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Broomhill Central and Nether Edge Area Panel Minutes 8th September 2005

BROOMHILL, CENTRAL AND NETHER EDGE AREA PANEL


Meeting held 8th September, 2005, at Mother of God Church


PRESENT:		Councillors Ali Qadar (Chair), Mohammad Azim, Jillian Creasy, Jean Cromar and Pat White.

		Also in attendance:-

		Dave Whitfield	-	Area Co-ordinator
		Mick Empsall	-	City Centre Development Unit
		Paul Fell	-	Transport Planning
		Gary Beatson	-	Children's Services
		Phillip Ives-Owen	-	Sheffield Futures
		John Taylor ) Julia Shore )	-	Simunye Inter-Cultural Arts and Enterprise
		Bev Nunn Colin Harvard	-	Sharrow Community Forum
		Chris Bristow	-	St. Mary’s Community Centre
		Marie May	-	Sheffield Hallam University
		Joanna Rutter	-	Sheffield South West Primary Care Trust
		John Turner	-	Committee Secretariat

		There were also approximately 30 local residents and representatives of local community groups in attendance.

		………….


1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Shaffaq Mohammed and Andrew White.

2.	LICENSING - NIGHT-TIME USES - DRAFT INTERIM PLANNING GUIDELINES
	Mick Empsall reported on the introduction of new Interim Planning Guidance by Development Services in order to help the Planning Service deal with applications for development relating to night-time uses. The guidance, which had been approved in draft format for public consultation by the Cabinet at its meeting in January, 2005, was aimed at protecting the living conditions of residents by limiting the opportunities for noise and disturbance to directly affect them
	Mr. Empsall referred to the relevant developments which may be given time limits for opening, which included drinking establishments (Use Class A4), Night Clubs (No Class) and Hot Food Take-Aways (Use Class A5), and indicated that food establishments, such as cafes or restaurants (Use Class A3) would not normally be time limited unless they were considered to have an adverse effect on any nearby residents. The guidance would deal with the imposition of time limits for opening depending on which part of the City the development arose, and in two specific instances, there was a need to provide some level of protection for residents from noise and disturbance. These were within the City Centre and defined as the Heart of the City and Cathedral Quarter and the Devonshire Quarter, and Guideline 1 would apply in these cases, where it was proposed to limit hours to 12.30 a.m. closing.
	The boundaries of these areas were shown on a map appended to the report now submitted.
	Whilst people living in the City Centre could not expect to experience the same levels of quiet as more suburban parts of the City and, apart from the two defined areas referred to, the norm would be not to specify a closing time in any planning approvals unless the living conditions of residents was seen as being affected. Guideline 2, which was an existing planning policy, would apply in these cases. This was a criteria approach for each development, assessing the likely impact on the living conditions of residents when applications for night club and food and drink uses were considered. Equally, for the remainder of the City, it was not proposed to have a time limit for closing unless it was considered that adjacent/nearby residents would be directly affected and in these cases, Guideline 2 would again apply.
	A local resident questioned why, on the basis that there was an existing residential area on Ecclesall Road, on which a number of establishments had been granted late opening, it had been decided to limit opening hours to establishments in the two areas of the City Centre now reported to 12.30 a.m.. Mr. Empsall stated that the new planning guidelines only referred to new applications and not existing licensed premises.
	The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported; and
	(b) thanked Mick Empsall for the presentation now made.

