Minutes of Darnall Area Panel 23 September 2004

DARNALL AREA PANEL


Meeting held 23rd September, 2004,at the Living Waters Centre, Darnall


PRESENT:		Councillors Mary Lea (Chair), Mohammad Altaf, Harry Harpham and Ray Satur.

		Also in attendance:-
		Inspector Tony Dobson	-		South Yorkshire Police

		Officers in attendance:-
		John Mothersole		-	Lead Manager
		Stella Mekonnen		-	Area Co-ordinator
		Mark Swancott		-	Support Officer
		Debbie Merrill		-	Development Services
		David Shepherd		-	Neighbourhoods
		Sarah Thomson		-	Committee Secretariat

		24 members of the public and representatives from local community groups attended the meeting.

…………………..

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM PANEL MEMBERS
	There were no apologies for absence.

2.	WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
	Councillor Mary Lea introduced the Panel Members and welcomed Stella Mekonnen, Area Co-ordinator and Sarah Thomson, Committee Secretariat to the Area Panel.

3.	VOTE OF THANKS
	Members expressed their thanks to Andy Shallice for the contribution he had made to the work of the Area Panel and work carried out with community groups in the area and wished him all the best for the future.

4.	HOUSING MARKET RENEWAL – DARNALL MASTERPLAN
	David Shepherd gave a presentation on Housing Market Renewal (HMR) including what was meant by Housing Market Renewal and the masterplanning process.
	He reported that the Government had established a programme to deal with low demand housing and had established nine Pathfinders to share £500 million in order to start addressing the problem of low demand for housing over the next 2 years. Mr Shepherd explained that future Government spending reviews were expected to provide further Housing Market renewal funding for the next 10 to 15 years. He added that South Yorkshire had been selected as a Pathfinder to deal with low demand housing and also to improve the surrounding areas.
	Mr Shepherd stated that masterplanning was about creating a vision for the area and added that the City Council would consult with the community to obtain their views and establish the key areas for change.
	In relation to why a Masterplan for Darnall, Attercliffe and Tinsley was required Mr Shepherd reported that, through consultation with members of the public, the City Council were able to gauge public perception and implement a pro-active approach, attract investment and target future investment in the area, link in and realise existing studies and understand the impact of surrounding developments and plan accordingly.
	In relation to impact from elsewhere, Mr Shepherd referred to the Waverley Development, where Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council were seeking to attract a specific type of industry and housing to the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) adding that this was an example of where the City Council needed to work with other local authorities to ensure co-ordination of developments in their immediate vicinity.
	This situation highlighted a number of problems in the area with regard to traffic congestion, derelict sites and poor shopping facilities and Mr Shepherd added that the masterplanning process allowed the City Council the opportunity to determine what key facilities were required in order to improve the area.
	So far as continuing the process, Mr Shepherd reported that the first stage of the masterplanning process was to agree a programme of consultation with members of the public which would commence October 2004. Mr Shepherd advised that a steering group would be established to manage the masterplanning and consultation programme with local resident representation. An interim report would be prepared as part of the masterplan process, highlighting the key issues and outlining the proposed options. A final report would then be prepared by March 2005, and submitted to Cabinet for approval.
	In conclusion Mr Shepherd commented that HMR was considered to be an excellent opportunity for Attercliffe, Darnall and Tinsley and by implementing the masterplanning process a change for the better would be introduced. He further added that the masterplanning process would commence in October 2004 and would be completed by March 2005.
	Following the presentation the following questions were asked and responses given:-
	A local resident enquired as to why Burngreave would potentially benefit from Housing Market Renewal funding when it already had substantial funding resources from the New Deal for Communities programme. In response Mr Shepherd advised that HMR funding would pay for schemes that wouldn’t be funded by New Deal for Communities Funding in Burngreave. Mr Shepherd advised that the City Council would work with Burngreave New Deal for Communities to ensure that all public funding for that area was well spent and that funding from different sources would be complimentary. Mr Shepherd gave examples of housing facelift activity and environmental works programmes in Burngreave that had benefited from both New Deal and Housing Market Renewal funding. Mr Shepherd finally concluded by stating that he would expect funding from Housing Market Renewal to decrease in Burngreave and increase in areas such as Darnall, Attercliffe and Tinsley as the programme progressed.
	With regard to the Lower Don Valley Masterplan, a local resident enquired whether Sheffield City Council would examine the option of joint funding. The questioner also asked whether improvement work to privately owned homes and local authority housing would continue. In response, Mr Shepherd stated that Housing Market Renewal funding would be utilised to improve privately owned homes in line with the decent homes standard. He added that Sheffield Homes was the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) for the Darnall area and would continue to improve housing in the area. Mr Shepherd further commented that the masterplan would also consider previous studies which had been undertaken in the area.
	A local resident enquired whether additional schools and community facilities would be built to accommodate the influx of residents to the area once the masterplan had been implemented. Mr Shepherd commented that the master planners would consider educational and community provision within the process but stated that HMR money could not be allocated to the development of new schools. Mr Shepherd acknowledged the importance of schools in underpinning housing markets and gave the example of the former Earl Marshal school. The school had previously been deemed as a poorly performing school and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) had provided funding for a new school to be built and re-established as Fir Vale school. He reported that the school had now improved its performance and presented an excellent starting point for renewing the housing market.
	A local resident expressed concern with regard to the time scale for implementing the HMR scheme and added that the houses on Pearce Road required maintenance work as residents were experiencing problems with condensation on their windows. In response Mr Shepherd commented that Sheffield City Council were required to bring all council housing to a decent standard by 2010 and added that a programme of improvement would be implemented during 2005 in order to improve properties and he anticipated that the work could be carried out during this period.
	The Chair stated that the decision for the programme of improvement work would be made by the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO). Councillor Harry Harpham indicated that a further ballot of residents in the area would be undertaken to determine whether all tenants agreed with the Neighbourhood Commissions recommendation of (ALMO). He added that if tenants preferred the ALMO option Sheffield Homes would be the management organisation that would be responsible for Council Housing.
	Chris Crake, Sheffield Futures asked how young people could be involved and suggested that Sheffield Futures could assist the City Council in engaging young people in the masterplanning process. Mr Shepherd noted the comments made.
	In response to residents concerns regarding community buildings Mr Shepherd reported that the masterplanning process would include recommendations for the use of community buildings and would ensure that a viable business plan was in place to sustain community facilities.
	A local resident commented that residents should be regularly informed throughout the masterplanning process and added that people should be aware that investment in the area could take approximately 10-15 years to develop. Mr Shepherd noted the comments now made.
	The Chair thanked Mr Shepherd for his contribution to the meeting.

