Devolution needs to be stopped and rethought

Let me just say it. Its time to stop the Greater Manchester Devolution. 

Stop it, rethink it. 

There seems to be so much wrong with this process that, not only is there an independent campaign calling for a referendum [1] but even Greater Manchester’s local newspapers, including the Manchester Evening News, have bandied together to form a ‘Fair Devolution’ campaign [2] to get a better deal. 

So what are some of the things wrong?

Housing. The £300 million pound fund [3] has mainly gone to private developers despite there being over 80,000 people on Greater Manchester housing waiting lists [4] and a sharp rise in homelessness. As it is currently structured it is very difficult for social landlords to access this fund to build badly needed social housing. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Health. The health budget (offered at £6 billion) [5] has been devolved and is thought to be between £1 to 2 billion less than it needs to run properly [6]. This will cause even further strain on the regional NHS. It remains to be seen if this regional approach is a threat to how the NHS operates as a whole. [7] 

Democracy. The majority of people in Greater Manchester know very little about this devolution process at the moment. The last time the issue of an elected mayor came up it was rejected by Manchester [8]. Having the role now imposed as part of the devolution deal, the interim Mayor was chosen with no opportunity for public discussion or public hustings [9]. The forthcoming full Mayoral elections will require a substantial amount of money to run [10]. This greatly narrows the field of potential candidates.

As it stands, devolution doesn’t address the towns ‘left behind’ in Greater Manchester [11], the cuts to the police [12] or local Councils [13]. And it should do all of these things as well as being good for business [14].

Crucially, in addition, this devolution, ignores the potential of the process to reignite the Climate Change and Poverty agendas that are critical to the future for all of us.

Devolution as policy and principle is a good thing. When its works properly, it allows people to have a greater say in democracy, it allows greater responsiveness to the needs of those people. But that is not what is happening in Greater Manchester.

In Greater Manchester, a historic opportunity is becoming a badly thought through mess. Innovation is no guarantee of progress.

The Green Party in Manchester, as the second largest party in the city by vote, want a proper say for the people of this region.

Its not too late to stop this version of devolution. And rethink it.

Notes

1. https://www.facebook.com/devolutionreferendumcampaign/
2. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchester-devolution-fair-deal-campaign-10205154
3. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/300m-housing-fund-designed-unlock-9570783
4. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/388698/LT_600.xlsx
5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-31615218
6. http://clahrc-gm.nihr.ac.uk/2015/11/helping-to-understand-health-and-social-care-devolution-in-greater-manchester/
7. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/nov/11/devolving-health-social-care-manchester-nhs; http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/health/andy-burnhams-warning-over-swiss-cheese-8721228 
8. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17949950
9. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-32332399;     http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/tony-lloyd-chosen-greater-manchester-9357302
10. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/greater-manchester-mayor-devolution-problems-11004805
11. http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/northern-powerhouse-looking-grim-10-7461583
12. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/thinning-blue-line-gmp-left-9731055
13. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-35360250
14. http://www.uk-northern-powerhouse.com/; http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/thousands-expected-major-northern-powerhouse-10945003  

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Hulme Green Party calls on Homeless Film Festival to boycott Manchester Metropolitan University

Hulme Green Party are calling on the upcoming Homeless Film Festival (HFF) [1] to boycott film screenings and other events hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).

The aggressive legal action that MMU have pursued in conjunction with Manchester City Council and the repeated evictions of The Ark homeless shelter have received much public attention in the last few weeks. [2]

The harassing actions of these large institutions against this vulnerable group were called out by homelessness campaigns, students and Manchester Green Party. [3]

Deyika Nzeribe, Hulme resident and Green Party campaigner said: "While we recognize the good work that the HFF are doing and have done, it is just wrong for them to ally themselves with MMU, who have aggressively pursued and evicted the Ark homeless camp twice in the last few months. It was a well organised shelter, which was doing a lot to raise awareness of homelessness and to provide support for vulnerable people.

"On the back of this ‘partnership’, MMU will be able to use HFF as an example of the good work it's doing for the homeless, to cover up what it's actually doing on the ground. HFF should do the right thing and boycott the MMU venues."