3.	A YOUTH STRATEGY FOR THE AREA
	Sharrow Youth Strategy Group
	Bev Nunn, Sharrow Community Forum, reported on the progress on the work of the Sharrow Youth Group, which had been established earlier in the year, and which comprised a number of representatives from local community groups and stakeholders, as well as a number of young people from the area. One of the primary aims of the Group had been to devise a youth strategy for the area.
	The Group had met every week since its establishment and the young people in attendance had taken it in turns to chair and take minutes of the meetings. There were around 10 young people who regularly attended the meetings and the achievements of the Group had included improved partnership working, increased and improved communication between the various youth providers in the area, a wider understanding of area provision, the identification of gaps in youth provision and an improvement in the co-ordination of provision of services.
	Representatives of the Group reported on some of the activities they had been involved in, and which had included helping with the organisation of the Sharrow Festival and the Sharrow Youth Festival. The Group had also been directly involved in the organisation of a charity fashion event held at St. Peters Church and had attended a residential training event at Cliffe College, during which they had devised a questionnaire which they intended to use when going round the area, seeking young people's views on what they would like to see in terms of youth provision in the area.
	Bev Nunn concluded by reporting that funding in respect of the youth strategy was due to end at the end of September, 2005.
	Councillor Jean Cromar commended the Sharrow Community Forum and the young people on the youth strategy group for the excellent work they had undertaken in connection with the organisation of the Sharrow Festival in Mount Pleasant Park.

	St. Mary's Community Centre
	Chris Bristow, part-time Youth Manager, reported on a number of activities undertaken with young people in the area, including a summer play scheme for young people, which had comprised various activities, such as arts, crafts and taking them on day trips.
	Mr. Bristow concluded by stating that as well as organising activities for young people in the area, it was also the aim to assist in their development as they grew older, to provide them with the knowledge and experience required to take on management roles in terms of young provision in the future.

	Sheffield Futures
	Philip Ives-Owen reported on the activities organised by Sheffield Futures during the Summer in terms of youth provision in the area, which had involved working on a partnership basis with all the youth-related organisations in the area, which had included:-

	· Working with Activity Sheffield in connection with the organisation of sports vans and a number of cricket coaching sessions during the Summer in Mount Pleasant Park and Highfields Adventure Playground.

	· Positive Activities for Young People - whilst the aspiration of providing support for a small target of young people (75) was progressed, large numbers of other young people in the area had benefited from the programme. Sharrow had attained the second highest hourly rate for the programme and the Key Worker had been commended for his work.

	· Making closer ties with The Hub, Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD), ROSHNI and Common Ground, which had created new opportunities for youth provision and partnerships in the area.

	· Providing support for the activities being organised for young people at The Stables and the Everyone Centre during 2004/5, following the recent disruption in the services.

	· The continued work in connection with the Camper Van.

	· Continuing to provide support for the delivery of services to young people in the Broomhall Centre, particularly young men from the Somali community.

	· Civic Leadership Programme - the involvement of young people in issues of local interest which had been piloted in five areas of the City.

	The Area Co-ordinator stated that the Area Panel had consistently supported the provision of youth activities in the past, and over the last year, had formed a very strong partnership approach in connection with the overarching strategy regarding youth provision in the area.
	The Panel (a) noted the information reported in connection with the Sharrow Youth Group, St. Mary's Community Centre and Sheffield Futures; and
	(b) thanked the representatives from the three organisations, together with the young people on the Sharrow Youth Group, for the presentations now made.

	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. What numbers of young people did Sheffield Futures work with in terms of its outreach work?

	R. It was the aim of the Outreach Workers to befriend as many young people as possible and build up friendships with them in order to gain confidence. It was accepted that approximately 50% of young people in the area would not become involved in youth community activities. A realistic target was 20%, which equated to approximately 800 young people in the 13 to 19 year age group. It was also the aim to work more intensely with a specifically targeted smaller group of young people.

	Q. Where was the Camper Van parked?

	R. The van was now operating three nights a week, with one night each at Mount Pleasant Park, the Marriott Hotel in Nether Edge and in Broomhall.

4.	HIGHWAYS ISSUES
	Paul Fell reported on the progress in connection with a number of highways issues in the area as follows:-

	Westbourne Road Traffic Management Scheme
	Paul Fell reported that the road closures which had been made in connection with the Westbourne Road Traffic Management Scheme would end tomorrow and the overall scheme was progressing well and was on schedule for completion in mid-October 2005.

