Local Elections 2023 - Sheffield Wire

Live: Latest updates from Sheffield & Barnsley Local Elections 2023

Local Elections: Verifying underway in Sheffield

10:15pm

Verifying votes cast in Sheffield's local elections is underway at the English Institute of Sport after polling stations closed to voters at 10pm. There are 28 seats up for grabs at the election across every ward in the city, including in Manor Castle where Leader of the Council Terry Fox is standing for re-election. Other wards to watch overnight are City, where the Green Party's Martin Phipps is hoping to build on his 16-vote majority and Stocksbridge and Upper Don, where Conservative candidate David Chinchen is gunning to follow in his son's footsteps and become a councillor in the ward, ousting Labour. Walkley ward will similarly be a tight race between Labour's Tom Hunt and Logan Robin from the Green Party. Last year's elections saw the Greens' Bernard Little take the seat from Labour. Follow our team on Twitter @Sheffield_Wire for live updates from the count throughout the night.

UK is fourth-worst country in Europe for overweight adults, says report

9:28pm

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the UK as the fourth-worst country for obesity, in a report that revealed the disease leads to 1.2m deaths annually in European countries. The report also found that obesity is directly responsible for 200,000 cancer cases each year in Europe, saying it has reached “epidemic proportions.” It can be a cause of 13 types of cancer, including in the kidney and liver. “Obesity is a disease, not just a risk factor,” the report stated. It found that no single member state in the European region is on track to halt the rise of obesity and diabetes.

The UK

The UK has an obesity strategy to reduce the amount of overweight adults and children in the country, with it recently implementing a controversial law forcing large restaurants and cafes to include calorie amounts on their menus. However, the WHO report found that obesity affects 59% of adults in the UK, and 63% of adults were obese in 2018. The report’s data also showed that in many countries, including the UK, more boys under 18 than girls don’t eat fruit or vegetables every day. Professor Jane Ogden, a health psychologist at the University of Surrey, said: “Obesity is a product of things in the environment that make us overeat and under exercise and the way that we think about food. I think what has happened in the UK is that we have an environment that encourages us to be sedentary, so we use our car, we don't walk, we sit at our desks. On top of that, the world around us encourages us to eat more. “Throughout our childhood food is used as a reward, as a way of managing behaviour. There’s language around food that makes it either forbidden or a treat, and because of that we eat more.” The report recommends a “high-level political commitment” to tackling obesity alongside sugar tax on sweet drinks and subsidies on healthy food. In 2019/20, there was a 17% increase in hospital admissions for health issues relating to obesity from the previous year. The WHO report also claimed that Covid-19 has had a negative effect on eating patterns and physical activities, saying: “It will have lasting effects on people’s health for many years and will need significant effort to reverse.” It also placed emphasis on supporting lower socioeconomic groups because they face more constraints and limitations in eating healthily. Dr Ogden agrees with this, saying: "There's a lot of issues around food poverty and people not having the money to buy the right kinds of food and that pushes people toward eating takeaways, which are high in fat, and although they cost more in the long term, if people don't have the right cooking and eating facilities then they can't prepare the food in the right kinds of ways.” She also said that British culture isn’t great when it comes to buying and cooking food, leading to an “explosion” of food delivery apps.

“It’s all exacerbated in a kind of perfect storm.”

The report also noted the contribution of meal delivery apps like Uber Eats and Just Eat to the rise of obesity, saying the apps often lead to overordering and overconsumption. This links to eating out, where the report said people who dine out eat 200 more calories than they would at home, on average. It also found that while active video games can help children get more active, they aren’t a substitute for physical activities. When asked what the UK could do to tackle obesity, Dr Ogden said a good way to combat this could be to stop the food industry from overloading people with food with buy one get one free deals, and to make healthy food cheaper. She said: “We need to work out a way to do this without stigmatising. It should be about everybody being more active and everybody eating well - creating that as a culture. “But a lot of it is a cultural thing. For a long time we haven't been big on cooking and we seem to have become more sedentary, perhaps more than other cultures.”

