Minutes of Area Panel held 23 March 2006

BURNGREAVE AREA PANEL


Meeting held 23rd March, 2006 at Firs Hill NIJ School, Orphanage Road

PRESENT:		Councillors Jackie Drayton (Chair), Ibrar Hussain and Steve Jones.

		Also in attendance:-
		Andy Shallice		-	Area Co-ordinator

		David Shepherd		-	Lead Manager

		Marilyn King		-	Area Support Officer

		Shanza Hussain Vicky Penn		) )	Development Services

		Johanna Mawson Amie Rowland Tim Shortland		) ) )	Parks and Countryside

		Jon Ekwubiri Simon Leake		) )	South Yorkshire Police

		Kevin Ronan		-	South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

		John Turner		-	Committee Secretariat


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

…………….

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

2.	SHEFFIELD DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
	Shanza Hussain gave a presentation of the latest developments in terms of the Sheffield Development Framework (SDF), referring to the different documents to be included in the Framework, which comprised the Core Strategy preferred options and the Emerging Options document for the City Policies and City Sites and the Proposals Map. Ms Hussain reported that the SDF would comprise a portfolio of a number of different documents, developed over a period of time, and would, in two years’ time, replace the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) as Sheffield’s Statutory Development Plan and provide a plan for the City for the period up to 2021. The SDF would be a plan for the long-term development of the City, and deal with land use, the design, density and distribution of development, the environment and resources and the development aspects of transport.
	As part of the family of documents, Planning Officers were preparing a Core Strategy with a vision and spatial policies for how they wanted Sheffield to develop, a City Policy document with detailed regulated policies in it for controlling development and achieving good and sustainable design, a City Sites document with proposals for specific sites, and a Proposals Map for the whole City, showing policy areas covering the City, the green belt boundary and other features. Other documents produced as part of the SDF included a Statement of Community Involvement, an Annual Monitoring Report and the Local Development Scheme, setting out the SDF timetable. Ms Hussain referred to the Core Strategy, which was the first document in the SDF family and the one to which every other planning document would need to conform to. The Core Strategy contained the SDF’s aims and objectives, spatial vision and high-level policies, and would set out the main changes to Sheffield over the next 15 years. Reference was made to a number of preferred options regarding the Core Strategy, which included priority areas for employment uses and new housing, priority for brownfield sites and effective and attractive public transport. Specific reference was made to the Preferred Options relating to the Panel’s area, which included issues regarding retail and built leisure, housing, open space and the environment.
	The City Policies document contained a number of policies on land use and development, design and environment and transport, and the City Sites document had details of around 300 development sites in the City. In this Panel’s area, the significant sites included the Masterplan sites and sites in private ownership.
	Ms Hussain reported on how local residents and community groups could access the various documents, indicating that they were all published on the City Council’s website and were also available in library branches across the City and the three City Council First Point locations at Howden House, Chapeltown and Hillsborough. The deadline for comments on the options was 10th April 2006. In November/December 2006, Planning Officers would again be reporting to the Area Panel with the submission version of the Core Strategy, which was the version which would get submitted to the Government and would be examined by an independent inspector before being adopted by the City Council.
	The participants split into three different groups and made the comments under the following headings;

	Open Spaces and the Environment

	· Whilst residents welcomed the amount and condition of the open, green space in the area, there was still scope for improvement.

	· All green, open spaces should be promoted, and adequate signposting to the spaces should be provided.

	· There was good access to the open spaces for local people.

	· There was general agreement with the priority given to the areas as open spaces under the Preferred Options.

	· There was a need for ponds/water features within the open spaces.

	· Recognition of Smithy’s Field as an area of national historic interest. Should be zoned as open space and not for housing. There was a need for the protection of the strip of land along Grimesthorpe Road as a buffer area for this open space.

	· Parkwood Landfill Site is too close to the City Centre. The site should be closed and used as an environmental attraction for use by the local community.

	· The Snow Mountain plans at the Ski Village cut across the plans to develop Parkwood Springs. A number of local residents were against the proposals to expand the Ski Village.

