022941/https://twitter.com/SaveSheffTrees/status/695253114400739328

    For definition of the 6Ds, extracts from a SCC witness statement that was provided to the High Courtof Justice (Queen’s Bench Division Administrative Court), in 2016, during the case of R (Dillner) v Sheffield CC and Amey Hallam Highways Ltd, can be accessed via the following link:
    .https://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/sites/default/files/files/6Ds_SCC%20%26%20AMEY%20HIGHWAYS%20INFRASTRUCTURE%20ASSESSMENT%20CRITERIA%20-%20LICENCE%20TO%20KILL_1.pdf

    Available with updated links, at:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hRa_tJ6oC09M-dDS

    FOR AUDIO OF Cllr BRAMALL RESPONDING TO PETITIONS PRESENTED BY TREE GROUPS:

    ‘LODGE: A COMPLAINT’
    (a letter that Mr Long [a Sheffield urban forester and arboriculturist] sent to The Star, dated 20th May 2016. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/519.html#comment-519

    ‘TREE MASSACRE – A FEW FACTS’
    (References included with a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 10th April 2018. See reference #8)

    Chris Packham in Sheffield to see for himself ……

    51)
    Thursday, 23rd March 2017
    ‘SUPPORT FOR SHEFFIELD TREE FELLING AS COUNCIL RELEASES SURVEY DATA’
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/support-for-sheffield-tree-felling-as-council-releases-survey-data-1-8455933

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191121203841/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/support-sheffield-tree-felling-council-releases-survey-data-445348

    52)
    Friday, 12th May 2017
    ‘TREE-FELLING PANEL EXPECTED TO COST SHEFFIELD TAX-PAYERS AT LEAST £1m’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/tree-felling-panel-expected-to-cost-sheffield-tax-payers-at-least-aps1m-444546

    https://web.archive.org/web/20181121035043/http://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/tree-felling-panel-expected-to-cost-sheffield-tax-payers-at-least-1m-1-8540349

    53)
    ‘TREES & HAZARD MANAGEMENT’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 10th August 2017):

    As the noose tightens on Sheffield’s Vernon OAK – It’s sad, so sad. It’s a sad, sad situation. And it’s getting more and more absurd.


    (Sheffield Telegraph published an earlier version the same day, with the title ‘SAFE LONG-TERM RETENTION OF EXISTING TREES’. It can be viewed in the ‘Gallery’ area here:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/news/sheffield-city-council-announce-felling-17500-street-ttees.html

    54)
    Wednesday, 16th August 2017
    ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL TO PURSUE TREE CAMPAIGNERS FOR DAMAGES AND £150,000 LEGAL COSTS’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-pursue-tree-campaigners-damages-and-aps150000-legal-costs-53214

    https://web.archive.org/web/20170822103956/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-to-pursue-tree-campaigners-for-damages-and-150-000-legal-costs-1-8704687

    Continued below…

    Reply
  6. Technotronic says:
    December 15, 2019 at 5:51 pm

    ADDRESSING BILLINGTON’s (SCC) ASSERTIONS – @100 SELECTED NEWS ITEMS

    News items spanning the 2012 to 2020 period
    PART 3 of 4

    55)
    ‘BATTLE FOR SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP OF TREES’ (16th August 2017 – DL)
    Published on page 58 of Sheffield Telegraph. See the ‘Gallery’ area here:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/news/sheffield-city-council-announce-felling-17500-street-ttees.html

    The original version (‘The Battle For Sustainable Stewardship of Sheffield’s Street Trees’), prior to editing by Sheffield Telegraph:

    Stocksbridge tree set for the chop

    56)
    Wednesday, 23rd August 2017
    ‘COUNCIL ADMITS COSTS OF SHEFFIELD TREE PROTESTS SHOULD FALL ON PFI FIRM – NOT TAXPAYERS’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/council-admits-costs-sheffield-tree-protests-should-fall-pfi-firm-not-taxpayers-52564

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191116033249/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/council-admits-costs-sheffield-tree-protests-should-fall-pfi-firm-not-taxpayers-52564

    http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/council-admits-costs-of-sheffield-tree-protests-should-fall-on-pfi-firm-not-taxpayers-1-8718077

    57)
    ‘HELL-BENT ON DECEIVING AND MISLEADING CITIZENS’ (14th September 2017 – DL)
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/news/sheffield-city-council-announce-felling-17500-street-ttees.html

    The original version (‘Misinformation & Misrepresentation’), prior to editing by Sheffield Telegraph:

    Ignorance, pig-headedness, and bullying remain the order of the day for the Sheffield Street Trees strategy

    58)
    29th September 2017
    ‘CONFRONTATIONAL’ COUNCIL HAS ‘WASTED’ THOUSANDS IN COURT BATTLES, SAY SHEFFIELD TREE CAMPAIGNERS’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171002164351/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/confrontational-council-has-wasted-thousands-in-court-battles-say-sheffield-tree-campaigners-1-8780113

    59)
    ‘COST OF SUSTAINABILITY’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, The Star and The Yorkshire Post, dated 29th September 2017. Not printed):

    Ignorance, pig-headedness, and bullying remain the order of the day for the Sheffield Street Trees strategy

    60)
    ‘HOW TO MAKE COMPLETELY OPPOSING CLAIMS USING THE SAME SURVEY DATA
    (or: how to cherry-pick)’
    (a blog entry by Dr Dan Olner: a postdoctoral researcher at the Sheffield Methods Institute [The University Of Sheffield], dated 23rd November 2017):
    https://coveredinbees.org.archived.website/node/484.html

    Also see Appendix 2 (pages 143 to 159) of the letter that SORT sent to the SCC Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport (Cllr Terry Fox) dated 29th January 2016:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hRa_tJ6oC09M-dDS

    61)
    Tuesday, 5th December 2017
    WAR MEMORIAL TREES IN SHEFFIELD ‘WOULD COST £500,000 TO SAVE’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171207095438/https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/war-memorial-trees-in-sheffield-would-cost-500-000-to-save-1-8894518

    62)
    Wednesday, 6th December 2017
    ‘CAMPAIGNERS CONTEST ‘JACKED-UP’ £500,000 FIGURE TO SAVE WAR MEMORIAL TREES IN SHEFFIELD’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171207005515/https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/campaigners-contest-jacked-up-500-000-figure-to-save-war-memorial-trees-in-sheffield-1-8896678

    Councillor Jack Scott (SCC Cabinet Member For Transport & SUSTAINABILITY), on BBC Radio Sheffield:

    63)
    ‘HOW TO RETAIN MEMORIAL TREES’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph, The Yorkshire Post & The Guardian, dated 6th December 2017. Not printed):

    Great news and a small victory in the battle to save Sheffield’s street trees

    64)
    Wednesday, 13th December 2017
    ‘CRIES OF ‘SHAME’ GREET DECISION TO FELL WAR MEMORIAL TREES IN SHEFFIELD’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/cries-shame-greet-decision-fell-war-memorial-trees-sheffield-441049

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191121170309/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/cries-shame-greet-decision-fell-war-memorial-trees-sheffield-441049

    65)
    Wednesday, 13th December 2017
    ‘ONLY PROBLEM SHEFFIELD TREES ARE REPLACED’ – COUNCIL CHIEF
    https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/only-problem-sheffield-trees-are-replaced-council-chief-1-8908475

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191120164639/https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/only-problem-sheffield-trees-are-replaced-council-chief-470403
    Quote:
    “‘I WAS THE CABINET MEMBER IN 2005 when the council was awarded the money from the previous Labour Government to carry out a programme to transform the city’s highway network’, WRITES COUN BRYAN LODGE, CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND STREETSCENE at Sheffield Council.”