John Lundstram: Ex-Sheffield United midfielder on brink of Europa League history with Rangers

11:28am

It would be hard to find a current British footballer with a more polarised reputation amongst the supporters of two different clubs than ex-Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram. Departing Bramall Lane on bad terms last summer after an extended contract standoff, Lundstram has enjoyed a remarkable first season north of the border with Rangers. Bemoaned by Blades, idolised at Ibrox, Lundstram stands just 90 minutes away from creating European history as Rangers prepare for the Europa League semi-final second leg against RB Leipzig tonight. Bemoaned by Blades For fans of United, Lundstram’s success in Scotland has come largely as a surprise. “I’ve seen quite a lot of Rangers’ European games and at times it’s like watching a completely different player,” says diehard Blades fan Hal. “I must say I am surprised he’s adapted to life so quickly and well north of the border with Rangers,” the co-host of podcast Sheff United Way added. Making 120 appearances for Sheffield United between 2017 and 2021, Lundstram enjoyed some great times at the Blades as part of the side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2019. The Scouse midfielder went on to become one of the team’s stars in their maiden season in the top flight, scoring five goals as the Blades achieved a commendable 9th-placed finish. It was during United’s second season in the Premier League, which ultimately ended in relegation, when his reputation with the club’s supporters soured as he became embroiled in protracted contract negotiations before eventually leaving in the summer of 2021. Lundstram’s attitude and commitment to the club during these final months has been called into question by Blades fans. Jason Holyhead, freelance writer and author of Sheffield United book Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money, outlines: “In his early days at United he was pretty good and most fans liked him, but then he refused to sign a new deal. From that point onwards, his effort and attitude was appalling in my opinion.” Idolised at Ibrox Fast forward twelve months, and the supporters of Lundstram’s current employers have markedly more complimentary things to say about the 28-year-old. After a tricky start to life in Glasgow under the auspices of fellow Liverpool born manager Steven Gerrard, Lundstram has developed into a key cog in new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s system. Jonny McFarlane, Project Editor at The Rangers Review, says Lundstram has benefited from a difference in tactical approach implemented by Dutchman van Bronckhorst. Jonny says: “Under Steven Gerrard, Lundstram was almost straight-jacketed by the burden of information and automation expected as part of a midfield shape that was largely focused on covering for the rampaging full backs. “In van Bronckhorst's team he has a lot more freedom and responsibility.” Lundstram’s newfound form and confidence under his new manager has enabled him to grow into one of Rangers’ key players, and increasingly one of the favourites of the club’s ardent supporters. “For a long time, Rangers supporters have lacked a player that they feel runs through brick walls for them. Lundstram is that type of player,” says Joshua Barrie, a writer for The Rangers Review and Sky Sports News contributor. “As well as his technical ability, Lundstram is a leader in the middle and the supporters love that,” Joshua adds. It is Lundstram’s performances in the Europa League which have particularly reputation-enhancing. Awarded the club’s Goal of the Season for his left-footed strike in a famous victory for the Gers at the Westfalenstadion against Borussia Dortmund, Lundstram has shone in both midfield and defence during Rangers’ outstanding European campaign.

🎙️ John Lundstram spoke to @RangersTV after collecting the Men's Goal of the Season award.#RangersPOTY pic.twitter.com/RRLVd2eCus
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 24, 2022

Jonny credits Rangers manager van Bronckhorst's tactical acumen and Lundstram’s versatility as being pivotal to the team’s success in Europe. “The Dutchman’s decision to utilise him as both a defender and a midfielder that can switch roles with fluidity is in large part a reason for the club’s deep run in the Europa League.” “I think you could argue he’s been Rangers’ most important player in Europe,” Joshua also suggests.

John Lundstram's stats from the KO rounds of the Europa League (courtesy of FOTMOB).

“An absolute diamond of a kid” This recent defensive deployment of Lundstram at Rangers is something which doesn’t come as a shock to the man who first discovered his talent. First laying eyes on Lundstram as a six-year-old playing in a local seven-a-side boys club in Merseyside, former Everton Head of Academy Recruitment Martin Waldron always believed the youngster would grow into a great defender as opposed to a midfielder. Martin said: “I always thought he was a top-drawer defender as a young player. He played there until his teens, when he was moved into midfield as coaches felt he wasn’t going to be big enough. “I think this was a mistake. It’s no surprise to me to hear he’s been doing well in defence for Rangers. Who knows where he would have ended up now if he’d played at centre-back earlier.” Martin says he has watched Lundstram’s career blossom from afar with keen interest, having always believed in his ability to become a professional. “John was an absolute diamond of a kid. He was a tough player and fully committed, but off the pitch he always liked to have a laugh and joke. “I was really made up when he played in the Premier League for Sheffield United. I was proud of him doing that and I’m now proud of what he’s doing up in Scotland too,” Martin said. Rangers take on German side Red Bull Leipzig at Ibrox Stadium in the second-leg of the Europa League semi-final at 8pm tonight, with Lundstram and his teammates seeking to overturn a one-goal deficit to book the Gers a place in a showpiece final in Seville on 18th May. For the man who scouted him as a primary school-boy over 20 years ago, watching Lundstram crowned as a European champion would be a real source of pride. “It really would be amazing if he achieved that. You just want to see the kids you work with have a career in the game, and to win things like that is extra special,” Martin declares.

