Agenda item

7.1

Amanda Holmes, Communication Officer, updated the Local Area Committee on the Stocksbridge Towns Fund. In 2019, the Government announced a £3.6 billion fund investing in towns as part of plans to level up many regions. Sheffield City Council was the responsible authority and set up Stocksbridge Towns Fund. A board was formed in early 2020 and an engagement process began about what should be included in the Towns Fund bid. This coincided with the first national Covid19 lockdown, and engagement was carried out online and via local newspapers.

7.2

Regeneration of Stocksbridge town centre, in particular the High Street, was considered a main priority due to concern about being left behind since the opening of Fox Valley in 2016.

7.3

The engagement process also highlighted that skills and education were felt to be a priority. It was noted that there were no post-16 opportunities within the area, and extra provision was now being investigated.

7.4

Health and wellbeing was the third priority noted. A number of projects were being looked at, including major investment in Stocksbridge Leisure Centre to provide a hydrotherapy pool as a potential regional facility. Further investment was planned to regenerate Oxley Park, including a new skate park and a 3G sports pitch to support teams that otherwise had to travel out of the area. There were also plans to develop new trails and a cycle network to link up with footpaths in the area.

7.5

The next steps involved putting a business case together for sign-off by the Towns Fund Board on 22 July, which would then be submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The total funding available was around £24.1 million and, if secured, projects would begin to be tendered around December 2022 and work was hoped to commence in spring 2023. A regular newsletter and social media sites would keep residents updated.

7.6

Amanda Holmes confirmed that priority discussions were ongoing with the Council’s library team to seek a temporary location for Stocksbridge Library. Parking options were also being considered, and a full survey was being carried out on the options that were available.

7.7

The Chair thanked Amanda for her contribution to the meeting.

7.8

David Luck advised that there would be a short break in the formal meeting of around 20 minutes to give the opportunity for attendees to meet in small informal groups to discuss the Stocksbridge Towns Fund proposals, and for residents of other wards to discuss issues of concern with their local councillors.

7.9

The meeting resumed, and the following feedback was provided:

7.9.1

Stocksbridge

• Suggestion of charging facilities for bikes.
• Hub for cycling and secure storage.
• Possible provision of a cinema in the new hub
• Parking provision at proposed 3G pitch.
• Concerns about housing developments and the need for street cleaning.
• Possibilities for a multi-storey car park.
• Speeding was of concern at the Hole House Lane junction.

7.9.2

Stannington

• Buses needed to be more on time and more reliable. Instances of buses leaving early had been noted.
• Stocksbridge plans could be shared with residents in other wards in the north of Sheffield to attract people to the venues.

7.9.3

Grenoside

• Grenoside park was discussed, and developing a plan to progress regeneration via LAC and ward pot funding

7.10

Emma Collins of Ecclesfield Parish Council provided an update on work carried out in their area, which included:

• A community skip day had been carried out at Angram Park to allow collection of larger rubbish items, and over 2 tonnes of waste had been collected.
• Jubilee events had taken place at Grenoside and Chapeltown, with over 2,000 people attending
• School uniform ‘swap shops’ had taken place at schools across the parish
• Four information posts were being installed to give residents information about activities over the summer holidays.
• Outcomes from the ‘Transport Issues on Jeffcock Road Residents Survey’ had been published and plans were underway to install boulders around Angram park to help prevent anti-social behaviour. Parking issues in this area were due to be discussed at the next parish council meeting.

7.11

The Chair noted that an agenda item would be added to future meetings of the North Local Area Committee for Parish and Town Councils to provide updates.