Agenda item

5.1

The Committee received a presentation from David Luck, Community Services Manager. A survey had been conducted across the city alongside community engagement which was carried out by the North Local Area Committee team and partnership organisations. This had helped to form the 3 main themes of the Community Plan: Transport and Highways, Environment, and Community. These were broad ‘headlines’ with cross-cutting issues which would be prioritised and explored further. The aim had been to identify areas of work that could make a difference to local communities. Following agreement of the plan, further engagement would take place about specific projects and aims.

5.2

A member of the public enquired whether it was now just a question of signing off headlines as the plan is yet to emerge? Extensive consultation has been carried out, but the numbers were low in terms of a population percentage. Could this be boosted?

In response, the Chair noted that the part of the consultation process had been undertaken when Covid-19 restrictions had prevented face-to-face meetings. He advised that some community groups had provided positive feedback on the draft plan. The Chair was aware of the lack of consultation with young plan and noted that it was an emerging plan.

David Luck agreed and explained that the Community Plan would grow and develop over time. This process would be informed by regular meetings held between members and officers, statistical information obtained from the survey, and also from the vast knowledge that members had on their communities. He noted that future consultations might be modified and be carried out more broadly and creatively.

5.3

The Chair read out a question from Will Nash, who was not present at the meeting:

Why is 'community safety and crime' not one of the 3 area priorities when is was the least liked and third highest for improvements in the area overall?

The written response provided to Mr Nash was as follows:

As you say, community safety and crime was one of the four main areas identified in consultation.

I then went through individual comments and whilst these varied there were a lot about lack of Police presence.

The question for the LAC is what are the elements of community safety and crime it can address? Clearly, much of this lies primarily with the Police who we work closely with.

The LAC needs to consider the type of areas where it can be involved in tangible work and I would hope those issues around ASB can be picked up within the proposed priorities for example:

• Safe roads – measures to address concerns about speeding
• Vibrant community life – positive activities for young people; promoting the work of local Police teams;  working with housing colleagues around concerns within social housing
• Clean & attractive environment – work around graffiti & fly tipping

Over the coming months we will explore key issues further in order to bring forth projects and develop an action plan.

At the heart of our work is the development of strong working relationships within communities and with service deliverers. In this way, over time, we hope to make progress on the issues people have raised with us

5.4

A member of the public noted that the Community Plan had been talked for a long time about the plan, and now residents were ready for action. The questioner asked whether there were any examples of projects to improve the quality of life for people, the young and the old? In terms of ‘levelling up’, what were our members/MP doing to improve the quality of life for north Sheffield residents? Council Tax and energy costs were increasing and member/MP support was needed to make sure a fair share of funding was received compared to more affluent areas.

Councillor Grocutt agreed that it was time to listen and take action. In 2014 the Council had been unsuccessful in its bid for Future High Street funding in Stocksbridge, but this had led to a successful ‘Town Fund’ bid. This was already showing tangible differences in the quality of life and health and wellbeing of local residents. She advised that here had been lots of investment in improvement to local parks. A lesson learned from Covid-19 was how much Sheffield’s open space was valued. Local Area Committee’s had funding for dealing with issues such as flytipping, graffiti and dog fowling. This funding had supported investigations into ‘hotspot’ areas of flytipping, dealing with worst areas first, and was helping to improve areas and to enable residents to take pride in their local areas. There was also much support from community organisations, including local litter picking groups. There were a number of ongoing projects and Councillor Grocutt noted the importance of members communicating these fully to local residents.

5.5

Councillor Penny Baker was pleased that funding was now available to direct locally to support communities. She noted that Stannington was a huge ward which had struggled in the past for financial support. Recent funding had allowed local members to work with and to support local people and local parks. These projects included:

• Work was being carried out in parks in Stannington, Wadsley Park Village and Worrall to make improvements and to provide playground equipment that was suitable for children with disabilities;
• In Rivelin valley, some Section 106 money had contributed towards a plan to improve the area;
• Flytipping had been a major blight, and members had worked with communities on locating ‘hotspot’ cameras;
• A speed camera had been installed on a problematic road between Stocksbridge and Stannington, which had involved working with community groups and residents;
• Gates had been erected around a community space to stop 4x4 vehicles accessing and spoiling the land.

Councillor Baker noted that a lot of work was being done due to now having more support through the Local Area Committees. She reiterated that once the basic framework of the Community Plan had been agreed, it would then be necessary to prioritise projects and direct resources where they were needed.

5.6

The Chair noted that the North Local Area Committee had the added benefit of including a town council and two parish councils. The north was a large geographical area but had great assets such as countryside and open space. This also meant some unique issues such as poor connectivity, rural isolation and transport difficulties. There were some areas of deprivation within the north and the Chair felt that improving provisions for young people would be beneficial to those areas in particular.

5.7

Dave Ogle, High Green Parish Councillor, felt the Community Plan was a good basis to start from. He was concerned that the facilities of the Parish and Town Councils would not be used to their fullest extent and was keen to ensure that the Local Area Committee worked with them so as not to go over the same ground. He advised of plans for a boxing club that were being drawn up and hoped that the Council could work with them to signpost to any possible funding for the new building. He also mentioned plans for a new club house for Thorncliffe Bowling and Tennis Club were currently going through the planning process, and if successful was hoped to decrease social isolation in the area.

In terms of youth crime, Mr Ogle advised that Ecclesfield Parish Council had allocated almost £20,000 in initiatives to prevent anti-social behaviour and to look at engaging young people, for example via volunteering. He hoped that Local Area Committees could use their experience and get involved in at ‘ground level’ and provide help such as signposting to funding. He noted that the Parish and Town Councils were great assets and should be recognised as such.

The Chair thanked Mr Ogle for his input and confirmed that the North Local Area Committee would continue to work with the Parish and Town Councils. Councillor Julie Grocutt also noted the value in working on local strategies together.

5.8

RESOLVED: that:-

(a)   Approval be given to the North Community Plan as a statement of the priorities of the area;

(b)   Authority be given to the Community Services Manager to produce a final version of the Community Plan document, incorporating any amendments approved by the LAC at this meeting, and to publish it on the webpages of the North Local Area Committee;

(c)    Notes that future LAC decisions relating to funding must fit with the priorities set out in the Community Plan and following engagement with the community; and

(d)   Thanks be given to the Community Services Manager and the North Local Area Committee team for their hard work in preparing the Community Plan.

5.9

Reasons for Decision

The proposal to approve the North LAC Community Plan is recommended on the basis that the Plan provides a clear framework in how the LAC will direct it’s resources to address key issues identified through community consultation.

5.10

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

None. A key element in establishing LACs is the principle that each LACwill develop a Community Plan.

5.11

Breakout sessions took place to give attendees the opportunity to discuss implementation of the key themes within the Community Plan.