Agenda item

9.1

The Committee received the following questions from members of the public who attended the meeting to raise them:-

(a)  Lynn Rooney, resident of Stradbroke

There are lots of environmental issues on the Stradbroke estate, and I feel that some spaces have more priority than others. Council services do not agree on who is responsible for litter. A vast amount of rubbish is blown around in the winter and trapped in hedges. Once litter appears it then attracts more litter. Grass verges are in a bad state, and the general appearance is not good. It used to be a nice place to live, and people seem to be passing the buck in terms of who is responsible to action this. I have been advised that community litter picks will take place, but I believe this is a dereliction of duty. I have contacted the neighbourhood team but have not heard back. Could the neighbourhood wardens help with litter picking? We need the same level of support that other areas of the city have. There is currently no functioning Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) on the estate to contact.

Councillor Mary Lea advised that if Ms Rooney could provide further details, a walkabout could be organised with members and officers to determine responsibility for clearing up.

Councillor Dianne Hurst confirmed that there were particular hotspots of recurring litter problems, and that she had been present on walkabouts in the area and reported issues on a regular basis. She advised that further visits could take place as needed.

Councillor David Barker noted that co-ordination and co-operation was needed in order to help with the issues.

Councillor Nabeela Mowlana confirmed that she was a member of the Housing Policy Committee and would investigate options for re-instating a TARA.

(b)  Gillian Briggs, Headteacher of Phillimore Community Primary School

We talk to our local community and parents regularly about the consultation on the proposal for Phillimore School to manage and use the field/pitch adjacent to the school. Parents are overwhelmingly in favour of this. If the results of the consultation show that people are in favour of this proposal, would you as local councillors also support this proposal?

Councillor Mary Lea advised that the results of the consultation would be collated and that all views, including those from the wider community, would be considered.

Councillor Zahira Naz agreed that it was important to hear views from wider parts of the community on the use of this space, particularly those who had difficulty in accessing the online consultation. She noted that the Council had a responsibility to engage as widely as possible.

(c)   Chris Mart

A serious incident had occurred in Seaton Park where the play area had been destroyed, and it had since been demolished. Were there any plans to repair this area?

Councillor Laura Moynahan explained that the playground equipment had been removed as it had been vandalised and was in a dangerous condition. She added that this was a priority site, along with Sky Edge Fields, for replacement of play facilities in an affordable and sustainable way.

(d)  Irene Day, Chair of Sheffield 50+

Why is it necessary to set up a Public Safety Protection Order in the city centre with particular emphasis on the people that are most vulnerable in our society. Have members read the article in the Sheffield Tribune about this?

Councillor Moynahan stated that she found the article had brought together all of the relevant issues and that the Public Space Protection Order would include the area up to Park Hill. She advised that she had been involved in the residents consultation, and that the majority had been in favour of the plans, although some had highlighted issues of it potentially targeting vulnerable people and the divide that this might bring. She added that it was a complex issue and that all views were needed in order to ensure the right level of support could be provided by services and agencies. She asked that as many people as possible submit their views via the consultation process.

Councillor Lea added that there were existing services that provided support to vulnerable people within the city centre, and the Public Space Protection Order aimed to address issues contributing to anti-social behaviour.

Ms Day noted that a number of city centre support agencies currently had reduced opening times, and that she understood that Household Support funding was due to finish at the end of March, so was concerned about whether there were any contingency plans to support those people affected by this.

Councillor Lea confirmed that feedback received via the consultation process would be considered by the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee.

Councillor Naz added that checks could be made with the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy on how the details of the consultation had reached those without online access.

Councillor Lea thanked those present for attending, and invited them to view the displays on the ‘Living on the Breadline’ exhibition.