South East Area Panel Minutes 25th April 2006

SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL

Meeting held 25th April 2006 at Reignhead School, Beighton



	PRESENT:	Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs (Chair), David Barker, Bryan Lodge, Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Mike Peat, Mike Pye and Sam Wall

		Also in attendance: Diane Elliott (Sheffield Libraries), Sally Pereira (Environmental Planning), Steve Byers (Environment and Regulatory Services), Danny Kemp (South East Active Communities), Craig Homer (South East Area Manager, Leisure Services), Dianne Hurst (Area Co-ordinator), Jennie MacPhail (Area Support Officer) and 27 members of the public
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1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marjorie Barker, Ray Satur and Ian Saunders and Ken Matthews, Lead Officer.

2.	MINUTES
	The minutes of the meetings of the Area Panel held on 14th February and 8th March 2006 were approved as a correct record.

3.	MATTERS ARISING
	The Area Panel considered certain matters arising from the minutes of 14th February 2006, as follows:-

	Swallows Lane
	The Area Panel expressed appreciation to the Area Co-ordinator for progressing investigations into the ownership of land at Swallows Lane.

	Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF)
	Councillor Mike Pye reported that he had spoke to Councillor Pat Midgley, Chair of the Area Panels Advisory Committee, and senior Officers of the Council in relation to the extent of deprivation in certain areas of the Birley Ward and his (and this Panel’s) extreme concern that Birley was no longer eligible for NRF funding.
	Councillor Sam Wall stated that the issue had been raised at a recent meeting of the Successful Neighbourhoods Scrutiny and Policy Development Board and the Chair (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs) added that he had requested that a presentation of the Sheffield Neighbourhoods Information System (SNIS) should be given to Members of the Area Panel so that the matter could be discussed further.
	The Area Panel noted this information.

	Road Safety on Birley Lane
	The Rev. Mike Gillingham suggested that the speed limit of 40 mph on a stretch of Birley Lane should be reduced to 30 mph and was informed by a Member of the Area Panel that this matter had been examined by Highway Officers about eighteen months ago and he understood that objections to the proposal had been received from the South Yorkshire Police who were statutory consultees.
	The Area Panel noted this information.

	Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (Area Plan) for the South East 2006/08
	Alan Bailey made a plea for the Shirebrook Conservation Group to be borne in mind when funding was allocated to groups in the Area.
	The Area Co-ordinator responded that the Area Panel recognised the importance of the Shirebrook Valley and monies had been allocated to the Parks, Woodlands and Countryside Service to prepare a management plan for its maintenance and £13,000 had been allocated to improve footpaths on the Easy Going Trail through the Valley.
	The Area Co-ordinator added that the Area Panel also recognised the invaluable contribution that was made by the Shirebrook Conservation Group and she undertook to meet with Alan Bailey to discuss resource needs and examine whether appropriate funding streams would be available to the Group.
	Margaret Wilson asked why some areas had received more NRF funding than others and the Area Co-ordinator explained that the method that had been used to determine the allocation of such monies had changed and was now determined by a process known as the Sheffield Neighbourhood Information System (SNIS), which took into account a number of measures or indicators that were used to produce an analysis of Sheffield’s neighbourhoods’ relative deprivation and/or success. The NRF allocations that had been made to all the Area Panels had been determined using this system and individual Area Panels had been unable to influence the process. However, Members of the South East Area Panel had given consideration as to how the funding that had been received could be utilised to best effect and those proposals had been agreed at the meeting held on 14th February 2006.
	Margaret Wilson and Pat Molloy referred to indices that they had prepared using national data that showed that deprivation in Westfield was three times higher than in any other part of the Area.
	In response to further questions from Mr. Molloy about the basis on which decisions were made in regard to funding requests, the Area Co-ordinator stated that all requests that were received for funding were reported to meetings of the Area Panel so that a decision could be made.
	Following further challenges by Mr. Molloy on the basis of the decision relating to the allocation of NRF funds, the Chair of the Area Panel (Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs) suggested that he speak to the Head of Regeneration and Partnership.
	The Area Co-ordinator pointed out that NRF monies was just one of a number of funding streams that was available for projects in the area.
	The Area Panel noted this information.

