Councillor Martin Smith, chair of Sheffield City Council’s economic development and skills policy committee has spoken to Sheffield Live of his disappointment over the city missing out on the latest Levelling-Up funding. The local authority bid for two projects, at Parkwood Springs and Heeley Development Trust, however both project proposals were rejected. The government has been criticised for awarding Levelling-Up money to wealthy areas in the south-east of England rather than poorer areas in the north-east. Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has defended the decisions, arguing the north is to receive the most amount of cash in terms of funding per person. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Rotherham Hospice has announced its midnight memory walk is set to return this summer after seven years. The event aims to raise money for the running of the hospice and for families to remember loved ones who have passed away. It is planned to take place on Saturday, 24 June, starting at the New York stadium. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Paula Figueira, manager of Rotherham Hospice.

Sheffield City Council has been issued with a regulatory notice by the Regulator of Social Housing for breach of legal duties on gas safety occurring over several years. The council is legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection in every council house, however investigators found that hundreds of properties had not received their annual inspection and many had not been inspected for years. Councillor Douglas Johnson, chair of the housing policy committee at Sheffield City Council, told Sheffield Live! tenants are partly to blame for the failure as engineers were unable to access some of the properties for various reasons. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Sheffield-based Utopia Theatre has launched a youth academy to create more opportunities for young people from African-Caribbean heritage and other minority groups. Free arts classes and workshops will be offered to young people age 9-19 years living in Sheffield and surrounding areas. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Bookey Oshin, a trustee at Utopia Theatre, and Kate Brindley, project director for the arts, culture and heritage at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

Following the recent break-in at Sheffield’s Assay Office in Hillsborough, chief executive Ashley Carson has appealed to members of the public to report to the police any suspected attempts to sell the stolen jewellery. Speaking to Sheffield Live!, Carson said the total value of the items taken is around £60.000 but some of the items are very “distinct and irreplaceable”. The break-in took place at night on 15 January, with CCTV footage showing the thieves entry and getaway. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Former Sheffield boxer, Johnny Nelson, has expressed his delight after recently being awarded an MBE for his contributions to boxing and for work with young people across Yorkshire. The former cruiserweight champion said he was honoured to have been recognised. Recently Mr Nelson has been campaigning for men to speak up about their mental health and other health related issues. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Thousand of ambulance workers have been back on strike this week in the continuing dispute over pay and staff shortages. In Yorkshire, Unison members walked out, as the only union representing ambulance workers in the region. Tristan Metcalfe, a paramedic on the picket line at Longley Ambulance Station, spoke to Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh.

Sheffield based Utopia Theatre has been granted National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status by Arts Council England to establish an African Theatre Youth Academy. The award assures funding for three years to run regular performing arts classes and workshops to compliment the skills of young people age 9-19 years with oral storytelling and performance techniques, including acting, music, dance, learning a musical instrument, public speaking and film making. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Liberal Democrats councillor, Martin Smith, has described the container project as a “shambles” after a Sheffield Council report recommended the complex be dismantled and stored for future use in communities or parks. The eight units in Fargate, which opened in October 2022 after a three month delay, were installed as a pop-up space for food stalls, shops and events, and to help boost footfall. Having spent nearly £0.5 million on the project the council has announced the containers will be removed at the end of February. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!