Councillor Usman Ali

It was great to meet representatives from the gentoo housing group in Ryhope today. We definitely got our steps in today, walking around the various estates in Ryhope.

Current updates:
* St Patrick’s Terrace - Gentoo have a backlog with garden services but will be carrying out all works by August
* A resident on Dwyer Crescent is the winner of the Gentoo Annual Garden Competiton, see picture below.
* The farmers fields in Cherribank which has overgrown trees is now in line to be looked at and actioned by Gentoo, grounds maintenance team. It has now been established that they own part of that land.
* The land at the back of Top House, Ryhope St - enquiries are under way to establish ownership and to have this cleaned up.
* Gentoo have told me that they have 26,000 people waiting on their housing register and are working their way through the list.
* I will keep engaging with Gentoo closely, please message me with any issues to raise.

Donation to MF Boxing Academy 🥊

Bridge end works, Ryhope road, Ryhope. SR20NG.

I am pleased to have caught up with my friend Marc Foster to make a donation to his boxing gym, MF Boxing Academy, in Ryhope. The money will go towards getting his team qualified to work with more children in the gym.

I believe the only way to tackle Anti Social Behavior is to help our youth get off the streets and encourage them into activities and sports such as boxing which provide kids with skills, discipline and socialisation in a much less disruptive manner.

If anybody is interested in trying out boxing in Ryhope, let me know and I will organise a taster session.

I am here to serve you!

Cllr Usman Ali

Action taken at Cherry Tree Square!

As everybody knows I am passionate about filling potholes 😃

I am pleased to report I have managed to get the WHOLE of Cherry Tree square resurfaced! I have been working long and hard on this one and I would like to thank the highways team at the council for making it happen. The Labour party care and are fully behind me in this journey to improve our area.

Actions speak louder than words, I am here to serve you!

Cllr Usman Ali
Ryhope Labour 🌹

Celebrating the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Long live the King.

Vote Lindsey Mair leonard on 4th May!

For everyone that doesn’t already know , it’s the local elections on Thursday. I would like to fully endorse Lindsey and I would really appreciate anyone that can vote for her. Don’t forget to take your photo ID if you haven’t already voted.

🌹 Lindsey is a School Governor at St Pauls Primary school, she is really passionate about children’s safeguarding and will work and campaign for more activities to be made available in the ward for children during school holidays.

🌹 If Lindsey is elected you will have 3 Labour councillors in the ward. This means that politics will be left out of it and we will be able to get our fair share of funding in the ward as a team.

🌹 Voting for any party but Labour will be a wasted vote, a vote for Lindsey is a vote to make sure that all the good work I have started is amplified!

🌹 Lindsey has an extensive background in environmental services, she will make sure our ward is fully cleaned up and those caught unlawfully dumping waste are prosecuted.

These elections are local elections only, and that means you have to vote for the person who will do the best job, Lindsey will bring experience and skills to my Ryhope Team.

Over the last 3 years I have shown you my hard work and dedication to my city and my ward, I will never be controlled by any party or person if it’s not in the best interest of Ryhope-Leechmere-Grangetown!!

Trust in me, I won’t let you down.

Vote Lindsey Mair Leonard on May 4th.

I am here to serve you!

Great result for resident’s in Leechmere!

After being contacted by residents living in and around Lanivet close, Leechmere, regarding very badly kept railings which were also damaged over a year ago, I have finally managed to have funding approved to have them maintained. Here are some before and after pictures of the railings.

I was told they hadn’t been painted in 40 years, neither had the damage from over a year ago been repaired. After speaking with the council and carefully negotiating the work, they are finally repaired and repainted.

The national government is cutting back all forms of funding to the council hence everything I get done for my residents has to be fought for!

Same old Usman, still here doing my bit for the community.

I am here to serve you.

Cllr Usman Ali

Happy St George's Day from all of us at the Labour Party

Update on Road Safety action being taken...

I have been working closely with the council and I can confirm that the road safety team have recently interviewed for the position of School Crossing Patrol Officer. This position is to increase safety on the Ryhope St South, zebra crossing in Ryhope. I am hoping to have a Patrol Officer in place by the end of April / middle of May, subject to DBS checks and clearances being complete.

I am here to serve you!

Cllr Usman Ali

RYHOPE... WE DID IT! 📣🚗

We are delighted to announce that work will soon be starting to FINALLY have barriers installed on Ryhope Street South.

