South YorkShire’S MaYor announceS inquirY to protect regional infraStructure

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has announced plans for an independent Inquiry to help protect strategic infrastructure in South Yorkshire. The Inquiry was triggered by the decision of Peel Group to close Doncaster Sheffield Airport last year and follows an unsuccessful appeal for judicial review of their decision by Doncaster Council. The Inquiry will look at whether new powers, policies or laws are needed to protect similar and new infrastructure projects in the future, at the local, national, and regional level – including through our devolution settlement. Its findings are expected to hold lessons for places outside of South Yorkshire, feeding into the national conversation about regional economies and powers.

It will be chaired by respected lawyer, business, civic leader and a former High Sheriff of South Yorkshire, Martin McKervey.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “What happened to our airport should never have been allowed, and yet we did not have the ability to stop it from happening. We were at the mercy of a private company over whom we had no control, and a government in London who refused to intervene. That simply can’t be allowed to happen again.

“Increasingly, we are talking about how proper devolution might work in this country. For me, proper devolution has to mean putting power in the hands of our communities so we can build the type of economy we want for our region and have proper democratic control over the infrastructure we all rely on.

“South Yorkshire has lost two airports in ten years. Despite the millions of investments and the years of support our region poured into DSA, when push came to shove we simply didn’t have the powers, money or control we needed to stop it from being closed and mothballed.

“We need to urgently look at how we shift the balance of power back into the hands of our communities, so we can protect economically essential assets and infrastructure now and into the future. That’s why I welcome this inquiry and look forward to its recommendations.”

Doncaster Council has announced that they are pursuing a Compulsory Purchase Order for the Airport. The Inquiry’s scope will be defined so as to prevent its work being in any way prejudicial to ongoing legal action surrounding the Airport. The Inquiry’s recommendations should ensure that any future airport’s operations are more secure than those that have come before.

Inquiry chair, Martin McKervey said: “The strong feelings of business and the local community over Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s closure show that - whilst due process is of course to be respected - it is clearly not enough in itself to ensure private decisions and regional ambitions are aligned.

“It is therefore right that independent experts - trusted by business, the community and a wide range of stakeholders - come together to review what more can be done to protect our critical infrastructure and economic assets.”

The Inquiry will be led by the independent chair, with a secretariat provided by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority at arm’s length to maintain independence, in line with the model of a central government Inquiry.

The review will be impartial, transparent, and will take evidence from community groups, businesses, business organisations, stakeholders, institutions, and members of the public including political leaders. A full Terms of Reference document will be agreed by the chair and members of the Inquiry team and published in due course.

The review is expected to consider: the policy context shaping commercial decision-making over assets identified as of regional strategic significance, like Doncaster Sheffield Airport; the division of powers across different tiers of government to support such assets; and recommendations to local, regional, and national government on how to prevent the abrupt closure of such assets in the future.

According an ONS crime survey conducted between October 2021 and March 2022, 50% of 31,204 respondents received a phishing message in the month prior to being asked. Of these, 32% of fraudsters pretended to be banks, building societies and other financial institutions asking for sensitive information. With this in mind, cybersecurity experts have compiled a list of 12 safety tips to ease the wary online banker’s mind. They have also highlighted the possible risks of online banking to keep you vigilant of any dangers. What are the possible dangers of online banking? Financially motivated cybercrime, using malware and phishing, is growing at a rapid pace. In fact, by 2023, the number of internet users is set to increase by 275%, creating more targets for online banking fraudsters.

Malware

Cybercriminals can use malware like spyware to break into your phone or computer and potentially steal your banking details. Cybercriminals can use a keylogger to track your keystrokes and steal your banking login details as you are typing them.

Phishing Phishing is where a cybercriminal attempts to obtain someone’s sensitive information by pretending to be a party this person trusts, such as a bank. It is essential to stay vigilant and remember: it is highly unlikely that your bank will ask you for login details, PIN codes or confidential information.