Rotherham United promotion parade: Millers supporters celebrate “best ever” season

9:18pm

[metaslider id=40603] Supporters of Rotherham United gathered for an open-top bus parade today in celebration of the club's "best ever" season which has ended with promotion to the Championship. Over 1,000 fans welcomed the team bus to a civic reception at Rotherham Town Hall, as part of a parade which started at the club's New York Stadium. Club chairman Tony Stewart rejoiced at the club's success in front of a sea of Millers supporters, following a season in which Rotherham also lifted the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley last month. He said: "This has been without doubt the best ever year I've experienced at Rotherham. "Thanks to a good manager, training staff and everybody involved with the club we have all pulled together to achieve this." Rotherham's promotion was sealed after a 2-0 victory away to Gillingham on Saturday ensured they pipped MK Dons to second place in League One by just one point. It marks the club's fourth promotion from League One to the Championship in just nine years, with the Millers' last two Championship campaigns ending in relegation in 2019 and 2021. Chairman Tony Stewart has vowed to do everything he can to ensure Rotherham are able to put an end to this pattern and stay up in the Championship next season. He said: "We are determined to stay up this time. We know what we need to do, and we're more determined than ever to make an impression in the Championship." The Millers' charismatic manager Paul Warne was also present at the Town Hall to thank the club's fans for their support. He said: "A football club is not a football club without fans. You’re the beating heart of this club. We get there together. That’s what football is, that’s what brings communities together. "Being together, watching the team, feeling the emotions, feeling the highs, the lows, the depressing parts, the unbelievable joy that you can’t find anywhere else in life, like Georgie’s goal last week at Gillingham. These are moments in your life you won’t forget." "This is an amazing group that will be stuck together in history as one of the best teams this club has ever, ever had," he added.

South Yorkshire mayoral elections 2022: what is the plan for buses?

5:22pm

The Green and Yorkshire Party mayoral candidates have vowed to tackle bus issues across the region after reports of mass cancellations and delays. Both candidates agreed that the current situation affects people's lives on a daily basis and limits accessibility to other parts of the county for those that have disabilities or who are old. Bex Whyman, Green Party candidate, said current routes are not fit for purpose. She has pledged an open conversation with residents and let them highlight any changes they want with monthly public transport forums and introduce more inter-community services in a bid to link more remote areas to one another.

Green party candidate Bex Whyman.

Ms Whyman also said the community would benefit from green changes. She continued: "We need to retrofit our newer buses to electric or hydrogen power and retire our older buses. This is how we encourage people out of cars and onto public transport." Simon Biltcliffe, candidate for The Yorkshire party, echoed this point of view. If the region got more money from London, he said, South Yorkshire would get world class services such as decarbonising buses and getting hydrogen and electric buses on board. Dr Biltcliffe added: " It makes my blood boil listening to Boris Johnson claiming how good TFL is, you know. For every pound we get, London gets about seven. It just doesn't seem fair. God knows how many billons they get for transportation and we get nothing like that. This is unfair and needs to change." He continued that the lack of funding not only affects people's lives on a daily basis, but also the productivity of the whole region.

Mayor candidate Simon Biltcliffe.

What has happened with the buses so far? According to Liberal Democrat mayor candidate Councillor Joe Otten, not a lot. In a hustings debate yesterday evening, Councillor Otten said that while taking control of the bus network was something current mayor Dan Jarvis promised to do four years ago, limited progress has been made. "He started a few months ago, but he has had four years," Otten told the event, run by Yorkshire Live. In a bus report released by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority in October 2021, it was stated that in the month prior, 20% of all buses across South Yorkshire were delayed. Sheffield was the area with the most bus delays standing at 22%.

For both Green Party and Yorkshire mayor candidates, increasing service times across the county would be hugely beneficial. The results for a new mayor will be announced this Friday. Polls will open in person on Thursday.

