You are here: Home » Your City Council » Council Meetings » Area Panels » Burngreave » Agenda 3 October 2006 » Responses July meeting
Responses by Area Co-ordinator to questions at July meeting
JULY 2006 BURNGREAVE AREA PANEL MEETING (at Fir Vale School); a report on the questions and answers compiled by the Area Co-ordinator
1 What measures are being taken to improve parking around Spital Hill? A draft Parking Strategy is being prepared as an essential part of the Spital Hill Public Realm proposals - one of the 3 Transformational Projects of the Advancing Together agreement between the Council and Burngreave New Deal. The draft will be for widespread consultation, but has received an initial favourable response from the Spital Hill Project Group. The main elements of the draft Strategy are to seek to maximise the use of on-street parking spaces for shoppers and visitors to Spital Hill, rather than the more costly alternative of seeking to procure a new off street car park. On-street spaces will limit the length of stay to 1, 2 or 4 hours, depending upon the results of consultation. The Council would enforce these restrictions by making spaces subject to Pay and Display operation, with a modest hourly charge. Additional off street car parking will also be provided for Vestry Hall. The total number of parking spaces covered by the Strategy is approximately 100. The potential and need for a "Business Parking Permit Zone" will also be examined for the area east of Spital Hill (behind Sorby House), around Hallcar St./Carlisle St. It is hoped to consult on the Public Realm proposals, including the Parking Strategy, later this year.
2 What progress is being made for those businesses on Spital Hill that are under threat of demolition? Regarding the frontage shops 105-125 Spital Hill, the Burngreave and Fir Vale Masterplan proposes new building, which would require the demolition of these properties. Discussions are being held about ways of achieving this but, so far, there are no firm proposals. Businesses and residents will be kept informed of progress.
3. Are there plans for more school places for the additional housing being developed in Burngreave? In 2005, officers from Children and Young People’s Capacity Planning and Development Service (formerly the LEA) started to look at school places in Burngreave more closely. It became clear that there was an immediate need for extra places at Primary level. Furthermore, forecasts suggest this need will continue to rise, albeit erratically, for the next three years.
As a result extra places are being provided at St Catherine’s for the next three years, beginning in September 2006. This is a short-term measure that has allowed officers to start planning for a permanent solution.
A group of key stakeholders has been established, including officers from the East Regeneration Team, to determine a long-term solution. It is difficult to assess the impact of additional housing until clear plans for the type of accommodation are determined. However, the group has concluded that there is an overall need for an additional 60 places per year at Primary level in the Burngreave/Pitsmoor area. This proposed increase takes into account, as far as is currently possible, the possible extra pupil yield from additional housing. In Fir Vale, we looking at an additional 30 places per year at Primary level and are presently talking with both Owler Brook and Whiteways schools to explore possible options.
We will be taking initial proposals to Cabinet later this year to be able to then conduct wide-ranging formal public consultation next year. The deadline for new places is for them to be available from September 2009.
4 What is the evidence for the statements re illegal drug trading near garage on Catherine St? The Statement was incorrect. We have sent a letter to the owner of the garage apologising for this mistake. The City Council’s Legal & Governance section confirm that we cannot alter the existing Cabinet Report (January 2006), as this is a public document. However, when the next report about the Catherine Street development goes to Cabinet (this winter) we have confirmed that we will include a statement that states there is no evidence of drug dealing around the garage and that we were wrong to include this statement within the previous Cabinet report.
5 Ditto – reasons for change in including/excluding garage from redevelopment plans. Planning colleagues have met with the owner of the garage and have offered advice about the possibility of the owner redeveloping the garage site. We have therefore now excluded the site from the redevelopment proposals.
6 Numbers of people consulted both during masterplan process and latterly on development proposals around Catherine St? As reported in the Cabinet report for the Burngreave and Fir Vale Masterplan, over 2,700 people attended events throughout the consultation process, 800 written responses were made and 700 homes were surveyed. 19 Catherine Street visits were made in January 2005 and a further 10 visits were made in January 2006.
7 Have any grant applications been made for improving Page Hall SYHA properties for Skinnerthorpe residents? Not that East Regeneration Team are aware of.