5.	OPERATION MISCHIEF
	Inspector Tony Dobson, Community Safety Officer, gave a report on Operation Mischief including the Police intentions in the area to help prevent anti-social behaviour during the period between October and November.
	He informed the Panel that a number of agencies were involved across the Force including the Fire Service and commented that the Police were working with Trading Standards in order to eliminate the selling of illegal fireworks and added that in order to assist Trading Standards Officers a hotline number had been established for members of the public to contact them and provide information on establishments which had been found selling fireworks to under 16’s.
	Inspector Dobson reported that a number of areas throughout the City had experienced problems around this time in relation to Anti Social Behaviour and Crime and Disorder and in order to overcome problems, which had been encountered last year, he stated that the Police were to increase their patrols in the problem areas. He also added that the Police were working with British Telecom in examining alternative materials for telephone boxes, which would help prevent telephone boxes being destroyed by fireworks.
	The Police were also working with schools and agencies such as Sheffield Futures to educate children and inform them of the dangers of fireworks.
	In conclusion Inspector Dobson reported that last year 108 letters were sent to parents of those children that had been caught misusing fireworks which he added had been very successful and commented that the Police intended to operate a similar scheme this year.
	Following the presentation the following questions were asked and responses given by Inspector Tony Dobson: -
	A local resident reported that fireworks were being activated every night in her neighbourhood and upsetting her dog. In response Inspector Dobson stated that unfortunately fireworks were now available to buy all year round and could be activated at any time up to 11.00 pm. He added that the questioner should report any incidents to the Police to investigate.
	In response to questions regarding the prohibition of fireworks for private use, Inspector Dobson reported that the Government had taken the decision to restrict the use of fireworks with the intention being to allow members of the public the opportunity to take responsibility for their own actions.
	With regard to concerns regarding noise levels, Inspector Dobson reported that he believed firework manufacturers had reduced the noise levels of fireworks, but added that illegal fireworks continued to be sold, although Customs and Excise were working to resolve the problem of imported fireworks.
	A local resident congratulated South Yorkshire Police on the successful prosecution reported in the Sheffield Star where a firework seller had been fined for storing fireworks incorrectly. In response Inspector Dobson reported that the Police continued to be pro-active by means of removing abandoned cars prior to bonfire night in order to eliminate further vandalism.
	A local resident enquired as to who gave permission for Companies to display advertising on notice boards on the Tinsley Via-duct and commented that in his opinion he believed that the advertising materials were an advertisement for vandalism. In response Inspector Dobson stated that the advertising was legal, however the Police were in the process of increasing patrols in problem areas to discourage vandalism City wide.
	In response to concerns regarding shops, which opened to sell fireworks only throughout the period October to November, Inspector Dobson reported that in partnership with Trading Standards officers the Police would target shops that sold fireworks illegally, but added that the main responsibility for the police was to patrol the streets.
	The Chair thanked Inspector Tony Dobson for his contribution.

