Labour launch local manifesto: Party hope to maintain majority on 2 May

Labour have launched their manifesto for Sheffield ahead of the upcoming local elections.

Titled 'Forging Fairer Futures', the document sets out the party's agenda if they keep their majority on 2 May.

Labour have committed to bringing forward a target date to make Sheffield a carbon neutral city.

"Currently the target is 2050 but by working with the city's partners we will ensure that a new target of 2030 will be set, if not before," reads the manifesto.

Groups including Extinction Rebellion have been pushing for the target date to be brought forward since a motion declaring a climate emergency was passed in February.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto matches the 2030 target, with the party also promising to establish a citizen's assembly to develop policies aimed at meeting the target.

Another headline proposal in the Labour manifesto is the party's pledge to "establish a municipal energy company" to tackle rising household bills.

To tackle the low quality of much of the city's private housing, the party have proposed "a charter of tenants' rights and responsibilities", and have said that they will "continue to work with tenants to make sure homes are warm and safe."

Despite some general statements of sympathy with tenants, we did not get any concrete commitments on citywide licensing from Labour councillors

The renters' union ACORN told Now Then that they were "disappointed that the Labour manifesto for the upcoming local elections does not commit the party to implement citywide licensing."

"Despite some general statements of sympathy with tenants, we did not get any concrete commitments on citywide licensing from Labour councillors," they said. "Now we know why."

"We are disappointed that they have not backed up their claim to support tenants with a commitment to a policy that would actually put it into practice."

Labour's 2018 local manifesto of the same name said that the Council would "study the economic and pollution impact of a Workplace Parking Levy and consult residents and businesses on the best way to implement this."

The proposed Workplace Parking Levy is not mentioned in the new manifesto.

The new manifesto also pledges to "introduce live webcasting for council meetings", but as Now Then reported in March, this has already been installed in the council chamber.

The Conservatives, who have had no councillors in Sheffield since 2008, have published a list of local priorities.

Currently the target is 2050 but by working with the city's partners we will ensure that a new target of 2030 will be set, if not before

These include a pledge to help Sheffield businesses by "reversing unfriendly road layouts and excessive parking charges" and supporting "better performing and more disciplined schools."

In their manifesto, the Liberal Democrats pledge to install air quality monitors in schools as well as "hold the Streets Ahead contractor to account."

The Green Party's local manifesto says that they will "create new jobs in renewable energy and energy-saving measures for homes and businesses" as well as promising an end to "big private contracts."

The Labour cabinet have been contacted for comment on the future of the Workplace Parking Levy.

Sam Gregory

Read Labour's 2019 Sheffield manifesto Forging Fairer Futures.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on 12 April.