WENTWORTH NORTH AREA ASSEMBLY Meeting held on Monday 13th March 2006 Wath Montgomery Hall at 7.00pm.

Present

Councillor Frank Hodgkiss Ward 7 - Hoober- (IN THE CHAIR) Councillor Alan Atkin Ward 19 – Wath Tim Binns Local Resident Joan Binns Wath Arts Caroline Boyle 2010 Rotherham Community Development Manager Colin Dyson Wath Partnership Councillor Alan Gosling Ward 19 – Wath Harry Harrison Swinton Resident Lynn Jones Wath Library Andrew Laird Wath Partnership Councillor Neil License Ward 16 – Swinton Ian Lomas Wentworth Parish Council and Harley Village Partnership Nick Lomas Harley Village Partnership Joyce Maleham Wath Partnership Lee Pearce Times Gillian Picker Chronicle Jill Ratcliffe Neighbourhoods Community Support Officer Wentworth North (MINUTES) Sue Ransam Dearne Valley College Barry Deakin HMR Pathfinder Manager Councillor Richard Russell Ward 7 – Hoober Chris Shaw RMBC Streetpride Peter Thornborrow RMBC Conservation Officer Harry Tooley Housing Panel Councillor Alex Sangster Ward 19 – Wath Hazel Smith Wath Library Melanie Swanwick Wath Partnership Vicky Whitehead RMBC Youth Service Colette Williams 2010 Rotherham Community Development Manager John Wordsworth Charles Street Community Centre

Apologies

Sid Bailey Brampton Parish Council Julie Barnett Swinton Partnership Trevor Boulton Manor Farm TARA Councillor John Doyle Ward 16 – Swinton Andrew Fawdry RMBC Streetpride Robert Fellows RMBC Community Planning Officer (Wentworth North) Councillor Jane Hamilton Ward 7 – Hoober Audrey Hart Brampton Parish Council Richard Jackson RMBC Streetpride Richard Kearney South Yorkshire Police Andrew Leigh Neighbourhoods Manager D Logan Wath Community Partnership Richard Poundford RMBC – Economic Development Services Ted Sandland Swinton Partnership Tim Simpson Swinton Resident Inspector Steve Tattershall South Yorkshire Police Councillor Ken Wyatt Ward 16 - Swinton

297. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 13th FEBRUARY 2006.

Agreed: - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th February 2006 be received and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

298. MATTERS ARISING

None

300. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

None

301. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

Colette Williams – 2010 Rotherham Community Development Manager gave the following presentation;-

What is community Development?

• Community Development is about building active and sustainable communities based on social justice and mutual respect. • It is about changing power structures to remove the barriers that prevent people from participating in the day to day issues that affect their lives.

Empowering People

• Valuing their skills, experience and ideas.

• Enhancing skills, confidence and aspirations.

• Increasing the capacity of individuals and organizations to govern themselves.

• To participate as partners in the process of improving the quality of life.

Who are the 3 Community Development Managers?

• Colette Williams – Wentworth North and South. • Caroline Boyle – North and South Rotherham. • Debbie Brashaw – West and South/Wentworth Valley.

Where are we based?

We have moved from the Tenants Recource Centre at Greencroft to;-

Community Development Team, 2010 Rotherham Ltd Eastwood Depot, Chesterton Road Eastwood, Rotherham S65 1SZ Tel:- 01709 822222 exts 2274 and 2227 Email:- www.2010rotherham.org

Who do we work with?

• Neighbourhood Staff • Area Assemblies • Community Partnerships • SNT’s, Police • TARA’s • Area Housing Panels • PCT’s • Social Services • Community and Voluntary Groups • Education

CDM Work Programme

• Developing Resident Involvement • Develop Tenants Federation • Review work of TARA’s • Develop links with wider communities • Work with Neighbourhood staff to develop Safer Neighbourhood Teams • Develop Tenant and Resident Participation Compact • Promote and develop Key Player Initiative • Support Community Involvement in Decent Homes and HMR Pathfinder • Making our services more inclusive – Equality and Diversity • Improve our performance for resident involvement (KPI) • Review the AHP’s • Support the election process for a tenant representation on 2010 Rotherham Ltd Board • Small grants

Why is Community Development Important to 2010 Rotherham Ltd and Neighbourhood Management?