	Community Policing
	Peter Wolstenholme reported that the bell push at Woodhouse Police Station did not operate inside the Police Station and he had been informed that callers should knock on the back door.
	The Area Panel noted this information.

	Youth Work
	The Rev. Mike Gillingham commented that, in his view, the employment of detached youth workers was not the best way to use resources.
	The Area Co-ordinator responded that Sheffield Futures determined how they wished to allocate resources in the Area.
	The Area Panel noted this information.

	(NOTE: Councillor Sam Wall declared that he was a member of the Sheffield Futures Board.)

4.	PAST AND PRESENT COMMUNITY-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUTH EAST SHEFFIELD
	Sally Pereira, Environmental Planning, gave a presentation on the community-based environmental improvements that had taken place in the South East and she demonstrated the consequential changes that had taken place over time.
	Sally Pereira made available at the meeting, copies of the South East Countryside and Eco Area Working Action Plan (April 2006/March 2007) on which was marked the school sites, whether they were participants in the Eco Schools Scheme and the environmental improvement sites. This was accompanied by a report which contained information on each of the sites that had been identified on the map and details of the project participants. In addition, details were available of forthcoming events and activities within the Beighton Community Based Environmental Improvement Project.
	A slide presentation was given showing the transformation of Coisley Hill sewage works into a local nature reserve, the restoration of Birley Spa, wildflower management by controlled grazing at Sally Clark’s Meadow, involving the Shire Brook Conservation Group, Highland cattle grazing in a pasture area at Mosborough, large scale treee planting, etc. involving the local community, managed hedgerows and wildflower meadows at Beighton involving the Beighton Environment Group. The “grass snake” play feature at Halfway mentioned by Sally Pereira at previous meetings was being well used by young children.
	Other works had included the restoration and management of a large wetland area at Beighton Marsh which had enabled swans and other wetland birds and mammals to utilize the site. Also Sally Pereira shared widespread projects that were happening across Beighton involving the local community, including the renovation of Beighton Orchard into an education resource and wildlife haven. She stated that there were limited places available on a willow weaving demonstration to be held in the orchard on 15th May 2006.
	In conclusion, Sally Pereira thanked Peter Wolstenholm for providing slide records of the activities that had taken place and the many volunteers without whose help the projects would not have been possible.
	A member of the public complained about youths riding bikes and taking part in anti-social activities and the lack of Police response and Sally Pereira advised her that incidents should continue to be reported to the Police and that complainants should ensure that they obtained an incident number in respect of each report.
	Celia Jackson, Moss Valley Wildlife Group, congratulated Sally Pereira on her excellent work in the area and particularly in relation to Bridle Stile, Mosborough. She also urged local residents to become involved in activities and take ownership of their area.
	RESOLVED: That the information now reported be noted and Sally Pereira be thanked for attending the Panel and for her excellent work in the area.

