Local News
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Flood defences complete
Time is running out to access free digital courses Individuals looking to improve their digital skills can access fully-funded courses from Independent Training Services (ITS) until Sunday 31 December 2023. The training, which is delivered by ITS, a part of Barnsley College, is backed financially by The European Social Fund (ESF)’s ‘Advancing Digital’ campaign which supports people to improve their digital skills that are commonly used in the workplace. People employed and living or working in South Yorkshire can enrol onto a range of courses up to Level 3 in a variety of areas, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and
Word; Microsoft Office with Teams, SharePoint and Outlook; Digital Marketing; and Cyber Security. As the programme ends at the end of the year, ITS is now able to offer additional qualifications in subjects such as Customer Service, Team Leading, Retail and a wide range of Health, Care and Education qualifications. Stephen Hepworth, Managing Director of ITS, said: “The fully-funded courses provided by the ‘Advancing Digital’ campaign is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to develop their skills so they feel more confident and can progress their career.”
Those who wish to find out more about the training on offer, can visit the ITS website: www.independenttrainingservices.co.uk/ our-services/fully-funded-digital-skillstraining. For further information about the courses or to enrol, please email t.amer@ barnsley.ac.uk or call the ITS Team on 01226 216 760. Advancing Digital is funded by the European Social Fund and operates in partnership with Barnsley Council, Barnsley College, RNN Group, Sheffield City Council, ITS (Independent Training Services) and Sheffield Hallam University.
Sports clubs to benefit from Town Deal grants
The first phase of improvements to Sheffield’s flood defences are now complete in the Loxley Valley, Hillsborough. The Upper Don Flood Alleviation Scheme aims to protect 63 homes and 152 businesses from the damaging effects of flooding, like those seen in the area in 2007 and 2019. The recently complete phase saw improvements to flood defences on the Lower Loxley, Hillsborough and Owlerton. The project included works within existing businesses and homes, sheet piling and building a series of walls all while considering the most effective way to protect the environment and ecology of the area. The removal of a redundant weir near Livesey Street also helped to improve the fish passage. The Council is working alongside the Environment Agency and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority on the wider Upper Don Flood Alleviation Scheme. It aims to protect communities, major roads and development land in the Upper Don, Loxley and Little Don valleys from Stocksbridge through Oughtibridge and Hillsborough to the city centre. Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “The council is committed to protecting all residents in the city from flooding and has played a leading role in the delivery of this important project. “With predictions for warmer and wetter winters, heavier downpours in the summer, and more extreme weather events as a result of climate change, Sheffield’s flood risk continues to increase and we recognise the importance of building our resilience and taking action as soon as possible. “The Upper Don Flood Alleviation Scheme, along with the range of other measures we are implementing across the city, will provide residents security, enable businesses to invest and grow and keep our great city moving.” Photo: The River Loxley impacting residential properties at Rudyard Mews during a flood event in 2007
Grants totalling £220,000 have been given the go ahead - delivering major improvements at two Stocksbridge sporting clubs through the Town Deal Sports Hub Project. Stocksbridge Park Steels is to receive a grant of £120,000 and Stocksbridge Rugby Club will receive £100,000, unlocking an investment which will enhance facilities at the two clubs for both players and supporters. The two grants are part of a package of major improvements to sporting facilities across the town and were approved at Sheffield City Council’s Finance Committee on Monday 16 th October. The investment means Stocksbridge Park Steels can upgrade the club’s Bracken Moor stadium to be much more accessible to prams and to wheelchair users, creating a new area at the ground. The Rugby Club grant will allow a much needed drainage project to go ahead – making the pitch playable throughout the year. Work on both projects is expected to get underway in spring 2024. The £220,000 investment is part of the £24.1m Town Deal investment in Stocksbridge which includes the regeneration of Manchester Road as well as investment at Oxley Park and at Underbank Reservoir. Roger Gissing, Vice Chairman of Stocksbridge Park Steels said: “This project opens a lot of avenues for us, a lot of our supporters are elderly and we do struggle with access, we have lots of stairs and steps and this grant is going to enable us to create an area which is on a flat level.“
Stocksbridge Rugby Club President Philip Watts said: “We are delighted to have the confirmation that we can start on this project which is something we have wanted to invest in for some time at the club. “When the pitch gets waterlogged in the winter months we often have to find other pitches or delay games – so this will make a huge difference to all our teams, from the youngest juniors up to our adult team.” Towns Fund Board Co-Chair, Miriam Cates MP, said: “We’re delighted that the Stocksbridge Town Deal can award these grants to two great local clubs allowing them to start work on these enhancements and improvements. “Stocksbridge Rugby Club and Stocksbridge Park Steels are both hugely important to the local community in Stocksbridge and Deepcar and this investment is going to make a real difference to both clubs.” Photograph shows (l-r) Nigel George and Philip Watts from Stocksbridge Rugby Club, Graham Silverwood and Miriam Cates MP from the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board and Graham Furness, Roger Gissing and Bill Fieldsend from Stocksbridge Park Steels. To keep up to date with news about Stocksbridge Towns Fund visit www.welcometostocksbridge.co.uk
