Category: council

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Minutes from Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, 26 April 2012

Below is a bullet point summary of Thursday’s meeting.

Download April 26 2012 Open Meeting bullet points (PDF, 78KB)

Matters arising

Benty Lane junction still ongoing – information expected soon.

Police report

PC Louise Atha – team now part of “SWSNA” (rather than Broomhill Safer Neighbourhood Area); but still the same officers working the same area. Recent items of interest:

  1. Coop Travel armed robbery – ongoing CID enquiries;
  2. armed response op, Manchester Rd, one arrest.
  3. under-age alcohol purchases; of 17 premises tested 3 failed
  4. bogus callers – list available of phone numbers to check their identity
  5. burglaries & pedal-bike thefts – reminder to keep access locked!
  6. schoolchildren fighting in Crosspool – ongoing enquiries
  7. allotment break-ins; shed alarms now fitted & new gate; Operation Herbaceous in place. Anti-social behaviour down by 4% in this area!.

PCSO Garry Hizam – BlackBerry number 07584 617 200; he can call at residents’ homes with his Hermes unit to register possessions.

Insp. Deborah Pickering – new insp. For the team introduced herself.

Guest Speaker:- Andrew Peat

Andrew Peet (Neighbourhood Watch, Fulwood).

As it is better to deter burglars from targeting your house in the first place, once secure locks have been fitted the most sophisticated (& police backed) tool is a ‘glitter glue’ type liquid that can be used by householders to mark laptops, ceramic, jewellery, cameras, satnavs etc etc. People were asked to sign up with Andrew or Pat Wilkins – or later via Ian Hague – so a large order can be placed with the company SelectaDNA, for kits at £25 a time.

Each kit has a totally different ‘fingerprint’, and will mark up to 75 items permanently., with ‘readers’ able to then trace the item back to its owner of stolen. Large door/patio window stickers then advise potential criminals that a particular house is not worth breaking-into, and hopefully eventually insurance companies will take this into account when setting premiums.

Hillside Harvest

Nick & Eleanor Rousseau, & Claire Gregory, spoke about their grow-you-own cooperative, run from on 7 allotments on Hagg Hill. The last year & a half have seen them learn by experience, how to keep the mice off, how to make use of weeds for fertilizer, & how to grow a ‘permaculture’ system that works in harmony with nature & is low maintenance. They have a rota of local members who go together to work the land, and teach school groups etc how to do this in a sustainable fashion.

Councillors’ report

Cllr. Geoff Smith said:

  1. Hadfield Reservoir – unlikely to be on the final list of proposed building sites – no plans to decommission it. Lydgate – awaiting response that Nick Clegg requested about this.
  2. Vernon Tce; sadly this is now a ‘dead issue’
  3. 20s plenty road campaign; one 2o zone will be put in place in the SWCA area – but not necessarily in Crosspool.
  4. Moor View (Gosney’s )farm; despite very worrying letters to the effect that demolition will take place on 30th April, Geoff was positive no application had even been received to do this, & Kate Mansell (planning) knows this is an important heritage site for Crosspool.
  5. Green garden waste; from 23rd April people can purchase clear sacks at £1.20 each & once filled can telephone for 5-10 to be collected by the Council. This is just for 2012, as in ’13 the Council hopes to introduce green bins. (Flytipping is recognized as a possible isse because of this).
  6. Recycling; once the black bin become a fortnightly collection people can choose which blue bin to use for which recycling – as long as they do not mix their waste.

Events

Crosspool Festival; now in its 3rd year Sally Turnbull listed some of the events happening int he week 6th to 15th July – well dressing, open gardens, barn dance, organ recital, street market, cricket club open day, Tavern & Plough events, walks, harp recital, birds talk, gardeners’ question time, tea dance, harp recital etc! Residents will get a programme through their letterboxes in June.

Summer Fayre (14th July) – new events incl. Punch & Judy, American marching band & sumo wrestlers! Helpers please contact Ian Hague.

Car Boot Sale (16th June). – but not if its wet!

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – look out for flags & flowers in the precinct!

