Minutes of Area Panel 6 September 2007

BROOMHILL, CENTRAL AND NETHER EDGE AREA PANEL

 

Meeting held 6th September, 2007, at Endcliffe Methodist Church, Ecclesall Road

 

PRESENT:    Councillors Ali Qadar (Chair), Jillian Creasy, Jean Cromar, Colin France, Shaffaq Mohammed, Janice Sidebottom and Pat White.                                                                                                                                      

                     

Representatives of Panel Partners:-

Marie May     -        Sheffield Hallam University

                                             

City Council Officers:-

Stella Mekonnen     -        Area Co-ordinator

Lucy Moffatt  -   Area Action Officer

Mark Parry    -  Environment and Regulatory Services

Gay Horsfield                       - Development Services

Jillian Missen)

Dan Lewis)                                            - Parks and Countryside

Martin Hughes          -  Neighbourhood Renewal and Partnership Service

John Turner                                       - Committee Secretariat

                     

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

                     

……….

                     

                               ACTION

                                             

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL        

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bernard Little and Paul Scriven.       

                                             

2.     ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT             

    Mark Parry gave a presentation on the powers held, and action taken by the Council in terms of enforcement regarding environmental issues, such as littering, fly-tipping, trade waste management, dog fouling and domestic waste bins. 

  Members of the public raised questions and made comments, and the following responses were provided:-   

                                             

·     Whilst the Council was aware of continuing problems of fly-posting in the Panel's area, due to the present lack of resources, there had been little action in terms of prosecution outside the City Centre.  Every effort was being made to target the nightclubs the posters were advertising. 

·                The legislation regarding the removal of commercial waste bins differed from that relating to household waste bins, with the former being dealt with as obstructions in the highway by the Highways Enforcement Team.  The issue regarding the non-removal of commercial waste bins on Neill Road would be investigated.

· Whilst it was accepted that it had been much easier for residents to get rid of unwanted household waste in the past, things had now changed in that there were a number of associated costs in the disposal of such waste. The Council offered a collection service in terms of bulky items of household waste, which, with the exemption of fridges, attracted a charge.  Residents could also dispose of waste at Recycling Centres free of charge.    

·  The Council acknowledged there were problems with  people not disposing of chewing gum properly and that it incurred heavy costs in removing the chewing gum off pavements.  Fixed penalty notices of £75 would be issued for this offence, where appropriate.

· Whilst it was accepted that there may be increases in litter during the evening and night time, particularly in the Hunter's Bar area where there were a number of take-aways, Council Officers could not patrol the streets at these times as it was not considered safe for them to do so.  Environment and Regulatory Services worked closely with the Police in connection with enforcement regarding environmental issues.         

· Investigations will be made into the complaints regarding the blue and black bins left out at the bottom of Meadow Terrace, which were not only unsightly, but were often knocked over, creating a health and safety risk.  

·  The Council was aware of the fact that incidences of bins being left out on the streets were higher in student areas.  The Council had already targeted a number of such areas, distributing leaflets and talking to the occupiers of properties on their responsibilities regarding their household waste bins. 

·    It would be beneficial, particularly from a financial point of view, for the Council to regularly patrol busy or known areas where litter dropping was common, but this was not possible on the grounds that the Enforcement Team comprised seven members of staff, who would be required to carry out other enforcement duties.         

·   If members of the public had any queries or wanted to report any environmental problems, they should contact 2037410.    

·   Information containing the times that bins should be put out and collected would be forwarded to those addresses of private landlords held by the Council, who would then be required to inform their tenants of such details. All new students at Sheffield Hallam University were provided with such details, along with other information regarding environmental issues, by e-mail. The University also worked closely with the Council in connection with the Responsible Landlord Scheme and often contacted students direct to talk to them about their responsibilities.                

· Environment and Regulatory Services was no longer able to provide dog owners with free bags for them to put their dog faeces in for financial reasons, although Parks and Countryside still provided such bags free of charge. The Council would, however, monitor this situation and  continue to advise dog owners of their responsibilities, which would include encouraging them to purchase their own bags.           