South Yorkshire mayoral elections 2022 insight: Simon Biltcliffe

5:12pm

South Yorkshire born and bred Simon Biltcliffe is running for regional mayor on behalf of his devolutionary party, the Yorkshire Party. The self-professed, eco-capitalist wants there to be drive for change in the county and less powers deriving from Westminster. He tells Sheffield Wire what his key focus areas are and why he wants to run. Sheffield Wire: What pushed you to run for mayor? Simon Biltcliffe: I want to bring a bit of common sense and a bit of humanity and quite a lot of experience into delivering a better political solution for the people of South Yorkshire generally. And this is a great way of us making a difference in terms of devolution which is what is needed in South Yorkshire. There's more people in Yorkshire than there is in Scotland and twice as many as in Wales. And yet, we've got no political clout. If you leave everything to Westminster you get inconceivable decisions that they make on our behalf that they just have no idea how important these things are to the people here, whether they are left or right, they index everything what it means to Westminster and their careers rather than what it means to the people who are affected. SW: When you say 'leaving everything to Westminster' do you mean something in particular, such as the levelling up scheme? SB: Look at the decisions that have been made, look at the funding that they give, look at the opportunities they give and it is a fraction of what it should be. It would be different if they lived here. It doesn't matter to them transport as they get the fast train between London and Manchester. They would never go across the Snake Pass from Sheffield to Manchester, which is a slow service. If I get this position, it would be seismic because it'll be the first time ever a devolutionary party in England would be in a position of authority. SW: Transportation in the region is on everyone's lips at the moment. How would you resolve this issue? SB: I would try integrating transportation through the region; better buses, better trains, better trams. At current, the level of service is woefully inadequate. And of course it adversely affects not just people's lives on a daily basis, but also the productivity for the whole region, especially when you have one in four people that don't have access to independent transport. It makes my blood boil when I hear the Prime Minister claim how good TfL is. For every pound we get, London gets about seven. It just doesn't seem fair. God knows how many billons they get for transportation and we get nothing like that. This is unfair and needs to change. I would also like to digitise the sector with trains having reliable service. SW: What is a key policy that you want to drive should you get the position? SB: If I had to drive one, it would be lifelong learning and an economy by being green. We need a green technology revolution. We really do have an opportunity now to use technology and green engineering, you know and we really are in a good position to do that with manufacturing skills, plus human and natural resources that we've got to get the next energy transition. A contract to have lifelong learning post 16. The importance of lifelong learning should start in primary schools giving kids pathways into new and creative opportunities. SW: How would this be beneficial? SB: It'll get us better quality jobs here in South Yorkshire and the more you earn the more you learn the more you earn. Everyone pays more tax, due to higher earnings, we get a society we want and the whole of the UK wins. That's what I want overall. For everyone to win. SW: Ok, so I guess the last question is what makes you stand out from the crowd? SB: Well first off, I am not a politician and I have no intention of being perceived as one. I am a doer. I don't just say things and not do them. Deeds not words is my mantra. The second thing is that I'm not getting paid for it. I want to donate my salary to The Samaritans to help those in desperate need. My mum was a Samaritan worker for 30 years and I know that she saved many lives. I have had enough of politicians for the way that they look after themselves and their friends only rather than the people they are meant to serve. I don't need the money. I have enough. They don't. The results for a new mayor will be announced this Friday. Polls will open in person on Thursday.

Snooker should stay at iconic Sheffield venue say players and fans

4:05pm

As Ronnie O’Sullivan claimed a record-equalling seventh World Snooker Championship title at the Crucible on Monday, debates over whether the venue should continue to host the tournament raged amongst fans and players. “I hope it never moves from here,” said former World Champion and BBC presenter Ken Doherty. “It’s the home of the world championships and it should never ever be moved. There’s no place like it in the world. “If it is moved it will be a catastrophe. There are some things in life that money can’t buy. You can’t buy history and you can’t buy nostalgia and you can’t buy the Crucible.” Sheffield City Council has a contract to host the tournament until 2027 but concerns over the venue’s spectator capacity have caused both the council and Word Snooker Tour to consider other options.

The Crucible

Plans were revealed this week to build a 3000 seat ‘Billiardrome’ in Sheffield, featuring practice rooms and a snooker museum alongside a 300 room hotel to appease the growing discontent among some players about facilities at The Crucible. Judd Trump, who lost out to O’Sullivan on Monday has joined Niel Robertson and Scottish player Stephen Maguire in criticising holding the Championships at the venue, but in his interview after the final on BBC television, Trump said: "I think I was wrong when I said I wanted to move from here, think it should definitely stay.” Trump had previously said that he would like to see the tournament move away from Sheffield altogether and relocate to Alexandra Palace which hosts the Master's tournament and can accommodate over 2000 fans. Sheffield based player Ashley Hugill, however, has voiced his opposition to snooker moving away from the city. “To me, the world snooker championship and The Crucible theatre are one and the same thing, they go hand in hand, and for me, that should never change,” said Hugill. “It may not be a perfect venue as it is quite tight with the crowd in so close and also the TV cameras on both tables, but no venue is perfect.

