Agenda and minutes

1.1

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jim Steinke and Steve Wilson.

2.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Peter Rippon, and formally seconded by Councillor Olivia Blake, that in order to implement changes to the operation of the full Council meeting in accordance with the outcome of the Review of Full Council Meetings Member Working Group, approval be given, for the duration of this meeting and (via suspension of Council Procedure Rule 4.1) the next two meetings, to certain revisions to the Council Procedure Rules, as set out in the schedule included with the agenda for this meeting, but with the substitution of the words “item of business” for the word “matter”, which appears once on page 3 of the schedule and three times on page 4.

2.2

Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be approved with the exception of the rule relating to CPR 10.2 relating to a limit on the number of motions and altering the order of motions, which this Council believes favours the ruling group.

2.2.1

(NOTE: With the agreement of the Council and at the request of the mover of the amendment (Councillor Douglas Johnson), the amendment as circulated at the meeting was altered by the insertion of the words “this Council believes” between the words “which” and “favours”.)

2.3

On being put to the vote, the altered amendment was negatived.

2.4

The original Motion was then put to the vote and carried as follows:-

3.1

Declarations of Interests in the Business Considered at the Meeting

3.1.1

Councillor Jack Clarkson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 14 - Notice of Motion regarding Review of Student Accommodation, due to him being a member of the Council’s Planning and Highways Committee.

3.1.2

Councillor Joe Otten (a) declared a personal interest, as a Friend of Dore and Totley Station, in Agenda Items 5 and 7 – Notices of Motion regarding Securing Better Transport for Sheffield and the North, and The Electrification of Midland Mainline, respectively and (b) indicated that, due to him being a member of the Council’s Planning and Highways Committee, he would not participate in Agenda Item 14 - Notice of Motion regarding Review of Student Accommodation, in the interests of avoiding pre-determining his views on future applications for development of student accommodation.

3.1.3

Councillor Bryan Lodge declared personal interests in Agenda Items 5 and 7 – Notices of Motion regarding Securing Better Transport for Sheffield and the North, and The Electrification of Midland Mainline, respectively, due to him being an employee of Carillion and his wife being an employee of East Midlands Trains.

3.1.4

Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed declared a personal interest in Agenda Items 5 and 7 – Notices of Motion regarding Securing Better Transport for Sheffield and the North, and The Electrification of Midland Mainline, respectively, due to his son being an employee of Carillion.

3.1.5

Councillor Abdul Khayum declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 14 - Notice of Motion regarding Review of Student Accommodation, due to him being a private sector landlord.

3.1.6

During the debate on Agenda Item 6 - Notice of Motion regarding Tackling the Damage of Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals, reference was made to casinos and, as a result, (a) Councillor Tony Damms declared a personal interest due to him being an employee of A & S Leisure Group Ltd and (b) Councillor Paul Wood declared a personal interest due to his company being a supplier of services to Genting Casinos.

3.2

Councillor Steve Wilson – Declaration of Interest Made at the Council Meeting on 2^nd November 2016

3.2.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) stated that she had been asked by Councillor Steve Wilson to clarify, on his behalf, due to his absence at this meeting, the declaration of interest that he made on two Notices of Motion considered by the Council at its meeting on 2^nd November 2016 in relation to Fracking. She reported that the minutes of that meeting indicate that Councillor Wilson had declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in those items of business on the grounds that he had undertaken work for a lobbying company, but that Councillor Wilson wishes to point out that his declaration was on the grounds that he had provided unpaid advice to a lobbying company, and has requested that the record of the declarations be amended accordingly.

3.2.2

The Council agreed that the record of Councillor Wilson’s declarations on 2^nd November 2016 be amended appropriately.

4.1

Lord Mayor’s Communications

4.1.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) commented on the success of the Special Olympics National Games which was held recently in the city, with around 2,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities participating in the Games, and she commended the dedication and work of the athletes, their coaches and the many volunteers who contributed so much to make the event such a resounding success.

4.1.2

The Lord Mayor also reported that she had recently written on behalf of the Council to the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff requesting that one of the Navy’s next generation T26 Frigates be named after the city of Sheffield. She added that the Royal Navy’s Commodore for Northern England would be visiting the city on 5^th October, and she would update Members of the Council on any developments in relation to the naming request.

