Combined Authority Board backs South Yorkshire projects

Funding to support about £80m of projects across South Yorkshire has been approved by the Mayoral Combined Authority’s Board.More than £15m of funding was granted to housing projects, including the conversion of Cannon Brewery to provide more than 500 new homes in Sheffield and the retrofit of insulation to more than 300 homes in Doncaster.A £760,000 grant was made to improve active travel options along the Tinsley-Magna corridor between Sheffield and Rotherham, while £670,000 is being released for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Capability Fund, in advance of money being received from government to support the roll-out of charging infrastructure across all four South Yorkshire districts.At its previous meeting in July, the board agreed to formally wind down the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership from September, and replace it with two new consultative boards.Applications to the Business Advisory Board were made over the summer, with the first appointments now made. They are: Louisa Harrison Walker, representing the three South Yorkshire Chambers (Barnsley & Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield); Rachel Abbott, representing the Cutlers, South Yorkshire International Trade Forum, Manufacturers Forum and Made In Sheffield; Dawn Huntrod, representing MakeUK; Paula Gouldthorpe, representing the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB); Angela Foulkes, representing the South Yorkshire Skills Advisory Board (SYSAB); and Liz Blackshaw, representing the Northern Trade Union Congress.Members were also updated on the latest plans for the Local Visitor Economy Partnership, South Yorkshire Music Hub and Local Nature Recovery Strategy.