City Centre Labour Party members last night selected Beth Knowles to fight the city centre seat in 2014, taking on Lib Dem former Lord Mayor Elaine Boyes.

25 year old Beth, who lives in the city centre and works as an organiser for the public sector trade union UNISON, is a leader of the ‘New Leaf’ city centre green space campaign group. She also has a leading role in the campaign to stop the spread of high stakes casino gaming machines in betting shops in the city centre.

Speaking after the selection meeting, Beth said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be selected and I look forward to continuing to work with Joan and Kevin on important issues like licensing, green space and halting the proliferation of betting shops and payday lenders.”

City centre councillor Kevin Peel said:

“Over the last two years we have shown that Labour councillors working with a Labour council can get things done for city centre residents. We’ve had results on licensing, planning, highways improvements and green space.

“Beth is already hard at work in the city centre, she understands the issues and she is passionate about getting things done. She’ll be an excellent addition to our team.”

City centre councillor Joan Davies said:

“Beth’s energy and enthusiasm shine through in everything she does. Her work to improve green space in the city centre is already showing results. She will be a powerful advocate for city centre residents at the town hall.”

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell has signed a motion against Government changes which deny communities the right to shape their high streets and stop payday lending and betting shops taking over.

On 9th May 2013 the Government laid before Parliament The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013. It came into force on 30th May 2013 and changed the rules on high street planning without any parliamentary debate.

The new rules mean that a number of types of business will no longer have to apply for permission to convert a building for a new business use. This will make it easier for payday lenders, betting shops, fast food restaurants and the other businesses to continue their sprawl along the high streets and will make it harder for councils and communities to have a say in the future of their town centres.

City centre councillor Kevin Peel said:

“This is the opposite of what our high streets need. Nationally there are 20% more payday loan shops than a year ago and 3.3% more betting shops. These are taking the place of independent retailers, clothes shops and health food shops.”

Labour wants to give new powers to councils and local people to support their high streets, by allowing councils to encourage the types of businesses they want to see whilst cutting down on the spread of others like payday lenders.

Lucy Powell MP said:

“Our high streets should be at the heart of our communities but too many shops in Manchester are lying empty or being forced out by more and more payday lenders and betting shops.

I want to see real powers given to local people to stand up for their high street and ensure that it is somewhere that they and their neighbours want to shop and spend time.

The fact that the Government is doing the opposite of what Labour has been calling for by denying, rather than strengthening, the right of local people to have a say in the future of their high streets is simply shocking.”

Manchester City Council will be ‘Flying the Flag’ above the Town Hall today to raise awareness of the impacts of hate crime, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities.

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) is marked every year on May 17th across the world to remember the date that homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation; May 17th 1992.

IDAHO is also an opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution LGBT communities make to Manchester and we encourage other organisations and individuals to do the same.

MCC continues to support our partners and communities across the city to challenge these issues through a number of initiatives including the recently published Manchester Hate Crime Strategy, developed in partnership with GMP and the Crown Prosecution Service, through the city’s refreshed equalities funding programme and by working closely with organisations such as the Lesbian and Gay Foundation on their ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign and LGBT Youth North West on their educational work with young people to tackle homophobia.

Councillors Kevin Peel and Bev Craig, Lead Members for LGBT issues on Manchester City Council, said:

“IDAHO reminds us how far we have come, but the brutal rape and murder of a gay man in Russia last week shows us how far we still have to go.

“Manchester City Council has a record it should be proud of in standing up for the rights of LGBT people in the city and long may it continue.

“Over the next year we’ll be looking at what we can do to promote our values of fairness and equality to other cities around the world where being lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans isn’t so accepted.”

To mark IDAHO and to launch the next phase of the Enough is Enough! Action against Homophobia campaign, MCC and LGF are asking you to ‘Kiss Hate Goodbye’ in the city centre on Saturday 18th May. For further information please visit http://www.lgf.org.uk/Take-Action/kiss-hate-goodbye

This article first appeared in the Manchester Evening News on Monday 13th May. You can view it here.

Bosses at the Printworks club have applied to extend their current opening hours by two hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

A nightclub with one of the highest police call-outs in Manchester wants to stay open until 5.30am.

Bosses at Tiger Tiger in the Printworks have applied to extend their current opening hours by two hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Withy Grove venue also wants to increase serving alcohol from 3am until 5am.

The M.E.N. revealed on Saturday that police and council chiefs are considering hitting bars with a ‘late-night tax’ to cover the cost of policing the city centre at weekends.

This year, we reported on a list of Greater Manchester pubs, clubs and bars with the highest number of police call- outs. Tiger Tiger had the second highest number over two years – at 496.

Bosses at the club, and pub and club industry leaders, argued the figures were misleading and included incidents in the streets around the venue.

Tiger Tiger was named Best Bar None venue – an award for security and safety – four years running, a spokesman said.

But city centre councillor Kev Peel is writing to town hall licensing bosses objecting to Tiger Tiger’s application over fears of increased booze-related violence and disorder.

