Owlerton Southey Green Area Panel Minutes 29th January 2004

OWLERTON/SOUTHEY GREEN AREA PANEL


Meeting held Thursday, 29^th January, 2004 at
Longley Primary School, Raisen Hall Road

PRESENT:		Councillors Doreen Newton (Chair), Mark Wilde and Steve Wilson.

		Community Representatives and Panel Partners
		Janet Bagshaw (Binsted and Cookson Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, Keith Donston (Shirecliffe Forum), Sergeant Mark Simms (Oxspring Bank Police Station), Mike Bower and Walter Bagshaw (Dryden and Kyle Tenants’ and Residents’ Association)

		Officers in attendance:-
		Lisa Casey (Community Safety Officer), Andy Wier (Area Co-ordinator), Matthew Rush (Area Support Officer), D. Chetwynd, (LEA Family Support) and Andy Cain (Committee Secretariat)

		Nine other members of the public attended the meeting.

………………

1.	APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
	The Panel noted that with effect from 30^th January, 2004 the City Council had agreed that Councillor Doreen Newton be appointed as Chair of the Panel following the resignation of Councillor Mark Wilde due to his work commitments.
	Councillor Mark Wilde indicated that he had taken up employment as the Area Regeneration Officer and had considered that it would not be appropriate to continue as Chair of the Panel, although he would continue as a member. He commented that he had enjoyed chairing the Panel for the past two years and was particularly satisfied with the level of partnership working undertaken with the various groups and individuals in the area. He welcomed the appointment of Councillor Doreen Newton as Chair.
	Councillor Doreen Newton thanked Councillor Wilde for the work that he had undertaken on behalf of the Panel and welcomed the fact that he would continue to be involved in the regeneration of the area.

2.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Joan Barton, James Hanson and Tim Rippon.

3.	BRIAN WILSON
	Councillor Doreen Newton referred to the recent death of Brian Wilson and the Panel observed a minute's silence in his memory.
	The Panel requested the Area Co-ordinator to forward a sympathy card, on behalf of all the Panel members, to Mr. Wilson's family.

4.	SOUTH YORKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE - INTERGRATED RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
	Paul Beeston from the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service gave a presentation on the proposals contained in the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP).
	Mr. Beeston reported that the IRMP had been drafted in preparation for the withdrawal of the national standards with regard to firefighting and in the light of the Government White Paper which placed a statutory duty on the fire and rescue service to attend life threatening accidents that were not fire related. The proposed IRMP for South Yorkshire would allow the Service the flexibility to allocate resources locally and provide proportionate and reasonable responses to emergencies which would provide a better use of resources and an improved service to the local community. Mr. Beeston referred to the existing National Standards Risk Profile, which divided the South Yorkshire Region into four categories of fire risk, and to the proposed new risk profile required as part of the IRMP which highlighted the fact that resources were not allocated in accordance with the areas of higher risk.
	Reference was made to the proposed response to fire related incidents under the IRMP together with the flexible cover to be provided in respect of the four categories of fire risk. Mr. Beeston also referred to the number of incidents dealt with by the Service between January, 1999 and December, 2002 and made specific reference to the fact that of calls received, a large percentage were false alarms, which had been caused either by mistake or maliciously, and went on to outline the proposals contained within the Plan for responding to false alarms and challenging malicious callers. Further statistics showed details of the level of life threatening road traffic accidents for the same period, and Mr. Beeston reported on how the Service intended to respond to such incidents under the Plan.
	Mr. Beeston made specific reference to the proposed closure of the Ringinglow Fire Station and the consequent transfer of the fire appliance to Edlington, Doncaster. He stated that consultation with regard to the IRMP had been undertaken during the previous four months and was due to end on 31^st January, 2004. In view of the short timescale for submitting comments regarding the IRMP he requested that comments were made via the questionnaire that was available at the meeting and that these should be completed with a clear note that they were as a result of the Owlerton/Southey Green Area Panel meeting to enable these to be included as part of the consultation, even though the responses would be received after the deadline. Responses from the consultation would be taken into account when the South Yorkshire Fire Authority made a decision regarding the Plan on 20^th February, 2004 with the agreed Plan being implemented from the 1^st April, 2004.
	The following questions were raised and responses given:-

Q.	With regard to false alarms was there a charge made to individual companies for an appliance attending a false alarm call and, if not, could this be considered?

A.	Paul Beeston was aware that some fire authorities did charge private businesses for false alarm calls but this was a decision that had not been taken by the South Yorkshire Fire Authority. A particular concern would be that rogue landlords may be reluctant to use their automatic fire alarms if there was a possibility of being charged for a false alarm call which clearly could be detrimental to human life.

Q	Clarification was sought regarding the new risk categories.

A	Paul Beeston indicated that the statistics collated over the last five years had enabled the Service to identify the high-risk areas and also any areas which were more likely to be affected by a serious incident, such as the M1 at rush hour, which would enable predictive mobilising to be put in place.

Q.	The fact that the fire officers who received emergency calls were to challenge malicious callers was to be welcomed but had this message been rolled out across schools in the City?

