South East Area Panel Minutes 16th October 2007

SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL

 

 

Meeting held 16th October, 2007 at Scowerdons Community Centre,

Wickfield Grove, Sheffield, S12 4TJ

 

PRESENT:

Councillors Mike Peat (Chair), David Barker, Marjorie Barker, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Mike Pye, Ian Saunders and Sam Wall.

 

 

 

Representatives of Panel Partners:-

 

Inspector Colin McFarlane

-

South Yorkshire Police

 

 

 

Also in attendance:-

 

Richard Oxley

-

Safer Neighbourhood Area Tasking Officer

 

Steve Byers

-

Environment & Regulatory Services

 

Ally Mogg

-

Strategy & Information Services

 

Dave Luck

-

Area Co-ordinator

 

Jenny Macphail

-

Area Support Officer

 

Sarah Thomson

-

Committee Secretariat

 

 

 

24 members of the public and representatives from local community groups attended the meeting.

 

 

…………………..

 

 

 

1.

APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIR

ACTION

 

The Panel noted that Councillor Mike Peat had replaced Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs as Chair of the Area Panel.

 

 

 

 

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bryan Lodge, Helen Mirfin-Boukouris and Ray Satur.

 

 

 

 

3.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

 

 

            The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 19th June, 2007 were approved as a correct record and arising therefrom, a representative of the Friends of Richmond Park indicated that, as she had received a verbal response from Ben Benest, Development Services, in respect of her question asked at the previous panel meeting, Councillor Martin Lawton did not need to investigate the matter raised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Martin Lawton

 

The Panel noted the information reported.

 

 

 

 

4.

ROLLING ACTION CHECKLIST

 

 

            The Rolling Action Checklist for meetings held up to 19th June, 2007 was approved as a correct record and, arising therefrom, Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs referred to the speed cushions on Hartland Avenue and Willingham Gardens and commented that, although a site meeting had now taken place, an alternative solution had not been agreed.  The Area Co-ordinator stated that he had received a response from the Transport Planning Team which indicated that the speed cushion was part of a series of traffic calming features to help keep driver speeds to 30 mph, especially outside Westfield School.  Councillor Bryan Lodge commented that a site meeting had taken place and officers had indicated that they were confident, by observation that vibrations arising from vehicles travelling over the speed cushions were negligible and that related noise was within acceptable limits.  In addition, the bus operators using the road had not reported any problems with the speed cushion and the Road Safety audit carried out once the scheme was completed raised no concerns.  Due to the contribution this feature made to the overall traffic calming sequence, officers have advised that it should remain in place.  Councillor Ian Saunders requested that the Transport Planning Team further investigate traffic issues in this part of Beighton.

 

 

A local resident stated that she was not happy with the response received in relation to the number of disabled parking spaces at the Birley Spa Bath House.  The Area Co-ordinator stated that he would raise this matter with Alan Disberry, Community Buildings Project Officer and report back to a future meeting of the Board.

 

 

 

 

Area Co-ordinator

 

A representative of the Friends of Richmond Park indicated that she had received a response from Councillor Martin Lawton in respect of the proposed site of the new City School which indicated that it would be approximately three to four years before the new school was to be developed.  The questioner requested that Councillor Martin Lawton forwarded a copy of his response to the Friends of Richmond Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Martin Lawton

 

The Panel noted the information reported.

 

 

 

 

5.

AREA CO-ORDINATOR UPDATE

 

 

Area Panel Communication

 

 

The Area Co-ordinator reported that a key priority of the Area Action team this year was to improve communication to residents living in the panel area.  He added that the Area Panel had designed a newsletter and Area Plan summary, which were available at the meeting.  He also requested that anyone who wished to receive information on future Area Panel meetings via email, leave their contact details in order for them to be added to the area panel database.

 

 

 

 

 

Area Panel Events

 

 

The Area Co-ordinator reported that there had been a number of events which had taken place in the panel area including the South East Trust ‘Voice’ day which linked together local groups and service providers to address local issues and raise awareness of the needs of people in the South East of the City.  

 

 

Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the City Council joined local Councillors on a tour of Woodhouse on 11th October, and visited Woodhouse West Primary School, Woodhouse West Bowling Green and Woodhouse Library.

 

 

            The Panel noted the information reported.

 

 

 

 

6.

SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE

 

 

Richard Oxley gave a presentation on the work of the Community Safety Groups, which he reported had replaced the Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs).  He stated that NAGs had been established to work with the community but had not worked as originally anticipated as the NAGs did not link with local community groups.  He added that the Neighbourhood Action Teams were in the process of establishing four Community Safety Groups.

 

 

Mr Oxley reported that the aim of the Community Safety Groups was to discuss and resolve issues within their area and where they were unable to resolve a problem would liaise with the Safer Neighbourhood Area Teams for further support.  The Groups would aim to address safety concerns and support and co-ordinate local initiatives.

 

 

Members of each Community Safety Group would consist of local Councillors, members of the community and representatives from; local faith groups, Registered Social Landlords, local businesses, South Yorkshire Police, Safer Neighbourhood Team, schools and Neighbourhood Watch.

