Each year, the Area Panel agrees a set of local priorities (known as the Action Plan) to help improve the area. This year, the Panel has £205,000 to allocate. So what has the Panel agreed?
Environment
Although Burngreave is an “inner city area”, it doesn’t have to suffer from having a drab and untidy look. £50,000 is being spent to improve “the environment”. This includes money for: the Parks service to employ a community forester; Street Force to light up Ellesmere Green during winter, and floral displays in the summer; 14 bring out your rubbish days this September; helping with ‘In Bloom’ events in Page Hall and Firshill; and developing the Street Champions’ work.
Young People
Burngreave has recently witnessed both the huge challenges facing some young people, as well as the massive energy and enthusiasm that they can produce. £22,000 is being allocated to Activity Sheffield to keep the Active Burngreave staff team until the autumn when hopefully, the Football Foundation will ‘match fund’ £300,000 New Deal; the £22,000 will also preserve the work in Fir Vale with 8-19 year olds until next spring. The Panel also want to send a small number of young people, at risk of detention or custody, on a LIFE course run by the Fire Service – it’s a course that makes young people face their responsibilities and learn how to deal with emergency situations. We will also support the development of two new projects around mechanics and performance and music.
Employment
About £40,000 is being spent on “work and skills” in three areas. First, running two pre-recruitment courses for residents interested in a career in the uniformed services (ambulance; fire and rescue and police/safety). Secondly, an outreach programme in Fir Vale for people to work at the Northern General Hospital. And lastly, subsidising construction skills (including DIY skills) courses for local women who want to become more confident at both domestic and potentially paid employment in these areas.
Bringing us together
Lastly, about £70,000 is being spent on a variety of schemes which will “bring people and communities together”. This includes supporting Green City Action to host the two local festivals this year (Abbeyfield and Fir Vale); supporting the expansion of the Messenger into Fir Vale and the operation of Burngreave Community Radio; hosting the Area Panel’s Community Chest programme three times a year and the annual New Year’s Honours in January at the Town Hall; and helping with some small scale funding for the newly created, volunteer-run ‘conversation clubs’ for people new to Sheffield, England and English. Another £28,000 will be decided upon in October.