Latest news with #RotherhamMetropolitanBoroughCouncil
BBC News
30-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New Street Safe Team to tackle anti-social behaviour in Rotherham
A team of dedicated officers is to patrol Rotherham town centre and the surrounding towns of Maltby, Dinnington, Wath and Swinton, as part of a council scheme to reduce anti-social Metropolitan Borough Council is set to launch the high-visibility Street Safe Team to provide a reassuring presence in public spaces across the initiative will cost £570,000 to run annually, and is expected to be approved by the council cabinet next newly-recruited front line officers will be on hand to enforce regulations on littering, anti-social behaviour and street-drinking, as well as providing visitor information and community support, it is reported. The Local Democracy Reporting Service says the uniformed officers will work alongside management staff, as part of the council's community protection and environmental health will patrol high-footfall areas and hotspots, and work closely with South Yorkshire Police and other council departments.A report, due to be considered by the council's cabinet on 9 June, states the aim of the scheme is to enhance community safety and act as the "eyes and ears of the council."The team is expected to be operational by 1 September, following recruitment, training and a seven-week induction programme. Officers will be trained in enforcement, conflict resolution, trauma awareness, cultural competency, and part of the initiative, the council has committed to recruiting a diverse team and equipping officers to work with vulnerable individuals, including children and adults at role of the new Street Safe Team will be promoted among residents, as part of a communications plan to improve public perception of safety in the town centre, an issue repeatedly raised in public consultations.A full update on the team's performance will be relayed to the cabinet in March 2026, six months after the initiative is set to go live. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police object to shop's alcohol licence request
Police have objected to a shop's application for a licence to sell alcohol, as it was previously found to be selling prescription drugs, counterfeit cigarettes and illegal vapes. Mario's Mini Market, also known as Britannia Inn Shop, on Lindley Street in Rotherham, has applied to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol seven days a week. South Yorkshire Police requested that the licence be refused, citing the applicant's previous involvement in unlicensed activity, and raised fears that granting the licence could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour. The applicant has outlined a number of measures to prevent anti-social behaviour and promote responsible alcohol sales. A statement was also submitted from the council's community protection and environmental health manager, which details ongoing concerns regarding the premises. The statement outlines a history of anti-social behaviour linked to the shop, including noise complaints, street drinking and gatherings of large groups. It also highlights multiple enforcement actions, including a closure order issued in December 2024. The authority has expressed its lack of confidence in the applicant's ability to comply with licensing regulations. The closure order followed a raid in November 2024, which uncovered illicit prescription medications, including Tramadol, Diazepam and Amitriptyline, as well as counterfeit cigarettes and clothing, and illegal vapes. The premises also posed serious health risks, with evidence of a cockroach infestation and violations of food safety regulations, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Inspectors discovered food products stored in unsanitary conditions, including in bathrooms and behind counters, while other items were found to be out of date and improperly labelled. The shop was found to be storing fireworks illegally, and selling them without the proper licence required by the South Yorkshire fire service. The fireworks seized were deemed to be unsafe and unfit for sale under UK regulations. On 18 December 2024, Sheffield Magistrates' Court granted a closure order, following the presentation of evidence detailing a series of incidents that included illegal sales and public nuisance caused by gatherings outside the shop. The following day, officers attended the premises to enforce the closure. During this visit, a further 720 illicit cigarettes, worth approximately £520, were discovered concealed in the ceiling of the shop. After the closure, the premises remained secured until 21 March, when the grills were removed and the premises was allowed to reopen. To ensure compliance with licensing laws, the applicant plans to implement a comprehensive staff training programme covering the Challenge 25 scheme, alcohol refusal protocols and emergency procedures. Additionally, a detailed incident log would be maintained, and a high-quality CCTV system would be installed to monitor public areas. The applicant has committed to keeping the shop clean and maintaining contact with local residents to address any concerns. The council's licensing sub-committee will consider the application during its next meeting on 7 May. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Rotherham Council LDRS
BBC News
04-05-2025
- BBC News
Police object to Rotherham shop's alcohol licence request
