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SOUTH WEST COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY Meeting held on 31st March 2011, at Tapton School PRESENT: Councillors Mike Reynolds (Chair), Sylvia Anginotti, Mike Davis, Roger Davison, John Knight, John Hesketh, Keith Hill, Colin Ross and Andrew Sangar. …………………. 1. WELCOME AND HOUSEKEEPING ARRANGEMENTS The Chair, Councillor Mike Reynolds, welcomed members of the public to the meeting and outlined basic housekeeping and fire safety arrangements. 2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE FROM MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sylvia Dunkley, Brian Holmes and Janice Sidebottom. 3 JANICE SIDEBOTTOM The Assembly noted and was pleased to learn that Councillor Janice Sidebottom was making good progress in her recovery following a major operation. 4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest. 5. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING 5.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 10th January 2011, were approved as a correct record, subject to (i) the substitution of the name “Hague” for the name “Haywood” (under Item 5(b)(ii) Highway Trees – Crosspool, Page 3) and the addition of the word “Ville” prior to the word “Road” (Item 5(b)(iii) Public Footpaths – Crosspool, Page 4). 5.2 Arising therefrom, in respect of the allocation of Climate Change Funds (Item 6.1, Page 4), Councillor Mike Reynolds (Chair) reported that the projects to be undertaken by Transition Crookes/Walkley and Common Wheels/Transition Porter Valley were unable to proceed and, as a result, the funding allocated to these projects of £4,958 and £4,975, respectively, would be carried forward and added to the funding received for the 2011/12 Climate Change Fund. 5.3 RESOLVED: That the Community Assembly Manager be requested: (a) to investigate the authority required for professional tree contractors to Meeting of the South West Community Assembly 31.03.2011 Page 2 be hired to prune City Council highway trees (Item 5(b)(ii) Highway Trees – Crosspool, Page 4); and (b) to submit a report to the Assembly meeting to be held on 23rd June 2011, on the outcome of the review on the 2010/11 procedures for allocating Climate Change Funds and on the proposed changes for allocating funding for the 2011/12 financial year. 6. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS 6.1 Petitions The Assembly noted the receipt of a petition containing 20 signatures in respect of the Assembly’s proposed highway scheme for Abbeydale Road South, particularly in light of proposals by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive to introduce a Park and Ride scheme at Dore Railway Station. In view of the scheme being in connection with the report of the Head of Transport and Highways in respect of South West Community Assembly Transport and Highways Programme, (under Item 8 of the Agenda), it was agreed to consider the petition as part of that item. 6.2 Public Questions (a) Millhouses Park In response to an e-mailed question by Kate Stow, Councillor Mike Reynolds (Chair) advised the meeting that the Assembly proposed to fund a Community Project Officer and that a proportion of their time would be dedicated to Millhouses Park Project and the Mill buildings. He confirmed that the Mill buildings were a priority within the Community Assembly Plan. He also stated that the Friends of Millhouses Park could apply for Climate Change Funding and ‘You Choose’ funding in 2011/12, to assist with renewable energy for the Mill buildings. (b) Bolehills Park With regard to a written question received from Carolyn Hodson concerning vandalism to the bowling green, repairs to benches in the lower part of Bolehill Park and the need for the extra emptying of bins and litter clearance during the summer school holidays, Councillor Mike Reynolds (Chair) advised that Bolehill Park was situated within the Crookes and Walkley Wards and that the Assembly would continue to work with the Central Community Assembly, the Walkley and Crookes Councillors and the new Friends of Bolehills to address the issues now being raised. (c) Springwood Park Ted Gunby requested that the Community Assembly worked with the Meeting of the South West Community Assembly 31.03.2011 Page 3 South Community Assembly and the appropriate stakeholders to ensure the future of Springwood Park and asked that it be considered as part of the report submitted to this meeting by the Director of Parks and Countryside concerning Green Space priorities (Item 9 of the Agenda, under Paragraph 4.3.2). (d) 20 mph Speed Limit for Crosspool In response to a question from a member of the public regarding 20 mph speed zones across the City and, in particular for Crosspool, it was explained that, whilst this was not a priority at present for the Crookes Ward, consideration would be given to the request in accordance with other scheme requests. (e) Assembly