Minutes of the Burngreave Area Panel

BURNGREAVE AREA PANEL


Meeting held 5th February, 2004 at the Cornerstone Meetingroom, Grimesthorpe Road

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

		Also in attendance:-
		Kieron Williams		-	Area Co-ordinator

		Amanda Perrott		)
		Glyn Hitchen		)	Housing Services
		Wendy Barlow		)
		Gaynor Naylor		)
		Jean Burley		)

		Julie Tasker		-	Community Safety Team

		Inspector Jon Ekwubiri		)
		John Simpson		)	South Yorkshire Police
		Duncan Wray		)

		Nick Hetherington		-	Street Force

		Shanza Hussain		-	Development Services

		Thom Skelton		-	Connexions

		Magdo Boo Ali Abdi		-	Burngreave New Deal for Communities

		John Turner		-	Committee Secretariat

There were approximately 18 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 from Members of the Panel.

2.	BURNGREAVE NEW YEAR’S HONOURS 2004
	The Chair reported on the proceedings of the event to mark the Burngreave Area Panel New Year’s Honours 2004, which had been held on 19th January, 2004, in the Town Hall.
	She stated that the event, which was the first to be arranged by the Area Panel, had been organised in order to celebrate the efforts of local people and representatives of local voluntary organisations living and 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. The evening had been a great success and it was agreed that it would become an annual event. On the evening, three categories of awards were presented by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Mike Pye), as follows:-

	Name of Individual/ Organisation		Reason for Award

	Awards for Local Volunteers

	Stephen Cooke		In recognition of his voluntary work to improve the lives of people in Burngreave and his tireless commitment to community organisations in the area, including the Burngreave Community Action Forum and Green City Action.

	Jean Hayden		In recognition of her voluntary work to improve the lives of the people of the Firshill estate and represent the interest of tenants and residents of Sheffield, including her involvement in the Firshill Tenants' and Residents' Association, Burngreave Area Housing Meeting and the City Council’s Tenants' and Residents' City Wide Forum.

	Mohamed Iqbal		In recognition of his voluntary involvement in the regeneration of Burngreave and his work to improve the lives of people from all communities in Burngreave, including his involvement in the Burngreave Community Action Forum, the Burngreave Community Action Trust and Burngreave New Deal for Communities.

	Sylvia Pennington		In recognition of her voluntary work to improve the lives of people in Burngreave, including her tireless and passionate commitment to representing the needs and views of local residents, young and old, and including her involvement in the Burngreave New Deal for Communities Community Safety Group.

	Aisha "Special K" Wilson		In recognition of her voluntary involvement in the regeneration of Burngreave over the past 15 years, including her voluntary work with the Burngreave Community Action Forum, Burngreave New Deal for Communities, the Burngreave Messenger, Abbeyfields Park Multi-Cultural Festival and the Burngreave Problem Busters.


	Award for Local Worker

	Jan Royan		In recognition of her dedication and commitment to serving the needs of the community in Burngreave, especially those most vulnerable members of society, through her work with the Urban Theology Unit, St. Catherine's Church, the Furnival Burngreave Community Projects and the Pitsmoor Methodist Church Monday Lunch Club.

	Awards for Voluntary Organisations

	Somali IT (Community School and Subject Support)		In recognition of their work to help increase the educational attainment of young Somali pupils in Years 1-11 and their families.

	Fir Vale Forum		In recognition of the work to improve the lives of people in the Fir Vale area, supporting the Fir Vale community and bringing together the people of Fir Vale.

	RESOLVED: That the thanks and congratulations of this Panel be conveyed to all the local volunteers and representatives of the voluntary organisations who have received awards as part of the Burngreave Area Panel New Years Honours 2004.

