Outcome: Places are thriving, safe and clean
Where are we now
We are committed to building a borough where every neighbourhood thrives, green spaces are clean and accessible, and people feel safe – creating a space that residents can take pride in.
Working in partnership with local organisations and people, the Council is ensuring that local communities are vibrant and well-connected by enhancing towns and villages, improving green spaces and tackling key community issues.
Through the Towns and Villages Fund, we have continued to enhance local neighbourhoods. This includes upgrading road surfaces and markings, improving accessibility to key community spaces, and creating community gardens. These improvements are designed to foster pride in our neighbourhoods, enhance their visual appeal, and improve the overall environment for all residents.
£2.8 million investment delivered through the Towns and Villages Fund since 2022/23
Our commitment to delivering events across the borough is strong, as illustrated by the Rotherham Show, Signals Festival, Uplift Urban Sports Festival and WOW Rotherham alongside a programme of Civic Events. These events bring communities together, celebrate local talent, and are driven by inclusivity and Rotherham’s vibrant cultural scene. We are also proud to have hosted special events such as the Women’s EURO games in 2022 and the Reytons’ sell-out homecoming gig at Clifton Park in 2024, where we welcomed more than 20,000 people to the borough, making a £1m contribution to the economy. This demonstrates our ability to think big and deliver big!
An estimated 130,000 people attended events across the borough in 2024/25
In the town centre, our masterplan is coming to fruition. The new Arc cinema, Rotherham’s first in thirty years, has opened on Forge Island to overwhelmingly positive feedback, alongside a Travelodge hotel. The markets redevelopment is underway and public realm improvements and new housing are creating an attractive, thriving environment.
£133 million investment secured for town centre regeneration
Throughout Rotherham, roads and footpaths have benefitted from the biggest investment in resurfacing for a generation.
Improved 727 roads and repaired 76,530 potholes as part of our “£24 million to 2024” roads programme
We have invested in CCTV equipment to assist in tackling crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour, and introduced interventions that seek to reduce hate crime and improve community safety. For example, our ‘Who is your neighbour’ and ‘Step Up, Beat Hate’ projects, the latter of which has been delivered by Remedi and has raised awareness of hate crime, promoted support for victims of hate crime and empowered young people to identify the signs of hate crime and be able to report it in a safe way. Neighbourhood road safety measures have also been introduced, including 20mph zones and nuisance pavement parking schemes.
£900,000 investment into CCTV equipment since 2021 to modernise the system and allow the viewing of all CCTV assets via one system
Rotherham has an abundance of high quality urban green spaces and country parks which we have continued to invest in. Access to green spaces promotes physical activity and improves health, as well as providing environmental and economic benefits.
Four parks in Rotherham achieved the Green Flag award in 2024, including two urban parks (Clifton and Greasbrough) and two country parks (Rother Valley and Ulley). Additionally, Rother Valley, Thrybergh, and Ulley country parks were awarded the Natural England accreditation
Council Plan consultation headlines
- 54% of respondents who completed the counter box exercise, agreed that the Council should continue to keep parks and green spaces looking good, compared to 46% of respondents who agreed that the Council should keep streets clean
- 63% of respondents who completed the counter box exercise, agreed that the Council should resurface roads, compared to 37% who agreed that the Council should improve local centres
- The focus groups highlighted the need to make Rotherham a safer place by tackling anti-social behaviour and improving community safety
- Attendees at the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board said they were worried about safety, especially when using public transport in the town centre
- Throughout the short interactions carried out across the borough, the people we spoke to highlighted a desire for continued regeneration of the town centre with many suggesting that this is key to restoring pride within the borough
- Other opportunities identified from the focus groups included the need to: improve roads and footpaths; cut emissions; maintain green spaces and improve social cohesion.
My wish for the future of Rotherham is to protect green space and develop safe outdoor spaces
A town where people can thrive, live healthy, happy lives connected to the people you love
More life bringing into the town centre
My wish for the future of Rotherham is cleaner streets and less crime