4.2

Petitions

4.2.1

Petition Requesting Fencing around Football Pitches, Reignhead Farm Fields, Beighton

The Council received a petition requesting fencing around Football Pitches, Reignhead Farm Fields, Beighton.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were received from Samantha Pickersgill, who informed the Council that there was a problem with dog fouling on the football pitches and this presented a health risk to people including players and volunteers at the MDS Falcons football club. Volunteers had to clean up the pitches before each game. The local community had been asked to clear up after their dogs and there were dog bins provided. However, whilst there were many responsible dog owners, others were not as responsible and also let their dogs roam whilst football matches were being played. The petition requested fencing around the football pitches to address the problem and for key-holders to be assigned.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Mary Lea, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure. Councillor Lea stated that the local Councillors for the area had also raised the issue with her. Some measures had already been taken in relation to the problems presented by dog fouling, including a greater number of bins and increased number of dog warden patrols. There were some unthinking dog owners and also many highly responsible dog owners.

Councillor Lea requested that the petitioners meet with her, local councillors and the relevant Council Officers to discuss the problems and to see what could be done.

4.2.2

Petition Requesting the Withdrawal of the Freedom of The City from Aung San Suu Kyi

The Council received a petition requesting the withdrawal of the Freedom of The City from Aung San Suu Kyi.

Representations of behalf of the petitioners were made by Shahid Ali, who stated that there was a time when Sheffield people supported Aung San Suu Kyi for promoting democracy and human rights in Myanmar. However, he stated, she had now become complicit in possible crimes against humanity. The Freedom of the City was the highest honour that the City could bestow and it was something which she deserved at the time it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.1

It was moved by Councillor Jack Scott, and seconded by Councillor Olivia Blake, that this Council:-

a)         welcomes the confirmation by the Government that high-speed services will run into Sheffield Midland station, and notes that the Labour Group have always championed the benefits of a city centre location for HS2 as this is where the greatest economic impact, transport benefits and job creation will be delivered;

(b)       applauds the leadership, determination and hard work of the Council Leader, Councillor Julie Dore, in securing a HS2 city centre location, which will bring the maximum benefits for the whole of South Yorkshire;

(c)        affirms that a city centre location is vital to ensuring Sheffield is well placed to maximise the benefits of HS2, and allows for the integration of HS2 with HS3, but believes this must extend to the north as well as to the south;

(d)       highlights that whilst we welcome the fact that HS2 Ltd have committed to funding a junction, this Administration will be seeking further commitments from the Government to ensure that the connection north of Sheffield is funded to enable high speed connections out of Midland and up to places like Leeds and Newcastle;

(e)       notes that despite the hugely positive news that HS2 will be coming to the centre of Sheffield, the Government have cancelled the electrification of the Midland Mainline which was due to be electrified by 2023; the Government have decided that 'bi-mode' trains - which can switch from electric to diesel power – will instead be introduced;

(f)        believes that this move is outrageous and will deny Sheffield faster, greener, more reliable train journeys which would have been a big boost to our economy and would have led to significantly improved air quality, another key aspiration of this Administration, particularly given the Government's woefully inadequate Air Quality Plan;

(g)       believes that the Government’s decision to cancel the electrification of the Midland Mainline is even more outrageous, given that the Government are continuing with Crossrail 2, a new London rail line, which will cost around £30 billion - denoting that whilst there is extra money for the south, the north continues to get neglected under this Government;

(h)       notes that despite this significant setback, it is encouraging that HS2 Ltd said they would ensure that Sheffield was HS2-ready so it could benefit from a spur into the city centre off the main line, being, therefore, unaffected by the Government’s decision regarding the lack of electrification on the existing line from Sheffield to Kettering, and that this Administration will continue to hold HS2 Ltd to account to ensure this happens;

(i)         believes that as a nation we are too London-centric and too centralised; and that much more needs to be done to empower all England’s regions; figures from the think-tank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) show that funding per head in London for transport is £3,400 compared to just £427 per head in the north, and in total the north would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1

RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Peter Rippon and seconded by Councillor Michelle Cook, that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1, the order of business as published on the Council Summons be altered by taking item 7 on the agenda (Notice of Motion Regarding the Electrification of Midland Mainline) as the next item of business, in view of its subject matter being similar to the previous item of business considered at the meeting.