3.	BURNGREAVE NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY WARDENS
	Glyn Hitchen reported on the work of the Burngreave Neighbourhood Community Wardens, who had been funded by Burngreave New Deal for Communities to work in the New Deal area. The Team, which had commenced work in December, 2003, comprised eight Community Wardens, and was based at premises on Spital Lane. The Team worked two shifts, seven days a week, the first shift being from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and the second shift being 12 noon to 8.00 p.m., Monday to Wednesday, and 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.
	The New Deal area had been split into 14 different patrol patches, which were all patrolled by the Wardens on a regular basis. The Wardens would patrol the area, talking to and listening to the views of local residents, noting and reporting any incidents of anti-social behaviour, and reporting any environmental problems, such as overgrown shrubbery, fly-tipping or graffiti. One of the main aims of the Wardens was to improve the appearance of the area and by providing a highly visible service within the area, encourage more residents, particularly the elderly, to get out and about. As part of this work, the Wardens regularly patrolled the post offices in the area with the aim of making it safe for elderly people to visit them. Whilst the Wardens had no powers, it was hoped that their visible presence on the streets would help to deter anti-social behaviour. The Wardens were also encouraging residents to come out and talk to them and to report any issues of concern they had, which they would then refer to the relevant Council Services. The Wardens also planned to organise "walking buses", whereby they would accompany pupils and parents in walking to and from primary schools in the area.
	Gaynor Naylor, one of the Neighbourhood Community Wardens, reported on her experiences during the first few months of the scheme, referring specifically to the efforts to make contact with local residents, by either talking to them on the streets or visiting them in their homes, and stated that residents, particularly older persons, were already feeling safer and more confident to leave their homes on a more regular basis.
	Mr. Hitchen concluded by referring to the official launch of the scheme, which was to be held on Monday, 1st March, 2004, from 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. at the Verdon Street Recreation Centre.
	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. Would the Wardens be responsible for patrolling the parks in the area, and supervising children playing in the parks?

	R. The Wardens would be responsible for patrolling the parks, but their remit would not include the supervision of children playing. It was the aim to have a presence in the park in order to encourage more children to play there, particularly after school.

	Q. There were problems with some residents leaving black bin liners full of rubbish outside their doors, on landings in flats, instead of throwing them down the rubbish chute, resulting in them not being collected on a regular basis. Would the Wardens be responsible for informing these residents of their responsibilities with regard to waste disposal?

	R. Whilst the Wardens would not be directly responsible for removing the rubbish bags or speaking to the tenants, they would refer the matter to the Area Housing Office and Street Force, who would be responsible for talking to the tenants and removing the waste, respectively.

	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported, together with the comments now made, be noted; and
	(b) Glyn Hitchen and Gaynor Naylor be thanked for the presentation now made.

4.	BURNGREAVE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR TEAM
	Wendy Barlow, Housing Services, reported on the work of the Burngreave Anti-Social Behaviour Team, which had been established in November, 2003, through funding provided by Burngreave New Deal for Communities, and had commenced accepting live calls with effect from January, 2004.
	Ms. Barlow reported that the Team, which comprised three Anti-Social Behaviour Officers and an Administrative Support Officer, was based at the Burngreave Housing Office on Spital Hill. The Team dealt with people from all tenure types and it was hoped that in the future, they would provide training for tenants' and residents' associations, Councillors and Housing Associations on all the issues relating to anti-social behaviour. The Team dealt with issues such as noise nuisance, youth nuisance, untidy gardens, abandoned vehicles, vehicle nuisance and the operation of businesses from homes without permission, and since taking live calls in January, 2004, the Team had almost 80 complaints logged. To publicise the work of the Team, a newsletter had been published and delivered during Christmas and an article had been placed in the Burngreave Messenger, which contained a contact telephone number for the Team. As part of the job of highlighting its work, the Team were visiting the various tenants' and residents' associations in the New Deal area, informing their staff of the work they were undertaking in the area and the work of the Team would be further publicised at the official launch of the establishment of the Team, which would be held on Monday, 1st March, 2004, at the Verdon Street Recreation Centre, between 2.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.
	Ms. Barlow referred to the Team's close links with Environment and Regulatory Services and indicated that Burngreave New Deal would be funding the post of an Environmental Services Officer for four days a week, who would have the powers to issue fixed penalty litter notices and take any necessary action in connection with all sorts of environmental issues, such as graffiti and fly-tipping. The Team also had close links with Mediation Sheffield (MESH), the New Deal Police Team and the Citizens Advice Bureau. There were plans to establish a drop in service at premises in Carwood, where residents could visit and report incidences of anti-social behaviour, with the first session being arranged for Tuesday, 17th February, 2004, between 9.00 a.m. and 12 noon.
	Ms. Barlow concluded by referring to the work planned in connection with visiting the schools in the New Deal area, with the aim of highlighting the work being undertaken and educating pupils on their responsibilities of being good citizens, with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour in the future.
	The following questions were asked and responses given:-

