Minutes of meeting held 15 November 2007

 

 

PRESENT

           

Owlerton/Southey Green Area Panel

Councillors Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss and Alan Law.

           

Independent Directors

Ellie Brown, Jon Bradley, Lynne Hilson, Rachel Barber and Paul Voyse.

           

Community Directors

Janet Bagshaw, Winnie Cartwright, Cyril Olsen, Ian Smith, Marie Oxley and Richard Wildgoose.

           

City Council Officers

Ann Allen (SOAR Board Adviser), Vicky Penn (Planning), Jo Willis (Activity Sheffield), Rhian Thomas (Parks and Countryside Service), Jenny Longden and Gemma Carl (Transport Planning), Shamim Hasan (Southey Library), Chris Spafford (Street Force), Steve Birch (North Sheffield Regeneration Team), Angela Greenwood and Stuart Bolton (Joint Area Co-ordinators), Matthew Rush (Area Support Officer), Valerie Cotter and Martin Hughes (Neighbourhood Renewal and Partnership Service) and Andy Cain (Committee Secretariat)

           

Also in attendance

Ian Drayton, Steve Rundell and Lois Downes (SOAR Team), Norma Ashmore (Parson Cross Forum), David Hudson and Colin Simpson (Barratt Homes), James Hobson (Signet Planning) and Roger Maier (ID Partnership Architects)

24 members of the public and other organisations attended the meeting.

………………

                        ACTION

1.            APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR           

1.1            Councillor Gill Furniss was appointed Chair of the Joint Meeting. She welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the principles of the joint meeting approach.      

                       

1.2       Ian Smith, Vice Chair of the Southey Owlerton Area Regeneration (SOAR) Board indicated that it was intended to hold the joint meetings at various venues across the area and that the public could also contribute to, and obtain information about, various initiatives across the area through the SOAR Board’s interactive website.         

                       

2.            APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE    

2.1            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Vic Bowden, Steve Jones and Chris Weldon and from Louise Nield, Sharon Ashton, Lisa Casey, Simon Edghill, Marika Puglisi, Alison Rayner and Nick Slater.            

                       

3.            DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST    

3.1       There were no declarations of interest.     

                       

4.            MINUTES/MATTERS ARISING    

SOAR Board

4.1       The minutes of the meeting of the SOAR Board held on 18th October 2007, were approved as a correct record.           

                       

Matters Arising           

4.2       With regard to paragraph 4.2 Steve Rundell indicated that he had now received a response from the Chief Executive of the Sheffield Primary Care Trust stating that there was nothing further that could be done about the loss of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provision. The Joint Meeting agreed that a letter be sent to the Rt. Hon. David Blunkett M.P. to highlight the Joint Meeting’s concerns regarding the loss of this provision.            Steve Rundell

                       

4.3       With regard to paragraph 4.3 Councillor Leigh Bramall referred to the various requests made to the developer of the Kilner Way Retail Park regarding the need to secure the areas where some of the demolition material had been left but indicated that these requests had not been actioned. The Joint Meeting held a discussion regarding the extent of the area that required security fencing, in light of the fact that some of the land was used for car parking at busy times, and Councillor Bramall indicated that he would follow this matter up again, taking into account the comments made.            Councillor Leigh Bramall

                       

4.4       With regard to paragraph 4.4 Cyril Olsen indicated that a meeting would be held in the near future regarding possible youth provision at the Shirecliffe Community Centre and that he would provide an update at a future Joint Meeting when Sheryl Roberts, the Neighbourhood Worker for Shirecliffe, reported back to him with the outcome of that meeting            Cyril Olsen

                       

Area Panel    

4.5       The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 25th September 2007, and the Rolling Action Checklist for meetings up to 25th September, 2007, were approved as a correct record.           

