North Area Panel Minutes 15th December 2004

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held 15^th December, 2004 at Lomas Hall, Stannington

PRESENT:   

Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (in the Chair), Alison Brelsford, Martin Brelsford, David Baker, Arthur Dunworth and Alan Hooper.

Representatives of Panel Partners

Trevor Pollard

-

Hillsborough College

Paula MacIntosh

-

Sheffield West Primary Care Trust

City Council Officers

Graham Broadhurst

-

Street Force

John Charlton

-

North Area Manager

Jon Dallow

-

Parks, Woodlands and Countryside

Alex Prince

-

Sheffield First for Investment

Ann Blantern

-

Area Co-ordinator

Jason Dietsch

-

Committee Secretary

Four members of the public including representatives from community organisations attended the meeting.

……………

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kathleen Chadwick, Patricia Fox and Graham Oxley.

2.

MINUTES

            The minutes of the meeting held on 17^th November, 2004 and the Special Meetings held on 18^th and 22^nd November, 2004 were agreed as true records and arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd November at Grenoside Primary School, the Chair submitted written responses to matters raised at the meeting, a copy of which it was agreed would be circulated as part of the agenda for the meeting in January, 2005.

3.

YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM AND ENTENTE FLORALE

            The Panel received a brief presentation from John Charlton, Head of Street Force, outlining how groups in the area could become involved in the ‘In Bloom’ competition.  Mr. Charlton stated that applications would be accepted until the end of January, 2005 and that funding might be available from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC) towards hanging baskets and floral displays and that, in addition, Street Force would provide a clean up of areas participating in the competition.

4.

NORTH SHEFFIELD COMMUNITY WOODLANDS PROJECT

            Jon Dallow, North Sheffield Community Woodlands Project, introduced the project to Members of the Panel.  Funding had been obtained to examine 23 woods in the north of the City and to fund the post of Woodlands Project Officer.  Initially, an audit would be undertaken into how people used and accessed woodland areas and an ecological survey would be carried out after which a plan for the woodlands would be produced.  It was envisaged that any such plan would include a programme for felling, footpath improvements, improvements to signage together with the publication of information leaflets and a series of events and education.  A clean up was to be organised with local schools at Little Matlock Wood and, as part of this, a programme of practical learning would be produced for schoolchildren.

            Given the significance of woodland sites in the North Area, a Steering Group was to be established working with other existing groups to focus on woodland resources and there was a vacancy for the Chair of this Group.  In answer to a question from Councillor Martin Brelsford, Jon Dallow stated that although there would ideally be a 10 year plan for the woodlands it was only possible to achieve a three-year plan which corresponded with the term of the funding.  In response to a further question concerning accessibility, Jon Dallow stated that where possible and in the light of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) alternatives to stiles were being used particularly on “Easy Going Trails” which were suitable for wheelchair users.

            Councillor Arthur Dunworth stated that with regard to Little Matlock Wood priorities needed to be agreed which had, in part, been done by a previously established working group and he added that Mr. Dallow might wish to find out the outcomes of these discussions.

            The Chair thanked Mr. Dallow for his attendance at the meeting and stated that contact information for his office would be included in the papers for the meeting of the Panel in January 2005.

5.

BUSINESS INVESTMENT IN THE NORTH AREA

            The Chair introduced a presentation on business development in the North Area, stating that the Panel had previously considered development sites and the potential for new business opportunities and believed that this was an opportunity to reflect on the progress of business investment in the north of Sheffield.

            Alex Prince, Business Communications Officer for Sheffield First for Investment, outlined his agency’s approach to promoting business investment in Sheffield.  Sheffield First for Investment provided advice regarding funding, business properties, relocation support and the job match service.  Particular projects in the North Area included Bright Finance, Polestar and the Masterplan for the development of the Corus site, Stocksbridge.  Potential development sites included Junction 35A of the M1, Thorncliffe Park (including office space and industrial use), Claywheels Lane and the Parkwood Springs site.

            In response to a comment from the Chair, Mr. Prince stated that in comparison to other core cities, the travel time to work in Sheffield was quite low, adding that ease of access to the M1 from Junction 35 was a selling point for inward investment.  Councillor Arthur Dunworth stated that appropriate infrastructure and further integration of public transport was required in order to create sustainable communities and jobs.   Councillor Martin Brelsford expressed concern that success in terms of inward investment was measured in terms of jobs created rather than environmental sustainability and he asked about the relationship between elements of Sheffield First and whether some tasks and responsibilities were duplicated.  In response, Alex Prince stated that Sheffield First for Investment dealt with inward investment in sectors other than retail whereas Sheffield One focused on several major projects in the City Centre such as development of retail and office space, the Inner Relief Road and public open space.   Creative Sheffield concentrated on urban regeneration outside of the City Centre.  In terms of environmental improvements, he stated that Sheffield First for Investment was attempting to engage with businesses regarding environmental issues.  He added that when the inner relief road was completed, new areas in the City would be identified into which functions such as entertainment venues could be sited.   Following discussion on investment in suburban areas, Alex Prince stated that a limited amount of start-up funding might be available and that he could look at the issue of funding for small businesses in suburban areas further.  The Chair stated that a report would be brought to the Panel early in 2005 on survey work, which had been carried out on inward investment to the North Area.

6.

HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE SITE

            Trevor Pollard, Director of Hillsborough College, gave a presentation to members of the Panel on the future of the new Hillsborough College.  He stated that the purpose built college costing £27m would be in use by September, 2005 with the college actually take possession of the building in mid-April. 

Accommodation

            The building comprised a central “street” of services including in the student advice and support centre, library, learning centre, refectory and relaxation area.  Teaching and learning accommodation had been designed in themed areas for higher education, adult, sixth form and special curriculum provision.  The college included an indoor sports hall and floodlit sports pitch together with a fitness centre and landscaped garden area.  In addition, there was a 40 place nursery providing childcare for adult learners.

Quality of Learning

            The College would provide for 28 A level subjects for which, up to 2004, there had been a 93% pass rate.  Vocational courses would also be offered which included art and design, health and social care, leisure and sport and ICT.

Quality of Experience

            The College had a history of listening to students and had high expectations of both achievement and behaviour.  A student forum had been established and there were numerous opportunities for enrichment including community based activities.

Quality of Support

            The College had established a tutorial system in order to support students and individual learning plans were produced which were regularly monitored to track student progress.  Additional support for students was offered in the learning resource centre in which experienced staff would be employed.

            In response to a question from Councillor David Baker, Mr. Pollard stated that the new building would accessible to disabled people and two lifts were provided to increase accessibility.  Councillor Martin Brelsford asked in what ways the building would be flexible to respond to future change in educational needs to which Mr. Pollard responded that there was capacity to build upwards and, in addition, internal walls along corridors were non-structural and could be reconfigured.  He stated that consultation had been carried out with governors and staff to ensure that the building was fit for present and future use.  Members discussed links, which the College might make with industry to strengthen its role in training and development.  The Chair thanked Mr. Pollard for his contribution.

7.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

            The next meeting of the Panel would take place on Wednesday, 19^th January, 2005 at 4.00 p.m. at Ecclesfield.

NOTE

With reference to Item 4, Mr Jon Dallow’s contact details are as follows:

Telephone: 0114 2037756 (Direct Dial) or 0114 2500500

Mobile telephone: 07713 158613

jon.dallow@sheffield.gov.uk