	Q. What was the process for applying for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO)?

	R. Initially, the young person is identified by the Team, usually based on evidence from local residents. Officers would then consult with the young person and/or his/her parents, providing a warning, and giving them a chance to reform. At this stage, an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC), which is a voluntary contract, is entered into in an attempt to stop the individual from misbehaving. If problems persist, a meeting of professionals, which comprised representatives from various statutory and voluntary agencies, is held to discuss whether applying for an ASBO is the best option for the individual. If it is decided that this is the best option, all the evidence is collected from Council officers, local residents and any other groups/organisations, including the Police, and an application is submitted to the Magistrates' Court for an ASBO. The ASBO is a Civil Order and only becomes criminal if its terms and conditions are breached. ASBOs have the power to stop young people visiting certain areas, or talking to certain people and can be applied for in respect of young people at a minimum age of 10 years old.

	Q. Whilst anti-social behaviour was not, and should never be accepted, young people often misbehaved as they become disillusioned on the grounds that there was nothing else for them to do. Had the Council any plans to provide any facilities for young people in the area?

	R. Whilst the Connexions Service provided some facilities for young people in Burngreave, it was not possible, due to the funding available, to cater for all young people in the area. The All Saint's Community Centre was used by some young people in the area, but staff were aware that there were, and always will be, certain young people who would not use such facilities. Funding had been provided by the Government to target 25 young people who had been referred to the Service by various agencies, and there were strict terms and conditions as to the numbers and which groups of young people should be targeted. Connexions also had three detached workers, who were only able to work with young people in certain areas.

	Q. Could ASBOs be applied for in respect of a particular problem family, and not just an individual within that family, on the basis that when there were problems with young people, the problems often related to other family members, including parents?

	R. This was not legally possible. The ASBOs had to be served on the individual responsible for the anti-social behaviour. An alternative option could be for the Council to serve Eviction Orders on problem families.

	Q. In those circumstances where parents were obviously unable to control their children, what support did the Council provide for the parents?

	R. As part of the process for applying for ASBOs, the details regarding the young people concerned were referred to Social Services prior to the meeting of professionals to discuss the merits of applying for an ASBO, and Social Services would then have to prepare a report on the young person involved. It would be at this stage when Social Services became involved and carried out an assessment as to whether the parent(s) required any support.

	Q. If the young person was experiencing particular problems, and it had been decided that the most suitable option would be to apply for an ASBO, would assistance be provided by the Council for the young person and his/her family during the process for applying for an Order?

	R. Support would be provided by Social Services for young people under the age of 18. The Youth Offending Team would also be involved if a Court Order had been granted.

	Q. Who would be responsible for providing educational support for young people who had been served with an ASBO?

	R. The Local Education Authority have a statutory responsibility to provide a minimum level of educational support to young people.

	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported, together with the comments now made, be noted; and
	(b) the thanks of the Area Panel be conveyed to Wendy Barlow for the presentation now made.

5.	CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY SAFETY TEAM
	Julie Tasker, Community Safety Team, reported that there was a Community Safety Officer responsible for dealing with all aspects of community safety within the Burngreave area, and who was willing to listen to the views of residents in Burngreave to see what she could do to help.
	The Panel noted this information.

