We’re excited to announce that we have been awarded funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

This will allow us to engage consultants to assist in development cost appraisal modelling, early feasibility studies on proposed sites, and further organisational capacity building. It’s been a busy few months behind the scenes since registering as Community Benefit Society and we’ve been developing organisational structures, getting our bank account established, and exploring how we might develop and broaden our board, and get ready for a membership offer.

We’ve also comissioned research from our fantastic team from the Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield paid internship programmes who have been interviewing members of other CLTs across the UK; developing an outreach, membership and social media strategy; looking at ways in which to engage with people that are normally excluded from decision making processes; and exploring how we might be able to influence policy.

More info on the SYMCA:

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is led by Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard, and brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and the private sector through its Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The Mayor, MCA and LEP have a shared purpose to create a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire. To work together to unlock the potential of South Yorkshire people, businesses and places and ensure they prosper.

The SYMCA’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) provides the blueprint for how to transform the region, to keep people and businesses moving and to help them grow, delivering a public transport network and attracting investment to create a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire by 2040.

SYMCA’s vision is to grow an economy that works for everyone. To develop inclusive and sustainable approaches that build on South Yorkshire’s strengths in innovation and embrace the UK’s 4th Industrial Revolution, to contribute more to the country’s prosperity and enhance quality of life for all.

SYMCA have powers and resources, devolved from Westminster to South Yorkshire, which means they can take decisions locally about its economy, transport, skills, housing, and infrastructure.

To use these to create a vibrant, thriving South Yorkshire where people want to live and work.

Attract new investment to the region and build the conditions for inclusive economic growth which benefits everyone. Help create good jobs, by backing businesses to grow, invest and locate in South Yorkshire.

To support people so they have the training and skills to find work, remain in work or progress in work. To help businesses secure the skills they need to be more productive and grow.

To serve South Yorkshire every day and connect people and businesses to the places they need to be. As the body responsible for South Yorkshire’s public transport network, managing the 102 million passenger journeys made each year in South Yorkshire. Building a transport system which is reliable, green and affordable.Investing in infrastructure to transform our places, revitalise high streets and deliver new homes.

For more information visit southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk