Decisions

11.1

The Complaint Handling Code was introduced in July 2020 by the Housing Ombudsman and updated further in April 2022. It sets out how the Housing Ombudsman expects social landlords to manage customer complaints, describes best practice and supports landlords in responding to complaints effectively and fairly.

A requirement of the Code is that social landlords assess their complaints handling against the Code annually, using a standard template provided by the Housing Ombudsman. Also, that social landlords report the outcomes of the assessment to Elected Members and publish the assessment on their website and in their annual report.

An assessment against the code was undertaken in July 2023. The Senior Voids Consultant introduced and outlined the purpose of the report which was to:

·       Inform Housing Policy Committee of the outcomes of the assessment, and of the actions agreed to address any areas of non-compliance.

·        Seek the Housing Policy Committee’s approval to publish the outcomes of the assessment.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the outcomes of the self-assessment against the Code.

2.     Approve the publication of the outcomes of the assessment.

3.     Request an update in 6 months’ time on complaints-handling performance, to support compliance with the Code.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

Housing Policy Committee is being asked to note the self-assessment and to give its approval for publication of the assessment on the Council website because this will help us achieve transparency and accountability in how we manage with housing-related complaints. It is also a requirement of the Housing Ombudsman for all social landlords that we do so.

11.3.2

It is also being asked to request an update report on complaints handling in 6 months’ time (March 2024) as this will support our compliance with the Complaints Handling Code. The Code (section 7.4) requires that landlords provide the ‘governing body’ with regular complaints reports. A 6-monthly update will supplement the bi-monthly performance updates which Committee receive which include summary complaints performance data.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

Self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman’s Code and publication of the outcomes, are a requirement of all social landlords. Therefore, in this respect there were no other alternatives considered.

9.1

Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak who died nearly three years ago from a respiratory condition caused by damp and mould in his home, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods submitted a report to the 15 December 2022 Housing Policy Committee outlining the establishment of a Damp and Mould Task Group and the work required to meet the recommendations within the Ombudsman’s 26-point Spotlight Report on Damp and Mould.

The Head of Service introduced the report which highlighted the progress in meeting the requirements of the Ombudsman’s report and will also seek approval of the Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the contents of this report.

2.     Note the progress made in complying with the Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight Report on Damp and Mould

3.     Approve the Sheffield City Council Damp, Mould, and Condensation Policy

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee approved the adding of the following additional recommendation to the officers report:

4.     That officers provide a further report and review of policy for the March 2024 meeting of the Committee.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

To update the Housing Policy Committee on the work being undertaken by Officers and the Damp and Mould Task Force in response to the challenges of damp and mould in both private sector rented and Council Housing in Sheffield.

9.3.2

To update the Housing Policy Committee on the progress being made in complying with the Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight Report on Damp and Mould.

9.3.3

To formalise Sheffield City Council’s approach for dealing with Damp and Mould issues in Council Properties by adopting a Damp, Mould and Condensation Policy.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

None.

10.1

The Team Manager introduced the report which explained that Cabinet first approved a mandatory licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in April 2006, as prescribed within the Housing Act 2004. Substantial changes to the scheme were approved in 2018 when the definition of licensable HMO properties was expanded, and new building standards were imposed.

Following a detailed review of current fees and charging arrangements, the Committee were asked to approve increases to the HMO licence fees and amendments to the charging structure.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve the changes to the HMO licence fees and charging structure as detailed.

2.     Agree to implement the revised fees and new charging structure for new applications from 31st October 2023 and renewals from 31st December 2023.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The services provided by the City Council's Private Sector Housing Service detailed in this report have been reviewed and determined not to be achieving full cost recovery at their current levels. To achieve full cost recovery, new fee and charging structures are presented for decision by committee members.

10.3.2

The implications of the two landmark rulings R (Gaskin) and R (Hemming) are significant for any local authority that does not currently operate a Directive[1]compliant licencing fee regime. The report advises recommended changes to SCC’s HMO licence fees and charging structure are approved to ensure compliance.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Do nothing. This would result in the Council continuing to charge the current lower HMO licence fees, preventing full cost recovery for the licensing scheme, and reducing the Council’s capacity for detecting and enforcing against landlords operating illegally. This puts the Council at risk of legal challenge for charging in advance for costs other than those directly associated to the authorisation of a licence application. The fees are intended to off-set the cost to the Authority of administering the licensing scheme and must be split between costs incurred before and after deciding to issue a licence. There is no safe legal alternative to a split fee regime, therefore the option to do nothing has been ruled out on that basis.

10.4.2

Split the fee charges to conform to case law precedent but leave fee levels unaltered. This would be the most straightforward option to remove the risk of challenge to the single part licence fee, however our review of the costs incurred by the Council in running the Mandatory HMO licensing scheme revealed that the current HMO licensing fees are not achieving full cost recovery. The proposed revised fees given in Table 1 have been calculated to achieve full cost recovery in performing HMO licensing activities. The local authority has a duty to administer funds in such a way as to protect the interests of council taxpayers, with the accepted principle that licensed activities should be funded by those benefitting from them, rather than council taxpayers. This option was ruled out on that basis.

10.4.3

Split the fee charges and apportion the increased costs equally across all licence holders. This option would require a further increase in licence fees as the anticipated costs for managing non-compliance would need to be incorporated into the fee income generated from all licences, rather than additional charges being applied when non-compliance is detected. Our fee review included consideration of officer time spent assessing applications, inspecting properties and detailing licence conditions, and it was both clear and unsurprising that larger properties took proportionately greater amounts of officer time throughout the licensing process. To apportion costs equally across all licence holders would not be fair or reasonable and would put the Council at risk from legal challenge, so this option was also ruled out.

14.1

The Housing Capital Programme brings together the 30-year Asset Management and Housing Growth Strategy for Council Housing setting out the priorities for current and future investment, to ensure that homes meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and the delivery of tenants’ priorities in improving the quality of homes and neighbourhoods. Investment priorities are formulated from detailed stock condition and other surveys to ensure effective planning of works, utilising available repairs intelligence, life-cycle modelling and, feedback from tenants. The Housing Investment Programme is co-designed and agreed with tenants for the Council housing stock. The Housing Capital Programme is split into three distinct areas of activity; Council Housing Investment (existing stock and assets) and the Council’s Stock Increase Programme, funded from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, as described in the annual HRA Business Plan. There is also the Non-HRA Capital Programme which includes the Programme Management, Homes & Loans to private homes and investment in private homes. The table at 1.9 show the overall Housing Capital Programme split between Council Housing Investment, Stock Increase and Non[1]HRA areas of the programme.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update of the progress against the approved 2023/24 Housing Capital Programme, this is reported regularly as part of the Council’s Corporate Capital Programme to the Finance Committee. This report will focus on providing an update about spend and progress against the 2023/24 Housing Capital Programme at end of June 2023 (Quarter 1). The report also provides an update of the 5-year Housing Capital Programme and the final approval of the 2022/23 Housing Capital Programme outturn.

14.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the 2022-23 Housing Capital Programme final approved outturn.

2.     Note the 2023-24 Housing Capital Programme forecasting and budget position at the end of quarter.

3.     Note the update provided for the 5-year capital programme.

4.     Note and agree the frequency of the Housing Capital Programme quarterly reports presented at future meetings.

14.3

Reasons for Decision

14.3.1

The report was to provide the Housing Policy Committee members with an update on progress against the approved 5-year approved Capital programme.

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

14.4.1

No alternative options were considered as part of this update report.

13.1

The Head of Finance and Commercial Business Partnering introduced the report which brought the Committee up to date with the Council’s outturn position for Q1 2023/24 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account position.

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the updated information and management actions provided by this report on the Q1 2023/24 Revenue Budget Outturn as described in this report.

13.3

Reasons for Decision

13.3.1

To record formally changes to the Revenue Budget.

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

13.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

12.1

The Director of Direct Services introduced the report which provided the Committee with an overview of housing and repairs performance for a range of services within the remit of the Committee. The report covered the period up to quarter 1 (April – June) of 2023/2024. The first part of the report provides an analysis of the performance, setting this within both the national and local context in which services are delivered. A detailed appendix report was included with comparative data against other landlords and regulatory performance. The report allowed the Committee to understand and comment on the performance delivery of housing and repairs services to both tenants and citizens.

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Notes the Performance Report update provided for up to quarter 1 of 2023/2024.

2.     Highlights any issues of concern that they may wish to discuss in future performance reports

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The Housing Policy Committee has delegated authority to monitor the performance of Housing and Repairs services to ensure that:

·       The service is delivering for tenants, and that tenant satisfaction in closely monitored.

·       Limited resources are maximised due to budgetary pressures.

·       The Council is delivering on corporate priorities.

·       Performance information is shared with external organisations such as the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman for scrutiny.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The Housing Policy Committee has delegated responsibility for the regular monitoring of data including performance and financial information, and the performance monitoring of Housing (public sector, private sector, and related functions) services. Therefore, no alternative options to the production of this report have been considered.

10.1

The Head of Bereavement and Coronial Services introduced the short report which was to outline and correct an error in the Bereavement Services Fees and Charges, approved on 13/03/2023.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the typographical error in the report on Bereavement Services Fees and Charges, considered on 13 March 2023 in which the width of a coffin priced £125 was referred to as 600mm up to 7600mm in width.

2.     Authorise the correction to Coffins over 600mm up to 760mm in width - £125.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

To bring the formal decision in line with what was intended and what has been applied by the service.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

None.

9.1

The Head of Libraries, Archies and Information Services introduced the report which outlined that Sheffield City Council had not previously had a documented approach to Collection Management in the Libraries, Archives and Information Service.

By Collection Management it was meant how they select, manage, promote and dispose of library stock, including hard copy books, electronic books, magazines and newspapers.

The service has been operating within this framework for a number of years, which is in line with other Library Authorities across the UK. As part of our commitment to being open and transparent we are seeking approval of the framework in order to make this publicly available.

The Framework applies to statutory Libraries within Sheffield and also covers the Co-delivered Libraries, where the Libraries, Archives and Information Service purchase new materials.

As all Libraries use the library catalogue, all material on the catalogue must follow the principles and spirit of the Collection Management Framework.

