South East Area Panel Minutes 18th December 2007

SOUTH EAST AREA PANEL


Meeting held 18th December, 2007 at Mosborough Methodist Church Chapel Street, Mosborough

PRESENT:		Councillors Mike Peat (Chair), Bryan Lodge and Chris Rosling-Josephs

		Representatives of Panel Partners:-
		Ken Dunn	-	Assistant Head Teacher, City School
		Kurt Sullivan	-	Pupils, City School
		Chris Bentley
		Kaitlin Pinder
		Linda Whiteley	-	Citizens Advice Bureau
		Gillian Bramall


		Also in attendance:-
		Councillor Martin Lawton	-	Richmond Ward
		Richard Oxley	-	Safer Neighbourhood Area Tasking Officer
		Dave Luck	-	Area Co-ordinator
		Alicia Evans	-	Area Support Officer
		Sarah Thomson	-	Committee Secretariat

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

…………………..
					ACTION
1.	GOOD NEWS ITEM
	Councillor Bryan Lodge informed the Panel that the Sustrans ‘Connect2’ Project and the bid for the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘The People’s £50 Million’ Contest had been successful. He explained that Connect 2 comprised 79 separate projects across the United Kingdom, one of which involved a series of improvements to the South East Sheffield and South Rotherham Cycle Network, which included Chesterfield Canal, Killamarsh and Halfway. He added that an estimated 6 million people lived within one mile of at least one of the proposed 79 projects. Councillor Lodge indicated that the money would be invested in linking together local communities in the south of Rotherham Borough, North-East Derbyshire and South-East Sheffield. The project aimed to introduce new and upgraded off-road walking and cycling routes from Halfway to Killamarsh and around the Chesterfield Canal corridor connecting local communities and also linking into Rother Valley Country Park.
	The Panel noted the information reported.

2.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Liz Naylor, Mike Pye and Ian Saunders.

3.	MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
	The minutes of the meeting of the Area Panel held on 16th October, 2007 were approved as a correct record, subject to the substitution of the wording “Neighbourhood Action Teams” for “Safer Neighbourhood Teams”, the wording “across the City” for “South East area” and the wording “Ward boundaries” for “boundaries” in item 6 relating to Safer Neighbourhood Teams and arising therefrom:-
	A local resident stated that she was still not satisfied with the response received in relation to the number of disabled parking spaces at the Birley Spa Bath House. She referred to the response reported by Alan Disberry, Community Buildings Project Officer, who had stated that usage of the building was low at the moment and further investment did not seem to represent good value for money. Councillor Bryan Lodge stated that there were problems in respect of access and limited parking was available, which did not rank as a good venue for an Area Panel meeting.
	The Panel agreed that the Area Co-ordinator would liaise with Alan Disbury regarding this matter.				Area Co-ordinator
	Councillor Martin Lawton referred to a request at the meeting of the Area Panel held on 16th October, 2007, where a representative from the Friends of Richmond Park requested a formal response in respect of the proposed site for the new City School. He stated that, once the information had been publicised officially, he would forward a response to the Friends of Richmond Park.				Cllr Martin Lawton
	In response to questions regarding the use of recycling facilities by disabled people, Councillor Bryan Lodge stated that he would pursue the matter raised.				Cllr Bryan Lodge
	A local resident expressed concern with regard to the cessation of the funding for the Single Non Emergency Number (SNEN) 101 and asked whether Sheffield City Council could provide funding to continue the service. In response, Councillor Bryan Lodge indicated that Sheffield City Council was pursuing this matter and indicated that the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jan Wilson had written to the relevant Government Minister to indicate how successful the SNEN had been in Sheffield.
	The Panel noted the information reported.