 AOB

  1. Ian Hague was thanked for his organization of the recent Salford Quays trip; it is to be hoped they can be more!
  2. Paula Stacey is re-opening the Crosspool craft shop.
  3. A new Crosspool Women’s s Institute group has started – see Twitter (Or Paula)
  4. Computer course; names to Ian Hague please if you would like to join the new courses.
  5. Event for 21013; it is hoped to mark Sheffield’ first-ever bus route – being the 51 to Crosspool – early in 2013. Watch this space!

The next Open Meeting will be Thurs, 26th July 2012. 7pm, St Columba’s.

Download April 26 2012 Open Meeting bullet points (PDF, 78KB)

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Residents’ concern over future of Moor View Farm on Manchester Road

Moor View Farm (picture and location on Google Maps) on Manchester Road has been put up for sale.

The property and surrounding land, known locally to some as Gosney’s farm, is being marketed by Eaton Commercial Property Consultants. The sellers are seeking offers in excess of £600,000.

At Thursday night’s Open Meeting, concerns were raised by some residents over whether the farm would be demolished. A downloadable document on the Eaton website gives details of how an indicative residential layout scheme might look.

Crookes Councillor Geoff Smith confirmed at the meeting that to his knowledge, no application to demolish it or for planning permission has been received by the council. Some neighbouring residents indicated that they had received letters saying that demolition of the farm was due to take place before the end of the month.

Councillor Smith is investigating further and we’ll post any updates regarding the farm to this website.

Property listing on Eaton Commercial (scroll down)

Plans document for Moor View Farm (PDF, 3.1MB)

Location of Moor View Farm (Google Maps)

Update, Friday 27 April 2012 from Councillor Smith:

I have been in contact with the Council Planning Department today. Unfortunately both the people I had dealt with before were on leave. However, I managed to talk to someone who studied the file and got back to me. The agent has applied recently to the Building Regulations office of the Council for permission to demolish the farm. This included notice of their intention to do so on 30 April 2012. What the neighbours have received is a letter from the agent informing them that the demolition will take place on 30 April. The Building Regulations office has NOT given them permission to demolish and has sent a letter today to the agent informing them that the demolition cannot go ahead without a bat survey and a planning application to demolish. The agent will also be telephoned today to inform him. I aim to be at the site on Monday morning.

Update, Thursday 3 May 2012 from Councillor Smith:

Those of you who were up and about on Manchester Road around 8am on Monday may have seen three men loitering near the farm. They were Ian and Steve from the Crosspool Forum and me. We were there just in case there was a demolition attempt. Fortunately we did not have to draw straws to decide which of us was going to dive in front of a bulldozer. There was no attempted demolition.

I have been assured by the relevant Council officers that both the owners and the agent are fully aware that a prior application to the Planning Dept. and a bat survey have to be carried out before demolition can take place. There is still some doubt as to the grounds on which the Planning Dept can insist that a full planning type application is made. But for the moment a prior application has not been made and a bat survey has not been completed.

I will keep you informed. If, though, you see any activity around the farm that looks like demolition of preparations to demolish please let me know. I can be contacted on 07581 214 783.

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Crookes ward: local elections and mayoral referendum on Thursday 3 May

Stephen Hill church polling station in Crosspool
Stephen Hill church polling station in Crosspool

Local residents will be voting in the local council elections and mayoral referendum on Thursday 3 May.

There are 28 seats up for election, which is one third of Sheffield City Council. Crosspool lies in the Crookes ward, where there are six candidates standing:

If any of these candidates read this, it would be great if they could comment below to sum up why Crosspool residents should vote for them.

Voters will also be deciding they would like the council to be run, either by a leader who is an elected councillor chosen by a vote of the other elected councillors (how the council is run now) or by a mayor who is elected by voters.

Sheffield local elections May 2012

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Agenda for Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, Thursday 26 April 2012

You are invited to Crosspool Forum’s Open Meeting on Thursday 26 April at St Columba’s Church. It starts at 7pm.

A provisional agenda is below. Come along to give your concerns on Crosspool issues to local councillors, the police and council officials.

Update 21 April: PC Atha will be attending the Open Meeting with new inspector Deborah Pickering.

