Owlerton/Southey Green Area Panel Minutes of Previous Meeting

OWLERTON/SOUTHEY GREEN AREA PANEL


Meeting held 23rd June, 2005 at Birley Carr Methodist Church, Foxhill Road

PRESENT:		Councillors Gill Furniss (Chair), Vic Bowden, Leigh Bramall and Alan Law.

		Also in attendance:-
		Chloe Aspinwall	-	SOAR Team
		Shanza Hussain	-	Planning - Sheffield City Council
		Vicky Taylor	-	Forward and Area Planning - Sheffield City Council
		Trevor Thorn	-	Planning - Sheffield City Council
		Mark Wilde	-	Foxhill Forum
		Val Hughes	-	Sheffield Libraries
		Jane Anslow	-	Neighbourhoods - Sheffield City Council
		Simon Botterill	-	Highways - Sheffield City Council
		Andy Cain	-	Committee Services – Sheffield City Council
		Andy Wier	-	Area Co-ordinator
		Matthew Rush	-	Area Support Officer

		24 other members of the public attended the meeting, including representatives of community organisations, 50+ and Panel partners.

………………….

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve Jones and Chris Weldon.

2.	SOUTHEY/OWLERTON NEIGHBOURHOODS STRATEGIES
	Chloe Aspinwall and Andy Wier gave a joint presentation regarding the Neighbourhood Strategies initiative, an award winning community led planning process jointly sponsored by the Area Panel and SOAR Board, which had resulted in the development of an overarching vision and framework for the regeneration of the whole area and a set of individual neighbourhood strategies for Parson Cross, Shirecliffe, Southey, Foxhill, Longley and Hillsborough.
	Chloe Aspinwall advised that the Owlerton/Southey area covered one tenth of the City and she displayed a map which indicated the boundaries for the six separate neighbourhoods. One of the main features was the promotion of the area as being part of a “Garden City”, taking advantage of the special physical qualities of the area.
	A strategy for physical change had come about as part of the successful Single Regeneration Budget Round 5 bid for £20.53m of regeneration money for the period 1999-2006. The first physical development plan had been rejected in 2000 and as a result of this a new process of community led Neighbourhood Strategies had been established. This process was neighbourhood focused and had received support from the City Council and from consultants, when necessary. There had been an emphasis on creativity and the final outcome was much more than a physical strategy.
	A diagram was then displayed which showed the various stages of developing the Neighbourhood Strategies which included walkabouts, workshops, events, the involvement of schools in the area, consultation, draft proposals, further events and consultation and final reports. Other outcomes had included increased community involvement, the establishment of six neighbourhood groups, democratic elections to the SOAR Board and theme groups, an improved SOAR Board/Area Panel relationship, a corporate commitment and agreed plans. The process had been judged to be a success and had received awards from The Guardian newspaper and MJ Awards.
	Chloe Aspinwall then went to display a structure which showed the various relationships involved in the process and the support provided by a senior officer support team and officer support team.
	Andy Wier referred to the implementation of physical projects and highlighted the fact that since May, 2002, there had been a programme review of Southey and Owlerton Area Regeneration which had included work connected to Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, Housing Market Renewal Funding, English Partnerships, design quality project work and the Sheffield Development Framework. He then referred to the five main pieces of work arising from the Neighbourhoods Strategies which were the redevelopment of land at Foxhill Back Edge, the Sheffield College site at Parson Cross, Chaucer School, around Parson Cross Park and in Shirecliffe. The next stage was to develop the neighbourhood centres and a community hub building within each neighbourhood to provide a physical focal point and a first point of access for local people to a range of services. The hubs would sit within a wider neighbourhood centre where shops, businesses and responsive community and public services were delivered alongside each other in a high quality setting. A further theme was aimed at developing the street scene across the area to improve the image for local people and future investors and for there to be at least one high quality open space in each neighbourhood.
	Arising from consideration of the presentations a local resident asked whether funding would be provided for improvements to the Foxhill Playing Fields. Chloe Aspinwall highlighted the fact that there had been some investment already in the area, at the Wolfe Road Park. Jane Anslow indicated that the Foxhill Playing Fields had been included in the Housing Market Renewal programme for 2006-2008, and so improvements would be made there in due course.
	The Panel thanked Chloe Aspinwall and Andy Wier and noted the information reported.