    66)
    ‘STREET TREES & HIGHWAY RESURFACING’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to to Sheffield Telegraph, The Star & The Yorkshire Post, dated 13th December 2017. Not printed)

    The scandal over Sheffeld’s trees grows – with 16,000 indicated for the chop!!!!!!!

    67)
    Monday, 18th December 2017
    ‘VIGIL STAGED FOR WAR MEMORIAL TREES IN SHEFFIELD FACING THE CHOP’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/vigil-staged-for-war-memorial-trees-in-sheffield-facing-the-chop-1-8916240

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191206203552/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/vigil-staged-war-memorial-trees-sheffield-facing-chop-440847

    68)
    ‘CONCERNED AND UPSET’ (22nd December 2017. PC)
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/your-say/concerned-and-upset-1-8301139

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191203024714/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/concerned-and-upset-450370

    69)
    ‘THE COUNCIL COULD CHANGE ALL THIS!’ (28th December 2017 – AR)
    (published in Sheffield Telegraph. The original version carried the title: ‘Can’t See The Trees For The Wood’).
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7o0jfVXw9hMb9YfFG

    70)
    Monday, 22nd January 2018
    ‘COMPLETELY UNSUSTAINABLE’ – SHEFFIELD MP CALLS ON COUNCIL CONTRACTOR TO HALT TREE FELLING PENDING FURTHER INVESTIGATION
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/completely-unsustainable-sheffield-mp-calls-council-contractor-halt-tree-felling-pending-further-investigation-438775

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191127170630/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/completely-unsustainable-sheffield-mp-calls-council-contractor-halt-tree-felling-pending-further-investigation-438775
    (It was the policing bill that Ms Haigh was referring to as “unsustainable” – not the loss of healthy, mature, structurally sound street trees and the range of valuable eco-system service benefits that they provide to communities and neighbourhoods)

    The response from the Sheffield City Council Director of Culture and Environment (Paul Billington. Responsible for highways):

    The face of protest?

    The face of protest?

    Louise Haigh MP (Labour) had previously participated in one of the early SCC smear campaigns directed by SCC against SORT campaigners, despite having twice received a copy of the letter, dated 14th July, 2015, that the Save our Roadside Trees (SORT) group had sent to the SCC Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport – Cllr Terry Fox:

    Click to access SORT%20Letter%20To%20The%20Cabinet%20Member%20For%20Environment%20%26%20Transport.%2014th%20July%2c%202015_v4D1c.pdf

    71)
    Friday, 23rd February 2018
    ‘POLICE TO INCREASE NUMBER OF OFFICERS AT SHEFFIELD TREE FELLING SITES’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/police-to-increase-number-of-officers-at-sheffield-tree-felling-sites-1-9032344

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191201234451/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/police-increase-number-officers-sheffield-tree-felling-sites-345057

    72)
    Saturday, 10th March 2018
    ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL FORCED TO REVEAL TARGET TO REMOVE 17,500 STREET TREES UNDER PFI DEAL’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/sheffield-council-forced-to-reveal-target-to-remove-17-500-street-trees-under-pfi-deal-1-9056942

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191123032550/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-forced-reveal-target-remove-17500-street-trees-under-pfi-deal-49158

    73)
    13th March 2018:
    ‘COUNCILLOR BRYAN LODGE (SCC CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND STREETSCENE) ON BBC RADIO SHEFFIELD’:
    https://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/news/sheffield-city-council-announce-felling-17500-street-ttees.html

    https://en-gb.facebook.com/100013974575520/videos/392352874573862/

    74)
    STREETS AHEAD COUNCIL ‘SPIN’ (4th April 2018 – AR)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/much-loved-institution-308262

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191115032851/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/much-loved-institution-308262

    The original version (‘Top Spin’), prior to editing by The Star:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7o0jfVXw9hMb9YfFG

    75)
    Wednesday, 11th April 2018
    ‘SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL CHIEF EARNS £40K MORE THAN THE PM’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-city-council-chief-earns-aps40k-more-than-the-pm-436415

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191104165650/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-city-council-chief-earns-aps40k-more-than-the-pm-436415

    76)
    ‘TREES: JUGGLING SUSTAINABILITY, RISK & FEAR’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 13th April 2018. Not printed):

    Chris Packham in Sheffield to see for himself ……


    77)
    Friday, 20th April 2018
    ‘SHEFFIELD TREE FELLING COST POLICE £47K IN OVERTIME IN LESS THAN A MONTH’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-felling-cost-police-47k-in-overtime-in-less-than-a-month-1-9127654

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191122185510/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-felling-cost-police-aps47k-overtime-less-month-436149

    78)
    Wednesday, 25th April 2018
    ‘GROWING CONCERNS LEAD TO RETHINK OVER TREES FOR SHEFFIELD’S WAR DEAD’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180426052541/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/growing-concerns-lead-to-rethink-over-trees-for-sheffield-s-war-dead-1-9134475

    79)
    Wednesday, 9th May 2018
    ‘THE JOB NO SHEFFIELD POLITICIAN WANTS’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/the-job-no-sheffield-politician-wants-1-9155779

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191123021742/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/job-no-sheffield-politician-wants-293650
    Quote:
    “Coun Lewis DAGNALL has become THE FIFTH COUNCILLOR TO TAKE ON THE ROLE OF CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, WHERE THE ONLY REMIT SEEMS TO BE OVERSEEING THE CONTINUING TREE FIASCO.

    Council Leader Julie Dore has repeatedly said the controversial contract with Amey cannot be terminated so is this a case of shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic?

    Coun Dagnall, whose partner is Cabinet Member for Finance Olivia Blake, is a relatively new councillor. He follows in the footsteps of COUNCILLORS JACK SCOTT, JAYNE DUNN, TERRY FOX AND THE RECENTLY DEPARTED BRYAN LODGE WHO HAVE ALL HELD THE POSITION.”

    Continued below…

    Reply
  7. Technotronic says:
    December 15, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    ADDRESSING BILLINGTON’s (SCC) ASSERTIONS – @100 SELECTED NEWS ITEMS

    News items spanning the 2012 to 2020 period
    PART 4 of 4

    80)
    Wednesday, 9th May 2018
    ‘REVEALED: SHEFFIELD COUNCIL REFUSES TO PROVIDE DETAILS TO NEARLY 900 FOI REQUESTS IN THREE YEARS’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/revealed-sheffield-council-refuses-provide-details-nearly-900-foi-requests-three-years-435597

    https://web.archive.org/web/20180509170336/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/revealed-sheffield-council-refuses-to-provide-details-to-nearly-900-foi-requests-in-three-years-1-9155434

    81)
    ‘FELLING HEALTHY TREES IS NO ‘TRIVIAL MATTER’ (11th May 2018 – SR)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/your-say/felling-healthy-trees-is-no-trivial-matter-1-9159554

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191123020400/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/felling-healthy-trees-no-trivial-matter-292892

    82)
    Friday, 18th May 2018
    ‘WHO’S MAKING PLANNING AND TRANSPORT DECISIONS IN SHEFFIELD THIS YEAR’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/who-s-making-planning-and-transport-decisions-in-sheffield-this-year-1-9170803

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191122235754/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/whos-making-planning-and-transport-decisions-sheffield-year-290396
    Quote:
    “COUN JACK SCOTT, CABINET MEMBER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL CHAIR THE CABINET HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE with councillors Olivia Blake, finance, Lewis Dagnall, environment, Jim Steinke, neighbourhoods.

