Agenda item

Question 1

Ian Deans, Chair, Ecclesfield Conservation and Local History Group, raised a number of questions in connection with the planning application regarding the Motorway Service Area at Smithy Wood, Chapeltown, namely requesting an update on the additional items that had been sought from the developer since the application was made, whether further public meetings would be held, to share this additional information and allow the local community to understand and comment on it as part of the public's feedback on the application, and whether there was any indication as to when the application would be determined.

Answer 1

A written response provided prior to the meeting indicated that the delays in the application had been primarily due to requests for additional information with regard to the principle of the development, its large scale and complex nature, and its likely impact, and until that information has been provided, and fully assessed, a report to the Planning and Highways Committee could not be drafted.  With the exception of highways, the Council was awaiting additional information on archaeological matters, following concerns raised by the South Yorkshire Archaeology Service, ecological and arboricultural matters and possible alternative sites.  In terms of timescales, it was proposed that a decision on the application would be made in June 2015, and once the developer had provided all the additional information requested, there would then be a further consultation period with the community/interested parties to allow them to review the information submitted before the Council proceeded to any recommendation.  These arrangements would be formally publicised in the press and through site notices and, in the light of this, it would be more appropriate and timely for a decision to be made in September 2015.  Councillor Harry Harpham added that the Council was aware of the contentious nature of this application and, for that reason, it had been proposed to hold the consultation after the summer holidays.

Question 2

Jason Colley questioned how Councillors expect to become ‘Community Leaders’, when some didn’t even turn up to surgeries or respond to constituents’ e-mails.

Answer 2

The Chair requested that apologies, on behalf of the Cabinet, be forwarded to Mr Colley for any inconvenience caused in terms of Councillors not turning up to surgeries or responding to e-mails.  He stressed, however, that Councillors received a high level of e-mails and other correspondence every week, and made every attempt to respond at the earliest possible opportunity.  Councillor Harry Harpham concurred with the Chair’s views, indicating that Councillors spent a huge amount of their time dealing with correspondence from constituents and, despite their best efforts, and due to other commitments, they may have to cancel their surgeries on occasions or delay in responding to correspondence.  He made reference to the fact that members of the public were able to attend any of the Council’s formal meetings, including the full Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny Committees and Planning and Highways Committee, where they could either submit petitions or raise questions.  Councillor Jackie Drayton added that, as well as dealing direct with their constituents, Cabinet Members often dealt with questions from fellow Councillors, which had been referred to them from their constituents. 

Question 3

Kath Granger, Thorncliffe Ward Parish Councillor, raised the issue with regard to Newgate Close which, although built on Council land, was unadopted and therefore, would not be resurfaced as part of the Streets Ahead works.  A local resident had written to Councillor Jayne Dunn approximately three weeks ago, but had not yet received a response, and Mrs Granger questioned why this was the case.

Answer 3

Councillor Jayne Dunn stated that her response had been sent to Councillor Adam Hurst, in his capacity as Councillor for the West Ecclesfield Ward, but she would ensure that a copy of the response was forwarded directly to the member of the public concerned.  Councillor Dunn expressed her apologies for any inconvenience caused in this matter. 

Question 4

Kath Granger referred to the problems in terms of car parking on Nether Ley Avenue, following the introduction of parking charges at Lound Court, indicating that motorists were parking across residents’ drives and on the paved area.  Mrs Granger questioned whether bollards could be installed in order to stop motorists parking on the paved area, and double-yellow lines painted on stretches of the Avenue in order to stop motorists blocking residents’ drives and to ease traffic flow, particularly with regard to larger vehicles, as parts of the Avenue were very narrow.

Answer 4

The Chair stated that this issue would be referred to Councillor Leigh Bramall, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development, with a request that he provides a written response to Mrs Granger.

Question 5

Peter Carey questioned why the new street lights on Monteney Road, installed as part of the Streets Ahead works in December 2014, had been left on for 24 hours a day since being installed.  Mr Carey stated that he had reported this twice, but had not received a response from either Amey or the Council, and made reference to poor communication between the two bodies.

Answer 5

Councillor Jayne Dunn stated that it was standard practice for the new streets lights to be left on for a period of time, following installation, in order to check for any faults.  However, due to the time period involved in this case, she stated that she would contact Amey and provide a written response to Mr Carey.

Question 6

A question was raised, on behalf of a number of residents of Mapplebeck Road, including one resident who was partially-sighted, relating to the new location of the street light on the road, following its installation as part of the Streets Ahead works, which differed from its original location and no longer appeared to be providing any benefit in terms of light to any of the properties.

