Retired bus driver, who has lived in the ward for almost 40 years, has been a Mosborough councillor for nine years and Lord Mayor of Sheffield from 2019-2021.
“I feel very privileged and honoured to have been elected and able to serve the people of Mosborough for the past nine years – and the whole of Sheffield as Lord Mayor for the past two. It’s been an incredible journey and one I have enjoyed immensely. I hope I have lived up to the expectations of the community and sincerely hope I am given the chance to continue to serve our ward.”
Cllr Downing moved to Sheffield from Devon in the 1960’s, when his father, a quarry worker, got a job in the steel industry. After spells as a milkman and lorry driver, he became a bus driver in 1977 – and is keen to see bus franchising across the city, giving more control over services to the local authority.
“I became a councillor because I wanted to help people and put something back into society. have represented people most of my working life as a trade union officer – meeting people has become a way of life, giving people a voice and problem solving.”
“I am extremely proud of the way our Labour council has handled the swingeing Tory cuts we have had to manage over the past decade.”
“On a personal level, I have worked hard for the people of Mosborough and want to continue to deliver the best outcomes for my constituents. There will always be new challenges to build on what has already been done. I want to work with a Labour council to deliver more council homes, to create more jobs and apprenticeships, to deliver more police to keep our communities safe, to continue to work towards a cleaner, greener city and to eradicate homelessness and food poverty.”
Outside his council work, Tony enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, walking his dog Lola, watching sport and playing and listening to brass band music.
“I am fortunate to have lived in Mosborough ward for almost 40 years and represented it on the council for nine years. Although there has been a lot of development, I firmly believe it still retains its unique, village-style community.”
“I would like to see a more tolerant society in 2021, people helping each other – if this pandemic has shown us anything, this is it.”
“The climate emergency is paramount, along the clean air zone, improving the life chances of generations to come.”
“I would like to see the completion of our ambition to regenerate the city, to see our communities thrive.”