Minutes of North Area Panel 21 May 2008

 

 

Present:  Councillors Alan Hooper (Chair), Trevor Bagshaw, Alison Brelsford and Patricia Fox.

           

Parish Councillors:-

Howard House, Kath Granger, Denise Fearnley

           

City Council Officers:-                      

John Charlton            -           Lead Manager

Andrew McKie           -           Highways

Matthew Rush            -           Area Action Officer

Anne Blantern            -           Area Co-ordinator

Emma Wells              )

Simon Vincent           )           Sheffield City Council

Andrew McKie           )

 

Marie Croker             )

Mark Hible                 )           Activity Sheffield

           

Gillian Capewell        -           Committee Secretariat

                                   

Approximately 12 members of the public attended the meeting.

 

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                        Action

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kathleen Chadwick, Jack Clarkson and Graham Oxley and from Kate Clark and Mike Shaw.         

                       

Tony Pearce from the Bolsterstone Community Group commented that several members of the Community Group were wheelchair users and that dropped kerbs were required in Bolsterstone in order for these wheelchair users to access all areas, and queried why the £40 fee was required to pay for the information about dropped kerbs in the area, questioning that paying it would be unfair. it was confirmed that John Charlton would investigate this matter and the Chair confirmed that the current kerb was too high and dangerous for wheelchair users.     John Charlton

A point was made about the burning of trees at Storth House Farm and other examples of non compliance with planning consents in Bolsterstone Village and it was agreed that John Charlton would investigate this matter further, and would meet with Les Sturch regarding this issue and that Simon Vincent and Emma Wells would also take this issue back to planning.          John Charlton

Councillor Howard House point out that a sign outside the Acorn Inn at Burncross said “Chapeltown” whereas it should say “Burncross” and it was noted that a letter would be passed to John Bann regarding this issue and that John Charlton would chase it up.  John Charlton

                       

Simon Vincent and Emma Wells reported upon the Sheffield Development Framework (SDF) which would replace the current Unitary Development Plan (UDP).  Simon Vincent reported that Sheffield City Council was currently suggesting nine new policies as possible changes to the original core strategy submission.  These new policies were suggestions from the City Council following concerns raised by the SDF independent inspector who is examining the soundness of the original core strategy.  He added that if the inspector recommended that these changes should be made then the new policies would be integrated into the core strategy when it would finally be adopted in 2009.           

Following its submission last year the core strategy was now the subject of independent scrutiny by the inspector, who had requested a number of changes to put more detail into the plan on the following matters:           

Some of the changes involved adding more detail to policies which were already in the core strategy, whereas other changes involved completely new policies.  All changes would largely be achieved by importing relevant material from other SDF policies that had been prepared alongside the core strategy.  It was noted that the core strategy had been submitted to Government in 2007.            

Emma Wells added that Sheffield City Council was now seeking the views of the public and key stakeholder bodies upon the new policies and that all representations received would be reported to the inspector for her to consider.  She added there was a formal consultation period from the public which last for six weeks from the 18th April, 2008 to the 30th May, 2008.          

Emma Wells added that there would be a public hearing in September, 2008 whereupon the inspector would consider the new policies and any other outstanding matters, with the final decision about incorporating these policies into the core strategy to rest with the inspector.  If in the inspector’s opinion their inclusion is necessary for the document to be sound, the Council would then be required to adopt the core strategy with the appropriate revisions.   

Councillor Kath Granger asked Simon Vincent and Emma Wells why new apartments were constantly being constructed in Chapeltown and not houses, stressing that new houses were needed instead of apartments.  Simon Vincent replied, saying that new policies being proposed within the SDF would help with this sort of problem, for example obtaining a satisfactory mixture of house type design and tenure and keeping the houses in line with other such developments in the local area.   

Another member of the public asked before more houses were built should key services in the area not be improved first such as drainage and education.  Simon Vincent replied that infrastructure requirements are assessed as part of the SDF process and the issues are considered in detail when a planning application on a site is submitted. A city-wide strategic flood risk assessment has also been undertaken.

Councillor Trevor Bagshaw reiterated the importance of retaining the character of the area when considering any developments and asked whether this would be continued within the SDF document, considering there had been several out of character developments in Grenoside recently.  He stressed the importance of carrying this philosophy throughout the SDF.       

A member of the public asked the Panel a question regarding renewable energy and in particular with regard to the proposed wind farm in High Green, commenting that only the north east of Sheffield had been considered so far for development and that this was unfair.  In response to this, the Chair replied that, in 2006, renewable sites across the city had been identified for all types of renewable energy, one of which had been Westwood Country Park, and that a feasibility study was being carried out at present.  The member of the public added that the National Park Authority had approved the placement of wind turbines within the Peak Park boundaries since this development and therefore the south west of Sheffield could now be considered for this kind of development.  

A member of the public commented that he felt too much jargon was used in the presentations given and at Area Panel meetings in general and that it was difficult for people to understand what Council officers were talking about several times throughout the meeting.        

