02/11/18: UK Music CEO Michael Dugher addressed the inaugural meeting of the Sheffield City Region Music Board today.

_{The Board was launched with City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis MP, industry reps, councillors and local government officers on Friday}

The Board brings together representatives of the Sheffield City Region music industry, as well as Councillors and local government officers in order to forge greater collaboration over music policy and initiatives.

Michael argued that Music Boards present an opportunity for tackling immediate crises, such as venue closures, providing the example of the London Music Board which paved the way for the eventual adoption of the agent of change principle in planning law.

The London Music Board has also succeed in abolishing the Metropolitan Police's discriminatory Form 696 risk assessment which prevent grime artists from being able to perform in the capital.

The Sheffield City Region Music Board meeting was introduced by Mayor Dan Jarvis  MP and attended by representatives from the constituent parts of the City Region – Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster, as well as non-constituent members too. Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh was also present will sit on the Board.

Dan Jarvis was clear that the Board will not be a talking shop and will develop a concrete plan of action for music in the City Region.

UK Music will now undertake a data gathering exercise to assess the full economic impact of music in the city region.

Dan announced LEP Board member Laura Bennett as Chair of the Music Board. Frank Wilkes from Alya Records will serve as vice-chair.

Industry representatives on the Board include Dan Jones from PRS for Music and Matt Wanstall from the Musicians’ Union.

Local band I Set the Sea on Fire performed for the Board at the end of the meeting.