7th March 2008

Bernard's Budget Speech to Sheffield Budget Council. March 7^th 2008.

On the understanding there will be NO cuts in front line services the
Green Group has secured five measures within the Labour Budget

A Sunday bus service on New Years Day.

Extra pedestrian crossings.

A support package for The South Yorkshire Energy Centre.

A pilot project to extend recycling facilities across Darnal and
Sheffield Central.

A post in Creative Sheffield to support existing businesses being driven
out by the impact of City Centre Development.

I will talk about our public transport measure, support for pedestrians
and local businesses.

New Years Day is a difficult time for a third or the population of
Sheffield with no access to a car. Many of these people will effectively
be stranded at home. If Sheffield is wanting to be a socially inclusive
and Green ..... extending access to public transport for all should be a
priority.

The New Years Day bus service will be a Sunday service for the whole of
Sheffield. Costing £37,000 it will operate between 9 am and 6pm.

Over the next year I want Sheffield and South Yorkshire to take the lead
in our push for the re-regulation of our bus services. A regulated bus
service will enable reluctant car drivers to leave their cars at home.
It is a vital step in the need to tackle congestion and dangerous levels
of obesity.

Support for pedestrians should be at the top of our regional and local
transport funding strategy. Walking is good for health.

Sustained investment in walking is a vital component of making our
neighbourhoods safe and secure. It is good for local shops and the economy.

We have secured two hundred thousand pounds for an extra 10 to 15 zebra
crossings at particularly dangerous spots spread across the whole of
Sheffield.

The City Centre Master Plan is driving once thriving local independent
businesses out of business. These businesses face problems from extended
period of road works...as a result of laying the infrastructure for the
New Retail Quarter.

Rising rents.... as a result of higher land values and unfair competition.

Long term disruption from building contractors.

A change in the nature of people shopping in the city centre,

Compulsory Purchase Orders and business relocation.

There is no existing support for these local businesses because their
problems are largely unrecognised.

We have secured a post within Creative Sheffield to provide help for
these businesses.

We will monitor how this process operates and develop strategies to help
small firms.

From this small beginning we can start to give this essential community
a voice and work alongside organisations like the Federation of Small
Businesses to develop a resilient, thriving low carbon and resource
efficient local economy.

These Green Party supported measures will show the people of Sheffield
that we are able to deliver on our promises and that the Green Party's
influence in the city continues to grow.