3.	FOXHILL FORUM UPDATE
	Mark Wilde indicated that the Foxhill Forum had been established in 1994 as a response to a report by the local church highlighting the growing problems in Foxhill. The Forum was a charity, in addition to being a limited company by guarantee, which provided support services to local organisations, hosting a number of community regeneration projects and being the lead organisation for neighbourhood strategy in Foxhill. The Forum worked with local people and agencies to improve Foxhill for those who lived and worked in the area and to recreate a sense of community pride.
	Details of the officer team supporting the Forum were provided, together with funding details. Objective 1 funding, which was available to 31st March, 2006, was being used to support the neighbourhood strategy project whilst various other sources of funding for community projects were provided by the City Council, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, community chest grants and lottery funding.
	Recent consultation had highlighted the lack of adult and community learning in Foxhill and Mr. Wilde made reference to the relocation of the information technology suite at Wolfe Road and the funding secured for new multi media technology. Closer work was being undertaken with the Local Education Authority and other providers to fund courses with and without qualifications. A lifelong learning event was to be held at the health and fun day on 17th September, 2005 with the aim of developing a community-learning programme in Foxhill.
	With regard to Wolfe Road Park, Phase 1 work had included preparation work and the installation of a five-a-side football pitch whilst Phase 2, which was to take place during July and August, 2005 and work included a youth shelter, a stone circle seating area for younger children and play equipment.
	Work was being undertaken on the Healthy Living Centre which would include a café, medical centre, community pharmacy and space for complementary health facilities. With the capital finance secured work was likely to start on site before December, 2005.
	By working in partnership with the local tenants and residents associations new management arrangements had been put in place at the Foxhill Community Centre. £16,000 in capital funding had been obtained for general building work, including CCTV, and the development of an area for under fours and a crèche, which complied with OFSTED registration.
	With regard to young people work was being undertaken with Sheffield Futures, the Youth Empowerment Project and Activity Sheffield. An application to the Barclays Community Sports Awards had been submitted seeking funding for an outdoor football pitch, which would be linked to the Foxhill Community Centre, and a number of projects had been established to support an activities programme. There was a possible mosaic/graffiti project being discussed with young people on Wolfe Road and a £6,000 capital grant for a seating area or youth shelter planned for New Foxhill.
	Mr. Wilde highlighted the fact that consideration was now being given to the future organisational development and sustainability of the Forum and, with this in mind, an away day had been planned to discuss this further. A business plan would be produced which would include a funding and income generation strategy in which consideration would have to be given to charging management fees for services. He completed his presentation by advising that the Forum were also in the process of undertaking PQASSO, a quality assurance award.
	Arising from consideration of the presentation Mr. Wilde was asked whether there was any lighting planned for Wolfe Road Park as youths in the area were continuing to play football in the street. Mark Wilde acknowledged this problem and indicated that he would investigate the matter in conjunction with the Chair of the Panel. He then responded to a question regarding the lack of support for older people in the area and referred to the Foxhill Live At Home Scheme and various trips organised for older people. Further projects were possible and consideration was being given to applying for lottery funding.
	A local resident referred to a recent meeting with David Blunkett when issues relating to the purchase of a community transport bus were raised. Mark Wilde acknowledged that the public transport services were not particularly reliable in the area and indicated that he would look into the point being raised. He made reference to a funding bid, which was under consideration, for a cross-links community bus and he indicated that the issues relating to public transport would be included on the agenda for the next neighbourhood strategy group meeting.
	The Panel thanked Mark Wilde for his presentation and noted the information reported.