Over the past 12 months, Councillor Martyn Herron and I have been fighting for improvements that would significantly improve access for residents and we finally have the green light.

For far too long, illegal parking near the bollards has prevented people from accessing key amenities and local businesses and has caused havoc for road users.

However, the er****on of these new barriers will make both the paths and the roads safer, while providing a huge boost to local residents. It will also make it safer for those visiting the community centre, the nursery, school, doctor’s surgery and local stores.

And it doesn't stop there…

After securing these improvements we are now turning our attention to other problem areas which have been flagged to us by residents, we will be working collaboratively to deliver the changes that the people in Ryhope have longed for, for far too long.

On another note, I may have recently changed political party but I have in NO way changed my values or morals as no political party can determine these. I remain a voice for my residents, and I promise you I will help rebuild faith and trust from within.

I am here to serve you!!!

Cllr Usman Ali

- Your Ryhope Labour team 🌹

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Ann Carter a WASPI member from Sunderland. If you don’t already know, WASPI (Women Against Sate Pension Inequality) is an organisation fighting for fair compensation for the 1950’s-born women who were impacted by the unfair way that changes to the state pension age were implemented.

Some women were given as little as 1 years notice that they would no longer be able to retire but by this point had already made life changing decisions and retirement plans, including selling homes and leaving jobs to care for elderly parents, partners and grandchildren.

Some of these women have been greatly affected by this injustice and they certainly have my full support. If anybody else is able to support this excellent cause you can donate using the link below which will help fund the cost of the WASPI legal fees in their High Court case.

I will also be bringing this issue up in the next council meeting.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/fair-compensation-for-waspi-women/

Will you join my campaign to get a safer road crossing near Ryhope Junior School?

📝 I have created a petition for residents to sign which I will take to full Council to show them the support by local residents for safer roads for local children.

🚗 As you can see in the photo below, the crossing is very thin and pretty neglected, it needs an upgrade.

👇 Follow the link below and support my campaign for a safer street crossing on Ryhope Street.

https://letstalk.conservatives.com/A05C6610-FAAD-ED11-A3AF-00505693FFD8 #!/

COUNCILLORS CONTROVERSIAL PAY RISE...

Following talks about a controversial pay rise which is being proposed for Councillors, myself along with other councillors, Cllrs Dominic McDonough, Chris Burnicle and Simon Ayre have decided that we will REJECT this proposal & the pay rise.

BUS ROUTE UPDATE...🚌

Following many complaints from my residents, I have had further investigations conducted for potential options to address evening provisions for the residents of the Western end of Hollycarrside. I am pleased to advise that Nexus are proposing to install a pair of new stops on Toll Barr Road between Carrmere Road and Hollycarrside Road. These stops would be served by Go North East service 61a (partially secured by Nexus) on a daily evening and all day Sunday.

Locations proposed for these new stops below (shown as the 2 red squares on the image) are very much limited due the layout of the highway, customers would be required to either cross the highway or use the subway.

I am also pleased to report the Subway on the Toll Barr has also been repainted this week so this will make it much more pleasant to use once the new bus routes are up and running.

Over the last year I have been contacted by numerous residents about dangerous pot holes in and around Poplar Grove, a street in the forgotten part of Ryhope.

Residents raised concerns over young children tripping over these dangerous potholes and hurting themselves (evidence was sent to me of the injuries at the time) After negotiations with senior people in the Highways department I was able to have this work moved to the top of the waiting list and I am pleased to report these were filled over the weekend. The residents in the area are now pleased with the results.

I have to thank the senior officers in the council who have sorted this issue as priority despite having a backlog of work to complete.

Please feel free to send me an email of any streets that have dangerous pot holes and I will endeavour to have these put on the list for future action.

I have also attached a video that takes us down memory lane showing my commitments to Ryhope and namely my commitment to filling dangerous potholes. 😀

I am here to serve you.

Last night I took part in the CEO Sleepout, sleeping outside at The Stadium of Light with other fundraisers including Heels & Brogues Group, - Smart Manufacturing Solutions & BizSpace (UK) Ltd to raise money and awareness for rough sleeping.

It was a very humbling experience and I’m thankful that my family and I don’t have to live like this but nobody should have to! It’s heart breaking to think that, that is reality for some people. Between the 4 of us, we raised £3500 - thank you to everyone who supported the cause, let’s keep working to tackle this awful problem.