Notes.

1.  http://www.homelessfilmfestival.org/#!screening/cswe

2.    http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/30/manchester-homeless-people-face-jail-over-city-centre-tent-camps

3.    http://hulmegreenparty.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/support-ark.htm 

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Manchester Green Party praises Labour MPs willing to oppose damaging Welfare bill

The majority of Manchester’s Labour MPs have failed to oppose a bill this week that is expected to make life more difficult for the city’s most vulnerable people. The Manchester Green Party welcomes the decision by two MPs to rebel and is calling on other local MPs to do more to combat the city’s growing poverty.

Manchester has some of the highest levels of child poverty in the country. The Welfare Reform and Work Bill, which passed its second reading by 308 to 124 votes, has been heavily criticised by academics, charities and campaign groups who say that if the bill becomes law, it will have a detrimental affect to children and families in poverty, young people out of work, and ill and disabled people.

Rather than voting against the bill, the Labour leadership instructed its MPs to abstain on the vote. The bill passed with a majority of 184, precisely the number of Labour MPs who abstained.

Manchester Green Party welcomes the decision taken by Gorton MP Gerald Kaufman and Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer to rebel against the Labour line and oppose the bill.

Unfortunately, Manchester’s other MPs, Lucy Powell, whose constituency has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK, and the newly elected Jeff Smith, were among those who followed their party leadership and abstained on the vote.

Deyika Nzeribe of the Hulme Green Party said:

“If more Labour MPs had rebelled against their party and joined other opposition members in the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party, the bill would have been defeated and Manchester’s families in poverty protected from yet more government’s cuts to tax credits, welfare benefits and public services.

“It’s astounding and depressing that the majority of Manchester’s Labour MPs refused to stand up for their most vulnerable constituents. Manchester Central has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the UK and we have an opposition MP apparently afraid to oppose this toxic Tory bill.

“The Manchester Green Party calls on Manchester’s Labour MPs to listen to their constituents, to look at the evidence that these cuts are hurting our most vulnerable citizens and to join the growing opposition in parliament, which is currently being led by the smaller parties. The poor and in need should not be paying for the mistakes of past governments or the financial sector.”

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who voted against the bill, said:

“It's now down to MPs from all parties to look beyond the politics of today’s debate and focus instead on the devastating impact that this piece of legislation will have on people up and down the country.

"Our crumbling social security system is on the brink – now is the time to take a stand.

“George Osborne is playing politics with poverty. Failing to stand up to this regressive Welfare reform would be an utter betrayal of the principle which says that those in need deserve support.”

More than half a million people in Greater Manchester are believed to be living in poverty, with a further 1.6 million at risk. Many are working for low wages and rely on working tax credits to lift them out of fuel poverty and food poverty. The bill will make it harder still for these families to thrive and survive.

The benefit cap is to be lowered to £20,000 and the bill contains a clause that gives the government the right to lower this yet further without consulting parliament. This will plunge large families with high rent costs further into poverty.

The bill also abandons the UK’s commitment to eradicating child poverty by 2020 and goes so far as to redefine poverty so that it no longer relates to people’s ability to afford essentials such as shelter and food.

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The Green View Election 2015 Edition

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Over 3000 voters disappear from Hulme’s Electoral Roll

Government changes to the voter registration process have resulted in 39,787 people disappearing from Manchester’s electoral roll in the last 12 months.

In Hulme, comparing figures from March 2014 and March 2015, the number of voters in Hulme has dropped by 3442, a decrease of 26%.

The change to the registration system has disproportionately affected young people, students, private renters and people from minority ethnic backgrounds.

A closer look at the figures revealed that although the average fall in voter numbers is 13% in 4 of the 5 districts of Hulme, in the 5^th area which has a high student population, that fall is 73%.

Deyika Nzeribe, the Green Party Local Election candidate for Hulme said “With the deadline for registration being this Monday April 20^th, its essential people pay attention and take action or they will miss their chance to vote for a change in government, local and national.

If you don’t like politicians but want to vote, go to the independent ‘Vote for Policies’ website, make your own mind up.”

