Good afternoon readers — and welcome to our Monday briefing.
South Yorkshire’s creaking bus system could be on the cusp of the biggest overhaul in a generation. Ever since he was first elected in 2022, Oliver Coppard has been trying to bring buses back under public control using a so-called franchising system. Now, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) which he leads has just launched a consultation to ask residents what they think about the proposed changes. Can they bring back the days when South Yorkshire’s buses were the envy of the world? That’s our big story today.
As well as that we have a beautiful shot of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, a ‘doer-upper’ in Endcliffe, and a Halloween special ghost tour of the city centre.
“The most egregious failure of our housing system”
Last week showed the real impact of the journalism we are doing here at The Tribune. On Thursday we looked at the rapid growth of “exempt accommodation” provider Green Bridge Community Housing in Sheffield, who receive millions pounds a year from the council. It was picked up by the Head of Analysis at anti-poverty charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, who tweeted: “This is the most egregious failure of our housing system at the moment, and we're paying a heavy price for it.”
“Excellent reporting,” commented Tribune member Michael Brown. “I’d never heard of exempt housing before this and by the sounds of it the system is open to abuse by landlords as described in the article.” Many others echoed that this was the first they had heard of exempt accommodation. That is unsurprising.
Victoria Munro
Firstly, the housing providers are very keen to prevent the public learning about how good a deal they’re getting (such as £900 a month for renting out one bedroom in a Grimesthorpe terrace). We were sent extensive legal threats from a top city law firm before publication in an attempt to silence us.
Secondly, the kind of reporting needed is hard work. Victoria worked on the story for the best part of a year. Other outfits don’t give their journalists the time and freedom to do this kind of reporting — instead getting them to focus on whatever generates the most clicks.
This is why, as Dan wrote at the weekend, we really need your support. A lot of rich and powerful people have good reason not to want a renaissance in local journalism. We can only keep going if Sheffielders who love their city back us. We’ve built an incredible community of locals doing just that — please join them today.
Other highlights from last week’s Tribune tasting menu included Dan’s review of Norse, the new “Scandinavian-Asian” restaurant trying to persuade Sheffielders to embrace high dining. Were Dan and his dinner companion, the legendary Sheffield food reviewer Martin Dawes, impressed? Read that one here. Today, Norse wrote on Instagram: “We’ve had a massive spike in bookings the past couple of days probably due to @sheffieldtrib review of us”. Which goes to show there’s still an appetite for restaurant reviews in Sheffield.
Would you like to see more restaurants and pubs reviewed on The Tribune? Let us know in the comments where we should go next.
And we had a provocative members-only read about whether a return to manufacturing is really the way forward for Sheffield’s economy with some fascinating data — get that here.
The big picture: Autumn leaves 🍂
Thanks to Helen Angel for letting us use this gorgeous photo of Bacon Lane bridge she took last week in Attercliffe. This spot will soon be the site of development as housebuilder Citu starts work on the Attercliffe Waterside project. To read our piece about their plans, click here.
The big story: Back to the future for South Yorkshire’s buses?
Top line: Speak to anyone over 50 in South Yorkshire and they will tell you about how brilliant our buses used to be. The services run by the South Yorkshire County Council were cheap, reliable, and the envy of the world. New proposals are in the pipeline that proponents say would bring back a bus system of which we could be proud. But do the plans go far enough?
Taking back control: A consultation began last week on what would be the biggest reform of our bus system in almost 40 years. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard wants to bring buses back under public control by creating a so-called “franchising” system, which would give the authority control of how buses are run, owning both the bus depots and the bus fleet.
- Since 1986 bus services in South Yorkshire have been deregulated. This means that rather than being run by the local authorities, the system was owned by profit making companies which had free rein over the setting of routes, timetables, service standards, fares and tickets.
- Under a franchising system, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority would have powers over what routes buses take, what times they run, and what fares cost. It would also allow them to connect up buses, trams and trains with each other.
