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South East Area Panel Minutes 16th December 2004
SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL
Meeting held 16th December, 2003 at the Birley Spa Bath House, Birley Spa Lane
PRESENT: Councillors Marjorie Barker, Barbara Belcher and Angela Smith
Also in attendance: Martin Rice (South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service), Sally Pereira (Environmental Planning), Helen Wright and Andrea White (Sheffield Housing Regeneration Project), Dianne Hurst (Area Co-ordinator), Andrea Peers (Area Panel Support Officer) and 23 members of the public.
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Prior to the commencement of the meeting, pupils from Birley Spa School performed carols and members of the Area Panel and the public congratulated the teachers and children on their excellent rendition.
1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
RESOLVED: That, in the absence of the Chair (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs), Councillor Angela Smith be appointed Chair of this meeting.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from the Chair (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs) and Councillors Mick Rooney and Sam Wall and the Lead Officer, Ken Matthews.
3. CRIME REDUCTION AT CHRISTMAS
Roger Mossman, Chair of the Neighbourhood Watch, distributed leaflets on home security and warned people to be vigilant at Christmas.
The Area Panel noted this information.
4. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
A member of the public urged people to sign a petition that was being organised to request that closed circuit television cameras be installed on the Scowerdons Estate.
The Area Panel noted this information.
5. RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN
Martin Rice, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, gave a presentation on the Risk Management Plan that was being prepared for consideration by the South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority.
He stated that the South YorkshireFire and Rescue Service operated to a national policy which was introduced in the late 1930s and was based on the protection of property and the Fire Services nationally had now been asked to produce new guidelines in order to provide a better service for members of the public. He stated that under the provisions of the Fire Service Act, the only incidents the Fire Service were obliged to attend were fires, even though it routinely dealt with road traffic and other incidents.
Martin Rice stated that incidents were currently ranked from A to D and the level of response was dependent on the category of risk. The South East area was generally a C risk and would attract a response time for a fire engine within 8 minutes. Under the present system, the Fire Service nationally spent £350m protecting A risk areas where approximately 30 people died each year, whilst in C risk areas it spent approximately £50m where around 350 people died. The Service was anxious to change the emphasis from property to life risk and had examined the demography of the County and the incidence of fire deaths over the last four years which had shown that two of the highest areas of risk were Low Edges and Bawtry. The survey had also considered other issues such as the location of hospitals and heritage sites, the incidence of road traffic accidents and environmental risks. It had also been established that the busiest times of the day were between 7.00 a.m. until 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. until 9.00 p.m. and all this information had been used to inform the preparation of the Risk Management Plan.
Consultation on the proposed Plan would take place until 30th January 2004 and members of the public were urged to complete the questionnaire that was contained within the newsletter which had been circulated to households in the area. The South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority would consider the Plan in February and, subject to its approval, it would be ratified by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster and introduced in April 2004.
Martin Rice stated that the Service had concerns about the number of malicious calls that were received and, in future, Fire Service control staff would challenge callers and ask a number of questions.
The revised arrangements would be reviewed on an annual basis and changes would be made to the Plan in the light of operational experience. The major changes that were taking place this year were the closure of Ringinglow Fire Station and the reduction of 3 high rise appliances to two. Twelve personnel were required to operate a high rise appliance and those staff would be redeployed to work on community fire fighting duties.
Members of the public asked a number of questions, to which Martin Rice responded as follows:-
· Edlington was a whole time special appliance station and it was proposed that it would be a two pump whole time staffed station.
· Consideration was given in the Plan to the location of industrial units in the area.
· The Service was mindful of future proposed developments, including Finningley Airport and the Rother Valley.
· It was proposed that there would be increased provision at Bawtry.
Councillor Barbara Belcher stated that there would be an increasing emphasis on community fire safety and, in the longer term, the South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority aimed to increase resources to deal with community fire safety. Councillor Belcher stressed the importance of fire safety awareness and urged members of the public to ensure that they installed a smoke alarm and had planned an escape route in the event of a fire.
RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported be noted and Martin Rice be thanked for his presentation;
(b) the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service be requested to ensure that the newsletter now reported is circulated to households in the area; and
(c) members of the public be urged to respond to the consultation in regard to the Risk Assessment Plan.
(NOTE: As a Member of the South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority, Councillor Barbara Belcher declared an interest in the above item and made it clear that, in either listening to or contributing to the debate, it was on the basis that (a) any such proposals would be dealt with at the appropriate time by the South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority on the basis of all relevant information and (b) no final view on the merits or otherwise of any potential proposals had been taken at this stage.)
6. COUNTRYSIDE PLANNING
Sally Pereira, Environmental Planning, gave a presentation on the conservation work that had been taking place in the South East area since she last reported to the Panel ten months ago. She stated that much had been achieved since that time as a result of dedicated volunteers regularly working alongside Officers from the Council and the Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust.
The Countryside Action Plan for Sheffield for the period April 2003 to March 2004 was available for anyone who required detailed information on what was taking place and, in addition, the colour sheets that had been circulated with the Area Panel agenda had showed the wide variety of work that had been achieved in recent years and how the different contributions that had been made by individuals, groups and organisations had collectively added up to a very impressive record.
Sally Pereira commenced her presentation by showing slides of hedge laying at Mosborough and outlined the two day training course that had taken place for volunteers on the traditional management of hedges, which helped to conserve the historic boundary line and, in the long term, promote its ecological value.
A spring clean up had taken place to clear accumulations of rubbish from the site of the former Halfway School and, assisted by Planning Gain monies, it had been possible to transform the area into a small park.
Sally Pereira described the improvements that had taken place at Bridlestile, Mosborough. Compensation was being sought from a contractor for damage to fencing and it was planned to create a high quality viewing feature. In addition, trials were taking place of more robust access control barriers which would deter motor bikers but would aim to be user-friendly to people with disabilities and young families with prams. Tree planting was continuing at Bridlestile and Sally Pereira stated that since 1988 over 142,000 trees had been planted in South East Sheffield.
In conclusion, Sally Pereira thanked everyone who had contributed towards the many activities that were taking place to make the area a better, more attractive place to live and work.
RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported be noted; and
(b) Sally Pereira be thanked for her presentation.
7. SCOWERDONS, WEAKLANDS AND NEWSTEAD REGENERATION UPDATE
Andrea White, South Sheffield Housing Regeneration Team, gave a presentation on the progress that had been made on the regeneration of the Scowerdons, Weaklands and Newstead Estates since the last report to the Area Panel in June, 2003.
She stated that outline planning permission had been granted in respect of the three estates and, following competitive written submissions and a presentation, Home Housing had been selected as the Registered Social Landlord. It would not be possible, however, to declare Home Housing as the preferred partner until the completion of legal agreements and this was anticipated to be in April 2004. A report would then be submitted to the Cabinet to obtain agreement to proceed to the next stage of the project to complete a Master Plan in respect of the whole of the site.
Andrea White stated that the Cabinet had considered the regeneration proposals on 26th November 2003 and had given approval for two and three bedroom properties on the Hackenthorpe, Birley Moor, Newstead, Stradbroke Severnside, West End and Woodhouse East estates to be ring-fenced for tenants and residents affected by the demolition on the Scowerdons, Weaklands and Newstead Estates with effect from 1st January 2004.
A phasing plan would be developed by April 2004 and the Master Plan was expected to be completed by the end of June 2004. There would be information available on the Master Planning process in public buildings and at the Crystal Peaks Housing Office. In addition, two coach trips were being arranged to visit other regeneration sites.
When the phasing plan had been announced, tenants would receive a visit from Housing Officers and the options that were available would be discussed. Andrea White cautioned that it would be a slow process but she reiterated that people would be kept informed via regular newsletters and meetings. In conclusion, she stated that topographic surveys were currently being conducted and access could be required to rear gardens of properties.