8 What are the approximate timescales and stages of work on Skinnerthorpe? SCC started to acquire properties in Phase 1 by negotiation in May this year. A review of the current phasing arrangements will take place early in 2007. The entire acquisitions process may take around 2 years as some residents wish to move to new housing on the Earl Marshal estate.
9 Can people designated in phase 2 move to other properties outside area (e.g. Fir Vale west) now? It is possible for residents in Phase 2 to move prior to declaration but they will not be able to access the compensation payments or the rehousing options. Regardless of when residents move, they are free to chose to stay in the area or move elsewhere in the country.
10 Skinnerthorpe valuations too low. There have been substantial differences in some of the valuations given by SCC surveyors and independent surveyors. In these cases, both parties need to provide evidence of comparable properties on which they have based their valuations.
11 Failure to secure meeting with head of valuation in SCC, due to wide discrepancy between council valuations and my valuations. A meeting has been held by the Acting Head of Property Services and Mr Bell (on 14th September). At this meeting, the differences between the Council's valuation and Mr Bell's valuations were considered and a possible agreement was arrived at. This is to be confirmed in writing. The Council has, to date, agreed valuations with another 7 or 8 chartered surveyors acting for other residents on Skinnerthorpe Rd.
12 When are the Earl Marshal flats being demolished? We have given a commitment that separate blocks will be demolished as they become empty. Rehousing is progressing well, but at this time no block is completely empty so no demolition has taken place yet.
13 Sale of any houses previously bought with Housing Market Renewal (HMR) funding in Page Hall – re-investment of any additional surplus? Any capital receipt from the disposal of houses bought with HMR funding will be re-invested in Sheffield. The receipt must be spent on HMR activity to comply with HM Treasury rules. Proposals will be made for investing the receipt from the properties held by SYHA in Page Hall. Council and SYHA will dispose of properties at Page Hall at current market value. The intention is to offer these properties to residents at Skinnerthorpe Road who wish to remain in the area. This proposal was welcomed by the Skinnerthorpe Project Group at their meeting on 4th July.
14 What are the current priorities for the proposed design in Page Hall? The priorities are:
- street scene improvements,
- green spaces,
- security to, and in, the gennels,
- privacy to front of properties,
15 Is the £1m available for Page Hall design etc work still available? Can confirm that approx. £1M is allocated for period from 2006 to 2008.
16 What is the long term strategy for sustaining the Page Hall housing? The strategy is to have an ‘Urban Design Framework’ produced by the appointed designer. This will look at options for initial improvement and plans for any future investment.
17 Can I be assured that there will be no widespread demolition on Robey St, Owler Lane, and Rushby St? There is to be no widespread demolition in these areas.
18 Why aren’t Sheffield Homes responsible for maintaining/ painting externals of Council properties/ sundries? It is not the responsibility of Sheffield Homes to maintain/paint fences or gates. This is the responsibility of the tenant and there will therefore be a charge for any such work. All tenants of properties managed by Sheffield Homes had a copy of their tenancy conditions, which clearly indicate that the maintenance of fencing/wall was the responsibility of the tenant.
19 Tenant in Earl Marshal flats is unsuccessful for bids for rehousing (age banding). Could this hold up demolition? It had been accepted that there were too many vacant properties for people over the ages of 40 and/or 60, and not enough for general demand. Following local consultation, the Cabinet are considering the redesignation of a number of flats in the area, which would result in more properties being available for younger tenants.
20 Is there a clear priority for Earl Marshal tenants facing demolition? Officers had visited all tenants to provide advice on rehousing options, including advice on how to bid for other properties. Priority was and is given in terms of rehousing tenants from Earl Marshall.
21 What is the strategy for overcoming the growing shortage of Council housing? It was accepted that there were problems in terms of demand for properties, particularly in the light of the recent demolition of properties. Sheffield Homes aimed to look at changing the age banding in terms of tenant priority, as previously reported.
22 Any solution for noise, licensing, planning consent issues etc at Aden Social Club, Hinde St? Planning officers did some research and found that there was no planning permission for the use of this property as a social club, nor do they have advertisement consent for their sign. The planning enforcement officer has investigated this further and has said that a Planning Contravention Notice was served on the occupier and the owner on 1st September. This requires them (the social club) to provide information on use and ownership so that planning officers can decide either the need for enforcement action or whether we should invite a planning application to grant it or grant it with conditions to control how it operates. They have 21 days to reply and both parties have been invited to a meeting on 21st September.