Why wait? The law requires SYMCA to jump through a number of hoops before it can bring in franchising. This included a detailed assessment which looked at different options for running bus services which concluded earlier this year. The next step is the consultation. After that, the Mayor will then have decide whether or not to introduce franchising (he has previously declared himself firmly in favour).
Even if he presses ahead, it’ll take time to get franchising set up. The Combined Authority will have to decide on timetables and work out how to package up the routes, before putting them out to tender. They’ll want to make it work for passengers, but not make things so onerous that it puts off companies from bidding. Over in Greater Manchester, several firms bid to run the routes when they were franchised — but South Yorkshire is a smaller prize.
The Bus Bill: In July’s King’s Speech, the new Labour government said they would soon be legislating to make franchising easier and reverse the ban on setting up new publicly owned bus companies. This would mean that the combined authority could set up its own bus company rather than having to tender for companies to run their services.
- The issue of public control versus public ownership was a big debate during the election which saw Oliver Coppard chosen as the Labour candidate for South Yorkshire Mayor.
- Some on the left of the party wanted to move further and faster on public ownership but Oliver Coppard said that trying to go straight to public ownership was a “distraction”.
Money matters: While franchising is something that many people including the Mayor think is important, it won’t be a panacea. The BBC reports that our region only receives £10 per resident towards buses, compared to almost £40 in West Yorkshire. However, when SYMCA asked the previous government for more money for buses, it was repeatedly rebuffed. Oliver Coppard will hope that having a government of the same party will mean making his case for increased bus funding will be easier. We’ll be watching Wednesday’s budget for any clues.
Bottom line: Everyone agrees that deregulation has failed and our bus services are not fit for purpose. When we spoke to Oliver Coppard before he was elected South Yorkshire Mayor it was clear he saw improving the bus system as one of his major policy goals. The latest consultation is another necessary step on that journey, but we’re likely to have to wait for a little while yet until we see major changes.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and will close on 15 January, 2025. To take part click here.
The weekly Whitworth ✏️
Cartoonist James Whitworth with his take on the restaurant Norse’s mammoth 14-course tasting menu.
This week’s weather 🌦️
Our weather forecast comes from dedicated Sheffield weather service Steel City Skies, who say high pressure slowly becomes the dominant feature this week with settled weather but also some low cloud and fog.
Monday ☁ Often rather cloudy and dull with occasional light rain and hill fog. Limited brightness but mild with SW breezes and highs of 16°C.
Tuesday ⛅ A cloudy and damp start gives way to a brighter afternoon with light NW winds and very mild temperatures - highs of 17°C.
Wednesday ⛅ Settled and fine with bright spells and variable cloud. Dry throughout with light westerly winds and a chance of fog. Highs of 16°C.
Thursday 🌥 Dry once more with low cloud or fog clearing to bright or sunny spells. Feeling pleasantly warm with light winds and highs of 16°C.
Friday ☁ Potentially problematic fog or low cloud as we sit under high pressure. Otherwise dry with light westerly winds. Highs of 14°C.
Outlook: High pressure likely to stay dominant, with a cool and quiet weekend expected. Some brightness, though mist and fog still possible.
To see the full forecast and keep up to date with any changes to the outlook, follow Steel City Skies on Facebook.
Coming up
This week, our paying members will receive two extra editions of The Tribune. We’re particularly excited for this week’s second paywalled story, in which Dan will be digging into the strange story of Sheffield’s biggest allotments, which have mysteriously closed down amid dark rumours of illegal dog breeding and organised crime. If you’d like to read it (and why wouldn’t you?) you know what to do.
Our media picks 🔗
Exclusive: Labour MP Jas Athwal is the landlord of a failing children’s home 🗞️ Very exciting news — our sister title in London has just launched! The Londoner will cover everything in the capital: from fashion to finance, politics to pubs. After the Evening Standard cancelled their daily edition we think our northern brand of proper local journalism is just what the capital needs.
