North Area Panel Minutes 21st September 2005

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held on 21st September, 2005 at Ecclesfield Primary School, High Street, Ecclesfield

PRESENT:		Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (Chair), Patricia Fox and Alan Hooper.

		Representatives of Panel Partners:-

		Councillor Kath Granger - Ecclesfield Parish Council
		Councillor Norman Garrett - Ecclesfield Parish Council
		Councillor Mike Bowden – Ecclesfield Parish Council
		Councillor Vic Bowden - Ecclesfield Parish Council
		Andy Heald - South Yorkshire Fire Service
		Paul Salter - South Yorkshire Fire Service
		Councillor Malcolm Glover - Bradfield Parish Council
		Lisa Casey - South Yorkshire Police - Ecclesfield Local Policing Team
		Andy Padgett - South Yorkshire Police - Ecclesfield Local Policing Team
		Mike Anderson – South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

		City Council Officers:-
		John Charlton - Lead Manager, North Area
		Anne Blantern - Area Co-ordinator, North Area
		Matthew Rush - Area Action, North Area
		David Budd - Transport Planning Team
		Jason Dietsch - Committee Secretariat

		Approximately 18 members of the public attended the meeting including representatives of community organisations.
…………

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Baker, Kathleen Chadwick, Martin Davis and Arthur Dunworth.

2.	MINUTES
	The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 20th July, 2005, were approved as a correct record and arising from the minutes, the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, reported that issues raised relating to highways at the previous meeting would be further considered as part of the quarterly highways update at the meeting of the Panel on 16th November, 2005.

3.	THE NORTH SHEFFIELD BETTER BUSES PROJECT - ECCLESFIELD MINI INTERCHANGE PROPOSAL
	The Panel received a presentation from David Budd, Transport Planning Team, Sheffield City Council, in relation to the proposal for a new mini interchange in Ecclesfield by Sheffield City Council and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, which was part of the North Sheffield Better Buses Project.
	The proposal was a response to complaints from members of the local community regarding congestion and general disruption caused by buses waiting in and around Ecclesfield High Street and the mini interchange had been designed to alleviate these concerns to ensure that Ecclesfield was safer and provided a more user friendly facility for bus passengers.
	The following problems had been identified as a result of buses terminating at Ecclesfield and waiting before they began their next journey:-

	· Congestion for other buses, which wished to continue along the High Street without stopping or waiting.

	· Difficulty for bus passengers getting on and off of buses as existing stops were occupied by waiting buses.

	· Traffic jams and delays for bus passengers, drivers and cyclists.

	· Safety concerns for pedestrians and particularly for school children and the elderly who were not able to clearly see on-coming traffic because their view was blocked by waiting buses.

