Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Nighat Basharat, Alexi Dimond, Maroof Raoof, Sophie Thornton and Paul Turpin.

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.

5.1

The Committee did not receive any questions from members of the public prior to the meeting.

5.2

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

(a)  from Glyn Hannnan, Brindley and Mundella Tenants and Residents Association.

Mr Handley stated that cars were being stolen due to poor lighting on the Brindley Estate.  This issue had been mentioned at the previous meeting of the TARA committee and the Police representatives there had promised to follow this up but nobody had been to see them and it seemed to have been forgotten.  Mr Handley wanted an update.

The Chair advised that the South LAC Team would make relevant enquiries and provide a written response to the questions raised.

(b)  From Viv Lockwood on behalf of Banner Cross Neighbourhood Group.

Re. Archer Lane:

1.    Why do traffic monitoring exercises need to be continued in the area?

2.    Why does it take 5 weeks to re-open Archer Lane?

Mr Lockwood also offered his thanks to the Members of the Committee who had helped with the campaign to re-open Archer Lane.

The Chair advised that the South LAC Team would make relevant enquiries and provide a written response to the questions raised.

Councillor Marieanne Elliot stated that she was disappointed that people wanted the safety measures removed. She read out a letter that she had received from a teacher at Mercia School stating that the school had supported the closure of Archer Lane for safety reasons and now they felt that a rat run was being prioritised over neighbourhood safety and that children would be endangered as a result.

(c)  From a resident of London Road who was concerned about the rat problem in the area.

Councillor Ibby Ullah advised that he had been aware of this problem when he was elected in May and since then he had made sure that the area was cleaned twice a day and the situation had improved. Additionally, some of the commercial bins had been removed.  He would look into the matter further.

(d)  From Glyn Hannan

Mr Hannan stated that pavements were being blocked locally by people parking on them around Brindley Estate.  This had been raised with Estate Services who said they could not assist, and then with the Police, however he had not been happy with the Police’s proposed response time.  Parking Services had not been able to enforce, as there were no yellow lines.  Additionally, there was a space which was meant for emergency vehicles, but which was not clearly marked. He asked for somebody to come and look at the issues.

Councillor Ian Auckland suggested that this should be pursued via Estate Management and that the Councillors would attend the next TARA meeting.  The South LAC Team will also raise this question with Parking Services and provide a written response.

Councillors discussed the “Park Safe” Scheme which had been trialled in North Sheffield, where Police had agreed to investigate obstructive parking upon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.              

South Local Area Committee Budget 2023-24 Report

6.1      Each Local Area Committee has a budget to address local priorities, this report:

•    Describes the funding allocated to the South LAC for 2023/24 and sets out proposals and options for its allocation and current expenditure, in line with the updated South LAC Community Plan.

•     Outlines the reallocation of £11,250 which was carried forward from the South LAC budget for 2022/23 and outlines agreed spend.

6.2      RESOLVED: that the South Local Area Committee

a)   Approves the updated South LAC Community Plan for 2023/24 (Appendix A of the report)

b)   Agrees the use of the 2023/24 LAC budget of £25,000 per ward (totalling £100,000 per LAC) as described in the report.

c)   Notes the proposed and current expenditure against the 2023-24 budget to address local priorities in the South LAC Community Plan, as detailed in the report.

d)   Notes the reallocation of £11,250 carry forward from the 2022-23 budget, as outlined in the report; and

e)   Considers proposals in relation to the 2023/24 South LAC Cost of Living budget of £59,610 and makes any agreed decisions in relation to spend, as outlined in the report.

In relation to point e) the South LAC agreed to allocate the cost of living funding as outlined below:

• Cost of Living, South LAC Dedicated Post

Pilot Project with SCC Cost of Living Support Hub, 12 months

£40,426

• Shared Prosperity Fund, Community Development Workers

Small operational budget

£5,000

·       Grants for 3 foodbanks that cover priority areas in the South LAC, Gleadless Valley, Nether Edge & Sharrow and Lowedges, Batemoor and Jordanthorpe

£14,184

 6.3      Reasons for Decision

The South LAC is asked to note the use of funding under delegated powers and agree any further expenditure to address the identified local priorities.

6.4      Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The LAC could choose not to review the priorities in the Community Plan, but this would risk the Plan being out of date. The LAC could choose not to allocate budgets at this stage, but in particular in relation to the cost-of-living funding, this would delay support getting to communities.

5.1

The report which described the funding allocated to the South LAC for 2023/4, set out proposals for its allocation and expenditure in line with the South LAC Community Plan, and outlined the reallocation for £11,250 carried forward from 2022/23, was introduced by Diane Owens, South LAC Community Services Manager.  This included a proposal by the Graves Park Ward to allocate £25,000 to support the “This is Woodseats” project following their unsuccessful bid to Economic Recovery Fund Round 2 for £200,000.

5.2

Councillor Mohammed Mahroof offered his thanks to the “This is Woodseats” Project for the effort which had been put into its unsuccessful bid. He said that he recognised that the award of £25,000 from the LAC was very small in comparison but he would continue to work to obtain other funding and would also continue to support the traders.

5.3

Councillor Marianne Elliot stated that she was proud of the pilot of the Cost of Living dedicated post which had been proposed in the South LAC linked to consultation with the voluntary community and faith sectors, and which aimed to provide advice to the community where it was needed most.

