Latest news with #SteveHoughton
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Work starts on Barnsley's Alhambra Shopping Centre revamp
Work has started on transforming the first floor of a shopping centre in South Yorkshire into a health and wellbeing Council said the former Wilko store at the Alhambra Shopping Centre is currently being revamped as part of its Health on the High Street specialists from Barnsley Hospital's Ophthalmology Services is expected to move into the premises once work is completed by the Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said he wants to bring health services "into the heart of our town centre", adding that by 2028 the first floor would host a range of NHS services, mental health support and a gym. He said: "Expanding the range of health and wellbeing services in the heart of our town centre is going to deliver even more efficient and effective services, hugely enhancing people's experiences and ultimately improving the lives of residents."I'm excited to see the first Barnsley Hospital services moving into the space later this year, making it easier for you to get vital health checks and scans, and can't wait for the space to continue growing its offer over the next few years."The shopping centre was bought by the council in 2023 for £ Health on the High Street initiative started three years ago with the opening of the NHS Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) in The Glass Works, near the shopping centre. South Yorkshire's mayor, Oliver Coppard, added the plans would give people "the chance to live happier, healthier lives".He said: "Phase one of the Health on the High Street project has already been a huge success - improving waiting times and patient outcomes through the Community Diagnostic Centre."Phase two, that I'm proud to be supporting with over £60m of funding from the Mayoral Combined Authority, will improve and extend that impact, making a very real difference for the people of Barnsley and South Yorkshire." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
28-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Barnsley Council approves almost 5% tax increase
Council tax in Barnsley will rise by 4.99%, the maximum increase allowed without a referendum, as councillors approved the borough's increase is set to help address a £15.1m funding gap and ensure that essential services can continue amid rising costs and growing £34.1m has been allocated for social care, including £8.7m to cover pay and inflation, £4.8m for children's social care and £10.2m for adult social leader Sir Steve Houghton said the budget was "the best in 15 years, maybe even longer". The council tax rise comprises a 2% increase to support adult social care and 2.9% to maintain other vital documents described the rise as difficult but necessary to prevent cuts to services that residents rely on, according to the Local Democracy Reporting said: "No one wants to see council tax go up, least of all me."But the reality is, to keep the council financially sound we have to make sure that revenue base continues, whatever we spend it on." 'Hard sell' Councillor Roy Bowser, who seconded the proposals, paid tribute to the "resilience of Barnsley people in a deeply embedded cost of living crisis".Residents in Band D properties will pay an extra £87 per year, with their council tax bill going from £1,790.68 to £1, Hannah Kitching said the increase would be a "hard sell' for residents who have not had their recycling bins collected so far this year.A total of £3.7m has been allocated to waste and fleet services, £900,000 to home-to-school transport and £600,000 to homelessness services and temporary Great Childhood Ambition and Community Enhancement initiatives will also each receive £1.5m for pilot projects. Streetlights dimmed Councillor Chris Wray criticised plans to save £350,000 a year by dimming streetlights across the borough."There are streets already where people feel unsafe. Sadly, this is across the country but it is something that we don't want to be making worse," he said."I firmly believe that no changes should ever come that either potentially or will risk or compromise anybody's safety."Councillor James Higginbottom, cabinet member for environment and highways, said that community safety was at the "forefront" of the authority's said: "Professional highway engineers are continuing to explore options around how we can continue to achieve those savings, both financially and in terms of our energy consumption."It is not the intentions of the highways service to go out tomorrow and switch all the streetlights off in Barnsley, I can give you that guarantee."The budget was passed following a vote, with 41 for and 13 to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