4.	WELCOME SIGNS
	Andy Wier gave a presentation about the recently completed “Welcome Signs” programme. He summarised the comments received from the public with regard to the siting of a number of the signs together with options to consider in response to those comments. There had been a total of 21 signs erected in the area, funded by the Area Panel, which had been sited at what was considered to be the most strategic locations at the gateways to the five distinctive neighbourhoods. Approximately 15 months ago meetings had taken place with representatives of the five neighbourhoods to agree the siting of the signs, in conjunction with officers from Highway Services. With regard to the damaged “Welcome to Southey” sign on Southey Green Road work to remedy this was to be undertaken by the Transport and Highways Division of the City Council.
	The Shirecliffe Forum had pointed out that the “Welcome to Shirecliffe” sign had not been positioned as agreed and the Transport and Highways Division had been contacted and had agreed to re-locate the sign.
	The main bulk of public comments were linked to the “Welcome to Foxhill” sign situated at the corner of Halifax Road and Foxhill Road, with the thrust of these comments highlighting the fact that the area leading to Foxhill was actually known as Birley Carr and that it would be more appropriate to relocate the sign further up Foxhill Road, above the Birley Carr Methodist Church.
	Simon Botterill provided information with regard to the City Council’s policy on highway signage and the Government legislation that was in place to regulate signage.
	A resident of Birley Carr supported the erection of the signs but pointed out that the area in which she lived was known as Birley Carr and this was clearly marked on both recent and historical maps. She requested that the “Welcome to Foxhill” sign be relocated to a more appropriate location and if possible that a “Welcome to Birley Carr” sign also be added to the programme.
	A representative of DAKTARA referred to the sign situated outside the Co-op at Southey and indicated that this needed to be set in concrete. Simon Botterill indicated that the sign being referred to was in the wrong location and work was going to be undertaken to move the sign. He also referred to a point that was raised regarding the illumination of the signs but highlighted the fact that they were reflective and would be seen easily in car headlights.
	A representative of Foxhill TARA supported the erection of the welcome signs but recognised that Birley Carr was a distinct community and area in itself and that the “Welcome to Foxhill” sign being referred to should be relocated.
	A local resident of Birley Carr indicated that historically there had been highway signs directing people to Birley Carr. However, she was more concerned about the lack of response to requests for road calming measures on Foxhill Road, made at a “Have Your Say” day. Simon Botterill indicated that he would discuss this matter with the resident at the conclusion of the meeting.
	A request was made for a “Welcome to Birley Carr” sign at the junction of Parson Cross Road and Foxhill Road and for the existing “Welcome to Foxhill” sign to be relocated further up Foxhill Road. Simon Botterill indicated that it would not be possible to amend the existing sign to read “Welcome to Birley Carr and Foxhill”.
	The Panel agreed that (a) Andy Wier be requested to liase with the Foxhill Tenants’ and Residents’ Association and Highways Services with a view to relocating the “Welcome to Foxhill” sign further up Foxhill Road, with the preferred site likely to be in the area of the parade of shops or garage; and
	(b) consideration be given to the possible erection of a “Welcome to Birley Carr” sign, if there was sufficient funding available.

