Councillor Janet Ridler is fighting to put Heritage ‘centre stage’ on behalf of Sheffield and the grass roots organisations involved in the development of the Sheffield Heritage Strategy.

Councillor Janet Ridler, Labour Councillor for Stocksbridge and Upper Don said: ‘I worked closely with Joined Up Heritage Sheffield for several years on the development of the Heritage Strategy for Sheffield. So with Labour colleagues, I took a Motion to Council in February which highlights Sheffield’s unique, inclusive heritage and its social, environmental, educational and well-being benefits, as well as its economic potential.

‘The motion was passed unanimously, and asks the Strategy and Resources Committee to add the Heritage Strategy to its work programme, inviting the Sheffield Heritage Partnership Board to report on its action plan to drive forward the implementation of the Heritage Strategy for Sheffield – putting Heritage at the heart of Council decision making.

‘The Heritage Strategy for Sheffield is unique in being a community-led strategy, created from the ground up by grass roots organisations. I recognise that our city’s heritage does not belong to the city council, but to the people of Sheffield, so it is important that heritage has a voice in our city.  I have asked the Sheffield Heritage Partnership Board to consider becoming a member of the City Goals Partnership. The City Goals Partnership is working across the city to build a set of shared City Goals that shape the future of Sheffield and deliver more inclusive and sustainable growth reflecting the priorities and values of our City. It is right that Heritage should be at the table when the future of Sheffield is being shaped.

‘Sheffield’s heritage is much more than its physical assets such as historic buildings and structures; it includes its museums, art galleries, archives, libraries, public art, natural habitats, traditions, skills, people and communities. This is reflected in the success of our annual Sheffield Heritage Open Days festival, which I have helped to coordinate for several years and which is one of the biggest heritage festivals in the country,

‘As the Council’s Heritage Champion I am committed to keeping people informed about the implementation of the Strategy and to work closely with local groups who help to preserve and promote our city’s heritage.