Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1      Councillor Karen McGowan introduced herself, welcomed attendees and thanked Councillor Tony Downing (the previous South East LAC Chair) for his work setting up the South East LAC. Councillors and Officers introduced themselves.

To identify where resolutions may be moved to exclude the press and public.

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2.1          Apologies were received from Councillor Paul Wood, Councillor Bryan Lodge, Councillor Kevin Loxley, and Councillor Jackie Satur. 

Members to declare any interests they have in the business to be considered at the meeting.

3.1      There were no items which required the exclusion of the press or public.

4.1      No declarations of interest were given.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the committee held on the 8^th March 2022 and the 18^th May 2022.

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5.1          Jamie Dean, Senior Sustainable Communities Officer, was in attendance and gave a presentation on the Sustainable Communities Team. He gave an overview of the role and activities of the Sustainable Communities Team.

5.2          Jamie Dean discussed Problematic Parking Patrols involving local school children, which involved creating advice tickets which praised good parking and gave feedback on parking which could be improved.

5.3          Jamie Dean outlined the findings of the project, which involved increased interactions and a more productive response from drivers.

5.4          He shared some feedback from parents regarding this and invited attendees to ask questions should they have any. Jamie Dean gave certificates to students at Brook House Junior School to acknowledge their participation in the scheme.

5.5          Councillor Downing asked that Councillors be made aware of work taking place in schools in order to allow them to participate.

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6.1          The minutes of the two previous LAC meetings, on the 8^th of March 2022 and the 18^th of May 2022, were approved as a correct record.

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7.1          Jayne Foulds, Local Area Committee Manager, outlined the Report of South East LAC Proposed Spending 2022-23 report. She stated the key priorities highlighted in the plan were:

-       Transport and Highways

-       Local Environment

-       Crime and Community Safety

7.2          Jayne Foulds read through the different elements of each priority.

7.3          Councillor Kurtis Crossland stated he was happy to hear money was being spent on speeding in the area. Councillor Mick Rooney confirmed this was the case.

7.4          Councillor Crossland asked if ongoing feedback from the public could be provided. Councillor McGowan confirmed that this would be possible. Councillor Rooney stated that a contingency fund was in place to allow responses to feedback received in LACs.

7.5          RESOLVED: That the South East LAC approve the recommendations outlined in the report.

7.6          Jayne Foulds gave a presentation on the progress to date on the priorities for the South East LAC. On the theme of transport, she outlined the Speeding Review, which was due to take place, based on feedback received previously. She stated that the team had asked for accident information to be reported back. 

7.7          On the theme of environment, Jayne Foulds stated faulty street lights, fly tipping and dog fouling were being addressed through posters and working with the Environmental team. She stated that off-road biking issues were being addressed through working with South Yorkshire Police.

7.8          On the theme of Crime and Community Safety, Jayne Foulds stated work had begun with Youth Services and the Sheffield Youth Cabinet. She said that consultation work was taking place, including work with an off-site Youth Club in the Crystal Peaks area. She stated that a member of the Youth Cabinet would give a presentation within the meeting.

7.9          Councillor McGowan invited members of the public to share thoughts and suggestions on the Local Community Plan.

7.10       A member of the public suggested that Bring Out Your Rubbish Days be reintroduced. Nik Hamilton stated that the cost was prohibitive, as items such as tires and gas canisters could be discarded and were particularly expensive to remove. He estimated that a typical Bring Out Your Rubbish Day could cost around £6,000.

To receive any questions or petitions from members of the public.

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8.1          Emma Hinchliffe (Young People’s Involvement Lead) was in attendance to give an overview of the Sheffield Youth Cabinet, which consisted of Elected Youth Councillors and UK Youth Parliament Members. She outlined some of the key priorities for the Sheffield Youth Cabinet, which included health and wellbeing, lowering the voting age, and reforming the curriculum.

8.2          Councillor McGowan thanked Emma for attending and asked that they continue to work with the South East LAC.

8.3          A member of the Sheffield Youth Cabinet, Becca, stated she had a number of ideas and joined the Sheffield Youth Cabinet to feedback the views of her peers. She mentioned that there was only one foodbank in the area, and that many people were struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis.