	The following solution was proposed which aimed to provide a safe and convenient place for buses to wait without causing a hazard to other road users or bus passengers. The new mini interchange would provide a central transport facility, located parallel to the High Street and close to shops and amenities. The interchange was being carefully designed to be in keeping with local surroundings and provide public transport users with features including: four covered bus stops, access for disabled people, passenger information points, comfortable seating areas, litter bins and landscaped surroundings. The new mini interchange would include a loading area for deliveries, disabled car parking and six short stay parking spaces.
	Residents living near to the mini interchange would also benefit from new and improved access so that they no longer had to share access to their houses with other road users who were visiting nearby shops and services. A new one-way road layout within the immediate vicinity of the new interchange and the addition of an exit road would also improve access.
	David Budd also outlined additional improvements in nearby areas, including the relocation of two bus stops further up the High Street to ease congestion and to enable the creation of on-street parking for local residents and the possibility of relocating recycling facilities. The benefits for residents, local businesses and passengers were outlined in relation to providing improved links to the City Centre, potential increases to the central shopping area, improvements in the turn-over of parking spaces for customers, the provision of a central location for bus services in Ecclesfield and a reduction in journey times through Ecclesfield as well as the improvements to the quality of the pedestrian environment and the environment for bus users.
	A consultation process would begin in mid October, 2005, for a duration of approximately three weeks and would include drop-in sessions held locally where people could speak to representatives from the City Council and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive about the scheme, an exhibition display in Ecclesfield Library, publication of leaflets, posters and briefing packs, community access points where people would be able to read about the scheme and a regularly updated web site and information line on which the public could request information.
	The Chair invited Members of the Panel and public to make initial comments on the scheme following the presentation.
	The issue of vandalism was raised, together with the concentration of young people around shelters at particular times of day and resultant litter which might sometimes prevent legitimate bus users from using the shelter and Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that this was an issue which would need to be taken account of as part of the final scheme for the interchange.
	A further issue was raised concerning the ownership of land adjoining highway, where it was proposed to create new access to residential properties and it was felt that a scheme would de-value neighbouring properties and represented another change in the character of the area which it was felt was becoming over developed.
	It was felt that buses should not use the area as a terminus because the High Street was already congested with traffic, often associated with the school run, and it would be preferable to move buses through the area as quickly as possible. In addition, it was also felt that there were too many buses for the number of passengers using them. Wider concerns in relation to parking in Ecclesfield were raised.
	Other residents expressed concern relating to car users turning outside their property.
	Following a question concerning who would pay for the scheme, Mike Anderson, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, stated that the Passenger Transport Executive paid for the infrastructure relating to bus services. Another resident felt that there was land elsewhere in the village where such as facility could be located. David Budd informed the Panel that the scheme would go before the Council’s Planning Board and Councillor Trevor Bagshaw added that local people would have an opportunity at that stage as well as during the forthcoming consultation to express their views further and suggested that local people put their responses to consultation in writing.
	A further comment was made that there had been a previous attempt to create an interchange to which residents had expressed their opposition.
	The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, on behalf of the Panel thanked Mr Anderson and Mr Budd for their contribution to the meeting.

4.	YORKSHIRE IN BLOOM
	John Charlton, Director of Street Force, outlined the results of the Entente Florale competition for which Sheffield City had won a gold award and had received a plaque and a sculpture presented by the Chair of the Entente Florale Judging Panel. John Charlton stated that the accomplishment of Sheffield had been a genuine team effort and the Judges had been particularly impressed by the input of the community and friends of parks as well as that of Street Force. He also outlined the benefits of the Yorkshire in Bloom initiative, which set out to improve the fabric of an area by fostering community spirit and giving people ownership of their local environment through the fostering of a sense of pride and achievement for citizens and improvements to an area’s reputation. He outlined the progress of those areas in the north of the City which had taken part in the In Bloom competition, including: Bolsterstone and Bradfield in the small village category; Grenoside and Oughtibridge in the large village category and Chapeltown and Stannington in the small towns category together with the Stannington Recycling Project and the Oughtibridge Millennium Garden Project.
	In future years, John Charlton stated that, Street Force would offer general support and hoped to produce a “how to” guide and hold a training day for those who wished to participate in the In Bloom initiative as well as providing clean-ups of participating areas. He also stated that he would discuss with the Lord Mayor Elect the possibility of including a category in the Lord Mayor’s awards in the Neighbourhood category for villages that wished to gain experience in Sheffield in Bloom before entering the Yorkshire in Bloom competition itself in future years.
	Questions were made by members of the public and responses given as follows:
	Street Force were requested that when the grass was cut in the vicinity of St. John’s Church, Stocksbridge, the flowers be left.
	Following a question in relation to improvements being made to Ecclesfield High Street and a request to Street Force to provide rose beds in the vicinity of the chip shop, John Charlton responded that displays at that location were undertaken by the community and not Street Force, which merely provided advice. Further, a question was asked concerning the cost of planting up to four groups of rose beds and the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw suggested that the Area Panel might support that type of project adding that grants from the Panel were given to small scale local projects and suggested that the questioner write to the Area Co-ordinator, Anne Blantern, in relation to this matter setting out plans for the planting of rose beds and improvements to areas of Ecclesfield High Street.
	Councillor Malcolm Glover, Bradfield Parish Council expressed thanks to John Charlton and to Street Force for their hard work and for the support of the Area Panel in the In Bloom competition.
	A comment was made that the Entente Florale plaque together with the sculpture given by the Chair of the Entente Florale Panel should be taken to different locations throughout the City, for example to Libraries, and John Charlton responded that it was intended that the plaque and the sculpture be shown to those who had participated in the Entente Florale and stated that he would discuss this matter further with the Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Parks and Green Spaces and the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw requested that the minutes of this Panel meeting be forwarded to Councillor Harry Harpham, Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Parks and Green Spaces for information.
	Further, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that the Panel had supported the In Bloom and Entente Florale process and stated that he intended to thank all of the participants in the north area.