There are 10% less people on Manchester’s electoral register than this time last year, which could radically alter the outcome of the election. In the Manchester local elections in 2014, The Green Party came 2^nd with 12.7% of the vote, whilst the Lib Dems came 3rd with 11.7%.

The council wards that have seen the greatest drop in registered voters are areas with high populations of students, private renters and minority ethnic voters.

The City Centre has lost 37% of its registered voters. Ardwick has lost 33%, Withington 28%, Hulme 26%, Rusholme 23% and Fallowfield 21%.

Meanwhile, more affluent areas with a higher percentage of homeowners have remained largely unchanged. Chorlton has only lost 3% of voters, whilst Didsbury East lost 2%.

You register to vote online in under 5 minutes by visiting https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and entering your national insurance number.

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The Green View March 2015 - Hulme Wants More Jobs

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Hulme Greens Campaign Action Day Sunday November 23rd

Its just under 6 months to the Local and General Election.

Although the Greens are increasing in profile and going up in the polls, it’s the campaign on the ground, in the streets that will make the difference come the Elections.

The work to get an elected councillor continues in Hulme.

This Sunday November 23rd is the Hulme Campaign Action Day.

We will be meeting at Kim-by-the-Sea, 12pm midday and be out until 4pm latest.

We are pleased to have with us Green Party Regional Development Officer Pat Cleary.

There will be some training, doing surveys, and elections strategy.

Come down, meet other Greens, take the campaign to the streets.

The Event details are here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/896253740393370/

Join the Hulme Greens Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116302497332/

Like the Manchester Greens Page: Manchester Green Party

Contact

hulme@manchestergreenparty.org.uk

07955064319

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Hulme Green Party Newsletter Election Special 1 (2014)

Thanks to Amir and Leona for their input.

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Comment: Manchester City Council voting for Christmas

Wednesday is the meeting of Manchester City Council’s Executive where the Budget cuts 2013-15 will be discussed.

More precisely its Wednesday 13 February 2013 Time: 10.00 am  Venue: Committee Room 11, Level 1, Town Hall.

The Green Party is going along. We are interested to see what they have to say about the cuts in services particularly with regard to libraries and swimming pools.  

The Council says that those swimming pools and libraries services under threat are going to come back in a few years.

We don’t believe it.  

Those facilities are not coming back in any recognizable form.

Why are we so sceptical?  Because of something the council writes in its own Budget Response Document 2013/15. In it (point 51), the council asks its officers to “analyse the Council’s budget position beyond 2014/15 given that funding is expected to fall whilst demand for services will continue to rise “.

That analyse predicts that by 2018/19 the only services that will be able to be funded by the council will be Social Care, Environment, Transport and Capital.

That means that Neighbourhood Services, which includes libraries, swimming pools, culture and parks will be completely cut. So how are those pools and libraries going to be run?

That prediction is only 5 years away.

Instead of engaging with local communities concerned about their parks, pools and libraries, those campaigners are dismissed as “a handful of noisy protesters”, their activities as ‘stunts’. Attempts by communities to engage the council on talks to take over buildings or services, such as in Hulme, have met with silence.

Local Labour councillors will throw their hands in the air and say that there is nothing they can do, they have to vote for the cuts.

Don’t you believe it.

Labour councillors from all over the country are organising against the cuts. The Labour Councillors against the cuts website lists an initial 25 councillors who are not prepared to vote for cuts to local services.

Manchester Green Party applauds their stand. That is principle.

Its unfortunate that  not a single one of the 86 Manchester Labour councillors is on that list. We predict you won’t find one in the future either.

The Budget response (60) also says “Only the Council has the leadership capacity to protect the City's future, and chart a new direction”.

They may have the capacity, they don’t have the ideas.

If you don’t believe us, go to the committee meeting on Wednesday.

The Green Party.

Follow us

Online: http://www.manchestergreenparty.org.uk/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manchester-Green-Party/137183923032147

Twitter:  @McrGreenParty

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Remembering Gayle O'Donovan – A Public Celebration: Friday March 9th 2012

Gayle O’Donovan, local activist, neighbour and friend to many, died unexpectedly on January 21^st 2012.

