Minutes of Area Panel 11 January 2007

BROOMHILL, CENTRAL AND NETHER EDGE AREA PANEL


Meeting held 11th January, 2007
at the Salvation Army Citadel, Psalter Lane

PRESENT:		Councillors Ali Qadar (Chair), Jillian Creasy, Jean Cromar, Bernard Little, Paul Scriven, Janice Sidebottom, Pat White and Alan Whitehouse.

		Also in attendance:-
		Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed	-	Broomhill Ward
		Stella Mekonnen	-	Area Co-ordinator
		Bakhtiar Rashid	-	Area Action Officer
		Gay Horsfield (Transport Planning)	)
		Keith Missen (Urban Design and Environmental Planning)	)	Development Services
		Ben Benest (Forward and Area Planning)	)
		Jillian Missen	-	Parks and Countryside
		Bish Sharif	-	Sheffield Futures
		Joanna Rutter	-	Sheffield PCT
		Bobby Dev	-	South Yorkshire Police
		John Turner	-	Committee Secretariat

		There were approximately 20 local residents and representatives from local community groups in attendance.

……………….

1.	STAFF				Action
	The Area Panel welcomed Stella Mekonnen, the newly appointed Area Co-ordinator, to her first meeting and also placed on record its thanks and appreciation for the valuable work undertaken by Dave Whitfield, Area Co-ordinator to the Panel for the past six years, who had now taken up the post of Sharrow Neighbourhood Manager.

2.	COUNCILLOR ANDREW WHITE
	The Area Panel held a one minute silence in respect of the late Councillor Andrew White and former Chair of this Panel, who passed away after a long illness in November, 2006.

3.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	No apologies for absence were received.

4.	SHARROWVALE RESIDENTS’ PARKING SCHEME – UPDATE
	Gay Horsfield reported that the proposals for the introduction of a Permit Parking Scheme on streets in the Sharrowvale area had been approved by the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board at its meeting held on 18th December, 2006. The scheme would now not include Junction Road, Hunter House Road, Hunter Hill Road, Guest Road, Penryhn Road, Roach Road, Stretton Road and Pinner Road, but would include yellow lines instead of parking bays on Endcliffe Vale Avenue. Works on the scheme were due to commence in April, 2007, with a completion date planned for the end of Summer, 2007. It was proposed that the necessary works would be implemented on a phased basis and details of this were being drawn up.
	As part of the approval for the scheme, it had been agreed that a review would be undertaken six months after its implementation.
	Members of the public raised questions and made comments, and the following responses were provided:-

	· The results of the further consultation exercise in the Hunters Bar area indicated that 125 residents were in favour of that area being removed from the scheme, 85 residents wanted parking bays to be omitted, but additional restrictions introduced to protect driveways and junctions, and 64 residents wanted the proposals implemented as originally advertised.
	· Whilst there were no plans to implement measures in those areas just outside the boundary, such areas would be included in the scheme review. However, if residents were experiencing particular problems before the review, they should contact the Council.
	· A part of it’s priorities, the Council was attempting to encourage more people to either walk, cycle or use public transport to work. As part of the development of School Travel Plans, officers were working closely with the schools in the City, in order to encourage parents to get their children to walk to school. It was appreciated that there was a need to reduce the amount of car journeys in the City as part of the Government’s targets to reduce carbon emissions.
	· There were plans to review the Broomhill and Broomhall Parking Permit Schemes in March, 2007.
	· There were no plans at the present time to implement a scheme in the Highfields area.
	· All the results of the public consultation exercise, including the additional consultation with residents in the Hunters Bar area, were included in the report submitted to the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board, which was available for access on the Council website.
	· Parking on the pavement was a Police enforcement issue.
	· Action would be taken to ensure that the notices advertising the scheme in Broomhill were removed from that area.

	The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the responses provided; and
	(b) thanked Gay Horsfield for the presentation now made and for responding to the questions.