12 online banking safety tips

1. Be wary of transfers: Only transfer money to parties you trust. Money transfers cannot usually be reversed without the explicit permission of the

spREadING THE lOvE

receiving party.

2. Use a unique password and login details: Make sure your banking login details are different from your other online portals or services; it is much safer to have a different password for your bank if a hacker gains access to your device. The most secure password you can create will be at least ten characters long, containing a minimum of one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one symbol. It would be best if you considered changing your password to a new unique password every six months.

3. Keep login details safe: Do not give your online banking login details to anyone. If you receive a phone call or an email asking for you to enter your banking login details, sensitive information or PIN codes, this could be a phishing scam.

4. Use fingerprint and face ID: Make use of the newest technology when it comes to signing into your online banking apps. Using a fingerprint or Face ID login is much safer than the traditional username and password. Another security measure to consider is using twofactor authentication, essentially providing two methods of logging in.

5. Update apps: Ensure your device’s operating system is up-to-date. The same goes for your online banking app if you use one. The best practice is to configure your settings to update all updates automatically.

6. Never click on suspicious hyperlinks: If you receive an email or a text from a number or address you don’t recognise that contains a hyperlink, don’t click on it. Do not download any files they may contain.

7. Be wary of suspicious emails: Cybercriminals may send you a convincinglooking email with your bank’s logo and a professional-looking layout. If this email asks for sensitive information, including your password, login details or PIN code, delete this email.

8. Check HTTPS connection: Always ensure the website you visit has a secure HTTPS connection before you log in to your online banking account. Many browsers show whether your connection to a certain website is secure. Some of these browsers may display a padlock symbol inside the address bar indicating the safety of a website’s connection. If the connection isn’t secure, do not share any personal details with that page.

9. Install antivirus software: Install antivirus software on your device to protect yourself from malware and viruses. The best antivirus programs will offer a built-in firewall, that provides a barrier between a trusted network and an untrusted network.

10. Be wary of phishing: If you suspect you have come across a potential phishing email or call that claims to have been sent by your bank, contact your bank immediately to notify them. If they do not know about this request, you were likely almost a victim of a phishing scam.

11. Check your banking app frequently: Frequently check your online bank for peculiar activities and alert your bank of any transactions that you don’t recognise.

12. Trust your gut: Ultimately, if something doesn’t feel quite right as you’re transferring a payment or entering sensitive details, trust your gut and don’t continue. A spokesperson commented: “By taking charge of your own online safety, you can prove to your bank that you are not negligent and are more likely to be reimbursed if something bad happens.”

While most people’s thoughts turn to romance this Valentine’s Day, South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Oddfellows is inviting people to fix up a friendship date instead. The friendly society, a non-profit group which hosts regular active and social events across the region, says romance is great but it’s not the only way to make you feel more energised and valued.

When it comes to feeling loved and emotionally supported, forging strong friendships can help us to feel more fulfilled and satisfied with life. To help spread the love and give local residents opportunities to experience the feel-good factor of friendship this February, South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Oddfellows are hosting a number of fun social events, including a Valentine Themed Coffee Morning and Quiz on Tuesday 14th February and an Afternoon Tea on Thursday 16th February. There are also lots of social afternoons, one in Sheffield on Wednesday 15th February, one in Barnsley on Thursday 23rd February and a Doncaster social afternoon on Monday 27th February. Please call the office to find out more on 01709 838673.Lesley Walton, Branch Secretary of the Oddfellows’ South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, said: “Valentine’s Day always tends to focus on romance and grand gestures, but it is important to remember that love comes in many forms and is needed for more than just one day of the year. Friendships can be just as rewarding as romantic relationships and can support good mental health and wellbeing. It’s why we are always so passionate about championing the vast benefits that accompany spending time with good friends. As well as providing us with social experiences that lift our spirits, friendships offer a vital support network for when times get tough, prevent loneliness, and perhaps most importantly, help individuals recognise their own self-worth. We also appreciate that if you’ve lost someone close, Valentine’s Day can be a difficult time of year. We say come and have a lovely time with us at one of our meet-ups. A warm welcome is waiting.”