Red Sky Foundation

Ryhope Ward Residents Survey - Have your say! 🫵📣

Welcome to my local residents survey, for residents of Ryhope ward (Including Grangetown and Leechmere).

I know so many residents have issues, concern or ideas for our area and I want to hear them! So please take a few moments and submit this survey so I can hear your thoughts.

Please click on the following link to start the survey... https://www.sunderlandconservatives.org.uk/form/ryhope-residents-survey

Thank you.

Cllr Usman Ali

I was recently contacted by the residents of Windlestone Walk , who had been trying to have a street sign put up for 6 years!

Due to a lack of clear street signage some residents on this street have been plagued with unwanted food deliveries, parcels, eviction notices and even ambulance’s in the middle of the night which were all meant for another street.

I have now managed to get this sign put up which should bring an end to the confusion for drivers and some peace and quiet to the residents at last! I would like to thank the council officers who also got involved in this complaint and helped to get this done.

Yesterday saw some incredible funding be allocated to Ryhope ward in the East Area meeting, thanks in no small part to Ryhope Cllr Usman Ali who has done some really great behind the scenes work for his local residents.

Funding has been approved for...

✅ £5,000 for the Blue Watch Youth Centre to continue their brilliant youth outreach work in Ryhope

✅ £7,000 for brand new flower planters to be placed along the roads and paths leading from Grangetown towards Toll Bar Road, past the cemetery. A project Usman has been leading on in the East Area Task Group.

✅ £43,340 to support the Ryhope Community Association, vital to so many residents within the community.

Thats over £5️⃣5️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ worth of funding delivered for the people of Grangetown, Ryhope and Leechmere.

I am pleased to be one of the main sponsors for the Bradley Lowery Foundation fun day on Saturday 27th August at Ryhope cricket ground SR2 0AB. Come along from 11.30am to 4.30pm and we will have the below activities happening on the day:

• Fun house
• Face painting
• Stalls
• Tombolas
• Food stalls
• Fair games
• Fairy floss
• Raffles

For everyone who can make it, I hope you all have a great time.

Phil Jason

After many requests from residents regarding over grown trees at Athelstan Rigg, which are so overgrown that they were damaging residents cars and blocking day light from their homes, I have contacted the council to have this dealt with. I was sharply told that the responsibilities for trimming and maintaining these trees is down to Home Group who own the properties where the trees are located and they could not interject and do anything.

I managed to get in touch with the manager for Home group, Brett Parry, pictured above on site with me.

Brett explained that he had approval to spend £5000 on sorting this problem but due to a conservation order on the trees he would need permission from the council to carry out the work. There would be no expense to the council but unfortunately no one from the Sunderland City Council has addressed this matter outside of blaming Home Group, who are bending over backwards to sort this.

Since becoming a city councillor I have met some outstanding council officers who do their best to help. Unfortunately, I have also found that ‘the computer says no’ attitude is still a culture that we as a council have to come out of, especially when there IS a resolution.

I will be chasing the council relentlessly to have this issue resolved for my residents and I will simply not accept NO as an answer.

I became a councillor to be a mouth piece for my residents. We must realise that the residents should be heard and it’s our civic duty to resolve issues in a timely and efficient manner when a resolution is possible.

I am here to serve you!

Cllr Usman Ali

Today councillors had an on-site visit at Sunderland Cemetery, getting an update from Bereavement services at the Council on the work they will be undertaking to improve our shared cemeteries and graveyards.

Sunderland Cemetery, whilst in Ryhope Ward, is of course used by all residents in our area and is a much loved community asset.

The works taking place over the next few months and years will include;

- Improving the two chapels located in the cemetery, making them sound and removing weeds from their stonework

- Increasing strimming and making the environmental services in the cemetery more efficient

- Designing a new memorial garden and mausoleum for cremations

- Improving and repairing the boundary walls

- Fitting new aesthetically pleasing bins to replace the unsightly industrial waste bins that are currently there.

Today I’m helping to remove an old fridge for an elderly resident on Thomas Street. Pat had been trying to get help disposing of this from the council since March but was unable to get any help. Pat had followed the councils advice and used the online process for booking and paying for the fridge removal but struggled with the online payment system. Pat even went to the City Hall herself to try and pay and book a removal of the fridge but still didn’t manage as, understandably, the process of booking & online payments can be difficult for some elderly residents.