23 Issues connected with 153 Skinnerthorpe Rd; massive overcrowding etc. Colleagues in the private rented housing team have visited this property, and are in contact with the landlord. The Police safer neighbourhood team (Fir Vale) are aware of the issues that have been raised.
24 No response from SYP over two young women door knocking – Torbay Rd. The Police safer neighbourhood team (Burngreave) have now visited the resident who raised this concern.
25 Concern about security measures for properties being left empty on Skinnerthorpe. The empty properties owned by SCC or SYHA are being secured, in consultation with the Fir Vale Community Implementation Group. Unfortunately, SCC are unable to secure the vacant properties they do not own, although we will explore the possibility of doing this, if the owner gives consent.
26 180 Skinnerthorpe recently bricked up but services not disconnected. Roy Scott, from SYHA, was informed that the utilities had been disconnected prior to securing.
27 Gully clearance schedule – Burngreave Rd and flooding during last week’s thunderstorms. No highways flooding problems have been reported on Burngreave Rd lately. All the gully grates on Burngreave Rd were emptied and cleared on 9th May 2006 and 31 out of 38 gullies were accessible.
28-31 Street Force in process of responding (Andrew Staniforth)
28 Condition of Hinde House Lane road surface (bottom end). Regular inspections of the highway are undertaken and repairs issued to defects that exceed safety intervention levels, currently defined as a trip or pothole with a vertical trip height exceeding 20mm and could be considered to be potentially hazardous. An inspection has recently been carried out on the bottom cul-de-sac section and localised defects identified. Repair work should be completed within the next four weeks. In addition, the condition of this road has been noted and it will be included for consideration in future resurfacing programmes.
29 Street lighting on Popple, Robey, Wade etc has tendency to go out last winter; any progress on maintenance or systemic problems? The Night Repair Team are to survey the area mentioned and carry out first-line repairs to any faulty lamps (i.e. replace the lamp, photo cell or fuse), which in the majority of cases successfully repairs the light. If this does not initially succeed, the day electricians will attend and where possible repair the fault. It is expected that this work should be completed within the next two to three weeks. Checking back through our fault records, the street lighting failures in this area last winter were due to problems with the Yorkshire Electricity supply. The underground mains network in this area is quite old and failures can occasionally occur, however, at present, they have an average repair time for section faults of 6.9 days and we constantly monitor their performance against targets.
30 Snagging works on new crossing bottom of Barnsley Rd not completed (e.g. footpath). The entrances of the garage site near the puffin crossing at the bottom of Barnsley Road, are likely to be blocked off as part of a proposed redevelopment of the site. Until a decision about the development is reached, the kerbing works have been stopped. If the development goes ahead, both entrances will be blocked by a full height kerb. In the meantime, as a temporary measure, unfinished areas are being kept safe.
31 Footpath from Grimesthorpe Rd to Scott Rd, adjacent house overgrown vegetation and rubbish. Arrangements have been made for the footpath and area of land to the side of 279 Grimesthorpe Road to be strimmed and cleared of debris and any overhanging vegetation cut back from the steps. This work will be completed by 29 September 2006. The site should have been cleared of litter during week commencing 4 September 2006.
32 Has the Roundabout at Rushby St/Page Hall Rd made a difference? What impact? The design of the roundabout should ensure the speed of traffic using it is reduced. The collection and analysis of 3 full years accident statistics will be carried out.
33 As a Page Hall resident, feel that traffic speeds approaching roundabout have reduced so that it’s safer. To reduce the speed of vehicles entering/ leaving the roundabout was our intention. This will make the roundabout safer for pedestrians and drivers.
34 Have future agenda item on local traffic/highways measures and impacts and value for money/safety outcomes. Traffic issues will be a major agenda item at the next Area Panel public meeting on 3rd October (Pitsmoor Methodists Church, Christchurch Rd/Burngreave Rd at 5pm).