• Supports Community Participation

• Contributes to Neighbourhood Renewal and Management and help to make regeneration more sustainable

• Supports Area Assemblies

• We are committed to equalities and diversity; this will help us to address the needs of our diverse communities

Neighbourhood Management – It has positive outcomes

• Personal Growth, learning and increased employability of active citizens

• Greater interaction of people, which enhances the sense of community and an interest in local affairs

• Collective achievements – the huge range of things delivered by volunteers

• It increases our understanding of the local communities we serve and helps us to target, adapt and improve services

302. WATH CONSERVATION AREA

Peter Thornborrow – Conservation and Urban Design Officer explained that there are 25 conservation areas in Rotherham, of which Wath is the most northern, and there are photographs of 525 listed buildings. Almost all conservation areas are villages except for Wath, Swinton and Rotherham Town Centre.

The Wath conservation area now includes the former Vicarage which was built on the site of a 12th century manor house on Barnsley Road. The arts and crafts style building was built in the 1800’s by Arthur Keeble, brother to Martin Keeble who was the vicar for Wath in 1909. Both brothers were well educated having attended Christchurch Oxford.

Peter then gave the following presentation;-

Wath Conservation Area Extention

• Recent application for housing development raised awareness of key historical features of . • Resulted in need to extend conservation area and requests for listings in order to provide needed protection. Features identified include:- • Medieval Moat • 18th century tunnel under the • Superb example of an arts and crafts house.

Boundary Change

• The boundary has been extended to include the:- • Medieval Moat • The 18th Century Tunnel • Arts and Crafts style house from 1910

Spot List Requests • Requests for listings are currently being considered by English Heritage to list the tunnel and the house.

303. HOUSING MARKET RENEWAL PATHFINDER UPDATE

Barry Deaking, the new Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Manager for Wath and Swinton introduced himself and gave the following presentation:-

Wath and Swinton ADF Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme Briefing Note The following provides a summary of Housing Market Renewal project activity within the Wath and Swinton ADF area.

1. HMR Forward Programme 2006/2008 1.1 Awaiting determination by ODPM. Outcome expected April 2006.

2. Selective demolitions and site assembly

2.1 Almond Place, Wath. The selective demolition of 19 unsustainable sheltered housing units. Johnny Johnson Housing Association has been selected as developer partner to redevelop the site and is currently working on design options. It is proposed that the site be utilised to provide aged persons leasehold housing and specialist dpu units. The site was identified in the draft master plan as a key opportunity site for new aspirational housing development.

2.2 Denman Road, Bushfield Road and Michael Croft, Wath. Northern Counties Housing Association has been selected as developer partner for the cleared sites and are currently working on design options and awaiting Housing Corporation funding approvals. A working group has been established to take this forward, which will include existing members of the Wath Regeneration Steering Group. The neighbourhood was identified in the draft master plan as an area for further intervention, with a number of opportunity sites for new housing development.

3. Green Spaces and Groundwork Environmental Projects A number of existing community recreational facilities and parks have been identified in the draft master plan as areas for further improvement and enhancement. These areas are also identified in the Borough Green Spaces strategy.

3.1 Highfield Park, Swinton Groundwork Dearne Valley has completed environmental improvements at Highfield Park, including new perimeter fencing, new multi-use games area and groundwork improvements.

3.2 Horsefair Park, Swinton Groundwork Dearne Valley is undertaking environmental improvements to the park and promote improved linkages to Swinton Town Centre. The work will provide an improved entrance feature to the park, from the town centre.

3.3 Wath Road, . Groundwork Dearne Valley is undertaking environmental improvements to provide a new multi-use games area, youth shelter, entrance and pathways at Wath Road playing fields. The project has been supported by Brampton Parish Council and the Community Partnership. The project is also funded by £15,000 of Section 106 agreement monies. The draft master plan identifies a clear need for enhanced recreational facilities and public spaces at Brampton.

3.4 Park View Sports Ground Groundwork Dearne Valley is undertaking environmental improvements to this facility. The project is supported by the community partnership.

4. Gateway Enhancements

4.1 Rowms Lane/ Bridge Street A key gateway from Swinton into the wider Dearne area and the ADF area. The area also runs parallel with the canal corridor, which is seen as a major development opportunity and transformational area.

5. Specialist Studies Further detailed study and consultation will be undertaken at the following locations, to inform our planning and investment strategy.

5.1 Transformation Wath Town Centre Identified in the draft master plan as a key area for further study and intervention. Consultants EDAW/GVA Grimley are carrying out a detailed study of Wath town centre. The study will be completed by Spring 2006.

5.2 Transformation Swinton Town Centre Identified in the draft master plan as a key area for further study and intervention. Consultants EDAW/GVA Grimley are carrying out a detailed study of Wath town centre. The study will be completed by Spring 2006.