5.	ECO-SCHOOLS – ONE OF THE KEYS TO SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
	Steve Byers submitted a report on the Beighton Eco-Schools project which had commenced in April 2004 and was funded until December 2008. The project included the schools within the core Beighton Integrated Development Plan area and also the wider area of influence which covered part of the Mosborough Ward and parts of the Birley and Handsworth Wards. The administration of the project and its facilitation was being supported in kind by the Environmental Strategy Team and Environmental Planning, so that the bulk of the funding could be used directly to provide an incentive to the schools to participate in the project by providing grants to those schools who reached the recognised standards. These were £500 for achievement of the Bronze Standard; £1,000 for silver and £2,000 for achievement of the Green Flag. The schools could spend the money however they wished, provided it contributed towards making the school more eco-friendly.
	In order to enable all the schools in the South East to participate in the project, the Area Panel had supported the use of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding to cover the cost of the grants to those schools that had achieved the eco-schools standard.
	The standard comprised a number of key themes that covered all aspects of a school’s eco-performance and these included energy, waste/recycling, litter, school grounds, health, transport, community environmental issues and global issues.
	Steve Byers stated that schools were at the heart of their communities and had a direct link to a large percentage of households in their catchment area. As a consequence, they were a key component in raising awareness of environmental issues and educating the citizens of tomorrow about the importance of protecting, preserving and improving the environment.
	Steve Byers added that both Reignhead School and Mosborough Primary School were preparing to attain the Green Flag award and inspectors would be visiting Reignhead School within the next few weeks to assess whether it was able to meet this highest international standard.
	Councillor Bryan Lodge stated that he was a member of the Environmental Performance Working Party of the City Council and the Working Party was keen to extend the eco-schools project, which had been pioneered by the South East Area Panel, across the City.
	A member of the public complained that youths were playing football and generally causing a nuisance on the village green at Mosborough. She also stated that there was a notice board on the green, but it contained no contact numbers.
	RESOLVED: That (a) Steve Byers be thanked for his presentation and congratulated on the success of the eco-schools project; and
	(b) the Area Co-ordinator be requested to raise with appropriate Officers of the City Council the complaints now made regarding ball games on Mosborough Village Green and the ownership of the notice board.

6.	SOUTH EAST ACTIVE SHEFFIELD COMMUNITIES
	Danny Kemp and Craig Homer, Activity Sheffield, spoke about the South East Active Communities Project which commenced in September 2003 and was due to finish in August 2006. The project was funded by Sport England and the South East Area Panel and it was hoped that funding could be obtained for the project to continue for a further three years.
	The project aimed to increase sporting opportunities for children by introducing new and innovative experiences and encouraging regular participation.
	Danny Kemp stated that he had been appointed to the project three months ago and had taken over from Stuart Rodgers. The project worked in partnership with a number of organisations including the Beighton Village Development Trust, the Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations at Scowdons, Westfield/Halfway and Waterthorpe, Scowerdons Interagency Group, the Forums at Handsworth and Birley, the S.M.A.R.T. Community Group, Adult Community Learning, the School Sports Partnership, Handsworth Grange School and Points–Westfield.
	The activities that had been arranged at the Easter camps had been extremely well attended and it was hoped to replicate this at the summer camps that were to be held at Scowerdons, Westfield, Woodhouse, Waterthorpe, Birley, Beighton and Handsworth.
	Danny Kemp stated that funding had been secured for the Birley Golf Academy and the sports camps at Birley Community College. It was hoped to recruit local people to assist with the sports camps and Danny Kemp could be contacted on 07768997860 or at activecommunities@fsmail.net. The South East Community Sports Coach, Liam Heathcote, could be contacted on 07810856591 or at liam.heathcote@sheffield.gov.uk.
	A member of the public asked whether the project catered for children with disabilities and Danny Kemp responded that he had been working with children who had learning difficulties and encouraging them to participate in “health walks”, which were not strenuous but which would enable them to become more mobile.
	Danny Kemp confirmed that children generally were being encouraged to walk more and a Member of the Area Panel stated that many schools were introducing school travel plans, which incorporated “walking buses”.
	The Area Co-ordinator referred to the Birley Golf Academy and stated that golf clubs were available on loan for young people who were interested in this sport and there had been some successes in encouraging children with behavioural and learning difficulties in taking up this sport.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information now reported be noted; and
	(b) Danny Kemp and Craig Homer be thanked for attending the meeting and responding to the questions of the Area Panel.

7.	AREA PANEL BUDGET
	The Area Panel received and noted a report of the Area Co-ordinator which gave the year-end position with regard to the spend on the Panel’s discretionary budget and the NRF Local Action Plan in respect of 2005/06.

8.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	There were no public questions or petitions from members of the public.

9.	DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
	It was noted that the next meeting of the Area Panel would be held on Tuesday, 20th June 2006 at 7.00 p.m. at City School.

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