A.	If the proposals contained in the Plan were approved they would be added to the guidance given out by Community Safety Officers and rolled out across a variety of sectors in the City. The intention was that any financial savings made following the introduction of the new arrangements under the IRMP would be redirected to areas of higher risk and to the delivery of a more robust community safety programme.

Q	With regard to call challenging, had consideration been given to using any of the voice detection systems that had recently been introduced by some insurance companies?

A	Paul Beeston acknowledged this issue and commented that it could be considered as a consultation response.

	The Panel (a) noted the information reported;
	(b) requested Paul Beeston to give a further presentation to the Panel to update them on the final decision taken by the South Yorkshire Fire Authority; and
	(c) thanked Paul Beeston and all the officers working for the Fire Authority for the work that they were undertaking, often in dangerous circumstances.

5.	CRIME AND COMMUNITY SAFETY UPDATE
	Lisa Casey, Sheffield City Council Community Safety Officer, gave a presentation on the Crime and Community Safety initiative in the Panel area. She advised that she was based at Ecclesfield Police Station and worked closely with the police officers from both Ecclesfield and Hammerton Road Stations. She was a member of Sheffield First for Safety which was the City's Crime and Disorder Partnership who were responsible for producing a three year strategy, between 2002 and 2005, to tackle the main priorities identified by the Partnership which were violent crime, vehicle crime, burglary and anti-social behaviour. These had been identified as a result of responses from a survey of over 12,000 households. Her role was to act as a link officer between the City Council and the Police to ensure that resources were directed to tackle crime hotspots in the area.
	She referred to the fact that the Area Panel had set aside £40,000 in Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) for three projects involving the police which were high visibility police patrols (£20,000), target hardening (£15,000) and the purchase of Tunstall Alarms (£5,000) in order to tackle particular problems in the area. She highlighted the fact that Sergeant Mark Simms was co-ordinating the high visibility police patrols with some success but there was still more work to do in this area. Between 650 and 700 properties had been identified to benefit from the target hardening and, following a consultation exercise with residents, a total of 430 properties had benefited from the installation of additional locks to doors and windows and smoke alarms.
	Through her attendance at tenants and residents association meetings she was aware that concerns had been raised regarding the severe pruning of hedges on properties to be demolished and indicated that this was done to allow natural surveillance. These properties attracted a high level of anti-social behaviour due to the privacy that they offered. With regard to the problems being faced in the three remaining blocks of flats at Foxhill which were to be demolished she had worked closely with the demolition contractor and Housing Services to improve site security and reach an agreement whereby these particular blocks would be demolished at an earlier date which would hopefully be during February, 2004. She would also inform the local police officers when the contractors were to commence their work in order to improve the site security, as previous experience had highlighted issues of anti-social behaviour.
	She was also aware of a youth nuisance problem at the Margetson shops and had spoken to shop owners regarding their concerns and as a result, had liased with the Parson Cross Community Development Forum, Meynell Youth Club and the Police as to how best to tackle this problem. A proposal to erect a temporary youth shelter was being considered which would hopefully alleviate the problem.
	She acknowledged that there was a general reluctance amongst the public to report crime but emphasised that unless it was effectively reported the Police would be unable to target their resources effectively. She therefore highlighted the need to contact the Police on their normal number of 220 2020.
	She also referred to a particularly successful police operation which had been undertaken on the Scraithwood estate in response to a bogus caller which resulted in the offender being caught almost immediately.
	The following questions and responses were noted:-

Q	Why was the Neighbourhood Warden Scheme not proceeding in the area, especially in view of the comments made by the Home Secretary that these types of schemes were a good way forward.

A	Lisa Casey referred to the four existing schemes that were operating in the City and which were funded through Government via the Sheffield First for Safety Partnership and highlighted the positives and negatives from these schemes. She was aware that the scheme planned for the Panel area had been withdrawn due to the concerns regarding its long-term sustainability, as the City Council did not have the necessary funding to continue it beyond its initial period. She was aware that the City Council, as an alternative, with the funding that was available, was proposing to establish a Housing Services Team to tackle anti-social behaviour who would develop a strategy and link closely with the six Neighbourhood Action Groups in the area.
	Councillor Mark Wilde explained that Panel Members were also disappointed that the Neighbourhood Warden Scheme was not proceeding but acknowledged that it was vital that they had some long term sustainability, which at the moment could not be guaranteed. He was a ware of the fact that the Government were willing to part fund Neighbourhood Warden Schemes but equally this needed to be matched by City Council funding which was not available. Whilst the initiative that was being proposed would not provide the visible presence, it had been recognised that there was a need to tackle anti-social behaviour and it was envisaged that this could be achieved.
	Councillor Doreen Newton referred to the Trailblazer funding initiative and requested that a more detailed presentation be received by the Panel at a future meeting.

Q	What action could be taken to remove a car which had been abandoned for the past eight weeks on a road in the area. The local resident had rang the Police and the City Council and neither had been able to assist her. She confirmed that the car was taxed but that it was attracting anti-social behaviour with local youths climbing on the car and damaging it further.

