South East Area Panel

SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL


Meeting held 17th June, 2003 at Birley Spa Bathhouse, Birley Spa Lane


	PRESENT:	Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs (Chair), Marjorie Barker, Barbara Belcher, Bryan Lodge and Angela Smith.

		Also in attendance: John Moseley (Planning, Transport and Highways), Ken Matthews (Lead Manager), Dianne Hurst (Area Action Co-ordinator), Andrea Peers (Area Panel Support Officer), Chris Smith (Parks, Woodlands and Countryside), Andy Cain (Committee Secretariat) and 35 members of the public.

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1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mick Rooney, Ray Satur and Sam Wall.

2.	INTRODUCTIONS
	The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and particularly Councillor Bryan Lodge, who was attending his first meeting, and Councillor Marjorie Barker on her return from her year as Lord Mayor. The Chair also wished to place on record the Panel's appreciation of the work of Councillor David Baker during the period in which he served as a Panel member.

3.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	Former Mosborough School
	In response to a question from a member of the public about the poor condition of the former Mosborough School, Dianne Hurst indicated that a partnership arrangement was being developed between local community groups and the Joseph Stone Trust, who owned the building, with a view to opening up the facility for community purposes without breaking any conditions relating to the charitable status of the Joseph Stone Trust. Following enquiries with the Charity Commission the Trust had been frustrated with the progress being made but discussions were continuing. RESOLVED That Dianne Hurst be requested to report back to the next Area Panel meeting upon the progress made in connection with the future use of the former Mosborough School.

	Fox Lane Recreation Ground
	In response to a question from a member of the public regarding the future plans for the Fox Lane Recreation Ground, Dianne Hurst indicated that a long term plan for the Recreation Ground would be set out in the Parks, Woodlands and Countryside Strategy being developed for the area and which was due to be completed by 31st March, 2004. In the interim period it had been agreed that a letter would be sent to all interested community groups asking them for their views on the future of the Recreation Ground and inviting them to a meeting to be held in the near future to discuss an interim plan. A further report would then be submitted to the Area Panel Briefing Meeting on the 18th July, 2003.
	Councillor Angela Smith expressed concern regarding the delay in engaging the community groups as she believed the outcome of the discussion at the Panel Briefing meeting held on 9th May, 2003 was that the views of the various community groups would be obtained quickly which had not happened.
	A member of the public asked why the Frecheville and Birley Community Group had been given a £500 grant to carry out work on the Fox Lane Recreation Ground given that (a) the Group did not have a recognised constitution and (b) it was inappropriate for work to proceed whilst the future of the Recreation Ground had not been agreed. Dianne Hurst indicated that she was unaware of the grant and confirmed that the matter would be discussed at an officer group meeting to be held on Wednesday, 18th June, 2003. Councillor Angela Smith expressed concern that a grant had been given to carry out work whilst the official Council policy was that no action should be taken until an interim plan had been agreed. She acknowledged that the two groups had differing ideas about the future of the Recreation Ground with one wishing for it to be retained as a site of special wildlife interest whilst the other wished to develop it for leisure activities and it was therefore important for a way forward to be agreed as soon as possible.
	RESOLVED: That, in the circumstances now reported, the Area Co-ordinator be requested to contact the interested parties, as a matter of urgency, to obtain their views regarding the future of the Fox Lane Recreation Ground, with a view to arranging a special members briefing meeting.

4.	MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the Area Panel meeting held on 15th April, 2003 were approved as a correct record, subject to the deletion of the words "people with disabilities" and the insertion of the words "disabled people" in the resolution (iii)(b) in item 7.

5.	MATTERS ARISING
	Hackenthorpe Village Action Group
	The Hackenthorpe Village Action Group reported that the Head of Planning, Transport and Highways had responded to their request for traffic calming measures to be implemented on Sheffield Road and Beighton Road.
	RESOLVED: That, in view of the fact that the response of the Head of Planning, Transport and Highways now mentioned had only recently been received, further consideration be given to its contents, with a view to providing an update for the Panel at the next meeting.

