Minutes of Broomhill Central Nether Edge Area Panel 3 February 2005

BROOMHILL, CENTRAL AND NETHER EDGE AREA PANEL


Meeting held 3rd February, 2005, at St. Mark's Church, Glossop Road


PRESENT:		Councillors Ali Qadar (Chair), Jillian Creasy, Jean Cromar, Shaffaq Mohammed and Andrew Sangar.

		Also in attendance:-

		Dave Whitfield	-	Area Co-ordinator

		Dr. David Fletcher	)	University of Sheffield
		Carrie Warr	)

		Anne Davies	-	Sharrow SureStart

		Julie Ward	-	Early Years Education and Childcare Service

		Paul Fell	-	Development Services

		Peter Downey	-	Sheffield Chamber of Commerce

		John Turner	-	Committee Secretariat

		There were approximately 20 members of the public and representatives from local community groups in attendance.


1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	An apology for absence was received from Councillor Pat White.

2.	A VISION FOR BROOMHILL
	University of Sheffield’s Student Residences Strategy - Update
	Dr. David Fletcher gave a presentation on the latest position with regard to the University of Sheffield's Student Residences Strategy, referring in particular, to the new Student Village development on Endcliffe Vale Road.
	Dr. Fletcher stated that the planning application in respect of the development of the Student Village had been submitted to the Council in October, 2004, and since that time, the University had been engaged in discussions with Planning officers on the detailed planning issues. When the planning application was to be considered by the relevant Planning and Highways Area Board, it would show a number of changes, which would hopefully address a number of concerns which had been raised by local residents. Dr. Fletcher referred to the three main changes to the application, which included moving the hub building to the centre of the site, away from the Woodvale Road boundary, moving the whole development further away from the road boundaries, particularly Endcliffe Vale Road, and giving special consideration to the design details on the site of the former Stephenson and Crewe Flats areas in view of the sensitivity of that particular area.
	Dr. Fletcher reported on the action and initiatives being undertaken by the University, in connection with student behaviour, which included the establishment of a Task Group comprising representatives of student bodies, resident groups, Broomhill Forum and other bodies. The University was looking to produce a detailed Management Plan in connection with all issues of neighbourhood nuisance caused by students, and had given a clear commitment to attempt everything possible in order to minimise any form of disruption to local residents and the environment in which they lived.
	In response to comments made by a number of local residents with regard to problems of noise nuisance, particularly in the early hours of the morning when students were returning home from nightclubs, Dr. Fletcher reported that a further Task Group had been established, which, as well as volunteering to take part in litter-picking events, would be attempting to instill a culture change in order to make those students who live in residential areas act more responsibly. The Group would also be looking to take any necessary action against persistent perpetrators.
	With regard to the disposal of properties let to students under the University’s Residences Strategy, Carrie Warr reported that there were two types of property that the University were aiming to dispose of, which included individual street properties, of which 37 were up for sale, and as part of a rolling programme of disposal, further such properties, which would all have restrictive covenants as part of their sale ensuring that they were purchased as private dwellings, would be released on to the market in future months. The second type of property involved larger student accommodation sites, such as halls of residence, which would be sold to private developers, and, as with the street properties, would have restrictive covenants stipulating that any future properties built on the sites should be residential dwellings.
	The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, and welcomed the initiatives being undertaken by the University of Sheffield in its attempts to minimise the disruption caused by some students in areas of dense student population, such as Broomhill; and
	(b) thanked Dr. Fletcher for the presentation now made.

