North Area Panel Minutes

	NORTH AREA PANEL


	Meeting held 17th December, 2003 at Wharncliffe Side Community Centre, Wharncliffe Side

			PRESENT:			Councillors Arthur Dunworth, Maureen Brelsford, Victoria Bowden and Kathleen Chadwick.

			Representatives of Panel Partners:-
			Alan Hooper				-	Ecclesfield Parish Council
			Malcolm Glover				-	Bradfield Parish Council
			Ruth Saffrey				-	Sheffield West Primary Care Trust

			City Council Officers:-
			John Charlton				-	North Area Lead Manager
			Graham Boadhurst				-	Street Force
			Anne Blantern				-	North Area Co-ordinator
			Jane Harrison				-	North Area Support Officer
			Paul Gordon				-	Planning Link Officer
			Vicki Savage				-	Partnership Development Officer
			Sarah Thomson				-	Committee Secretariat

			13 members of the public attended the meeting.

		……………

1.		APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
		In the absence of the Chair Councillor David Baker, Councillor Arthur Dunworth was appointed as Chair of the meeting.

2.		VOTE OF THANKS
		The Chair expressed his thanks to Ms Jane Harrison for the contribution she had made to the work of the Area Panel and reported that she was to return to her substantive post in Social Services. Anne Blantern also expressed her thanks to Ms Harrison for her work and for assisting Ms Vicki Savage in her role of Partnership Development Officer.

3.		APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
		Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Baker, Martin Brelsford and Martin Davis.

4.		MINUTES
		The Panel received and approved the minutes of the meeting held on 19th November, 2003 and arising from consideration of the Action Checklist from the meeting it was noted that (a) a Traffic Regulation Order had been requested for a section of the road situated off Riggs Low Road and Riggs High Road (b) in the absence of the questioner, the Area Co-ordinator would arrange for an officer in Parks, Woodland & Countryside to inform him in writing of the lack of available funding for the draining of the playing field located on Loxley Road (c) in relation to the footpath at the top of Phillips Road, Loxley the scheme would be reassessed through the small highways scheme (d) First Route had been to examine the bus routes in the Loxley area to determine whether their buses could service the route (e) John Charlton reported that the parapet of the Smithy Bridge at Low Bradfield had been inspected and some remedial work would be carried out on the parapet of the bridge which would not involve closing the bridge to members of the public and (f) the proposed skateboard facility would be located behind Stocksbridge Leisure Centre near Oxley Park, Stocksbridge.
		The Chair expressed concerns in relation to Section 106 monies which had been allocated to the Friends of Ecclesfield Park and wished to clarify that the decision as to how the money would be spent would be for the Friends of Ecclesfield Park to determine.
		The Area Co-ordinator stated that she would investigate the concerns expressed and report back to a future meeting of the Panel.
		A Member of the public expressed further concerns with regard to the location of the skateboard facility and enquired as to the safety of the children who would utilise the facility and the location of the site being situated so near to the car park.
		Councillor Maureen Brelsford reported that the skateboard facility would be enclosed and the planning application would take this into consideration.
		A Member of the public stated that he had received a letter expressing concern in relation to Oughtibridge Lane from the questioner who had raised this issue at a previous meeting of the Panel and added that he intended to forward the formal request to the Chair of the Panel.
		The Chair of the Panel requested that a copy of the letter also be forwarded to the Head of Development Services in order for the matter to be progressed.

		The Panel noted the issues now raised.

5.		PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
		The following question was raised by members of the public and responses were provided as follows: -

		Q.			Frank Rodgers, Grenoside Conservation Society, asked on behalf of the School Governors and Headteacher of Grenoside School as to whether there was a possibility that the Panel could provide funding for an entrance and footpath to be located from the school into Grenoside Park in order to provide a safe entrance/exit for the school children.

		R.			John Charlton stated that this request could be considered alongside all other requests but approval would be a matter for the Panel and subject to the project supporting principles identified in the Area Plan.






6.		UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
		Paul Gordon, gave a presentation on the Unitary Development Plan and referred to the new system of planning and why the City Council had opted for the new system. He referred to the systems new features including the purpose and scope of the Development Plan and issues that affected the area, the next tasks in plan preparation and the draft programme for preparing the Sheffield Development Plan document.
		Mr Gordon reported that the new system of planning was to be introduced in order to speed up the planning application process and to have a more flexible planning policy framework.
		He added that the new features of the Plan included a portfolio approach, which would give a wider scope than current land use emphasis, a greater expression of spatial policies and more local focus.
		Mr Gordon also added that the City Plan would look ahead 15 years, release land for new development opportunities thereby creating employment opportunities and would also promote urban renaissance in Sheffield. It would also enhance the environment and create those transport facilities needed for growth and a good quality of life, achieve a sustainable and socially inclusive development, deliver the spatial and land use implications of the City Strategy, indicate what the new national and regional guidance would mean in practical terms in the City and provide the statutory framework for determining planning applications and other development proposals.
		He commented further on issues identified for consideration in the North Area including new housing sites, green belt, education provision, open space provision and planning obligations.
		Following the presentation the following questions were asked and responses given: -

		Q.		Will the decision making process be changed and would Council Officers make the final decisions.

		R.		Paul Gordon reported that there would be changes to the development control process.

		Q.		The questioner referred to land located at Grenoside between Stephen Lane and Top End and commented that he believed that there was an error in the mapping system.