·  The Council would investigate the possibility of using volunteers when distributing leaflets regarding environmental issues following the offer of assistance made at the meeting.      

                                             

       The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the responses provided; and                     

    (b) thanked Mark Parry for the presentation now made and for responding to the questions and comments.  

                                             

3. SHARROW VALE PARKING PERMIT SCHEME – UPDATE     

Gay Horsfield provided an update on the implementation of the Sharrow Vale Parking Permit Scheme, indicating that a meeting was to be held the following day to determine when the scheme would commence, which was likely to be 1st October, 2007.  A number of temporary signs had been erected in the area containing details of the implementation of the scheme and a press release would be issued once the date had been set.  The parking permits were to be delivered to households prior to implementation.                

Ms. Horsfield also reported on the progress regarding the proposed implementation of the Crookesmoor Parking Permit Scheme, which was an extension to the Broomhill Scheme, up to Crookesmoor and Harcourt Road. Consultation on this scheme had been extended to the end of October, 2007, to allow for students to comment thereon. The Council had received a number of specific queries relating to the scheme and officers had attended meetings in response to residents’ requests.     

  Members of the public raised questions and made comments, and the following responses were provided:-   

                                             

· Although the report on the assessment of the Broomhall and Broomhill Parking Permit Schemes had not yet been drafted, all comments on those schemes had been received and assessed and on this basis, it had been determined that it was acceptable to proceed with the implementation of the Sharrow Vale scheme. The final report on the assessment of the Broomhall and Broomhill schemes was to be completed shortly as it was scheduled to be submitted to the Cabinet in October, 2007.           

·   It had been determined that there had been no requirement for the implementation of traffic-calming measures in the Sharrow Vale area to complement the Parking Permit Scheme.     

· Hunter's Bar Junior School had received a number of parking permits on the basis of operational need.  It had been agreed by the school that the number of permits  would reduce over the next few years. It was accepted that there may be problems with staff at the school parking on roads surrounding the school, particularly Cowlishaw Road and Kirkstall Road.  Residents were encouraged to contact Parking Services if they experienced any particular problems.    

·                The installation of double-yellow lines on Croydon Street, resulting in the loss of at least four parking spaces, would be investigated to see if this represented a change to the original plans.           

·  The Council accepted that there may be problems in  areas with a high concentration of student housing and other housing in multiple occupation (HMO), such as Sharrow Vale Road, but each household would only be allowed a maximum of two parking permits.  The Council was continuously trying to encourage more people to travel on public transport or walk or cycle.

·         Parking Services would actively enforce the scheme following its implementation.                

·     Whilst the normal period for formally assessing the operation of Parking Permit Schemes following their implementation was six months, in the light of the concerns raised by local residents, relating particularly to the unique nature of the Sharrow Vale area, an interim assessment could be made at the Area Panel's meeting in January, 2008.           

· Whilst it was hoped that the implementation of the scheme would improve the parking situation for residents and business and shop owners in the area, the Council had also undertaken a lot of work, which included the provision of bus lanes, clearways and assisting schools in producing School Travel Plans, to encourage more people to use sustainable travel with the aim of alleviating parking and other traffic-related problems.    

·         Officers would investigate the request made by Sheffield Hallam University for the implementation of parking restrictions, as part of the scheme, on Brincliffe Crescent and Psalter Lane, which the Council had apparently already agreed to do.

                                             

       The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the responses provided;     

(b) requested that arrangements be made for a presentation on the implementation of  the Sharrow Vale Parking Permit Scheme, as part of an interim assessment of the scheme, at its meeting on Thursday, 10th January, 2008; and   

                                                                                Area Co-ordinator/Gay Horsfield

    (c) thanked Gay Horsfield for the presentation now made and for responding to the questions and comments.  

                                             

4.     TREE RENEWAL INITIATIVE  

       The Area Panel received a report, together with a presentation from Dan Lewis on proposals to undertake an audit of the urban forest as part of a Tree Renewal Initiative for the Panel's area.            