	Wheelie Bin Stickers
	The Area Co-ordinator provided an update on the position with regard to the provision of stickers for wheelie bins in those residential neighbourhoods which had a dense population of students.
	He referred to a meeting which had been held approximately 18 months ago between the Broomhill Forum and the Head of the Students’ Union, at which discussions had been held on how improvements could be made to improve all aspects of waste collection from student properties in and around Broomhill. Following a number of meetings on this issue, and the meeting of the Area Panel held on 7th October, 2004, at which Euan McGregor, the University of Sheffield's Director of Finance and Resources, had given a commitment to make a financial contribution to the costs involved in the design, production and distribution of a notice which could be stuck to the bins, a draft notice had now been produced. The Area Co-ordinator exhibited the draft, indicating that as part of a pilot project, the stickers would be delivered to approximately 3,000 households in a designated area of Broomhill, which had been chosen on the basis that approximately 50% of the households comprised students. He stated that if the pilot project was successful, the initiative may be extended to other collection routes in Broomhill.
	Members and local residents commented on the wording of the notice, indicating that it would be clearer if the instructions regarding the black and blue bins were set out in separate paragraphs, and that it would be easier to read if the instructions were set out in bullet point format. A local resident expressed her dissatisfaction at the decision taken by ONYX to return to having stickers on the blue bins on the grounds that they tend to perish or wash off in wet weather.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported, together with the comments now made, be noted;
	(b) the news of the pilot project as now reported, be welcomed; and
	(c) the thanks of the Area Panel be conveyed to the Broomhill Forum, the University of Sheffield, who had funded the initiative, and Sheffield Hallam University, for their input into the pilot project.

3.	SHARROW SURESTART
	Anne Davies reported on the work being undertaken by Sharrow Sure Start in the Panel's area.
	Ms. Davies reported on SureStart's vision which referred to the people of Sharrow being committed to improving the all round well-being of children under four and their families, particularly in establishing firm foundations in order for the area's children to thrive on entering school. It also aimed to improve the levels of expectations, life changes and choices for all children for the future. SureStart intended to play a major part in supporting the parents of the area in that vision over the next 10 years.
	Ms. Davies made reference to the diversity of the Sharrow SureStart area, indicating that 23 percent of the families registered on the programme were white, and that the largest ethnic group, accounting for 46% of the families, were Urdu/Punjabi. A large amount of the work was very basic confidence and capacity building work with mothers, and this was done to encourage employability and confidence in participating in children's development and schooling. Ms. Davies reported on the four key objectives of the SureStart programme and referred to the core services under the programme. These included outreach and home visiting, support for families and parents, support for good quality play, learning and childcare experiences for children, primary and community health care, including advice about family health and child health and development and support for children and parents with special needs, including help getting access to specialised services. Ms. Davies reported on the key principles of the programme which included the requirement to co-ordinate, streamline and add value to existing services in the SureStart area, involve parents, grandparents and other carers in ways that build on their existing strengths, avoid stigma by ensuring that all local families were able to use SureStart services, ensure lasting support by linking SureStart to services for older children, being culturally appropriate and sensitive to particular needs and to promote the participation of all local families in the design and working of the programme.
	Ms. Davies concluded by referring to a list of services provided under the programme, together with a list of training classes.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported be noted; and
	(b) the Panel thanked Anne Davies for the presentation now made.

4.	THE SHEFFIELD STRATEGY FOR CHILDREN'S CENTRES 2004-07
	The Steering Group considered a report of the Head of the Early Years Education and Childcare Service containing details of the Sheffield Strategy for Children's Centres 2004-07. Following a comprehensive review of early years education and childcare in the City in April, 2003, a report was submitted to the Cabinet in October, 2003, outlining the timetable for Children's Centre development and implementation as a major part of the Early Years Strategy. The report now submitted contained an update on the progress of Phase 1 of the Children's Centre Strategy, together with proposals for the implementation of Phase 2 of the Strategy, which related to the establishment of additional Children's Centres in some of the City's most deprived areas, proposals regarding the implementation for securing local partnership arrangements and proposals with regard to the implementation of the financial strategy which underpinned the SureStart Childcare targets.
	Julie Ward reported that there was a very high profile in respect of early years education at the present time, and research had shown that if a child's education was successful in their early years, there would be benefits in the future. Ms. Ward stated that one of the proposals in the Strategy was the establishment of 13 Children's Centres in the City, six of which had been agreed by the Cabinet, and which were located within the City's most deprived areas. The Government's aim was to ensure that there was a Children's Centre in every neighbourhood and there was a requirement for Sheffield to create 2050 more childcare places by 2006. An area profile for each area was to be developed, indicating where the 2050 additional childcare places would be developed, and would be submitted for consultation to the Area Panels in the near future.
	Ms. Ward stated that it was the aim to co-ordinate and support the services from a hub in the local community, such as on or near a school site. The Children's Centres would have a financial and business plan and it was the objective to have appropriate management and governance arrangements across the City. The Strategy aimed to build on the success of SureStart.
	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. Would the accountability in respect of the operation of the Children's Centres be transferred to the City Council?