Police have objected to a shop's application for a licence to sell alcohol, as it was previously found to be selling prescription drugs, counterfeit cigarettes and illegal Mini Market, also known as Britannia Inn Shop, on Lindley Street in Rotherham, has applied to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol seven days a week. South Yorkshire Police requested that the licence be refused, citing the applicant's previous involvement in unlicensed activity, and raised fears that granting the licence could lead to an increase in anti-social applicant has outlined a number of measures to prevent anti-social behaviour and promote responsible alcohol sales. A statement was also submitted from the council's community protection and environmental health manager, which details ongoing concerns regarding the statement outlines a history of anti-social behaviour linked to the shop, including noise complaints, street drinking and gatherings of large groups. It also highlights multiple enforcement actions, including a closure order issued in December authority has expressed its lack of confidence in the applicant's ability to comply with licensing regulations. 'Health risks' The closure order followed a raid in November 2024, which uncovered illicit prescription medications, including Tramadol, Diazepam and Amitriptyline, as well as counterfeit cigarettes and clothing, and illegal premises also posed serious health risks, with evidence of a cockroach infestation and violations of food safety regulations, the Local Democracy Reporting Service discovered food products stored in unsanitary conditions, including in bathrooms and behind counters, while other items were found to be out of date and improperly shop was found to be storing fireworks illegally, and selling them without the proper licence required by the South Yorkshire fire service. The fireworks seized were deemed to be unsafe and unfit for sale under UK 18 December 2024, Sheffield Magistrates' Court granted a closure order, following the presentation of evidence detailing a series of incidents that included illegal sales and public nuisance caused by gatherings outside the following day, officers attended the premises to enforce the closure. During this visit, a further 720 illicit cigarettes, worth approximately £520, were discovered concealed in the ceiling of the the closure, the premises remained secured until 21 March, when the grills were removed and the premises was allowed to ensure compliance with licensing laws, the applicant plans to implement a comprehensive staff training programme covering the Challenge 25 scheme, alcohol refusal protocols and emergency a detailed incident log would be maintained, and a high-quality CCTV system would be installed to monitor public areas. The applicant has committed to keeping the shop clean and maintaining contact with local residents to address any council's licensing sub-committee will consider the application during its next meeting on 7 May. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deputy council leader resigns over welfare reforms
The deputy leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has resigned over the government's recently announced welfare reforms. Last week, changes to the benefits system were set out, including stricter eligibility criteria for disability payments, in a bid to save £5bn. Councillor David Sheppard criticised the move and accused the Labour Party of choosing to "target people who need support the most" in a statement on Tuesday. Council leader Chris Read said Sheppard's decision to resign was "deeply disappointing". "[Sheppard] has been a hardworking Labour councillor for the last nine years and I have enjoyed working with him very much. I respect his choice of course – but I disagree with it," Read said. "Our local Labour team will continue to work hard for the borough and I know that Dave will continue to support us on the local platform on which we were all elected." Sheppard was first elected to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in 2016, and is the current cabinet member for social inclusion, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Sheppard said he would still support the work Labour is doing at a local level but could not continue in his role in light of the recent announcement. "To me, it is unconscionable that when faced with the financial crisis left to us by the previous Tory government, the Labour Party has chosen to target people who need support the most," he said. "I have always held the belief that government should do what it can to equalise the injustices within society. "Sadly, this and other recent announcements have led me to conclude that this is currently not the case." The Department for Work and Pensions has been approached for comment. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
BBC News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Rotherham deputy council leader resigns over welfare reforms
The deputy leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has resigned over the government's recently announced welfare week, changes to the benefits system were set out, including stricter eligibility criteria for disability payments, in a bid to save £ David Sheppard criticised the move and accused the Labour Party of choosing to "target people who need support the most" in a statement on leader Chris Read said Sheppard's decision to resign was "deeply disappointing". "[Sheppard] has been a hardworking Labour councillor for the last nine years and I have enjoyed working with him very much. I respect his choice of course – but I disagree with it," Read said."Our local Labour team will continue to work hard for the borough and I know that Dave will continue to support us on the local platform on which we were all elected." 'Unconscionable' Sheppard was first elected to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in 2016, and is the current cabinet member for social inclusion, according to the Local Democracy Reporting said he would still support the work Labour is doing at a local level but could not continue in his role in light of the recent announcement."To me, it is unconscionable that when faced with the financial crisis left to us by the previous Tory government, the Labour Party has chosen to target people who need support the most," he said."I have always held the belief that government should do what it can to equalise the injustices within society."Sadly, this and other recent announcements have led me to conclude that this is currently not the case."The Department for Work and Pensions has been approached for comment. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