6.2

It was moved by Councillor Ian Auckland, and seconded by Councillor Joe Otten, that this Council:-

(a)       regrets the Government’s decision to scrap plans announced in 2012 by former Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon Nick Clegg, to electrify the Midland Mainline to Sheffield;

(b)       believes that the decision by Transport Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP, to announce his support for Crossrail 2 adds insult to injury and demonstrates that this Government has abandoned its commitment to the Northern Powerhouse;

(c)        is disappointed that research by Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) North shows Yorkshire and the Humber will get £190 per head of transport spending from 2016/17 onwards compared to £220 in the North East, £680 in the North West and £1,940 in London;

(d)       believes that investment in transport connections across the north of England is vital to the goal of rebalancing the economy and bringing more investment and jobs to the north;

(e)       further notes Transport for the North’s independent research published in 2016 in the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review which shows how new investments including ‘HS3’ could unlock up to £97 billion and create 850,000 new jobs by 2050;

(f)        notes that, to date, 85,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Government to boost transport spending in the north;

(g)       notes delays to the Hope Valley capacity scheme, which was due to commence in May 2017 for completion by September 2018;

(h)       calls upon the Transport Secretary to:-

(i)         reverse the decision to scrap the electrification of the Midland Mainline;

(ii)        approve the commencement of the Hope Valley capacity scheme;

(iii)       pledge his immediate backing for the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme; and

(iv)       give Transport for the North the same powers as those enjoyed by Transport for London so that it can also raise private finance towards its own transport priorities; and

(i)         directs that a copy of this Motion be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport.

6.3

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Jack Scott, and seconded by Councillor Chris Rosling-Josephs, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following words:-

(a)       welcomes the confirmation by the Government that high-speed services will run into Sheffield Midland station, and notes that the Labour Group have always championed the benefits of a city centre location for HS2 as this is where the greatest economic impact, transport benefits and job  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Julie Dore, and formally seconded by Councillor Mazher Iqbal, that this Council:-

(a)       reiterates support for previous Council resolutions calling on the Government to give local authorities the powers they need to respond to concerns from their local communities and stop the proliferation of Fixed Odds Betting Terminal (FOBT) machines and betting shops;

(b)       notes that each betting outlet can provide four FOBT machines which offer casino style content, including games such as roulette, at up to £100 a spin, which can be wagered every 20 seconds;

(c)        further notes there are now more than 35,000 FOBTs offering casino content on British high streets, illustrating this is a nation-wide issue, and that there are also more than twice as many betting shops in the 55 local authority areas with the highest levels of deprivation compared with the most affluent 115, which are equivalent by population;

(d)       notes the nationwide campaign by leading charities and religious groups to reduce the stakes on category B2 Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in betting outlets from £100 to £2 per spin, and notes that this is something which the Government’s own Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which regulates the gambling industry, is examining;

(e)       further notes that a recommendation from the DCMS was due in the summer and that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (the Rt. Hon. Karen Bradley MP) has expressed frustration in Parliament about the delays;

(f)        is dismayed by recent reports that the Chancellor has scrapped the review due to fears that cutting the stake to £2 would cost the Treasury in lost tax revenue;

(g)       believes it is outrageous that the Government would make the decision on this basis and agrees with comments by Carolyn Harris MP, Chair of the all-party parliamentary group on fixed-odds betting terminals - “It is morally bankrupt to allow this situation to go on because of a misunderstanding of the economics of FOBTs. Britain will be financially better off if we take action on these machines.”

(h)       wholeheartedly supports the campaign to reduce the maximum stake of FOBT to £2;

(i)         demands better planning powers to restrict the localised proliferation of bookmakers, who are currently opening multiple premises in clusters to facilitate more machines, in accordance with the wishes of the local community; and

(j)         directs that a copy of this motion be sent to the Government to convey Sheffield’s full support for reducing the cap to £2 and to demand better planning powers for local authorities to deal with this.

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Sue Auckland, and seconded by Councillor Andrew Sangar, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (h) to (j) as follows, and the re-lettering of original paragraphs (h) to (j) as new paragraphs (k) to (m):-

(h)       believes this is a direct consequence of the Gambling Act 2005, introduced by the last Labour Government, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1

RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Peter Rippon and seconded by Councillor Michelle Cook, that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 5.5 (as revised earlier at this meeting), the termination of the meeting (at 8.00 p.m.) be delayed by a period of time sufficient to enable the mover and seconder of item 8 on the agenda (Notice of Motion Regarding the Labour Party’s Position on Brexit) to speak to that Motion.

