To help build on the work that has already taken place as part of the Stocksbridge Town Deal, the Towns Fund Board currently has opportunities for two new members to bring their skills and local knowledge to the group and help deliver the ambitious vision for the future of Stocksbridge.

Applications close on 29 November with interviews to take place in early December. To apply and submit an expression of interest, please visit the new members document.

Key projects within the Town Investment Plan are focused on revitalising the town centre and traditional retail core of Stocksbridge, creating long-term, sustainable benefits to skills, jobs and growth and bringing new opportunities for local people.

The Board currently comprises representatives from local businesses, community groups, residents, as well as the current MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, Marie Tidball. Members have oversight across all projects as well as representing specific projects. Stocksbridge Town Council and Sheffield City Council are also represented.

Person specification experience

The Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board is looking for new members with specific skills to meet the required criteria and bring their voice to the table in order to help shape the Town Investment Plan.

• One new member who can bring experience within training, education at post-16 and adult level and is a resident to Stocksbridge or working in Stocksbridge.
• One new member who is a community resident with a background of community engagement, or management, or volunteering in the Stocksbridge area.

Co-Chair of the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board, Yuri Matischen said: “This is an exciting time for the Stocksbridge community as we deliver Phase 1 projects that will help to create new jobs, develop skills and support businesses for years to come. The Board brings together people with a huge amount of experience and expertise and we look forward to working with new members who can provide new input and ideas that shape our future plans.”

The role is unpaid, and Board Members will be appointed following application review and meeting relevant members of the current Board.

Following the recent General Election, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Stocksbridge & Penistone, Dr Marie Tidball MP, has joined the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board as the new Co-Chair alongside current Co-Chair, Yuri Matischen.

Commenting on her appointment, Marie said: “I’m excited to be part of the Town Deal project in my home constituency and make a positive difference to local residents and businesses. I am already enjoying working with the Board to successfully deliver the ambitious new vision for the future of Stocksbridge and look forward to strengthening the involvement of the local community.”

Progress on key Phase 1 projects in the £24.1 million investment for Stocksbridge was a key focus of discussion at the Town Deal Board meeting, held recently, which included:

• Stocksbridge 519 – Plans for the brand-new landmark building that will anchor the regeneration of Stocksbridge town centre have been approved by Sheffield City Council. Work is progressing and now in the contractor tender stage. Once the process is complete and contractor agreed, further details on next steps will be shared. On-site work is currently targeted to begin early 2025 and the building scheduled to open in Q2 2026, with Northern College looking to operate from the building Summer 2026, ahead of the Autumn 2026 academic term.
• Hopper Bus – South Pennine Community Transport is the appointed delivery partner for the project, which will hugely improve access for residents to services, shops and facilities in the town as well as linking with the wider transport network. Work is progressing to finalise vehicle procurement, route details and registration of the route to enable services on the road in the coming months. Marie has volunteered to represent this project and ensure that key deliverables meet the project timeline.
• Placemaking and shop front improvements – Works are progressing to complete outline designs and toward planning applications, engaging with local businesses, with work possible to begin mid-2025.
• Oxley Park improvements – Work has now been completed by contractors Horticon and skatepark specialists Canvas, to deliver the new 'All-wheels' park. Designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities, the Town Board has worked closely with the Friends of Oxley Park to make it suitable for bikes and scooters, as well as for skateboarding, wheelchair motocross (WCMX) and roller booters. Landscaped areas with trees and wildflowers have been designed and delivered and existing footpaths have been upgraded and new footpaths and stairs added to improve connectivity across the park, and through New Hall Wood as part of the scheme. Further landscaping around the 'All Wheels' park has been made possible via Steel Valley Projects funding application to Stocksbridge Town Council Participatory Budgeting Scheme, enhancing biodiversity and creating an attractive area for local residents and park users.
• Sports Hub – Plans to enhance and improve sporting facilities in Stocksbridge as part of Phase 1 projects have progressed with local sports clubs. This has included allocation of grants to Stocksbridge Park Steels FC and Stocksbridge Rugby Club to make ground and pitch improvements. Further work is underway to develop projects that will be delivered in Phase 2.

At the Board meeting, it was also confirmed that Neil Curtis and Dave Cates have stepped down as members. The Stocksbridge Towns Fund team is now inviting expressions of interest to join the Board with specific skills within training, education at post-16 and adult level and is a resident to Stocksbridge or working in Stocksbridge, and also a community resident with a background of community engagement, or management, or volunteering in the Stocksbridge area. To find out more about the criteria for joining the Towns Fund Board please visit the new members document.

Co-Chair of the Stocksbridge Town Deal Board, Yuri Matischen, said: “This is an exciting time for Stocksbridge, with projects now firmly in the next stage of development. The Board looks forward to working with Marie to deliver against Phase 1 projects currently underway. Work behind the scenes getting us to this point has been extensive as we make progress to revitalise and reinvigorate the town. The priority of the Board remains clearly focused on investing in the local area to drive the sustainable economic regeneration of Stocksbridge, which will create long-term benefits to skills, jobs and growth opportunities.”

Image shows: Back from left to right Ian Sanderson, John Crawshaw, Sean Mcclean (SCC), Yuri Matischen, Howard Varns (SCC), Graham Silverwood. Front from left to right Kathryn Giles-Bowman, Gail Larking, Dr Marie Tidball MP

To keep up to date with news about the Stocksbridge Town Deal visit: www.welcometostocksbridge.co.uk or subscribe to the Mailing List.