Minutes of North Area Panel 20 July 2005

NORTH AREA PANEL

Meeting held on 20th July, 2005 at Dungworth Village Hall, Dungworth

PRESENT:		Councillors Trevor Bagshaw (in the Chair), Alison Brelsford Kathleen Chadwick, Martin Davis, Arthur Dunworth, Alan Hooper and Graham Oxley.

		Representatives of Panel Partners:-

		Ruth Granger – Sheffield West Primary Care Trust
		Elise Lind – Sheffield West Primary Care Trust
		Mark Trask – South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
		Councillor Mike Bancroft – Bradfield Parish Council
		Councillor Malcolm Glover – Bradfield Parish Council
		Councillor Ruth Labedz - Bradfield Parish Council
		Councillor Mary Kaye – Stocksbridge Town Council
		Police Sgt Bob Hydes – South Yorkshire Police
		P C Tony Gillott - South Yorkshire Police

		City Council Officers:-
		Anne Blantern - Area Co-ordinator
		Matthew Rush - Area Action
		Jason Dietsch - Committee Secretariat

		Approximately 7 members of the public, including representatives of community organisations, attended the meeting.
…………

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE PANEL
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Baker.

2.	MINUTES
	The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 15th June and the Special Meetings of the Panel, held on 8th,and 13th June 2005 were agreed as true records. The record of an inquorate meeting held on 7th June were noted.
	Arising from the progress report on highways related matters raised at the meeting on 25th May 2005, Councillor Arthur Dunworth informed the Panel that issues relating to the provision of pedestrian crossing at Low Road, Oughtibridge had been considered at the West Planning and Highways Area Board on 12th July and the Head of Development Services was requested to submit a response, within three months, to that Board on the outcome of consultation. It was also noted that a survey of traffic volume and flows would be undertaken on Low Road during October.

3.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	A question was asked in relation to the development of high-rise structures in Sheffield and in relation to a recent application in the City Centre, the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw, stated that that application had been refused planning consent by the Council’s Planning and Highways Area Board.

4.	PARISH COUNCIL MATTERS
	The Panel’s attention was drawn to visibility at the junction of Brightholmlee Lane and a request made as to whether the road markings might be altered to ease this problem by guiding traffic toward the centre of the highway.
	Secondly, concern was raised with regard to Haggstones Road, between Oughtibridge School and Worrall where there was no footpath, or the path which did exist was very narrow, and was potentially detrimental to pedestrian safety.
	A Question was also asked concerning the possible upgrading of the highway at Jawbone Hill and the Chair, Councillor Trevor Bagshaw responded that the position with regard that highway was the same as at the previous highways update on the matter.
	The questions were noted and would be referred to the appropriate Officer with a request that a response be made through the Panel.
5.	RURAL BUS NETWORK
	The Panel received a report on the rural bus network from Mark Trask, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE). He stated that the majority of services comprising the north Sheffield link (61, 62, 64, 202) had been retained. The 61 and 62 service had been revised slightly in that there was a reduction in the evening service, therefore the last bus from Hillsborough was at 23.15 (62), with an earlier service at 22.30 (61). There had been a small fare increase, although concessionary remained unchanged. The 64 and 65 would continue to operate on Sundays until the end of the summer, but it was unlikely that these services would operate after this time.
	The 201 service would be retained, largely in line with its current level of operation, but the evening service (Stocksbridge/Meadowhall) would be withdrawn and the operator for this route was now Yorkshire Terrier.
	The 266/7 services (serving Hillsborough, Worrall, Stannington, Storrs and Loxley) were almost certain to be withdrawn in October because, although patronage of the service was good, there was inadequate funding to continue it. Solutions were being considered to ensure that Storrs was provided with a bus service. In conjunction with Bradfield Parish Council, who accepted the idea in principle, consultation was being undertaken with Storrs residents in relation to the provision of a turning circle to allow the 61/62 services to call at Storrs as part of an extended route. It was also recognised that Wadsley Park Village would be affected upon withdrawal of the 266/7 service and therefore consideration was to be given to route the 201 through that village.
	The Panel were informed that improvements, including shelters resulting from works undertaken out of the Rural Bus Challenge funding were mostly complete and that funding was coming to an end. The Panel noted that, in relation to school travel, work was undertaken between the SYPTE and the City Council on travel planning and that, in principle, the SYPTE supported the idea of School Travel Plans.
	Questions were asked and comments made in relation to the following:
Q	Why had fares on First Bus services increased?
A	First Bus decided on the level of their fares and have attempted to refine a ticketing strategy
C	Concern was expressed that tickets could not be used across both First and Yorkshire Terrier Services
A	This concern was shared by the SYPTE and through ticketing across South Yorkshire was a more general concern.
C	The standard of service was a concern and there was a feeling that services had not improved.
A	There had been improvement in reliability and the SYPTE did petition operators to improve service standards. The Bus Strategy was being developed to help to improve the quality of public transport in South Yorkshire.
Q	Had there been further development in relation to a rail link to Stocksbridge?
A	Not in the short term.
Q	What progress had been made in relation to free travel for pensioners?
A	This was at an early stage, although the PTE was in dialogue with the government and work needed to be done regarding the definitions to be able to implement the proposals and there was also concern with regard to the financial implications for South Yorkshire. At present the time, pensioners could obtain concessionary fares, which also permitted reduced fares for travel outside the local area.
C	Concern was expressed at the level of 74 Service at peak times, particularly between 4.00pm and 5.00pm.
A	There were driver shortages across the bus industry and a further report back could be provided on the particular issue raised.
Q	The 74a was ceasing at the end of July and it was difficult to assess the level of benefit to the wider service, as users were not aware of the timetable.
A	The PTE could look at this in more detail to ascertain whether they could support this service and more information could be found in relation to the timetable.
Q	Buses on the 266 service did not necessarily stop at Hillsborough Corner, therefore, people did not use the service because of this reliability problem and there were examples where older people had been left waiting at the bus stop.
A	The buses should pull in at Hillsborough Corner, and the questioner was informed that some complaints had been received regarding this matter and assurances had been made that it would not happen again.
Q/C	Had other cities park and ride systems been examined, for example Norwich and was through ticketing to be developed further in South Yorkshire?
A	Through-ticketing was available where one bus operator provided a service. However, the legislation prevented through ticketing where there was more than one operator and passes were governed by other arrangements.
	The Panel were also informed that transport in general was being considered as part of the Unitary Development Plan.
	Councillor Arthur Dunworth asked for clarification as to whether people in Wadsley Park Village would still receive a bus service and Mark Trask responded that the aim was to retain a service through the Village.
	Further discussion was held concerning the requirement for a turning circle at Storrs which, Mark Trask informed the Panel, was the result of legislation, stating that public transport vehicles should not reverse over great distances although the status of school buses was queried.
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw informed Members of the Panel that he had received a letter from the Chapeltown and High Green Action Group, which sought the Panel’s support in its request for adjustment to the 73 bus service. It was agreed to write a letter from the Panel in support of the proposals. The Chair thanked Mark Trask for his attendance at the Panel.