It seems the council don’t have anything in place for assisting elderly resident who are not able to book online. The fridge has now been removed by me but how many other elderly people are struggling accessing help from the council because of this? Surely some could have offered assistance and booked a removal another way?

I urge any elderly residents to get in touch with me if they are needing any help.

I am here to serve you,

Cllr Usman Ali

Action being taken around The Subway around Toll Barr and surrounding areas in Ryhope.

• I have managed to have Neighbourhood wardens deployed to the area to erect littering signage and carry out pro-active patrols.

• I am taking a zero tolerance approach and any person witnessed depositing and leaving waste or litter will be issued with a fixed penalty notice for £100.00 for the offence.

• In addition there was allegations against two sisters factory staff littering the area. I have asked for enforcement officers to visit the 2 sisters commercial premises and will bring this to the attention of the site manager to ensure the message is communicated to all the staff.

• I have also noted comments from residents in relation to fires and drug use in the subway and have refered this matter onto The ASB enforcement team.

Happy Pride Month everybody!

After TWO years Sunderland pride is back and taking place between 11th - 12th June. Unfortunately I won’t be able to join this years parade but I hope that all of my friends and residents who can make it have a fantastic time. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone else’s pride pictures!

Thank you, Ma'am.

70 glorious years of dedicated and inspiring service to the nation. Every moment devoted to the people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.

God Save The Queen!

Elated!!! ♥️♥️♥️

UPDATE on illegal dumping behind Bevan Avenue and at the subway under the Toll Bar road.

I have arranged for illegal dumping in these areas to be cleaned up on FOUR separate occasions. The subway is now under a weekly cleaning cycle which should make a big improvement.

I’m now going to work with the council to see what else we can do to prevent this repeat offence. If anybody witnesses any illegal dumping taking place in these areas, please report it.

[email protected]

Action being taken at Grangetown Cemetery:

Kevin and I conducted a litter pick in the cemetery grounds yesterday and we cleared away lots of rubbish. I was shocked at the level of discarded beer cans. I think Sunderland City Council need to understand that we must protect the people who are laid to rest in the cemetery and the families who visit on a regular basis.

I am also pleased to report that the grass in the cemetery is being cut today after many months of neglect and after I had reported the issue on many occasions.

Today I have requested that the missing gate at the side of Kitchener Terrace is replaced as it is clearly providing easy access for anti social activities in the evenings. We found lots of discarded beer cans in this area too and it is just not good enough.

Vote Kevin Leonard on May 5th and let’s make Ryhope-Leechmere-Grangetown a priority again. Kevin and I are here to serve you.

Success...but more to be done!

After a meeting with residents on and around Sea View Street we are happy that road signs have been re-painted after years of neglect.

We are still pushing to get more road signs and the road to be resurfaced properly, for the benefit of all residents.

Vote Kevin Leonard on May 5th so he can join Usman Ali’s team In Ryhope ward. We believe in actions speak louder than words.

Our Ward Surgery will be held on Saturday 5th of March at St Pauls Church 11am-12pm.

Myself and candidate Kevin Leonard will be conducting the meeting alongside Father David for any of Ryhope Ward Residents to attend and voice any concerns that they may have with us of which we will do our best to help.

Please everyone with any issues or concerns come and see us.

Address: St Paul's Vicarage Ryhope Street North Sunderland SR2 0HH

£40,000 OF FUNDING SECURED FOR KING GEORGE PLAYING FIELDS! 👏

I have been campaigning to regenerate & secure funding for the Kings George playing fields, last year RCA Football Club signed a new lease for the playing fields & we have worked together to help clean up and improve the area following continuous damage by quad and motorbikes, dog waste along with antisocial behaviour.

Following months of campaigning, I am pleased to say that we have now secured £40,000 of funding to build perimeter fencing around the football pitches on King George playing fields to provide the children with a secure facility in which to play their football games.

One of my pledges before becoming ward councillor was to help the local community and securing £40,000 of Council funding is a brilliant result. Not only will it benefit the football club but it should also help reduce the problem of antisocial behaviour for people living in the area.

https://www.facebook.com/137810456262377/posts/4889366654440043/?d=n

Junior football club secures £40,000 to build perimeter fence after playing fields plagued by vandals After months of having their pitches destroyed by motorbike vandals carving up their turf, a junior football club is celebrating after securing £40,000 of funding to build a perimeter fence and install security cameras to safeguard matches for children in Ryhope.