    They will meet regularly to discuss issues which are open to the public. Anyone can also submit questions and petitions to be debated”

    83)
    ‘CAMPAIGNERS DON’T WISH TO STOP IMPROVEMENTS’ (19th June 2018 – AR)
    https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/your-say/letters-utterly-laughable-consultation-exercise-1-9213606

    The original version (‘Lop-sided’), prior to editing by Sheffield Telegraph:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7o0jfVXw9hMb9YfFG

    84)
    3rd August 2018
    ‘CROWDFUND LAUNCHED FOR TREE PROTESTERS COURT COSTS’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180804111102/https://www.thestar.co.uk/our-towns-and-cities/sheffield/crowdfund-launched-for-tree-protesters-court-costs-1-9283862

    85)
    Thursday, 8th November 2018
    ‘MEMORIAL TREES FIRST STEP IN PLANS TO SAVE TREES’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/memorial-trees-first-step-plans-save-treesa-222740

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191127034543/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/memorial-trees-first-step-plans-save-treesa-222740
    Quote:
    “When making the decision, COUN LEWIS DAGNALL, CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND STREETSCENE, SAID they plan to plant 300 more war memorial trees in the city’s parks.

    In a statement, he said:

    ‘IN THE WEEK OF REMEMBRANCE DAY, I AM CONFIRMING THAT WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PLAN TO RETAIN 32 OF THE 35 WAR MEMORIAL TREES that were originally earmarked for replacement. The three that will still be replaced on Western Road are decaying.’
    […]
    WE HAVE ALSO PROPOSED THAT PART OF THE WAY FORWARD IS FOR THE COUNCIL TO DEVELOP A NEW STREET TREE STRATEGY FOR THE CITY, CO-PRODUCED WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. We will also bring forward our overarching trees and woodlands strategy soon.

    There is work still to do in agreeing the detail of how we manage Sheffield’s street trees now and on an ongoing basis. Over the next few weeks we WILL INVITE FURTHER SCRUTINY OF OUR PROPOSALS FROM STAKEHOLDERS, BEFORE WE THEN OPEN A WIDER PUBLIC CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR NEXT STEPS.’”

    86)
    Thursday, 13th December 2018
    ‘FEWER TREES TO BE FELLED IN SHEFFIELD AFTER COUNCIL, CONTRACTOR AND CAMPAIGNERS REACH AGREEMENT’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/fewer-trees-be-felled-sheffield-after-council-contractor-and-campaigners-reach-agreement-188238

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191211152608/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/fewer-trees-be-felled-sheffield-after-council-contractor-and-campaigners-reach-agreement-188238
    Quote:
    “Sheffield Council, contractor Amey and campaigners have reached an agreement over the felling of street trees in the city.
    […]
    In addition, THE TWO SIDES HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE NEED FOR A NEW STREET TREE STRATEGY, TO BE DEVELOPED DURING THE FIRST PART OF 2019 with a wide range of stakeholders, and with the support of an independent chair, WHICH WILL BE USED TO INFORM THE REMAINING PERIOD OF THE STREETS AHEAD PROGRAMME.

    THEY HAVE ALSO JOINTLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HEALTHY STREET TREES SHOULD ONLY BE REPLACED IF NO OTHER PRACTICAL SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND, and, ultimately, that work to improve the city’s highways is welcome and, moreover, needed.

    87)
    ‘MATURE TREES SAVE LIVES’ (long version)
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star & The Yorkshire Post, dated 20th February 2019. Not printed)

    Another one on the Sheffield Street-trees – City Council to apologise

    88)
    ‘MATURE TREES SAVE LIVES’ (short version)
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star & The Yorkshire Post, dated 7th March 2019. Not printed)

    GO GLOBAL STUDENT OPINIONS: Thinking Global / Acting Local

    89)
    SCARBOROUGH’S STREET TREES
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Scarborough News, dated 5th April, 2019. Not printed)

    STUMPED – Urban tree (mis)managment – Environmental Scientist – Ian D. Rotherham March 2019

    90)
    ‘EUROPEAN ELECTIONS & YORKSHIRE’S INCOMPETENT POLITICIANS’
    (Selected extracts from Mr Long’s letter to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 22nd May 2019. Not printed)
    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/statement_to_the_media_respondin#comment-89140

    91)
    ‘LETTER: IT REALLY DIDN’T NEED TO BE THAT WAY’ (23rd July 2019 – RJB)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/opinion/letter-it-really-didnt-need-be-way-487437

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191108010439/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/opinion/letter-it-really-didnt-need-be-way-487437

    92)
    ‘LETTERS: APOLOGY FROM THEM WOULD BE WELCOME’ (29th July 2019 – RJB)
    https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/letters-apology-them-would-be-welcome-487142

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191122034730/https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/letters-apology-them-would-be-welcome-487142

    93)
    ‘SCC MALFEASANCE & INCOMPETENCE?’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 31st July 2019. Includes links to audio evidence. Not printed):

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    94)
    Wednesday, 14th August 2019
    ‘HOW MUCH A REFERENDUM ON HOW SHEFFIELD COUNCIL MAKES DECISIONS WOULD COST AS CAMPAIGNERS EDGE NEARER TARGET’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/how-much-referendum-how-sheffield-council-makes-decisions-would-cost-campaigners-edge-nearer-target-490132

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191204040856/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/how-much-referendum-how-sheffield-council-makes-decisions-would-cost-campaigners-edge-nearer-target-490132

    95)
    Friday, 23rd August 2019
    ‘DEPUTY LEADER OF SHEFFIELD COUNCIL RESIGNS’
    https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/council/deputy-leader-sheffield-council-resigns-491939

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191108005104/https://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/council/deputy-leader-sheffield-council-resigns-491939

    96)
    Sunday, 25th August 2019
    ‘LEAKED EMAILS REVEAL CLASH BETWEEN COUNCIL LEADER AND CABINET MEMBER’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/leaked-emails-reveal-clash-between-council-leader-and-cabinet-member-492095

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191205003010/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/leaked-emails-reveal-clash-between-council-leader-and-cabinet-member-492095

    97)
    Monday, 26th August 2019
    ‘TWO MORE LABOUR COUNCILLORS RESIGN THEIR POSTS’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/two-more-labour-councillors-resign-their-posts-492284

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191104172359/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/two-more-labour-councillors-resign-their-posts-492284

    98)
    Tuesday, 27th August 2019
    ‘THREE MORE RESIGNATIONS IN LABOUR – INCLUDING CABINET MEMBER’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/three-more-resignations-in-labour-including-cabinet-member-492160

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191114212751/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/three-more-resignations-labour-including-cabinet-member-492160

    99)
    Wednesday, 4th September 2019
    ‘NEW DEPUTY LEADER FOR SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/new-deputy-leader-sheffield-council-493783

    https://web.archive.org/web/20191114212004/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/new-deputy-leader-sheffield-council-493783
    Quote:
    “A councillor who mounted a challenge against the Leader of Sheffield Council has a new role – as her deputy.
    COUN TERRY FOX IS THE NEW DEPUTY LEADER OF SHEFFIELD COUNCIL after he stood uncontested at a Labour Group meeting on Monday.

