Agenda item

11.1

The Committee received two questions in advance of the meeting, the Chair stated that these questions had been referred to the relevant Policy Committee.

RESOLVED: That the question submitted by Colin Early in regard to demolition sites in Sheffield be referred to Transport and Highways Policy Committee.

RESOLVED: That the question submitted by Matthew Smith in regard to the ‘SNUG Scheme’ be referred to the Housing Policy Committee.

11.2

The Committee received the following questions from members of the public, in attendance at the meeting.

11.3

Simon Ogden

18 months ago, we managed to get to come up with £80,000 for a feasibility study which looked at Hillfoot to Herries Road route becoming part of the cycling network. The study was completed last November but the public have not been able to see it. In the meantime, we understand a report had gone to Councillors. Therefore, Can I ask that this report is shared.

Councillor Christine Gilligan Kubo confirmed that a copy of that report will be shared with Mr Ogden. 

11.4

Graham Wroe

Two years ago, I brought a 6300 named petition to Full Council requesting the Council to stop using glyphosate. Parks had reduced the use of this but overall, it was still being used in many areas. Therefore, can the Council stop using glyphosate.

Ruth Bell explained there was a task and finish group looking onto this and that they had their first session on the 12 July 2023. She mentioned that the task and finish group had asked for an update  report on glyphosate reduction be taken to a meeting of the Community, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee. 

11.5

Bridget Ingle

Stated that City Centre Management managed the City Centre parks and green spaces. From a volunteer perspective she believed that all the services organisations involved in looking after the City Centre were not working together and that there was no volunteer strategy, making it difficult to get involved.

Ruth Bell mentioned that this had previously been discussed as part of the breakout session and that officers as part of Sheffield City Council would speak with City Centre Management and then relay that information back to the public, of how that joined up working may look.

Councillor Martin Phipps explained that City ward councillors supported Briget Ingle’s comments and appreciated volunteer work.

Councillor Douglas Johnson highlighted that depending on the work carried out within the City Centre, the work may be responsible by different services or organisations such as Amey. He agreed that joined up working was important and was something Councillors did already look at.

Ted Talbot added that Green Estate acted a contractor on behalf of Amey to manage greater green sites, and also behalf of Sheffield City Council to manage other green sites in the city.

11.6

Vicky Seddon

Stated that at the previous meeting of the Central LAC in March 2023, Rebecca Maddox discussed the Culture Strategy and that she mentioned the next steps would be to recruit skilled consultants although believed this was yet to be carried out. Therefore, Vicky Seddon asked for an update on this.

Councillor Tom Hunt believed this was process had begun although he confirmed he would check this and contact Vicky Seddon along with the LAC team.

11.7

David Lipka

1. Nothing mentioned earlier about CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding for parks and open spaces. Especially in the Arbourthorne Area.

2. The Upperthorpe Precinct was previously designated as an open space in the blueprint plan approximately 30 years, although now it was being used as a car park.

1. The Community Services Manager confirmed that he would provide David with a written response following the meeting.

2. Councillor Tom Hunt explained that he had chased up the costing for the work to improve the precinct. Ward Councillors were working hard to ensure this area was not being used as a car park. He confirmed that the funding was sill available as part of the CIL funding and it will be used to make improvements to the precinct.

11.8

Nicola Dempsey

Explained she was at an event held by Sheffield Food Partnership, they discussed land with the Parks Service. Therefore, she asked to what extend was the Central LAC and other Committees working with other services on issues such as active travel and food growth in the city.

Councillor Angela Argenzio explained that conversations were happening although it was not as joined up as it could be. She confirmed that a Food Strategy had recently been approved at Strategy & Resources Policy Committee which previously went through the Health & Wellbeing Board. This strategy will be developed in consultation with partners.

11.9

John Blay

Mentioned that many citizens swim in Sheffield ponds, lakes and rivers. Therefore, can the Council display signage informing citizens of the quality of the water.

The Chair mentioned they had been a survey regarding the quality of these waters although they were still awaiting the results of that survey.