Sheffield residents’ groups with the support of their Local Area Committee will be able to designate grass verges and green pockets for wildflower planting. Councillor Barbara Masters, who has championed the scheme, told Sheffield Live! residents would be able to get advice from council officers and the wildlife trusts on suitable wildflower species for creating naturalised verges that would not rewuire mowing more than once a year. Bailor Jalloh reports.
Climate activists held a vigil outside the Town Hall on Monday to mark four years since Sheffield Council declared a climate emergency and to raise awareness about the dangers of climate change. Sheffield has committed to becoming a zero carbon city by 2030. A petition with more than 200 signatures urging the Council to act faster was delivered during the full council meeting. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Joan Miller and Peter Gilbert.
Campaign group End Fuel Poverty Coalition are calling on the government to increase taxes on energy firms and support vulnerable customers following reports of windfall profits. British Gas owner Centrica made over £3bn profits in 2022 after oil and gas prices soared, more than triple the £948m it made in 2021. The figures come just weeks after British Gas was criticised over its use of debt agents to force-fit prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable customers. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Simon Francis, co-ordinator for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.
A new play emulating the life of Emma Clarke, Britain’s first black female footballer, is set to take place at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre this weekend. Emma Clarke is known as a 19th century pioneer for women’s football in this country. Sheffield Live! reporter Tchiyiwe Chihana spoke to Sara Sanderson who performs the role of Emma Clarke in the new production.
A Sheffield based anti-smoking charity is calling on the government to introduce an excise tax on single use vapes to be implemented in the budget next month. The recommendations from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) come following an increase in youth vaping and growing concerns from parents and teachers. The charity believes an excise tax on disposable vapes would deter many young people from vaping as the increased price would be a deterrent. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke Hazel Cheeseman, deputy chief executive of ASH.
Syrian residents living in Sheffield held a vigil outside the Town Hall on Sunday to remember those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey ast week. They also called on the international community to urge the Turkish and Syrian governments to allow aid delivery to the affected areas. The death toll has risen to more than 36,000 since the earthquake on 6 February, with the numbers contnuing to rise. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Warning there are distressing images on the video
Mohamed Kousa, a Syrian resident of Sheffield, is among those who lost family members in the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria on Monday. Amar Ghanam, Imam at Fatima Community Centre in Burngreave told Sheffield Live! that many local residents have lost relatives and friends. The centre is providing counselling for those affected and is seeking donations to help victims of the earthquake. More than 22,000 people have been confirmed dead with numbers expected to rise as rescue and relief efforts continue. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Former Sheffield Hallam MP, Jared O’Mara has been sentenced to four years in prison for making fake invoices claims to fund his drug addiction. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ), due to come into force on 27 February, was the focus of a protest march and rally at the weekend, with campaigners opposed to the introduction of clean air charges. More than 100 people took part in a march from the Town Hall to Sheffield train station to protest what they describe as a plan to make money out of local residents. Speaking to Sheffield Live! Green Party councillor Douglas Johnson said the CAZ will only apply to the most polluting vehicles such as taxis, buses, coaches, vans, LGVs and HGVs, and not to private vehicles and motorcycles. Baillor Jalloh reports.
As part of Race Equality Week, Sheffield Council hosted a diversity networking event at the Town Hall, designed to implement one of the recommendations of the recent Race Equality Commission report. The Celebrating Diversity Networking Event aimed to provide an opportunity to talk about race in a supportive environment and to find out what local organisations are doing to tackle racism. Race Equality Week is an annual UK-wide campaign which brings together thousands of organisations and individuals in common purpose to address barriers to race equality in the workplace. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to council leader Terry Fox and to Maleiki Haybe, councillor for Broomhall and Sharrow Vale.