6.	POLICING IN THE CARWOOD AREA
	Inspector Jon Ekwubiri reported on the staffing and work being undertaken by the New Deal Police Team in the Carwood area. The Team, which was funded through New Deal, comprised one Sergeant, four Police Constables and two Community Police Constables. Inspector Ekwubiri reported that the Team were operating on a high profile basis, with officers being highly visible within the area in an aim to make residents feel safer. The officers were working closely with schools and youth clubs in the area, with the aim of educating younger children on the adverse impact that crime can have on a local community, as well as hoping to engage those disaffected youths who have a potential for drifting into crime.
	John Simpson, one of the Community Police Officers responsible for the Carwood area, reported that whilst there were major problems with regard to youth nuisance in the area, particularly relating to youths congregating on landing corridors in flats, using drugs and abusing residents, the Police were well aware of the problems and were making efforts to make Carwood a safer place to live. The Police had identified a group of young people who they believed were responsible for a number of crimes in the area, and a number of arrests had been made recently, and plans were in place to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders in respect of the individuals.
	Mr. Simpson reported that the Police were undertaking regular patrols in the area, and were relying heavily on information from residents. The Police were also in close contact with the Burngreave Anti-Social Behaviour Team. Plans were being made to organise a surgery in the area, allowing residents to visit the Police to report incidents of anti-social behaviour, and the first surgery was to be held on Tuesday, 17th February, 2004, between 9.00 a.m. and 12 noon at a location on the Carwood estate. If successful, it was planned that surgeries would be held on a three-weekly basis.
	Duncan Wray reported briefly on crime figures for the Burngreave area, indicating that the total number of reported crimes in the area during 2003 had reduced by 200 as compared to 2002, with the total number of robberies down from 40 in 2002, to 18 in 2003. Mr. Wray stated that the reduction in the figures was due mainly to the improvements made in the area, such as the improved lighting and the work of the various agencies. Mr. Wray added that whilst the number of burglaries had reduced, incidences of criminal damage had increased and more arrests had been made for drug offences.
	Inspector Ekwubiri concluded by referring to the recent raid made on an illegal club in Earsham Street, which had been reported in the local press, and which had resulted in a number of arrests relating to drug offences and the sale of alcohol.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported be noted; and
	(b) Inspector Jon Ekwubiri, John Simpson and Duncan Wray be thanked for the presentation now made.