5.	HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE IN THE NORTH AREA
	John Charlton, Director of Street Force presented proposals for planned street maintenance in the north area for 2005/06 including carriageway resurfacing using thin surfacing or surface dressing and footpath micro-surfacing which were subject to a tender process. Following a question from a member of the public he stated that if better quality maintenance was required on one particular road this could only be achieved at the expense of standards on other roads within the context of a fixed overall budget. In this way, focus could be made on a “quality corridor” which might create a positive impression of a particular section of highway and its surroundings and might help investment by business into an urban area and attract tourists in the rural area. Following a question concerning the lack of major roads in the planned street maintenance programme and a further question concerning the status of servicing on Nether Lane (northern end) John Charlton stated that he would respond directly to the questioner in relation to Nether Lane and that major roads, classified A Roads, were treated under a separate budget to the highways detailed in this report. However, he pointed out that the North Area Panel; had had its fair share of ‘A’ road resurfacing schemes over recent years and quoted Station Road, Chapeltown as an example. He explained that highway requests for planned street maintenance were received from local Elected Members, the public and through the inspection system. He added that there had been a policy change, whereby No Through Roads or cul-de-sacs could be given priority for re-surfacing where they would have not previously met the criteria used by the Council.
	Councillor Malcolm Glover asked a further question concerning the reinstatement of road markings following the resurfacing work in Oughtibridge and John Charlton responded that markings would be replaced after resurfacing as a matter of routine procedure.
	A further question was asked concerning the condition of moor land highway which by-passed the City, for example Long Lane and Mortimer Road where vehicles were damaging the corners of the highway due to high speed and John Charlton responded that there was a process by which the next year’s list of schemes would be prepared and, out of the many requests received, would be ranked in order of priority following assessments against criteria set out by the Council.
	Following a question from Councillor Vic Bowden representing Ecclesfield Parish Council in relation to Colley Road where there were still ridges and dips in the surface of the highway following resurfacing, John Charlton undertook to investigate this matter. He explained further that, if a thin dressing process was used on the highway, large dips or pot holes should not be left as the highway surface should have been re-profiled prior to dressing.
	In addition, the condition of the highway on Smith Street in Chapeltown was also raised which, it was stated by a member of public, had not been resurfaced for many years.
	, 0; The Panel noted the report and proposals for planned street maintenance in the north area and the comments made.