A	Sergeant Mark Simms indicated that the Police and City Council liased closely with regard to abandoned cars and he was aware that the City Council were removing abandoned cars very quickly but if the car was taxed and the owner could not be contacted this delayed the process. He concluded that the car had possibly been abandoned by the owner after an accident and indicated that he would speak to the local resident and take precise details to see if a way forward could be found.

Q	What action could be taken against the owners of a property whose burglar alarm was triggered automatically a number of times whilst they were away on holiday, causing a major noise nuisance in the area.

A	Sergeant Mark Simms indicated that the City Council's Environmental Services provided a service whereby a resident of a property with a burglar alarm could register their details which would provide information as to an alternative keyholder for the property. Councillor Doreen Newton commented that when she went on holiday she contacted the local police station and provided details of where the key could be obtained in the event of the burglar alarm being triggered. It was considered that approaches should be made to this particular occupier to inform them of this service for the future.

Q.	What action could be taken against a nuisance neighbour who lived adjacent to a resident in a Council property. The neighbour had a constant stream of youths visiting the property in the day and at night and her garden was full of rubbish. She had contacted the local Housing Office with a petition and had been advised to complete a diary of events, which she had done, but no action had been taken.

A	Lisa Casey acknowledged that the City Council needed evidence to support claims of neighbour nuisance and agreed to investigate the matter. Councillor Doreen Newton commented that this appeared to be a severe problem and agreed to speak to the resident after the meeting to take details in order that her complaint could be passed to a the local Ward Councillor to follow up the complaint. Councillor Steve Wilson commented that the City Council were determined to tackle the problem of neighbour nuisance and indicated that a number of people had been evicted from Council properties.

Q	A resident commented upon the success of a local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and asked if consideration could be given to promoting these further and also utilising private security firms to deliver a neighbourhood warden scheme.

A	Lisa Casey noted the comments made but indicated that a problem relating to private schemes was how the contributions would be collected from residents.

Q	Could consideration be given to reinstating the Community Constable Surgeries?

A	Sergeant Mark Simms indicated that when these Surgeries were held they were not particularly successful and it was felt that officer’s time would be better utilised patrolling the area under the new local policing initiative. He acknowledged that the Oxspring Bank station was not always manned but that an answer phone service was available. The telephone number was 296 4854.

Q	How did Ecclesfield Police Station prioritise the calls they received on their enquiry number 220 2020?

A	Sergeant Mark Simms indicated that incidents were graded by the Telephone Incident Room staff and officers despatched according to the seriousness of the incident. He acknowledged that in a small number of cases there could be a communication breakdown and that it was important to ensure that the public's expectations were fulfilled in each particular incident.

	The Panel thanked Lisa Casey and Sergeant Mark Simms and noted the information reported.

6.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	The following public questions and responses were noted

Q	Representatives of Dryden and Kyle Tenants’ and Residents’ Association asked whether the Panel could support them in their request to the Royal Mail for the reinstatement of the post box which had been destroyed by vandals on Southey Hill. The nearest alternative post box was almost 30 minutes walk away.

A	Councillor Doreen Newton indicated that she would discuss the matter with her fellow Panel members with a view to the Panel supporting the reinstatement of the post box.

Q	Could consideration be given to holding a Friday night meeting with the Home Secretary regarding crime and community safety issues.

A	Councillor Doreen Newton commented that she would investigate this matter.

Q	A resident referred to the fact that the Park/Heeley Area Panel had sent a Christmas card to all the people on their mailing list which included useful telephone numbers and dates of meetings and asked if the Panel could do a similar thing.

A	Councillor Mark Wilde acknowledged that the telephone numbers were a useful idea but that there were occasions when meeting dates had to be changed. The Panel, however, agreed to investigate this matter for the future.

7.	MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting held 13^th November, 2003 were received and approved as a correct record and arising therefrom a member of the public commented that due to the predicted increased use of the Southey Community Centre there was an increasing road safety issue relating to Shirecliffe Road and that the City Council should prioritise a road safety scheme for the area.

8.	COMMUNITY CONFERENCE
	Andy Wier indicated that the Area Panel Community Conference would take place on Thursday, 12^th February, 2004 between 4.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. at Colley Working Men's Club, Margetson Crescent, Parson Cross. The purpose of the Conference was to celebrate the positive initiatives that were taking place in the area and provide an opportunity for the local residents to observe display stands, speak to Council officers from a number of services and discuss the plans and ideas in respect of the Panel’s Neighbourhood Renewal Fund allocation for 2004/2006. It was also intended that the Panel would present its New Years Honours Awards for those people who had made a significant contribution to regeneration in the area and nominations were encouraged before the deadline of 30^th January, 2004.

9.	BINSTED AND COOKSON TENANTS’ AND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
	Janet Bagshaw indicated that the Binsted and Cookson Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (TARA) had been successful in obtaining a £10,000 grant from the revenue fund of the Community Chest for the employment of a caretaker.
	The Panel invited Janet Bagshaw to give a presentation regarding the work of the Binsted and Cookson TARA at a future Panel meeting.

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