South East Area Panel Minutes 20th December 2005

SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL

Meeting held 20th December, 2005, at the Mosborough Methodist Church,
Chapel Street, Mosborough

	PRESENT:		Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs (Chair), David Barker, Majorie Barker, Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Mike Peat and Mike Pye.

			Also in attendance:
			Councillor Martin Lawton, Graham Sherburn (South Yorkshire Ambulance Service), Inspector Dick Dove (South Yorkshire Police), Steve Byers (Environment and Regulatory Services, Sheffield City Council), Julian Winters (Community Development Officer, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club), Diane Hurst (Area Co-ordinator), Hannah Isherwood (Area Panel Support Officer) and 39 members of the public.
............

1.		APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
		Apologies for absence were received from the Councillors Bryan Lodge, Ray Satur, Ian Saunders and Sam Wall and Ken Matthews.

2.		MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
		The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 18th October, 2005, were approved as a correct record.

3.		MATTERS ARISING
		Adult Education Centre, Fox Lane
		A member of the public who lived on Longstone Crescent asked whether any progress had been made on matters raised at the last meeting concerning the Adult Education Centre at Fox Lane involving vandalism at the site and threats to neighbouring properties and residents.
		In response, the Area Co-ordinator indicated that a further meeting had been held with the South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield College and residents and the situation around the Centre was much quieter. She added that matters raised around the boundaries to the College and Rights of Way would be covered in the new lease.
		The Area Co-ordinator also indicated that she would write to the member of the public concerned and disseminate information regarding the situation to other local residents as and when further information was available.

		Rainbow Forge School
		The Panel noted that (a) a report had been received from Maureen Stoneman, School Governor at Rainbow Forge School, to include a public footpath and security fencing adjacent to the school in a list of minor improvements suitable for funding by the Panel and (b) a proposed road safety scheme in the area of the school had now been referred to the Council's Planning, Transportation and Highways Officers for assessment.


		Air Quality
		The Panel noted information reported by the Area Co-ordinator that Maurice Littlewood, Handsworth Community Forum spokesperson, would be invited to the next Panel Briefing Meeting to discuss air quality hotspots and the progress of work to improve air quality with Officers from Environment and Regulatory Services.

		Mosborough Village
		The Area Co-ordinator indicated that there was still some confusion about the ownership of land upon which toilets were sited at Station Road and whether the Mosborough Miners Welfare Club had sold the Resources Centre. She added that she had sent an application to the Land Registry Commission to ascertain who owned the land but had as yet received no response. She would continue to pursue the matter and to identify what the owners of the land intended to do.
		The Panel noted the information reported.

		Swallows Lane
		A member of the public indicated that Swallows Lane, Mosborough Village was in a poor state and still blocked with builders' rubbish.
		The Area Co-ordinator indicated that she would investigate the matter but indicated that the Council had no responsibility to clear the rubbish directly, but it could ask the owners to clear the blockage or the Council could clear the area and charge those who had deposited the rubbish for this work.

		Mosborough High Street - Closed Footpath
		A member of the public asked for clarification of the situation in respect of a pathway which had been closed off the High Street, Mosborough, at the side of the old Co-operative building.
		The Area Co-ordinator indicated that she would investigate the position and let the member of the public know the outcome.

		Jobnet Scheme
		A member of the public asked when would the Jobnet Service be in place for the South East area.
		The Area Co-ordinator indicated that delays had been encountered in providing the service due to the contractual process but she would hold further discussions with Jobnet providers with a view to ensuring that the service was commenced in the south east area as soon as possible.

