Dear supporters
As you know, Alan Robshaw passed away, very sadly, in May 2020. A huge loss to the SORT campaign & to the Street Tree Campaign in Sheffield, full stop.
What you will not know, is that Alan had been in correspondence with the Local Government Ombudsman for the last few years. Alan had lodged a private complaint about Sheffield City Council’s illegal felling of healthy street trees, and in particular, the way that they had handled the scandalous night fellings on Rustlings Road, on 17th November 2016.
The LGO findings were published today and they are damning.
Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3dpupDj
Yorkshire Post: https://bit.ly/3k056dk
STAG (Sheffield Tree Action Groups) response: https://bit.ly/3jZKG4b
Response from Alan’s daughter, Rosanna Faith: https://bit.ly/33Z3KKp
Chris Burn Twitter thread: https://bit.ly/2FsTq3Q
Some of you may wish to register your feelings about SCC’s failings, with your MP (https://bit.ly/3k2dWrg ) & Cllrs (https://bit.ly/3nKBjYB ) Ask them what steps are in place to prevent such an abuse of power happening again?
Especially with Cllr Mark Jones, who is currently the Cabinet Member in charge of the disastrous Streets Ahead experiment. Cllr Jones can be contacted here: mark.jones@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk & here: 07472501187.
I would also encourage all of our supporters to get behind the #ItsOurCity campaign, which aims to change our system of governance in Sheffield from the failed ‘Strong Leader’ model, which has allowed Labour Cllr Julie Dore to repeatedly abuse her power as Council Leader…
To a fairer, more collaborative, cross party approach with important decision-making via a ‘Committee’ system. The referendum will be at the next elections, so make sure you vote!
Website: https://www.itsoursheffield.co.uk/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3j73Y6J
Cllr Jones is on Radio Sheffield tomorrow morning (Thurs 15th Oct 2020) speaking to Toby Foster, just before 8am. What will his response be to the LGO's findings?
“Transparency goes to the heart of trust in decision making. It is at the heart of good administration. We consider one of the root causes of the significant loss of trust the Council suffered in carrying out its Streets Ahead policy, felt by Mr G and many others, lies in its lack of transparency, openness and on occasion, honesty. "
Will be interesting listening! As always, thank you to everybody, wherever you are, for all that you do for trees. It is all seen and appreciated. Honesty & transparency from those elected to represent us, continue to be paramount. Make your voices heard!!!
In Solidarity
Dr Deepa Shetty
Founding member of the SORT campaign