	R. Indications for the SureStart Unit are that all local SureStart funding would be transferred to the City Council for the future funding of the Children's Centres. Meetings had already been established with a number of existing accountable bodies in the City to discuss this issue. Whilst the Council would have overall accountability, this does not necessarily mean that it would be responsible for the running or management of the services.

	Q. Was there any connection between this Strategy and the School Organisation Plan on the grounds that in some cases, it could result in the closure of smaller schools?

	R. The Early Years Education and Childcare Service had undertaken a review of nursery provision across the City, which had identified that there were very few full day care places. The Service was therefore looking to convert nursery places into day care places. There was also a need for the LEA to monitor those schools which had high numbers of surplus places.

	Q. The governance arrangements in respect of local programmes will need careful consideration on the basis that Sharrow SureStart had experienced problems with regard to this issue in the past. How would parents be involved in this?

	R. It was envisaged that there would not be problems with regard to the governance of local programmes on the basis that there was a good mix of parents on some of the local Boards and this would be encouraged.

	Q. When the City Council assumes accountability, how will this affect the relationships between Sharrow SureStart and local providers?

	R. Following the City Council assuming accountability, there will be a transitional period where local area agreements will be in operation. During this period, it will be possible to build on any established local agreements. The City Council wants to build on the success of existing SureStart provision and will only be accountable for developing the Children's Centres and not necessarily responsible for running or managing the services.

	RESOLVED: That (a) the contents of the report now submitted, together with the information now reported and the responses given to the questions, be noted;
	(b) Julie Ward be thanked for the presentation now made.

5.	AREA CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT
	The Panel received a report of the Area Co-ordinator containing (a) responses to questions which had not been answered at previous meetings of the Panel and (b) details of developments in the area, which included (i) a report on the walkabout held in Broomhill on 16th November, 2004, (ii) bus stop and highway improvements to the No. 60 bus route along Glossop Road, (iii) the HEAT Sheffield Roadshow, "Warmth and Well-being in Sharrow", to be held on 17th February, 2005, at St. Mary's Community Centre, (iv) the B & Q "You Can Do It" Awards 2005 and (v) an update on the "Churches Together in Broomhill and Broomhall" project which had been funded under the Local Action Plan theme of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.



	Bus Stop and Highway Improvements to the No. 60 Bus Route on Glossop Road Paul Fell reported in detail on the proposed bus stop and highway improvements to the No. 60 bus route on Glossop Road, and circulated a leaflet containing details of the proposed improvements. The proposals aimed to improve bus journey times and reliability, facilities at bus stops and traffic flow around the Royal Hallamshire Hospital for all travellers, and included:-

	· New parking restrictions.

	· A right-turn lane for the large volume of traffic turning into Beech Hill Road.

	· A new control box for the traffic lights at the Glossop Road/ Clarkehouse Road junction.

	· Changes to Claremont Place - to be made one-way out on to Glossop Road.

	The proposed improvements to the bus stops would include:-

	· Raised kerbs and tactile paving at all bus stops.

	· Bus stop clearways at all stops.

	· New bus shelters at most stops.

	· Litter bins at the stops.

	· Movement of some stops either to allow for improved bus stop facilities or to improve local traffic management.