    Coun Fox, who represents Manor Castle, challenged Council Leader Julie Dore for her position following the local elections in May. He lost after the majority of Labour councillors voted to keep Coun Dore as Leader.

    HE HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN A CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT and takes over the reigns as Deputy following the resignation of Coun Olivia Blake, who quit in support of the It’s Our City petition.”

    OF INTEREST (FOX IN ACTION – AUDIO EVIDENCE):
    On BBC Radio Sheffield, on 2nd September 2015, before the second (final) meeting of the SCC/Amey ‘bi-monthly’ Highway Trees Advisory Forum (includes his political smear of tree campaigners, with Louise Haigh MP [Labour] supporting his assertions):
    https://1drv.ms/u/s!AsWguV74n6x7nWRNkKNRlUr4d88b

    FOX & THE FLEXIPAVE DECEPTION:
    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7iQRnbhkCUT1Txjf8
    SOURCE:

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7lRJfG1dgZIARbORF
    SOURCE:

    Chris Packham in Sheffield to see for himself ……

    100)
    ‘SCC MISREPRESENTATION & GREENWASH’
    (Mr Long’s letter to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 10th October 2019. Not printed):

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    THIS WEEK’S NEWS:

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/569406/response/1481194/attach/html/4/FW%20Covered%20by%20LP%20not%20subject%20to%20FOI%20Mon.pdf.html

    Reply
    • Technotronic says:
      January 27, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      84a)
      Monday, 3rd September 2018
      ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL SPENDS £400,000 ON LEGAL BATTLES WITH TREE CAMPAIGNERS’
      https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-spends-aps400000-legal-battles-tree-campaigners-45336

      https://web.archive.org/web/20200112233953/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-council-spends-aps400000-legal-battles-tree-campaigners-45336

      QUOTE:
      “SHEFFIELD COUNCIL HAS SPENT MORE THAN £400,000 PURSUING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ANTI TREE-FELLING CAMPAIGNERS IN THE CITY, it has been revealed.

      A Freedom of Information response to BBC Radio Sheffield said OVER £413,000 HAS BEEN SPENT IN RELATION TO A SERIES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS connected to the Streets Ahead highways maintenance contract it has held with Amey since 2012.
      […]

      THE COUNCIL HAS SPENT AROUND £320,000 ON BARRISTERS’ FEES, AS WELL AS OVER £100,000 IN FIGHTING AGAINST AN ATTEMPTED JUDICIAL REVIEW into the legality of the programme in 2016. In March of that, a judge ruled that a request for a full judicial review was “devoid of merit”.
      […]

      CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND STREET SCENE AT SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL, COUNCILLOR LEWIS DAGNALL SAID:

      ‘MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAVE A LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

      SIMILARLY, THE COUNCIL MUST ACT TO ENSURE IT CAN FULFIL ITS STATUTORY DUTY TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHWAY and keep workers and members of the public safe at all times.’

      TREE-FELLING WORK IN THE CITY HAS BEEN ON HOLD SINCE MARCH as Amey and the council review the way in which work is carried out. It follows a national outcry earlier this year at the use of dozens of police officers and private security guards to support operations in the wake of growing protests.

      Chris Rust, from SHEFFIELD TREE ACTION GROUPS, SAID the council has ‘spent a fortune’ fighting unnecessary legal battles. ‘Tree campaigners want to help find solutions but WE SEEM TO SPEND MORE TIME DEFENDING OURSELVES AGAINST ATTACKS FROM OUR ELECTED COUNCIL,’ he said.

      IN JUNE, IT WAS REVEALED SHEFFIELD COUNCIL HAD PAID £700,000 IN COMPENSATION TO ITS HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR AMEY for work delays caused by its decision to set up an independent panel to advise on its tree-felling strategy – whose expert recommendations to save trees were then mainly rejected.

      A FURTHER £130,000 WAS ALSO SPENT ON THE PANEL’S RUNNING COSTS. Last summer, it was revealed that where the panel had recommended trees were saved, the council rejected the advice on 223 occasions and accepted in only 73 cases.”

      OF INTEREST:

      Breaking news – Leading city councillor responsible for the tree felling programme has resigned…..

      QUOTE:
      “THE FC [FORESTRY COMMISSION] WROTE TO SCC on 26 MARCH 2018…
      That correspondence included A REQUEST TO SUSPEND ALL TREE FELLING OF STREET TREES IN SHEFFIELD that SCC was responsible for UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE….”

      Reply
  8. Technotronic says:
    January 11, 2020 at 11:48 pm

    GOOD RIDDANCE TO TOXIC LEADERSHIP & YEARS OF GROSS INCOMPETENCE, MISCONDUCT, MALADMINISTRATION & MALFEASANCE

    99a)
    Friday, 4th October 2019
    ‘SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-councils-chief-executive-announces-retirement-643165

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200111212009/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/sheffield-councils-chief-executive-announces-retirement-643165
    Quote:
    JOHN MOTHERSOLE HAS TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT HE IS DUE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

    He joined Sheffield City Council in 1998 to take up the role of Executive Director for Development, Environment and Leisure and in 2008 became Chief Executive.

    In a retirement message to the city, he described the role as ‘the best job of my life’.

    He said:
    ‘I HAVE BEEN IN THIS ROLE FOR OVER 11 YEARS and it has been the best job of my life.

    However, nothing goes on forever and when you get to a certain stage in your career, and a certain age, the question of when to stop does become a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’.

    I HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED THAT NOW IS AS GOOD A TIME AS ANY AND SO I PLAN TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.’

    He added:
    ‘I know that the success of THIS COUNCIL IS THE PRODUCT OF THE EFFORTS OF EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR IT AND WITH IT AND OF THE COUNCILLORS WHO ARE ELECTED TO IT.’”

    *****
    OF INTEREST:
    Friday, 4th October 2019 (‘John Mothersole, Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council, announces retirement’):
    https://sheffieldnewsroom.co.uk/news/john-mothersole-chief-executive-of-sheffield-city-council-announces-retirement/

    Other:
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/news/sheffield-city-council-announce-felling-17500-street-ttees2679.html?page=1

    The Sheffield Street Trees Campaign Grows as dissatisfaction comes to a head

    The face of protest?

    100)
    ‘SCC MISREPRESENTATION & GREENWASH’
    (Mr Long’s letter to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 10th October 2019. Not printed):

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    35)
    ‘SCC / AMEY: DECEIT & MISINFORMATION’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 15th November, 2016. Not printed):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    33)
    ‘DECEIT?’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 27th September 2016. Not printed):
    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/comment/605.html#comment-605

    57)
    ‘HELL-BENT ON DECEIVING AND MISLEADING CITIZENS’ (14th September 2017 – DL)
    The original version (‘Misinformation & Misrepresentation’), prior to editing by Sheffield Telegraph:

    Ignorance, pig-headedness, and bullying remain the order of the day for the Sheffield Street Trees strategy

    ‘TREE MASSACRE – A FEW FACTS’
    (References included with a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 10th April 2018. Not printed. See reference #2)

    Chris Packham in Sheffield to see for himself ……

    36)
    ‘SUSTAINABILITY – FELLING – RUSTLINGS Rd’
    (AKA ‘Felling: SCC/Amey Incompetence And Deceit’ & ‘HOW SCC & AMEY GET IT SO WRONG’. A letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 22nd November, 2016. Not printed):

    Like thieves in the night they came to cut down the trees…….