Note: The Library Collection Management Framework covers library materials including the Local Studies Library. The City Archive collections are covered by an existing policy document.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

1.     To approve and endorse the content in the Library Collection Management Framework.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

We are bringing our Collection Management Framework to Committee for approval. We have been following this approach, which is in line with other Library Authorities and supports the 2005 national Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP’s) statement on intellectual freedom. To increase openness and transparency we are documenting this approach to inform staff, customers, Elected Members of the Committee and the wider public.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Not applicable.

8.1

The Senior Finance Manager introduced the report which brought the Committee up to date with the Council’s outturn position for Q1 2023/24 General Fund revenue position.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

1.     The Committee is asked to note the updated information and management actions provided by this report on the Q1 2023/24 Revenue Budget Outturn as described in this report.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

To record formally changes to the Revenue Budget.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

8

North LAC Budget 2023-24

10.1

As per item 8 of the Decision taken by the Cooperative Executive on 22 September 2021, the Cooperative Executive resolved to agree that a further report detailing the outcomes of the Council’s trials in reducing the usage of Glyphosate be brought to a future meeting for consideration. This Reports brings those outcomes to the Committee’s attention.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     agrees to the continuation of the city-wide reduction in the use of Glyphosate where viable until December 2025, pending central government guidance and/or legislation on the use of pesticides in the public realm and to bring a further report to committee once that guidance and/or legislation has been published;

2.     agrees to implement a suite of educational and informational measures as to what citizens can do to help the Council in delivering a weed free environment to be implemented when seasonally relevant, until December 2025; and

3.     requests that a report be brought back to the Committee in February 2024 setting out options for phasing out the use of Glyphosate.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Approval of the recommendations will allow:

·       A continuous reduction in the use of glyphosate in highway areas across all of Sheffield.

·       The opportunity to work with residents in various areas of the city to promote awareness and encourage action in line with the Nature Emergency outcomes. This will achieve an important step in the city’s response to the declared Nature Emergency.

·       Alignment with the timescales for further central government guidance and/or legislation and future licensing of information on the future licensing of Glyphosate.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

The option to ‘do nothing’ was considered and discounted considering both the declaration of a Nature Emergency and the support received for the petition against the use of Glyphosate.

10.4.2

The option to cease the use of Glyphosate on all land immediately was considered but discounted due to high level of cost/expenditure. Sheffield has 1,064,045.03 square metres of high usage footways and 8,77,757.67 square metres of lower use footways in the city.

Based on a “worst case scenario” of around 10% of the footway network failing between 2023 and 2037 due to weeds and vegetation this is estimated to cover around £116 million pounds in resurfacing.

Additional Street Cleansing Costs have also been modelled based on 42 additional operatives, additional road sweepers, and other vehicles, and plant machinery being brought into the operation to uplift street cleansing service to manually remove weeds has also been costed at around £2.4 million per year – circa £32 million over the remainder of the PFI contract.

Therefore, the total potential cost implication of complete cessation in a worst-case scenario could be as high as £150 million of additional expenditure. This may however be mitigated should there be a legislative change.

9.1

To provide an update on contract performance and notify the Committee of proposed new ways of working in relation to a Contract for Highways Maintenance between Sheffield City Council and Amey Hallam Highways (AHH) (subcontracted to Amey LG (Amey) as part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract dated 31 July 2012 which is due to expire in 2037 (the Contract)).

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     notes the Amey Contract Performance Report at closed Appendix 3 together with the proposal for officers to continue to monitor Amey’s performance of the Contract considering Appendix 3 and report back to Committee by February 2024 as to progress;

2.     notes the trials on new ways of working for street cleansing, leafing and planned drainage programmes;

3.     notes areas of improvement to strengthen monitoring and auditing function; and

4.     notes full compliance on carriageway and footway surfacing and that Amey are no longer in default.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The reason for this report is for the Committee to note the points outlined above and in the closed Appendix 3 and note Officers proposed way forward.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

There were no alternatives considered and rejected.

8.1

This report brings the Committee up to date with the Council’s outturn position for Quarter 1 2023/24 General Fund revenue position.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee notes the updated information and management actions provided by this report on the Quarter 1 2023/24 Revenue Budget Outturn as described in this report.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

To record formally changes to the Revenue Budget

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

12.1

The purpose of this report is to set out, following a request from the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee, options for consideration in terms of parking concessions in the City Centre, seeking to increase footfall to support the Christmas retail and hospitality offer.

12.2

RESOLVED:

12.2.1

That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee agrees to option 3 as detailed in the report: that a Christmas parking offer will not be implemented in the city centre.

(NOTE: Councillors Mike Chaplin, Alexi Dimond, Tony Downing, Christine Gilligan Kubo, Mark Jones and Sioned-Mair Richards requested that their votes for the recommendation be recorded.

Councillors Sue Alston, Tim Huggan and Joe Otten requested that their votes against the recommendation be recorded.)

12.2.2

That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee notes that the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee may authorise officers to liaise with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to identify potential measures to promote and / or incentivise the use of public transport over the Christmas period, and further recommend that it does so.

(NOTE: Councillors Sue Alston, Alexi Dimond, Christine Gilligan Kubo Tim Huggan and Joe Otten requested that their votes for the recommendation be recorded.