6.	SECTION 106 PLANNING GAIN
	Keith Missen gave a presentation on the work of the Environmental Planning Team in Development Services, including the planning obligation (Section 106) process, planning obligation projects in the area and an update on the proposed open space projects in Broomhill. The Environmental Planning Team included Landscape Architects, Tree Specialists, Countryside Planners, and an Engineer, and worked closely with the Sheffield Countryside Conservation Partnership and South Yorkshire Forward. Mr. Missen referred to the Team’s areas of work, stating that there was a very high emphasis on community and partnership working, with every effort made to look at robust and sustainable design, and that the Team was very proactive in its approach.
	Reference was made to a number of projects which had been undertaken by the Team, including St. Mary’s Greenspace, Park Square Island, Sheffield Tinsley Canal, Blackburn Meadows, Shirebrook Valley, Trans-Pennine Trail, Five Weirs Walk, Wood Lane Countryside Centre, a number of play facilities in parks and other open spaces, and other schemes on general sites across the City. He referred to a number of environmental initiatives, including waterways regeneration, green roofs, sustainable drainage and bio-diversity.
	Mr. Missen reported on the process regarding planning obligations and referred to a number of schemes in the Panel’s area which had been fully or part-funded through such agreements, including the Montague Street open space, River Sheaf Walk, St. Mary’s Church, Chelsea Park, Mount Pleasant Park and Botanic Gardens. Minor improvement works had also been undertaken on a number of other site in the area, and reported on the proposed schemes at Parker’s Lane, King Edward VII School and St. Mark’s Church.
	Members of the public raised questions and made comments, and the following responses were provided:-

	· It was accepted that there were not enough quality open green spaces in the City Centre. There was potential for approximately £6m in Section 106 funding, which would be targeted partly towards providing two quality open spaces in this area, with plans to develop Devonshire Green, Gell Street Recreation Ground and St. Vincent’s Church grounds.
	· The Government’s attempts to stop development on green belt land has resulted in an increase in the demand for development sites in inner-City areas, which reduced the potential for open green spaces.
	· If, as part of applications for development, the Council considers a tree or a number of trees important or a specific species is under threat, it will place a Tree Preservation Order on such trees. It is accepted, in the light of the recent increase in development, that a number of trees have been lost. However, developers were always encouraged to plant new trees at alternative locations.
	· The Waterways Strategy Group was working on plans to deculvert the River Porter at suitable locations in the City Centre and the Council, through Section 106 funding, was looking to develop or improve small open green spaces within the vicinity of the River. The Parks and Countryside Service was working on a bid for funding in respect of improvements in the Porter Valley.
	· The Environmental Planning Team would investigate the possible development of part of the former Weston View Sports Ground.
	· Officers would consult King Edward VII School and St. Mark’s Church to seek their views regarding future development proposals on the sites.
	· In most cases, there was insufficient funding, as part of the overall Section 106 allocations, to pay for ongoing maintenance. It was accepted that there was a need for maintenance works, but it was considered more important, with the relatively small amounts of funding involved, to utilise the funding to undertake the works and hope that additional money can be raised for maintenance. Officers had accepted that there were problems regarding the maintenance of the fencing in Chelsea Park, and would be taking appropriate action.
	· There were no plans, or requirements on developers, to construct car parks using porous rock, as in other parts of Europe. Such materials were more expensive, but consideration could be given to the use of such materials in the future.
	· Officers were aware of the dangers of the design of the access gate at Chelsea Park, onto Brincliffe Edge Road, and it was hoped that funding would become available to enable the access to be redesigned.
	· Officers were in the process of drafting new planning guidance in connection with green roofs and as part of the Council’s commitment to this innovative approach, had spoken to a number of manufacturers and installers. It was hoped that developers would see the environmental benefits of green roofs in the future.
	· It was believed that the Government would be changing the regulations regarding Section 106 funding within the next two years and officers were unclear as to what the existing process would be replaced with. It was appreciated that this area could potentially lose out in terms of Section 106 funding arising from the proposed development on the site of the former Hallam University Campus on Psalter Lane if planning permission is not granted before any change occurs.
	· The complete Section 106 funding process involved a number of various stages, so a number of schemes took time to complete. Also, the Environmental Planning Team was only a small Team, responsible for schemes across the City, and dealing with Section 106 schemes was only one part of it’s work.

