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Street trees plan sets out greener vision

A new strategy for managing Sheffield street trees has been set out in a groundbreaking partnership report. The Street Tree Working Strategy has been developed by a group of partners including Sheffield Tree Action Groups (STAG), Sheffield City Council, Amey, independent experts from Natural Capital Solutions and Leeds City Council as well as the Woodland Trust. The new approach, to be recommended for adoption by Sheffield Council, has a focus on sustainable management of the urban tree population for its environmental, health and wellbeing benefits. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Liz Ballard, chief executive of Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust and chair of the strategy group.

Radisson Blu selected for Pinstone Street development

International chain Radisson Blu have been selected by Sheffield Council for a flagship hotel on Pinstone Street overlooking the Peace Gardens. The luxury hotel development is expected to offer 150 rooms as part of the Heart of the City Phase 2 programme which will restore a group of historically significant buildings of Victorian heritage. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and infrastructure.

Union ballot to end Hallam lecturers dispute

The University and College Union are to ballot their members on a deal with Sheffield Hallam University to end the current dispute over excessive workloads. The proposals, which the union are recommending to their members, would provide extra time for new lectures and courses together with a workload monitoring mechanism. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jane Fearon, branch secretary for Shefffield Hallam UCU.

£1.5bn investment plan to transform Sheaf Valley

A massive £1.5bn redevelopment project in the Sheaf Valley is being proposed by Sheffield Council, linked to HS2 and and extending from St Mary’s Road to Park Square. The plan includes moving the Sheaf Street dual carriageway out to the current tram route, demolishing the Park Square roundabout and investment in new offices, leisure facilities and public spaces around Sheffield station. The Sheffield Valley project will be one of the biggest council led redevelopment schemes with up to £1bn sought from the private sector and other funding coming from government, Sheffield City Region, HS2 and other partners. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Councillor Mazher Iqbal cabinet member for business and investment.

International Women’s Day: more progress needed on gender equality

An open event at Union Street to mark International Women’s Day discussed the struggles women face in employment and in achieving progress on gender equality. The International Women’s Day campaign carries the theme this year of Generation Equality and aims to drive actions that will create a gender-equal world. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Sarah Woolley, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union.

Union demands better conditions for student workers

Unite the Union is calling on Sheffield University’s Students Union management to end zero hours contracts and to offer its student workers the real living wage. Unite Union says hundreds of students are employed by the University’s student union on a casual bases earning less than £118 a week meaning they do not qualify for statutory sick pay. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Harriet Eisner, regional organiser for Unite.

GMB defends trade union convenor posts

The GMB union staged a protest at Sheffield Town Hall against Liberal Democrat proposals to cut funding for Sheffield Council employees who work as trade union convenors. The union claims that convenors save money for the local authority by representing the workforce on industrial matters. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to GMB organiser Lee Parkinson.

Funding boost for social enterprise

A National Lottery funding award is set to bring a £500 thousand boost to social enterprises in the Sheffield City Region. The funding awarded to the Social Enterprise Exchange consortium and Sheffield Social Enterprise Network will support a programme of awareness raising, business support and small grants. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Darren Chouings, chair of Sheffield Social Enterprise Network.