	· There needs to be a balance between district and local spaces.

	· There should be a restriction on building development on or near the site of the Roman Ridge Walk from Wincobank to Swinton.

	· The wooded area at the end of Earl Marshall Road needs attention.

	· The Pear Tree Field Nature Reserve and Parkwood Springs must be preserved as open spaces.

	· There was a need to refurbish the land at the corner of Osgarthorpe Road and Ellesmere Road North.

	· The SDF maps need to indicate the Burngreave Round Walk and reference needs to be made to the Burngreave Green Environment Programme. The possibility of using an overlay for the City’s Green Link was suggested as one method of illustrating this information, on the basis that this layer could not be incorporated on the Proposals Map due to the level of details. This could include cycle ways and green pathways.

	· Issues were raised about the designation of the green triangle at Fir Vale School.

	· With regard to Preferred Option PNE6, an additional paragraph needs to be included in the supporting text about the Viridor site and the longer-term aspirations, primarily relating to its use as a landfill and the residents and the Council would not wish to see any extensions to the current lifespan of this use. Also needs to be some reference, as a justification, to explain why the other options had been rejected, such as the land contamination issue, and how this could affect the uses that could be considered on the site.

	Housing and District Centres

	· Housing designation in the Preferred Options was satisfactory, but there was a need for more family housing in the area.

	· There was a need to provide linked facilities in areas of family housing, such as play spaces, schools and community centres.

	· There was a need to ensure that adequate car parking would be provided in respect of the new supermarket on the Hartwells site.

	· Would the Hartwells site be designated as retail?

	· There was a need to ensure that housing was not too dense on Woodside.

	· The Preferred Option PNE4 regarding the expansion of the Spital Hill District Shopping Centre needed to link in with, and include references to the Burngreave Mixed Communities project.

	· There needs to be some supporting text to justify why the Hartwells site was not included in the District Shopping Centre. It needs to be made clear to members of the public, developers and land owners who will view the SDF documentation.

	· There needs to be a reference to the high level of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HIMO) in Burngreave. Suggest the addition of some supporting information relating to thresholds that would include information on the proportion of vulnerable people in the Burngreave area and the percentage of housing that this equates to.

	Employment and Transport

	· The proposed industry and employment zoning in the area were acceptable.

	· The bus stops on Ellesmere Green should remain.

	· There was a need for an improved bus Service 38 or other bus service along Grimesthorpe Road or Petre Street.

	· Consideration needs to be given to improving access to and from Burngreave – temporary difficulties at Upwell Street, Gower Street, Sutherland Street and Spital Hill.

	· There was a lack of clarity as to what the flexible use of some areas of land referred to.

	· Should be some reference made to the way in which the integration between Burngreave at Spital Street, and the City Centre in the Nursery Street/Wicker area could be facilitated. Connectivity is a key issue as the Inner Relief Road could isolate Burngreave from the City Centre so the SDF needs to address how this can be minimised and proactively link both areas in the context of regeneration.

	· Important to note that the Burngreave Link (community bus) connects the area to Waverley in an attempt to make employment areas increasingly accessible. This needs to be reflected in the Preferred Option PNE3 as it is a key area that holds employment prospects for residents, not only in Burngreave, but also for the rest of the north-east urban area.

	· Needs to be some explanation in the supporting text of what the key areas are within the Upper and Lower Don Valley, so that there is certainty about what this included.

	The Area Panel (a) noted the comments now made in terms of the Core Strategy preferred options with regard to the Sheffield Development Framework; and
	(b) Shanza Hussain and Vicky Penn be (i) requested to consider the comments now made, as part of the consultation on the Core Strategy Preferred Options, for inclusion in the Sheffield Development Framework and (ii) be thanked for their participation at this meeting.