Councillors Mike Chaplin, Tony Downing, Mark Jones and Sioned-Mair Richards requested their votes against the recommendation be recorded.)

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

This report sets out options for consideration in terms of parking concessions in the City Centre, seeking to increase footfall to support the Christmas retail and hospitality offer. Any decision to implement such an approach should be made in the context of the potential cost and impact on footfall of the proposed approach.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The Council could choose to support a public transport offer to promote the use of public transport and/or active travel in partnership with transport operators and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. It could alternately make a decision to invest in the cost of supporting offers to increase public transport take up.

It should however be noted that this would be a matter for the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee. A decision from that committee would be required so as to take such a proposal forward.

On that basis, this Committee may therefore wish to consider making a recommendation to the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee that it authorises officers to liaise with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to identify potential measures to promote and / or incentivise the use of public transport over the Christmas period.

11.1

The report seeks approval of an updated Civil Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement Policy.

The policy provides updated information and guidance on:

·       national regulations and government guidance;

·       how enforcement is carried out for parking and bus lane contraventions;

·       service objectives for enforcement; and

·       the appeals process that motorists must follow to dispute a parking or bus lane ticket and a guide to our cancellation policies.

This is aimed at ensuring our policies:

·       reflect national regulations and guidance;

·       are transparent; and

·       are consistent.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee approves the updated Civil Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement Policy as amended and presented by officers at the meeting.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The Department for Transport sets out that civil enforcement policies should be consistent, fair and effective. The existing policies need updating to reflect current regulations and enforcement options available to the local authority.

It is recommended that Members approve the policy in order for the updated recommendations to be implemented

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

Leave the observation period for restrictions where loading exemptions apply at 5 minutes but just reduce this to 3 minutes for yellow lines near schools. Initial patterns noted from observations carried out by CEOs suggest that most loading activity is spotted within the first few minutes. Applying 3 minutes generally is more consistent than doing so just at certain locations and would contribute to more efficient enforcement.

6.1

Each Local Area Committee has a £100,000 budget to address local priorities, identified within their respective Community Plans.  This report sets out details of the proposed spending in respect of this £100,000 during the 2022/23 financial year.  This report gives an overview of the general categories of proposed expenditure and seeks authorisation from the South West Local Area Committee to permit the Community Services Manager, in consultation with the LAC Chair, to spend monies to address identified priorities within the Community Plan.

6.2

RESOLVED: That the South West Local Area Committee:-

(i)    Approves the proposed allocated expenditure against the £100,000 budget to address local priorities in the South West LAC in 2023/24, subject to the following amendments:

(ii)   Agrees the use of the 2023/24 £26,697 LAC Cost of Living budget as described in the report namely that 50% of the South West’s allocation (£13,348) is awarded as a grant to Citizens Advice Sheffield to support and increase the capacity of its telephone advice line; and

(iii) Authorises the Community Services Manager, in consultation with the Local Area Committee Chair, to finalise the eligibility criteria and make decisions, following engagement with the relevant Ward Members, on the award of the grant funds proposed of up to £5,000.

6.3

Reasons for Decision

The South West LAC is asked to approve the broad allocation of funding under the priority headings identified to assist its ability to monitor its budget, and to authorise the Community Services Manager to approve expenditure above the current delegated authority in certain circumstances so that delivery of the Community Plan is not delayed.

6.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

6.4.1

6.4.2

Decisions on any expenditure above the existing authority to the Community Services Manager could be reserved to the LAC but this would inevitably delay delivery of priority actions to address specific issues identified in the Community Plan.

All decisions on expenditure to support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers.  However, this would restrict and undermine the LAC’s ability to monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the Community Plan.

7

APPROVAL OF NORTH LAC COMMUNITY PLAN 2023-4

1.1

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Vicky Priestley, Robert Reiss and Julie Grocutt.

12.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures setting out an analysis of the effect of the implementation of an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) in Nether Edge, including the results of formal consultation, along with feedback received pre and post formal consultation.

The consultation sought the views of residents, visitors to the area, businesses, local groups, institutions, and statutory groups to inform a decision on whether or not the Council wished to progress towards making the changes permanent or not

12.2

RESOLVED: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:

1)    Note the assessment of the impacts of the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) layout;

2)    Consider the results of the formal consultation, and feedback received post formal consultation;

3)    The ETO is not made permanent and the Archer Lane road closure is removed

4)    A permanent Traffic Regulation Order is promoted for the double yellow lines associated with the Osborne Road and Psalter Lane pedestrian crossings which should be retained on a permanent basis

5)    Authorise officers to carry out further design work and engagement to identify appropriate permanent options and report back to a future meeting; and

6)    Note that the Council’s Traffic Regulations team will inform all consultation respondents accordingly;

7)    Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

During the pre-experiment phase of the Nether Edge Active Neighbourhood consultation respondents said that they would like to see a reduction in traffic, improved crossings, and safer areas for children to play.

12.3.2

The perception surveys have consistently shown that most people perceive that the project has had more negative than positive impacts and the majority are opposed to it. For example, 69% of self[1]selecting resident respondents said that the project had negatively impacted congestion, 60% said the same for through-traffic and 74% said journey times had been negatively impacted by the project. 52% said that traffic speed had also been negatively impacted and less than a third said they would support the project.