Whilst Gayle's funeral happened in Limerick a couple of weeks ago and numerous have written tributes, many people have expressed support for having a public event in Manchester - to celebrate her life and times.

A Public Celebration will be held on Friday 9th March 2012 from 7pm at the OK Café, in Hulme.

There will be food served (from 7pm with the event starting at 8pm) and people can hang out at the venue afterwards and have a drink.

All are welcome.

How you can help

There will be a large amount of space in the evening for people to share their stories. If you have a particular item that reminds you of a time you had with Gayle, then please bring it with you. I would also like to collate a modest pamphlet of photographs of Gayle and her history.

If you have any photos or other materials that can contribute or are able to lend a hand, please get in touch robbiegillett@gmail.com.

Thank you

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Gayle O'Donovan: Tribute Page

Died: Saturday January 21st 2012

This page is to express our thoughts and and memories of Gayle.

She touched many of us.

You can leave messages below.

Thanks.

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Every Local Counts!

Hi all,

A colleague of ours in Trafford and Hulme CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) sent us an interesting link about Hulme pubs. There are some minor errors and it uses the modern boundaries for Hulme but it is informative.
click on link below:
A presentation on Hulme pubs

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Manchester's Core Strategy

Hi all,

There is a consultation on Manchester's Core Strategy(part of the Local Development Framework. A Local Development Framework is a folder of local development documents that outlines how planning will be managed in our area.


We would suggest people log-on, read and respond to it at:
http://manchester-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cs/pre-bublication

A sample of which below:

Policy H 7

Purpose Built Student Accommodation

The provision of new purpose built student accommodation will need to satisfy the criteria below. Priority will be given to schemes which are part of the universities' redevelopment plans or which are being progressed in partnership with the universities, and which clearly meet Manchester City Council's regeneration priorities.

1. Sites should be easily accessible to the University campus by walking and cycling.
2. High density developments should be sited in locations where this is compatible with existing developments and initiatives, and where retail facilities are within walking distance. Proposals should not lead to an increase in on-street parking in the surrounding area.
3. Proposals that can demonstrate a positive regeneration impact in their own right will be given preference over other schemes. This can be demonstrated for example through impact assessments on district centres and the wider area. Proposals should contribute to providing a mix of uses and support district and local centres, in line with relevant Strategic Regeneration Frameworks, local plans and other master plans as student accommodation should closely integrate with existing neighbourhoods to contribute in a positive way to their vibrancy without increasing pressure on existing neighbourhood services to the detriment of existing residents.
4. Proposals should be designed to be safe and secure for their users, and avoid causing an increase in crime in the surrounding area. Consideration needs to be given to how proposed developments could assist in improving the safety of the surrounding area in terms of increased informal surveillance or other measures to contribute to crime prevention.
5. Consideration should be given to the design and layout of the student accommodation and siting of individual uses within the overall development in relation to adjacent neighbouring uses. The aim is to ensure that there is no unacceptable effect on residential amenity in the surrounding area through increased noise, disturbance or impact on the streetscene either from the proposed development itself or when combined with existing accommodation.
6. Where appropriate proposals should contribute to the re-use of Listed Buildings and other buildings with a particular heritage value.
7. Consideration should be given to provision and management of waste disposal facilities within the development at an early stage.
8. There is a currently a potential oversupply of student bedspaces in purpose built accommodation in the planning pipeline when matched against demand from both the projected growth in student numbers to 2014/15 (using a mid range growth scenario assumption) and latent demand from students living in the general rented sector. Therefore developers will be required to demonstrate that there is a need for additional student accommodation in terms of waiting lists for existing places, or that they have entered into a formal agreement with a University for the supply of bedspaces.
9. Applicants/developers must demonstrate to the Council that their proposals for purpose built student accommodation are deliverable. The Council will not support proposals that are speculative, where there is a possibility that planning permission will not be implemented.

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HULME RESIDENT DIED AT PETERLOO

PETERLOO MEMORIAL CAMPAIGN CALLS ON MANCHESTER TO RECREATE THE ORIGINAL MARCHES FOR THE 191st ANNIVERSARY ON 15^th AUGUST 2010

Following its hugely successful anniversary gathering in 2009, the campaign is challenging residents of the regions and towns that originally sent marchers to St Peter's Fields in 1819 to do so again, after nearly 200 years.