5.	HOUSING MARKET RENEWAL
	Jane Anslow gave a presentation about the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) initiative, particularly the development of the Transform South Yorkshire Prospectus for 2006-2008.
	She reported that HMR was a funding stream which aimed to make a significant step change in the housing market and that the Transform South Yorkshire Pathfinder had 10 Area Development Frameworks (ADFs), which included three in the Sheffield for the North, South and East. The North ADF included Brightside, Shiregreen and Southey Owlerton. The main objectives of the HMR programme were to provide new and better housing and better neighbourhoods.
	The 2004-2006 Prospectus had seen a total of £71m allocated to the South Yorkshire Pathfinder, of which £11m was allocated to the North ADF. This had been used to develop an enhanced housing management service to support the clearance programme which included the cost of demolition, security and estate services. Other initiatives included Homesteading, Remodelling, the Neighbourhood Investment Programme, a feasibility study into the relocation of the recycling centre, proposals for a “Park City” programme, Neighbourhood Centres, improved design quality and image management.
	It was anticipated that the 2006-2008 Prospectus would see Sheffield allocated £65m, of which the North ADF could receive £15.9m. The vision for the North ADF was to create “Garden City” neighbourhoods that would rival the best in the City in terms of design quality, environmental sustainability and character which would support the City’s economic growth. Key interventions had been identified as being gap funding for new housing, Neighbourhood Centres, “Park City”, the Neighbourhood Investment Programme and neighbourhood management.
	Jane Anslow displayed a map of Foxhill which highlighted the various initiatives and projects which would take place in the area which included the “Park City” funding plans and the gap funding proposals to assist in the delivery of new homes of the highest quality on the cleared sites.
	Arising from consideration of the presentation a number of questions and comments were received.
	A local resident asked whether any apartments would be built. Jane Anslow indicated that consideration would be given to providing a variety of housing types. Consideration was being given to amending the plans to use an increased area of the park site for more housing development whilst developing a green space elsewhere. Proposals for housing development would be subject to normal planning regulations and the developers engaged in the process were keen to work with the community.
	A local resident expressed concern regarding the possibility of extending the housing development at the park site as there had been previous assurances given that this would not happen. Jane Anslow indicated that maximum effort was being made to achieve the best outcomes, in line with the consultation that had been undertaken. The City Council was committed to developing quality schemes, a fact which was borne out by the fact that they had not simply sold off the sites to the highest bidders. She indicated that she would speak in more detail to the questioner at the conclusion of the meeting. Jane Anslow then went on to give details of the proposed developments in the Parson Cross, Longley, Shirecliffe, Southey and Brightside/Shiregreen areas.
	The Panel thanked Jane Anslow and noted the information reported.

6.	SHEFFIELD DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
	Vicky Taylor gave a presentation on the Sheffield Development Framework (SDF) and indicated that this was a long term plan to deal with development and land issues across the City. She referred to the documents which were involved in the process, particularly the development plan documents and supplementary planning documents. She then highlighted the special features of the new system as being spatial, sustainable, involving the community, providing a sound and simplified process.
	She referred to the importance of the core strategy document which set out a 15 year programme and indicated this was related to what was going to happen and where, at a strategic level. It contained the SDF aims and high level policies and set out the main changes to Sheffield over the next 15 years. She then listed the aims of the SDF as being economic transformation, balanced communities, the protection and improvement of the environment, increased accessibility and the enhancement of the quality of life.
	She indicated that informal consultation was taking place on the emerging options for the core strategy and that the objectives of this was to raise awareness, strengthen engagement of the stakeholder bodies and obtain informal feedback on the broad emerging options for the area. Emerging options related to such matters as mobility and density and involved consideration of issues such as jobs and shops, housing, transport and the built and green environment.
	She described the emerging options for Owlerton/Southey Green as:-

	· Increasing the employment opportunities in Southey/Owlerton (both the total number of jobs and the range of job types)

	· Improving transport links to existing and future employment areas, such as the City Centre, the Lower Don Valley, Hillsborough and the Upper Don Valley.

	· Considering the options for the future of the Parkwood Landfill Site (possible country park/landscaping, expansion of the ski village or employment opportunity use).