3.	BURNGREAVE AREA PANEL NEW YEAR’S HONOURS 2006
	The Chair reported on the proceedings of the event to mark the Burngreave Area Panel New Year’s Honours 2006, which had been held on 26th January 2006, in the Town Hall.
	She stated that the event had been organised in order to celebrate the efforts of local people and repr, esentatives of local voluntary organisations living or working in the Burngreave area. The people who had received awards had been nominated by local people in recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving the lives of the local community. On the evening, the awards had been presented by the Lord Mayor (Councillor Roger Davison) and Richard Caborn MP, as follows:-

	Name of Individual/Organisation		Reason for Award

	Volunteers

	Kelvin Pine		In recognition of his tireless work in providing a voice for the local people and influencing the way services were delivered in Burngreave. Mr Pine was an integral member of the Burngreave Community Action Forum and his influence on the Forum led to the Local Strategic Partnership, Sheffield First, recognising that New Deal for Communities resources should be invested in Burngreave in order to carry on the work the Forum had began. He is an active member of New Deal’s Transformational Steering and Environmental Theme Groups, and has worked on a number of key developments, including the Vestry Hall, Sorby House and Spital Hill. He is the champion of local people’s views and is a popular and respected friend of the community.

	Abdul Shaif		Abdul started working in Burgreave in 1981 as an advisor at the Pitsmoor Citizen’s Advice Bureau. He then worked as a Welfare Rights Worker at the Yemeni Community Association and over the years, has pioneered a number of literacy campaigns, working alongside the Education Department and the Sheffield College. He was instrumental in managing to secure funding for the Vestry Hall which in turn, created more services for the Yemeni community, particularly regarding training in language development. He has also been involved in leading and supporting discussion, debate and strategy for New Deal’s Education Theme Group.

	Yvonne Pine		In recognition of the hard work carried out as Chair of Governors at St. Catherine’s Primary School for the past ten years, helping steer the school to the success that it is today.

	Milton Graham		In recognition of his hard work and dedication in working with the Firs Hill Tenants' and Residents' Association and Area K Tenants' and Residents' Association.

	Mohammed Iqbal		A man who needs little introduction to the Area Panel and who was honoured last year. In view of his recent national recognition, the Panel have wished to cite him again as someone who has volunteered above and beyond what could possibly be expected, initially to set up, develop and lead the Burngreave Community Action Forum and then to take the same passion and direction into the New Deal for Communities programme. A true friend of all the people of Burngreave.

	Groups/Organisations

	Ellesmere Children’s Centre		In recognition of the work in providing excellent child care at affordable rates, being an open forum for community members to discuss their personal problems, for providing helpful advice when needed and the running of community courses which had helped the community.

	Burngreave Problem Busters		In recognition of the work undertaken over the past six years in providing valuable advocacy support services to local residents and workers in partnership with all organisations, groups, statutory agencies and City Council Services. The Group has been responsible for organising a number of festivals in the area and has helped to identify solutions in solving diverse problems within Burngreave, such as road safety issues.

	Burngreave Sports Network		In recognition of the work undertaken in arranging a number of different sporting activities in the area for all age groups.

	Paid Workers

	Graham Abdullah		In recognition of his work in running Lan Gar Kung Fu classes at St. James Church and Q’Kong for the elders at Page Hall during the past 25 years. Graham, who is an excellent role model for both young male and female people in Burngreave, also participates in a number of fund raising initiatives and his success has aspired many others from Burngreave to follow in his footsteps.

	Alpha Ghelani		In recognition of her tireless work in the Burngreave area as the local pharmacist, friend and confidant. Alph not only provides advice on medical issues, but also visits local elderly people in the area to talk to them about prescriptions and offered a helping hand, as well as putting them in contact with various agencies if required.

	Tracey Sparks		In recognition of her work in running a mobile crèche unit in Burngreave with her colleague Sarah Ashton. Tracey also helped to run a Sunday school at the local church and has dedicated a lot of her time to helping the Headteacher at Firs Hill School in preparing policies for OFSTED. She also helped two of the local schools in the area run community education courses which enables people to attend that have children in providing a crèche whilst they study.






	School Crossing Patrol Staff Lollipop Ladies)

	Shirley Else		In recognition of her work over the past 30 years on Pitsmoor Road. She always makes a point of talking to and learning the names of many of the children as they cross the road, and greets the children with a smile and a wave.