5.3 Transformation Branipton Bierlow Identified in the draft master plan as an area for high level intervention and further study. Appointment of a masterplan consultant — Giflespies is being finalised to carry out a detailed study of the neighbourhood and provide a robust action plan for change. The study will be completed summer 2006.

6. Strategic Acquisitions. A number of strategic land and property acquisitions have been identified in the area and investigations are currently underway on a number of properties. These are: -

6.1 Canal Tavern, Swinton Former public house situated within a key opportunity area for transformational development, adjacent the canal wharf.

6.2 Ship Inn, Swinton Semi-operating public house situated within a key opportunity area for transformational development, adjacent the canal wharf.

6.3 Autocruise, Rowms Lane, Swinton. Large commercial site due to be vacated in 2006, which offers, subject to Planning consent, a significant canal site development opportunity. Within the key canal corridor zone identified in the draft master plan, the acquisition will facilitate land assembly in advance of detailed master planning work to the canal corridor zone.

7. Neighbourhood projects. A number of projects have been identified within the area, which can be delivered within short time frames, to promote awareness of HMR and deal with localised neighbourhood issues. The work programme is to be completed by March 2306.

8. Street Scene Enhancements A range of street scene enhancements works throughout the ADF, to enhance public realm and neighbourhood street scene. The work programme is to be completed by March 2006.

9. Queensacre The decanting and demolition of unsustainable housing units and the redevelopment of the site with an extra care housing development, consisting of flats, bungalows and a resource centre.

10. Wath Regeneration A significant regeneration programme, dealing with Decent Homes and environmental works, selective demolition and site assembly.

304. STREETPRIDE UPDATE

1. Midland Road,Swinton- request for the kerb to be dropped outside the Working Mans club. This has been passed to an officer in the Highway Network Management section who will liaise with Mr Hydes.

2. Request for the 'Fine' signs to be updated by Cllr Russell. Richard Jackson sent the following response to Cllr Russell.

Andy Fawdry has asked me to feed back to you why Streetpride have been using road side signage which details "359 fines issued for littering in 2004 - Don't be next."

I can confirm that we have ordered the replacement signs with the new information 522 fines issued for 2005 for littering and 58 fines for fly tipping detailed on them. Unfortunately they will not be with us for another week or two and having carried out quite a few litter picks of rural routes over the last two / three weeks we decided to utilise the old signs to reinforce the message rather than not have any signage.

3. Damage to a Streetpride banner outside Cemetery Road shops. This has been passed to the Streetlighting section for repair.

4. Signs left out on the bottom of Sandymount Road, Avenue Road, Carr Road and Beech Road.

This was passed to Scheme and Partnerships. The signs have now been removed.

5. Arrow faded on Montgomery Road into Warehouse Lane. This has now been remarked.

305. NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGERS REPORT/UPDATES

Safer Neighbourhoods Teams Update There are changes expected to the Neighbourhood Action Groups. The Home Office has provided a National Information Management (NIM) guidance to direct the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and ensure they are compliant with the law and good practice. The guide will improve the operational working of the NAG’s but is likely to result in a reduction of those able to attend on the grounds of confidentiality. Further direction is required but it will almost certainly mean that community involvement in community safety issues will have to be through a Wentworth North Consultative Group rather than at the NAG. Telephone 101 A pilot of a non emergency telephone number to report non-emergency crime and anti- social behaviour is due to begin in Sheffield in May 2006. If successful this will be followed in Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotberham in May 2007. The Safer Neighbourhood Team telephone line for providing information and reporting incidents in Wentworth North remains: 01709 832766 Express Parks Development The Borough Council have entered into an agreement with the developer under Section 136 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the following • The provision of a travel pack including a one year travel master pass and journey planner for each household prior to occupation in the interests of promoting sustainable travel. • Upgrading 2 bus stops on Manvers Way in accordance with details to be agreed with the LPA • Provision of 2 additional bus stops on Manvers Way in accordance with details to be agreed with the LPA • Provision of a new pedestrian refuge on Manvers Way in accordance with details to be agreed with the LPA • Upgrade existing 200 service with revised route and increased frequency. Fund the cost of the improvement for a 3 year period, commencing on completion of phase one of the housing development. • Provide a contribution of 7.5% as determined by Rotherham Local Planning Policy Guidance on affordable housing to secure shared equity properties, including the following criteria: 1. A rental charge should not become a part of financing shared equity properties. 2. A mix of property types should form the shared equity housing for general needs households.