12.3.3

The survey undertaken using a sample (thus moving away from self - selection) is more positive, especially from residents. For example, two in five residents (38%) suggest that the area now feels like a safer environment for walking and almost a half (47%) said they would support the project.

12.3.4

Members considered the results of the perception surveys in making a decision to not make the closure of Archer Lane permanent. The committee noted that there were a significant majority of people welcoming the introduction of the crossings and therefore the double yellow lines supporting the crossings along with the crossings themselves will be made permanent.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Option A - End the Experiment

12.4.1

Ending the ETO without making a permanent Order would not include the retention of the double yellow lines that support the pedestrian crossings provided during the trial and that will be made permanent.

10.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures setting out an analysis of the effect of an 18-month Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) used to implement specific interventions on the highway as part of the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route. The ETO and interventions were implemented in May 2022, with the ETO due to expire in November 2023.

The report included the results of formal consultation, receipt of objections, along with feedback received pre and post formal consultation. The consultation sought the views of residents, visitors to the area, businesses, local groups, institutions, and statutory groups. Further monitoring and evaluation of the scheme had been carried out to help quantify the outcomes of the scheme.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:

•       Consider the objections to interventions delivered through the ETO, in terms of how they relate to the wider scheme, its overall aims and objectives and how they tie-in with wider Sheffield City Council strategies and policy.

•       Consider the wider monitoring and evaluation of the scheme including current and potential future outcomes of the interventions delivered.

•       Having considered the objections and outcomes of the scheme, approve the implementation of the SVCR in its entirety. In other words, agree that all interventions associated with the ETO should be made permanent.

•       Note that the Council’s Traffic Regulations team will inform all consultation respondents accordingly.

•       Note that if recommendation to implement interventions on a permanent basis is approved, officers will write to all properties within the boundary of the initial larger consultation area to inform them. Information about the scheme will be included, but the Council will make it clear that this is not a further consultation exercise. The aim is to have this letter distributed within 2 weeks of the recommendations being taken forward.

•       Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

A truly multi-modal transport network that is built to a high standard, offers inclusive economic, social and environmental opportunities and benefits to everyone, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or background. Furthermore, safer, cleaner and lower traffic routes can make the city a better place to live, work, learn and play.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Focusing solely on the interventions associated with the ETO, there are three main approaches to consider:

•       Make all interventions permanent.

•       Remove all interventions and return the highway to its former state.

•       Make some interventions permanent and remove others.

 10.4.2

There may be some more nuanced/minor alterations to signage and lines that can be considered along some sections of the route. However, this has already taken place following early stages of consultation and there has been very little correspondence to suggest that this would make a significant difference for individuals or organisations along the route corridor.

10.4.3

Remove all interventions and return the highway to its former state.

10.4.4

This approach reintroduces through-traffic along all roads where interventions have been implemented. The increased vehicle traffic, and movements across junctions where interventions are present. This would mean that much of the Sheaf Valley Cycle Route (SVCR) is longer LTN1/20 compliant and therefore less safe, less coherent, less comfortable, less attractive, and therefore less likely to encourage modal shift away from motorised vehicle traffic to active modes. It would undermine those permanent interventions that are already in place as the route would essentially become disconnected.

10.4.5

This would be at odds with Sheffield City Council strategy and policy including transport and net zero targets. It sends a message that the speed and convenience of those travelling by private motor vehicle is a priority over the provision of infrastructure that benefits those individuals that do not have access to a car or whose choose to travel by bike or on foot. All other benefits of the scheme, as outline in section 1 of the report, would be undermined. This would lessen improved amenity and worsen the environment for walking and cycling. Ultimately, these types of funded proposals exist to support all transport users across the entire network. With current and planned developed taking place within and near the city centre, these schemes represent a real opportunity to deal with expected increases in demand for transport without an overreliance on car dependency. Outside of the Connecting Sheffield programme, there current exists no other proposals that would address these issues.

10.4.6

Modify/remove some interventions.

10.4.7

It is not possible to make the ETO permanent while also modifying the proposal owing to restrictions on the Council’s ability to do so per regulation 23 of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996. The Council has the option of either making the implemented scheme permanent or not at all.

10.4.8

It is possible to consider the effect of potential modifications. While they are not presented to the committee as an alternative option within this report, such a proposal could be taken forward as a modification subsequent to the recommended scheme being permanently implemented (should the committee so decide). However, this would incur significant resource implications in terms of issuing an entirely new traffic order, carrying out additional public engagement and further demand on officer time.

10.4.9

Furthermore, removal of a single intervention along the SVCR has the potential to undermine the effectiveness of the entire scheme. For example, taking out the Cherry St/Shoreham St filter reintroduces increased traffic volumes along Shoreham St. This means that the route quality declines for active travel users at this location and therefore the full route becomes disconnected and less attractive for people travelling by bike or on foot.

