Agenda and draft minutes

2.1

No items were identified where resolutions may be moved to exclude the public and press.

3.1

There were no declarations of interest.

4.1

The minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 21 November and 6 December 2023 were approved as correct records.

4.2

Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting of 21 November, 2023

Councillor Alan Hooper, Chair of the Committee, provided the following updates:

·       Paragraph 6.1 (a) - Implementation of the Rivelin Valley Playground Masterplan would only be possible if future funding was secured.

·       Paragraph 6.1 (d) - Outstanding equipment had been installed at Fox Glen.

·       Paragraph 9.2 - Funding had been secured to support improvements to Ecclesfield Park, to include the tennis courts and paths, and feasibility would soon be explored for a Play Zone (multi-use games area) and a café and toilet facilities for the park.

5.1

The Committee received the following questions from members of the public who attended the meeting to raise them:-

(a)  Dave Crawley, resident of Oughtibridge

There are inadequate road signs on Station Lane and Oughtibridge Lane as the road crosses the railway bridge. This can be a very busy road, with blind bends and no footpath. There are no clear road signs to advise motorists that pedestrians may be on the road. This is a lethal section of road for pedestrians.

Councillor Lewis Chinchen noted his concerns about pedestrian safety in this area. He believed this would only be fully resolved with the construction of a footbridge adjacent to the current road bridge,  but noted that lack of funding prevented this. He explained that the Sheffield Local Plan, which was currently at public consultation stage, included a site at Platts Lane which, if developed, had the potential to require provision of a footbridge. In terms of ensuring adequate safety measures in the short to medium-term, Councillor Chinchen explained that road signage had to comply with national standards so the options available were limited. He added that ‘slow’ markings had been added to the road and a warning sign was in place for drivers approaching the bridge. He confirmed that he would raise these concerns with Highways again to see what could be done in the short to medium-term.

Mr Crawley stated that there was one small triangular sign in place that he did not consider was helpful and was not recognised by many motorists. He believed that a further sign was needed alerting motorists to the potential for pedestrians to be on the road ahead.

Councillor Alan Hooper noted that there had been an increase in pedestrians and cyclists using nearby woods, and agreed to carry out a site visit.

(b)  Liz Swann, resident of Hollow Meadows

On the A57 from Hollow Meadows through to Moscar the speed limit is 50 mph, but speeds seem to often be higher than this and accidents have occurred, also causing damage to walls and farming property. We would like to see some speed cameras so we can evidence that speeding is happening, and traffic calming is needed.

Councillor Will Sapwell thanked Ms Swann for the support she had given during incidents, and acknowledged her concerns about safety and impact on local farms. He advised that there would be a review of the vehicle activated speed sign locations to allow one to be installed in this area based on risk assessment.

A representative from South Yorkshire Police was in attendance at the meeting and advised that, as well as advising motorists on their driving speeds, vehicle activated speed signs also provided information on average and fastest speeds. In relation to the suggestion of a ‘community speed watch’, he noted his concern about the safety of participants on a 50 mph limit road, and advised that he would discuss speed enforcement options with his colleagues.

(c)   Phil Harris, resident of Grenoside

When the new school  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1

The Committee considered a report of David Luck, Community Services Manager, on the funding assigned to the North Local Area Committee for 2023-24 and its allocation to projects in line with the North Local Area Committee Community Plan. This had included:

(a)  Funding for two rounds of the ‘Big Idea Fund’;

(b)  Funding for the first round of the ‘Greatest Need Fund’; and

(c)   Funding of ‘quick wins’ to improve areas within the North Local Area Committee.

6.2

Mr Luck also outlined spending allocated through the Cost of Living budget and confirmed that half of this had supported the work of Citizens Advice within the city, and the other half had been shared among a variety of projects supporting local communities.

6.3

Adam Hurst, a public attendee at the meeting, asked how applications for funding opportunities were publicised.

6.4

Mr Luck confirmed that funding opportunities were publicised by a number of channels, including email/postal distribution lists, blogs, and social media. He added that details could be shared to anyone who wished to be added to the distribution lists.

6.5

Teresa Bond added that details regarding funding were available on the North Local Area Committee Facebook page, X (Twitter) page, a blog and via Sheffield City Council email alerts.

6.6

Mr Hurst asked what support was available to local groups that might want to contribute to local issues but were not yet constituted.

6.7

Mr Luck advised that interested groups should contact the North Local Area Committee team and contacts/advice would be given directly.

6.8

Mark Hible, Community Development Worker, explained that his role included recruiting volunteers for development work and invited any interested parties to get in contact with him directly.