	Area Panel Small Highway Schemes Budget 2005/06
	Paul Fell suggested that the Area Panel may wish to look at a more pro-active way of allocating funding under its Small Highway Schemes Budget. Reference was made to Living Streets, who are a campaigning organisation who champion pedestrian issues. They could undertake an audit of an area, including talking to residents, in order to assess what was required in terms of small highway schemes in the area. Further discussions were to be held with Living Streets and details would be reported to a future Panel meeting.

	Proposed Improvements to Ecclesall Road/Summerfield Street
	Paul Fell reported on the proposal to install a controlled pedestrian crossing facility across Summerfield Street, at its junction with Ecclesall Road. The scheme, which was to be funded under the Local Transport Plan, with a contribution from the Wards Brewery developer, would also involve the banning on the right turn manoeuvre from Ecclesall Road into Summerfield Street, together with improvements to the existing cycle facilities.
	Mr. Fell stated that there had been 20 accidents involving vehicles at this junction in the last five years, 15 of which had been associated with the right turn from Ecclesall Road. He also made reference to the numerous requests made at previous meetings of this Panel for the Council to undertake road safety improvements at this junction. Officers had investigated all possible options with regard to the treatment of this junction and it had been decided that the only realistic option was to ban the right turn from Ecclesall Road into Summerfield Street. In terms of consulting with local residents on the proposals, it was stated that the majority of residents were in favour of the provision of a crossing, although there had been a large amount of opposition to the banning of the right turn. The proposals were to be considered by the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board at its meeting to be held on 17th October, 2005.

	Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme
	Mr. Fell reported that the design work in connection with the Sharrowvale Residents’ Parking Scheme was now being undertaken, and consultation would be held in respect of the proposed scheme during the Winter 2005, with implementation planned for Spring 2006. He accepted that residents living in adjacent areas would be adversely affected in terms of displaced parking, but in the Local Transport Plan, there was an accelerated programme for the introduction of peripheral parking zones, which included additional resources, which could result in such adjacent areas being considered for parking schemes in future years. In respect of the Sharrowvale scheme, Mr. Fell stated that it was proposed that there would be a variety of types of parking bays in the area, of which some will be for residents only parking, others will be limited waiting and some may offer unlimited parking. He also stated that residents and businesses would be able to purchase 25 visitors parking tickets for £5 and that there would be special tickets available for certain people, such as Health Visitors and builders.
	The following questions were asked in connection with all the highway issues, and responses given:-

	Q. Based on the number of major developments in the area and its proximity to the City Centre, why had Sharrow been deemed to have a lower priority in respect of the implementation of a parking scheme, to Broomhill?

	R. The decision to implement the scheme in Broomhill, prior to Sharrow, had been taken based on the results of consultation undertaken in December, 2002.

	Q. With the present plan for residents' parking in Sharrowvale as far as Cemetery Road, how does the Council propose to dissuade displaced commuters from parking in Sharrow and making residents' lives even worse?

	R. No provision had been made for this.
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	Q. The Student Village in Denby Street was due to open its doors to 1,100 students, sharing approximately 30 car parking spaces, in the next few weeks. What provision has been made to ensure the remaining 1,070 students do not leave cars in the surrounding streets?

	R. This is predominantly a planning issue and had been discussed extensively, as part of the planning process, prior to approval being granted in respect of the planning application. The Council believes that if the number of car parking spaces is restricted, this will result in a reduction in car use.

	Q. Commuter parking is an issue for everyone living near the City Centre. Why has there been no consultation regarding the mapping and timing of new residents’ parking areas?

	R. With regard to residents' parking schemes, there was always the need to draw the line at some stage, and it was accepted that those residents living outside the boundary would be affected in terms of displaced parking. As a result of the accelerated programme for the implementation of peripheral parking zones, under the Local Transport Plan, officers were positive that the rest of the Sharrow area could be included in a future residents’ parking scheme.

	Q. Does the Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme include Wilson Road and Botanical Road?

	R. Yes.

	Q. There were problems caused by cyclists using pavements, particularly on Cemetery Road, which the Police considered a low priority. Could the Council take any action against the cyclists?