10.4.10

The exception to this is the Hackthorne Rd/Scarsdale Rd intervention as this is not an imperative element of the scheme. However, data clearly shows that this intervention has been successful at removing significant levels of through traffic on Hackthorne Rd and adjoining residential streets

10.4.11

Little London Rd has received more public feedback than any other element of the scheme. If the modal filter was removed here, the road would effectively become less accessible for people on bike or on foot. This is particularly true where the carriageway and footway are extremely narrow (under the rail bridge). Re-opening Little London Rd to through-traffic effectively means that the SVCR would end where the walking and cycling route from Saxon Rd meets Little London Rd. The long-term vision to extend the SVCR to Dore and Totley Station and To Meadowhead, would we much more difficult to realise.

10.4.12

The overall impact of removing any of the ETO interventions is similar in nature (if not scale) to the removal of all interventions along the route as highlighted above.

10.1

The committee considered a report of the Executive Director of City Futures seeking the approval of the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee acting as Charity Trustee of Norfolk Park (Registered Charity Number 1040354) (“the Charity”) to grant a new lease of the Arbourthorne Lodge (“the Property”) to Amy’s House on the terms set out in the Appendices to the report after consideration of the contents of the Qualified Surveyor’s Report and satisfying itself that the proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained in the circumstances.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Charity Trustees Sub-Committee:-

1.    On consideration of the commercial terms and the Qualified Surveyor’s Report (set out in attached Appendices), agree that the Trustees are satisfied that the proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained in the circumstances.

2.    Approve the lease of the subject property to the tenant based on the terms set out in this report, subject to the advertising of notices and consideration by the Sub-Committee of any representation made in response to the public notices being advertised.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

The proposal to grant a lease of this property:

• contributes to charity park income

• reduces the charity’s liabilities by passing on maintenance and repair responsibilities to the tenant

• complies with the statutory provisions contained within the Act and further with the requirements of the Charity Commission

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

It is considered that there are no realistic options here given that property is

already occupied by Amy’s House who have invested significantly in

upgrading the building.

9.1

The committee considered a report of the Executive Director Operational Services seeking the approval of the Charity Trustee Sub Committee acting as Charity Trustee of Endcliffe Park (Registered Charity Number 1112149) (“the Charity”) to the grant of a lease of the Property (as defined at paragraph 1.2 of this report and referred to in the plan attached hereto) to Ashley Charlesworth on the terms set out in the Appendices to the report after consideration of the contents of the Qualified Surveyor’s Report and satisfying itself that the proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained by the Charity in the circumstances.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Charity Trustees Sub-Committee:-

1.    On consideration of the commercial terms and the Qualified Surveyor’s Report (set out in attached Appendices), confirm that the Trustees are satisfied that the proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained by the Charity in the circumstances.

2.    Approve the lease of the Property to the tenant based on the terms set out in this report.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

The proposal to grant a lease of this café facility:

•       safeguards the café facility at Endcliffe Park for the short term

•       secures an increased income stream by way of rent and contribution to running costs of the Park.

•       enhances the attractiveness of the park as a valuable asset for use by the community

•       enables the demised property to be occupied for the purposes of the charitable objects of the Charity

•       complies with the statutory provisions contained within the Act and further with the requirements of the Charity Commission.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

It is considered that there are no realistic alternative options here at this time

8.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services and was asked to consider the contents of this and previous reports and make a decision as to whether the proposed disposal was on balance in the best interests of the charitable trusts/parks.

The decisions that the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee were asked to make on the basis of this report related to charitable and non-charitable land. These decisions fall to the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee because the decisions in relation to the charitable and non-charitable sites are indivisible. A decision could not, for example, be taken by another Committee not to proceed and by this Sub-Committee to proceed as the contractual arrangement was proposed to apply to all of the sites. For the avoidance of doubt an amendment to the Constitution was agreed by Full Council on Wednesday 6th September 2023 to specifically reserve such decisions to this Sub-Committee.

8.2

RESOLVED: That the Charity Trustees Sub-Committee:-

Having:

• noted and endorsed the contents of the report;
• noted that the Cooperative Executive Decision of 22nd April 2022 approved;

o   the proposed City Council funding contribution of up to £180,000 (of prudential borrowing) towards the development of the Activity Hub at Hillsborough Park; and

o   the allocation of Section 106 funds of up to £183,000 for the development of the facilities at Hillsborough Park, as described in the report; and

• reviewed and considered the objections and supportive comments received and, in particular, if the same affected the decision as to whether the proposals were in the best interests of each charity and park

the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee confirmed their approval of:

1.    the award of the contract to the preferred supplier Courtside CIC; and

2.    the grant of leases of the properties referred to in the body of the report to the preferred supplier, Courtside CIC, on the terms set out in the previous reports, being satisfied that the proposed terms are the best that can be reasonably obtained in the circumstances.

The Charity Trustee Sub-Committee also requested that monitoring of the performance of the supplier take place in accordance with Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report at item 8 of the meeting of the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee, 5^th June, 2023, and a report be brought back to the committee at its meeting in September 2024.

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR – 4 Members; AGAINST – 1 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.

Councillor Douglas Johnson requested that his vote against the recommendations be noted)

8.3

Reasons for Decision

Whilst the Committee were grateful to those who had taken the time to respond to the notices and raise objections they noted that there was both support for as well as opposition to the proposals and, on balance, they did not feel that the objections raised substantial new issues, they did still feel that the proposals were in the best interests of each charity and park and they did feel that the proposed terms were the best that could be reasonably obtained in the circumstances.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The Committee considered not approving the contract and leases but felt that would not be in the best interests of the charities/parks.