	Mr. Fell also referred to the Westbourne Road/Southbourne Road Traffic Management Scheme, which would be funded from the Local Transport Plan, indicating that when the costings for the original scheme had been received, they were found to be too expensive. A value engineering exercise had been carried out and a new scheme had been developed, which did not include the plateaus at junctions, and involved the movement of some of the road humps. The Conservation Area related features had been retained and the modified scheme would fulfil all the requirements of the original scheme. A consultation exercise was expected to be carried out some time in March or April, 2005, in conjunction with the consultation planned for the Broomhill Residents’ Parking Scheme. The traffic management scheme was expected to be implemented during the school summer holidays, subject to the necessary approvals by the relevant Planning and Highways Area Board.
	The following comments were received in respect of the bus stop and highway improvements to the No. 60 bus route on Glossop Road:-

	· The No Waiting at Any Time restrictions appear to be an extreme measure in the light of the existing parking pressure in the area. The problems will be made worse following the introduction of the Broomhill Residents’ Parking Scheme. The proposed No Waiting At Any Time on the stretch of Glossop Road, opposite St. Mark's Crescent, will cause particular problems as these few parking spaces were very useful and will put a great amount of pressure on car parking demand in St. Mark's Crescent. It will result in a lack of spaces for people visiting St. Mark's Church.

	· The loss of the car parking spaces on Glossop Road, at the top of Westbourne Road, will have an adverse effect on the viability of the shops in Broomhill, and would also impact on the residents of Ashdell Road and Westbourne Road.

	· The proposed move of the bus stop away from the pedestrian crossing and the junction of Glossop Road with Ashdell Road, would not help bus-users as there were benefits to having bus stops near pedestrian crossings.

	· The proposed No Waiting At Any Time on Glossop Road, from its junction with Broomspring Lane and Claremont Place, appeared an extreme measure, and the loss of these on-street car parking spaces would add to the existing pressures on parking in the area. The only time there appeared to be congestion on this stretch of Glossop Road was when delivery vehicles were parked outside the shops above Broomspring Lane.

	· , The improvements should also include measures to make it easier and safer for pedestrians. It was particularly dangerous crossing Glossop Road at the bottom of Claremont Place.

	· Due to its popularity, people were travelling from other areas of the City to shop at the Broomhill Centre, therefore any further reduction in car parking spaces would have an adverse impact on the viability of the shops. More effort should be made to allow parking at certain locations in the area during shop opening hours.

	· Making Claremont Place one-way would make it more difficult for people to get to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and the multi-storey car park.

	· The alterations to the waiting times outside the post office on Fulwood Road had concerned the local shopkeepers.

	In response, Paul Fell emphasised that local residents and shop and business owners in the area would be consulted on the proposals, and if there was strong opposition to any elements of the proposed scheme, officers would review the proposals. He stated that the Council were very sensitive with regard to parking issues in the Broomhill Centre, and following the introduction of the Broomhill Residents’ Parking Scheme, the Council, who would become responsible for parking enforcement after 1st April, 2005, and would take action where appropriate.

	Churches Together in Broomhill and Broomhall
	Janet Brown circulated a report containing details of the work she had undertaken with older people as part of the Churches Together in Broomhill and Broomhall project.
	Ms. Brown reported that the number of one-to-one visits to older people in their own homes had increased to over 600 in 2004, and that she was continuing to visit Broomgrove Nursing Home twice a week, other residential homes in the area up to twice a month and five sheltered homes in the area up to once a month. She reported on her work in connection with the lunch clubs at Hanover and St. Marks and the Friendship Club, and stated that the coffee mornings had continued to thrive and proved to be a valuable meeting place for older people in the area. The Older People's Forum, which provided advice and information for older people, continued to meet, and reference was made to a number of Committee meetings, held by various groups and organisations, including the Older People's Reference Group, the 50+ Group and the South West PCT, which she had attended. Details of the statistics relating to the number of visits made to residential homes, sheltered homes and hospitals, together with the number of Committee meetings she had attended, for the periods January to June, 2004, and July to December, 2004, were appended to the report.
	Ms. Brown concluded by referring to the introduction of the new Single Assessment Process, the purpose of which was to ensure that older people received appropriate, effective and timely responses to their health and social care needs and that professional resources were used effectively. The new process should ensure that the scale and depth of assessment was kept in proportion to older people's needs and that agencies would not duplicate each others assessments, which would hopefully contribute to assessments in the most effective way.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information set out in the report now circulated, together with the information now reported, be noted; and
	(b) the thanks of the Area Panel be conveyed to Janet Brown for the valuable work being undertaken in connection with the Churches Together in Broomhill and Broomhall project.