Last year 200 delegates covered the routes from Oldham, Middleton and Stockport, and rallied at the original location of the massacre with replica banners, to demand that the proposed memorial in St Peter's Square is one that truly reflects the nature of the event. The campaign is insisting the design is prominent, informative and respectful, one that breaks the long tradition of whitewashing the memory of this crucial event.

Two events are planned this year- Sunday the 15^th August for the mass rally, and Monday 16^th to mark the actual date.

Interested groups can contact the campaign by phone- 07800 535471, via its website www.peterloomassacre.org, or through it's facebook group- PETERLOO MASSACRE 191st ANNIVERSARY

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City South Housing Trust Hulme Outreach

As part of our promise to customers we said we would improve the landscaping and the environment in your communities to make them nicer places to live. We have appointed landscape architects BCA Landscape to draw up some initial ideas for eight neighbourhoods and we want you to have your say to shape those plans.

Subject to funding, things we could introduce include street furniture, improved parking, more trees and shrubs,improved communal or play areas, better lighting, signage and public art, new allotments, orchards wildflower or wildlife areas, landmark and entrance features, alley gating and works to over mature trees.

From 12-16 July BCA Landscape and City South staff will be holding a series of consultation events in each neighbourhood. You will be able to see their initial thoughts and sketches at this early stage and give us your feedback and ideas to influence the development of the final designs. We'll also be using the opportunity to consult with you about how we can improve and tailor other services to meet the needs of your neighbourhood.

Check out the table to see when we'll bein your neighbourhood. We'll be setting up a gazebo on one of the communal areas.

If you would like more information contact Hannah Howard on 0161 227 1263.

We look forward to seeing you

Bethnall Monday 12th July 11.00 - 13.30 City Road/Cornbrook Monday 12th July 15.30 - 18.00

BBC / Loretto Tuesday 13th July 11.00 - 13.30 Flamborough Tuesday 13th July 15:30 - 18:00 Loxford street Thursday 15th July 11:00 - 13:30

Sherwood Thursday 15th July 15.30-18.00 St Georges Friday 16th July 11:00 - 13:30 Shawgreen Friday 16th July 15.30 - 18.00

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Post Election Thank You

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these hideous signs are not helping the people of Hulme!

Following the "Our Hulme" meeting last week, at which this issue was raised, local green activist Nigel Woodcock has formally lodged a complaint about the hideous yellow signs that have been dotted around the locality, bringing everyone down and doing NOTHING to reduce crime.

The website FixMyStreet will channel our complaint to the Council and we'll see what sort of response it gets.
http://www.fixmystreet.com/report/104594

It seems obvious that these signs have gone up just now so that the Council can claim to be DOING SOMETHING about crime. But we don't think these signs help. If you agree, please email the Council's Environment Department. I have just looked on their website and they are now operating a single email address for ALL Council services and enquiries, which seems fairly ludicrous. It's contact@manchester.gov.uk - we'll let you know how we get on.

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Why we are campaigning for an Ian Curtis Memorial Bridge in Hulme.

Hulme has always been a unique place, one of the few places to be completely raised to the ground twice in living history: seeing the destruction of the Victorian back-to-backs, followed by the demolition of the 1960s brutal modernist architectural known as the crescents. One significant victim of the redevelopment was nightclub known as the Russell Club, host to (Manchester music promoter and Grenada Reporter) Tony Wilson’s ‘Factory’ night. This nightclub was where Joy Division regularly played during their brief existence. Indeed Joy Division recorded the version of Transmission that can be heard on the B-side of Atmosphere in Hulme (July 1979).

In the year Joy Division first played in Hulme, 1979, the upcoming Manchester rock photographer, Kevin Cummins, photographed the band in various locations around Hulme. The most iconic of these photos is probably the one of the band on Epping Walk Bridge, one of the narrow pedestrian footbridges that spanned the Princess Parkway. This photograph recently adorned Joy Division’s greatest hits album cover. This is the bridge that we want to re-name in honour and memory of Ian Curtis, who took his life exactly 30 years ago on May 18^th.

