In September 2025, SYMCA published the South Yorkshire Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy, establishing clear principles for making everyday journeys easier and helping people move through their neighbourhoods safely. Throughout 2025-6, SYMCA and local authorities continued to improve local streets, adding safer spaces to walk, wheel, and access public transport. 

In recognition of this work, the region has been identified as a national leader in promoting walking, wheeling and cycling, achieving Level 3 status in Active Travel England’s latest capability ratings. This means SYMCA is well placed to benefit from future support and investment. 

Looking ahead, as we continue to build the People's Network, there will be wider opportunities to explore how neighbourhoods, local centres and transport hubs can be better connected. Future work will also look at how walking, wheeling and cycling link more smoothly with public transport. 

Supporting greener businesses and green jobs

Rather than creating a standalone plan, SYMCA has embedded sustainability within the South Yorkshire Local Growth Plan, which sets out how the region will grow the economy while reducing emissions and building a more resilient business environment. This is supported by the South Yorkshire Investment Zone, which includes support for low-carbon innovation and more sustainable practices across key sectors. 

During 2025-6, SYMCA has also continued to fund green skills and training programmes linked to retrofit, construction and the low carbon economy, helping build skills and capacity for businesses to transition to more sustainable ways of working. 

Business support, skills funding and net zero delivery will be more closely aligned so that greener practice becomes a core part of regional economic support.

Integrating active travel with public transport

Published in September 2025, SYMCA’s Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Strategy establishes clear principles for making everyday journeys easier and helping people move around their neighbourhoods safely. This includes improving connections between walking, wheeling, cycling and the public transport system. 

Throughout 2025–26, new routes and neighbourhood schemes have improved access to public transport and supported shorter, everyday journeys. Progress has also been made on developing a regional e‑bike subscription offer, which will provide longer-term access to e-bikes across the region, helping more people connect with jobs and services without relying on a car. The Mayor has also committed to allowing bikes on trams from 2032, further strengthening connectivity between cycling and public transport. 

Looking ahead, as we continue to build the People's Network, there will be wider opportunities to explore how neighbourhoods, local centres and transport hubs can be better connected. Future work will look at how walking, wheeling and cycling link more smoothly with public transport, including how bikes and e-bikes schemes can support everyday local journeys where appropriate and where funding and evidence allow.

Building sustainable and accessible food systems

In early 2025, SYMCA supported Sheffield Hallam University to work with food system stakeholders to develop proposals for a South Yorkshire Food Network. This included mapping existing food-related activity across local authorities, education providers, community organisations and businesses, helping identify opportunities for greater collaboration.

SYMCA also supported regional discussions and workshops on sustainable food systems, recognising their crucial role in improving health outcomes, reducing emissions and tackling inequality.

SYMCA will continue to explore a clearer role in the regional food system, working with councils, health partners and the voluntary sector to strengthen existing local food networks.

Creating a world-leading sustainable aviation hub at Doncaster Sheffield Airport 

In September 2025, the SYMCA Board approved a £160 million investment package to support the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Since then, delivery has progressed through the creation of a publicly owned airport operator (Fly Doncaster), alongside advancement of regulatory approvals and recruitment into key roles.

Ambitions to make the airport a world leader in sustainable aviation are being embedded from the outset. In July 2026, Compass (Composites at Speed and Scale) – an £80 million Boeing-led research project – will open at Gateway East. This facility will focus on developing lightweight aircraft structures that will improve fuel efficiency, reducing aircraft emissions. This investment will strengthen South Yorkshire’s role in sustainable aviation and support the transition to lower carbon air travel. 

Sustainability considerations will continue to shape how the airport is developed as part of the wider Gateway East and Investment Zone Strategy, with ambitions for it to act as an anchor for sustainable aviation, low carbon innovation and advanced manufacturing. 

The South Yorkshire People’s Network and bringing buses back under public control

On 18 March 2025, the Mayor approved the decision to introduce bus franchising, paving the way for South Yorkshire’s buses to return to public control for the first time in decades. Since then, SYMCA have established a dedicated franchising programme to progress the creation of a more reliable, affordable and accountable bus network, shaped by local priorities.

In March 2026, the Mayor launched the South Yorkshire People’s Network: a bold new transport vision and identity that brings buses, trams, active travel and rail together as a single system shaped by and for the people of South Yorkshire. The People’s Network sets out a vision for a joined-up, sustainable transport system that serves every community - one that is reliable, affordable, welcoming and easy to use. This transformation is backed by an initial £1.5 billion investment programme, including £630 million towards the major renewal and enhancement of the tram network and £350 million for South Yorkshire's buses.

SYMCA will focus on delivering bus franchising and creating a more joined-up public transport system through the South Yorkshire People’s Network.

Over 2026-7, procurement and mobilisation for bus franchising will continue, preparing for the phased introduction of publicly owned bus services from 2027. Alongside this, the South Yorkshire People’s Network brand will begin to appear at bus stops, shelters and interchanges, before being rolled out across franchised bus services and the tram network.

Strengthening neighbourhoods and local centres

Neighbourhood priorities continue to be embedded across regeneration, transport and growth strategies. The South Yorkshire Growth Plan, finalised in September 2025, places neighbourhood centres, pride in place and access to services at the heart of regional growth. SYMCA’s Corporate Plan 2025–28 sets out how we will work with communities to make sure regional decisions lead to real improvements in their local areas.