11.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director-City Futures setting out an analysis of the effect of the implementation of an 18-month Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) in Crookes, including the results of formal consultation, along with feedback received pre and post formal consultation.

The consultation sought the views of residents, visitors to the area, businesses, local groups, institutions, and statutory groups to inform a decision on whether or not the Council wished to progress towards making the changes permanent or not.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:

•       Approve that the elements included in Experimental Traffic Orders are made permanent in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984:

CROOKES –

1.    Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on parts of Hands Road (at the junction with Leamington Street and Townend Street) and Newent Lane, with the extent of the restriction shortened on Newent Lane as detailed.

2.    Prohibition of Motor Vehicles except authorised vehicles and permit holders (School Streets) Monday to Friday 8.15-9.15am and 2.45-3.45pm at Westways Primary School on Mona Avenue and Mona Road.

3.    One Ways on Mona Avenue and part of Mona Road.

4.    No Waiting at Any Time on parts of Cobden Place, Cobden View Road, Hands Road, Leamington Street, Matlock Road, Melbourn Road, Mona Avenue, Pickmere Road, Romsdal Road, Sackville Road, Slinn Street, Townend Street and Warwick Terrace is made permanent, with the extent of the restrictions shortened or not wholly implemented on Cobden View Road, Romsdal Road and Sackville Road as detailed.

5.    No Waiting Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on part of Western Road.

6.    Amendment to Permit Holder Parking Places on Crookesmoor Road.

WALKLEY –

1.    Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on parts of Fir Street, Highton Street and Matlock Road (western end).

2.    One Way on parts of Greenhow Street and Heavygate Avenue.

3.    No Waiting at Any Time on parts of Camm Street, Greenhow Street, Heavygate Avenue, Highton Street and Matlock Road is made permanent, with the extent of the restrictions shortened or not wholly implemented on Matlock Road as detailed.

•       Approve that only the elements listed above under ‘Crookes’ and ‘Walkley’ are implemented on street on a permanent basis. Officers will take forward the revocation of all elements of the ETOs not listed above.

•       Approve that physical works to make these changes permanent are designed and implemented and that until then the temporary materials creating the closures/one way are retained.

•       Note that, if the above elements are made permanent, objectors will be informed accordingly and the Council will write to all properties within the boundary of the consultation area to inform them of the decisions.

•       Approve the development of permanent options for pedestrian crossing facilities near the junction of Crookes/ School Road, Cookesmoor/ Conduit Road and at Heavygate Road/ Heavygate Avenue through normal procedures – these elements are not subject to an ETO.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

In general, the data does not support the general perception, and the council is tasked and supported through various strategies and polices to create better places live, provide transport options, and tackle the climate issues.

11.3.1

CROOKES

It is recommended that the Council make permanent the current interventions as they stand.

This includes:

•       Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on parts of Hands Road (at the junction with Leamington Street and Townend Street) and Newent Lane, with the extent of the restriction shortened on Newent Lane as detailed.

•       Prohibition of Motor Vehicles except authorised vehicles and permit holders (School Streets) Monday to Friday 8.15-9.15am and 2.45-3.45pm at Westways Primary School on Mona Avenue and Mona Road.

•       One Ways on Mona Avenue and part of Mona Road.

•       No Waiting at Any Time on parts of Cobden Place, Cobden View Road, Hands Road, Leamington Street, Matlock Road, Melbourn Road, Mona Avenue, Pickmere Road, Romsdal Road, Sackville Road, Slinn Street, Townend Street and Warwick Terrace is made permanent, with the extent of the restrictions shortened or not wholly implemented on Cobden View Road, Romsdal Road and Sackville Road as detailed below

•       Romsdal Road - keep the double yellow lines on western side at junction with Sackville Road

•       Cobden View Road - keep the double yellow lines at junction with Cobden Place but not the extended ones at the junction with Springvale Road.

•       Sackville Road - Keep all double yellow lines except on eastern side adjoining Romsdal Road

•       No Waiting Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on part of Western Road.

•       Amendment to Permit Holder Parking Places on Crookesmoor Road.

Only the measures in place (and listed above) will be implemented on street on a permanent basis. Officers will therefore look to revoke all elements within the permanent order which are not included above. The revocation process will be subject to the statutory requirements for the modification of traffic regulation orders. It may also be subject to a further decision by the committee where that is necessary (per the requirements of the Council’s constitution).

There is general support for most measures that remain. Only the Sackville Road/Pickmere Road filter continues to generate correspondence and this intervention stands in isolation now that all the others have been removed.

WALKLEY

The interventions have pushed some traffic onto boundary roads, but there has been significant reduction on traffic using the residential roads that have been treated. This, coupled with historical interventions east of South Road means we can start to develop a network of ATNs that could be linked further east toward the strategic A61 corridor, and Hillsborough centre.

The recommended option is to make permanent the measures that are currently in place as below:

•       Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on parts of Fir Street, Highton Street and Matlock Road (western end).

•       One Way on parts of Greenhow Street and Heavygate Avenue.

