The Sheffield City Centre Residents Action Group have submitted an objection to an application to the Sheffield Licensing Council for a sixth off-licence on Sheffield’s West Street. The group argues the high number of off-licences on West Street has a direct link to reports of anti-social behaviour. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!
Brightside and Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss has issued a joint statement with other South Yorkshire MPs criticising the idea of an elected mayor for Yorkshire and The Humber. The statement was in response to a call by fellow Labour MP Jon Trickett at a Wakefield conference who has proposed a directly-elected mayor to run a single devolved region taking in the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber. Trickett’s proposal comes after a mayoral election for the Sheffield City Region was pushed back to 2018. The delay followed a High Court ruling about a flawed consultation process. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Gill Furniss.
Sheffield Council leaders are considering proposals to end the authority’s waste contract with provider Veolia. Veolia is responsible for collection and disposal of household waste, running waste recycling centres and managing and operating the Energy Recovery Facility at Bernard Road. The contract was signed in 2001 and is set to expire in 2036. At Sheffield City Council’s cabinet meeting next week, members will consider alternative solutions to provide waste services in the city. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke to Councillor Bryan Lodge, cabinet member for the environment.
Award-winning theatre company Cardboard Citizens are to bring their production of Cathy to Sheffield’s Studio Theatre. The production was inspired by the Ken Loach film Cathy Come Home. This year marks the marks the 50th anniversary of Loach’s film and the 25th anniversary of the theatre company who make theatre with and for homeless people. First broadcast in 1966 on BBC TV, Cathy Come Home depicts a young family’s slide into homelessness. Cardboard Citizens continue their exploration of the state of housing and homelessness with Cathy, a powerful new forum theatre show by playwright Ali Taylor. Sheffield Live! reporter, Azz Mohamed, spoke to Adrian Jackson, director of the new production and artistic director for Cardboard Citizens.
Sheffield and District Amateur Dramatic Society has raised concerns over the future of Sheffield’s Library Theatre as the Council consults on redevelopment of the Central Library. Three public meetings have been held by Sheffield Council to consult on the future of the Central Library with a proposal under consideration for conversion of the Grade II listed building into a five star hotel. The building is in need of costly repairs and the Council has promised that a new library will be built in the city centre if the commercial development goes ahead. Assurances have also been given about keeping the Graves Art Gallery but little has been said about the future of the Library Theatre. The theatre is part of the library building, managed by Sheffield City Council, and is used by many amateur dramatic societies, schools and art groups as a home, including for some edgier productions that might not otherwise be performed. Sheffield Live! reporter, Simon Thake, spoke to Phil Gascoyne, chair of Sheffield and District Amateur Dramatic Society.
More than 300 artists working across a range of media have offered their under-the-bed artworks for sale to the public as part of an annual exhibition at Cupola Gallery. The gallery, established in 1991, is one of the most respected spaces for the exhibition and sale of contemporary fine art and craft in the North of England. Baillor Jalloh spoke to Graham Shapley, general manager at Cupola Gallery.
Prime Minister, Teresa May has outlined plans to tackle what she described as the “hidden injustice” and stigma of mental illness. The PM said there will be additional training for teachers, an extra £15m for community care, and a £67.7m investment into online services such as self-checks to help diagnose mental health in its early stages so surferers can get the help they need. Mrs May’s speech comes as she outlined her plans to use the state to create a “shared society”. Tim Jones is the founder of Sheffield mental health action group, a charity organisation where mental health surferers meet to socialise.
Ray Matthews of Rotherham, aged 75, has been honoured with the British Citizens Award for his exceptional contribution to the community after a series of fundraising marathons. Matthews began the challenge in July last year to run 75 marathons in 75 days, and to raise £75,000 to pay for a soft playground and specialist equipment for Newman School, a special needs school in Rotherham. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Development Education Centre South Yorkshire have released findings of their Gender Respect Education Project which grew out of the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women and girls. The campaign inspired women and girls, and men who support them, to come out on the streets of more than 50 different cities across the globe on 14 February 2013 in a life affirming demonstration of dance, banners and testimonies. The three year Gender Respect Education Project sought to help children and young people to understand, question and challenge gender inequality and violence in a local and global context. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with Helen Griffin, education officer at DECSY.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission have launch an inquiry into the death of a man who was hit by a marked police car on Penistone Road in Sheffield. The 70-year-old, who has not been named, was hit by the Vauxhall Astra on Penistone Road at its junction with Bradfield Road at 18:20 GMT on Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene and South Yorkshire Police said an investigation into the circumstances of the collision was under way. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!