Minutes of Darnall Area Panel 23 February 2006

DARNALL AREA PANEL

Meeting held on the 23rd February, 2006, Darnall Health Centre, York Road, Darnall

PRESENT:		Councillors Mary Lea (Chair), Harry Harpham and Mick Rooney

		Officers in attendance:-
		David Curtis	-	Lead Manager
		Debbie Merrill	-	Development Services
		Stella Mekonnen	-	Area Co-ordinator
		Sarah Thomson	-	Committee Secretariat

		Representatives of Panel Partners:-
		Inspector Tony Dobson	-	South Yorkshire Police
		John Shillito	-	Crime Reduction Officer

		13 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 from Panel Members.

2.	MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meetings of the Panel held on the 24th and 29th November, 2006 were approved as a correct record.

3.	POLICE UPDATE AND CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
	Inspector Tony Dobson gave a brief report on recent crime incidents in the Darnall area. Inspector Dobson referred to the 48% reduction in the misuse of fireworks on the lead up to bonfire night and commented that he anticipated that fireworks related incidents would continue to reduce year on year. Inspector Dobson also referred to the Government Legislation, which he believed had influenced the reduction in firework related incidents where young people under the age of 18 were issued with an £80 fine for the possession of fireworks.
	With regard to house burglaries in the Darnall area, Inspector Dobson reported that he considered house burglaries to be considerably rare in the area with approximately two cases per week out of a population of approximately 18,500.
	Inspector Dobson stated that car crime was the most common crime related incident reported, adding that the majority of incidents could be prevented if members of the public ensured that their possessions were not displayed in their vehicles.
	In response to questions as to whether an additional police presence would be introduced in the area, Inspector Dobson commented that he did not envisage an increase in Police officers in the area but added that Government had invested funding for the provision of Community Support Officers who he anticipated would also be working in the area within the next twelve months.
	With regard to the police re-structuring in the area Inspector Dobson indicated that there would be an additional six Police Constables in the Darnall area by April.
	A local resident enquired as to whether Darnall Police would be relocating to premises on Prince of Wales Road and in response Inspector Dobson reported that a definite decision had not been made, but a suitable location was being sought close to the centre of Darnall.
	In response to questions as to how the community could become involved with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Inspector Dobson commented that Sheffield City Council would appoint a Tasking Officer, who would engage with members of the community.
	John Shillito, Crime Reduction Officer stated that the Darnall area could be a challenging area to work. He commented that seasonal crime trends appeared to be a focus in the Darnall area stating that between April and August sneak burglaries generally increased due to people leaving their windows and doors open in their homes thereby increasing the vulnerability of their personal possessions. Mr Shillito requested that residents ensured that they did not leave any valuables close to an open window or door in order to reduce the possibility of sneak theft.
	With regard to the recovery of valuables stolen from properties Mr Shillito commented that the Police had experienced difficulties in returning personal possessions following a burglary, as residents did not mark their valuables and so making their identity unclear. He suggested that in order to determine individual valuables, residents should mark their goods with a UV marker pen detailing their postcode and house number and therefore if their goods were to be stolen they could easily be identified. Mr Shillito indicated that 60,000 UV marker pens had been distributed to Sheffield Homes tenants last year and he believed that most crime was preventable if residents were to ensure that their valuables were kept out of site.
	He added that the local Police had worked with the Stovin, Uttley and Greenland Tenants and Residents Association providing advice and guidance on crime prevention. The Police had also supplied elderly tenants with personal attack alarms free of charge. Mr Shillito commented that he had a supply of charm alarms which were also available to residents for a charge of £3.00 and were developed with young people in mind in order to make them more attractive to carry.
	Mr Shillito commented on future crime trends which he anticipated would occur during the Spring including theft of expensive gardening equipment from sheds and suggested that residents who had sheds or similar outdoor storage should install an alarm in order to prevent theft.
	Councillor Harry Harpham referred to a letter which he had received from South Yorkshire Police with regard to personal items which he had left on display in his vehicle whilst he was shopping. He commented that the letter from the police requested him to ensure that he remove any personal items from display when absent from his vehicle. Councillor Harpham enquired as to whether the scheme was extended across the City. In response Mr Shillito stated that the scheme was City wide adding that where items were left on display in a vehicle and had been identified by local police officers then the vehicle registration number was noted and a letter sent to the vehicle owner.
	A local resident enquired as to whether all crime was reported which had occurred in the Darnall area. In response Inspector Tony Dobson stated that data collated from the Darnall area was regularly compared with other agencies data such as Sheffield Homes in order to match details of incidents reported. He commented that a British Crime Survey was also undertaken nationally in order to compare data. Inspector Dobson added that people were also able to anonymously report crime to Crimestoppers.
	With regard to the Tinsley area, Inspector Dobson reported that very little crime was reported with approximately one burglary per month.
	Inspector Dobson provided details of contact numbers for members of the public to call including: · Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111 · Non-Emergency – 202020 · Emergency – 999