Ashley Hugill

“What the small size of the venue takes away in space it more than makes up for in atmosphere. “When players and fans are at matches it’s not just about what’s happening in that session, it’s all the historic moments of snooker that have taken place there over the years. If the world championship is moved from the crucible all that history feels like it is gone.” Joe Perry, who is considered a mentor to Niel Robertson as well as a professional himself, said: “Personally I’d hate to see it moved, the crucible in my opinion is the perfect venue to hold the World Championships. It creates a different atmosphere to any other that we play in.” “I feel a bigger venue would obviously create more revenue but would lose the intimacy and atmosphere of the crucible. Also, the history of the crucible is special and why every young aspiring snooker player dreams of playing there one day. Add to that the city of Sheffield that has become the home of snooker and is buzzing with excitement for the entire 17 days, to try to recreate this would be a near impossible task in my opinion.” Fans who attended the final in Sheffield this weekend are also largely unanimous in wanting the Championships to stay in the city. Outside the building on Sunday, Peter said: “The Crucible is the home of snooker. I know everyone’s been talking about the atmosphere at Ally Pally and I’m all for that but at the same time, I’m all for Sheffield. I am all for this city and snooker should stay here. The atmosphere inside the Crucible is electric. It needs to stay here. This is the home of snooker and this is the place it should stay. Sheffield is the home of snooker.” Tom and Scott Leonard, who were at the final for the first time said: “You cannot move it from Sheffield, we don’t mind the drive. But it’s ridiculous, knock it down and build a better one.” An Australian fan who has been travelling to the event every year since 1996 voiced a contradicting view, however: “It will probably happen eventually. It did suit the old crowd but now there are getting too many people unfortunately who want to be here. If it moves to a new venue it will create a new tradition. There are only 980 seats so it’s hard to get in.” Nevertheless, the future of the iconic venue appears to be safe after the Chairman of World Snooker affirmed his commitment to stay at the venue beyond its current contract. Sheffield’s status as the spiritual home of snooker appears secure.

Trade Union Congress backs campaign to make Jubilee Bank Holiday permanent, despite likely financial hit to UK economy

3:44pm

What do Bear Grylls, Deborah Meaden and the Archbishop of Canterbury all have in common? They all support the idea of an extra annual bank holiday, termed the “Thank Holiday” by Together organisation, which would boost the annual number of UK bank holidays from eight to nine. In life there are few certainties… death, taxes and bank holidays are ones which spring to mind. It’s impossible to change death and taxes, but what about the number of bank holidays? We've got an extra one on June 3 because of the Jubilee Celebrations but - having survived a pandemic - what benefits or costs would a regular additional day off bring? The European average for the number of public holidays per year is 12, however the UK population only receives eight each year - the second lowest in the world. The Trade Union Congress (TUC), which represents five million workers across the UK, is calling for four extra bank holidays per year in order to match our European counterparts. Policy Officer for TUC, Afzal Rahman, said: “I don’t think this is a pipe dream, I think this is a modest ask for one extra bank holiday, we’ve been calling for four.”