	Former Beighton Landfill Site
	In response to a question from a member of the public asking why the Council had not capped the former Beighton Landfill Site, given that it had obtained finance to do so, Dianne Hurst indicated that there were outstanding issues to be resolved, including the escape of leachate and methane gas, before the site was capped but that joint work was continuing between the City Council and the Environment Agency with a final decision regarding the capping of the site expected later in 2003. The Chair indicated that it was his understanding that whilst a certain amount of funding was available in the form of a credit approval the actual cost of the capping would be well in excess of this and further discussions would be required to determine ways to meet the funding shortfall. The Panel noted this information.

	Normanton Springs Tip - Public Rights of Way
	Chris Smith, Parks, Woodlands and Countryside Ranger Service, indicated that she was awaiting a response from the City Council's Right of Way Division regarding the request for the reinstatement of the Public Right Of Way across the former Normanton Springs Tip and that she would report to the Panel on this matter at a future meeting. The Panel noted this information.

	No.127 Bus Service
	Dianne Hurst indicated that she was awaiting a response from the bus operator regarding a letter sent on behalf of the Panel expressing concerns relating to the withdrawal of the No. 127 bus service and that she would report back to the Panel at a future meeting when a response was received. The Panel noted this information.

	Access Policy for Disabled People
	In response to a question from a member of the public the Chair indicated that consideration would be given to assigning designated car parking spaces for disabled people adjacent to any building where the Panel were holding public meetings. Andrea Peers also indicated that a survey was being carried out across all Area Panels seeking the public's views on the Area Panel initiative and that access to meetings was a vital part of that survey. Councillor Angela Smith added that she would liaise with officers at the Crystal Peaks Housing Office with a view to disabled car parking spaces being provided at that Office. The Panel noted this information

	Woodhouse Festival Lights
	Dianne Hurst indicated that a sum of £2,000 was still available to the Woodhouse Forum for the purpose of installing festive lights and that this funding would be released on completion of a contract. The Panel noted this information.

6.	BIRLEY SPA LANE ROAD SAFETY SCHEME
	John Moseley, Planning, Transport and Highways, reported on the progress of the proposed road safety scheme for Birley Spa Lane. He indicated that details of a proposed scheme had been submitted to and approved in principle by the City Centre and East Planning Board in November, 2002. However, when the proposed scheme, which comprised road safety improvements to the whole route of Birley Spa Lane and Occupation Lane between Birley Moor Road and Moss Way, had been costed, the total cost of the scheme was determined to be in the region of £400,000, which was equivalent to the total budget for accident saving schemes for the whole of the City and it was considered therefore that this scheme was too expensive. A revised scheme concentrating on areas where accidents occurred more frequently and where pedestrians were considered more vulnerable had been developed. As a consequence it was proposed to implement road safety measures in the areas (a) between Dyke Vale Road and Rainbow Avenue near the shops, (b) near Birley Spa Community Primary School and (c) between Rainbow Avenue and Moss Way near Rainbow Forge School This scheme was being progressed and would be submitted to the City Centre and East Planning and Highways Area Board on 14th July, 2003, for approval with work likely to commence on or before the end of March, 2004. Plans of the approved scheme would be displayed in public places for information only. Local residents would be informed by leaflet where they could view the plans and would also be kept updated on a possible start date for the scheme in due course.
	Arising from consideration of the information reported the following questions, comments and responses were noted:-

Q.	A representative of the Hackenthorpe Tenants Association expressed concern regarding the delay in progressing the scheme, the lack of precise information being reported and the absence of a display plan, as it was not possible to properly ascertain how much of the scheme had been lost from the original proposals.

A.	John Moseley acknowledged the frustrations regarding the delay and indicated that the Local Transport Plan Programme, of which this scheme was a part, was a five-year Programme which had a significant amount of slippage within it. He indicated that at the time of the original consultation it had been emphasised that the scheme was a draft scheme and that there were no guarantees that the full scheme could be implemented and a letter to this effect had been sent to the Tenants Association.

Q.	Councillor Bryan Lodge referred to the fact that the junction of Occupation Lane and Birley Spa Lane had been included in the original scheme in the form of road narrowing measures so as to address a number of concerns including the fact that schoolchildren crossed at this junction. Consultation had been undertaken at the schools in question which had raised a legitimate expectation that road safety measures would be implemented in some form.

A.	John Moseley indicated that road safety measures at this junction were still under consideration but that funding would need to come from a different spending block of the Local Transport Plan Programme.

Q.	A local resident believed traffic-calming measures were essential on Birley Spa Lane and asked how much the study undertaken had cost so far.