4.		PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
		Road Safety on Birley Lane
		Ray Greaves, Birley Moor Triangle Forum, referred to a letter he had sent to the Chair of the Panel concerning road safety problems adjacent to the Birley Lane tram stop and the lack of progress in making provision for a pedestrian crossing adjacent to the tram stop despite two petitions in 2003 and 2004. He stressed that crossing the road at this point had now become even more dangerous due to buses using an area adjacent to the tram stop for drivers to change over.
		He added that he had also written to the Chief Executive on the matter.
		The Area Co-ordinator indicated that a pedestrian crossing had been approved in principle two years ago, but since then the Assessment Criteria for pedestrian crossings had changed and Birley Lane had received a reduction in its priority status. However, Officers were concerned that the crossing was not included in this year's programme and, therefore, they had suggested that £10,000 funding available to the Area Panel might be used in part to provide distinct red road surfacing with accompanying 30 mph surface markings as a short term measure to slow traffic speeds, pending the installation of a more permanent pedestrian crossing.
		Councillor Mike Pye added that he had spoken to the Cabinet Member and Adviser with responsibility for Road Safety and that there was a good chance that the crossing would be included within the 2006/07 programme.
		In response to a question, Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs stated that the Panel and public would be fully consulted in the siting of any pedestrian crossing on Birley Lane.
		RESOLVED: That (a) the Panel supports wholeheartedly the case for the re-assessment of the need for a pedestrianised crossing at Birley Lane; and
		(b) Highways Officers be requested to attend the next meeting Briefing Meeting in order to discuss road safety measures which could be implemented at the site prior to the installation of such a crossing.

		Off-Road Motor-Biking
		A member of the public raised an issue regarding the dangers posed to people walking or running in the south east area (particularly Eckington and Killamarsh) by scooters, motorbikes etc. using pathways and pavements. He went on to ask for clarification of the legal position on this matter and the action the South Yorkshire Police were taking in response.
		Inspector Dick Dove stated that the use of motorbikes and scooters on pavements and footpaths was totally illegal and that 137 Seizure Notices had been issued in the last four months. He added that the activity of riding these vehicles on paths and footpaths was extremely dangerous but would not stop until alternative provision had been made. The south east area was not unique in experiencing these problems and this was a City-wide issue that the South Yorkshire Police were trying to address.

		Traffic Calming in Mosborough Village
		In response to a question raised by a member of the public for information on the progress made regarding a proposed traffic calming scheme on the High Street and Station Road at Mosborough, the Chair (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs) indicated that he would respond to the questioner with the latest details on the scheme.

5.		SOUTH YORKSHIRE AMBULANCE SERVICE FIRST RESPONDERS SCHEME
		The Panel received a presentation from Graham Sherburn, Community Defibrillation Officer with the South Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust in which he made the following points:-

		· The aim of the scheme was to train community members to respond to certain emergency 999 calls within their own community prior to the emergency ambulance arriving. In this way it was hoped to increase the chance of survival for cardiac arrest victims by the use of an automatic external defibrillator which would be provided to participants in the scheme together with the latest life saving equipment.

		· Community First Responders would be volunteers who attend specific 999 calls on behalf of the South Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust. They would provide care to patients in their own community whilst the Ambulance was travelling to the victim.

		· It was felt that the First Responders scheme was necessary in view of the fact that in the United Kingdom someone suffered a heart attack every two minutes with 114,000 people dying from heart related problems. Almost 2.6m people had coronary heart disease and their was an increasing number of people suffering from respiratory problems in South Yorkshire.

		· The scheme had been considered necessary as cardiac arrest was the single, leading cause of sudden death outside hospital and time was the crucial factor in these life threatening situations where the victims chance of survival reduced by 10% each minute they were in cardiac arrest. Evidence was available to suggest that in South Yorkshire, chest pain and heart conditions formed a large percentage of all 999 calls.

		· Training would be offered to First Responders in order to assist them to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, administer oxygen therapy in accordance with South Yorkshire Ambulance Service protocols, operate an automatic external defibrillator and communicate with patients, relatives and friends effectively.

		· First Responders would need to be a volunteer and demonstrate a commitment to help people in their community, be available a few hours per week, hold a current valid driving licence, be over the age of 18 and physically fit to carry the equipment, willing to undertake a Police check and wish to do something different and be enthusiastic.

		· The South Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust provided quality training to enable the volunteers to carry out their role safely and effectively and with appropriate equipment supported by regular meetings and the services of a dedicated First Responder Co-ordinator who provided a vital link between the volunteer and the Ambulance Service. Access to debriefing and counselling services was also provided.