Hulme locals are all too aware of how marginalized and put-upon this part of Manchester feels, which is partly why we want this campaign to succeed. The bridge itself is already known to certain locals as ‘Joy Division Bridge’. The re-naming of this bridge would allow fans and visitors to Manchester the opportunity to visit the bridge and recreate Kevin Cummins photographs and to celebrate the city’s fine musical heritage. Fans of The Smiths, regularly congregate around the entrance to Salford Lads’ Club, featured on one of their albums. Renaming the bridge gives Joy Division fans their own part of Manchester.

Since Hulme local activist Gayle O’Donovan set up the Facebook page just over a week ago, it has rapidly expanded up to nearly 700 members, including Kevin Cummins himself. We believe that if this campaign succeeded then we’d be putting Hulme back on the map, restoring some local pride, creating yet another reason for people to visit our fine city, and saluting a local legend.

Renaming the bridge would be another chapter in Manchester’s rich musical history.

For more info join our Facebook Group:http://tinyurl.com/iancurtismemorial

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The Arch to be demolited and turned in to student halls

Last Thursday, the decision was taken Manchester City Council's Planning Committee to give the go-ahead to the demolition of Arch Bar to make way for a student halls of residence. No doubt Nigel Murphy will be pleased with this decision, since he has bragged to the Applicant (Mr. Andy Whatson) that he was responsible for getting the "restrictive covenant" lifted last year.

Thanks to everyone who signed the petition, that has collected 266 signatures to date. Those who also left a comment will now find that comment pasted up on the Arch building, which has become a part of its own campaign, as you'll see if you go past on the bus.

I see it as another nail in the coffin of the Hulme community, which can now be found on its nights out huddled in the Salutation, the Junction, and perhaps Kim-by-the-Sea. Okay, there are one or two other pubs, but certainly no clubs, like what the Arch used to be, never mind anything as banging as the PSV Club (aka the Russell Club, the Factory, etc.)

I find it particularly galling that Nigel Murphy has been claiming credit (in the most recent "Hulme Rose" leaflet) for "working with residents of the Loxford Estate to oppose the building of a seven storey student block on the site of the former Arch Bar... Your Labour Team," the leaflet burbled, "will continue working with local residents to ensure that any new plans are acceptable to the community."

If you would like to tell Mr. Murphy what you think of these "new plans" - are they "acceptable" to you? - then why not drop him a line? Nigel Murphy (cllr.n.murphy@manchester.gov.uk)

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Breaking News:Hulme Labour wants to have its cake and eat it too!

The Arch Bar / student halls planning decision has today been deferred by the Townhall Planning Committee once again. Well done to the residents and Hulme Greens for keeping up the pressure!

Some local greens have been researching the situation, going back to when it was the Admiral and even before that. In fact it was 31st March 1980 when the brewery, Robinson’s (based in Stockport) took out a “restrictive covenant” which meant that the premises could BE USED ONLY AS A PUBLIC HOUSE.

That covenant remained in place for just over 30 years, until it was released on 15th June 2009, nearly two months after the planning application was submitted to turn Arch Bar into a 7-storey student block. And now we learn that none other than Nigel TIM Murphy has been claiming the credit for getting the covenant removed. He’s also claiming credit for getting the size of the block reduced by one floor. I think the local residents and greens deserve the credit for that. But we still lament the loss of yet another local community resource.

The Green Party is not anti-student, many of them are our natural supporters, candidates and members, but when an area is swamped with student halls and these are segregated from the wider community – almost literally, in the case of Hulme – then there is a sense of lack of investment in the locality, and sometimes a lack of care. Hulme is a vibrant mixed community - lets continue to fight to keep it this way.

We’d like Nigel Murphy to out from behind his invisibility cloak to come clean over his involvement in the lifting of the restrictive covenant that stood for 30 years. which signed the death warrant for the Arch to be used as a community space and/or social housing( didn't Hulme Labour promise us that last year in their campaign leaflet?)

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