Have your say on how the Council spends Local Community Infrastructure Levy

Overview

The Council receives a payment called a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for new building projects, which is then used to fund necessary improvements in infrastructure.

We are seeking views on our proposals to use the Local CIL (Neighbourhood Portion) in Sheffield to:

• promote the development of Neighbourhood Plans across the city
• ensure that areas of higher deprivation receive a fairer overall share
• improve how local communities are involved in the decisions on how it is spent

Why We Are Consulting

Background

What is Community Infrastructure Levy?

“A levy allowing local authorities to raise funds from owners or developers of land undertaking new building projects in their area.”

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a planning charge paid to Councils by owners or developers of land undertaking new building projects. It is used by councils to fund improvements to the infrastructure required to support new development. This could include transport, telecommunications, energy, water supply, sewerage and drainage, schools, hospitals, health centres, sports and recreational facilities and open space.

CIL is a flexible fund. Money collected from development in one part of the city can be used to help provide essential infrastructure in another part of the city. Therefore –

• 80% of CIL goes into a central pot and the Council decides the priority city-wide projects that will receive this funding.
• 5% of CIL goes to the Council for administration
• 15% is called the ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ or ‘Local CIL’ and is used to fund local infrastructure needs. Local communities will decide on how this fund is allocated.

The Council started collecting CIL in July 2015. To date (August 2018) the total CIL collected is £7.4m. £1.1m of this is the ‘Neighbourhood Portion.’

This consultation is focused on the allocation of the Neighbourhood Portion.

The ‘Neighbourhood Portion’ or Local CIL

“Anything that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area”.

Where there are town and parish councils, the CIL Neighbourhood Portion will be paid over directly to them and they will spend it on their infrastructure priorities. Sheffield has three local councils – Bradfield Parish Council, Ecclesfield Parish Council and Stocksbridge Town Council.

Where there is a Neighbourhood Plan the CIL Neighbourhood Portion is increased to 25%. A Neighbourhood Plan gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. This 25% is paid to the local Neighbourhood Forum that has developed the Plan. Up to August 2018 there have been no Neighbourhood Plans adopted in Sheffield, although 3 are in preparation.

In non-parished areas without a Neighbourhood Plan (i.e. the majority of the city), the City Council will hold the CIL Neighbourhood Portion funds and ensure that it is spent within the “communities where development takes place”

What we are seeking views on

We now need your views on how the Neighbourhood Portion is allocated in non-parished areas or those areas without a Neighbourhood Plan, as well as how local communities are involved in the decisions on how it is spent.

Please see the flowchart attached to help you visualise the process we are consulting on.

https://sheffield.citizenspace.com/communities-business-strategy/use-of-the-community-infrastructure-levy/

Free Computer Courses for Council Tenants

Free computer sessions

We know that many of our tenants don’t have the confidence or the know-how to access the internet. That’s why we have an arrangement with Heeley Trust to deliver free computer classes to help our tenants get online.

Being able to do things online like shopping, banking and socialising, can save you money and make things easier and more convenient. Importantly, from November you will only be able to apply for Universal Credit online.

How these classes can help you

If you’re a Council tenant and would like to do more on the internet but you’re not sure how to, or if you’re worried about having to apply online for Universal Credit, then why not sign-up to a class near you?

The classes are held at venues all across the city and are run by friendly, helpful advisors from the Heeley Trust who will help you gain the skills you need at a pace that suits you.

As well as help to apply for Universal Credit, the classes also cover lots of other topics like how to stay safe on the internet, staying in touch with friends and family, accessing health and other services and online banking.

Go to a computer session near you

You can book a computer session over the phone on 0114 399 1070 or email learningchampion@heeleydevtrust.com. Just pick the session you like and let us know you’re coming.

The sessions you can attend at your local library are:

• Firth Park: Monday 10am – 12pm
• Manor: Monday 2pm – 4pm
• Totley: Tuesday 10am – 12pm
• Central Library: Tuesday 10am – 12pm
• Burngreave: Tuesday 1pm – 3pm
• Woodseats: Wednesday 1pm – 3pm
• Walkley: Wednesday 1.30pm – 3.30pm
• Crystal Peaks: Thursday 10am – 12pm
• Greenhill: Friday 10am – 12pm
• Chapeltown: Friday 10am – 12pm
• More classes available across the city
• You can also go to free classes at:
• Balfour House (Stocksbridge): Tuesday 10am – 12pm
• Emerson Community Room (Parson Cross): Monday 10am – 12pm
• Greenland Community Centre: Wednesday 10am – 12pm
• Hanover TARA: Monday & Thursday 2pm – 4pm
• Langsett Community Room: Wednesday, 10am – 12pm
• Stannington TARA: Thursday 10am – 12pm

Just call 0114 399 1070 or email learningchampion@heeleydevtrust.com to book your spot.