    ‘EUROPEAN ELECTIONS & YORKSHIRE’S INCOMPETENT POLITICIANS’
    (Selected extracts from a letter that Mr Long to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 22nd May 2019. Not printed)

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    *****
    NOTE:
    On 11th January 2020, the toxic leader of Sheffield City Council announced her resignation:

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    Reply
  9. Technotronic says:
    January 27, 2020 at 12:00 am

    IT’S OUR CITY – 26th January 2020

    Today, I attended the public meeting of the It’s Our City! group (IOC), at the ‘Co-Working Space’ Union St (above a café on a street out the southern corner of the Peace Gardens, in the city centre).

    I was there to hear the update. That consisted of presentations and speeches by two of the organisers and took approximately one and a half hours. Other things were organised to follow, but I didn’t stay for those. See:
    https://www.itsoursheffield.co.uk/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200126184248/https://www.itsoursheffield.co.uk/

    As has been reported in the local newspaper, IOC were successful in gathering the requisite number of signatures from Sheffield’s electorate to force Sheffield City Council (SCC) to offer citizens a vote on how the city should be governed. See:

    A Wild Christmas Cheer

    In essence, citizens will get a choice on how we would like our elected representatives – city Councillors – to be involved in the policy and decision-making processes. Our choice will determine whether or not the Councillors that represent where we live in Sheffield get to have a say and whether or not their opinions will be permitted to influence policy and decision-making or whether they can be lawfully ignored. The vote (‘referendum’) will be in May 2020. Before then, SCC MUST PUBLISH AND MAKE PUBLICALLY ACCESSIBLE A DOCUMENT PROVIDING DETAIL OF WHAT IS ON OFFER. IF I REMEMBER RIGHTLY IOC SAID THAT, BY LAW, THAT MUST BE PUBLISHED BY MARCH 2020.

    There will only be two options to choose from, so we are told, as national legislation (the law) only provides two options. We can either stick with the current way things are done or choose the alternative. However, The Local Government Act 2000 (‘LGA 2000’) provides for a choice of three options. This was previously explained in 2016, in a High Court judgement on the case of R [Dillner] v Sheffield CC and Amey Hallam Highways Ltd (when the founder of Sheffield Tree Action Groups went to court over Sheffield’s malpractice in management of its highway tree population). To quote from Section 85 of the judgement:

    “Section 9B of LGA 2000 provides:
    ‘9B Permitted forms of governance for local authorities in England (1) A local authority must operate—
    (a) executive arrangements,
    (b) a committee system, or
    (c) prescribed arrangements.’”

    Section 86 of the judgement states:

    “SCC HAS ELECTED TO FOLLOW THE “EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS” ROUTE. By s 9C of LGA 2000, any function of the local authority which is not specified in regulations under subsection (3) is to be the responsibility of an executive of the authority under executive arrangements. AN EXECUTIVE CAN CONSIST OF either a Mayor and cabinet executive (an elected mayor and two or more councillors appointed by the elected mayor), or TWO OR MORE COUNCILLORS APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTIVE LEADER: see section 9C (1) and (3) LGA 2000. SHEFFIELD HAS OPTED FOR THE LATTER COURSE, WHICH IS DESCRIBED IN THE ACT AS “A LEADER AND CABINET EXECUTIVE.”

    The judgement can be accessed via the following link:

    Click to access dillner-v-scc-judgment.pdf

    The option that Sheffield currently uses – the ‘leader & cabinet executive’ – is commonly referred to as the ‘strong leader’ model of governance, by Sheffield’s cabinet members (the councillors of the ruling political party that get to make all the decisions).

    According to IOC, THE TEXT THAT MUST BE USED ON THE BALLOT PAPER TO PRESENT THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO VOTERS HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED WITHIN LEGISLATION, CANNOT BE CHANGED AND MUST BE AS FOLLOWS:

    “How would you like Sheffield City Council to be run?
    By a leader who is an elected councillor chosen by a vote of the other elected councillors. This is how the council is run now.
    Or
    By one or more committees made up of elected councillors. This would be a change from how the council is run now.”

    SOURCE:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ItsOurCitySheffield/permalink/472992940001334/

    No doubt most people will believe this is a choice between dictatorship or indecision and ridiculous levels of bureaucracy. IOC say they don’t wish to see a return to the style of committees that were previously abandoned prior to adoption of the ‘strong leader’ model. Instead, they believe that, provided SCC consult with appropriate organisations and people with appropriate expertise, a new, modern, efficient and effective committee system can be designed and used.

    We cannot yet know how a new committee system would work, as SCC have yet to design it. If I remember rightly, IOC said that by March 2020 SCC will have had six months to design the committee system that will be offered to us. However, IOC say that they have not been offered any opportunity to participate in design of the new system and that SCC have refused to contact or involve any of the organisations or experts that other Councils (Local Authorities) have used for the task. IOC have said that SCC have said this is because SCC want to maintain ‘control’ of the design process.

    See:
    https://www.itsoursheffield.co.uk/email-to-the-council-getting-help-from-the-national-experts-20-10-19/

    IOC said that other Local Authorities usually take a year or longer to design a new committee system but that SCC is trying to do it in just three months, alone, in secrecy, without stakeholder involvement. IOC said that rather than crack on with designing a new committee system as soon as the petition had triggered a referendum, SCC decided to task its Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee – a mix of selected Councillors and SCC Officers – to come up with some agreed design principles for use when designing a new committee system.

    Despite the reasonably foreseeable inadequacies of a new committee system designed solely by SCC and cobbled together last minute, over a three month period, IOC strongly believe that a new committee system would be far better than the ‘strong leader’ model of governance that SCC currently use and abuse. IOC believe that EVEN IF THE NEW COMMITTEE SYSTEM IS BADLY DESIGNED IT IS STILL HUGELY MORE DESIRABLE THAN THE ‘STRONG LEADER’ MODEL AND THAT THERE WOULD BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS OR INADEQUACIES AS THERE WOULD BE PROVISION FOR REVIEW AND REVISION AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS AND WHEN NECESSARY (as SORT campaigners have argued should be the case with the tree strategy, provided SCC accord with current national good practice guidance) .

    THE CRUCIAL POINT THAT WAS MADE IS THAT ONCE THIS REFERENDUM HAS TAKEN PLACE LEGISLATION DICTATES THAT IT CANNOT BE REPEATED FOR AT LEAST TEN YEARS!

    We have all witnessed just how bad the current way of doing things is, and how wide open it is to misuse and abuse by the ruling political party. We have witnessed how it can be used to silence critics, maintain secrecy, cover wrongful acts and omissions, avoid openness, transparency, auditing and accountability.

    *****
    OF INTEREST:

    ‘EUROPEAN ELECTIONS & YORKSHIRE’S INCOMPETENT POLITICIANS’
    (Selected extracts from a letter that Mr Long to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post, dated 22nd May 2019. Not printed)

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    ‘SCC MALFEASANCE & INCOMPETENCE?’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, dated 31st July 2019. Includes links to audio evidence. Not printed):

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    ‘SCC / AMEY: DECEIT & MISINFORMATION’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Sheffield Telegraph, dated 15th November, 2016. Not printed):

    Important update from Deepa Shetty on behalf of STAG

    ‘IN DEFENCE OF ILLEGAL FELLING: THE SCC SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST CITIZENS’

    Like thieves in the night they came to cut down the trees…….

