Today’s columnist, Coun Aodan Marken: Dear Santa, I would like .....

An iPad

If the Star can record council meetings live and stream them on an iPad, then the council can too. Greens want to open up council meetings to Sheffield residents.

Too often, they descend into embarrassing grand-standing and point-scoring. Sheffield’s citizens deserve better. We want meetings broadcast online. In December, we proposed a motion to stop heckling of members of other parties but it was thrown out, without debate. I believe that if council meetings were recorded, behaviour would improve and elected councillors will make better decisions because of it.

A (Christmas) Tree Strategy

My first full council saw the petition to protect trees on Rustlings Road. Nearly six months later, residents have little reason to believe the bad choices that sparked this issue won’t be repeated. The council needs to produce and publish a tree strategy that reflects the terms of their contract with Amey and the promise they make to residents all over Sheffield.

Better consultations for 2016

The council have apologised about the recent consultation on bus changes. Trying to maintain a quality service, despite painful cuts from central government, is difficult. However, we need to learn from these mistakes. In January, we have important consultations on devolution and the ‘city plan.’ As a council, we need to provide opportunities for debate, more information on the options and clearer picture of their impact.

A Sheffield living wage

After the festive cheer, too many Sheffield residents will be in debt in January and rely on short-term loans. Greens led the way for council employees to get a living wage. Now, for 2016, we want to follow Preston Council’s innovative lead to improve the Localism Act and set a living wage for all employees in the city.

Snow at Christmas

We want our government to act now on climate change so snow doesn’t just become a story we tell our grandchildren about how it used to be.

Merry Christmas!