5.4

RESOLVED: that the South Local Area Committee

a)    Approves the updated South LAC Community Plan for 2023/24 (Appendix A of the report)

b)    Agrees the use of the 2023/24 LAC budget of £25,000 per ward (totalling £100,000 per LAC) as described in the report.

c)    Notes the proposed and current expenditure against the 2023-24 budget to address local priorities in the South LAC Community Plan, as detailed in the report.

d)    Notes the reallocation of £11,250 carry forward from the 2022-23 budget, as outlined in the report; and

e)    Considers proposals in relation to the 2023/24 South LAC Cost of Living budget of £59,610 and makes any agreed decisions in relation to spend, as outlined in the report.

In relation to point e) the South LAC agreed to allocate the cost of living funding as outlined below:

•       Cost of Living, South LAC Dedicated Post Pilot Project with SCC Cost of Living Support Hub, 12 months

£40,426

•       Shared Prosperity Fund, Community Development Workers Small operational budget

£5,000

•       Grants for 3 foodbanks that cover priority areas in the South LAC: Gleadless Valley, Nether Edge & Sharrow and Lowedges, Batemoor and Jordanthorpe

£14,184

7.1

A presentation, subsequently published with the agenda on the Council's website, was introduced by Tracy Hendry, an SCC Transport Officer.

The presentation gave details of road safety education visits to schools, school street schemes, an on street residential electric vehicle charging point trial, and other schemes currently being worked on including proposed improvements to public transport along the A61 Chesterfield Road.

7.2

The following information was given in response to questions:

• There was a priority list for new pedestrian crossings, the department has a small budget and has to target the worst issues first.
• More enforcement of 20mph zones would be welcome but resources are limited.  The aim is to change people’s behaviour and the majority of people do abide by the rules of the road.
• A question raised about the need for a 20mph limit at Warminster Road and parking issues there would be fed back to the service.
• 20mph limits do not impact overall journey times even on faster roads when average speeds are considered.

7.3

The Committee thanked Tracy Hendry for attending and noted the information reported.

8.1

A presentation, subsequently published with the agenda on the Council's website, was introduced by Sally Smith, SCC Safer Neighbourhood Coordinator, and the South Yorkshire Police Neighbourhood Inspector for the Southwest, Inspector Laurie Millington.

The presentation outlined the structure of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, advised of Neighbourhood Action Group Meetings, and then gave details of current work taking place with the community and with partners in the locality.

8.2

A discussion took place regarding the Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Nether Edge and Sharrow.  Attendees expressed opinions both in favour and against the re-opening of Archer Lane.  It was also suggested by a member of the public that the data used in the Officers report to the Transport Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee regarding the scheme had been unreliable.

8.3

One perception was that the closure was believed to have reduced crime.  A concern was raised that re-opening Archer Lane would increase opportunity and therefore increase crime. Inspector Millington advised that the crime figures would be monitored.

8.4

A question was asked as to whether the potential effect on crime of the proposed re-opening of Archer Lane had been discussed internally by Labour and by Liberal Democrat Councillors prior to the meeting of the Transport Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee where the decision had been taken.  Councillor Ian Auckland advised that Members had to make a balanced judgement based on a wide range of factors. He could not predict whether crime would increase or decrease.  He had been told that anti-social behaviour had increased on Archer Lane during the closure.  Councillor Richard Shaw stated that trends could not be measured over such a short period, i.e. 18 months.

8.5

Councillor Marianne Elliot stated that she had attended the meeting at which the decision was taken to reopen Archer Lane and had noted that Councillors had not asked any questions of the Officers present.

8.6

Thanks were offered by a member of the public to Inspector Millington for the work that the Police were doing with young people.  Inspector Milliington asked attendees to get in touch with her if they had ideas for any further engagement work with young residents.

8.7

Councillor Ian Auckland asked what plans were in place to mitigate anti-social behaviour during the upcoming firework season, particularly on Abbeydale Road.  Inspector Millington advised that various actions were in place which included all shifts working later, an increase in educational visits, and work with Trading Standards.

8.8

The Committee thanked Sally Smith and Inspector Millington for attending and noted the information reported.

9.1

A presentation, subsequently published with the agenda on the Council's website, was introduced by James Henderson, Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement.

9.2

The presentation outlined the work done so far to draft the City Goals, including the engagement which had taken place with residents and other stakeholders.  The timetable to the launch was set out and attendees were advised to look out for the start of the Public Conversation Survey, due to start in October, which would be their opportunity to let the Council know what they thought about the draft City Goals.

9.3

A question was asked as to whether sufficient efforts had been made to engage with marginalised communities.  James Henderson advised that the team had been very conscious of this and had asked voluntary and community sector groups to have conversations with citizens that they were working with.  This was intended to ensure that a wide range of perspectives were included.  Engagement had also taken place with the Youth Cabinet and with youth clubs.

9.4

A concern was raised that the focus of the presentation had been on organisational delivery when at the start of the process the importance of citizen action and the creation of structures to enable this had been emphasised. James Henderson apologised that this had not come through in the presentation, as it was still a priority. 

9.5

The Committee thanked James Henderson for attending and noted the information reported.

10.1

The Chair thanked everyone who had attended and advised that they would be sent a feedback survey.

The next meeting of the South Local Area Committee will be on 28^th November 2023 at 6pm at Heeley Parish Church. The theme of the meeting will be bio-diversity and food growing.