Favoured areas policy leaves most of Sheffield in the Dark

11.33.44am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 28th Oct 2005

In the Dark

The Labour run Sheffield City Councils 'favoured areas' policy has come under fire for potentially risking the safety of many citizens across Sheffield. Liberal Democrats have condemned the Labour Council for putting 'political motives before the safety of the people of Sheffield'. The policy will see work on repairing streetlights done in areas identified by Labours policy before other areas with higher night time crime statistics.

The policy will also see work on roads, footpaths and trees on the identified 'favoured areas' done before other areas that have greater need. Liberal Democrats are in favour of putting extra resources into deprived areas to help regenerate and support those in greatest need in Sheffield. But Lib Dems do not support using deprivation as a key factor in deciding priority on vital basic services like road maintenance and streetlight maintenance.

Lib Dems are particularly highlighting the streetlight issue. They believe that the Council are putting the public at risk by neglecting repair work in the 'non-favoured' areas. They are using the example of known crime hotspots in areas like the general cemetery and areas of deprivation such Winn Gardens that are not in Labours favoured area.

The favoured area policy is also supported by the Tories in Sheffield. They have also come under fire from the Lib Dems for supporting Labour and paving the way for poor basic services in the area they represent in the South West of the City.

Cllr Paul Scriven, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: -

Cllr Paul Scriven

"Labours favoured area policy is putting the safety of the citizens of Sheffield at risk. The message from Labour is that if you don't live in their favoured area then your personal safety isn't a concern to them. To most it will appear Labour are putting political motives before the safety of all the people of Sheffield"

"This policy will see work done on repairing streetlights prioritised by area, not the amount of crime committed. So crime hotspots in places like Frog lane, near the general cemetery, where a number of young women have been sexual assaulted will be neglected. Also places like Winn Gardens at the other side of the City which could much do with more investment will be ignored as they are not deprived enough to be one of Labours chosen few favourites. The same is true on potholes; roads with fewer potholes in the favoured areas will be repaired first. This is straightforward political favouritism"

"We are in favour of giving deprived areas all the support they need to help those who through extra support in health, education and housing could be empowered to meet their full potential. But, unlike Labour, we don't believe basic services should be taken away from the rest of Sheffield. Work on streetlights and potholes should be based purely on need"

"Its clear that we are the only party in the Council who are against this policy. Even though the policy sees most of the City neglected including the South West of the City that makes it incredible that the Tories fully support the idea of repair work being done in Labours favoured areas. I urge Labour and the Tories to re-think their position and put the safety and interests of the whole of Sheffield first based on need. This policy will mean that we all pay our council tax and end up with favouritism for the few not fairness, safety and good basic services for all"