Afzal Rahman

According to data from ONS, the average UK employee works an average of 36.5 hours per week. Within the EU, the Netherlands are reported to have the best work-life balance, working an average of 30.5 hours per week and receiving 11 bank holidays per year. “In the UK we have long working hours which can cause health problems. It leads to stress, it leads to cardiovascular problems, vasco-skeletal problems. Any additional time off helps to prevent those things.” Afzal added that the issue should be high up on the government's agenda, and said: “We’ve all gone through a tough and difficult time, whether you were on the frontline, or you shut down your business or were furloughed. Workers have gone through a lot and have been responsible for making sure that we come out the other side of this.” “Any reasonable government minister would agree with that. We hope that we can impress upon them that this is something important.” Employers are likely to consider the impact the change could make towards productivity and profits of their business, especially given the consequences of the pandemic. Research from professional services firm, PwC, has revealed the UK Government may have overestimated the cost of an extra bank holiday. It showed the net cost of an extra bank holiday to the UK economy is estimated to be £831 million, with the cost being lowered to £736 million if the bank holiday fell on a Friday, given the fewer amount of hours worked on this day on average. The proposed additional bank holiday is estimated to contribute £366 million to the hospitality and retail sectors, industries which were among the worst affected by the pandemic. But PwC’s research stated: “There is strong suggestive evidence that the relatively small macroeconomic cost could be partially or wholly offset by the wellbeing boost a nation’s economy can get from an extra holiday.” The lead research organisation on the impact to the UK economy is the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). CEBR has previously estimated the change to the UK economy during a 2019 bank holiday resulted in a £220 million uplift in the hospitality and retail sector. But industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction are more likely to suffer a loss of output, given their lack of flexible working arrangements. Despite pre-pandemic optimism for bank holiday spending, spokesperson for CEBR, Pushpin Singh, said: “With an extra bank holiday you’re going to be cramming in a week’s worth of time into 20% less time. “That being said, with flexible working arrangements, this impact will be less pronounced than it was 10 years ago." A recent YouGov poll which surveyed 5,130 British adults revealed 54% would support the Jubilee Bank Holiday being made permanent.

Source: YouGov.com

The TUC aims to continue its campaign for the Jubilee Bank Holiday to be a permanent national bank holiday from June 2023 onwards.

Yorkshire Women’s coach ‘feeling confident’ ahead of T20 finals day

2:38pm

Yorkshire Women’s head coach, Mark Harrison, has said he hopes his side can cause an upset on finals day at Northern CC this Sunday. Harrison’s side won four out of their six games in the competition so far, narrowly beating the Northern Representative XI on Monday before succumbing to a heavy defeat to Lancashire after an onslaught from openers Georgie Boyce and Emma Lamb. Lancashire sit top of the standings, eight points ahead of the White Roses, having won all six of their games. Speaking about the defeat to Lancashire, Harrison said: “There was probably some disappointment that we only scored 109, and that has to be put right for the weekend and if we were to come up against them again in the final it will probably be different.” “If you look at the Lancashire side on Sunday it was effectively the regional Thunder side. But anything can happen and the final is a different game. It wouldn't be a case of, well, we've come off worse last weekend, obviously we still would be able to win that game.” Yorkshire will face Derbyshire first in the semi-final after losing out to them in the second round of matches, conceding 183 runs in the field. Bethany Harmer scored a superb 70 off 35 deliveries against the Yorkshire attack. “It was quite a small ground,” Harrison said of the match. “Anything that was short there was just being taken advantage of. It's a case of hitting our areas on Sunday and making sure that we get our field settings right. “We definitely have confidence. I think even if we played them again on that Sunday, we would have probably beaten them. What you've got to respect here is that we've got quite a young side, so the younger players are still learning how to handle disappointment. If the ball goes over their heads and they get hit for a couple of fours, their heads go down, but it's about learning how to deal with that.” The restructure of women’s domestic cricket in 2020 brought the regional system into effect and county cricket has been re-establishing its position in the domestic structure ever since. The precedence the regional centres have taken over county competitions has meant many sides have not had their regional players available which has been compounded by the absence of England players after a demanding winter of international cricket. “I wouldn't say we’re weakened because we've got a strong side out,” said Harrison. “But we have got some young players if you understand what I mean by that. “We’ve got the likes of Beth Langston, Holly Armitage, and Rachel Slater. Rachel is still young as well, but then you’re down to Elise Good and Hannah Buck and the Academy girls or under-18s. “I think we’ve done really well to get to the situation where we are in the semi-final and I’m feeling confident about beating Derbyshire on Sunday and then taking that through to causing an upset in the final.”

Final pictures from @YorkshireWomens v Northern Rep & Lancashire XI at Weetwood on Bank Holiday Monday. YW won a close match. #womenscricket , #womeninsport , @YorkshireCCC , @LancsCricketWMN pic.twitter.com/WJdp9S66c2
— John Heald (@JohnHealdPhotog) May 3, 2022

Despite the difficulties caused by the absence of regional players, Harrison is firm in his view of the role of county cricket in the domestic summer schedule. “For me, the county competition for our senior team has to continue otherwise, you then stop in that pathway to the Diamonds, or you stop that pathway through to the academy, you've got to have that county championship in there,” he said. After the completion of the T20 competition, the regional season gets underway with the Charlotte Edwards Cup on the 14th of May meaning Harrison will be left without more of his key players for the rest of Yorkshire’s fixtures this year. “As soon as we finish on Sunday, we then play the NorthEast Warriors at Harrogate the week after,” said Harrison. “We're going to play them in two T20 competitions and then we will play at Riverside the week after, in a 40 or 50 over game, we haven’t decided that yet. “We are wanting to progress these girls onto the regional squad. The only way that they're going to progress is having more senior games where they are learning from older players and playing, having more game time.” Sunday’s finals day takes place at Northern CC on Sunday and will also feature Derbyshire, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.