35 Traffic islands built on Barnsley Rd in 1994 for estimated cost of £100k – has there been a review? A review of accidents has taken place. In the 4 years before the scheme was constructed there were 3 accidents, including 1 fatal. In the 4 years after the scheme there was only 1 slight accident.
36 Castlegate/Markets area problems with litter. The site around Castlegate is under private ownership, however, on this occasion Street Force has attended and cleaned the area.
37 As above – old Court House, rubbish by bus stops caught behind shutterings. This site has been visited and the litter removed during week commencing 11 September 2006.
38 Very poor quality street cleaning on/around Robey St etc. The street cleaning schedule for this area has been reviewed and the current schedule of weekly sweeping will be maintained.
39 Blue Bin service is not working – too few bins pout out for collection (e.g. Earl Marshal Rd); collection date info not made available to local residents (e.g. Skinnerthorpe Rd); Veolia too quick to say won’t collect black bins if too full but don’t say when blue bins collected; need incentive for re-cycling (e.g. reduction on Council tax if high household re-cycling). All blue bins should have a calendar attached. These were issued as a paper copy but after customer feedback were changed to a bin sticker. Some of these might have come off but the bins in this area were stickered assuming that the bins were accessible when the stickering took place. If people are not using the bins or if they are tucked away where they cannot be accessed it is possible that some might not have had a sticker attached.
If people wish to get a new calendar this can be done in 2 ways. They can phone the Veolia call centre, the easiest way is phone the Council's 273 4567 number and select the Veolia option or use the direct line 0845 3555515. Alternatively they can write to Veolia at:
- Veolia ES Sheffield Ltd, Lumley Street Service Centre, Lumley Street, Sheffield S4 7ZL.
- They can make a request via the website, the direct web address is http://www.onyxsheffield.co.uk/contactus.asp
A calendar will be sent.
Or via this website http://www.onyxsheffield.co.uk/wastecolpostcode.asp
Alternatively if anyone wishes to let the Area Co-ordinator know, then information can be passed on following the request.
The comment regarding people needing an incentive to recycle is interesting. There are many arguments for and against incentive schemes and a report has just been published following a national trial of various schemes. The Council will be considering such issues as it reviews its waste strategy.
Whilst I appreciate that the necessary changes in waste collection regarding overloading of bins has caused some difficulties the system of informing people through bin stickers and letters seems to be working. The Council is interested in the observation that people are not using the recycling service, and this would tie in with observations that this area has a low participation rate. One way of helping people to manage their waste better and prevent overloading of the normal refuse bin is to use the recycling capacity provided and perhaps people will be reminded of this as overloaded bins are now not emptied. For those who wish to recycle more paper/ card a second blue bin can be obtained. Again this can be requested through the contact routes mentioned above.
40 15 year olds playing football on Torbay Rd – damage to cars etc. This has also been dealt with via the Police neighbourhood team (see Q24 above).
41 As above - need for notices to be displayed on lamp-posts; but doubt over costs of this, effect of any notices and need for investment in play provision. The possible consequences of children playing football in the street has to be balanced against the need to encourage all young people to participate in as much physical exercise as possible.
42 Child safety zone (CSZ) proposals in Page Hall – insufficient consultation, possible conflict with HMR intended works on local street scene/public realm; suggestion for delay on construction for 12 months until after the HMR design work completed. Both the Area Panel chair and the area co-ordinator have followed up this request with Council colleagues in road safety. The response is that a delay in the works for Page Hall is not possible as:
- Support was received at 11th July meeting of the Page Hall project group
- Consultation letters on the preliminary design were sent to every address in the child safety zone area
- Special meetings were held at Owler Brook school, and with the headteacher there
- The Planning Area Board has already given its approval to construct the scheme
- over the past nine months residents gave their support for the concept of a child safety zone, the preliminary design proposals; the 20mph speed
limit Order and the road humps;
- Street Force have staff, materials and equipment ready, any delay would
result in a significant payment of thousands of pounds to them to cover
costs;
- A meeting the Housing Market Renewal Team in June 2006 and identified four localised areas of potential conflict between the two schemes it was agreed the CSZ design is such that any amendments resulting from the HMR proposals could easily be accommodated to avoid any abortive work.
Andy Shallice
Burngreave Area Co-ordinator
22nd September 2006
How useful is this page?