Agenda and minutes

1.1

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained the running order for the agenda.  The Chair advised that the formal business of apologies, declarations of interest and minutes of the last meeting would be dealt with first.

1.2

The agenda had changed slightly to include two extra updates.  Following the formal business there would be an item on more information about members of the Local Area Committee, then public questions and answers and then the two extra updates regarding projects identified in the community plan 2022/23 and feedback and presentation on the recent volunteer day.

2.1

An apology had been received by Councillor Denise Fox.

3.1

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

4.1

There were no interests declared at the meeting.

5.1

The minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 22^nd March 2023 and 17^th May 2023 were approved as a correct record.

6.1

Members of the Committee introduced themselves individually to the meeting and gave some background to who they were and what wards they covered.

7.1

The committee received two questions in advance of the meeting and also two people in attendance via online remote connection.

7.2

Question - Gill Green (online) firstly gave some context around her written question.

As some of you may recall, I attended the recent SE LAC meeting via Zoom but was only allowed enough time to raise part of my question which I sent to you prior to the meeting. As a result, the ensuing discussion In the room focussed on volunteer litter picking in the area rather than the problem areas that I highlighted in my email to you and in my question to the LAC i.e. hedgerows and verges at the side of the A57, Bochum Parkway, Donetsk Way see my email to you all (below). I did, however, appreciate Councillor Smith’s comment to the meeting that my question was an attempt to target littering of our highways and that the Council should do something about the problem of littering from vehicles. Unfortunately, unfairly and much to my annoyance, as a resident who was attending the meeting virtually, I was not given the opportunity for a follow up comment or question. I was also disappointed with the rather fatalistic and patronising response to my question about littering from vehicles given by Amey’s representative at the meeting. I felt that the attitude within Amey and amongst some councillors and officers is that litter collection is a waste of time because (to quote Amey’s representative) “it’s all about education” and “….we’ll never stop people throwing litter, it’s a waste of time picking it up because it’s as bad again the next day.” Amey’s representative clearly did not appreciate that not all residents are able to take part in volunteer litter-picking or attend meetings in person to challenge their response. I found her comments were disrespectful, discriminatory and lacked an awareness of the Council’s inclusivity policy and I would like this to be fed back to Amey. 

I feel quite strongly that throwing litter is at its best, low-level anti-social behaviour, and that if it’s left unchecked and unchallenged, contributes to the decline of the whole neighbourhood and city. It is also a criminal offence under the Cleaner Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. Littering from vehicles is also an offence under Rule 147 of the Highway Code. Could I also refer you to the “Broken Windows Theory” which states:

The basic idea for the Broken Windows theory is that any kind of urban blight – a broken window, graffitied walls, rubbish on the streets, etc. – does no harm to a neighbourhood if it is immediately remedied. However, if left untended, it signifies a lack of care in the community, the kind of environment in which it is acceptable for residents to relinquish any notions of concern. And while the initial damage and disrepair is physical, the next stage is psychological. That is, if it becomes acceptable for people to litter and vandalise at will, why not walk around  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1

The Committee received an update on the Community Plan for South East Area.  Jayne Foulds, LAC Manager gave a presentation that covered:

·       Transport and Highways

·       Environmental

·       Crime and Community Safety

·       Youth Provision

·       Fly Tipping

It was advised that £100k had been allocated to all priorities.  Additional funding had been received for fly tipping target hardening provision - £57k and Youth Provision - £10k.

8.2

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the information reported as part of the presentation.

9.1

The committee considered a presentation from Clare Knott, LAC Officer which updated members of the Volunteer Fayre Day that took place at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre on Friday 16^th June 2023.

9.2

Volunteers were in attendance to promote awareness of their groups to the public.  It was identified at the last committee that there was a problem of gaining new volunteers and members since the pandemic and the period where so may groups and activities had to close.

9.3

Local Councillors were in attendance as well as representatives from Voluntary Action Sheffield and South Yorkshire Funding and Advice Bureau.

9.4

The event was well attended, and 100% of the volunteers gave feedback after the event and said it was useful in promoting their group.

9.5

RESOLVED: that the committee notes the update.

10.1

The meeting moved to a public participation session to discuss the review of the South East Local Area Committee priorities.

11.1

Feedback was shared amongst the discussion groups.