6.	NEW CAR PARKING ENFORCEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
	The Panel received and noted a report from Geoff Spark, Head of Parking Services, in relation to the enforcement of parking and loading regulations in the City which had previously been the responsibility of the police traffic wardens but from 4th April, 2005, responsibility for which had passed to the Council. He informed the Panel that under the new system it was hoped that there would be fewer illegally parked vehicles, which would ease traffic flows in the City and help public transport keep to timetable and deliveries to reach their destinations on time. Pedestrians and cyclists safety would be improved and it was hoped that school children would be safer. A large group of attendants had been introduced with numbers doubling from 24 parking enforcement officers to 48 in April 2005. The service aimed to maintain movement in the City particularly at peak times, which included the patrolling of bus corridors. Visits were made to schools, particularly those which had travel plans in place to support the implementation of such plans. In the City Centre it was intended to stop illegal parking so that emergency vehicles could access areas of the centre and move freely. Finally, enforcement officers would target “hot spots” identified by members of the public as problem areas for parking.
	He clarified that the team operated for six days each week and there were 24 attendants available at any one time, with six of these dealing with hot spots in six different vehicles in the City to enforce regulations where they were in place on double yellow lines and for clearways. He stated that there was an issue as to how identified parking problem areas were prioritised adding that, currently, the City was divided in four areas and serviced accordingly.
	Councillor Norman Garrett, Ecclesfield Parish Council commented that this was only a limited number of enforcement officers and the public might perceive that there was little point in reporting a hot spot. He expressed concern that, when previously, the police traffic wardens had responsibility for parking enforcement in Chapeltown, people still infringed regulations by obstructing access for pedestrians and disabled people. In response, Geoff Spark stated that the enforcement team had visited Chapeltown on 19 occasions in three months and 16 Notices had been issued in that time, although he emphasised that the main priority for the service was to keep traffic flows moving at peak times to support schools and to prevent illegal parking activity in the city centre.
	A member of the public expressed further concern in relation to cars parking on the pavement and that this would not be prevented, as there were not enough enforcement officers in the City. In response, Geoff Spark stated that the Council had limited power to enforce regulations and could only use this power if a vehicle was parking on a yellow line although the police could take action over vehicles causing unnecessary obstruction to, for example, a wheelchair user.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw asked whether information was shared between the Council and the police and was assured by Geoff Spark that information was referred onto the two agencies.
	Councillor Kath Granger, Ecclesfield Parish Council, raised concern regarding congestion in Chapeltown and, in particular, difficulty in parking around the Library area and Councillor Trevor Bagshaw suggested that any specific issues be addressed to the police and City Council enforcement officers and also that residents parking schemes might be a method of managing parking in such areas.
	Councillor Alan Hooper stated that he felt that the north area was under resourced in terms of parking enforcement officers pointing out that there were increased number of parking difficulties at evenings and weekends and, in response Geoff Spark stated that officers were able to work on Sundays for which they were paid overtime but that the service was undergoing a learning process and was attempting to find methods of prioritising its response to “hot spots” of parking difficulty in the City.
	A question was asked concerning the time limit for disabled parking and whether this was actually too long a period which contributed to congestion on the highway and in response, Geoff Spark stated that the duration for parking for disabled people was three hours which was part of a national scheme adding that under this scheme disabled people were not permitted to park on the pavement.
	The Panel noted the report together with the comments and questions and responses made.

7.	AREA CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT
	The Panel received a report from Anne Blantern, Area Co-ordinator, on the Panel’s activity between April and September 2005. She reported on the Panel meetings and issues discussed during this period including highways, rural villages, Westwood country park, Wortley Road and rural policing together with the Area Panel meetings held on the Sheffield Development Framework and participation in the work of partner organisations.
	Progress against the action plan was outlined in relation to the environment, community safety, transport, traffic, supporting communities and regeneration. The Panel’s vision for the next six months was outlined with the main priorities being:

	· The park’s action plan and distribution of the Section 106 planning receipts

	· Traffic congestion issues and ensuring schemes in Oughtibridge and Stannington were completed.

	· Working with Sheffield Futures to increase youth work provision.

	· Addressing community safety and anti-social behaviour problems.

	· To continue work with community forums and community groups to develop the local voice.

	· To support activities to enable participation by young people.

