Minutes of South East Area Panel 20 June 2006

SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL


Meeting held 20th June, 2006 at City School, Woodhouse

PRESENT:		Councillors David Barker, Marjorie Barker, Helen Mirfin-Boukouris and Mike Peat.

		Also in attendance:- Tony Green (Beighton Villages Development Trust), Ian Wright and Jackie Ainsworth (Neighbourhoods and Community Care Directorate), Sergeant Mark Lewis (South Yorkshire Police), Richard Oxley (South Yorkshire Police), Diane Hurst (Area Co-ordinator) and Jennie MacPhail (Area Support Officer) and 13 members of the public.

……………..

1.	APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF MEETING
	RESOLVED: That, in the absence of the Chair of the Panel (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs), Councillor Marjorie Barker be appointed Chair of the meeting.

2.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Bryan Lodge, Liz Naylor, Mike Pye, Ray Satur, Ian Saunders and Sam Wall.

3.	MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 25th April, 2006 were approved as a correct record.

4.	MATTERS ARISING
	Arising from the minutes of the 25th April, 2006, the Area Co-ordinator reported on the discretionary budget of the Panel for 2006/07 under which the following allocations had been made:-

			£
	CCN TV Network		5,000
	Publicity Costs		500
	Shirebrook Valley Community Group		200
	Frecheville Carnival		250
	Amount still to be allocated		1,500

	The Panel noted the information and that details of the budget would be available on request from the Area Co-ordinator on request.

5.	BEIGHTON VILLAGES DEVELOPMENT TRUST
	Tony Green, Beighton Villages Development Trust, gave a presentation on the main features of (a) the Beighton Community Partnership (BCP) which was a registered charity and company limited by guarantee and managed by community residents and business volunteers. The body had been responsible for the creation of the Beighton Integrated Development Plan (BIDP) which contained a portfolio of eight local projects designed to address the local communities’ economic disadvantage and (b) Beighton Villages Development Trust (BVDT) which was the trading arm of the BCP and had been established to deliver the eight core projects of the BIDP and to hold in trust community assets for community benefit. The Trust was also a company limited by guarantee whose Board members similarly comprised community and business volunteers.
	Mr. Green provided the Panel with a historical perspective of the economic and social decline of the Beighton area arising from the steel industry recession of the 1970s and the national pit closure programme of the 1980s despite which very little Government or European funding intervention had been received by the Beighton area. The social and economic characteristics of the Beighton area were representative of many South Yorkshire areas namely below average local economic activity rates and business survival rates with low domestic incomes. In addition, Beighton suffered low skill levels amongst the local population, ill-health and low education attainment at a time when population density had increased over 11% in a three year period, adding to the pressures faced by the community still suffering the effects of the loss of coalfield and steel industries.
	He provided details of the eight core BIDP projects which had been established to arrest the economic and social decline of the Beighton area some of which had been achieved with Objective 1 funding. The following projects had been successfully delivered:-:-
	(a) a community - led Environment Project aimed at ecologically and/or environmentally remediating nine core community land sites owned by the local authority and providing for a community after use (Value £850,000);
	(b) Bizzy Bees Family Child Care Centre providing a 52 place child care centre located in the heart of the village (Value £450,000);
	(c) Information Society Project which provided Beighton with its own state of the art community website for community groups, local businesses and statutory or voluntary service providers assisting both in the economic and social regeneration of the community and inward investment. (Value £40,000);
	(d) Full Circle Project which was a community capacity building project that used culture, the environment and the arts to engage the local community in other core community projects (Value £300,000).
	Mr. Green indicated that the Holbrook Business Park Project (Value £3.2m) involving creation of a modest commercial business park on a two hectare site within an existing industrial estate would be completed in the near future and the following projects were still underway:-
	(a) the Beighton Healthy Lifestyle Centre which converted a former Church Hall into a community-owned dual purpose built centre for the practice of healthy lifestyle activities and complementary and alternative therapies (Value £1m).
	(b) the Beighton Sport and Leisure Club Project which would assist an existing Miners Welfare Scheme and grounds to modernise into a “One Stop Shop” community centre providing a focal point for the community for all community, leisure, social and sports activities, including managed/serviced office space for local start-up businesses and
	(c) an Environmental Recycling and Innovation Centre which would provide a focus on environmental innovation in Beighton and its wider area of influence with the aim of providing creative means of achieving sustainable developments and projects.
	The Panel thanked Mr. Green for his presentation.