A.	John Moseley indicated that it was not possible to assign an actual cost to the study at this stage as the work he had undertaken was part of his normal work.

·	Councillor Angela Smith commented that the information reported had been totally inadequate and difficult to follow. The speed of traffic on Birley Spa Lane was as a direct consequence of the nature of the junction with Occupation Lane and the rational solution appeared therefore to limit the speed at this junction but this measure appeared not to be included in this scheme. She requested that a briefing meeting for Birley Ward members be organised as a matter of urgency and that a letter be sent on behalf of the Panel to the Head of Planning, Transport and Highways raising concerns regarding the revised scheme and particularly that the original scheme which was consulted upon should have been realistic.

·	A local resident indicated that it would have been more sensible to have initially developed a more affordable scheme to consult upon which would have not led to the public having a legitimate expectation that the overall scheme was feasible from a financial point of view.

	RESOLVED: That (a) the information reported be noted; (b) the Panel's concerns regarding the revised scheme and quality of the information reported be noted; (c) a members briefing meeting be arranged as a matter of urgency to discuss the matter further; and
	(d) a letter, along the lines of that suggested by Councillor Angela Smith, be sent on behalf of the Panel to the Head of Planning, Transport and Highways.

7.	ACCESS POLICY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
	Anthony Rylands indicated that he was an Access Officer for the City Council with his role being to co-ordinate and advise on the needs of disabled people in accessing Council meetings and services. This involved referring users views to other officers of the City Council, developing access standards and policies and contributing to the work of the Access Liaison Group. He indicated that the Council's Access Policy was available from the Area Action Co-ordinator and would be also available on the City Council's website. He reiterated that it was important to use meeting venues that were accessible and welcomed the fact that the Best Value Review of Area Action included a survey, available at this meeting, seeking the public's view on matters relating to Area Action including the accessibility of meeting venues.
	Arising from consideration of the information reported the following questions, comments and responses were noted:-

Q	A local resident who indicated that he was registered blind asked whether anything could be done to improve access to the new Owlthorpe Medical Centre.

A.	Anthony Rylands indicated that whilst this was not a Council owned building he would contact the Health Authority regarding their access standards with a view to seeing if there were any outstanding works to be completed at this location to improve accessibility.

Q.	A local resident indicated that the footpaths and roads in Woodhouse Village were not wheelchair friendly and asked whether the City Council could take action to improve this.

A.	Anthony Rylands indicated that an agenda item to be discussed at the Access Liaison Group related to footpaths and dropped kerbs. There was clearly a need to identify all requirements throughout the City and to target areas of priority.

Q.	A representative of the Edenthorpe Tenants Group indicated that he was also registered blind and believed that there was a need to increase awareness across society of the needs of blind people and suggested that the Panel receive a presentation, at a future meeting, from Linda Herbert from the Blind Association.

A.	Anthony Rylands acknowledged the issue that had been raised and indicated that the City Council were not only trying to comply with every aspect of the Disability Discrimination Act but also training staff to work within the spirit of the Act. The Chair indicated that members would discuss the possibility of receiving a presentation along the lines of that suggested at their next briefing meeting.

Q.	A local resident asked whether the City Council had surveyed all the buildings in the South East Panel area

A.	Anthony Rylands indicated that a survey of all public buildings in the Panel area had been undertaken and each Directorate had been requested to draw up a strategy as to how they would deal with access issues relating to each building. The individual strategies would then be submitted to the Access Liaison Group for consideration.
	RESOLVED: That (a) the information reported be noted: and (b) Anthony Rylands be thanked for his presentation and the work he was undertaking.

8.	SMALL ROAD SAFETY SCHEMES
	Dianne Hurst submitted a report which gave examples of the type of scheme requests that could be considered from the £10,000 annual budget and invited suggestions from the public and Panel members as to where further work could be carried out.
	Arising from consideration of this matter a local resident indicated that the path which linked Stradbroke Road to the Manor, adjacent to Woodhouse Cemetery, was dangerous due to motorbikes being ridden illegally and requested that a bollard or rail be erected to prevent this. The Panel noted this information.