    Reply
  10. Technotronic says:
    February 10, 2020 at 12:12 am

    THE STAR – Monday, 3rd February 2020

    ‘Sheffield City Council has avoided questions on governance in Big City Consultation’, claims councillor ahead of referendum on the way city is run:
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/sheffield-city-council-has-avoided-questions-governance-big-city-consultation-claims-councillor-ahead-referendum-way-city-run-1383319

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200204150448/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/sheffield-city-council-has-avoided-questions-governance-big-city-consultation-claims-councillor-ahead-referendum-way-city-run-1383319

    QUOTE:

    “SHEFFIELD COUNCIL’S BIG CITY CONSULTATION HAS BEEN CRITICISED FOR ‘AVOIDING’ QUESTIONS ON GOVERNANCE despite being prompted by a petition to change the way the city is run.

    So far there have been 3,112 responses to THE CONSULTATION, WHICH ENDS ON FEBRUARY 14 and aims to find out what changes residents would like to see in Sheffield.
    Residents were contacted through a number of ways including an online survey and events across the city.

    It was triggered when a petition by It’s Our City campaigners successfully called for a referendum on whether the city should be run as it currently is, with a leader and cabinet, or as a committee system.

    THE AUTHORITY’S OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ALSO UNDERTOOK RESEARCH INTO HOW A NEW SYSTEM COULD LOOK.

    But councillor Joe Otten said not enough had been done to prepare for the upcoming vote and put a motion forward for full council discussion this week.

    COUN OTTEN SAID in a statement:
    ‘THE ‘BIG CITY CONVERSATION’ CONSULTATION EXERCISE HAS LARGELY AVOIDED THE GOVERNANCE ISSUES, HAS RUN DOWN THE CLOCK, AND PREVENTED ANY CONSULTATION ON THE OPTIONS THAT WILL BE PUT TO THE REFERENDUM.’

    The poll will take place on the same day as the next local and police and crime commissioner elections on MAY 7.

    Coun Otten urged elected members to do what they could before that date to address issues and said IF THE COUNCIL ACTED SOONER IT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE £170,000 ADDITIONAL SPEND REQUIRED TO HOLD THE REFERENDUM.

    He said:
    ‘MORE TIMELY ENGAGEMENT WITH POPULAR CALLS FOR IMPROVED GOVERNANCE WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THE NEED FOR A COSTLY REFERENDUM, AND AVOIDED BINDING THE CITY TO THE RESULT OF THE REFERENDUM, FOR BETTER OR WORSE.’

    The question that will be put to the public in May is:
    ‘HOW WOULD YOU LIKE SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL TO BE RUN? By a leader who is an elected councillor chosen by a vote of the other elected councillors. This is how the council is run now. Or by one or more committees made up of elected councillors?’

    The issues will be discussed at a full council meeting on today, February 5.”

    The SCC ‘Big Conversation’ survey can be accessed via the following link:
    https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/campaigns/thebigcityconversation

    Reply
  11. Technotronic says:
    March 26, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    THE STAR – Wednesday, 11th March 2020

    ‘COUNCIL AND CAMPAIGNERS REVEAL NEW STRATEGY TO PROTECT SHEFFIELD’S STREET TREES FOLLOWING FELLING CONTROVERSY’

    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/council-and-campaigners-reveal-new-strategy-protect-sheffields-street-trees-following-felling-controversy-2447129

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200312013749/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/council-and-campaigners-reveal-new-strategy-protect-sheffields-street-trees-following-felling-controversy-2447129

    QUOTE:

    “CAMPAIGNERS, AUTHORITIES AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS HAVE PRODUCED A NEW STRATEGY TO PROTECT SHEFFIELD STREET TREES for generations to come, after a controversial saga lasting more than four years.

    IT FOLLOWS NINE MONTHS OF WORK between Sheffield Tree Action Groups – STAG, Sheffield Council, Amey, experts from Natural Capital Solutions, Leeds Council and the Woodland Trust.

    PAUL SELBY, FROM STAG, SAID:

    ‘ASSUMING THE STRATEGY IS ADOPTED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE COUNCIL, residents can be confident their street trees will be protected, sustained, and increased in NUMBER.’

    Collaboration on the plans started after years of rows between STAG, the council and Amey over the £2.2 billion highways management contract called Streets Ahead.

    DURING THAT TIME 5,400 TREES WERE FELLED – ABOUT 600 OF WHICH THE FORESTRY COMMISSION SAID WERE CHOPPED ILLEGALLY. There were also mass protests, arrests and court cases.

    A pause in felling, mediated talks and meetings have allowed them to finally agree a way forward.

    COUN MARK JONES, COUNCIL CABINET MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND STREETSCENE, ADMITTED THE AUTHORITY MADE WRONG DECISIONS IN THE PAST, but was now looking to LEAD on the issue.

    He said:
    ‘Trees matter. Not only do they help improve air quality and support wildlife, but they have also been proven to benefit our mental health.

    We need better and more robust measures in place to make sure trees across Sheffield continue providing value to our natural and urban environment.

    WE’VE NOT ALWAYS GOT THE APPROACH TO STREET TREES RIGHT. However, through the hard work and dedication of the development group and others WE HAVE CREATED THIS NEW STRATEGY, ONE WHICH ensures we listen carefully to all viewpoints and WILL SHAPE HOW WE DO THINGS BETTER.’

    PLANS FOCUS AROUND SIX KEY GOALS:

    SUSTAINABLY AND CAREFULLY MANAGE STREET TREES IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST PRACTICE;

    ENSURE STREET TREES ARE MORE RESILIENT THROUGH the type and age of trees we plant and HOW WE MANAGE CURRENT STOCK;

    Increase the value and benefits of street trees;

    Contribute to a more equal distribution of urban forest across the city to promote health and wellbeing;

    INCREASE STREET TREE CANOPY COVER; and

    INVOLVE THE WIDER COMMUNITY IN CARING FOR AND VALUING STREET TREES.

    CONSULTATION ON THE STRATEGY WILL BEGIN SOON AND RUN UNTIL SPRING 2021, while the group will also seek commitment to the strategy from other stakeholders during this time.

    AFTER THAT IS COMPLETED, A FINALISED PLAN WILL BE PRODUCED AND IMPLEMENTED.

    PART OF THE WORK INCLUDED COMMISSIONING TREECONOMICS TO REPORT ON THE BENEFITS OF SHEFFIELD’S 35,629 STREET TREES.

    IT FOUND THE CURRENT VALUE OF STREET TREE BENEFITS IN THE CITY WAS £7.7 MILLION OVER 80 YEARS AND THE PUBLIC AMENITY VALUE OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD WAS £340m.

    IT ALSO FOUND THE STREET TREES REMOVE THREE TONNES OF AIR POLLUTANTS EVERY YEAR AND STORE 12,000 TONNES OF CARBON, according to Treeconomics.

    Sheffield has a ‘relatively high’ diversity of street tree species, with 187 identified but the majority were rated ‘fair’, meaning they were not either outstandingly good or particularly poor specimens in terms of benefits.

    Two thirds of the tree stock are currently still maturing.

    Going forwards, EACH TREE WILL BE ASSESSED BY A SIX STAGE PROCESS and any street tree that needs to be replaced because it is either dead, dying, diseased, damaged or dangerous will be REPLACED ON A ONE-FOR-ONE BASIS close to the original site.”

