Present: Mr Peter Frost (Chairman) and 33 members.
Apologies: Received from 7 members.
Secretary: Mr Richard Ward

1. MINUTES OF THE 1999-2000 AGM AND MATTERS ARISING

The meeting noted the omission of the Membership Secretary's report from the minutes. Having duly noted the latter point the meeting endorsed the minutes as a true record. Members further noted that

• the Group had dealt with numerous planning applications during the year. Amongst these had been the problem with the opening of a massage parlour at No. 8 Sheldon Road. The meeting noted that the change of use of these premises had not been endorsed by the City Council and that the premises were no longer used for this purpose;
• due to lack of support the Poetry Group had been wound up;
• the St Andrew's Church Centre no longer faced demolition and would continue to be run by local community groups with the Scouts playing a lead role in the venture. The Chairman was pleased to report that a programme of refurbishment was envisaged, subject to the availability of funds.

2. SECRETARY'S REPORT FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE

The Secretary reported that there had, with the normal exception of August and December, been regular monthly meetings of the General Committee in the year from May 2000.

3. VERBAL REPORTS FROM THE SUB-COMMITTEES & WORKING PARTIES

3.1 Luncheon Club
The Chairman advised the meeting that the Club remained buoyant and that there were some vacancies for helpers.

3.2 Planning Sub-committee
Phillip Hulley reported on some of the ongoing issues amongst the numerous planning applications scrutinised during the year and on other significant matters that remained under consideration:

• A development in Chelsea Rise that, whilst granted planning permission had been subject to very severe conditions from the City Council;
• The redevelopment of the Nether Edge Hospital site, which had been extensively reported on through articles in several editions of the 'EDGE' newsletter;
• The continuing quest for recognition of the district as a formal Conservation Area;
• The lodging of objections in respect of proposed developments at the Swallow Hotel;
• The intended lodging of objections to the proposals for redevelopment of the St Andrew's Church site;
• Representation of the Group at all meetings of the City Council's Broomhill, Sharrow & Nether Edge Area Panel;
• In addition planning gain monies were reported to be in prospect as a consequence of developments at the Nether Edge Hospital site and the flats at Chelsea Rise. Due to the constraints governing the application of Section 106 planning gain monies it seemed likely that the funds, once confirmed, would be invested in improvements at Chelsea Park and in Brincliffe Edge Woods. The meeting was advised that the Group anticipated that there would be public discussions on how the allocation of planning gain income would be prioritised.

4. a) ACCOUNTS AND TREASURER'S REPORT

Members Noted that the accounts for the year 2000-2001 had been printed on pages 4 and 5 of the May/June edition of 'EDGE'. The meeting noted that the overall accounts remained in surplus. Key features of the accounts were described by the Treasurer, Tony Venables. These included:

• Subscriptions income which had been enhanced by an increase of over one hundred in the number of subscribers;
• 'EDGE' printing costs - these had risen as a consequence of larger numbers of subscribers and the larger number of pages in several editions;
• A donation to the Scouts' bonfire;
• Costs associated with the operation of the Luncheon Club;
• Other features in the accounts included;
• The amalgamation of the residual sums in the Brincliffe Edge Wood and Wildlife fund under a single heading;
• The healthy position enjoyed by the History Group, which had generated a surplus from such activities as the sale of books.

Overall the Group had a surplus of expenditure over income in the year. However, the overall accounts remained healthily in surplus, with a balance of £6.3K remaining in the accounts at year end.

The meeting noted that the Treasurer, Tony Venables, would be stepping down and supported a vote of thanks for Tony's efforts on behalf of NENG.

b) MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT

The meeting noted that, as at 15th May 2001, membership stood at 768. This total included an increase attributed to both new members and a small number of multiple memberships within households. It was further reported that 851 copies of 'EDGE' were presently being distributed for each edition. Of these 20 complimentary copies were distributed to local medical practices and dental surgeries. The work of the Membership Secretary had been supported by 32 'EDGE' distributors, who were also responsible for the collection of subscriptions within specific areas.

The meeting agreed a vote of thanks for Alan Hartland and all the distributors who assist with this key aspect of the work of the Group.

5. MOTIONS TO THE MEETING

5.1 Amendment of Constitution Clause 17
The proposed amendment to the Group's constitution, as published in the May/June edition of 'EDGE', was agreed by the meeting.

5.2 Commuter Traffic

"This AGM notes:

1. The continued increase in traffic using Nether Edge as a commuter route in and out of Sheffield;
2. The petition of 450 names from local residents in Nether Edge requesting that Sheffield Council take action to reduce commuter traffic.

This AGM resolves:

To support local residents' demands for action by the Council to reduce commuter traffic."

The Less Traffic Group requested that the meeting should consider the above motion. Dr Tony Frascina spoke on behalf of The Less Traffic Group, describing that Group's concerns with regard to the volume of commuter traffic passing through the area. It was reported that around 450 expressions of support had been received in respect of canvassing of local residents, this having largely focused on households on Brincliffe Edge Road and the roads radiating therefrom. In consequence of the Less Traffic Group's consultations, a set of proposals had been generated which aimed to restrict the flow of commuter traffic into parts of Nether Edge, so mediating an overall traffic calming effect. Specifics of the proposals included closure of Archer Lane to traffic approaching Nether Edge from the Bannerdale Road direction at certain times of the day. The intention was that a "tidal flow' would be implemented to mitigate the impact of commuters.