A member of the public commented that with regard to the proposed provision of specialised sites for gypsies and travellers, he felt that often with such sites they were left in a bad state of repair after travellers had moved on, and that they must clean up after themselves before new sites were provided Simon Vincent replied that the proposed SDF policy on gypsy and traveller sites indicates that existing sites will be improved before any new sites are provided       

The Chair emphasised that the SDF documents were available for public scrutiny on the website, at the Town Hall and also in public libraries.      

The Chair thanked Emma Wells and Simon Vincent for their attendance at the meeting and for their presentation.

                       

Marie Croker delivered a presentation upon the work of Activity Sheffield within the North Panel area, emphasising that Activity Sheffield’s aim was to get people active through various means of partnership working, GP referral schemes, sports, activities, Sheffield Futures, South Yorkshire Police and through schools and colleges. She delivered a short visual presentation with photographs from the successes had by Activity Sheffield over the years.    

She reported that Activity Sheffield were able to train  up volunteers to lead sessions within their area and that there was currently a masterplan being developed for Chapeltown Park which involved extensive consultation with local children to listen to their ideas and work with voluntary groups and TARAs for example.  She added that the Chapeltown Masterplan would include a BMX track.  She also explained the availability of monies for 8 to 13 year old groups for local community groups to apply for.    

Mark Hibble went on to report that via Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) monies over the last two years these had been concentrated and spent upon activities within the north west Sheffield area, with this money having funded a part time coach.  He added that the main age group tackled had been primary school children, and that some of the activities had included cricket, athletics, badminton and football, with help having been received from Sheffield Futures for this.  He reported that there had been a great deal of partnership working with Parks and Countryside particularly with regard to the design of the BMX track and the multi-use games area (MUGA).  He reported that work with older people had included training up group leaders and sports coaches and had also involved the Stocksbridge Leisure Centre and the Primary Care Trust (PCT).  

He added that this Partnership working had been extremely successful and that many people had become involved in the activities in the area.          

A member of the public complimented Marie Croker and Mark Hible on their activities delivered to the local area, in particular commenting upon the Agewell Women’s Group indoor games at the Angram Road Welfare Centre which had been a real success.  

Mark Hible added that there would be a programme of similar activities at Chapeltown which would be published shortly.  Concerns were raised from Howard House that there were only two members of staff to cover the whole of the area but Marie Croker emphasised that with the correct partnership working, real results could be achieved.  

The Chair thanked Marie Croker and Mark Hible for their attendance at the meeting and for their presentation and for all their hard work in the area.        

                       

The Area Co-ordinator reported that the draft Area Plan would be available for scrutiny after 2nd June, 2008 and she added that she would e-mail the draft Area Plan out to all community groups to consider.  She reported upon Wortley Road closures which were planned for the 31st May and the 1st June, 2008, and she also added that the highways design team were looking at solutions for the problems with dropped kerbs in the area and Andy McKie reported that he would consider the £40 kerb payment issues and also the Acorn pub Chapeltown sign issue and look into these matters. Andy McKie

Thanks were extended from Councillor Trevor Bagshaw for officers' work upon the Wortley Road Scheme.             

                       

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th April, 2008 were approved as a correct record, and arising therefrom, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw noted that some parts of the Middlewood Road diversionary route were in a very bad state of repair with many potholes to which John Charlton replied that the route was inspected regularly and any unsafe defects would be attended to.  He also advised that information leaflets would be distributed to explain what was happening on the A6102 Reconstruction Scheme, including timescales for completion to all residents on the route.  It was noted that on page 2 of the minutes it should read “Oughtibridge Parish Church” and not “Bradfield Parish Church”.  Councillor Patricia Fox requested that the signs on the A61 diversion should come down and John Charlton replied that he would investigate this matter on the whole route between Station Road and Burncross Road.            John Charlton

                       

It was noted that the publicity in relation to the alterations to scheduled work at Loundside, Chapeltown would be suspended as the road resurfacing work was due to be completed in September, 2008.  With regard to item 3, More Hall Lane would be open in December, 2008. With regard to item 4, Middlewood Road would be open for bus use. With regard to item 5, John Charlton had contacted Julian Mann regarding this issue. With regard to item 6, permanent repairs were part of the A6102 scheme and would take place in two parts; Middlewood Tavern then the paper mill. With regard to item 7 and the weedkiller situation, gravel had been placed around the damaged grass and John Charlton had spoken to the sub-contractor about the sub-standard work carried out. With regard to item 8 and the pedestrian crossing, John Charlton had contacted John Bann regarding this issue and he emphasised that Street Force were only able to construct one or two new crossings a year and at present they received one request a week and were highly over-subscribed.  It was agreed that Andy McKie would give a full response to Trevor Bagshaw regarding the pedestrian crossing on Church Street, Oughtibridge on the 22nd May, 2008.        

Andy McKie

                       

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Area Panel would take place on Wednesday, 18th June, 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at a venue to be confirmed.