      Mr. Lewis reported that over the next few years, a number of mature trees in the area would be lost and that there was a need to devise a strategy for planting new trees in order to maintain the area as a major and very important element of the City's total urban forest, which would consequently contribute to the City's growing reputation as the greenest City in Britain.    The audit would provide the foundation for the future management of the tree population, and would be essential in enabling this valuable resource to be managed effectively.  Having a detailed plan would assist with attracting potential funders and sponsors.  The total cost of the audit would be approximately £11,000, £8,000 of which was proposed to be funded from the Local Action Plan theme of the Area Panel’s Neighbourhood Renewal Fund allocation.   

  Members of the public raised questions and made comments, and the following responses were provided:-   

                                             

·        The new trees to be planted would be of a low maintenance species, with few leaves, reducing the problems caused by falling leaves.

·      The audit would include all the big trees in the General Cemetery, and it was the intention to replace like for like.  There would be no problems planting big trees with lots of leaves in the Cemetery grounds.  The Council aimed to work closely the Friends of the General Cemetery and other interested local groups as part of the audit.           

· As part of the audit, as well as counting the number of trees in the area, officers would be able to identify any  maintenance works required, which would be referred to the relevant Council Services.     

·      The audit would take approximately four months to complete and it was hoped that there would be some "quick wins" whereby a number of trees would be planted this Winter.  

· As part of the initiative, the public would be encouraged to plant trees on their land, where appropriate, and to inform the Council of any significant problems regarding trees in their neighbourhood.                  

· The audit will be predominantly visual, but would include some contact with local residents in connection with accessing land where necessary.  The Council will rely on aerial photography in connection with trees on private land.

·     Whilst the costs of funding the audit were not substantial, the Council had received some private sponsorship and aimed to receive further funding in terms of small donations.   

                                             

       The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the responses provided;     

(b) approved the expenditure of £8,000 from the Local Action Plan theme of its Neighbourhood Renewal Fund allocation towards the audit; and    

    (c) thanked Dan Lewis for the presentation now made and for responding to the questions and comments.  

                                             

5.     AREA PANEL ONE-YEAR AREA PLAN 2007/08      

The Area Co-ordinator gave a presentation on the Area Panel's One-Year Plan 2007/08.     

She reported on the role of the Area Action Team in attempting to meet one of the Council's main priorities, which was to create successful neighbourhoods, and referred to the five priorities the Area Panel was working towards, which included the Environment, Community Safety, Children and Young People, Building Balanced Communities and Building Partnerships. She referred to a number of successful initiatives/projects which the Area Panel had been involved in and reported on the issues relating to, and influences the Plan had on the operation of the Area Panel.  Copies of the Area Plan were available to download from the Council's website and hard copies were available on request.       

As part of her presentation, the Area Co-ordinator introduced Lucy Moffatt who had replaced Bakhtiar Rashid as the Panel's Area Action Officer.        

   In response to questions from members of the public, it was reported that as yet, there were no details of future NRF allocation for the Area Panel.  This will be dependent on the Government’s spending plan announcements which were expected in November 2007.  With regard to the Area Panel's Three-Year Strategy, officers in the Council's Area Action Team were reviewing the merits and relevance of such strategies, particularly in the light of the potential for such strategies to become outdated.  However, work was planned to start on the preparation of the next strategy, commencing May, 2008, regardless of its duration. 

The Area Panel (a) approved its One-Year Area Plan 2007/08; and

    (b) thanked the Area Co-ordinator for the presentation and for responding to the questions and comments.  

                                             

6.      MINUTES OF LAST MEETING   

  The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 5th July, 2007, were approved as a correct record.         

                                             

7.      PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS 

    There were no questions raised or petitions submitted by members of the public.   

                                             

8.     ROLLING ACTION CHECKLIST

       The Area Panel noted the contents of the Rolling Action Checklist from meetings held up to 5th July, 2007.  

                                             

9.     DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS        

            It was noted that (a) the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Thursday, 1st November, 2007, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at Central Mosque (to be confirmed) and (b) Area Panel Roadshows would be held on (i) Tuesday, 11th September, 2007, from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., at Broomhill Methodist Church, Fulwood and (ii) Tuesday, 2nd October, 2007, from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. at St. Peters' Church, Woodstock Road.