EXCLUSIVE: Devonshire Cat pub set for possible re-opening after licensing application submitted

2:12pm

A once-popular Sheffield pub may open its doors again with new owners after a licensing application was submitted to the City Council. The Devonshire Cat, located on Wellington Street, closed down during the pandemic as lockdown costs became too high for previous owners, Abbeydale Brewery. The Brewery voluntarily surrendered the building's alcohol licence when it vacated the premises in 2020. The licence includes permission for live music performances and late night opening hours to 3.30am. The new owners of the building, Prime Land Limited, are seeking to get back the licence on behalf of new tenants who will run the bar. Director of the company, Liaqat Khan, said: “We are applying for exactly the same licence previously held by the Abbeydale Brewery. The Police, fire services and the council are happy with it and the venue has had an alcohol licence since 2005.” However, the application has raised concerns with some residents' groups which object to the bar’s proposed late-night opening hours. Peter Sefton, speaking on behalf of residents' association Changing Sheff, said: “The building is in the midst of a rapidly developing and predominantly residential part of the city centre. It is inappropriate for a pub to stay open to 3.30am when surrounded by high occupancy residential buildings. "We welcome the reopening of the pub but there are so many people living in the city centre now so there has to be a balance between the night time economy and those that want a good night's sleep. "35,000 people are likely to live in the city centre within the next decade. We hope the Licensing Committee recognises the changing nature of many parts of the city centre into predominantly residential areas."

The Devonshire Cat is located next to many residential buildings.

The bar is located near other venues like Corporation and the Washington which hold late night licences beyond 3am. Mr Khan believes this should apply to the Devonshire Cat. A licensing sub-committee meeting is set for May 10 at Sheffield Town Hall to discuss the issue.

Local Elections: Green councillor with 16-vote majority will focus on climate justice if re-elected

2:08pm

A Sheffield Green Party candidate who won his seat in 2018 with a majority of just 16 votes has told Sheffield Wire he is standing for re-election to oppose "rampant capitalism" and to help communities. Martin Phipps said it has "been an honour to be a councillor over the last four years" and that if re-elected in the Sheffield City ward he would focus on climate and social justice. Mr Phipps drew attention to Kelham Island and Highfield, areas within the ward which he says are often overlooked. He said it was down to a misperception that there are not many residents in the city centre and surrounding areas.

Ryan Vintage in the city centre is plastered with leaflets supporting Mr Phipps

When it came to improving his 16-vote hold on the ward, Mr Phipps said increasing the majority would be a fantastic achievement after a re-count on the night in 2018. He said: "But you never take seats for granted and I never would. We have been out talking to people throughout the year - not just at election time - and I think people appreciate that. "We're hopeful, but nothing is ever written in stone." Out on the doorstep, Mr Phipps said the key issue raised has been air pollution and cleaning up the air in the city centre was a priority of his. Mr Phipps said it tied in with the issue of buses in Sheffield, pointing to the Greens fighting to extend the closure of Pinstone Street to cars after lockdown. Mr Phipps said the closure has helped speed up bus routes.

Been out talking to residents in #KelhamIsland this evening about what matters to them, including support for the Kelham Island Low Traffic Neighbourhood and for more joined up safe cycle lanes, and voting Green 🌱🚲🚶‍♀️🚶#VoteGreen #GetGreensElected #WantGreenVoteGreen pic.twitter.com/bCViMRVRJh
— Martin Phipps (@MartinPhipps13) April 25, 2022

As well as this, the software developer and maths graduate said climate and social justice are interconnected and he will continue to lobby the council to retrofit houses at a large scale. The policy involves building the side of a house with insulation and a heat pump instead of a boiler among other aspects. Mr Phipps said the policy creates nicer homes to live in and reduces energy bills - something he recognised was important during the current cost of living crisis. On the issue of social justice, Mr Phipps pointed to his record in the ward. He told how the allocated funding to appoint a Citizens Advice Bureau worker to attend a social supermarket in Highfield was a step in the right direction. Social supermarkets exist to sell food for little to no cost to those on low incomes. Mr Phipps said having a qualified member of staff there to advise people on debts, housing, and benefits is useful to those struggling. Other candidates standing in the City ward are Labour's Gareth Slater, Andrew Smith from the Conservative Party, Liberal Democrat Julia Wright, and Adam Calvert of the Northern Independence Party.

