In the ward
January has been a busy month! The snow showed where Amey had not filled up grit bins, or where more are needed. We have sent a list in of all the places you suggested for extra bins, so this can be considered as the service is reviewed. We will let you know the outcome.
Mick went out with Housing and Estates officers for walk rounds in Woodhouse Village, Woodhouse Mill, Skelton, Spa Lane, and Tannery. Several repair issues were picked up, including a blocked drain on Watch Street and tree roots causing a trip hazard on Skelton Grove.
There was progress on the Woodhouse Community Plan. Tom Hunt, the leader of the council, and Kate Josephs, the chief executive, visited the ward. Mick and Alison showed them the number of empty privately owned buildings and asked for help getting these back in to use. There is a new law which allows High Street Rental Auctions, a way for councils to force landlords to re-let properties that have been empty for a long time. Leeds are piloting it at the moment and we are seeing how it works, in the hope it can help in Woodhouse.
We also raised the issue of the stalled development on Medlock Drive and Handsworth Rd and asked for help getting that re-started.
Kate and Tom talked to residents on Tythe Barn about how the extra policing in the summer has helped make the area safer, and where there are still anti-social behaviour problems that need tackling. Cases were re-opened with housing and police were contacted.
About 20 people came to the public meeting on the 29th and shared more ideas for the Woodhouse Plan. There was a lively discussion on how to make the market square more welcoming, with a bit of something for everyone. This included revamping the market to include fruit and veg, games like hopscotch on the ground and big versions of games like chess and Jenga you could borrow from local shops.
Alison went to the consultation on the new building for Brunswick primary school. It will have a new swimming pool and sports area, and be well insulated with solar panels and a ground source heat pump. This will save a lot of money on heating that can be used for activities for children instead. Parents want a zebra crossing, with particular worries about families crossing Beighton Rd. This is not included in the plans, so Alison and Mick are setting up a meeting between highways and parents to see what can be done.
Alison also met with staff from Woodhouse Playgroup about next steps in getting a new building for the playgroup. We believe we have also found a way of funding the replacement of the WWEBC bowling carpet.
Time and again, residents in flats in Woodhouse have been left feeling unsafe in their own homes because communal entrance doors have been repeatedly vandalised. When the council repairs the doors, they can be kicked in again in a few days. Repeat repairs are expensive for the council, and residents still aren’t safe.
Alison and Mick took this problem to the Community Action Group. Working with Police and Housing, we decided to try a practical solution on a block that was repeatedly vandalised. We will put in a stronger door that opens outwards and add security cameras. We will ask residents if it works better, and if it is a better use of council funds, it can be done in other places.
There is also money to clear overgrown shrubbery that makes residents feel shut in and hides anti-social behaviour.
The good news in January is that the Police liaison officer successfully applied for extra crime hot spot funding, so now we can do two blocks and clear a wider area.
Given all the progress, news that Lloyds were closing their branch in Woodhouse Village was a blow. We contacted M.P. Clive Betts and there is now a meeting set up with Lloyds to see what services can be kept, including exploring the idea of a banking hub in the village. A banking hub run at the Post Office would mean people could get services from all the major High St. banks. We are also running a residents’ survey to get evidence for what is needed:
Woodhouse Residents Banking Hub Survey – Sheffield South East
"Brunswick School will have a new swimming pool and sports area, and be well insulated with solar panels and a ground source heat pump. This will save a lot of money on heating that can be used for activities for children instead." - Cllr Alison Norris
In the Town Hall
We set a budget for the Housing Revenue Account which should see the repairs backlog
cleared by the summer. Alison helped organise a meeting about making sure our homes are well insulated and use environmentally friendly electric heating, to make homes warmer, save tenants money and cut carbon. It’s a challenge because we only have money to do a small fraction of the work needed. We plan to do some pilots to get proof of the benefits, which will help raise more funds. An action plan will come to the April committee.
We agreed a clear policy for compensating tenants when the council’s actions damage their property. We will share details as soon as the paperwork is complete. If you need help in the meantime please ask your neighbourhood officers about compensation and contact your councillors if you need any further help.
There is a consultation out now on how Sheffield can support older people to live independent and healthy lives. Visit the Have your Say website to share your views:
Draft Older People’s Housing Strategy 2025-2030 | Have Your Say Sheffield
There will also soon be a consultation about how the council allocates council homes, we will share information as soon as we have it.
Get in touch with us:
Councillor Alison Norris
Alison.norris@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Tel: 07584 596399
Surgeries: Usually 1st Saturday of the month, 10.30am to 12pm at Ballifield and Handsworth TARA office, 409 Handsworth Rd
Councillor Mick Rooney
mick.rooney@councillor.sheffield.gov.uk
Tel: 0114 2392698
Surgeries: 3rd Saturday of the month, 10.30am to 12pm at Woodhouse Library