Coun Peel said: “It’s just not on. Closing times keep getting later and later. A lot of serious and violent crime happens after 3am, when people are so drunk they’re out of control. It’s going to cause more problems by 5.30am.”

He said he would call on city centre residents to make their feelings known at the town hall.

Information released by Greater Manchester Police showed that Tiger Tiger had 496 call-outs over two years, with 280 for 2012, and 216 for 2011.

The offences included robbery/theft, assaults and rowdy behaviour. The highest month was September 2012, when police were called out 39 times.

City centre chief Coun Pat Karney said: “I will look at this licence application very carefully. We are keeping an eye on all late-night venues in the city centre, particularly those with a large number of police call-outs.”

Phil Burke, spokesman for Manchester Pub and Club Network, warned against police figures, stating the call-out numbers include incidents on the streets around the venue and not just inside. He said licensing teams could ‘kill the night-time economy by stifling successful and responsible bars’.

He said: “If venues want to stay open until 5.30am, fine. There are plenty of conditions the council can use to make sure they keep in line with their licence and act responsibly.”

Information released by GMP shows officers were called to more than 4,000 venues a total of 56,298 times over the two years – 29,884 in 2011 and dropping to 26,414 in 2012.

5th Avenue on Princess Street in the city centre topped the list.

Tiger Tiger only plan to extend their opening hours to 5.30am on Friday and Saturday nights, with the venue closing at 3.30am on Sunday to Thursday.

A bar spokesman said: “Tiger Tiger has been established for 14 years , is Manchester’s busiest and biggest venue with 700,000 customers through the door per year and is also a local landmark. It is a very successful business, supports the local economy employing 150 people, pays its taxes and is a hugely popular element of the city’s nightlife

“This is a best-in-class run club with an enviable record built on high standards that works hand in glove with the Manchester authorities including the police.

“Tiger Tiger has been acclaimed Best Bar None four years in a row in recognition of its status as Manchester’s safest and best-run venue.”

Our latest city centre leaflet is now ready – and you can have a sneak preview online!

CC Leaflet May 2013

Our leaflet will be delivered to every apartment in the city centre over the next few weeks. If you don’t get one it means we don’t have access to your building. If you’d like to give us access or help out by delivering the leaflet in your block please get in touch with Cllr Kevin Peel.

- Tenants and landlords will have mandatory access to redress when they are let down by letting and managing agents.

- Government u-turn follows Labour campaign to secure better rights for tenants and landlords.

Legislation that will give mandatory access to an Ombudsman Scheme for tenants and landlords scorched by poor letting agents and managing agents will now be put forward by the Coalition Government following a concerted campaign by Labour MPs and Peers.

Labour secured debates in the House of Commons on 23rd January and 27th February to discuss private sector housing and our proposals for regulation of letting and managing agents to protect tenants and landlords, however this was dismissed by the Government.

Following a Government defeat in the House of Lords on an amendment moved by Labour Peer Baroness Hayter which would require letting agents to belong to an Ombudsman Scheme, the Government announced in a letter to Lucy Powell MP that it will be supporting this proposal and plans to introduce secondary legislation to bring it about.

City centre councillor Kevin Peel, who has long campaigned for regulation in this area, said:

“This is a victory for tenants and residents who are being let down by poor letting and managing agents who see no incentive to improve their service.

“A key aim of the housing campaign we started with Lucy Powell MP last year was to secure changes in the law that give better protections to tenants and landlords. We brought senior Labour figures to Manchester to hear directly from city centre residents about the need for action.

“This is the first step in that direction but we have a long way to go.”

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell, who spoke in the Parliamentary debate about this issue, said:

“Labour have led the way on calling for regulation of managing and letting agents and for reform of the wider private housing sector which has too often seen individual tenants unable to guarantee even a minimum standard of service from agents.

“I am pleased that under growing pressure for action, the Government have finally listened and come round to the obvious reality that tenants should be guaranteed access to the Ombudsman. This is a really good first step and will be welcome news to many residents in Manchester, but we could go further still in ensuring that residents are not left to the whim of unscrupulous agents.”

Labour’s Baroness Dianne Hayter, who put forward the amendment in the Lords which forced the Government into action, wrote on her blog:

“The Government’s eleventh hour concession is a great victory for commonsense; and a victory for every tenant and landlord who rely on such agents to rent or look after their property.”

Labour’s Shadow Housing Minister Jack Dromey, who came to Manchester city centre last year to discuss this issue with tenants, tweeted the following:

“Government U-turn compelling letting agents to join a redress scheme for tenants & landlords must be the first step and not the last word!”

We’ll be campaigning to ensure it is not the last word.

Download Labour’s policy review document on private sector housing here.

City centre councillor Kevin Peel and local MP Lucy Powell met with the senior management of Guinness Northern Counties to raise the concerns of city centre residents.

Following a series of complaints from residents of India House, Granby House and Lancaster House, Lucy Powell MP and city centre councillor Kevin Peel called a meeting with the Managing Director and senior management team of Guinness Northern Counties to ask for action to be taken to address the concerns of residents.