    *****
    • 19th of March 2020
    Cllr Julie Dore (Leader of Sheffield City Council) approved and formally adopted the proposed sub-strategy for highway trees (SHEFFIELD PARTNERSHIP STREET TREE WORKING STRATEGY), subjet to ‘call in’, before 26th March 2020, by other Councillors.

    Approval of the Sheffield Partnership Street Tree Working Strategy was sought:
    “AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SHEFFIELD TREES AND WOODLANDS STRATEGY 2018-22, PUBLISHED BY THE COUNCIL IN DECEMBER 2018.”

    SOURCE:
    http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=30206&Opt=0

    • 26th March 2020
    Julie Dore’s decision to approve The Sheffield Partnership Street Tree Working Strategy was approved without being called in and The Sheffield Partnership Street Tree Working Strategy came in to force on 26th March 2020.

    THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT JULIE DORE (SCC LEADER) APPROVED WERE AS FOLLOWS:

    “That the Leader of the Council:

    APPROVES THE NEW SHEFFIELD PARTNERSHIP STREET TREE WORKING STRATEGY AS THE BASIS FOR THE APPROACH TO THE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY’S STREET TREES, noting that the intention is to review the working strategy after one year;

    APPROVES THE ACTIONS IN THE WORKING STRATEGY AS THE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE FIRST YEAR;

    APPROVES THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN ONGOING SHEFFIELD STREET TREE PARTNERSHIP TO DRIVE DELIVERY OF THE ACTIONS IN THE WORKING STRATEGY AND KEEP IT UNDER REVIEW; and

    that at least one representative from Sheffield City Council is a member of the Sheffield Street Tree Partnership.”

    SOURCE:
    http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/mgDecisionDetails.aspx?IId=30206&Opt=1

    *****
    THE STRATEGY DOCUMENT AND FURTHER DETAIL CAN BE ACCESSED VIA ACCESSED VIA THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
    http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=2492

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200319215014/http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=2492

    *****
    OF INTEREST:

    • ‘SHEFFIELD PARTNERSHIP STREET TREE WORKING STRATEGY’
    (published on Tuesday 10th March 2020)
    http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=30206&Opt=0

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200313121033/http://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=30206&Opt=0

    • Wednesday, 11th March 2020
    (SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE)
    ‘Partnership working strategy for city’s street trees is unveiled’
    https://sheffieldnewsroom.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-strategy/

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200313130518/https://sheffieldnewsroom.co.uk/news/sheffield-tree-strategy/

    • THE YORKSHIRE POST – Wednesday, 11th March 2020
    ‘NEW SHEFFIELD STREET TREE STRATEGY BIDS TO PREVENT REPEAT OF BITTER FELLING SAGA’
    https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/new-sheffield-street-tree-strategy-bids-prevent-repeat-bitter-felling-saga-2446863

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200311214025/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/new-sheffield-street-tree-strategy-bids-prevent-repeat-bitter-felling-saga-2446863

    • ‘HOW TO RETAIN MEMORIAL TREES’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star, Sheffield Telegraph, The Yorkshire Post & The Guardian, dated 6th December 2017. Not printed):

    Great news and a small victory in the battle to save Sheffield’s street trees

    • ‘MATURE TREES SAVE LIVES’ (long version)
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to The Star & The Yorkshire Post, dated 20th February 2019.
    Not printed)

    Another one on the Sheffield Street-trees – City Council to apologise

    • ‘SCARBOROUGH’S STREET TREES’
    (a letter that Mr Long sent to Scarborough News, dated 5th April, 2019. Not printed)

    STUMPED – Urban tree (mis)managment – Environmental Scientist – Ian D. Rotherham March 2019

    • FLEXI-PAVE & SCC/AMEY CRIMES:

    Latest from Deepa and the Trees Campaign

    • ‘SHEFFIELD TREE FELLING INVESTIGATION REPORT’
    (by the Forestry Commission, dated 18th July 2019) – Selected extracts (follow the links):

    Breaking news – Leading city councillor responsible for the tree felling programme has resigned…..

    • THE STAR – Tuesday, 10th March 2020
    ‘WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT’ – SHEFFIELD COUNCIL RESPONDS TO CRITICISM OVER ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK RELEASE OF EMAILS ON CONTROVERSIAL TREE FELLING PLANS’:

    A review of some publications from the past

    • THE STAR – Thursday, 19th March 2020
    “Coronavirus: JULIE DORE TO STAY ON AS LEADER OF SHEFFIELD COUNCIL so she can ‘be here during difficult period”

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    Reply
  12. Technotronic says:
    July 17, 2020 at 9:43 am

    • WOODLAND TRUST – Wednesday, 15th July 2020
    ‘WOODLAND TRUST RESPONSE TO TODAY’S ANNOUNCEMENT BY SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL ON THE HALTING OF HEALTHY TREE FELLING’
    https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2020/07/sheffield-felling-halted/

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717084934/https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2020/07/sheffield-felling-halted/

    • COMMENTS ON STAG FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574743719369378/

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574743719369378/?comment_id=1574938746016542&reply_comment_id=1575647632612320

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717092426/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574743719369378/?comment_id=1575584459285304&reply_comment_id=1575594412617642

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717092633/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574743719369378/?comment_id=1575641695946247&reply_comment_id=1575666232610460

    *****

    • THE STAR – Wednesday, 15th July 2020
    ‘PEACE DEAL’ AGREED AS SHEFFIELD TREE-FELLING WAR ENDS AFTER EIGHT YEAR BATTLE
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/peace-deal-agreed-sheffield-tree-felling-war-ends-after-eight-year-battle-2913645

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200716125250/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/peace-deal-agreed-sheffield-tree-felling-war-ends-after-eight-year-battle-2913645

    Yet to be made viewable, Ian:

    Mystery photograph of the day No. 26

    Extracts:

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    • COMMENTS ON STAG FACEBOOK:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574503902726693/

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717090037/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574503902726693/?comment_id=1574519029391847&reply_comment_id=1575366992640384

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717090341/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574503902726693/?comment_id=1574733056037111&reply_comment_id=1575200952656988

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717090740/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574503902726693/?comment_id=1574982309345519&reply_comment_id=1576158689227881

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717091037/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574503902726693/?comment_id=1575893899254360&reply_comment_id=1576164749227275

    • COMMENTS ON TWITTER:
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574824312694652/

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717085615/https://www.facebook.com/groups/392913244219104/permalink/1574824312694652/?comment_id=1575030289340721

    http://web.archive.org/web/20200717091408/https://twitter.com/salthepoet/status/1283315454577119233

    Reply
  13. Technotronic says:
    July 18, 2020 at 4:34 pm

    STAR BIAS: THE FIELDER EFFECT

    …anything to save Labour’s blushes, cover for and distract attention from criminal wrongdoing by Sheffield City Council

    Today is Saturday 18th July 2020. The recent news item published on The Star website – ‘PEACE DEAL’ AGREED AS SHEFFIELD TREE-FELLING WAR ENDS AFTER EIGHT YEAR BATTLE’ – has yet to appear in print, despite being online since Wednesday 15th July 2020. See:

    Mystery photograph of the day No. 26

    Good news and bad for Sheffield’s street-trees

    Mystery photograph of the day No. 79

    Many letters appear on this blog, and on the archived Stocksbridge Community Forom website, that were submitted to The Star or Sheffield Telegraph and were never printed. You may well ask yourself why they were submitted for publication in the first place.