	R. This is a Police matter and the Council would not be able to take any action.

	Q. Could the Council take any action in connection with the bigger issue of the increase of cars coming into the City?

	R. Tackling congestion in city centres was one of the Government's priorities, and this was reflected in the City Council’s Local Transport Plan. The proposals in the Plan included limiting the number of parking spaces in connection with new applications for development, increasing the number of Park and Ride sites on the periphery of the City Centre and attempting to encourage more car sharing.

	Q. In connection with the Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme, were the boundaries now fixed or have local residents the opportunity to comment and make changes?

	R. Residents living within the proposed boundary and shop and business owners having premises within the boundary would be able to comment on the proposed scheme as part of the consultation. It was suggested that, in light of the level of concerns of local residents, arrange a meeting with local Ward Members and representatives of the Sharrow Community Forum to discuss such concerns.

	Q. Will there be an element of pay and display as part of the Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme?

	R. Pay and display parking is to be trialled in the Broomhill Permit Parking scheme. If successful, it is anticipated that it will be rolled out in the rest of the peripheral parking zone, including Sharrowvale.

	Q. Further to the proposed improvements to Ecclesall Road/Summerfield Street, would it be possible to install a further pedestrian crossing half way up Summerfield Street, across the River Porter?

	R. It was considered that Summerfield Street was too busy for the installation of a zebra crossing and the relevant funding was not available for the installation of a signal pedestrian crossing at this location at the present time.

	Q. A number of local residents were not happy with the level of consultation in connection with the Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme, and it was considered that the residents living within the proposed boundary should be given a proper explanation of what has been proposed and on what basis had the boundary been decided. Could this be arranged?

	R. This could be discussed at the meeting to be arranged between local Ward Members and representatives of the Sharrow Community Forum.

	Q. What will happen to the revenue obtained as a result of the car parking charges and the money recovered in terms of fines for illegal parking?

	R. Any money raised from fines would be used to cover the costs of employing the extra parking attendants that were required to monitor the scheme. Further details on this issue could be obtained from Parking Services and contact details, together with other information, were included in a leaflet available at the meeting.

	Q. In connection with the problems being experienced by residents living in the Sharrow area in terms of car parking, which had been made worse following the development of a number of business premises over the years, what action did the Council propose to take in terms of relieving such problems?

	R. The Council’s efforts regarding residents’ parking schemes are being concentrated on the peripheral zone around the City Centre. The next two phases have been identified as Sharrowvale and Crookesmoor. Officers advise that Sharrow could be included in the future programme, which is to be subject to a report to the Cabinet in December, 2005.

	Q. Has consultation commenced in respect of future proposed residents' parking schemes, under the Local Transport Plan 2 as more detailed consultation was required on the basis that parking schemes simply displaced the problems?

	R. No, as the programme has not yet been agreed and zone boundaries have not yet been identified.

	Councillor Jean Cromar stated that consultation in respect of the Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme was held in December, 2002, during which all residents, businesses and shop owners were written to, asking for their views. With regard to the Ecclesall Road/Summerfield Street Road Safety Improvements, Councillor Cromar stated that the Wards Brewery had agreed to pay for road safety improvements at the junction as part of the housing development in that area, but problems regarding a manhole cover had resulted in delays in the works being carried out.
	Paul Fell responded by indicating that Wards Brewery had agreed to pay a contribution of £70,200 towards the cost of road safety improvements at the junction, and confirmed that there had been an issue regarding drainage which had now been resolved. The funding required to make up the shortfall for the works had not been available in the past, but now was available through the Local Transport Plan.
	The Area Panel (a) noted the information now reported, together with the comments now made and responses given;
	(b) thanked Paul Fell for the presentation now made and responding to the questions asked by members of the public; and
	(c) requested the Area Co-ordinator to arrange a meeting between local Ward Members and representatives of the Sharrow Community Forum to discuss the local concerns in connection with the Sharrowvale Residents' Parking Scheme.