•       No Waiting at Any Time on parts of Camm Street, Greenhow Street, Heavygate Avenue, Highton Street and Matlock Road is made permanent, with the extent of the restrictions shortened or not wholly implemented on eastern side of Matlock Road between Fulton Road and Heavygate Road

Only the measures in place (and listed above) will be implemented on street on a permanent basis. Officers will therefore look to revoke all elements within the permanent order which are not included above. The revocation process will be subject to the statutory requirements for the modification of traffic regulation orders. It may also be subject to a further decision by the committee where that is necessary (per the requirements of the Council’s constitution).

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

Conclude the Experiment

For both areas, returning everything back to as it was in April 2022. This would

be counterproductive to central and local government policy and objectives

commitments.

9.1

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of City Futures detailing the consultation response to proposals to introduce a parking scheme near Rother Valley Country Park on Rother Valley Way, Meadow Gate Avenue and Owlthorpe Greenway.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee:-

1.     Consider the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rother Valley Parking scheme.

2.     Having regard to those objections, approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order as amended and in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

3.     Note that all respondents will then be informed accordingly.

4.     Approve the implementation of the amended Rother Valley Parking scheme, subject to authorisation of the project through the capital gateway process.

5.       Authorise officers to progress the formal revocation of those elements of the ETO which were not implemented.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The scheme will prevent parking in unsuitable places, such as pavements and provide a pedestrian refuge. This will result in a safer more pleasant environment for residents, pedestrians, and cyclists.

9.3.2

Improvements to Rother Valley Way car park will be included to make this more attractive to use and some on street parking opportunities will be available as alternatives for busy times.

9.3.3

The introduction of a formalised on-street parking scheme will improve access to the Rother Valley Country Park. This will encourage use of the country park for outdoor activities such as walking and cycling which will improve health and wellbeing.

9.3.4

The scheme will improve road safety for all pedestrians including those with impaired mobility, cyclists, and drivers to reduce the risk of future collisions.

9.3.5

Having considered the aforementioned benefits alongside the response from the public and other consultees, it is recommended that the TROs be made with the amendments set out in paragraphs 3.13 – 3.15 as, on balance, the benefits of the scheme are deemed to outweigh the concerns raised.

9.3.6

It is therefore recommended that Committee:

•       Consider the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders associated with the Rother Valley Parking scheme;

•       Having regard to those objections, approve the making of the Traffic Regulation Order, in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984;

•       Note that all respondents will then be informed accordingly;

•       Approve the implementation of the amended Rother Valley Parking scheme, subject to authorisation of the project through the capital gateway process.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The current proposal would see the introduction of a series of waiting restrictions with suitable gaps for on street parking. These gaps are not proposed to be restricted by time or charge at the present time. An alternative was considered during the development of the scheme to include time restrictions or a charging regime on these gaps to ensure more opportunities for parking by creating a turnover of the spaces. However, this was not considered appropriate at the present time due to the wish to encourage drivers to use the space available, considerations about drivers seeking unrestricted parking instead in the residential streets, enforcement practicalities and to encourage visitors to Rother Valley Park to use the car park and these gaps in the first instance.

9.4.2

As outlined above in paragraphs 3.13 – 3.15 the scheme has been revised in light of comments from statutory consultees and public comments during the initial development from Autumn 2022. Changes made following initial engagement and recent consultation include a reduction in proposed waiting restrictions to provide more gaps at the request of residents, addition of traffic calming on Rother Valley Way, provision of new footways on Rother Valley Way and potential improvements to the condition and visibility of the car park.

6

North East Local Area Committee budget report

6.1

The Committee considered a report of the Community Services Manager that advised each Local Area Committee had a £100,000 budget to address local priorities, identified within their respective Community Plans.  The report set out details of the spend in respect of the £100,000 that had been authorised by the Community Services Manager, in consultation with the LAC Chair and in accordance with the delegation granted in September 2021. 

The report showed funding allocated to the North East Local Area Committee for 2023/24, and set out proposals for its allocation and expenditure in line with the North East Local Area Committee Community Plan.

The report noted the expenditure made in 2023/24 used to address local priorities, sought approval of the proposed allocated expenditure against the £100,000 budget to address local priorities in the North East LAC in 2023/24, and included the underspend and committed spend from 2022/23, as detailed in the report. 

An additional proposal was outlined in the report which recommended that 50% (£45,000) of the North East LAC’s allocation from the LAC Cost of Living budget (£90,000) was awarded as a grant to Citizens Advice Sheffield to support its advice line.

6.2

RESOLVED: That the North East Local Area Committee:

6.2.1

(i)    Notes the expenditure against the £100,000 budget to address local priorities in the North East LAC in 2022/3 and includes the underspend and committed spend from 2022/23, as detailed in the report; and

(ii)   Agrees that half (£45,000) of the Cost of Living budget allocated to the North East LAC  be given as a grant to Citizen Advice Sheffield to support its advice line as detailed in the report.  

6.3

6.3.1

6.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected 

6.4.1

Decisions on any expenditure to support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers, however, this would restrict the LAC’s ability to monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the Community Plan.

All decisions on expenditure to support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers.  However, this would restrict the LAC’s ability to monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the Community Plan.