	Susan Rodgers		In recognition of her work over the past 19 years, the majority which have been spent at the Firs Hill crossing. She has managed to get the children across safely, despite the crossing being very busy, and always greets the children with a warm smile.

	Valerie Hanson		In recognition of her work over the past 21 years, and in helping over 1,000 or more across the roads at Fir Vale. Over the years, she has helped a number of adults to cross the roads and is now helping their children to cross the same roads.

	Mohammed Shabere		In recognition of the large amount of renovation and building works he has been responsible for in the area, which has contributed to both improving the area and assisting the local economy. He is also a private landlord and has provided accommodation for asylum seekers and benefit claimants. He is very approachable and willing to help members of the community whenever they need his advice on the building trade or advertising a new property. As part of his work with young people in the area, he readily gives his valuable time to the local youth club as its Chairperson to oversee its management. He contributes to local charities and will often undertake work on their behalf at a reduced rate.

	Mohammed Shoab Desai		In recognition of his tireless work with people of all ages at his local Mosque, in introducing new ways and methods of working, including lectures for women, Quranic classes for men and women, well organised classes for girls and boys, formal enrolment and registration, annual examinations, parents evenings and community events that include activities by children and prize giving for children. Muslims from across the City are now attending the Mosque and sending their children to the Madrassah (Islamic School) which was now a huge success. He is highly respected by young and old alike, not only in the Mosque, but also across the City and beyond.

	Madge Dale		In recognition of her work at Burngreave Library over the past 21 years. She has worked tirelessly to promote the Library in asking the community what they want and then obtaining the necessary resources to do this. She has not only worked with schools, but with adults in the area, hosting a number of community activities in the library. She has also worked with the Ellesmere Community Centre, when it was a drop-in centre, the Ellesmere Elderly Persons’ Home, at reading days for the elderly, the ACE Centre and its nursery and the SADACCA luncheon clubs. Ms Dale worked on the Book- start Project, trying to get parents to encourage their children to read from an early age, and was also a fund raiser for the Burngreave Voices project.

	Marilyn King		A woman who has worked (and lived) in Burngreave and who has made a vital contribution in holding together the various works under the banner of the Area Panel. Always prepared to say “yes” and always thinking about how things can happen, always receptive to seeing if things can be done better and always rooted in the concerns of the local, multi-ethnic communities of this area of the City.

	RESOLVED: It was agreed that the Panel be requested to convey their thanks and congratulations to all the local volunteers and representatives of the voluntary organisations who have received awards as part of the Burngreave Area Panel New Year’s Honours 2006.

4.	BURNGREAVE GREEN SPACE ACTION PLAN – THREE YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2005-2008
	Johanna Mawson gave a brief introduction to the planned works and improvements to be made to the green spaces in Burngreave, as detailed in the Green Space Action Plan – Three-Year Implementation Plan 2005-2008. The Plan contained information on what works had been undertaken and planned works on the sites, together with details of the estimated development costs of the works and funding sources.
	Specific reference was made to five of the sites, which had, through funding sources being identified, being listed as the priority sites, and these included Abbeyfield Park, Burngreave Recreation Ground, Devon Gardens, Osgathorpe Park and Parkwood Springs.
	The participants at the meeting were asked to split into five groups and comment on what improvements they would like to see on each of the priority sites. The groups used the Three-Year Implementation Plan as the basis of their discussion, and the comments received were as follows:-

	Abbeyfield Park
	Local residents broadly agreed with the proposed works set out in the Three Year Implementation Plan.

	Burngreave Recreation Ground
	Breeze Landscape Architects had been commissioned to carry out a Masterplan and Neil Black explained the concepts and ideas of the plan, which were as follows:-

	· Terracing the slopes to ensure that the different plateaus that make up the site link together.

	· Informal play facilities and making the most of natural play elements.

	· A landform sculpture designed by local children from Byron Wood School.

	· Improved accessibility to the site through upgrading paths.