Members of the public asked a number of questions, to which Andrea White responded as follows:-
· Q – I currently live on the Newstead Estate, will I be able to come back to the same area?
· A – I could not promise that you would be able to return to the same point where you live now but you will be able to return to the Newstead Estate.
· Q – Will I be required to move only once?
· A – It is not possible to say whether people would only have to move once and some people would certainly have to move twice.
· Q – How will we know which properties are empty?
· A – When your phase is declared, you will be informed of the properties that are available.
· Q – I would like to retain my Doctor and my children would like to stay at their schools.
· A – That will be taken into account.
· Q – I am concerned about the number of artefacts that may be on the site – will a survey be undertaken?
· A – It is a planning requirement that an archaeological survey be conducted as part of the Master Planning process.
· Q – Will some of the land be sold to private developers?
· A – After the Council has met its obligations to provide houses for rent and affordable homes, any land that is left over will be sold at the full market value for private development. The Master Plan would identify where private homes would be located and it was intended that the estates would provide mixed tenure in order to keep them sustainable.
· Q – Would any of the property be owned by the Council?
· A – None of the property for rent would be owned by the Council but would be held by the Housing Association.
· Q – Are there going to be a lot of flats, because we do not want that?
· A – Different parts of the City have different housing needs and the aim of the project would be to meet the requirements of people on the Estates. It was, therefore, important for everyone to participate in the Master Planning process and to say what they wanted.
· Q – Will space be available for parking?
· A – Yes, but people need to contribute to the Master Planning process to say what they want.
· Q – How long would the process take?
· A – Work was unlikely to commence before 2005.
· Q – Where will the first phase be?
· A – A decision has not yet been made but phasing will be done simultaneously across the three estates.
· Q - If we see a house on the estate and put a bid in, why can’t we be allowed to have it?
· A – From 1st January 2004 people who do not live on the estates will not be allowed to submit a bid.
· Q – When will people get 40 points?
· A – People will be awarded 40 points when their phase is declared and they will receive a letter and a visit from a Housing Officer.
RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported be noted and Andrea White be thanked for her presentation; and
(b) tenants and residents be urged to participate in the Master Planning process.
8. NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL FUND – FORWARD PLAN
The Area Co-ordinator stated that Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) monies were to be targeted for use in the more disadvantaged areas of the City in accordance with the Council’s “Closing the Gap” policy. Within the Birley Ward, this would include the Scowerdons, Weaklands and Newstead Estates. It had, therefore, been proposed by the Area Panel that in order to support the communities during the demolition and rebuild process, a Community Development Worker should be appointed using NRF funding, matched with Objective 1 monies. The contract would be for a two year period, with the possibility of extending it until 2008 and the Worker would be employed by Voluntary Action Sheffield
RESOLVED: That approval be given to the proposal now reported to fund the post of a Community Development Worker using NRF and Objective 1 monies to assist and support the communities on the Scowerdons, Weaklands and Newstead Estates.
9. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 21st October, 2003 were approved as a correct record.
10. MATTERS ARISING
Former Mosborough School
The Area Panel noted that the Trustees of the Joseph Stone Trust would attend the next meeting of the Area Panel to discuss the future use of the former Mosborough School building.
Beighton Dumpit Site
The Area Co-ordinator reported that she, together with the Chair (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs) had met with representatives of Environment and Waste Management and Onyx to discuss the issues that had been raised at the last meeting with regard to disability access and customer care. She stated that they had been informed that a complaint would need to be formally submitted to Environment and Waste Management or Onyx by the individuals concerned. However, as a result of the meeting, a number of improvements had been put in place and these would be detailed in a newsletter which would be circulated with the agenda for the next meeting of the Area Panel.
RESOLVED: That the information now reported be noted.
11. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
It was noted that the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Tuesday, 17th February 2004 at 1.30 p.m. at a venue to be arranged in Mosborough.
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