    In 2016, after Save Our Roadside Trees (SORT – Sheffield’s first tree group) had begun, established and developed the city-wide tree campaign, the Editor of THE STAR & SHEFFIELD TELEGRAPH – JAMES MITCHINSON – was promoted to Editor of THE YORKSHIRE POST and a new Editor was appointed to The Star & Sheffield Telegraph – NANCY FIELDER (aparrently, a staunch supporter of the local Labour party – the political party that runs the city – and Labour Party member).

    REPORTING ON TREE RELATED NEWS IN SHEFFIELD THAT FIELDER WOULDN’T TOUCH WITH A BARGEPOLE, THE YORKSHIRE POST WENT ON TO SCOOP NUMEROUS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS for its quality news content, unlike The Star or Sheffield Telegraph.*

    PREVIOUSLY…

    ***
    THE STAR – Wednesday, 13th April 2016
    ‘EDITOR’S COMMENT: PRIDE IN THE CITY OF SHEFFIELD HASN’T LOST ITS SHINE’
    http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/editor-s-comment-pride-in-the-city-of-sheffield-hasn-t-lost-its-shine-1-7849099

    https://web.archive.org/web/20160421031229/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/editor-s-comment-pride-in-the-city-of-sheffield-hasn-t-lost-its-shine-1-7849099
    QUOTE:

    “DAY TWO AS EDITOR…

    You want ours to be the northern city that attracts the big name shops, that boasts groundbreaking developments and has control of its own future.

    JOINED-UP THINKING, POSITIVITY AND ACTION – THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE REALLY DEMANDING.
    […]
    I’ll also be heading on to the streets with some of those who hold the future of the city in their hands – RAISING YOUR QUESTIONS WITH THEM, PASSING ON YOUR IDEAS AND, OF COURSE, KEEPING YOU UPDATED.

    If you want to put your opinions forward or have a suggestion for creating a brighter Sheffield future then DO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.

    You can email me at nancy.fielder@jpress.co.uk; write to me at The Star, York Street, Sheffield, S1 1PU; Tweet @NancyFielder; or just give me a call on 0114 2521340.

    YOU ARE THE LIFEBLOOD of a city that has so much more to offer.

    I hear you loud and clear. BELIEVE ME, I WILL BE PASSING YOUR MESSAGE ON.”

    *****
    UPDATED CONTACT DETAILS:

    e-mail: Nancy.fielder@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk

    The Star; Sheffield Telegraph; Doncaster Free Press

    Editor,
    2, Pinfold Street
    Sheffield
    S1 2GU
    (Telephone number remained unchanged)

    ***
    THE STAR – Tuesday, 3rd January 2017
    ‘FEATURE: 2017 NEEDS TO BE A YEAR OF ACTION FOR SHEFFIELD…’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170814124941/http://www.thestar.co.uk/business/feature-2017-needs-to-be-a-year-of-action-for-sheffield-1-8314874
    QUOTE (Nancy Fielder, Editor):

    “So that’s my wish list and that is exactly where your Star will be throughout 2017.

    Campaigning, pushing, cajoling and demanding on your behalf – definitely.

    Sharing your moans like a neighbour with a listening ear and cuppa – of course.

    The focus must remain on the big schemes and headline grabbers but WE WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE SMALLER SCHEMES AND PROJECTS THAT TRANSFORM STREETS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.

    DO GET IN TOUCH AND TELL ME your wish list for your city or area.”

    ***
    SHEFFIELD TELEGRAPH – Thursday 16th November 2017
    ‘TELEGRAPH VIEW: DIVIDE CHOPPING THROUGH CITY’
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171116130806/http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/telegraph-view-divide-chopping-through-city-1-8859758
    QUOTE (comment from the Editor – Nancy Fielder):

    “IT SHOULDN’T MATTER WHO IS MOST VOCAL OR WHO HAS THE CLEVEREST PR CAMPAIGN, but it seems to have come down to that.
    […]
    MOST OF ALL SHEFFIELD’S REPUTATION IS PAYING DEARLY…

    I believe journalism should inform, educate and entertain. I’m not finding much to smile about with regard to these divisions right now but I WILL NEVER WAVER FROM TRYING TO GIVE ALL SIDES EQUAL SAY.

    The more passionately you feel about this, the more YOU PROBABLY THINK I AND THE TELEGRAPH ARE BIASED OR NOT DOING ENOUGH.”

    ***
    THE STAR – Thursday, 15th February 2018
    ‘LORD MAYOR OF SHEFFIELD “ABUSED AND ‘BULLIED” BY TREE CAMPAIGNERS AT PROTEST EXHIBITION LAUNCH’
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/lord-mayor-of-sheffield-abused-and-bullied-by-tree-campaigners-at-protest-exhibition-launch-1-9018557

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200228204013/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/lord-mayor-sheffield-abused-and-bullied-tree-campaigners-protest-exhibition-launch-437311

    ***
    THE STAR – Thursday, 8th March 2018
    ‘INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: AMNESTY LAUNCHES THE ‘SUFFRAGETTE SPIRIT’ MAP OF BRITAIN FEATURING TEN SOUTH YORKSHIRE WOMEN’

    (Three SORT women included: Louise Wilcockson, Freda Brayshaw & Jenny Hockey)
    https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/international-women-s-day-amnesty-launches-the-suffragette-spirit-map-of-britain-featuring-ten-south-yorkshire-women-1-9053272

    https://web.archive.org/web/20200217165213/https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/international-womens-day-amnesty-launches-suffragette-spirit-map-britain-featuring-ten-south-yorkshire-women-330560

    *****
    NOTE:

    Early coverage of the city-wide tree campaign by The Star & Sheffield Telegraph happened while Mr Mitchinson was Editor and was quoted and referenced in SORT communications. Those can be accessed via the following links:**

    https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsWguV74n6x7hRa_tJ6oC09M-dDS

    http://stocksbridgecommunity.org.archived.website/news/sheffield-city-council-announce-felling-17500-street-ttees.html

    A Wild Christmas Cheer

    ** Content includes both the SORT & Nether Edge petition hand-outs that were distributed, on behalf of campaigners, to every City Councillor, by John Turner – Sheffield City Council Democratic Services Legal and Governance Resources.

    * See:

    Friday, 17th May 2019
    ‘YORKSHIRE POST WINS IN THREE CATEGORIES AT REGIONAL PRESS AWARDS’
    https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/uk-news/yorkshire-post-wins-three-categories-regional-press-awards-1755044

    Monday, 8th June 2020
    ‘THE YORKSHIRE POST SHORTLISTED IN SEVERAL CATEGORIES FOR MAJOR AWARDS’
    https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/consumer/yorkshire-post-shortlisted-several-categories-major-awards-2877361

    *****
    For some examples of coverage of ‘tree news’ by The Yorkshire Post, see:

    IN DEFENCE OF ILLEGAL FELLING: THE SCC SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST CITIZENS:

    Like thieves in the night they came to cut down the trees…….

    VERY IMPORTANT TREE NEWS (5yr TMS):

    A review of some publications from the past

    IMPORTANT NEWS ARCHIVE (10th August 2017 to 19th October 2018):

    Sheffield Tree Campaign back in the national news in the Guardian

    Reply

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