Ex-Reform councillor lists greenbelt as priority as he calls on people to "come to me with any problems"
“To my constituents I’d say I am here and come to me with any problems - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed”
A councillor who was suspended from the Reform UK party within a week of the May local elections has called on constituents to reach out to him with their problems as he sets out plans to protect the local greenbelt and support a community theatre project.
Woodhouse councillor Nathaniel Menday has explained his goals during his first interview since being elected.
He was elected as a representative of the Nigel Farage-led Reform UK in May, but was suspended a week later due to controversial social media posts.
Since then he has spent six months serving as an independent on Sheffield City Council and admitted to enjoying the role.
“I like to be able to make a difference and see that I am making a difference,” Coun Menday said, adding that he has an interest in politics and studied the subject at university.
He went on to describe himself as “not really a party man” and said he does “relish” being able to work as an independent.
On Facebook, he has already publicly backed the Woodhouse Community Theatre Project, a fundraising effort hoped to redevelop the abandoned Woodhouse Trinity Methodist Church into a community space.
“It’s a great, completely A-political cause” he added.
“You might not like me, but don’t take my word, go and have a look at it, it’s great.
“It’s not just great for Woodhouse, it’s great for the city and the entire area.”
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Coun Menday said that not only does the project allow for the creation of a new community space, but will offer an important live music venue to the area.
However, his major cause moving forward will be protecting Woodhouse’s green spaces as the controversial Local Plan - which is set to see thousands of homes built on Sheffield’s greenbelt - continues to face debates in council.
The councillor has described himself as a “pragmatist” who understands new houses need to be built, but hopes to propose an alternative approach, adding: “It seems obvious to me - don't build out, build up.”
He went on to say: “One way we can kill two birds with one stone is building at a higher density within the city, getting people closer to the city centre to where they can work, where they can go out shopping, go to eat, or on public transport routes as well.
“Because building in my area, one of the big complaints is how is that going to affect the traffic? And not just the traffic in the area - you've got the Parkway, it’s just going to make it worse.
“So if you build up more centrally people can walk to work, they’re not relying on cars, they’re not even relying on public transport - if they do have to get public transport it might just be for a couple of stops.
“I think one thing people want in Sheffield - and hopefully I represent a a bit of a new generation with these latest elections - I think they want a bit of a new blood, a bit of fresh thinking and thinking outside the box.
“[The council] have emphasised that they are building up, but I mean come 2040 Sheffield’s not going to look like Dubai is it?”
Moving forward, Coun Menday says he wants to be an “ideas person,” presenting new and different policies to council - and is calling on locals to reach out with their issues to inform his approach.
“I had a phone call the other day with a constituent - he just said you need to get your name out there more,” he continued.
“People need to know that you’re about and we can come to you.
“I think a lot of people genuinely think that I’m not a councillor. They don’t understand that there’s a difference between getting kicked out of the party and getting kicked out of the role.
“I am still in the role and to my constituents I’d say I am here and come to me with any problems and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”