Agenda for Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, Thursday 26 April 2012 (PDF, 57KB)

Open Meeting, Thursday 26 April 2012: provisional agenda

  1. Apologies for absence
    Introduction of top table
    Chairman’s welcome/report
    Minutes (bullet points) of last meeting to be approved
  2. Matters arising
  3. Police Liaison
    An update on policing in the area. PC Atha will be attending the Open Meeting with new inspector Deborah Pickering.
  4. Guest Speaker:- Andrew Peat
    Demo of the advantages of Forensic marking
  5. Talk:- Nick Rousseau ‘Grow your own food’
  6. Questions & Answers with Councillors
    Cllr. Sylvia Anginotti; Cllr. Brian Holmes; Cllr. Geoff Smith
  7. Events: Festival/Fayre, Car Boot Sale, Queens Diamond Jubilee
  8.  AOB

Date of next meeting Thursday July 26th.

Agenda for Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, Thursday 26 April 2012 (PDF, 57KB)

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Detached house proposed for former Hallamshire Hotel plot

New plans for development of the former Hallamshire Hotel site on Lydgate Lane have been submitted to the council.

The new application on the council website shows plans for five residential units, including a detached three-bedroomed house.

The original plans proposed that the former pub be demolished to make way for four dwelling houses, two apartments and detached garage block.

You can view and comment on the new application and its associated documents online, reference 12/00800/FUL.

Demolition of the Hallamshire Hotel on Lydgate Lane
The Hallamshire Hotel on Lydgate Lane: now demolished to make way for housing
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Thumbs up for Rivelin park paddling pools proposals

Visitors to Rivelin park cafe and Hillsborough library have given their approval for plans to refurbish the paddling pools at Rivelin.

Some concerns were raised over the need for additional seating, more litter bins and better car parking and these have been fed back to the designers to see how they can be addressed as the final details are developed

The council hopes the contractor will be able to start work in April once the final designs are approved, with the intention that the improvements will be complete in time for the summer holidays.

Strong support for ‘brilliant’ proposals

Rivelin Valley Paddling Pools Proposal

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Refurbishment in the pipeline for Rivelin paddling pools

Local residents are being consulted on details of the upcoming refurbishment of paddling pools in Rivelin valley park.

Funding has become available to improve the water circulation system and install new play features such as water jets and sprays.  One of the pools will be kept for paddling, and the other three will be turned into splash pads.

Yesterday, an exhibition inviting people’s views of possible improvements went on display in Rivelin park cafe.

You can find out more about proposed improvements from the Project Officer on 0114 273 4579 or email parksandcountryside@sheffield.gov.uk.

Rivelin valley paddling pools proposal

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Bullet points from Crosspool Forum Open Meeting, Thursday 27 January 2012

Download as a PDF (61KB)

CROSSPOOL FORUM – OPEN MEETING – BULLET POINTS

Thursday 26 January 2012

35+ Crosspool residents, our three local councillors (Sylvia Anginotti Brian Holmes & Geoff Smith) and 8 members of the forum management committee, attended. Five Guest speakers gave presentations as follows:

Local Land release Consultation

Sarah Smith (Sheffield City Council Planning Dept.)

In order to fulfil its obligations to the Government, with regard to releasing Brownfield land for houses as Yorkshire Water has decommissioned Lydgate Reservoir (off Evelyn Rd), Hadfield Service Reservoir & Canterbury Crescent, the Council is seeking residents views on allowing these sites (among others throughout the city) to be developed for housing.

Two drop –in sessions – Thurs 2nd Feb (3pm-8prn) at Stephen Hill Methodist Church, and Fri 3rd Feb (2pm-7pm) Hallam Primary School- have been arranged for viewing the consultation documents. Comments to Planning in writing please, – emails, online via Sheffield City Council, or by post.

Police report

PC Louise Atha said that in April the boundaries will be changing, so she and her colleagues from Broomhill SNA will be dealing with Crosspool and Lodge Moor – from the bottom of Manchester Rd west (- with Broomhill itself becoming part of the city centre-). She reported on more Allotment break-ins and the re-opening of Operation Herbaceous to deal with this.