6.	POLICING IN THE RURAL AREA
	The Panel received a report from Sgt Bob Hyde and PC Tony Gillott on policing in the rural area. The background to current arrangements was outlined. From April 2005, there were 10 responsible team officers and two area constables, each covering part of the rural area. Community links had been re-established and included a ‘surgery’ at Bradfield each week.
	If the public required emergency assistance they should call 999 and, if they still wanted an urgent response, 220202; for non-urgent calls, they should call 2964680.
	Questions and comments were considered, as follows:
Q/C	Councillor Malcolm Glover, Bradfield Parish Council, stated that people were often reluctant to call the police and therefore a lot of crime was not actually reported. He added that local officers were appreciated by the public and requested that the Area Command Team be informed of the concern that there had been a reduction in the number of officers (by a decrease of two officers) in new policing arrangements from April 2005 and that it was felt that a more visible police presence was needed.
A	People did not always report incidents of anti-social behaviour straight away but often informed the police once the problem had moved on but it was emphasised that the police could only act if they knew that an incident had taken place. Assurance was given that, if matters were reported, they would be attended to.
Q/C	Concern was expressed that vehicles were driven at high speeds along Kirk Edge Road and there was a recent example of a burnt out vehicle, which had been left on that stretch of highway.
A	Three arrests had been made in relation to the crashed/burnt-out vehicle.
C	Particular thanks were expressed to PC Tony Gillott for raising the Police profile in the rural areas.
Q/C	Concern was raised at the lack of parking enforcement in the Stockbridge area and a question asked concerning the extent of police powers in relation to parking.
A	The Police were involved in parking enforcement only when a vehicle was causing an unnecessary or dangerous obstruction.
Q/C	Concern was also reported that vehicles were racing in Bradfield Car Park in the early hours of the morning and clarification sought as to the status of certain guns, as damage had been caused to Grenoside Community Centre, thought to be caused by a “BB” type gun.
A	Legislation had been enacted to increase age restrictions for airguns, but the legal definitions relating to BB type guns were less clear and their use might be better restricted by persuasion rather than enforcement action.
Q	Were Police ‘surgeries’ held in Stocksbridge?
A	Active Surgeries were advertised through organisations such as the Parish or town Council. At Stocksbridge, surgeries had been held in the past, but they were poorly attended, although a police representative did attend Stocksbridge Town Council and had gathered comments from local people concerning noise nuisance.
	It was noted that attention was again being given to initiatives such a Farm Watch. In addition, the Police were gathering intelligence in the longer term through the Golden Line via which information, not of an urgent nature, could be recorded. These lines were based at Oxspring Bank (2964854) and at Deepcar (2964680).
	On behalf of the Panel, the Chair thanked Sgt Hyde and PC Gillott for their contributions.

7.	PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN – PUBLIC CONSULATATION
	Councillor Trevor Bagshaw reported on consultation, seeking peoples’ views on the proposed policies within the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan. He explained that the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 provided that local highway authorities should prepare Rights of Way improvement Plan, which should be in place by November 2007, and had established the Sheffield Local Access Forum, to advise the Highway Authority in respect of the condition of paths and development of a path network with a view to improving public access.
	The Panel noted that there was no additional funding, except in the form of a grant to fund the Local Access Forum and City Council Officers and that financial resources for path improvement would need to be found from the Highway Authority.
	He requested that any responses on the proposals be made to Steve Tivey or Mick Hanson of the Council’s Rights of Way Team (email address: steve.tivey@sheffield.gov.uk) and informed the Panel that the next meeting of the Local Access Forum would be held on 9th September 2005 at 2.00pm.
	The following comments were made:
	· Whether consideration could be given to employing someone to walk the paths and report on their condition.
	· That the document was to be welcomed, but the timescale of 2007 for the Improvement Plan to be in place was thought to be disappointingly long.
	· There was a backlog of work in relation to maintenance of existing paths and safety was likely to be a priority of the Highways Agency.
	· Disabled access should also be properly considered, together with routes for cyclists and bridleways.
	· Responsibility to visitors using the City’s rights of way.
	· Benefits in promoting citizens’ health.

8.	DATE OF NEXT MEETING
	The Panel noted that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 21st September 2005 at Ecclesfield Primary School, High Street, Ecclesfield.

How useful is this page?

[ Comment On This Page? ]

Browsealoud |