Briefing Meetings In response to a question from Neil Fitzmaurice concerning the democratic accountability of the Community Assembly in respect of meetings held other than public Assembly meetings, he was advised that a briefing meeting was held prior to each Assembly public meeting to consider the agenda for the meeting and that at other private Member briefings, their purpose was to provide a forum for Members to consider information provided by officers from various services affecting the Assembly area. It was stated that only the public Assembly meetings would, in future, be formally minuted by Democratic Services. Further comments made over Members being mindful in briefing meetings that all decisions delegated to an Assembly had to be taken at a public meeting, were noted. (f) Discretionary Budget 2011/12 (i) The meeting was informed that the Climate Change Fund was in addition to the Assembly’s Discretionary Fund and that the carry forward figure of £9,933 from the 2010/11 budget (see Paragraph 4.2 above) would be added to the amount of Climate Change Funding to be received in the 2011/12 financial year. (ii) In response to a question over the actual salary for the Community Project Officer, it was stated that this was not known, but that the figure allocated to the post of £39,000 would include oncosts such as pension and National Insurance payments. It was indicated that more detailed information, in respect of such matters, would be considered for future reports. (iii) With regard to a question over the cost of £5,000 for the proposed dog bins in Crookes, it was stated that this included the purchasing and servicing costs. (iv) The meeting was informed of the Council’s new website “Hooked on Life” which allowed children and young people to book places Meeting of the South West Community Assembly 31.03.2011 Page 4 by area/activity/timing, to enable activities to be monitored to ensure that they were viable. It was further stated that there was a whole range of activities available and that the Assembly could give consideration to supporting the activities provided in the South West area, through its proposed Young People’s Activity Programme budget of £20,000. (g) Transport and Highways Programme 2011/12 (i) In response to a question concerning the proposed Abbeydale Road South Highways Scheme, it was stated that whilst it was proposed to consider elements of the scheme at the Cabinet Highways Committee on 14th April 2011, this would be deferred to seek clarity on the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive’s proposals for the location regarding a Park and Ride scheme at Dore Station,. (ii) The Assembly noted the comments of local resident requesting that the waiting restrictions outside Crosspool shops be reduced from two hours to one hour. 7. BURBAGE, HOUNDKIRK AND HATHERSAGE MOORS 7.1 David Howarth, Kier Asset Partnership Service submitted a report seeking support to develop a partnership approach to managing Burbage, Houndkirk and Hathersage Moors. It was stated that the land was in Council ownership, but that due to the need to reduce expenditure on assets and secure a sustainable future for the moors, options were being investigated on collaborative working with a number of partners to benefit this area and the wider Moors. Reference was made to the Eastern Moors in respect of a 15 year lease between the Peak Park Authority, the National Trust and the Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds and the possibility of extending a similar arrangement for Burbage, Houndkirk and Hathersage Moors. Following the outcome of consultation, the three options were outlined for the future management of the land and whilst the meeting was informed that the final decision would be taken by Cabinet, it was suggested that the outcome of further exploration into a partnership arrangement for the land be progressed, with the outcome reported to a future meeting of this Assembly. 7.2 A number of questions were raised and responses were given by David Howarth which included that he hoped to report back to the Community Assembly within six months, on the possibility of extending the Eastern Moors Partnership model to include the land of Burbage, Houndkirk and Hathersage Moors. He also advised that there was no legal right to graze farm animals on the Moors, other than by virtue of the grazing tenancy granted by the Council, as it was not Common Land. A number of comments were also received from members of the public which included the need for a thorough consultation with the people of Sheffield and that sufficient timescales should be allowed for the community engagement to take place. Concerns were also noted over the need to provide sufficient car Meeting of the South West Community Assembly 31.03.2011 Page 5 parking and address issues concerning litter being left by users of the Moors.

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