There are still Scrap-metal dealers cruising about, she is able to prosecute those without licences. There have been a few burglaries in the Sandygate area -with the object being to steal car keys and thus the cars. Please ensure you keep your property locked!

PCSO Garry Hizam showed a new device, the Hermes unit (laptop & scanner) which will allow any mobile unit to scan possibly stolen mobile phones etc. and return them to their registered owners. The Police Box on Lydgate Lane will be open for people to bring their mobiles etc in for registration – 9th Feb (6pm-7pm).

Queries from the floor included speeding cars – March Lane & Lydgate Lane, evening doorstep cold-callers (legitimate?) and a local mugging incident. PC Louise Atha was eager for any incident on any of the above to be reported to her immediately.

The Internet & Personal Safety

PC Joy Price, (Children & Young Persons Officer, Broomhill SNA) spoke about the dangers of social networking sites, and parental responsibilities to ensure all possible locks, safeguards and filters are active on their home computers and other internet devices – such as X boxes, Wii and Play Stations. She felt Blackberry phones in particular were very dangerous and should not be in children’s’ hands.

The sorts of slight disagreements which used to mean a brief verbal argument and short-lived physical tussle at school are now carried out online, by anonymous/authored verbal abuse, which ends up as a vicious circle that can’t easily be stopped. Parents must ensure under-13s cannot start a Facebook account, and do not post personal & intimate details about themselves – and photos too – on line. The internet is a candy-shop for paedophiles, as well as giving violent partners and estranged parents a means of access to their ex’s and kids.

Certain sites such as Chat Roulette or Formspring are to be avoided at all cost, and parents were urged only to use reputable websites such as those the BBC links to, for homework etc. The grooming of unsuspecting youngsters, and radicalization of young people in the` security’ of their own bedrooms was touched upon, and Joy concluded by saying we must remember the internet is another street, where you have to watch your back.

Councillors Questions

Geoff Smith is still trying to get an answer out of SYPTE with regard to the Vernon Terrace bus shelter. There is no more money for further micro-asphalting of local pavements so it is awaiting the start of the PFI Highways Initiative.

The ’20s Plenty’ road-speed campaign

Has been holding meetings, so please send your comments to Matthew Rush or Tammy Barrass, email or write to them at SWCA 82-84 Sheldon Rd, Sheffield S7 1 GX – before March.

Events

Ian Hague reminded people of the: Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. (To mark this historic occasion, thanks to funding from the South West Community Assembly, the support of Norton Nurseries,  and the hard work of the Crosspool Forum, arrangements have been made for Patriotic Flags, Flower Tubs & Hanging Baskets to adorn the Crosspool shopping precinct over the summer months). Car boot sale Saturday 16th June. Crosspool Festival Week 7th  to 15th July. Coach trip in April for the Over-60s  to visit the new Mediacity studios at Salford Quays.

Download as a PDF (61KB)

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Local sites earmarked for new houses – Crosspool meeting scheduled

Sheffield council has outlined plans to build new homes on Lydgate Reservoir on Evelyn Road, Hadfield Service Reservoir in Crookes and Canterbury Crescent, Fulwood in order to meet government housing targets.

The Lydgate Reservoir land is located at the end of the Evelyn Road cul-de-sac. It is thought that once the reservoir has been decommissioned, Yorkshire Water will market the site after 2017 or 2022.

The council is asking for residents and businesses to comment on the potential new housing plans between 16 January and 27 February 2012.

A drop-in session with Area Planner Sarah Smith has been called at Stephen Hill Methodist Church for Thursday February 2, from 3-8pm. If you have any questions about the consultation, please telephone the Sheffield Development Framework Consultation team on 0114 205 3075.

More information about the plans and consultation

One Evelyn Road resident, David Smithson, said: “If this pleasant and quiet dead end were to be the sole access to this site, the prospects of an unacceptable increase in traffic and the resultant noise pollution would have detrimental consequence on me and my neighbours’ health and wellbeing. 20 dwellings would probably mean 30 or more cars added to usage of the road.”

The sites are three of 18 in Sheffield earmarked as part of a strategy to build 1,110 new homes.