6.	WOODHOUSE RETIREMENT VILLAGE UPDATE
	Ian Wright, Neighbourhoods and Community Care Directorate, provided an update on the progress of work on the Woodhouse Retirement Village which would comprise 217 units of one and two bedroomed accommodation with a mix of tenures - some were allocated for rent, others for sale with some properties being designated for shared ownership. The Village would also provide a range of community facilities such as a bar, lounge, craft and information technology facilities together with a Well-Being Suite which would promote activity and health in mind and body. The Village was to be built by the Arena Housing Association in partnership with the Extra Care Charitable Trust and City Council.
	Construction work had begun in October, 2005 with a target date for completion of the main Village and bungalows by November, 2007. At the present time bungalows within the complex were being fitted out and the steel superstructure of the main complex building had now been erected. There had been a great deal of public interest in the building of the Village, particularly the timescale for completion and details of public enquiries as regards properties within the complex, which totalled 5,500, had been recorded by the Extra Care Charitable Trust.
	It was envisaged that show homes would be available for public viewing by January, 2007. Currently, no applications were being taken for placement on a re-housing list, but application forms would be sent to those on the database in January, 2007, with a programme of publicity being launched generally to advertise how to apply for re-housing into the Village. It was anticipated that first allocations of property within the Village would be made around May,2007 for occupation later that year. The route for people with care requirements would be slightly different to those without, but social workers/care assessors will be fully briefed. Jackie Ainsworth, Neighbourhoods and Community Care advised the Panel that discussions had been held with the Primary Care Trust about the provision of nursing care within the Village, but the cost implications for the Trust of providing such care would need to be closely examined. However, the completion of the Village would be a major step forward in the offer of choice for older people in the Woodhouse area and beyond.
	Ian Wright indicated that the funding accruing to the City Council from the sale of the Village site had been invested into the relocation of certain sports facilities in the area and the multi-use games area adjacent to the Brunswick Primary School had now been completed. Certain football pitch drainage works were due to be completed on land adjoining the School and at East Park by October, 2006 and, in addition to this, work to improve the bowling green and associated changing facilities adjacent to the West End Working Men’s Club would be completed in the Autumn, leaving a synthetic bowling green which was the only one of its type in northern England.
	Jackie Ainsworth also advised the Panel that an Ecological Survey had been undertaken on the land, adjacent to Brunswick Primary school and the East Park. A management plan for the land was being prepared and would be sent to Planning shortly. Hopefully, this would be approved by the end of September, 2006 Ian Wright added that the condition of the sale of the site for the development of the Village had provided £450,000 for the enhancement of community facilities in the Woodhouse area and a Community Facilities Steering Group, comprising Council officers and community representatives, had been examining, amongst other things, the enhancement of Library facilities in the area to incorporate community amenities. Both Ian Wright and Jackie Ainsworth thanked people in the community for their involvement in the re-provision of sports and community facilities in the area.
	In answer to a number of questions by members of the public, the Area Co-ordinator indicated that no road safety precautions were being considered on Station Road as a result of the development of the Village but investigations were being carried out regarding the re-alignment of a road junction adjacent to the Village. The Extra Care Charitable Trust would provide a hosing support team for older people in order to assist them in maintaining their tenancy or owner/occupation and this provision would be on a 24 hour basis. The Extra Care Trust was experienced in providing personal care to residents of Retirement Villages and staff would be, at the very least, working towards a National Vocational Qualification in personal care. A minimum of 75 places for people with care requirements would be available and these would be carefully analysed to assess the amount and mix of care required. Food would be available in the Restaurant and be served by residents themselves and exploration was being made as regard the provision of internet shopping facilities within the Village as well as the provision of specific buses which would transport residents to and from local supermarkets.
	In terms of the allocation of properties, Jackie Ainsworth indicated that detailed proposals for the implementation of an allocations policy had not yet been prepared but recognised that there was a need for clear and transparent process for all allocations in the Village. Jackie Ainsworth added that, in terms of waiting lists proposals were being prepared to have a separate waiting for those who were interested in Extra Care accommodation. Ian Wright added that, in terms of further plans for an additional Sheffield Retirement Village, the City Council was committed to providing choice for older people and had noted that there was a demand for similar villages and, therefore, was looking at alternative sites for the building of new complexes. These included particular sites at Hemsworth and Abbeydale and the Flower estate and Jordanthorpe.
	The Panel noted the present position with regard to the development of the Woodhouse Retirement Village.