DONATION OF ALLOWANCE TO LOVE AMELIA CHILDREN’S CHARITY...

It was lovely to pop in and see the team at Love Ameila and donate my allowances to them. This will contribute towards their great work helping families struggling with young children.

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside such a great team who selflessly help families in need of a little help during tough times.

Any Parents who need help can message me directly and I will carry out the referral myself and organise a drop off. Below is a list of items the charity stock and could provide:

Children: from birth to 11 years old…

• Baby Food
• Dummies
• Baby Nappies
• Baby Wipes
• Baby Cots
• Baby Baths
• Baby Chairs
• Prams
• Baby Bottles
• Potty Training Packs

Male and Female toiletries of all kinds.

Christmas toys and variety of toys for children.

Please inbox me directly if you’re genuinely struggling and I will personally arrange help quietly and privately.

It’s a help up not a handout! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

CIIr Usman Ali

Ryhope Conservatives Tackle Litter in the Community...

I was out this week with Denis Crompton from Blue Watch Youth Centre, picking up litter along the Ryhope Village Green.

The Ryhope Conservatives have and will continue to work in the community to keep it tidy and litter free.

I work all year round for my residents, not just election time!

We will never forget, and we will always remember the ultimate sacrifice made by those in defence of our nation and liberties.

Yesterday myself and Candidate for Ryhope ward former Royal Navy Veteran Kevin Leonard paid our respects at the Ryhope War Memorial.

It was Heart warming to see so many members of our community young and old coming together to pay their respects at the remembrance day service that was held on Sunday morning.

🎅🎄🎁 Mayors Christmas Card Competition 🎅🎄🎁

Local businessman Darren Naylor and I donated 144 Christmas variety packs of chocolates to help with the Mayors Christmas Card Competition.

We would like to say a big well done to the winners Blackfell School who entered the competition and well done to the overall winner & winners from each year group.

Bonfire night is just around the corner, I hope everyone is looking forward to Friday night and seeing the sky light up with some fantastic firework displays!

While we all want to have some fun and enjoy ourselves, please also try and be considerate of our furry best friends. For cats, dogs, horses and other wildlife, fireworks can be terrifying. My favourite furball doesn’t like loud noises so I will be staying home with him and spoiling him with cuddles and treats.

If you have any pets, please have a quick look at the poster below by the RSPCA for some tips on comforting your pet during the fireworks displays.

We would like to hear your Feedback…

Sunderland RCA Youth Football Club, the junior section of Sunderland RCA who play in the Northern League, have been working closely with Sunderland City Council and Councillor Usman Ali to reinstate the football pitches at the King George V Playing Fields, Ryhope.

We hope that because they are being used again for sport we can help reduce the number of off road motorbikes using the area of which are causing a nuisance for local residents. The club, in conjunction with the council are therefore planning on installing perimeter fencing to help further protect the fields.

We are keen to hear what you as a resident think about our plans as well as provide you with an opportunity to tell us how you would like to see the site developed over the next few years.

We can't make any promises as we will need to bid for external funding but your feedback will help us understand how residents and users of the site would like to see the area develop should we be able to access funds.

Please complete our survey here https://forms.gle/dnUK7BdwVwnVAXRW6

Sunderland RCA Youth Football Club Pitch Survey Sunderland RCA Youth Football Club, the junior section of Sunderland RCA who play in the Northern League, have been working closely with Sunderland City Council and Councillor Usman Ali to reinstate the football pitches at the King George V Playing Fields, Ryhope. In the short term, not only will th...

Thank you to everyone at Regeneration NE CIC…

I am very pleased to have donated my allowance to Regeneration NE CIC to help support the team to host art workshops and an exhibition for the Butterfly Project 2021, for World Mental Health Day 2021. The goal is to fill Ryhope with butterflies. Shops and St. Paul's church will be displaying butterflies, too.

Regeneration NE CIC supports better mental health and well-being through participation in art and creativity. It campaigns to make the arts, heritage and culture accessible for everybody.

Regeneration NE also runs the SALT centre, (Sunderland Arts, Learning and Training), on Ryhope Street South, Ryhope.

SALT is a wheelchair accessible space which provides free projects and workshops for people of all ages and abilities. It complements the existing (social) provision of the art club at Ryhope community centre with taught skills sessions.