	Vicky Taylor highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options and directed the public to the emerging options document which was accessible on the City Council’s website, at city libraries and First Point. Alternatively interested parties could register with the City Council as a contact and then the City Council would guarantee to consult on future stages of the core strategy and all future SDF documents. Organisations could send representatives to the SDF City Conference on Friday, 8th July, 2005 and comment on the emerging options through either the City Council’s website or by e-mail SDF@sheffield.gov.uk. The preferred options for the core strategy would be made available in February, 2006 with the deadline for comments on the emerging options being Friday, 22nd July, 2005. Further comments would be made again when the preferred options were published in February, 2006.
	A representative of DAKTARA referred to an accessibility workshop, where a whole day had been spent on looking at a number of the issues being raised, and asked whether this had been factored in. Vicky Taylor indicated that she had been in attendance at that workshop, as had officers from the transport planning division, and that many of the issues raised had been fed into the process. However, she would obtain notes from the event to ensure that account was taken of any other relevant, issues.
	Andy Wier highlighted the fact that there was an Officer Working Group which included Vicky Taylor, Jane Anslow and Chloe Aspinwall, which aimed to collate previous consultation responses. He acknowledged that it was important to factor in the transport and regeneration issues which he was aware had been raised at the workshop.
	Trevor Thorn highlighted the importance of looking outside of the Panel area and giving consideration to matters such as the shape of the green belt and where houses should be built in the future.
	A local resident highlighted the main issue for the area as being the poor public transport system to which Trevor Thorn responded by indicating that the SDF was being prepared at the same as the second Local Tansport Plan.
	In response to a question regarding the take-up of the Homesteading initiative Jane Anslow indicated that there had been 20 to 25 successful cases but although demand continued there were not enough suitable vacant council properties for this initiative to be rolled out much further.
	In response to concerns raised regarding whether the affordable housing schemes being referred to were within a realistic price range Jane Anslow indicated that developers had submitted proposals which had been generally promising.
	Trevor Thorn responded to a question regarding the Parkwood Landfill Site and indicated that there were two planning applications outstanding at the present time, one being in connection with the control of leachate and one with regard to the control of methane gas. He indicated that when the site was no longer required the site would be properly capped but he envisaged that this could take up to 12 years. Consideration was also being given to an application to change the landfill phasing to fill around the Standish area and any future developments in this area would therefore need to take account of this.
	Concerns were raised with regard to the bus services in the Foxhill area, particularly around Foxhill Crescent, and it was reported that Brandon Jones from First Mainline was giving consideration to holding a consultation event in the area in August, 2005. Vicky Taylor commented that the proposals for housing development at the Back Edge site would almost certainly generate an increased number of public transport users and therefore she would not expect there to be a reduction of bus services in the area.
	In response to concerns regarding a possible increase in anti-social behaviour whilst the redevelopment was taking place it was noted that extra security would be put in place. The Chair indicated that consideration would be given to inviting the police to a future meeting regarding this and other matters.
	A representative from DAKTARA sought further clarification on the Park City initiative. Jane Anslow indicated that this was a funding initiative identified to enhance the vast areas of green space in the area and the links between them and make improvements for both local people and new residents. Chloe Aspinwall spoke of the need to connect all parks and green spaces, in a similar fashion to those in the Endcliffe Park area.
	The Panel thanked Vicky Taylor for her presentation and noted the information reported.

7.	MINUTES
	The minutes of the Panel meeting held 26th May, 2005, were received and approved as a correct record, subject to the deletion of the name of Val Hughes to those people named as being in attendance.
	Arising therefrom it was noted that Mark Peat had contacted Walter Bagshaw to provide details of why the Lindsay Road School had been closed.

8.	CHLOE ASPINWALL
	The Panel were informed that Chloe Aspinwall was to leave her post as a SOAR Team officer and was to train as a primary school teacher.
	The Panel agreed that they were grateful for the work undertaken by Chloe Aspinwall in the Panel area and wished her every success for the future.

9	FUTURE MEETINGS
	Andy Wier circulated a schedule of the next five Panel meetings and indicated that forms were available for the public to complete if they wished to be added to the mailing list.
	It was also reported that an older peoples event was to be held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre between 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on Friday, 15th July, 2005.
	The Panel noted this information.

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