In response to the points raised by the Less Traffic Group, Peter Frost observed that there had been a build up of traffic in the area over several years. New developments in the area would no doubt add to this traffic volume. It was further noted that the NENG had been closely involved in a past traffic regulation scheme for Archer Lane (around ten years previously) which had been based on closure of the route at certain times of the day. This closure had been followed by the implementation of a 2O mph speed limit in parts of the area, some time after which the City Council had deemed the Archer Lane closure should be removed. This latter measure was at the time opposed by NENG. Since then there is perceived to have been a steady increase in the flow of traffic through the area as a whole. Peter went on to highlight a number of key points. These included:

• the impact of traffic congestion, particularly from outside the area, on the efficiency of some of the main public transport routes into the city;
• the lack of sufficient policing resources to adequately enforce non-passive traffic regulation schemes, such as road closure measures;
• the need for more residents to consider making use of the No 22 bus route and for consideration to be given to re-routing (e.g. to benefit new residents at the redeveloped Nether Edge Hospital site);
• the possibility that light rapid transit routes might be extended along the Abbeydale corridor using existing railway infrastructure (longer term). This might involve the use of a park and ride station facility adjacent to the Tesco supermarket on Abbeydale Road.

Whilst the meeting was broadly sympathetic to these points, one member did express the view that car use by residents of Nether Edge should not be unduly restricted because of the use of the area as a cut-through for commuters. The meeting agreed that traffic calming measures had failed to reduce the impact of traffic volume, noting in particular the chaotic morass of traffic that plagued residents at peak periods whilst moving between Archer Road and Bannerdale Road. Members also noted that the use of speed bumps served in some circumstances to considerably exacerbate road noise. This problem was most pronounced when Bannerdale Road was used as a short-cut by supermarket delivery lorries in the early hours.

The meeting unanimously supported the motion from the Less Traffic Group. However, the meeting also endorsed the view that the City Council, through the Area panel and other means, should be pressured by NENG towards an improved and holistic transportation strategy. Members also agreed a proposal that the General Committee should extend an invitation for the co- option of a member of the Less Traffic Group, or should consider the allocation of a specific transport portfolio.

Secretary's Note. An invitation for the nomination of a co-optee from the Less Traffic Group was subsequently declined by that Group.

6. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

7. FIXING OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FOR 2002-2003

8. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND GENERAL COMMITTEE

There being no further nominations the meeting agreed to endorse the nominations and the above named were duly elected to serve in accordance with the term of office described in the Constitution, subject to the limitations defined by the earlier amended Clause 17.

The incoming Chairman thanked Peter Frost for his contribution as Chairman, whose long association with the work of the Group and considerable contribution whilst Chairman was felt to have considerably enhanced the standing of NENG.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

9. 1 Michael Carlisle Centre

A member identified concerns amongst local residents whose properties abutted the Centre that its sustained use for the treatment of acutely ill patients ran counter to past assurances. Members of the General Committee advised the view that the Centre had always been intended to act in this capacity for South Sheffield. The meeting was further advised that the staff of the Michael Carlisle Centre had made significant efforts to liaise closely with local residents. These efforts included a liaison group, which had met with local residents on several occasions during the year. However, it was noted that the issue identified for discussion had not been raised directly through the existing structures for resident liaison. This was seen as regrettable given the helpful and responsive approach of Centre staff on matters affecting neighbour relations.

9.2 Redevelopment of the St Andrew's Church Site

The meeting noted that the site of St Andrew's Church had been sold with outline planning consent for five detached houses. A local resident expressed considerable reservations about the emergence of plans from the developer that instead proposed a substantial three-storey block on the site. A three-storey block was felt to be unacceptable in such an elevated position.

Philip Hulley advised the meeting that a letter of objection would be lodged by NENG in connection with the current plans. The residents were advised that they should write individually to the City Council with regard to their comments and objections, as this is a more effective mechanism than petitioning, or collective authorship of a single letter of objection.

9.3 Development Proposals for the Swallow Hotel site

The meeting noted that neighbour consultation in respect of a recent planning application had been incomplete. In particular, some residents in Cherry Tree Road with properties adjacent to derelict garages owned by the Hotel had been omitted from the process. Philip Hulley had delivered letters to members in this location advising them of NENG's stance on the development proposals.

9.4 Visual State of the Area

Mr Shambrook reported that he had written to the City Council to express concern over the generally shabby state of parts of the area. The need for traffic signs to be cleaned and for graffiti to be removed was noted. The Committee was able to report that the City Council had funded the employment of a lengthsman (road-sweeper) to work on the Abbeydale Road area. Whilst only addressing the fringes of the area this news was nonetheless welcomed. On a further point Mr Shambrook reported on periodic meetings of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators. One such meeting had recently taken place. The Chairman suggested that Mr Shambrook might wish to write to 'EDGE' seeking inclusion of the dates, times and venues of future Watch Co-ordinators' meetings.

9.5 NENG Web-site

The meeting noted that John West had now set-up a NENG web-site. The URL was notified to those present and would be included in future editions of 'EDGE'.

End of Minutes of NENG AGM 2001