	In relation to the Ecclesfield area, Anne Blantern stated that particular focus was being made on community safety issues and representatives from Sheffield Futures and the local policing team for Eccelsfield were present at the meeting to address concerns raised by members of the public.
	Chapeltown Park, which it was felt, was in poor condition, particularly facilities for children, which were partially burnt out. Anne Blantern responded that the park would be looked at as part of the Panel’s action plan and Councillor Kath Granger stated that Ecclesfield Parish Council were seeking opportunities from Section 106 funding and it would be recommended that children’s activities be moved and new equipment be purchased for which funds were being sought.
	Following a question concerning the progress of discussion on Westwood Country Park, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that discussions were ongoing and in relation to Oxley Park and associated problems with the skateboard area it was reported that the police had resolved some of the problems of behaviour related to the park and the police were thanked for their efforts in this regard.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that the Area Panel did work with officers from the Council’s Parks, Woodlands and Countryside Service and had drawn up a list of priority areas including Chapeltown which would receive increased attention and added that there would be public discussion of progress in relation to parks at a future meeting of the Panel.
	Joanne Holt, Sheffield Futures, expressed thanks to the City Council for placing additional resources in youth work to enable a detached youth worker in the Eccelsfield area. The Worker concentrated on the vicinity of Ecclesfield Park, Picking Lane and shops in the High Street. She felt that most young people had a lot to offer and it was important to find creative ways of engagement.
	Sergeant Andy Padgett, Local Policing Team, based at Oxspring Bank, stated that work had been undertaken to increase the profile of police patrols in the area, particularly with the presence of community safety officers who would enable the police service to increase their presence and coverage in the north area. He thanked the Panel for its contribution and stated that extra patrols had been put in place on Sundays, particularly with regard to youth nuisance around Picking Lane and Ecclesfield Park, which had been targeted by the police. He reminded members of the public that the Golden line had been established to collect information detailing public concerns regards to community safety and from the information received on the Golden line, key issues would be prioritised and a patrol strategy developed for police officers. The Golden line number was not an emergency number and emergencies or urgent matters would be dealt with by dialling 999 or 2202020 and the Golden line number was 0114 2964854.
	A member of the public raised concern in relation to the Rawson Bank area where there had been problem behaviour by young people and in response Andy Padgett stated that in the last few weeks 406 anti-social behaviour incidents had been reported to the Local Policing Team and he felt that the school holiday period was one of the reasons for the increased number of incidents. It was expected that from the end of October to November, such incidents would rise in number again and operation mischief would be put in place to address associated problems. Dispersal orders had been used in the Parson Cross area to beneficial effect.
	He added that the use of Section 30 curfews were not sustainable for a long period and to police such a curfew properly would require a significant input of resources. There was also some debate as to the effectiveness of such a curfew and such a measure would require extensive public consultation, including a consultation with youth workers.
	A further concern was reported in relation to a report by Ecclesfield Community Safety Group of youths causing nuisance and disturbance around the band stand area of the park. In respect of this and other comments raised the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, stated that the police required information in order that they could respond and it was important that the public inform them of incidents and on-going problems. He stated that discussions were taking place regarding problems on Rawson Bank and that it was hoped that these would be resolved over time.

	Bring Out Your Rubbish Days
	Anne Blantern reported that Bring Out Your Rubbish Days would be held as follows:

	1st November – Grenoside
	2nd November – High Green
	3rd November – Stocksbridge
	8th November – Stannington.

	Members of the public attending the Panel meeting were requested to complete the questionnaire circulated in relation to the effectiveness of the Panel.

8.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	The Panel received a petition from lead petitioner Betty Shaw in relation to the Cowley estate and problems relating to traffic on Cowley Lane. The petition contained 90 signatures and in addition three letters of support and presented together with photographic evidence regarding the condition of the pavement and traffic flows.

9.	PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS
	Thorncliffe Pond
	A matter was reported in relation to the Thorncliffe Pond where works had not been completed by the housing developer, which had been promised three years previously. The Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, responded that he would make enquiries in relation to this matter and respond to Parish Council concerned.

	Road Signage – Ecclesfield
	Councillor Norman Garrett, Ecclesfield Parish Council, reported potentially dangerous placing of new road signs in the Ecclesfield area which had been erected in the middle of the pavement causing potential difficulty for people with buggies, motorised scooters and wheelchairs and for partially sighted people. In response, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw stated that this would be investigated further and a response made to the Parish Council.

10.	OTHER MATTERS