8.2

It was moved by Councillor Jack Clarkson, and seconded by Councillor Keith Davis, that this Council:-

(a)       (i) believes that the Labour Party, by changing its stance to adopt a soft "Brexit" as their party policy, will undermine "Brexit" talks, (ii) notes that the Labour Party now intends to keep Britain in the Single Market and continue with 'open door' EU immigration for at least four more years, which they claim is for an 'interim' period only, (iii) believes that this change of policy is rowing back on their previous Brexit position, especially after the Leader, the Rt. Hon. Jeremy Corbyn MP, stated that the UK had to leave the Single Market to fulfil the Brexit vote and (iv) further believes that many Labour voters will feel betrayed by the Party, due to it changing its stance on Brexit;

(b)       is concerned that Jeremy Corbyn has admitted that he has no idea as to how long the "interim' phase would last, meaning a risk that freedom of movement would carry on, contributions to the EU's budgets would continue, and EU judges’ involvement in the UK would remain;

(c)        is appalled that the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, the Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer, MP, has suggested that the Labour Party would leave the door open for staying in the Single Market, which this Council believes is in direct conflict with how the people of this country voted to leave the European Union;

(d)       believes that, in respecting the referendum result, the Labour Party adopted a Euro-sceptic position to leave the Single Market and the Customs Union, and further believes that this reversal and change in policy will disgust many of the Party’s members; and

(e)       further believes that (i) the Labour Party has no vision whatsoever as to what Britain should look like outside the European Union, and whether they should leave or remain in the Single Market and (ii) that many of the Party's own MPs are mystified as to the Party’s position, with continued internal wrangling and disagreements between Jeremy Corbyn and its grass roots members, which shows to the electorate that the Labour Party say one thing and then do another.

8.3

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Ben Curran, and formally seconded by Councillor Jackie Drayton, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following words:-

(a)       believes that, in a bid  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.1

Urgent Business

9.1.1

There were no questions relating to urgent business under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6(ii).

9.2

Supplementary Questions

9.2.1

A schedule of questions to Cabinet Members, submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, and which contained written answers, was circulated.

9.2.2

Supplementary questions (under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.4) were not able to be asked before the meeting terminated (under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 5.5, as revised earlier at this meeting) after three hours duration.

9.3

South Yorkshire Joint Authorities

9.3.1

Questions relating to the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue and Pensions (under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6i), were not able to be asked before the meeting terminated (under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 5.5, as revised earlier at this meeting) after three hours duration.

10.1

The Council received an Annual Report, which provided an overview of scrutiny activity undertaken by each of the Scrutiny and Policy Development Committees during the 2016/17 Municipal Year, and proposed activity for 2017/18.

10.2

RESOLVED: That the Annual Report of the Scrutiny and Policy Development Committees 2016/17 be noted.

11.1

RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Peter Rippon, seconded by Councillor Michelle Cook, that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5^th July 2017 be approved as a true and accurate record.

12.1

RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Peter Rippon, seconded by Councillor Michelle Cook, that

(a) approval be given to the following changes to the memberships of Committees, Boards, etc.:-

Children, Young People and Family Support Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

-

Councillor Ian Saunders to replace Councillor Karen McGowan.

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

-

Councillor Jackie Satur to replace Councillor Dianne Hurst.

Allotments and Leisure Gardens Advisory Group

-

Councillor Zahira Naz to replace Councillor Tony Downing; Councillor Douglas Johnson to fill a vacancy

Corporate Parenting Board

-

Councillor Colin Ross to replace Councillor Martin Smith

(b) it be noted that Margaret Kilner has replaced Helen Rowe as a HealthWatch observer on the Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, with effect from 18^th July 2017;

(c) the membership of the Monitoring and Advisory Board (Adult Services) be revised to comprise Councillors Steve Ayris, Michelle Cook, Cate McDonald and Peter Rippon; and

(d) representatives be appointed to serve on other bodies as follows:-

Environment Agency – Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee

-

Councillor Paul Wood to replace Councillor Karen McGowan.