8.4          A member of the Sheffield Youth Cabinet, Zac, stated he was passionate about politics and was particularly interested in improving outdoor recreation areas for young people, improving public transport conditions and fundraising for youth homelessness.

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9.1          Cath Davis said there used to be a group available for children who would struggle in school, but she said that this group no longer ran. She said she felt groups such as these improved the confidence of children, and she expressed her disappointment that the group no longer met. Cath Davis asked if the leaflets available for reporting crime would be paper or electronic. Jayne Foulds stated both forms would be available. Councillor Smith responded to the first statement made by Cath Davis and said she would support reintroducing the group.

9.2          Mike Peet stated he was part of Sheffield Fifty Plus, and he stated their membership had significantly reduced. He said he felt the reduction in toilets in the City Centre was a factor, and he added that there was a lack of signage for toilets which were available. Councillor Mick Rooney stated that he believed there might not be as many public toilets available. Jamie Dean stated that there had previously been a process wherein shops were encouraged to open their toilets to members of the public; however, he stated he was not sure if this was still the case. Councillor Smith stated she felt this would be a good idea.

9.3          Dawn Sear stated she was the local group co-ordinator for Sheffield Green Peace. She said she was also part of the Sheffield Litter Pickers Society. She asked what could be done to grow more food in the area, and she stated there was a food crisis occurring. She mentioned that many allotments were not being used, and in some cases had overgrown during COVID-19. She asked if an incentive could be given by the Council to encourage individuals to take over a plot and should they clear the area within a 12-month timeframe they could be given the area for free. Jayne Foulds stated that an Environmental Champions group was laid out in the Community Plan, and she stated that it was the Council’s intention to set this up. She invited Dawn Sear to be part of this group. She stated she would welcome the opportunity to be part of the Environmental Champions group. Councillor Smith asked if information around this could be put up on the website to encourage others to engage. Jayne Foulds confirmed that this would be possible. Rowan Longhurst from Sheffield City Council was in attendance, regarding allotments she stated that the interest in food growing had risen. She said that interest in allotments had increased substantially during the pandemic and added that the waiting list was now in the thousands. She said she welcomed ideas from members of the public. Councillor Rooney asked whether the South East Countryside Management meeting still took place. Rowan Longhurst stated she thought the meeting no longer took place. Councillor Rooney suggested that those interested in rewilding feedback to the consultation for the Local Plan.

9.4          Cath Davis stated that there was an overgrown garden  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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10.1       Laurie Brenan was in attendance to give a brief overview of the Cost-of-Living Crisis. He referenced the challenges of the rise in cost of food and energy whilst salaries were stagnant. He stated that the Council was trying to support people as much as possible. He outlined some of the things being done to try and help people in the area, including signposting the support available, improving their website and providing hardship grants as simply as possible. He added that planning had begun to support people through winter.

10.2       Laurie Brenan invited attendees to provide advice on how to support the local area. He stated the Council was working to coordinate their response across the LACs.

10.3       Councillor McGowan suggested that the cost-of-living crisis be discussed at the next LAC with a specific South-East LAC focus. Dawn Sear mentioned food poverty and food waste as significant issues. She asked whether food could be placed in fridges and used by those who were most in need. Laurie Brenan stated he could discuss this with a Public Health Officer. Councillor Crossland suggested the LAC look at the Local Plan. It was suggested that there be a section for local community groups to network and discuss goals.

10.4       Councillor Rooney asked whether mapping of food banks had been done in the past. Laurie Brenan stated that this was correct, and he said that this work was part of the Food Access Plan. Laurie Brenan said that there was some concern that foodbanks could be overstretched, particularly as people donated less as their own money was limited.

Note: The next meeting of the South East Local Area Committee will take place on the 27^th September 2022, venue to be confirmed.

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11.Councillor McGowan gave some updates on funding given for Jubilee Events and directed people to the message boards in the area.