Workshops for people living with Dementia and their Carers at Sheffield Theatres

Sheffield Theatres are going to be running a weekly workshop, for people living with dementia and their carers, and I hoped you may be able to put the flyer attached on your social media? Details of the workshops are below.

Come along to our weekly workshops exploring the themes of shared memories- creating, making and doing for people living with, and those caring for people living with dementia. We will create an interactive museum around the themes of memories and growing up. A seven week creative project which will end in a celebration event; a fun and interactive ‘live’ exhibition made in partnership with Sheffield students.

Sessions are Wednesday afternoons for 7 weeks and are free to attend:

10 October       1.30-3.30pm

17 October       1.30-3.30pm

24 October       1.30-3.30pm

31 October       1.30-3.30pm

07 November    1.30-3.30pm

14 November    1.30-3.30pm

21 November    1.30-3.30pm

To book a place or for more information, please contact the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or email access@sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Please arrive at the Crucible from 2.00pm for refreshments before the workshop.

 

State of the Sector Survey- Voluntary Action Sheffield Survey

Voluntary Action Sheffield are wanting local groups and volunteers to take part in the annual “State of the Sector” Survey.

“What’s the state of the voluntary and community sector in Sheffield? We’re trying to find out, and need your views and experiences. By taking time to complete the questionnaire you can help make the case for our collective impact and the importance of the sector to the city. Please do take the time to complete the questionnaire –  https://goo.gl/forms/n2Lv8YcfMKT6aWij1.  We’ll produce a report and one page poster/infographic which can be used widely with funders and others to make the case for what we bring.

If you also have volunteers could you encourage them to complete the volunteer questionnaire – we would like to hear from all people whether they volunteer or not and would really appreciate it if you could fill in our short Sheffield Volunteer Survey  https://goo.gl/forms/S87WTOAHmcaa50pr1″

 

Sheffield Carers Centre- Carers Cafe – Friday August 10th

Samaritans lends an ear at well being roadshow in Sheffield

Samaritans volunteers and Sheffield City Council staff will be meeting local residents on Thursday 16 August. The charity will be running a roadshow, sharing wellbeing tips and highlighting the support available to anyone in the community who may not be coping.

The roadshow will run from 10am to 5pm, with Samaritans volunteers providing emotional support in the We Listen trailer in Barkers Pool, Sheffield.

Local mental health charities, Sheffield Mind and Sheffield Flourish are also setting up a stall to raise awareness of their local support and advice services.

Jane Hewitt, volunteer and Director of Samaritans’ Sheffield Branch said: “As Samaritans volunteers, we know how much listening to someone at a low point can help them feel less alone. It makes them more able to deal with difficult thoughts and feelings, and gives them the time and space to reflect and move on.

“Not everyone will feel ready or able to talk to family, friends or colleagues, but the more we promote what good listening is, and how you encourage others to talk, the more we hope people will open up to someone they trust before they reach crisis point.

“We’re here to listen and support, no matter what you’re dealing with. We’re pleased to have the opportunity to talk with shoppers, visitors and local people, to let them know that anyone can contact Samaritans for free. We’re grateful to Sheffield City Council and everyone involved for helping us to spread the word about support services in the area.”

 

People will have the opportunity to fill in a ‘Thank You for Listening’ postcard for someone who has listened to them when they needed them to. The cards will be available at the roadshow.

Sheffield City Council’s Councillor Jackie Drayton said: “We want Sheffield to be a place where everyone feels confident to talk about mental health openly and honestly, knowing that there are people there to listen and help.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Samaritans to support this valuable event.  The We Listen trailer is a great way to find out more about the fantastic work Samaritans does and the wellbeing support its volunteers provide.”

Samaritans hosts a range of outreach events every year throughout the UK and Ireland to raise awareness of the charity and encourage people to seek help before reaching crisis point.

Anyone can contact Samaritans any time, for free, from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. The number will not show up on your phone bill. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or go to http://www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch where you can talk to one of our trained volunteers face to face.