                       

Matters Arising           

4.6       Stuart Bolton (a) reported on the Small Highway Schemes Programme for 2007/2008 and that Philip Horton would provide an update at a future meeting regarding the parking and road safety measures requested for the Southey Green Shopping Precinct;            Philip Horton

                       

4.7       (b) indicated that he had not yet received a response from Alison Rayner regarding the request for a safety barrier to be erected next to the bowling green in Longley Park;            Alison Rayner

                       

4.8       (c) indicated that Richard Wildgoose would be giving consideration to submitting a request for a notice board at Longley;            RichardWildgoose

                       

4.9       (d) indicated that remedial work was being carried out to the pavement on Herries Drive and that there would be a Bring Out Your Rubbish Day in the Galsworthy area on 27th November, 2007. Councillor Leigh Bramall indicated that he not yet investigated the request for a speed limit reduction of Herries Road;            Councillor Leigh Bramall

                       

4.10    (e) indicated that he was awaiting a response from Sheffield Community Transport regarding the work of the Crosslink Steering Group; and            Stuart Bolton

                       

4.11    (f) indicated that Sheffield Homes had responded to Cyril Olsen regarding his query relating to compensation to tenants for damage caused during renovation work and in response to further concerns raised by Cyril Olsen the Joint Meeting agreed that Paul Voyse be requested to investigate further the policy for compensating tenants and report back to a future meeting.            Paul Voyse

                       

5.            PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS   

5.1       In response to a question regarding a resident’s request for a tree to be removed from the driveway of a property at Crowder Ave, Councillor Alan Law indicated he would refer the issue to an appropriate Council Officer and report back directly to the resident.            Councillor Alan Law

                       

5.2       The Joint Meeting received two petitions submitted by Deborah Nicholson on behalf of the Dryden and Kyle Tenants’ and Residents’ Association (a) containing 151 signatures requesting that a 20mph speed limit zone be implemented on both ends of Dryden Road leading to Kyle Crescent, Dryden Drive, Kyle Close and Dryden Avenue and (b) containing 148 signatures requesting the deregulation of the Bus Gate on Southey Hill and the removal of the sign whilst retaining the bottle neck as a traffic calming measure and agreed that both petitions be submitted to the North and West Planning and Highways area Board for further consideration.           Andy Cain

                       

6.            SOUTHEY OWLERTON ACCESSIBILITY STRATEGY  

6.1       Jenny Longden and Gemma Carl circulated a report suggesting possible actions for 2008/2009 which could contribute towards achieving the 23 points agreed in the Southey Owlerton Accessibility Strategy, which had been endorsed by the Area Panel and SOAR Board. The suggested actions would be used to draw up an action plan for 2008/2009, in conjunction with the Environment and Liveability Theme Group. All available Local Transport Plan (LTP) funding for the Strategy in 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 had been committed to the pedestrian crossing at Herries Road/Scraithwood Drive and there was no guarantee of future LTP funding, although it may be available beyond 2008/2009. Therefore, there was a need to identify where parts of the Strategy could be taken forward without the need for additional funding from the LTP and also where there were opportunities to implement actions with alternative funding or in conjunction with other projects. Comments on the suggested actions were sought by January, 2008, with a view to the 2008/2009 Annual Plan being endorsed in April, 2008, and to be followed by quarterly updates to the Area Panel and SOAR.           

                       

6.2       They responded to questions and comments regarding the joint working being undertaken to ensure that the Strategy would link in and compliment some of the major developments in the area, the work being undertaken to implement the pedestrian crossing on Herries Road, near to Scraithwood Road and the need to include improved cycle routes to schools as part of the cycling priorities.       

                       

6.3       The Joint Meeting thanked Jenny Longden and Gemma Carl and agreed that (a) the report circulated be noted and (b) any comments or suggestions on the 2008/2009 suggested actions be forwarded to Jenny Longden or Gemma Carl by (i) emailing transport@sheffield.gov.uk or (ii) telephoning 0114 2734192.      

                       

7.            PARSON CROSS NEIGHBOURHOOD WORKER’S UPDATE       

7.1       Norma Ashmore provided an update on the work being undertaken by the Parson Cross Community Development Forum, highlighting priorities linked to Section 106 spending, the provision of activities at the St. Thomas More Community Centre, the use of the Forum’s office as a valuable community resource, the area’s re-development sites, housing issues and street scene improvements.        