South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Oddfellows’ friendship group has more than 700 local members, mainly older adults. It meets regularly for social get-togethers and offers support and advice when members might need it. Diana Vickerman from Rotherham, who has been a member of the group for nearly 20 years, added: “Our Branch is very sociable and we always have lots of interesting and fun activities in the diary, too many to choose from sometimes! Over the years, I have made many lifelong friends and when we meet up we always have such a lovely time. I’d encourage everyone to come and give our next event a go. You can never have enough friends!”

To find out more about the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Oddfellows, or to find out about other upcoming events, contact Lesley Walton on 01709 838673 or email Lesley.Walton@oddfellows.co.uk.

sHEffIEld’s vERsION Of THE REpaIR sHOp OpENs!

Volunteers are finding that it is not only the vacuum cleaners, furniture and jeans that are being repaired at a new social enterprise in Sheffield, but their own levels of confidence, wellbeing and sense of purpose.

Reyt Repair opened in Abbeyfield Park House in October 2022 as a volunteer-powered repair shop helping the owners of broken things where before it may not have been cost effective or made economic sense to get something repaired. Fixing electricals, furniture and clothes, for £10 if it’s a simple fix, or £20 per hour if its longer, volunteers are gathering in Pitsmoor with screwdrivers and sewing machines to tackle repair jobs, and at the same tackle bigger issues such as the cost of living crisis and environmental concerns for a throwaway culture where gadgets are just not designed to be repaired. So far, amongst the everyday items, some objects brought in for repair wouldn’t be out of place on the BBC’s The Repair Shop, including a chair from a 1920’s Paris cinema, a sewing machine from the 1800’s and a Tiffany lamp to the war papers from 1890.

Gareth Coleman, the founder of Reyt Repair, has been repairing computers for years and has seen similar ventures and repair cafés popping up around the country. His social enterprise is based around harnessing the time and skills of volunteers. Gareth, who has also held volunteering roles himself, said: “There are no repair shops anymore on the High Street. Most repairs are uneconomic, hence the reason why we use volunteers.” But Reyt Repair needs more volunteers if it is to become sustainable.

“Anyone who is skilled and wants to help,” Gareth says. “Retirees, men who want to get out of the house, asylum seekers who are waiting on a claim, the underemployed, anyone with skills or hobbies that can be put to use.”

As well as the actual fixing and mending, Reyt Repair is also focused on the social side - gathering in the community hub, the training, workshops and sharing of skills. Loath to turn away a prospective fix for a customer, Gareth adds: “It is very rewarding. Sometimes it is a real puzzle where reality has thrown down the gauntlet. I enjoy the puzzle of fixing, and when you add that to helping other people, there’s a kind of multiplier effect. Saving people money, saving the environment.”

The volunteers value the opportunity too, often being revalidated for their skills. Volunteer John, whose career began as an electrical apprentice and saw him working as an engineer at Abbey Road Studios, said that coming to Reyt Repair was all about boosting his confidence. Looking up from fixing a Braun cassette deck, John said: “This is my therapy. It gives me something to get out of the house for.”

Reyt Repair has received support from the Social Enterprise Exchange project which promotes social entrepreneurship and provides support for start-up and established social enterprises through grants, mentoring and specialist advice. The consortium has worked with over 1,000 social entrepreneurs and social enterprises over the last five years in South Yorkshire and the Sheffield City Region.

Social Enterprise Exchange is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund 20142020 and The National Lottery Community Fund. Fired up with an idea and having undertaken lots of research, Gareth gained from going on Social Enterprise Exchange workshops. He said: “I found it pretty validating and it helped to develop the structure of the business. I enjoyed the networking too, learning about others. And the business experts were really “on it”bang, bang, bang, with information and advice.”

Future plans for Reyt Repair include taking on a community tool bank, running more workshops to teach people basic repairs, having a coordinator to look after the volunteers, and launching an online shop to sell repaired donated items.