		R.		Mr Gordon reported on a number of sites which had been identified which showed errors and stated that he would investigate the matter and report back to a future meeting of the Panel.

		Q.		How would this scheme be an improvement upon the Public Rights of Way Act and design under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and what would be the process to ensure designated land was not used for other developments.

		R.		Mr Gordon reported that Public Rights of Way would continue to be protected under the Public Rights of Way Act and stated that he would obtain clarification and report back to a future meeting of the Panel upon the further issues raised by the questioner.

		Q.		If members of the Panel disagreed with the final plan how could they express their concerns.

		R.		Members of the public would be consulted prior to the final submission of the document.

		Q.		A member of the public expressed concern in relation to non-conforming major developed sites within the Green Belt area and enquired as to whether these sites would be shown on the development plan.

		R.		Mr Gordon stated that the Strategy contained only existing policies and it was too early to provide assurance as to whether Sheffield City Council were to include non-conforming major developed sites on the green belt.

		Q.		In those situations where the Planning process has been exhausted when do Legal and Administrative Services take over enforcement issues.

		R.		Mr Gordon reported that Legal and Administrative Services took over enforcement in those areas where there had been a breach of the planning process.

		Q.		Is consultation carried out with other local authorities in relation to cross boundaries

		R.		It was the practice for one authority to consult with the other local authorities in the area in such circumstances.

		Q.		When do the City Council intend to sell Grenoside Council offices.

		R.		Mr Gordon did not have any further information on this matter but reported that no planning application had been submitted.

		The Panel thanked Mr Gordon to his contribution.

7.		AREA CO-ORDINATORS REPORT
		The Panel noted information reported by the Area Co-ordinator on the following issues:-


	Community Safety
	A walkabout was held in November in Ecclesfield with a number of Council representatives, local Police and residents, following a number of complaints from local people relating to youth nuisance and arson attacks. As a result of this meeting it had been arranged that a further meeting would take place in January to establish a Community Safety Group who would then continue to develop an action plan to tackle these issues.
	The Community Safety Group in High Green which were now a sub-group of the High Green Forum, continued to meet in order to progress their action plan. It was reported that work on the new youth base in Paces was completed and staff were being recruited.
	The Stannington Community Safety Group continued to meet to progress the action plan focusing on tenancy enforcement and youth nuisance.

	High Green Community Forum
	The Forum had elected its Board of Trustees and was in the process of completing its Business Plan to submit to Objective 1. The Forum had also established a number of sub-groups who were in the process of developing plans and projects for which they would seek funding. It was reported that the NARP Development Officer was supporting much of the work.

	Rural Bus Challenge Bid
	The Rural Bus Challenge Bid was submitted at the end of October in order to enhance Bradfield and Stocksbridge rural links services, the results of which would be announced during January 2004.

	Environment Network
	A meeting of the Environment Network had taken place in November 2003 and was well attended by many of the environment groups across the area. One of the main items raised by the environment groups was for practical training which had been scheduled for 21 February 2004. The Environment Network had agreed to meet quarterly and invite speakers on a range of issues including Planning and Countryside Rights of Way Act.

	Stocksbridge
	It was reported that the Physical Activity Project was progressing with funding applications being finalised. The project had attracted wide support with a number of groups in the area, which could be built on as the work develops.

	Bradfield
	It was reported that work to develop the Bradfield Village plans were progressing well through support from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council and the NARP Development Officer.

	Grenoside Village Design Statement
	A number of meetings had taken place in order to develop a questionnaire and collect information to develop the Design Statement and village plan for Grenoside Village.
	Wadsley Park Village/Winn Gardens
	The estates of Wadsley Park Village and Winn Gardens were included within the Panel’s area and the area of the Netherthorpe, Hillsborough and Walkley Area Panel. A number of concerns had been raised by both communities relating to community facilities and needs. A joint consultation and information event had been planned for early February to which residents from both estates would be invited. It was reported that displays and information would be available from a range of council services and SYPTE, Community Transport, West Primary Care Trust and the Police.

8.	PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS
	Police Patrolling
	Councillor Maureen Brelsford reported that Stocksbridge Town Council had a meeting scheduled for 15th January, 2004, with Inspector Jack Clarkson to discuss policing issues in the North area, as many residents had expressed concerns in relation to the number of thefts which were taking place due to familiarity with the policing patrol pattern. She requested that anyone who had any concerns regarding the matter should contact Stocksbridge Town Council prior to the meeting.
	Councillor Kathleen Chadwick reported on a similar meeting which had taken place in Chapeltown with regard to policing issues and commented that the local police had anticipated that they were unable to change their patrol patterns but agreed to attend the January or February meeting with local residents to monitor how the scheme was progressing and to investigate matters of concern.
	Anti-Social Behaviour Orders
	The Chair reported on a Seminar which he had attended on 16th December, 2003, on Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) and the new legislation. He proposed that (ASBOs) be a future agenda item and stated that he would investigate the matter.

9.	DATE OF NEXT MEETING
	It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Wednesday, 21st January, 2004 at 4.00 p.m., at Chapeltown Library, Chapeltown.

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