New role for Rotherham council leader Chris Read

Cllr Read (pictured) was announced as the new chairman of the SCR Combined Authority (CA) at a meeting on Monday, when it was revealed 52 bids for a total of £207 million have been put forward for funding from the Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF).

He said: “This is an exciting time for Sheffield City Region and it is a privilege to take up the position of chairman of the Combined Authority.

“I am also pleased to see so many bids have been submitted in response to the open call. 

“The ‘let’s get it done’ work-ethic in Sheffield City Region harnesses drive and ambition.

“At SCR, we deliver. We keep our promises and get things done in an honest, no-nonsense way. 

“This is helping us to build a truly competitive centre of business excellence. 

“I look forward to seeing the best of these schemes coming through to fruition.”

Cllr Read replaces Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, as chairman of the Combined Authority.

Sir Steve said: “It has been a privilege to be the chair of the Sheffield City Region.  

“It is important now that I focus on Barnsley’s ambitions for devolution.

“In the meantime, I will do as much as I can to support the new chair.”

The 52 schemes put forward are together asking for a total of £207 million from the infrastructure fund to enable schemes costing £630 million to go ahead.