7.	COMMUNITY POLICING – USE OF MOTORCYCLES
	Sergeant Mark Lewis, South Yorkshire Police, referred to the increase in nuisance caused by the use of mini motorbikes on green open space, public footpaths and pavements in the south-east area. He indicated that the proliferation of such motorbikes had been caused by the increasing affordability of imported vehicles and that difficulties had occurred due to the lack of facilities in Sheffield where such motorbikes could be used. The whole problem had provided logistical difficulties for the Police in terms of controlling this activity and had resulted in approximately 600 to 700 phone calls being received each month by the Police with approximately one third of such phone calls relating to the south-east area of the City.
	He referred to the increasing number of letters issued by the police which provided a warning regarding the use of motorbikes where in 2004, 126 warning notices had been issued. (127 notices had been issued in 2005 and to date in 2006, 101 notices had been issued.) This had reflected the increasing market for these sort of motorbikes. The police had adopted an approach which attempted to provide the necessary education to children and parents regarding the use of bikes, press releases regarding the law governing the use of bikes and law enforcement, including discussions between the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service regarding penalties for the illegal use of motorcycles. The policy of the South Yorkshire Police was to provide those who used a bike in an illegal way with an initial warning and if the user was apprehended again then the bike would be confiscated and the user would be asked to report to the local Police Station and be given an Acceptable Behaviour Contract for six months. If the use of the bike continued then the Police would look towards issuing an Anti Social Behaviour Order which, on breach, would lead to a conviction. Other activity being undertaken by the Police was a project with South Yorkshire petrol retailers to monitor bike usage along with a Test Purchasing Scheme in which would monitor those children under the age of 16 who bought motorbikes.
	Sergeant Lewis also added that the use of A-Frames at the end of footpaths did nothing to prevent small bikes using the footpath, but were primarily installed to deter the use of large bikes on footpaths, but in practice this only provided a barrier which would slow the speed of bikes. The Police were looking at different locations where such frames could be sited particularly where hazards to pedestrians existed.
	In answer to a number of questions by the Panel and members of the public, Sergeant Lewis indicated that 10% of those stopped for unauthorised use of motorbikes had had their bikes confiscated. In the gathering of evidence, however, identification of those riding bikes had been difficult because of riders wearing helmets and the Police relied substantially on photographic evidence. One of the tactics that the Police had used, in consultation with Sheffield Homes, was to identify where motorbikes were stored. He indicated that the Police would wish to know of any problems that were being experienced by residents which involved motorbikes and he included within this, the use of mini motorbikes and mini quad bikes.
	Under the Police Reform Act, the Police were required to give warnings to users. In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire both police forces had embarked upon a policy where they would seize bikes where there was evidence of them not being insured. He had requested similar powers. However, the costs to the Police of seizure were large equating to £100 per bike. He had also sent a letter to the Home Office suggesting that a Responsible Retailer scheme for Motor Bikes should be considered which would involve no sale of a motorbike until the purchaser had proved that they had appropriate insurance and were qualified to ride.
	In response to a specific query about a police response to an accident caused by a motorbike in the Stradbroke area, Sergeant Lewis offered to follow up the query.
	The Panel thanked Sergeant Mike Lewis for his presentation.

8.	“TELL US WHAT YOU THINK” AREA PANEL SURVEY
	Jennie MacPhail gave a presentation on the outcome of the survey “Tell Us What You Think” which had been circulated at the last meeting of the Panel on 25th April, 2006 and was part of a project being carried out by the Council to examine how Area Panel minutes and the communication of meetings could be improved. 41 Councillors, officers and members of the public attended the Panel on the 25th April and 14 questionnaires had been returned.
	The main headlines arising from the returned questionnaires included:-

	· 11 respondents regularly read Area Panel minutes whilst 3 did not.

	· 60% received Area Panel minutes by post, 20% via e-mail and 20% through accessing the Council’s website.

	· The overwhelming majority had indicated that they found Area Panel minutes easy to read and understand, the accuracy of the minutes was good and that their length was about right.

	· 40% of all respondents wanted the minutes to be written in plain English, with 25% supporting a formal style of writing, 20% requiring detailed minutes and 15% requiring an informal style whilst 0% supported simple Action Points.

	· A response had been received to a question as to how Area Panels could be improved which suggested that there should be a specific section of future meetings set aside for young peoples’ issues to facilitate an opportunity for representatives of Schools Councils to provide views on various issues and to encourage young people to become part of the process of local democracy. Another response provided general support for the way meetings were conducted.

	The Area Co-ordinator indicated that alternative means of communicating information from the Area Panel were being implemented including the circulation of information to Community Forums regarding various events and issues that the Panel were considering and she suggested that members of the public could contact her if they wished to be included on an e-mail circulation list for the information concerning Panel meetings and the issues it considered.
	The Panel noted the information reported.

9.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	Members of the public asked a number of questions including when was the Council going to carry out environmental work on roundabouts within Beighton Village including planting flowers, shrubs etc, was there any information concerning the re-opening of the former Children’s Home on Stradbroke Drive, what action was being taken to meet residents concerns relating to the prevention of parking on a footpath at the end of Stradbroke Avenue and could investigations be made on allegations that youths were chopping trees down in the Shirebrook Valley for the purpose of bonfires.
	Councillor Mike Peat indicated that he understood Councillor Ian Saunders was investigating with the relevant Cabinet member, the possibility of planting flowers, shrubs etc. on roundabouts in the Beighton area. Councillor Marjorie Barker indicated that the Area Co-ordinator would investigate what was happening to the former Children’s Home on Stradbroke Drive and the Area Co-ordinator stated that she would discuss the problems now raised regarding chopping down of trees in the Shirebrook Valley with the questioner concerned. As far as the prevention of parking on footpaths at the end of Stradbroke Avenue, it was understood that the Woodthorpe Forum was dealing with this matter.

10.	DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
	The Panel received and noted details of future meetings of the Panel and, in particular, noted that the next public meeting of the Panel would be held on 17th October, 2006 at 1.30 p.m. at the Birley Spa.

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