Answer 6

Councillor Adam Hurst stated that arrangements had been made for Amey and the Royal National Institute for the Blind to visit this location and hopefully resolve this issue.  Councillor Jayne Dunn added that she was aware of this issue, and would monitor the situation and ensure there was a reasonable outcome for all the parties involved.

Question 7

Keith Myers questioned whether there was any further information in connection with the route for HS2 through the area.

Answer 7

Councillor Harry Harpham stated that there was no further information on this issue, over and above that which had already been published.  He stated that the earliest time any consideration would be given, or any decisions made, on this issue would be after the General Election at the earliest, and suggested that Mr Myers should contact the Ecclesfield Parish Council to find out the date of the conference to be held in London, at which the issue would be discussed.

Question 8

Norma Ibbotson raised concerns with regard to HGVs on Cowley View Lane, indicating that there had recently been an increase in the number and size of such vehicles travelling on the road.  She stated that, due to the width of the road, a number of the HGVs were being forced to drive on the pavement, which had recently been resurfaced as part of the Streets Ahead works, which not only risked damage to the pavements, but was also dangerous for residents.

Answer 8

It was mentioned that Angela Smith, MP, was aware of the problems and was looking to see if any action could be taken.  The Chair added that he would refer this matter to Councillor Leigh Bramall, and request that a written response be provided to Mrs Ibbotson.

Question 9

Ian Deans questioned what action the Council intended to take to stop or minimise the increasing number of applications for development on land in the Greenbelt. 

Answer 9

Councillor Harry Harpham stated that, whilst he appreciated people’s concerns on this issue, Sheffield was a City with a growing population, like many other cities, and there was a demand for more housing.  The Council would always look at suitable brownfield sites first, but this was proving to be difficult in that there were few such sites left in the City and it was difficult to convince developers to construct housing on such sites.  Councillor Isobel Bowler stated that each local authority was required to have a Local Plan, in which a number of development sites would be designated.  The Council had not yet finalised its Plan and until it had, it was vulnerable to developers wishing to construct housing on green sites.  In response to the question as to what would happen to those brownfield sites in the City that were not wanted by developers, Councillor Harry Harpham stressed that the Council did everything within its powers to prepare brownfield sites in order to make it cheaper and easier for developers to construct housing.  Councillor Jackie Drayton added that the City’s green heritage was very important and that when the Council approved its Local Plan, it would then be able to look at both brown and greenfield sites in terms of future housing development.

Question 10

Kath Granger questioned whether action could be taken to repair the stretch of pavement between Tesco Supermarket and the Methodist Chapel, Nether Lea Avenue, as it was in a very poor condition, made worse by the recent bad weather.  She stated that she had contacted Amey to report the problem, who had promised to repair it but, to date, no action had been taken.

Answer 10

Councillor Jayne Dunn stated that she would note this request, follow it up with Amey and respond to Mrs Granger.

Question 11

Julie Hollin referred to problems faced during the recent poor weather by residents of McKenzie Crescent, and requested that the grit bin be reinstated on this road.

Answer 11

Councillor Jayne Dunn stated that she was well aware of the problems faced by some residents in the City, following the removal of a number of grit bins.  She referred to the criteria which was used to assess whether grit bins would be sited at specific locations and, unfortunately, McKenzie Crescent did not meet the criteria.  Councillor Dunn stated that she was working with Council officers to look at different ways of dealing with extreme weather conditions in the City and, as part of this review, she would be looking at numbers and location of grit bins.  She also referred to the financial pressures facing the Council, which meant that not every resident who wanted a grit bin on their road, could have one.  Councillor Harry Harpham stressed that the Cabinet were very appreciative of all the efforts made by residents in terms of clearing away snow and ice to make it safer for their neighbours, particularly the elderly and disabled, and that, in the light of the number of concerns raised in recent months, there was a need for a review in terms of the number and location of grit bins.

Question 12

Barry Granger questioned whether 24 hour parking restrictions could be implemented in terms of non-residents on Falding Street as, at present, a number of residents were not able to either park outside their own homes, or on the road itself.  Mr Granger also questioned why the Council could not use the money obtained through fines in respect of the mis-use of bus lanes to fund the changes now suggested.

Answer 12

Councillor Harry Harpham stated that Parking Services would be requested to look into the problems being caused by non-residents parking on Falding Street. In terms of the use of money obtained through fines, he stated that there were specific restrictions as to what such money could be used for.