6.	MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 22nd July, 2004, were approved as a correct record, with the substitution of (a) the phrase “commence the clean up process” for the words ”assist with remediation costs” (b) the phrase “gained control of the whole of the area” for the words “would gain a wider influence over the area” (c) the phrase “reconsider the decision made to close the school in the light of the development of additional residential housing in the area which could then be incorporated in the Master planning process” for the words “consider carefully the impact on educational facilities arising from significant new housing, and would incorporate any conclusions into the Masterplan. This may have an impact on specific sites” and (d) the phrase “implemented when the Master plan” for the words “implemented if necessary when the Master plan” in the item relating to the Lower Don Valley Master Planning and arising therefrom: -

	No. 91 Bus Service A local resident commented that he had previously expressed concerns regarding the No. 91 bus service which was to be discontinued and had enquired as to whether the Area Panel could write to the Passenger Transport Executive, requesting that the route of the No. 6 bus service be altered to accommodate Pearce Road and therefore provide public transport provision in light of the termination of the No. 91 service. In response, the Chair acknowledged the concerns now expressed and stated that she would investigate the matter raised and report back to a future meeting.

	Darnall Station A local resident referred to the subway at Darnall Station and commented that he had previously expressed concerns regarding the subway and added that he had not yet received a satisfactory response. In response the Area Co-ordinator reported that she would investigate the matter previously raised and report directly to the questioner.

	Star Works
	A local resident enquired as to when Sheffield City Council would be providing a presentation to the Area Panel on their proposals for the Star Works site. In response the Area Co-ordinator reported that she had consulted with Denise Armstrong, Premises Team, who stated that the City Council were still considering the options available and also awaited an audit of community assets following which a draft report would be submitted to Cabinet for approval. The Chair suggested that the Area Panel consider the Star Works site at the next meeting.

	Morrisons Site
	The Chair stated that Morrisons had now sold the site to Lidl Stores who were in the process of preparing a planning application to submit in order to redevelop the site.
	In response to concerns regarding the Chemist, Members believed that the Chemist would remain. With regard to the recycling facilities Members suggested that residents had expressed their wish for the recycling facilities to remain during the consultation period before Lidl submitted their planning application, which would allow Lidl to incorporate the existing recycling facilities in their planning application.