7.	STREET CLEANING AND IMPROVEMENTS TO LIGHTING IN THE BURNGREAVE AREA
	Nick Hetherington provided an update on the work being undertaken by Street Force in connection with street cleaning, highway maintenance and improvements to street lighting in the Burngreave area.
	Mr. Hetherington reported that following the allocation of additional resources with regard to street cleaning in the Burngreave and Fir Vale areas, which had been implemented with effect from 6th October, 2003, there had been visual improvements in the condition of the highways in these areas, although it had not been as obvious in Fir Vale. The results of the latest surveys undertaken had indicated that in Burngreave, 30% of highways in the area had been classed as unacceptable, compared to 38% in the last survey.
	He made reference to the Area Teams who were responsible for targeting those areas having particular problems, but major problems had been identified in respect of fly-tipping, particularly on Carwood Way, Carwood Road, Carwood Grove, Forncett Street and Atlas Street. A customer survey was to be sent to residents in Burngreave shortly, to seek their views on how they saw the street cleaning operations in their area.
	Mr. Hetherington reported on the work being undertaken through funding provided by Burngreave New Deal, indicating that the Neighbourhood Environment Action Teams had been in place since November, 2003, comprising two teams of locally employed people, and were undertaking various work, such as cutting back vegetation, litter picking, and removing fly-tipping. The Teams were working closely with the Neighbourhood Wardens, who would be responsible for reporting instances of fly-tipping and particular problems regarding litter to Street Force. He also referred to the Environmental Warden who would be starting work in the area in February, 2004, and who would be focusing on environmental issues, and who would have the power to issue fixed penalty litter notices.
	Reference was made to the work being undertaken by Street Force with the schools in the area in an attempt to educate pupils on their responsibility for keeping their local community clean. He also referred to the launch of the "Bin It" Campaign, under the Cleaner, Greener, Safer City Initiative. A number of posters had been designed, warning of the various adverse effects of dropping litter and fly-tipping, and which would be displayed on advertisement hoardings across the City and, with the approval of the owners, in shop windows.
	Mr. Hetherington reported briefly on the work being undertaken in respect of changing the streetlighting in the area, indicating that a number of street lights had been changed from the yellow to the new white lights in the Verdon Street area. Residents were also being asked to identify other problem areas either where existing lighting needed replacing or new lighting was required.
	A local resident indicated that whilst the work being undertaken by Street Force was welcomed, it was felt that the Council should do more to deter people dropping litter in the first place, by highlighting the fines to be imposed if people were caught dropping litter. Residents also questioned whether the introduction of the fixed penalty litter notices had been a success.
	Nick Hetherington stated that it was hoped that the new Environmental Warden, who would be working in the New Deal area, would result in more fixed penalty litter notices being issued. He added that around 260 fixed penalty litter notices had been issued across the City.
	Councillor Ibrar Hussain stated that it would be useful to have more litter bins at the entrances to the schools in the area, and that details regarding enforcement powers should be circulated to the schools and mosques in the area.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported, together with the comments now made, be noted; and
	(b) the thanks of the Area Panel be conveyed to Nick Hetherington for the presentation now made.

8.	MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 11th December, 2003, were approved as a correct record.

9.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	Allocation of Council Properties
	A member of the public referred to particular problems being experienced by residents in Council properties in the Burngreave area, which, in his opinion, had been caused by the Council housing people in properties which are unsuitable. He questioned whether the tenants' and residents' associations had any influence over the decisions made as to who should be housed in certain properties.
	Jean Burley reported that whilst the Rehousing Policy had been agreed by Councillors, the Policy was managed by Housing officers. Representatives of tenants' and residents' associations would not be able to comment on how officers implemented the policy. She added that it was not normal practice for officers to stop a certain type of resident moving into a property, although people who were known to the Council, and had caused problems whilst in a Council tenancy in the past, were placed on a register and their applications were checked if they reapplied for rehousing. The Council had a legal duty to rehouse people, even if such people had been evicted from a former Council tenancy.
	Ms. Burley referred to the change in the Council's Rehousing Policy, indicating that with effect from February, 2004, the Council would be moving to a choice-based lettings policy, whereby vacant properties would be advertised on a weekly basis and tenants would decide where they wished to live. Whilst there would still be priority cases and tenants' waiting times would still be taken into consideration, it was hoped that the majority of tenants would be able to be rehoused into the properties of their choice. One of the Council's aims was to have specific blocks of flats or properties where tenants of certain ages, such as older people, could live.

	Proposed Highway Improvements on Grimesthorpe Road
	A member of the public questioned why the petition she had organised, relating to a request for the implementation of highway improvements on Grimesthorpe Road, had not been considered by the Area Panel at this meeting. She stated that she believed that the North and West Planning and Highways Board, at its meeting held on 20th January, 2004, had referred the petition for consideration by this Area Panel, and that it would be considered at this meeting. The Chair confirmed that the petition had been referred for consideration by the Area Panel by the North and West Planning and Highways Area Board, and that a special meeting of the Panel would be arranged to enable Planning officers to present a number of proposed highway schemes, and to give local residents the opportunity of commenting on the proposals. She added however that Planning officers needed time to produce some draft schemes, and as soon as this had been done, which it was hoped would be within the next few weeks, the special Area Panel meeting would be arranged.
	The Panel noted this information.

10.	DATE OF NEXT MEETING
	It was agreed that the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Thursday, 11th March, 2004, from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. at Pitsmoor Methodist Church, Christ Church Road.

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