Their first piece is an incredible exclusive about Ilford South MP Jas Athwal, who is already in hot water after properties he was letting out were found to have mould and ant infestations. The Londoner revealed today that he has also been letting a property to a children’s care home which has been found by Ofsted to have serious failings, putting children in danger. Not only that, the children’s home received millions of pounds from Redbridge council while Athwal himself was leader, and the person who runs the home is a friend of Athwal’s. Keir Starmer was pressed on our report today by The Guardian. Read the piece here and sign up for their free e-mails — and spread the word to anyone you know in London.
Sheffield murderer who died serving life sentence ‘was not given reasonable care’ 🚑 A report into the death of a convicted Sheffield killer from heart disease reveals the medical care he received “was not of a reasonable standard”. Charleston John Cullen, 54, was serving a life sentence after stabbing his brother’s girlfriend to death at a Wybourn home, which he then set on fire, killing his brother. The report from the Prisons Ombudsman notes Cullen had been taken to hospital a few weeks before his death, but that “poor communication with the hospital meant that changes to his medication were not identified”. On his second, final visit to hospital, the report notes that he was restrained for almost two weeks, despite using a Zimmer frame in prison, stating: “The evidence we have seen strongly indicates that restraints were not appropriate.”
Former Sheffield United owner reignites feud with Scottish law firm ⚽ The former owner of Sheffield United FC is still furious about how he was ousted by Saudi prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, according to his recently published book Mucky Boots. Kevin McCabe, a property tycoon and lifelong Blades supporter, became a director of the club in 1995 and spent millions improving Bramall Lane but, in 2019, was forced to sell his 50% stake in the club for £5 million, at a time when it was valued at more than £50 million. While this Guardian article from four years ago lays out the twists and turns, McCabe’s recent book reveals he still blames his lawyers for their “shameful and negligent drafting of documents and poor guidance”.
Workers in Sheffield and Rotherham in uproar after wages go unpaid 🧑🏭 Hundreds of local steelworkers fear for their jobs after being told their wages would be paid late due to “unforeseen timing issues”. Employees at Liberty Steel’s two sites in Stocksbridge and Rotherham were also told last week that their pension payments for September are being delayed indefinitely because of a change in bank account, even though the money for these payments was taken from their wages last month. The Star reports that most of the workforce at both sites is already on furlough due to a lack of orders and that the company is being chased by contractors who have also not been paid.
Home of the week 🏡
We love a doer-upper at The Tribune and this four bedroom Victorian terrace in Endcliffe has what the estate agent calls “bags of potential”. Spread over three floors, saying it’s in need of some “general cosmetic updating” is a bit of an understatement to be honest. But it is well-located for lots of excellent schools and is only a few short minutes’ walk from Endcliffe Park. It is on the market for £265,000.
Tribune tips: If you want to tell us about a story or give us some information, please get in touch with us by emailing editor@sheffieldtribune.co.uk. We are happy to speak to people off the record, and we guarantee we will treat your information with confidence and sensitivity.
Things to do 📆
Tour 🎃 On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, join Strange Britain on one of their Halloween Special Ghost Walks in Sheffield city centre. These specials include the story of a shocking real life exorcism and the unlikely cryptid creature who, over the past few centuries, has frequented the fringes of Sheffield. Whether you're a horror fan, a history enthusiast, or just plain curious, the walks offer the perfect blend of humour, horror, ghosts, and other strange tales.
Theatre 🎭 On now at the Crucible’s Playhouse, is KENREX, the unbelievable true story of a community taking back control. Part-Western and part-true crime, with a foot stomping live Americana soundtrack, KENREX is a gritty, gripping, one-man thrill ride from the creators of the Olivier-nominated Cruise. The show also has a live album which you can listen to on most streaming services. Tickets are priced £25 and the show runs until Saturday, 16 November.
Craft 🧵 And also on from now until Christmas Eve is Crafted, the Millennium Gallery’s annual showcase celebrating the region’s best independent craftspeople, artists and designers. There you’ll find a wide range of jewellery, glass, ceramics, woodwork and metalwork, art and textiles, all made by makers based in the North. And not only does each item you buy help support the makers, it also goes towards keeping Sheffield’s museums free and open for everyone to enjoy.
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