Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

5.1

A presentation regarding the proposed scheme on the A61 Chesterfield Road, to improve public transport and road safety by giving buses priority, was delivered by Mark Gibbons, Senior Transport Planner, Sheffield City Council and Neal Byers, Consultant.  The presentation, which was subsequently published on the Council’s website, outlined the background to the project, its current status, the delivery themes and the next steps.

5.2

The following information was provided by Mark Gibbons and Neal Byers in response to questions from members of the public:-

• Comments made in previous consultations by shopkeepers along the route, including views on any potential loss of trade had been taken into consideration and they would be consulted again later in the scheme.
• Some parking provision might change but there were no plans to reduce overall provision.
• Provision of accessible parking spaces would be considered in the detailed design stage.
• Officers were aware of the previous scheme which had taken place near St Thomas’s Church.
• The issue of traffic displacement was being evaluated via traffic modelling.  If it was found that there was likely to be a negative effect, this would be manged/ mitigated as the aim of the project was to encourage bus use and enable buses to run on time.
• No short term fluctuation in the level of bus fares was anticipated but the providers set their own rates (which could be capped by the Council). 
• The governance arrangements for buses were being reviewed and any resulting changes, would be more likely to have an effect on fares than any aspect of the A61 scheme, which should assist operators with regards to affordability.
• Cycling infrastructure would potentially be improved by the extension of the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route, which was thought to be preferable to mixing bicycles with buses.
• Consideration was being given to whether there were opportunities to improve cycling infrastructure along the A61.
• The budget was insufficient to address traffic “necking” at Heeley Bridge, which was a civil engineering scale matter.
• Compulsory purchase, e.g. for car parking had been considered and was part of the options appraisal.  Whether it would be used would be dependent on funding.
• Current issues regarding traffic at Meadowhead Roundabout were acknowledged but this project would not provide sufficient funding to completely resolve them.

5.3

Members advised that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority was considering the reform of bus franchising and attendees should contact the Combined Authority if they wished to contribute to this discussion.

5.4

The following information was provided by Mark Gibbons and Neal Byers in response to questions from Members of the Committee: -

• There was insufficient data to answer whether decreasing parking was necessarily bad for local businesses.
• Further funding from CRSTS (City Region Sustainable Trasport Settlements) might be available for other projects.
• Engagement would take place with the landowner regarding what improvements could be made to traffic around St James Retail Park.
• Monitoring the effect of a scheme on air quality was not straight forward due to the duration of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

8.1

The following questions was asked by Marion Gerson, who attended the meeting:

“In July 2023 I had a reply to a LAC question from Cllr Alexi Dimond about work to Sheldon Road pavements.  He said that all designs and consultation would be ready by March 2024.  Eight months on and I discover that the design for Sheldon Road hasn’t even been sent to the Tree Panel, and Officers estimate that it will be October at the earliest before even the consultation is carried out.  That will mean YET ANOTHER winter with dangerous pavements that are not even accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Why is it considered acceptable by our representatives on the relevant Council Committee?”

Councillor Alexi Dimond advised that he had raised this with the relevant Officers recently and would chase up a response.

8.1

Local Area Committees (LACs) were established by Full Council in May 2021. Their Terms of Reference are set out in Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution and include:

·       To agree a Community Plan setting priorities for the area of the committee, monitor delivery of that plan and keep it under review; and

·       To make decisions relating to funding as delegated from time to time by the Council to fit with the priorities set out in the Community Plan and following engagement with the community.

8.2

To enable decisions to be taken quickly and to respond to emerging issues between Committee meetings, in September 2021 the South West LAC authorised the Community Services Manager to make decisions on expenditure provided that:

·       The decision is taken in consultation with the Local Area Committee Chair;

·       Spending is in line with any specific purposes of the allocated budget; • The decision may not approve expenditure of more than £5,000, and

·       A report detailing the delegated spending decisions taken by the Community Services Manager is presented to the Local Area Committee meeting.

8.2

RESOLVED:  [That the South Local Area Committee

·       Notes the further expenditure up to the £5,000 delegated authority limit. Agrees the further project expenditure over £5,000, as detailed in the report:

a)    £6,300 for work with the Lowedges community.

b)    £10,000 is proposed to support Heeley City Farm with their plan to revitalise and re-build its dementia garden;

c)    £6,700 is proposed to support the revitalisation of Highfield Play area.

·       Agrees the reallocation of £14,000 underspend from the 2022-23 budget to £3500 per ward to support local street art projects as outlined in the report.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

The South LAC is asked to note the use of funding under its delegated powers and agree the further expenditure outlined in the report, which will help to address local priorities within the South LAC Community Plan.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The LAC could choose not to allocate budgets at this stage and through its delegated authority, but this would delay local projects and facilities for local communities.

9.1

The report was presented by Diane Owens, South Local Area Committee Manager.

9.2

RESOLVED:  That the South Local Area Committee

·       Notes the further expenditure up to the £5,000 delegated authority limit. Agrees the further project expenditure over £5,000, as detailed in the report:

a)    £6,300 for work with the Lowedges community.

b)    £10,000 is proposed to support Heeley City Farm with their plan to revitalise and re-build its dementia garden and;

c)    £6,700 is proposed to support the revitalisation of Highfield Play area.

·       Agrees the reallocation of £14,000 underspend from the 2022-23 budget to £3500 per ward to support local street art projects as outlined in the report.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

The South LAC was asked to note the use of funding under its delegated powers and agree the further expenditure outlined in the report, which will help to address local priorities within the South LAC Community Plan.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The LAC could choose not to allocate budgets at this stage and through its delegated authority, but this would delay local projects and facilities for local communities.