6.9

Councillor Rob Reiss noted that the North Local Area Committee had good relationships with its Parish and Town Councils, and connected them with funding opportunities available for community groups.

6.10

The Committee noted its thanks to the North Local Area Committee Team for their work in facilitating funding allocations.

7.1

David Luck, Community Services Manager, confirmed that three priorities had been set in the summer of 2023 that had steered the work of the North Local Area Committee:

• Improving local transport through practical highways

improvements and promoting better public transport;

• Improving community safety; and
• Improving community life.

7.2

Mr Luck confirmed the following funding allocations for 2023-24:

• Project budget:£100,000
• Cost of Living budget:£37,000
• Ward Pot:£25,000 across all four wards
• Youth budget:£10,000
• Pedestrian enhancement: £54,000
• Fly tipping budget: £57,000

He outlined a number of specific projects, including:

• Greatest Need Fund – including St Paul’s Food Bank, toddler groups, community warming, Sheffield Council for Community Care;
• Big Idea Fund – Greaves House Care Fund, Kids Club at Stannington, community transport, heritage and history events, Stocksbridge war stories website;
• ‘Quick wins’ – holiday activities, Stocksbridge citizens advice, parks equipment;
• Ward Pot funding – new Christmas tree in Ecclesfield, carol sheets for Stannington Brass Band, a community event for High Green, health walks in North Sheffield, learning English as a second language and ward art activities;
• Pedestrian enhancement budget – funding signs to deter people from parking outside schools;
• Flytipping budget – installation of posts in some areas to prevent flytipping; and
• Cost of Living budget – friendship café in Stannington Library, Stannington Food Bank, hygiene products bank, Brightholmlee lunch club, Ecclesfield and Monteney coffee morning.

7.3

Mark Hible noted the work carried out with Welcome Places, that included signposting to advice and benefits eg Citizens Advice, Sheffield City Council Crisis Helpline, heating vouchers and foodbanks.  He highlighted particular projects utilising the Youth Engagement Fund:

• Sheffield Wednesday Football Club Community Project had given opportunities to 14-17 year olds.

• A Mind Apart – confidence building through drama.

8.1

Andrew Towlerton, Clerk to Ecclesfield Parish Council, outlined the Ecclesfield Parish Neighbourhood Plan. This was being led by a working party comprising of parish councillors and members of the local community, supported by Sheffield City Council. The draft plan was now in advanced stages and had incorporated a number of policies, and focussed on a number of areas:

• protect countryside, open spaces and historic heritage;
• protect and provide a range of community facilities;
• ensure any new developments meet the needs of local people; and
• provide essential services and infrastructure.

Mr Towlerton explained that the neighbourhood plan had full statutory weight and once completed would require approval via a public referendum. He confirmed that the next step was to invite residents and businesses to give their views on the draft plan, after which a revised draft plan would be submitted to Sheffield City Council. Following further consultation, the draft plan would be submitted to an independent examiner and, if successful, would then be put forward for a referendum.

See link below for a copy of the draft plan:

Ecclesfield-Parish-Neighbourhood-Plan-2022-2039-Working-Draft-February-2024.pdf (ecclesfield-pc.gov.uk)

8.2

Councillor Alan Hooper praised the work carried out by Mr Towlerton and the other parish councillors in preparing the draft plan.

8.3

Adam Hurst queried whether public transport could be incorporated into the plan, and how it could address under-occupation of large houses, and the increased demand for extending smaller properties.

8.4

Mr Towlerton confirmed that public transport was not within the remit of the plan. He advised that an ageing population had led to high levels of under-occupation but with limited options available for moving to smaller properties. He added that there were good and bad examples of extensions to properties.

8.5

Councillor Rob Reiss thanked Mr Towlerton for the work involved, and asked what the process and timescales were for a referendum to validify the draft plan.

8.6

Mr Towlerton responded by saying that once the plan reached the next stage of consultation it became a valid planning document, and that the weight attached to it would take into account its place in the full process.

8.7

Phil Harris asked how the status of the old school site might have been affected if the neighbourhood plan had been a place a few years ago.

8.8

Mr Towlerton explained that when the school submitted a planning application it would have been in accordance with the appropriate design code.

8.9

Councillor Mike Levery explained that the school building was part of the fabric of the village which afforded it some level of protection.

8.10

Mr Towlerton confirmed that the local plan procedure provided access to additional Community Infrastructure Levy funding, which would be used for the benefit of the area.

8.11

Adam Fermie, Treasurer of Friends of Grenoside Park, was in attendance to update the Committee on the work of the group. He explained that the group was set up a few years ago by five local parents and their main aim had been to improve the childrens’ play  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.