6.	MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 6th January, 2005, were approved as a correct record, with the exception of (a) Item 4 - Bus Services in Nether Edge, which was amended by (i) the substitution of the words "throughout the day" for the words "a day" in the first question of that item and (ii) the deletion of the words "all the buses on the Nos. 3 and 4 were disabled-friendly, but " and (b) Item 6 - Public Questions and Petitions, which was amended by the substitution of the name "Union" for the name "Sheldon" in the second question.

7.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. Could the Council give urgent consideration to road safety issues on Cowlishaw Road and the surrounding area? There were already problems with car parking in the area, and this would become much worse when the proposed housing development on Kingfield Road was complete and the Sharrow and Nether Edge Residents’ Parking Scheme commenced. There had recently been two car crashes at the end of Cowlishaw Road and road safety measures were required as a matter of urgency, particularly in the light of its close proximity to Hunters Bar Infant/Junior School.

	R. This has been referred to officers in Highways Management Services following similar concerns expressed at the last meeting.

	Q. What action was to be taken with regard to improving highway safety in the Cemetery Road/Summerfield Street/Napier Street area following the new housing development on the site of the former Wards Brewery? It was understood that the developers had promised a sum of money towards the installation of a pedestrian crossing on Summerfield Street. Local residents had been informed that a pedestrian crossing would be installed in 2004 and they had also asked for the plans in respect of the crossing to be submitted for future discussion at a meeting of the Area Panel, but this did not happen. Why had there been no progress in connection with the installation of the pedestrian crossing and how many reported accidents had there been on Summerfield Street between 2001 and 2005?

	R. There had been a financial contribution from the developers towards the installation of a pedestrian crossing, but the amount received was not sufficient for the planned works, and no Council funding had been identified to make up the shortfall. The Council was aware of the need for road safety measures in the area and the proposed installation of a pedestrian crossing on Summerfield Street would be included on the Pedestrian Crossing Request List for the 2005/06 financial year.

	Q. Had Highways Management Services given any further consideration to creating a further entrance to the General Cemetery on Cemetery Road?

	R. This matter would be referred to the relevant Council officers for a response.

	Q. Does the Area Panel consider it appropriate for a stretch of the River Porter to be built over and could the Council confirm that planning permission would be sought for the construction of any new bridge across the river?

	R. Planning permission for the construction of a new bridge across the River Porter had already been granted as part of the Porter Project proposals.

	Q. Why had the Council found it necessary to make changes to the Planning and Highways Area Boards? If the number of Boards, as proposed, was reduced from three to two, the meetings would last much longer, Members of the public would be sat around for much longer and due to the pressures being placed on the Councillors in the light of the potential increase in applications and other planning issues to be considered, their decision-making could be affected.

	R. This would be referred to the relevant Council officers for a response.

	Q. When would the facilities for partially-sighted people on the pedestrian crossing on Ecclesall Road, at its junction with Summerfield Street, be upgraded?

	R. The upgrading works required to assist partially-sighted people using the facility involved the installation of rotating cones. However, the existing monitoring equipment on the crossing was not sufficient to operate rotating cones and the required modifications would be very expensive. The Council had an ongoing programme to upgrade pedestrian crossings and this crossing would be included in that programme.

8.	OUTSTANDING REPORTS
	The Panel noted that there were no outstanding reports required for submission to future meetings.

9.	DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
	The Panel noted that its next meeting would be held on Thursday, 3rd March, 2005, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at the Mother of God Church, Abbeydale Road/St. Ronan’s Road.

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