Elected in 2022 Local Elections Craig Gamble Pugh candidate for Sheffield Local Election Stannington

Craig Gamble Pugh

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I’m a student mental health nurse, an NHS Responder, a school governor, and dad to four young children, who I adopted with my partner, a teacher.

I’m passionate about climate change, social justice, and progressive solutions to the challenges of our turbulent times.

Since 2019, I have been lead volunteer for the Labour Party in East Ecclesfield Ward, where I’ve lived for many years. I’m Co-chair of a city-wide climate change and environment campaign organisation.

See craiggamblepugh.com

What do you think makes a good local councillor?

Speaking your own mind & putting forward the views & needs of Ecclesfield, Chapeltown & Parson Cross- just look how other parties are using identikit answers!

Listening to local people – I’ve spoken with over 4,000 residents in this campaign.

Having skills to drive through the change & reforms the council needs, & a vision for a greener, fairer city.

Being hands-on: going out litter picking, visiting the toddler groups, petitioning for the changes residents want to see.

Tell us three things you're aiming to focus on or achieve for your ward during your term as councillor

In touch & accessible:
I’ll continue to do door-to-door surgeries to listen to the views of residents, be visible in the ward, visit schools, community groups & responding to constituents. I conducted a survey last autumn by going door to door & this has informed what I’ve focussed on during this campaign. I’ve knocked on almost every door in the ward now, & since January have spoken to over 4,000 people.

Parks & Green space:
I’m campaigning for Better Parks money to be allocated to our parks- & especially to sort out Ecclesfield Park where improvements have been delayed. I have welcomed the latest proposals to meet housing need by building on brownfield l&, which secures the greenbelt which is so important in Ecclesfield & Chapeltown.

Traffic & road safety:
The other most commonly raised issues are the degree of speeding, congestion, parking problems. I’m backing local residents by petitioning for a proper Traffic Action Plan for the area- sign it at craiggamblepugh.com/trafficplan

Tell us three things you're aiming to focus on or achieve for the city of Sheffield during your term as councillor

Improving public transport, beginning by bringing the busses back into public control

Improving housing, including the council repairs service, and looking for ways we can insulate homes to reduce energy use and help with the cost of living crisis

Push forward on other ways to tackle the climate crisis and reach net zero. We CAN create a thriving, green city

Transport: “Air pollution contributes to 500 deaths a year in Sheffield. Living alongside a busy road carries the same risk as passively smoking 10 cigarettes a day.”. Supported by better public transport and disabled accessibility, do you think private motor traffic should eventually be excluded from Sheffield city centre?

  • Yes
  • Unsure
  • No

If you'd like to add details on your position, please do so here

If there was a way to enable access throughout the city for those less mobile, without private cars, then fine: however, before we look at this there would have to be increased buses, and the priority should be for the buses to be electrified first. It sounds bold and easy to ban stuff, but it isn’t necessarily the way to tackle climate change and pollution. As co-chair of the Sheffield/South Yorkshire Climate Alliance, I work with many groups who emphasise the need for a clear evidence base for climate action, and I also believe that our transition to net zero has got to be a ‘just transition’ – fair to all rather than disadvantaging the most vulnerable.

Housing: "The introduction of Selective Licensing can bring widespread benefits to the local community. In particular it will ensure that all private rented property within the designated area is safe and well managed". Do you think Landlord Licensing in Sheffield should be extended, from currently applying to Abbeydale Road, Chesterfield Road and London Road, to covering more wards?

  • Yes
  • Unsure
  • No

If you'd like to add details on your position, please do so here

I was involved in the original selective licensing scheme in Page Hall. My early career was in community work and I know that the private rented sector is under-regulated, so yes I think selective licensing can bring real benefits and I will push for it to be rolled out city wide.

If you'd like to add details on your position, please do so here

I believe the council needs to reform at a pace. I voted for the change to the committee system, and believe the LACs can be part of that. But in East Ecclesfield, our LAC covers our area of Ecclesfield, Chapeltown and Parson Cross, plus Grenoside, High Green, Burncross, Stocksbridge, Outibridge, Stannington, Loxley, and beyond. This is too large an area to describe as ‘local’. So there is a huge amount of work needed to make it all function effectively.

If you'd like to add details on your position, please do so here

Not only is this a great model for economic regeneration, it is also a great way to tackle the climate crisis. One of the reasons I’m a Co-op Party candidate as well as a Labour candidate is my belief that mutual and collective forms of ownership are the fairest and best. I’ve supported it for many years and am glad it is in Labour’s manifesto.

View the Labour and Co-operative Party policies