4.	ROLLING ACTION CHECKLIST
	The Rolling Action Checklist for meetings held up to 16th October, 2007 was approved as a correct record and, arising therefrom, Councillor Bryan Lodge referred to the speed cushions on Hartland Avenue and Willingham Gardens and commented that he had met Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs on site and a representative from First Bus Company to discuss what measures could be introduced in order to resolve this issue.				Cllr Bryan Lodge
	Councillor Bryan Lodge referred to the issue of limited bus routes in the area and indicated that, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive was asked to look at the tender for this service but had indicated that this would mean a reduction in a bus route elsewhere. He added that he had arranged a meeting with First and Stage Coach to see if they could improve their services.				Cllr Bryan Lodge
	The Area Co-ordinator stated that he still awaited a response from Robert Stanley with regard to the funding to extend the existing footpath from Junction Road to Roger Road and stated that he would pursue this issue.				Area Co-ordinator
	The Area Co-ordinator stated that he would pursue Steve Byers for a response to a question previously asked with regard to simplifying recycling facilities.				Area Co-ordinator
	The Panel noted the information reported.

5.	UPDATE ON CITY SCHOOL’S LINK WITH MALEALEA IN LESOTHO
	Ken Dunn, Assistant Head Teacher, City School provided an update on the 2007 Malealea Expedition. He gave a presentation, which highlighted what the project had achieved since the previous visit in 2005. Mr Dunn informed the Panel that the Malealea project was an environmental and developmental project set up by City School in partnership with Royston High School, Barnsley. He stated that 33 students visited Malealea over Easter 2007, accompanied by teachers, two engineers and a doctor.
	Mr Dunn stated that students helped to (i) rebuild some of the Tsinyane access road (ii) dig and rebuild the Tsinyane dam to provide vital water to the community (iii) plant many trees to provide fuel and reduce soil erosion and (iv) improve Malealea High School, including painting, tree planting and resurfacing.
	Mr Dunn highlighted a number of severe problems being faced by the people of Malealea, which included a short life expectancy, AIDS, a high infant mortality rate, medical shortfalls, limited education, poor general health and nutrition. Three of the pupils involved in the visit Kurt Sullivan, Chris Bentley and Kaitlin Pinder, spoke in more detail of their experiences of the visit.
	Mr Dunn stated that £113 would provide a needy child with the opportunity to work through the formally constituted Malealea Development Scholarship programme for a whole academic year and reported that, last year, 40 students were able to work through the programme and he hoped that, this year, funding would allow approximately 59 students to work through the programme.
	Mr Dunn indicated that fund raising for the Project continued and a number of items including jewellery and calenders were available at the meeting.
	A number of questions were raised and comments made:-
	Were trees being planted for firewood? – Yes, a variety of trees were being planted including fruit, soil binding trees and wood burning trees.
	Can the products for sale be purchased anywhere other than on the website? – Both City and Royston Schools sell some of the products made by the Malealea community, although other outlets in the City were currently being identified to sell goods.
	What health care provision was available for the Malealea community? – Health care provision was low with just one practice nurse providing cradle to grave care.
	What more can the public do to help? – Members of the public may join the next exhibition in 2009, which would take place over the Easter holidays.
	Mr Dunn stated that further details were available on the website www.malealea.org.uk.
	The Panel noted the information reported.

6.	THE WORK OF MOSBOROUGH CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
	Due to time constraints, the Area Co-Ordinator stated that this item would be deferred to a future meeting of the Panel.

7.	DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR THE AREA
	The Area Co-ordinator reported that the Area Panel in partnership with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams intended to establish Community Groups to include local voice and improve service delivery across the City.
	As each Area Panel area varied in size, each Community Group would comprise of groups from each neighbourhood area to look at practical issues in terms of crime, anti-social behaviour, environment and transport facilities.
	The Area Co-ordinator suggested that anyone who was interested in joining a Community Group, should contact him via email at: david.luck@sheffield.gov.uk or telephone: 0114 2485805.
	The Panel noted the information reported.

8.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	There were no public questions or petitions.

9.	NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE – MOSBOROUGH
	Councillor Mike Peat provided an update on the Joseph Stone Memorial Hall. He stated that there had been a number of problems with the builder, but informed the Panel that the New Community Centre would be completed although, the housing development which was to be constructed to fund the running of the Community Centre would not be completed at this time. Councillor Peat stated that he hoped that the Trustees could resolve the outstanding issues with the developers.
	The Panel noted the information reported.

10.	NEXT MEETING
	The Panel noted that the next public meeting would be held on Tuesday 5th February, 2008 at 7.00 p.m., at Reignhead School, Beighton.

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