Agenda item

The Committee received the following questions from members of the public who had submitted questions prior to the meeting, and who were in attendance to raise them: -

(a)    John Wills

Who has responsibility for local funding regarding adult education? Is it the Council, Mayoral Authority, or both?

The Chair confirmed it was the Mayoral Authority.

(b)    Brian Coleman

Will there be plans to appoint recognised community hubs as places of welcome?

The Head of Communities stated that the Council had began to look at places of welcome across the city as a wider piece of work.

(c)    Public Questioner 3

What is the timescale for having community plans in place in Darnall ward?

The Local Area Committee Manager explained the aim was to have a discussion on community plans and priorities at the next meeting of the Local Area Committee (LAC), in January 2022.

(d)    Public Questioner 4

Will the budget of £100,000 be split evenly across all 4 wards?

The Chair stated that the £100,000 was accessible to all 4 wards although they may be certain wards that had specific plans that take priority therefore could spend more money than other wards.

(e)    Public Questioner 5

How much money is in the Fly-Tipping and Graffiti budget?

The Chair explained that there was a budget of £700,000 city wide and that £58,000 was accessible to each LAC.

(f)    Public Questioner 6

1. Does the salary of the Local Area Team come out of the LAC budget?

2. Is it possible to carry over any of the budget into the next financial year?

In response to question 1, the Chair confirmed that no salaries were to come out of the LAC budget.

In response to question 2, the Head of Communities advised that she had requested any unused budget be carried over and that she would report back to the LAC once confirmed.

(g)    Public Questioner 7

How does the LAC intend to involve the faith sector into their plans?

The Local Area Committee Manager stated that the LAC would use different methods of communication to engage with as many groups as possible i.e., surveys and workshops. It was also mentioned that the LAC was hoping that the different groups attending the LAC meetings would feed information back to increase engagement. Also, it was advised for anyone part of a group that felt they were not engaged, to speak at the LAC meeting and share their thoughts on how the LACs could improve engagement.

(h)   Public Questioner 8

Will the LAC have access to the £100,000 budget each year?

The Chair explained that each year the LAC would receive a budget of £100,000 and the Head of Communities was requesting that remaining budget be carried over.

(i)     Public Questioner 9

Can members of the public request that facilities be opened and used by young people.

The Chair advised that this could be included in the agreement of community plans for January 2022 if members of the public felt that this was a priority. There would also be a youth services officer in direct contact with this LAC, who would link into the youth services plans.

(j)    Public Questioner 10

How many residents are there across the 4 wards included in this LAC?

The Head of Communities stated that they was approximately 52,000 residents in Darnall, Manor Castle, Park and Arbourthorne and Richmond.

(k)    Public Questioner 11

Will the LAC engage with elderly people in the community the way the LAC talked about engaging with the youth?

The Chair mentioned that the LAC intends to engage with everyone equally.

(l)    Public Questioner 12

How would the LAC community plan help promote youth services?

A written response would be provided for this question.

(m)   Public Questioner 13

1. How ambitious could the community plan be?

2. Would there be thought on bringing in investment from other organisations?

In response to question 1, the Chair explained that the LAC aimed to make the consultation reflect how the community could put their ideas forward on what local issues needed addressing.

In response to question 2, Councillor Anne Murphy mentioned that the LAC had already been working with organisations and building working relationships as investments was a factor to consider.

(n)    Public Questioner 14

How would Sheffield City Council consult with the public on what will be decided in the community plan?

The Local Area Committee Manager explained the importance of incorporating the public’s ideas into the community plan through different sources and added that a draft community plan would be communicated at the next LAC meeting.

(o)    Public Questioner 15

How can Sheffield City Council ensure the BAME community are included in public engagement?

The Chair stated that the Council intended to engage with as many community groups as possible and that the LAC team were using various methods to ensure that public voices were heard.

(p)    Public Questioner 16

Could the LAC budget be used to fund raise and generate more investment instead of looking to spend all 100% of the budget of community plans and projects?

The Head of Communities stated that it would be possible to invest part of the budget.

(q)    Public Questioner 17

Would there be an opportunity for local services to present what their organisation does for the community at a LAC meeting?

The Chair advised that it could be beneficial to schedule themed additional LAC meetings inviting different services to attend and present information on their organisation.

(r)    Public Questioner 18

If the community plan wouldn’t be agreed until January 2022, does that mean that none of the LAC budget would be used until then?

The Chair explained that money within the ward pots could be used in the meantime although agreed that the LAC budget would not be used until after January 2022. The LAC’s have also been given a Fly-tipping and Graffiti budget in which the Council had already began to engage with members of the public on identifying areas in the wards where fly-tipping and graffiti was a concern.