                       

7.2       She went on to provide details of future priorities and referred to the review of the Neighbourhood Strategy being undertaken for Parson Cross. She also referred to sustainability issues for the Forum and the economic regeneration work being undertaken, which included the successful Community Festival and a proposed Christmas Market on 15th December, 2007. In conclusion, she provided a number of examples of effective partnership working, particularly with Jo Willis from Activity Sheffield in the provision of additional youth activities, a successful Wild Woodland Web lottery bid, work being undertaken to establish a lunch club and a proposed South Yorkshire Police drop in surgery.         

                       

7.3            Further details of the work of the Forum could be obtained by visiting the Forum’s website at www.pxforum.net or by telephoning the Forum office on 0114 2495129.      

                       

7.4            Councillor Leigh Bramall referred to the provision of Christmas Lights on Margetson Crescent, partly funded by the Area Panel and welcomed the work being undertaken by Norma Ashmore.      

                       

7.5       Janet Bagshaw reported that the Parson Cross Forum Christmas Party would be held on 19th December, 2007, at Colley Working Men’s Club.   

                       

7.6       The Joint Meeting thanked Norma Ashmore and noted the information given.

                       

8.            BARRATT HOMES DEVELOPMENT   

8.1       David Hudson and Roger Maier gave a joint presentation regarding the Barratt Homes Development on the former Monteney and Colley Parson Cross College sites. It was envisaged that the planning application would be submitted before 31st December, 2007, with a view to being on site by early Summer 2008. 

                       

8.2       Roger Maier indicated that the process leading up to the production of draft proposals had been a lengthy one and account had been taken of the original Masterplans for the sites. He highlighted that the Monteney and Colley sites were very distinctive and the interface between the new housing and the sports facilities would be an important feature. He displayed plans showing the proposed layouts for both sites and provided more detail regarding features such as gateways, home zones, frontages, surveillance, focal spaces, public realm artwork, lighting and car parking and provided examples of some of these features which had been incorporated into a successful Barratt development in a similar regeneration area of Gateshead. Roger Maier continued by referring to the use of the natural topography to aid the design of the development, which would also incorporate the latest environmental technology. He then provided more detailed information as to how it was proposed to encompass the existing sports facilities in improved locations around the sites, particularly referring to the proposed relocation of the Colley Sports Hall to an area adjacent to the existing Youth Centre. The proposed layout of the football pitches on both sites was also displayed.     

                       

8.3       In response to questions and comments Roger Maier indicated that starter homes and bungalows would be included in the development and that there would be a requirement for 25% of the housing to be accessible in terms of disability. He noted concerns regarding the use of screening and barriers to open space facilities and possible vandalism to public realm artwork and play facilities but highlighted the fact that these features had been included in the Gateshead scheme and had not been subject to vandalism, which he believed was due to the design of the development which allowed for active surveillance and local ownership. He confirmed that there would be separate access and car parking provision for the sports facilities and football pitches and acknowledged that it was important to ensure that the design and appearance of the dwellings should not look alien to the surrounding housing.         

                       

8.4       Roger Maier continued by indicating that the development had been designed to take into account a projected ratio of between 1.25 and 1.50 cars per household. He noted a suggestion from Jon Bradley to work with the Sheffield Galleries and Museum Trust in engaging local people in the design of the public realm artwork and confirmed that this work needed to be incorporated into the scheme at an early stage as opposed to tagging it on at the end. He went onto provide further information regarding environmental features including the supply of renewable energy and particularly the use of the Sustainable Urban Drainage System. He welcomed the advice South Yorkshire Police were providing in terms of obtaining the best design to reduce the risk of crime and noted an issue raised regarding the need to give consideration to the security of the site during construction. 

                       

8.5       Roger Maier indicated that the draft proposals would be on display in the office of the Parson Cross Forum and that further comments would be welcomed through the City Council’s Planning Officer, Vicky Penn who could be emailed at vicky.penn@sheffield.gov.uk . He also indicated that he would give consideration to suggestions for the proposals to be placed on the City Council’s website and for a display model to be designed. In conclusion, he indicated that it was intended for Barratt’s to arrange a public exhibition of the planning application at the Christmas Fayre on 15th December, 2007. 