		In response to a number of questions from the Panel and members of the public, Graham Sherburn indicated that First Responders would be fully insured provided they adhered to the South Yorkshire Ambulance Service protocols and if their actions did not cause any further damage to what the victim had originally experienced. He added that there would be six First Responder Units in Sheffield with one for Beighton and Mosborough funded by the British Heart Foundation, Department of Health and United Kingdom Lottery. Participants in the scheme would be required to use their own car and their identification would be supported by a badge and an over jacket. In order to apply to become a First Responder an approach would need to be made to the South Yorkshire Ambulance Service Headquarters and it was hoped that a minimum of 8-10 First Responders would be available in each of the six City areas. One Unit would be available to the Beighton/Mosborough area, but it was hoped that the Unit could be expanded to facilitate one per Township if funding permitted.
		RESOLVED: That the Area Co-ordinator be requested to provide assistance to the South Yorkshire Ambulance Service in identifying local contacts in community and voluntary organisations as regards potential sites for training First Responders.

6.		"DISCOVER YOUR ECO FOOTPRINT" ENVIRONMENTAL GAME
		Steven Byers, Environment and Regulatory Services, sought the participation of the Panel and members of the public in a game/quiz which had been played at the last meeting of the South East Area Eco-Advisory Group. The game/quiz was designed to help people focus on ways of living which could support or damage the eco system and through a range of scoring defined the degree to which individuals action assisted or harmed the eco system by direct reference to such issues as heating, transport, electricity, recycling etc.. This was defined as an Eco-Footprint.
		Mr. Byers also circulated a document entitled "Doing Your Bit for the Environment: Top Tips" and asked that comments on the document be submitted to the South East Area Eco-Advisory Group.

7.		COMMUNITY POLICING IN THE SOUTH EAST
		Inspector Dick Dove, South Yorkshire Police, gave a presentation on the introduction of Safer Neighbourhood Areas within the south east and which had been implemented across the City as part of the National Policing Plan for 2006/07. He indicated that it was the intention to deliver a customer focused, problem-solving, intelligence-led service as envisaged by the Chief Constable in all Safer Neighbourhood Areas, in partnership with other organisations and local people with particular attention being focused on neighbourhood priorities. This would contribute to City-wide Police targets.
		Inspector Dove provided information on the Mosborough and Woodhouse Safer Neighbourhood Area as follows:-

		· 16 neighbourhoods had been identified within the Area covering a population of 90,000.

		· 24% of that population which equated to 22,000 comprised 0-19 year olds.

		· There was a high expectation from the community that the Police would deal with anti-social behaviour and quality of life issues.

		· In an attempt, amongst other things, to meet these high expectations a Safer Neighbourhood Area Team had been established which comprised one Inspector, two Sergeants, 11 Police Constables, two specialist Mountain Bike Patrol Officers, one Council Tasking Officer, one Youth Liaison Officer and which served the four major comprehensive schools within the south east area and feeder schools. Nine Police Community Safety Officers would also be in post for September, 2006.

		This Team would work in partnership with other organisations such as the local schools, Tenants' and Residents' Associations and Forums, the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Primary Care Trust, Social Services, the Youth Offending Team, Drug Agency Teams and others.

		· The method of operation to be conducted by the new Teams would involve Project Orientated Partnership Policing through addressing each problem through a Problem Analysis Triangle having a common set of features and characterised by the activities of scanning, assessing, responding and assessing again (SARA).