Sheffield Health and Social Care Foundation Trust – Council of Governors

-

Councillor Adam Hurst to serve a 2^nd term of office ending 04/09/2020.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

-

Councillor Adam Hurst to replace Councillor Mary Lea

13.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and formally seconded by Councillor Alison Teal, that this Council:-

(a)       believes in the rule of law;

(b)       notes that the UK has a long and proud tradition of organising society on rules of law and not on arbitrary decree; and that constitutions and agreed rules of procedure are essential for democracy to function;

(c)        notes the Review of Full Council Meetings Members Working Group has had several constructive meetings about improving the operation of Full Council, including through broadcasting, and will continue to work up options; and

(d)       believes, therefore, in the need to safeguard democracy by scrutinising proposed changes to the Council’s own constitution very carefully and ensuring that any changes comply with the constitution itself.

13.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Olivia Blake, and formally seconded by Councillor Craig Gamble Pugh, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraph (d) and the addition of new paragraphs (d) and (e) as follows:-

(d)       notes that the changes in meeting times of Full Council and other operational matters are the outcomes of a cross-party Member working group looking at improving decision making and public engagement, and that the new changes are only being trialled on a temporary period; and

(e)       reaffirms the Administration’s assertion that any changes to the constitution will only take place in accordance with the constitutional process, and only with the backing of the relevant cross party Member working group.

13.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

13.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       believes in the rule of law;

(b)       notes that the UK has a long and proud tradition of organising society on rules of law and not on arbitrary decree; and that constitutions and agreed rules of procedure are essential for democracy to function;

(c)        notes the Review of Full Council Meetings Members Working Group has had several constructive meetings about improving the operation of Full Council, including through broadcasting, and will continue to work up options;

(d)       notes that the changes in meeting times of Full Council and other operational matters are the outcomes of a cross-party Member working group looking at improving decision making and public engagement, and that the new changes are only being trialled on a temporary period; and

(e)       reaffirms the Administration’s assertion that any changes to the constitution will only take place in accordance with the constitutional process, and only with the backing of the relevant cross party Member working group.

14.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and formally seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy, that this Council:-

(a)       notes the report to Cabinet on 18 December 2013 on the Student Accommodation Strategy that warned of the risk that the provision of more purpose-built student accommodation will lead to over-supply and older blocks falling empty;

(b)       notes that the Council’s planning policy CS41 on “Creating mixed communities” requires a mix of tenures and sizes in large blocks of student accommodation and seeks to avoid over-saturation of student accommodation;

(c)        however, notes that many recent planning applications for very large blocks of student accommodation have been passed even where not complaint with policy CS41; and

(d)       therefore calls on the Administration to carry out an urgent re-assessment of the supply of and demand for student accommodation.

14.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Ben Curran, and formally seconded by Councillor Moya O’Rourke, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (c) and (d) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (f) as follows:-

(c)        notes that planning decisions are taken by the Planning and Highways Committee or by officers acting under delegated authority and, therefore, are not in the control of the Council’s Executive;

(d)       notes that planners must make decisions in line with the National Planning Policy Framework which encourages purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA);

(e)       notes the Administration’s commitment to using the Local Plan to ensure local policy is tightened up in this area; and

(f)        endorses the Administration’s aim that as a requirement of the new Local Plan, all new PBSA developments are capable of conversion to residential accommodation, thereby adding flexibility to the market.

14.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

14.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       notes the report to Cabinet on 18 December 2013 on the Student Accommodation Strategy that warned of the risk that the provision of more purpose-built student accommodation will lead to over-supply and older blocks falling empty;

(b)       notes that the Council’s planning policy CS41 on “Creating mixed communities” requires a mix of tenures and sizes in large blocks of student accommodation and seeks to avoid over-saturation of student accommodation;

(c)        notes that planning decisions are taken by the Planning and Highways Committee or by officers acting under delegated authority and, therefore, are not in the control of the Council’s Executive;

(d)       notes that planners must make decisions in line with the National Planning Policy Framework which encourages purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA);

(e)       notes the Administration’s commitment to using the Local Plan to ensure local policy is tightened up in this area; and

(f)        endorses the Administration’s aim that as a requirement of the new Local Plan, all new PBSA developments are capable of conversion to residential accommodation, thereby adding flexibility to the market.

14.4.1

(NOTE: The Deputy Lord Mayor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.