	A number of residents expressed concern with regard to the 202020 non-emergency number and commented that frequently there was a delay in operators answering non-emergency calls. Inspector Dobson commented that more staff had been recruited to receive calls which he anticipated would shortly improve the situation, but outlined problems which had been experienced with new employees who had been recruited from call centres and who had found the transition difficult to deal with especially when dealing with distressed callers. He also added that the telephone lines frequently became blocked due to multiple calls being received from people reporting the same incident from their mobile phones.
	With regard to whether guns were an issue in Sheffield Inspector Dobson commented that compared to other cities Sheffield did not suffer with significant gun violence, adding that approximately twelve gun related injuries had been reported last year.
	The Chair thanked Inspector Dobson and John Shillito for their contribution to the meeting.

4.	NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUNDING PROPOSALS FOR 2006/2008
	The Panel considered a report of the Area Co-ordinator setting out recommendations for the allocation of the Neighbourhood Renewal Funding to the Panel for the next two years 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.
	The Area Co-ordinator referred to a table, which identified each of the proposed initiatives, potential match funds and the allocation of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding resources for 2006/2007 and 2007/2008.
	In response to questions as to whether extra funding could be targeted in order to provide additional lengthsmen in the Darnall area, Councillor Harry Harpham commented that he believed that resources in Darnall were having the desired affect adding that if complaints were received then the Panel would consider implementing further resources.
	A local resident commented on fly-tipping in the Darnall area and enquired as to what action the City Council could enforce to reduce this. In response Councillor Harry Harpham suggested that the resident give him details of the areas of concern and he would investigate the matter raised.
	Local residents enquired as to how the NRF was allocated and whether the funding allocation was solely for the Darnall area. In response the Area Co-ordinator commented that funding allocation was based on the Single Regeneration Budget Round 4, Community Action Plan and Community led practice. She added that NRF included funding allocations for Tinsley with the Tinsley Development Fund and Darnall and Tinsley Learning, Skills and Employment Plan project proposals.
	In response to questions as to how areas were determined for the lengthsmen to clean, Councillor Harry Harpham commented that areas were determined on a local basis. He stated that the local team took responsibility for their area and targeted problem areas following discussions with the local community.
	With regard to the proposed part time parental involvement worker a local resident enquired as to where the worker would be based and to whom they would be responsible. In response the Area Co-ordinator indicated that the parental involvement worker would be based within the community and managed by the Darnall Forum.
	A local resident enquired as to whether the Tinsley Development Fund was divided equally amongst the core organisations of Tinsley One Stop Shop, Tinsley Advice Centre, Tinsley Tree Project, Tinsley Parents and Children’s Consortium and East End Quality of Life. The Area Co-ordinator commented that she had met with the core organisations in Tinsley and it had been agreed that they would all receive an equal share of the proposed funding available.
	In response to questions as to whether the Football Team Development Project allocation funding was solely for teams in the Darnall area the Area Co-ordinator stated that the allocation of funding was for Darnall football teams only.
	With regard to whether there was scope to extend the NRF allocation to other organisations in the Tinsley area, the Area Co-ordinator stated that she would seek to extend future allocations to include additional organisations in the Tinsley area.
	In conclusion Members of the Panel acknowledged the issues raised by members of the public with regard to the allocation of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding and it was agreed that the proposed allocation of NRF resources for 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 be approved.

5.	UPDATE ON THE DECENT HOMES PROGRAMME FOR DARNALL
	The Area Co-ordinator circulated an update on all Decent Homes investment schemes to the Panel for information and it was noted that consideration of the Decent Homes Programme for Darnall should be deferred to the Area Panel meeting to be held on the 30th March, 2006.

6.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	The following questions were raised by members of the public and responses were provided as follows:-
	In response to residents concerns in relation to road sweeping on Greenland Road, where the road sweeper appeared to be able to clean only one side of the road, Councillor Harry Harpham commented that he would investigate the issue raised.
	Councillor Harry Harpham stated that where parked cars blocked the path of the road sweeper on a regular basis then the City Council would work with the community by despatching leaflets to homes requesting residents remove their cars on a specific day and time in order for the road sweeper to clean the road without obstruction.
	A local resident commented on street lighting on the Parkway, which he believed was insufficient. In response David Curtis stated that he would investigate the issue raised.
	In response to questions as to whether the widening of the M1 was to definitely progress, David Curtis indicated that the Highways Agency needed to consult on the proposals by May 2006, and he anticipated that consultation would take place over the next few months.
	A local resident enquired as to whether the Mosborough Parkway could be improved and in response David Curtis stated that a scheme had been agreed costing nearly £5 million to improve the Mosborough and Sheffield Parkway. The Mosborough Parkway scheme was required to renew the road surface and improve safety for road users.

7.	DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
	It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Thursday, 30th March, 2006, at 6.00 p.m., at the Living Waters Centre, Darnall.

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