7.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	The following questions were raised by members of the public and responses were provided as follows:-
	A local resident referred to an article featured in the Sheffield Star informing residents of a new Black and Ethnic Minority (BEM) Forum meeting and enquired as to the nature of the Forum. In response Councillor Ray Satur commented that not all groups were recognised or attended local Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) meetings and added that the BEM Forum would enable groups that were poorly represented to participate and comment on local issues. Councillor Satur added that he believed that the BEM Forum would help to engage people in the local community with a view to amalgamating the BEM Forum with local TARAs in the long-term period.
	With regard to the BEM Forum a local resident enquired as to whether the meeting would be open to all residents. In response John Mothersole commented that the meetings would initially be for BEM residents. He added that the Panel should question why BEM residents did not attend local community meetings and commented that he anticipated that the BEM Forum meetings were a short-term solution before BEM residents felt comfortable in joining existing community groups. Councillor Ray Satur commented that the City Council were also looking to encourage disabled residents who were interested in housing issues to join and participate in local community groups.
	Local residents suggested that the Area Panel meetings be better publicised in order to encourage people from all Nationalities to attend and participate in discussions.
	Members noted the comments now raised.
	A local resident made enquiries with regard to the proposed installation of a zebra crossing on Darnall Road, between Balfour Road and Industry Road. The Chair commented that she believed that the proposal had been submitted to the City Centre and East Planning and Highways Area Board and she anticipated that the application would be assigned to Street Force early in 2005. Councillor Mohammad Altaf stated that the proposed design had changed and this had resulted in amendments to the original proposals. He anticipated that the work would commence early in January 2005.
	In response to concerns regarding £140,000 which had been allocated to the Kettlebridge Doorstep Green Project in order to improve the facilities, John Mothersole commented that he would ensure that residents did not lose the investment and added that he believed that there were electricity cables running beneath the land which had delayed progress. He anticipated that the matter could take some time to resolve but concluded that he would ensure that the investment was not lost.
	A local resident enquired as to whether the City Council had a policy regarding car dealing on private roads. John Mothersole stated that it was perfectly legitimate for a resident to sell privately owned cars but, if a dealer were operating a commercial business from their home then this would be alleged as illegal practice. Mr Mothersole added that if the cars were not taxed then the City Council were able to remove and destroy them. Councillor Ray Satur suggested that the questioner made a note of the telephone numbers from the ‘For Sale’ signs to identify whether the same person was advertising and selling the vehicles.
	In response to concerns regarding the former Kettlebridge School site and the introduction of measures to restrict access to the site to prevent incidences of fly tipping John Mothersole commented that a works notice had been served on the site owners. He added that if the work was not undertaken by the owners then the City Council would be able to complete the work and invoice the owners for the work undertaken. The Area Co-ordinator reported that she believed that a site meeting had recently taken place and she would investigate the issue raised and report back to a future meeting of the Panel.
	A local resident expressed concerns with regard to overgrown vegetation and discarded rubbish, which had accumulated on the footpath close to the ramp to the subway on Station Road. Councillor Harry Harpham stated that the Area Co-ordinator would liaise with Street Force in order to resolve the issues raised.
	A local resident expressed concerns regarding the Darnall Community Nursery, which had been identified as the proposed Children’s Centre in Darnall and enquired as to what progress had been made. The Chair stated that a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Panel outlining the preferred options.
	With regard to concerns regarding road safety issues and the overcapacity of roads in the Darnall and Handsworth area local residents requested that the Panel investigated the issues raised in order to help reduce congestion on the B6200 and A57 roads and improve road safety in the area. Councillor Harry Harpham reported that plans for the Waverley development had been submitted to Cabinet on 22nd September, 2004, which outlined a proposed response to consultation from Rotherham Borough Council on options for a proposed link road through the site from the Sheffield Parkway to Retford Road. He added that the City Council had reserved the right to comment on its preferred alignment for the Waverley Link Road until further consultation had taken place with the communities affected and the outcome of such consultation had been reported back to Sheffield City Council.

8.	NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUNDING
	Stella Mekonnen referred to the £3,000 Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) which remained unallocated following the Panel meeting held on 22nd July, 2004, which was due to Councillor Mohammad Altaf declaring an interest in the Darnall Community Resource Centre which had resulted in the meeting being declared inquarate.
	With regard to Darnall Community Resource Centre it was proposed that £3,000 be allocated to the Centre in order to support the services of the City Council’s Architecture and Design Team in the provision of architectural plans for the capital phase of the project which on completion would play a vital role in the development of high quality community provision in the Staniforth Road area of Darnall.
	In response to concerns raised by local residents regarding the allocation of the £3,000 NRF monies, the Chair stated that the Darnall Community Resources Centre project had been operating for a number of years and added that the Panel had sought guidance from the Director of Legal & Administrative Services to clarify the allocation of the NRF to the project.
	It was proposed that the Area Co-ordinator write to the Chair of the Darnall Community Resource Centre asking him for his support to the Darnall Forum with regards to Community Facilities in the Darnall area.
	Following due consideration the Panel approved for submission the Darnall Community Resource Centre NRF allocation to the Technical Committee of Sheffield First for Inclusion for confirmation.

9.	SMALL HIGHWAYS BUDGET
	The Area Co-ordinator submitted a report detailing the proposed works for 2004/05 for the Darnall area and requested Members approval for the works.
	A local resident commented on the ‘Gater’ scheme where funding could be obtained by the City Council to improve safety and improve security of alleyways in the area and help reduce burglaries.
	Members agreed the proposed schemes detailed in the report.

10.	PARLIAMENTARY WARD BOUNDARIES
	The Chair reported that the Boundary Commission for England were proposing that South Yorkshire be allocated 14 Constituencies, based on Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield grouping together. She reported that it was proposed that Darnall would move from the Sheffield Attercliffe Constituency and into Sheffield Heeley Borough Constituency.
	The Chair stated that representations about the proposals should be submitted to the Boundary Commission for England by 29th October, 2004.
	Members expressed a view to retain the current Ward Boundary Constituency and requested that the Area Co-ordinator forward a letter to the Boundary Commission informing them of the Panels concerns.


11.	DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
	It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Thursday, 25th November, 2004, at 6.00 p.m., at a venue to be confirmed.

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