 

 

Mr Oxley reported that there were 16 Neighbourhoods across the City resulting in a population of approximately 100,000 residents.  He reported that the four Community Safety Groups would form across the City and would be developed through natural Ward boundaries.  Each group would have an Implementation Worker who would facilitate visits to other Community Safety Groups to share best practice.  Mr Oxley added that training would be provided to members of the Groups if required.

 

 

Mr Oxley concluded his presentation and requested that anyone who wished to be part of a Community Safety Group provide their contact details to him.  He added that he would circulate a form for interested parties to complete.

 

 

A number of questions were raised and comments made:-

 

 

·      What training would be provided? – Training would be provided to members to enable them to fulfil their role within the group.

 

 

·      Why were Beighton and Southall Community Safety Groups not linked to Hackenthorpe and Owlerthorpe? – It is important to ensure that the Community Safety Groups were not responsible for an area that was too large, therefore areas had been divided evenly.  Once the Groups were established a review of the areas would be undertaken.

 

 

The Panel, thanked Mr Oxley for his contribution to the meeting and noted the information reported.

 

 

 

 

7.

SOUTH EAST ECO UPDATE

 

 

Steve Byers gave an update on the Eco-Schools project.  Mr Byers provided a slideshow, which highlighted the range of Eco-friendly projects, which had been undertaken by schools in the area.  Mr Byers added that Reignhead School, Woodhouse School and Mosborough Primary School had attained the Green Flag award which meant that those schools were awarded money to spend however they wished, provided it contributed towards making the school more eco-friendly.

 

 

A number of questions were raised and comments made:-

 

 

·          When would the City Council make recycling simpler, for instance providing one dustbin for all recyclable waste? – Mr Byers stated that he would investigate the matter raised and report back to a future meeting of the Panel.  Councillor Ian Saunders stated that the Government was examining recycling issues nationally, adding that, regardless of changes to the way rubbish was recycled, the Council would not reduce the frequency of bin collections.

 

 

 

Steve Byers

 

            The Panel thanked Mr Byers for his contribution to the meeting and noted the information reported.

 

 

 

 

8.

SINGLE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER - 101

 

 

Ally Mogg provided an update on the Single Non-Emergency number (SNEN) 101.  He reported that 101 had been established by the Home Office to tackle low- level crime issues within neighbourhoods such as, noise nuisance, fly tipping and drunken behaviour, whilst freeing up the 999 emergency service.  Mr Mogg indicated that Sheffield was one of four pilot areas.  Since 101 commenced in June 2006, approximately 82,500 calls had been received in Sheffield alone.  He explained that the service was widely used and available 24 hours per day.   Mr Mogg stated that when a member of the public dialled 101 they would be connected to the Police Communications Centre, Atlas Court, Brightside Lane, each call cost 10p regardless of the length of the call. He added that the overall response for the SNEN had been very positive, allowing the relevant authority, South Yorkshire Police or Sheffield City Council to respond to calls as necessary. 

 

 

Mr Mogg reported that the SNEN was funded until March 2008 by the Home Office adding that further funding decisions would be determined within the next few weeks. 

 

 

A number of questions were raised and comments made:-

 

 

·          How could Police incidents be located if residents were unable to provide the exact location where fireworks had been ignited? – Calls would be recorded which would allow Police to determine the area to target within the specified radius.  Mr Mogg reported that 101 was used to record areas of flooding during the Summer which allowed operators to give advice to members of the public on roads which were closed during this period.

 

 

·          Has 101 been successful in other pilot areas? – Representatives from the four pilot areas meet monthly to discuss issues and exchange best practice.  Other areas have established specific teams to deal with 101 issues and have all been very successful.  Mr Mogg added that hopefully the Home Office would recognise the positive results and provide further funding.

 

 

·          Has there been a decrease in 999 calls? – Across the pilot areas there had been an 8% reduction in calls made to 999.

 

 

            The Panel thanked Mr Mogg for his contribution to the meeting and noted the information reported.

 

 

 

 

9.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS

 

 

A representative of the Friends of Richmond Park asked the Panel whether any funding was available to assist them in making improvements to Richmond Park.  In response, Councillor Ian Saunders commented that Government intended to make changes to the Section 106 scheme, where funding was received from building developers in an area, and awarded to local community projects.  The Area Co-ordinator suggested that he would arrange for Keith Missen, Development Services, to attend the February Panel meeting to discuss the new regulations and how they may benefit the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area Co-ordinator

 

The Panel noted this information.

 

 

 

 

10.

JENNY MACPHAIL

 

 

The Chair of the Board reported that Jenny Macphail, Area Support Officer was leaving the Panel.  The Chair thanked Jenny on behalf of the Panel for the work she had undertaken and wished her well for the future.

 

 

 

 

11.

NEXT MEETING

 

 

            The Panel noted that the next public meeting would be held on Tuesday 18th December, 2007 at 1.30 p.m., at Mosborough Methodist Church.