Former Southey councillor pledges to earn residents’ trust and fight for safer streets, help with household costs and community control over £20 million Pride in Place neighbourhood investment
Sheffield Labour has selected former Lord Mayor Jayne Dunn as its candidate for the Southey ward by-election taking place on Thursday 27 August.
The by-election comes just weeks after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, with his new Labour Government beginning to deliver on its pledge to “power up all parts of the country”. Early measures include removing VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, restoring the £2 cap on participating bus services from January – including in Sheffield – and cutting business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues by 20% from April 2027. Together, these measures will put money back into people’s pockets while supporting local jobs, high streets and valued community venues.
Jayne represented Southey for ten years from 2016 until May 2026 and served as Sheffield’s Lord Mayor for 2024-25. During her time on Sheffield City Council, she held senior responsibilities for housing, education and skills and chaired the Council’s planning and licensing committees.
Born and raised in Sheffield, Jayne raised her son as a single parent while relying on social security and living in social housing. After returning to education and retraining, she went on to establish her own small business.
Jayne said:
“It is a real honour to have been selected to stand in Southey – an area I care deeply about and was proud to represent for ten years.
“The result in May was painful. I loved serving our area and I have reflected carefully on what residents told us. May’s results sent Labour a clear national message, and we have heard it. With Andy Burnham now as Prime Minister, Labour is showing it has listened by taking practical action on the cost of living.
“People want change they can see in their everyday lives – safer and cleaner streets, more help with household costs and better local services.
“I have always believed that being a councillor begins at grassroots level – being present in the community, listening to people, standing up for them and making sure their voices are heard. Whether helping residents with individual problems, campaigning for pot hole repairs or helping to organise the Easter family event at Cookson Park, my job has always been to be their voice.
“The Cookson Park event was such a success that another community event is planned there for Monday 17 August. People across the ward still tell me how much it meant to have something so positive happening on their doorstep.
“Investing in our communities is not just about sorting problems. It is also about creating hope and joy, bringing people together and giving people reasons to feel proud of where they live.
“I know personally what it is like to raise a child on benefits, live in social housing and worry about keeping a roof over your head. I also know the difference that the right support, education and opportunities can make. That experience has always shaped my politics and why I fight for people who too often feel overlooked.
“The £20 million Pride in Place investment for Parson Cross and Fox Hill is an enormous opportunity to make lasting improvements. If elected, I will work alongside residents, community organisations and Local MP Gill Furniss and Councillor Mike Chaplin to make sure it delivers the change local people want to see.
“I know how the Council works and how to turn residents’ concerns into action. I will be a visible and accessible councillor, working hard at grassroots level every day”.
Jayne’s campaign will focus on these immediate priorities:
- Helping to make everyday life more affordable for people in Southey, including working alongside Sheffield Labour councillors to deliver free bus and tram travel for children and young people aged under 18.
- Delivering cleaner and safer streets, with tougher action on anti-social behaviour and problem premises linked to organised crime.
- Putting residents at the heart of decisions over the £20 million Pride in Place investment for Parson Cross and Fox Hill, working with local MP Gill Furniss, local councillors, and community organisations.
- Holding Amey to account for potholes and the condition of local roads, building on Jayne’s campaign which led to Southey Green Road potholes being repaired, and working with Labour councillors to secure faster, lasting improvements.
- Work with the government to support the continued roll out of free breakfast clubs for all primary schools in Southey – following the recent news Fox Hill, Mansel, and Monteney Primary Schools will be providing free breakfast clubs from September.
Sheffield Labour’s plan to help residents
Sheffield Labour is developing a new Sheffield Neighbourhood Guarantee, focused on the basic standards every resident should be able to expect wherever they live. This includes cleaner streets, action on potholes and fly-tipping, safer neighbourhoods, better parks and play spaces, and stronger local centres.
The Council has also committed £10 million a year from 2026 to 2028 to help residents with the cost of living and is developing a free bus and tram travel pilot for Sheffield’s under-18s from January 2027.
Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said:
“I am delighted Jayne is standing. She understands the pressures families face, knows Southey’s communities and has the experience, compassion and determination to deliver for local people. She’s a force of nature who never stops working for residents.
“Sheffield Labour is focused on making everyday life more affordable and getting the basics right in every neighbourhood. This by-election is a clear contest between Labour and Reform. Its clear Reform councillors aren’t up to the job. Two of Sheffield’s Reform councillors elected in May have already left the party. Jayne offers Southey serious, stable and hardworking representation.”
The by-election will take place on Thursday 27 August, with polling stations open from 7am until 10pm.