Local Elections: Meet the Northern Independence Party candidate for Crookes and Crosspool

1:54pm

A new party is seeking to shake up the political landscape in the UK by campaigning for Northern England to become an independent nation. The Northern Independence Party currently has no elected representatives, but is looking to change that in the upcoming local elections. One of these candidates is Nathan Howard, a 23-year-old PhD student at the University of Sheffield who is contesting his home ward of Crookes and Crosspool. Although not from the North himself, being born in Cambridgeshire, Mr Howard said he identified strongly with the North and the economic issues it faced. He described how his parents - from Sheffield and Cheshire – moved to the South because of the better opportunities available. Sheffield Wire caught up with him to talk about his party’s bold and controversial vision for the future.

The NIP was founded in October 2020

First of all, how serious is the party about independence for the North? “We’re deadly serious about it. Just look at Scotland - the SNP is a serious party, they want Scotland to leave the UK. Scotland has a smaller economy than the North of England, why couldn't we do it? Through devolution they’ve renationalised the railways, introduced free prescriptions and free university education. It shows that the best way to get concessions from Westminster is to threaten to leave”. Do you think there is an appetite for northern independence enough for people to vote for the NIP? “Well when I’ve been canvasing I’ve spoken to people who said that they weren’t going to vote in this election, because they didn’t feel that they had anyone to vote for – lots of people feel isolated from the main parties. The Green Party has good environmental policies – but again they benefit from the centralisation of government, whereas Labour wants to appeal to the biggest audience possible, there isn’t really an option for people who want to vote for a truly progressive party”. What are the other main policies the NIP is putting forward? “We’ve got several massive crises at the moment, one is the threat of climate change. We’re proposing Green Industrial Rebirth – creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, insulating people’s housing and building new quality housing stock. By doing this, people’s energy costs will go down – renewables are far cheaper to run than current fossil fuel extraction. “We want to create an alternative to the current system where power is concentrated in the hands of a very small number of people. Having a democracy that is more participatory – such as citizens assemblies that will better reflect the society we live in. “Nationalising energy companies is a key goal as well – some are turning over billions of pounds in profit while the average person’s bills have doubled or even tripled overnight”. What are your priorities for Crookes and Crosspool if you were to be elected? “In terms of locally focused policies, public transport is number one. Bus services in Sheffield are abysmal, either public control or even public ownership of the buses. I would back programmes to improve other aspects of our transport infrastructure, such as improving cycle lanes and bike storage. “I would strongly push for community wealth building approaches, making sure that everything the council is buying in is coming from local companies. Most councils currently buy purely based on cost, which only benefits large multinationals in London. It means there’s no local creation of for jobs. “What should be baked into the council is accounting mechanisms, so that councils are taking on ideas and responses from local people. “I would support the use of compulsory purchase orders like in Rotherham, where the council is purchasing retail spaces to rent them back cheaply to local businesses. Crookes is fantastic for independent retailers – who are actively invested in the local community, this is what we should be striving for." Do you think there is a risk that a push for an independent North could create further divisions in our society? “We’re not trying to create more divisions, we’re just identifying the division that already exists. We want these problems to be taken seriously, the North and other regions are not just regions of the centre, they are communities in their own right that are being held back because of regional inequality and the Westminster system.” What about disadvantaged people in the South though? Some of the worst poverty in the UK can be found in the capital “I would say that Northern Independence would not only benefit people who live in the North, but also people who don’t. If people can see a better quality of life – such as a higher minimum wage, better housing, better public transport – I think this could lead to more movements everywhere.” These are big pledges to make – but where is all the money going to come from? “Our policies will be funded through a wealth tax on the wealthiest people in society, a tax on polluting industries, and actually cracking down on tax fraud – we lose billions and billions every year to this. A lot of the services that are procured by government, make all their profit from the money the government gives them, but all the profits they make go into the company rather than public services.” Finally – what's your message to voters? “People deserve better and they should know that they deserve better. We’ve been told for the past however many years that we all need to make sacrifices – and for what? So the government can have more parties in lockdown, so they can give more contracts to their mates? Is that really what people want, what they think they deserve?”