SYMCA investment has also supported place-based regeneration across South Yorkshire. In Barnsley, the Principal Towns and Local Centres Programme is helping to revitalise town centres through improved community facilities, support for local businesses and investment in public spaces, creating more attractive places to live, work and access services.

SYMCA will continue working with local authorities and partners to align transport, regeneration, health and economic investment, with a focus on communities facing the greatest challenges.

Tree-planting and nature recovery

Since the Assembly agreed its recommendations in 2024, nearly 240,000 trees have been planted through the Mayor’s A Tree for Everyone scheme and the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership. Throughout 2025, SYMCA supported community-led tree-planting through the A Tree for Everyone Grant Fund, helping local groups contribute to tree-planting and nature recovery in their local area.

SYMCA have also supported tree-planting initiatives in South Yorkshire’s schools, engaging and inspiring more than 1,000 pupils to learn more about the natural environment.

Alongside support for local delivery, SYMCA and partners have explored national funding opportunities to support further large-scale tree planting and nature recovery. This includes an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, on behalf of the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership, to restore the natural and cultural heritage of South Yorkshire’s key ancient woodland sites.

Tree planting will scale up through long term partnerships and investment, supported by SYMCA’s forthcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy, due for consultation and publication in 2026.

Delivering green skills and training

During 2025–26, SYMCA funded green skills bootcamps and training aligned to retrofit, construction and low carbon industries.

SYMCA is also match-funding the first year of the South Yorkshire Retrofit Skills Taskforce, a three-year programme aimed at strengthening local retrofit skills and growing the regional supply chain. The Taskforce will work with local authorities, housing associations, training providers, SMEs and community groups to support the growth of high-quality green jobs.

In February 2026, SYMCA supported a Clean Energy Jobs Fair at Barnsley College, which brought over 100 school pupils and college students face to face with future green careers.

Work will continue to strengthen pathways from training into employment and to ensure that green skills provision sustainably aligns with future demand.

Food education for all ages

During 2025–26, South Yorkshire residents continued to access food-related education through adult skills provision funded by the MCA for people aged 19 and over. This includes courses covering nutrition and health, food production, and healthy eating and cooking.

As part of the Mayor’s Tree for Everyone campaign, schools and community groups across the region were also supported to plant fruit trees, creating opportunities for practical learning about food, sustainability and healthy diets.

SYMCA will continue working with partners to better coordinate food education across schools, adult learning and wider communities.

Laying the groundwork for sustainable energy

In July 2025, SYMCA helped secure Government funding through the Mayoral Renewables Fund to support solar projects on public and community buildings, which will help reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.

SYMCA has also engaged with national reforms, including proposals for Great British Energy Local Power Plans and improved heat networks. Since its inception, the Brownfield Housing Fund has also supported more than 2,400 homes fitted with solar panels.

Partners across the region are also exploring innovative approaches to financing low-carbon infrastructure. Sheffield City Council have launched the Sheffield Climate Investment Scheme, enabling residents and businesses to invest directly in local climate projects, including solar energy installations.

As national policy becomes clearer, SYMCA will explore regional approaches to community energy in partnership with councils, communities, industry and the government.

Raising the quality of new homes

Through investment programmes such as the Brownfield Housing Fund, SYMCA has used funding conditions and collaboration with Local Planning Authorities to influence higher social and environmental standards in new developments. This includes prioritising schemes that deliver improved energy efficiency, decarbonised heat and modern methods of construction, alongside adaptable and accessible homes.

Since its inception, the Brownfield Housing Fund has unlocked over 3,700 high quality homes, including 2,400 with solar panels and 1,400 with air source heat pumps, delivering warm homes, lower energy bills and reducing carbon emissions.

Future investment will continue to balance environmental ambition with the urgent need for genuinely affordable homes.

Supporting repair, reuse and community hubs

In 2025, SYMCA met with local authorities and voluntary, community and social enterprise partners to better understand the existing network of community hubs and services offering repair, recycling and loaning facilities across South Yorkshire. SYMCA have committed to continue convening partners around this issue.

SYMCA has also explored opportunities to support community hubs, for instance Adria’s selfcare hub at Sheffield Interchange, which demonstrates how transport spaces can also serve community needs.

SYMCA will work closely with local partners to make use of existing assets and explore the potential for bespoke repair hubs across the region.

Championing practical green learning for young people

While the MCA does not have direct control over the school curriculum, the Mayor formally shared this recommendation with the Secretary of State for Education, highlighting the importance of education that prepares young people for the challenges presented by the climate emergency.

The Mayor has commissioned ‘Kids Plant Trees’ to work with schools across South Yorkshire to inspire and educate children and young people about trees and nature. This includes the planting of fruit trees and the importance of sustainable food and healthy eating.

How the hundred were selected

Critical to the success of the South Yorkshire Citizens’ Assembly was ensuring the members were as representative of our region as they could be. The 100 people in the room should be a microcosm of the wider population. To do this the SYMCA employed the services of the Sortition Foundation who are experts in delivering this kind of service.

The overarching principle was employed in the selection process was;

Every household in South Yorkshire has a chance of receiving an invitation to participate, and every registrant has a fair chance of selection.

Click here to download the document detailing the step-by-step recruitment process (PDF, 238kb)