                       

8.6       David Hudson commented that if the units were built at an average of 50 per year the total build time would be approximately 6 years.       

                       

8.7       The Joint Meeting thanked David Hudson and Roger Maier and agreed that (a) the proposals be noted and (b) Barratt Homes be requested to give consideration to the issues raised at the meeting.            BarrattHomes

                       

9.            PARSON CROSS PARK AND TONGUE GUTTER MASTERPLAN      

9.1       Rhian Thomas gave a presentation and displayed maps relating to the Parson Cross Park and Tongue Gutter Masterplan, drawn up by Kinnear Landscape Architects in conjunction with the City Council’s Parks and Countryside Service. Draft proposals included a possible city farm, a fishing lake, an extension of the oak and ancient woodland habitat, the development of the Park as an interface between city and countryside, new housing on the outer edge of the Park leading to improved security and natural surveillance, renewable energy initiatives, improvements to the area around the Pavilion, increased car parking space, a pedestrian access to the adjacent shopping precinct, the transfer of the formal gardens to nearer the pavilion, enhanced flora in the park and along Tongue Gutter, wild flower areas, general work to open up Tongue Gutter  and a depot for park staff who needed to move from their existing Lytton Road depot.

                       

9.2       Rhian Thomas indicated that that the Masterplan could be viewed in more detail at the Parson Cross Park Pavilion or at the office of the Parson Cross Forum and that it would also be displayed at the Christmas Market event on 15th December, 2007, where she would be in attendance to provide further information and note views and suggestions. Alternatively, more information could be obtained by emailing rhian.thomas@sheffield.gov.uk or by telephoning 0114 2464989. It was proposed to circulate the Masterplan and supporting report as an item for information to go out with the agenda for the next Joint Meeting.            Rhian Thomas

                       

9.3       The Joint Meeting thanked Rhian Thomas and noted the information given.

                       

10.       AREA CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT   

10.1    The Joint Meeting noted Issue 13 of the Area Panel’s E-Briefing, which contained information and actions relating to the operation of the Panel to week ending 2nd November, 2007. 

                       

11.            PARTNERSHIP MANAGER’S REPORT       

11.1    Ian Drayton submitted his monthly Partnership Manager’s Report, which provided an overview of the key activities and initiatives being pursued by the SOAR Team and the Neighbourhood Action Groups and circulated copies of the SOAR Social Accounts 2006-2007 which were approved by the SOAR Board. He particularly highlighted the successful Lottery bid of £1.4m for the Library Learning Centre development, which was now at the design stage and would hopefully commence on site in Autumn 2008 for completion in January, 2009, the Southey Owlerton New Year (SONY) Honours event and the fact that Celia Crystal had written to the SOAR Board to tender her resignation.   

                       

11.2            Inspector Rachel Barber indicated that she would be resigning from the SOAR Board in the near future, due to a restructuring within South Yorkshire Police, and would be replaced by Inspector Stuart Walne. The Joint Meeting thanked Inspector Barber for the work she had undertaken on behalf of the Board.     

                       

11.3    Ian Drayton reported that Susan Sisson would commence employment with the SOAR Team on 2nd Janaury, 2008, as a replacement for Gemma Stothard.       

                       

11.4    Steve Rundell circulated the agenda for the SOAR Away weekend to be held on 30th November, 2007 and 1st December, 2007. 

                       

11.5    The Joint Meeting noted the report submitted and additional information circulated.     

                       

12.            MEMBERS’ ISSUES         

12.1    Winnie Cartwright commented on the excellent quality of the latest 5Alive Magazine.     

                       

12.2    Ellie Brown indicated that the official launch event for the Meadows Centre would take place on 24th November, 2007 and that there would be a Domestic Abuse event on 26th November, 2007. 

                       

13.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING      

13.1    It was noted that the next Joint Meeting would be held on Thursday, 20th December, 2007 at 7.00 p.m. at the St. Thomas More Community Centre, Margetson Crescent.