5.	"THE SPIRIT OF SHARROW" - A MANIFESTO FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ARTS, CREATIVITY AND CULTURE
	John Taylor reported on the document entitled "The Spirit of Sharrow" - A Manifesto for the Development of Arts, Creativity and Culture, which had been produced by Simunye Inter-Cultural Arts and Enterprise for the Sharrow Community Forum, who had commissioned it, as well as for the residents of Sharrow and the surrounding neighbourhood. The document represented a concluding report of a five-month public discussion project on cultural planning which had taken place between November, 2005, and March, 2005.
	The initial idea for a discussion project on culture came from Simunye, and the Sharrow Community Forum was keen to support an innovative project that would involve local people and organisations in developing a strategic level cultural plan that would feed into the neighbourhood planning process. The Sharrow Community Forum had been able to secure funding from the South Sheffield Partnership to carry out the Cultural Planning project and Simunye had requested that a small commissioning budget be included to pay for the work of any individuals and organisations who might bring useful ideas and contributions to the project.
	The Cultural Planning project comprised a number of related initiatives, including the establishment of a website to explain and promote the project, the creation of a number of matching posters and brochures in order to raise interest in the discussion programme and to advertise meetings, the organisation of 10 public meetings over a period of five weeks in order to explain the project and invite people to ask questions or raise issues, and the organisation of a feedback conference. Interested local individuals were also invited to train as “Culture Scouts” to go out and talk with contacts in their social, work or domestic circles and bring back views.
	The Area Co-ordinator stated that he would draft a paper, containing a summary of the document, for distribution to Members of the Area Panel to enable them to discuss how it could be used to improve the provision of Council services in the Sharrow area.
	In response to a question whether there was any way that the document could be linked with the Youth Strategy for Sharrow, John Taylor stated that a number of young people had been involved in the project and a number of the “Culture Scouts” referred to had been pupils from Abbeydale Grange Secondary School.
	Colin Harvard, Sharrow Community Forum, stated that the work undertaken would be used as the basis of further work in connection with the process of getting residents from the various different communities in Sharrow to talk.
	The Area Panel (a) noted the contents of the document now submitted, together with the comments made by John Taylor;
	(b) thanked John Taylor for the presentation now made; and
	(c) endorsed the work undertaken by Simunye in connection with the project.

6.	SHARROW PROJECT – UPDATE
	Gary Beatson reported on the present position with regard to the Sharrow Project, referring briefly to the background of the Project and reporting on the proposals in respect of a number of the schemes being undertaken as part of the Project.
	Mr. Beatson reported that the Sharrow Project had now been designated as a Transformational Project by the City Council, which meant that the Council were committed to making it work, and whilst, in practical terms, this did not necessarily mean extra money or resources, it did mean that some of the decision-making processes may become easier, and it did commit the City Council to cross-Directorate working. The stated aims of the Transformational Project were to provide integrated service provision, improved educational achievement, improved leisure facilities and health outcomes, strong community focus and improved community safety.
	Mr. Beatson reported on each of the elements of the Project, including details of how each element of the works would be financed, and reported on the various issues which had been raised in connection with the Project to date.
	Specific reference was made to the establishment of the Project Board, comprising representatives of local community organisations, the statutory services, the City Council and the Sharrow Youth Forum. The aim of the Board was to ensure the engagement of the community in the development and implementation of the Project, to influence decision-makers and to support and direct partners in taking a corporate approach to the Project.
	Mr. Beatson concluded by referring to the consultation, which was being undertaken by the Sharrow Participation Project, together with the Project Board, which was planning a series of events, open days and presentations where residents were encouraged to discuss any concerns they had in connection with the Project.
	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. What were the timescales in respect of consultation for the Project?

	R. The timescales for the consultation will differ in respect of each of the different elements of the Project. It was likely that consultation in respect of the Civic Centre would be held between 12 and 18 months prior to construction works.

	Q. There were a number of concerns from local residents with regard to Highfield Library. What guarantees could be given that the new library would be replaced on a like-for-like basis?

	R. It was hoped that the new library would be much better and more accessible than the existing library. There were particular problems with the existing library in that the children's section was on the first floor of the building, making access difficult.

	Q. Where would the new library be sited?

	R. The new library would be sited in the new Civic Centre on the former school site.