This is what 2020 has in store for Sheffield

The environment:

In June 2007, Sheffield was devastated by ‘once in a lifetime floods’. Then it happened again in November.

Flood defences protected the city from disaster this time around but environmentalists say there needs to be a more holistic approach to protecting the city - and it starts with tackling climate change.

The proposed Clean Air Zone, road closures around schools and a new agreement between the council, Amey and Sheffield Tree Action Group means the environment will be at the top of the agenda.

A referendum:

A 26,000-name petition has sparked a referendum, which is due to be held alongside the local elections in May.

It’s Our City campaigners want to see the ruling Cabinet scrapped and replaced with a committee system, which they believe is more democratic.

Voters will be asked to decide at a ballot while they are casting their vote for the council elections.

Police and Crime Commissioner:

There will also be a third ballot paper in May - for the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Alan Billings has held the post since 2014 and will be Labour’s candidate again. Other political parties will also be fielding candidates for the role, which has a salary of £85,000.

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Devolution:

It will be two years in May since Dan Jarvis became the first Sheffield City Region Mayor but the devolution paperwork still hasn’t been signed.

There are millions of pounds sitting in a Treasury bank account waiting to be spent but Mr Jarvis cannot access the money, or his Mayoral powers, until Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster agree the deal.

New Members of Parliament:

Labour’s safe heartland seats are no more after the Conservative’s landslide general election victory.

There are new Tory MPs in Penistone and Stocksbridge (Miriam Cates), Rother Valley (Alexander Stafford) and Don Valley (Nick Fletcher).

There was a glimmer of hope for Labour as former deputy council leader Olivia Blake won Sheffield Hallam with a slim majority of 712.

Brexit:

Finance chiefs at the council have struggled because of the uncertainty of Brexit.

Many issues, from long term budgets to social care reviews, have been put on hold either due to Brexit consuming Whitehall or a hesitant government with a slim majority.

Richard Wright, chief executive of Sheffield Chamber, has given stark warnings that Brexit will be damaging for business in the city.

But there’s no doubt that many people voted Conservative in the general election because they wanted to ‘get Brexit done’.

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Local Plan:

From July to September there will be the first tranche of consultation on the draft Local Plan, a blueprint for how the city will be developed.

But don’t hold your breath as the full plan won’t be finalised for another four years.

The long awaited Plan won’t be completed and published until September 2023. Developers have criticised the delay, saying it will create uncertainty and a loss of momentum.

Heart of the City 2:

The revitalisation of the city centre will continue, with new offices attracting banks and law firms among others. Major retailers including Next, H&M, New Look, Skechers, River Island, Monki and Weekday have opened as The Moor snatches the shopping crown from Fargate.

There’s still much to tempt at Fargate though with the opening of Kommune food hall and a successful year for the National Videogame Museum.

Heritage:

It’s been a mixed year for groups campaigning to preserve the city’s historic buildings.

They were dismayed when plans were approved to convert the Old Town Hall at Castlegate into apartments and a hotel.

But councillors refused to allow an apartment block to be built on the site of the Old Coroner’s Court at the Wicker, although the 100-year-old building is still under threat of demolition.

The Heritage Open Days were a huge success and showcased the hard work done by volunteers to protect and promote Sheffield’s history.

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