	The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the responses provided; and
	(b) thanked Keith Missen for the presentation and for responding to the questions.

7.	PROVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES IN THE AREA
	Bish Sharif, District Youth Manager, Sheffield Futures, gave a presentation on the provision of youth work by Sheffield Futures within the Rivelin to Sheaf District.
	Mr. Sharif reported on the areas covered, the method of delivery and the staff team. The Service organised two youth clubs, at The Stables on Sharrow Lane and St. Peter’s Church at Nether Edge. The services provided included centre-based activities, detached work and project-based work. As well as providing detached youth work, the Team worked closely with the seven secondary schools in the area. Reference was made to the numbers of young people offered services, together with details of planned activities and targets for the forthcoming year.
	Amjed Ali, Trainee Youth Worker, reported on his experiences working with young people in the area. Based at the Stables, he worked with young people who had fallen out of the education system and would respond to incidents of youth crime in the area, working with the local Police. He was responsible for organising a number of activities between the Police and the young people registered with the Service, and would work closely with the schools in the area to keep the young people in the education system.
	Members of the public raised questions and made comments, and the following responses were provided:-

	· Part of Sheffield Futures’ consultation process involved asking the young people what activities they would like in the area. Also, consideration would be given to the views expressed at School Council meetings.
	· The Service’s outcomes in terms of what young people wanted and what was delivered were assessed by measuring the distance travelled by the young people participating in youth work. Goals were set and any changes in behaviour were recorded.
	· Whilst there were problems of substance misuse in the area, it wasn’t considered a major issue. The Service worked closely with the schools in the area, educating pupils in the dangers of substance misuse and the Detached Youth Workers visited young people out on the streets, warning of the dangers of misuse.
	· Whilst schools provided young people with a formal education, the service provided by Sheffield Futures was classed as a more informal system. The Workers would work with young people, at the young people’s pace, having a very different philosophy to the formal teaching approach.
	· Both the youth clubs were open Monday to Friday evenings, having an open door policy. The Detached Youth Workers were also out on the streets on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
	· The Service was attempting to create links with other youth clubs in the area, in an attempt to create a social and cultural mix of young people.

	The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the responses provided; and
	(b) thanked Bish Sharif and Amjed Ali for their presentation and for responding to the questions.

8.	MINUTES/NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS/EVENTS
	The Area Panel (a) approved the minutes of its meeting held on 2nd November, 2006 and (b) noted the notes of the Area Panel Roadshow held in Nether Edge on 3rd October, 2006.

9.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	Members of the public raised questions and the following responses were provided:-

	· The Panel’s Link Officer in Development Services would be requested to respond to the question relating to the Council’s plans for dealing with problems of overdevelopment in the area, through the Local Development Framework or Article 4 Directive.				Ben Benest
	· Details regarding the request for a pedestrian crossing on Psalter Lane, near the Salvation Army Citadel, will be reported at the next meeting.				Gay Horsfield
	· Details regarding the request for recycling facilities at Nether Edge shops would be reported at the next meeting.				Area Co-ordinator/Veolia
	· Details regarding the request for the replacement of the recycling facilities at Crookesmoor House would be reported at the next meeting.				Area Co-ordinator/Veolia

10.	DATE OF NEXT MEETING/FUTURE EVENTS
	It was noted that the (a) the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Thursday, 1st March, 2007, from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m., at Sharrow Community Hall, John Street and (b) the next Area Panel Roadshow would be held on Tuesday, 20th March, 2007, from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., at Broomhill Methodist Church, Fulwood Road.

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