3. Priority should be given to households already resident in the Dearne Valley or households economically active in the Dearne Valley 4 The external appearance of shared equity housing must be the same as housing for outright sale. 5 A registered social landlord should manage the shared equity housing. Numbers and mix of shared equity housing to be agreed through negotiation with the developer. RSL and housing market renewal team • A commuted sum towards five year maintenance of the equipped children’s play areas. • A restriction on the extreme sports venue and other leisure uses that they should not change to any other use within Use class D2, specifically a cinema. The Neighbourhood Manager has written to Express Parks to establish an Area Assembly Liaison Group for the period of the development

Decent Homes The Swinton Decent Homes (internal) Programme started on the 20th February 2006. It has been agreed to install, where necessary, graded floor showers and other appropriate adaptations to vacant bungalows with one step or less. This agreement has been made for residents who are being decanted from those sheltered schemes which are due for clearance as part of phase one of the Sheltered Housing Review. Decent Homes work will be completed before the residents are asked to move into their new home.

Anyone requiring further information on the Swinton Decent Homes Programme should contact the Swinton Neighbourhood Office on 01709 570384

Consultation is currently taking place with residents groups on the 2006-2010 Decent Homes programme. The programme shown below is based on the stock condition survey, burglary patterns for the security programme and the need to match numbers to the annual cash flow. The consultation aims to increase ownership of the programme and make sure that priorities have been correctly identified.

Provisional Wentworth North Decent Homes Programme

Area 2006/7 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11 Brampton & S D West Melton Harley D S Kilnhurst D S Manor Farm S D Swinton D S Wath D S Wentworth S D

Key • S represents the door and window security programme • D represents the internal and external programme Decent Homes Programme.

Sheltered Housing Review Update

The consultation for phase two has been completed and a report will be presented to the Neighbourhoods Cabinet at the end of this Month. Following consultation the recommendations of the Sheltered Housing Review Group are as outlined below. The single biggest concern expressed was by those on schemes with the recommendation to decommission flats to general purpose stock. An undertaking has been given, that if the recommendations are accepted, all allocations to the fiats will be made through Local lettings strategies which takes into account that elderly people are living within close proximity.

Scheme Property Type Recommendation Proposal for future use

Anne Rhodes 16-2bed No change in status Sheltered 37-1 bed Decommission Aged persons 6-flats Decommission General stock Campsall Field Close 30-2bed No change in status Sheltered Charles Street 34-2bed No change in status Sheltered

Highfield 19-2bed Decommission Aged persons Hurley Croft 26 -1 bed and 6-2bed No change in status Sheltered

Mission Field I 3 -2bed No change in status Sheltered 4 -1bed Decommission Aged persons St. John’s / Mary 2-2-bed and 14 -1bed No change in status Sheltered 25 -1bed Decommission Aged persons 10 flats Decommission General Stock

St John/ 51-1 bed Decommission Aged persons Chappell / Church 6 flats Decommission General Stock

York Gardens 28 -1bed Decommission Aged persons 3-2bed Decommission General Stock (disabled adapted)

Tenants Federation Update

The Shadow Board of the Federation are continuing to meet to develop the organisations aims and objectives, memorandum and articles of association and a business plan. They will be going on a good practice visit to Kirklees Federation on the 20th March and intend on organising an open day in early May to promote the Federation and recruit members.

In essence there are 6 key objectives identified for the Federation:

• Federate - provide the means which tenant and residents meet together and act collectively • Represent - expressing the views of individual tenants and residents and campaign/lobby on their behalf • Provide - information, advice and training • Support - the establishment and development of tenant and resident organisations and work in partnership to bring improvements to neighbourhoods • Empower - giving members the skills and knowledge to participate fully in decision making processes and structures • Contribute - to the development of service delivery standards, policy and practice

Dates for your diary: 15th March 2006 Swinton Local Community Partnership AGM at 7.00pm 20th March 2006 Acorn’sTARA at 6.30pm at the Fir Close Meeting Hall 22nd and 23rd March 2006 Planning for Real Training Silverwood Miners Resource Centre

306. COMMUNITY EVENTS – publicity spot

Joyce Maleham introduced Melanie Swanwick as the new manager for the Wath upon Dearne Community Partnership. Melanie was welcomed by the assembly.

Wath upon Dearne Open Day and Funding Fair – Wednesday 29th March 2006 10.00am – 1.00pm Information and displays from local groups, buffet lunch. 2.00pm – 4.00pm South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) 6.00pm Community Partnership Open Meeting

307. PLANNING MATTERS

The Planning application to build houses on Rig Drive has been turned down.

308. DATE, TIME AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING: -

Monday 10th April 2006, Swinton Civic Hall @ 7.00pm.