9.	CRIME AND COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMUNITY COHESION GRANTS
	Dianne Hurst referred to the Panel's Community Cohesion Grant of £1,000 and invited bids from local community groups who were holding events in the area. She noted requests for Bring Out Your Rubbish Days (BOYRD) in the Westfield area and on the Newlands and Weaklands Estates and indicated that she would give consideration to ensuring that there was a balanced programme of BOYRD throughout the area.
	Patience Bush, Education Family Support Officer, indicated that she had a budget for community events which could possibly be amalgamated with the Panel's Community Cohesion Grant to increase its effectiveness.
	The Panel noted this information.

9.	SCOWERDONS, NEWSTEAD AND WEAKLANDS ESTATES - REGENERATION UPDATE
	Helen Wright, Project Officer for the Scowerdons, Weaklands and Newstead Project Team, updated the Panel on the progress being made with the Project which was targeted at the 702 Vic Hallam constructed houses on these estates. Consultation had been undertaken over the past two years regarding the future of Vic Hallam properties with the Government's 2010 deadline in respect of the decent home standards being a priority consideration. The Project Team, having had regard to the consultation undertaken and the cost of putting right the substantial defects found with these properties had concluded that demolition and replacement would be the most effective way forward. Partners were being sought by April, 2004, to help develop the new housing required in the area and residents with enquiries regarding this matter could contact either herself (2735806) or Helen Beresford at the Crystal Peaks Housing Office (2039208).
	Arising from consideration of the information reported the following questions, comments and responses were noted:-

Q.	A representative of the Hackenthorpe Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) queried whether they had been invited to a recent meeting that had taken place.

A.	Helen Wright indicated that she was not sure which meeting was being referred to and understood that the Hackenthorpe TARA had been in attendance at the last Steering Group meeting, which was held in April, 2003.

Q.	A local resident asked whether any other properties, other than Vic Hallam Homes, were to be included in the demolition programme.

A.	Helen Wright indicated that only Vic Hallam properties would be demolished.

Q.	A local resident indicated that many of the Vic Hallam properties were in good condition and that it was unreasonable to demolish these and asked what would happen if people refused to leave their properties.

A.	Helen Wright indicated that it was acknowledged that whilst some of the properties did not contain defects there were problems with regards to the construction style and the fact that they were built in blocks of four. The Council were committed to offering a fair price for the properties but if necessary they would have to repurchase through a Compulsory Purchase Order. She indicated that the refurbishment option had been considered but the cost of between £38,000-£40,000 per property was considered to be excessive.

Q.	A local resident expressed concern regarding the ability of elderly people to be able to afford the new housing.

A.	Helen Wright indicated that affordability was one of the main factors to be considered by the Project Team.

·	Councillor Angela Smith welcomed the fact that there was a commitment to try and re-house locally residents whose properties were being demolished and emphasised the need to develop joined up facilities for health, nursery provision, public transport and education.
	The Panel noted this information.

10.	BEST VALUE REVIEW SATISFACTION SURVEY
	Andrea Peers indicated that a Best Value Review of Area Action was being undertaken and to this extent a survey form was available at the meeting for members of the public contribute to the Review.
	The Panel noted this information.

11.	PROPOSED MEETINGS 2003/2004
	Dianne Hurst circulated a schedule of Panel meetings for 2003/2004.
	RESOLVED: That (a) Public Meetings be held on 5th August, 2003 at 7.00 p.m., 21st October, 2003 at 1.30 p.m., 16th December, 2003 at 1.30 p.m., 17th February, 2004 at 1.30 p.m., 20th April, 2004 at 7.00 p.m., and 15th June, 2004 at 1.30 p.m.; and
	(b) Briefing Meetings be held on 18th July, 2003 at 1.30 p.m., 5th September, 2003 at 1.30 p.m., 7th November, 2003 at 1.30 p.m., 9th January, 2004 at 1.30 p.m., 12th March, 2004 at 1.30 p.m. and 7th May, 2004 at 1.30 p.m.

12.	SPORT AND RECREATION DAY
	Dianne Hurst indicated that the Area Panel was to hold a Sport and Recreation Day on Wednesday, 18th June, 2003. She also circulated a report setting out the importance of and benefits to the City of physical activity and indicated that a proportion of the Panel's NRF allocation had been used to fund a Healthy Co-ordinator Post. The Panel noted this information.

13.	DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
	RESOLVED: That the next public meeting of the Panel be held on Tuesday, 5th August, 2003 at 7.00 p.m. at a venue to be agreed within the Mosborough Ward.

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