Concerns about repairs, service charges, security and communications were at the top of the agenda.

City centre councillor Kevin Peel said:

“Our meeting was constructive and the senior management of GNC seemed willing to take on board the concerns we raised on behalf of residents.

We agreed to organise a series of walkabouts of the properties in question which I will attend with members of the GNC team. We will also be organising a drop-in session for residents to meet with GNC’s senior team along with councillors, Lucy and local service providers.”

Jobseekers will get the chance to meet employers who are ready to recruit at Manchester’s largest open jobs fair.

Entry to Job City 2013, which will be held at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 26 February (12 – 5pm), is free. At least 40 employers and training providers are set to attend, including the Royal Bank of Scotland, British Gas, BAM Construction and the Co-operative Group.

Employers from a broad range of sectors have pledged to attend, including companies offering positions in customer services, hospitality, construction, health and beauty, gas engineering and web development. Jobs are also available in health and social care, sales and marketing, manufacturing, logistics, education and finance roles.

After a quick and easy registration process, attendees can head straight for the main exhibition space, where recruiting companies have live vacancies they are waiting to discuss.

Attendees can also take advantage of free training sessions being held on the day, for help in CV building, basic retail skills and tips on making job applications.

The event is suitable for anyone who is looking for a new role, from those looking to take their very first steps on the employment ladder to those with more experience who are interested in a change of career.

Follow-up interview sessions with some of the recruiting companies will be held at the Employers Suite in Manchester city centre shortly after the event, offering a quick potential path from initial discussions to a concrete job offer.

Training providers will also be on hand to provide information and guidance about the sort of courses residents can access to unlock new job opportunities. Guidance on how to manage the transition into work, for example by managing your money, will be on offer, as well as information on apprenticeships and volunteering.

City centre councillor Kevin Peel said:

“With the economic choices of this Government leaving millions unemployed, including one million young people – 120,000 right here in the North West – it is Labour councils who must take the lead and help our residents to get into work.

“I would urge anyone who is looking for a new role to take this chance to speak to recruiting employers and training providers face-to-face. This is not a careers fair where people gather information, this is a jobs fair, which brings together people who are looking for work with companies who want to employ.”

Job City 2013 will be held in the East Stand of the Etihad Stadium, Manchester M11 3FF. Attendees should arrive via Entrance F.

A new licence application has been received to re-open Krunchy Fried Chicken on Bloom Street, following the recent licence review called by GMP which saw the licence revoked.

A summary of the new application is included below. Please note that in order to submit a valid comment to the licensing authority, you must e-mail premises.licensing@manchester.gov.uk specifying the reference number for the application you are commenting on by midnight on Tuesday 12th March. Please copy your Labour councillors in to your submission if you wish us to represent your views.

Your submission should include your full address and your comments should reference one or more of the licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

All representations we receive will be included in our own submission to the licensing authority and we will represent residents at the hearing.

Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates)
Application Type: Premises Licence (new)
Premises: Krunchy Fried Chicken, 43 Bloom Street
Application Ref: LPA149901
 
Proposed trading hours for the provision of late night refreshment: Sun to Thur 2300 to 0400   |   Fri to Sat 2300 to 0500

Proposed opening hours for the premises: Sun to Thur 1000 to 0400   |   Fri to Sat 1000 to 0500

In an effort to ensure wider awareness of planning and licensing applications in the city centre, your local Labour councillors will now be publishing details of pertinent applications on our website.

A new licence application has been received for 10 Canal Street under the name ‘Saphrau’. Residents may be aware that this premises holds Crunch, which has submitted two applications in recent weeks for a new members club on the first floor and amendments to the hours of the bar on the ground floor. These applications are pending and are due to be heard by the licensing committee on 12th March, at which Cllr Kevin Peel will be present to represent those residents who have contacted councillors.

A summary of the new application is included below. Please note that in order to submit a valid comment to the licensing authority, you must e-mail premises.licensing@manchester.gov.uk specifying the reference number for the application you are commenting on by midnight on Tuesday 12th March. Please copy your Labour councillors in to your submission if you wish us to represent your views.

Your submission should include your full address and your comments should reference one or more of the licensing objectives:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

All representations we receive will be included in our own submission to the licensing authority and we will represent residents at the hearing.

Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises certificates)
Application Type: Premises Licence (new)
Premises: Saphrau, 10 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3EZ
Application Ref: LPA149875
 
Proposed trading hours for the provision of regulated entertainment (plays, films,live music, recorded music, performances of dance and anything of a similar description to live music, recorded music or performances of dance): Mon to Thur 1100 to 0400   |   Fri to Sat 1100 to 0530   |   Sun 1100 to 0400

Proposed trading hours for the provision of late night refreshment: Mon to Sun 2300 to 0500

Proposed trading hours for the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises only: Mon to Thur 1100 to 0400   |   Fri to Sat 1100 to 0530   |   Sun 1100 to 0400

Proposed opening hours for the premises: Mon to Sun 0000 to 0000 (24 hours)