		Members of the public asked a number of questions namely, how could the police influence organisations such as Sheffield Homes in tackling anti-social behaviour in light of concerns expressed regarding the response of that organisation to a particular incident, what Policing provision was allocated to wildlife crime, how were the Police attempting to combat late night noise nuisance on Mosborough High Street arising from public houses and fast food outlets and in light of some public concerns about the need to fast track consideration of anti-social behaviour cases, could the Police take out direct prosecutions.
		Inspector Dove indicated that the Police and Sheffield Homes could discuss specific cases, each Police District had a Police Officer who had been trained in responding to wildlife offences, community policing was usually the best approach to addressing late night noise problems and this was the approach which had been adopted to noise nuisance emanating from a firework display at Quarry Hill. All prosecutions on anti-social behaviour had to be fed through the Crown Prosecution Service and the Police were unable to undertake direct prosecutions themselves.
		A representative of the Beighton Community Forum asked for guidelines as to how the community could link in with the Safer Neighbourhood Area and Safer Neighbourhood Area Team model, and in view of the poor response times through the 999 Emergency system as respects the level of crime, was Sheffield in the forefront of any initiative to respond more quickly to requests for assistance on anti-social behaviour.
		Inspector Dove responded that Police resources were stretched in dealing with 16 neighbourhoods within the South East Safer Neighbourhood Area and a larger group representing the different communities in the whole area needed to link together to draw down funding for anti-crime measures. He cautioned against different neighbourhoods and groups competing for the same funding and services and, therefore, if possible, there should be a co-ordinated approach amongst neighbourhoods and community groups to fighting crime, anti-social behaviour etc. in the south east area. He felt that communities could engage in the process by inviting the Police to discuss a particular issue with a community group or written representations being sent to the Police. However, there was a need for the south east area to unite around major crime issues affecting all of the area to avoid inter-neighbourhood conflict within the south east area. He added that Sheffield had been picked as a pilot for a national, non-emergency number 101 which would commence in May, 2006, but he believed that the public were insufficiently well informed about the implementation of this number at the present time.
		In answer to a question by Councillor Martin Lawton, in his capacity as a Governor of City School, on links with Detached Youth Workers, Inspector Dove, expressed his hope that Youth Workers would link closely with the work of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and that the Police had links with Young Childrens' Officers and Youth Inclusion Officers.
		Councillor Mike Pye asked why the south east area had the lowest number of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders in the City, particularly in light of some of the problems being experienced on the Scowerdons, Newstead and Weaklands Estate. Inspector Dove responded that such Orders were awarded by the Court and were regarded as the last resort. It was felt that Acceptable Behaviour Contracts worked in 89% of anti-social behaviour cases reported and there were not enough Police Officers, in general to remove problems from some areas such as the Scowerdons, Newstead and Weaklands area.
		The Panel thanked Inspector Dick Dove for his presentation.

8.		FUTURE OF WESTFIELD SCHOOL FIELDS
		Julian Winters, Community Manager, Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, referred to the application for planning permission to build housing on the training ground of the Football Club at Middlewood Road and indicated that if the application was approved then the Club would take on the lease to the Westfield School Campus with a view to developing the playing fields as a new training ground for the Club with provision for use by the community and Mosborough Rugby Union Club.
		He referred to an initial meeting which had been held with community users of the Westfield site and to the tentative welcome given to the proposal and assured the Panel that Sheffield Wednesday Football Club were committed to providing community facilities on the site should the Middlewood Road application be approved. He pointed to the Club's strong emphasis on working with schools under community programmes which had led to a three year relationship with schools on sports provision in the City. He understood that the Westfield School would close at the end of June, 2006, with the new Westfield site being built for occupation in the Autumn 2006.
		The Panel and members of the public raised issues concerning the need to ensure that community facilities were provided and a future home was available for Mosborough Rugby Union Club and children travelling long distances to the Westfield site to use its facilities.
		The Area Co-ordinator indicated that the City Council wanted to secure the Westfield site for future recreation and community use and therefore a planning condition had been attached to the development of the new Westfield School in that whoever took over the lease for the open space would be required to provide at the very least community changing facilities. She added that if the current application by Sheffield Wednesday Football Club for the development of its Middlewood Road training ground was not granted, the Council would seek an alternative preferred partner to develop the Westfield site.
		The Panel noted the information reported.

9.		DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
		It was noted that the next public meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Tuesday, 14th February, 2006, at 1.30 p.m. at the Handsworth Parish Centre.

How useful is this page?

[ Comment On This Page? ]

Browsealoud |