Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield, S1 2HH

Contact: Paul Robinson, Democratic Services  Email: paul.robinson@sheffield.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Former Councillor Isobel Bowler

Minutes:

2.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

3.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Members to declare any interests they have in the business to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

4.

Minutes Of Previous Council Meeting pdf icon PDF 209 KB

To receive the record of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 8th June 2016 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Minutes:

5.

Public Questions and Petitions and Other Communications

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, or communications submitted by the Lord Mayor or the Chief Executive and to pass such resolutions thereon as the Council Procedure Rules permit and as may be deemed expedient.

Minutes:

6.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Joe Otten

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes the result of the EU referendum;

 

(b)       condemns the reported rise in racially motivated abuses and attacks on people perceived as immigrants, as racists have been emboldened by the referendum result;

 

(c)        affirms that Sheffield is a tolerant and inclusive city where racial abuse and violence will not be tolerated and where all EU citizens remain welcome;

 

(d)       believes that the narrow margin of 52-48% (51-49 % in Sheffield) represents a weak mandate;

 

(e)       believes that the key promises of the “Leave” campaign on immigration and funding of the NHS unravelled within hours of the result;

 

(f)        notes early signs of a significant negative impact to the UK economy in the falling pound, the declining stock market, and the downgrading of the UK's credit rating;

 

(g)       believes that some “Leave” voters will have voted for the open, free-trading, service-sector-based economy proposition of Daniel Hannan, MEP, and Patrick Minford, Professor of Applied Economics, Cardiff University; others for the protectionism and socialism of Labour Leave; others still for the apparent xenophobia of Nigel Farage, MEP and Leader of UKIP; and that these are irreconcilable positions, making it impossible for any Leaver-led government to satisfy the 52%;

 

(h)       believes that it would be wrong to ignore the 48%, and to regard Brexit as settled, but rather that supporters of EU membership should campaign to try to win back more support, and that if public opinion changes, there should be an opportunity at the ballot box to remain in or rejoin the EU;

 

(i)         believes that it is in Sheffield's best interests for the UK to remain full members of the EU, and therefore welcomes the Liberal Democrats' policy commitment for the UK to remain in or rejoin the EU;

 

(j)         believes that with the “Leave” proposition so ill-defined and poorly mandated, and with Government so rudderless, it is more vital than ever for opposition parties, core cities, devolved administrations and others to make clear their demands for a UK withdrawal negotiating position that defends the interests and values of the people they represent; and

 

(k)        calls on the Administration to demand of the Government in particular that access to the EU marketplace for our manufacturing, participation in EU science programmes, co-operation on security, and regional regeneration funding are not lost as a result of UK withdrawal from the EU.

Minutes:

7.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Craig Gamble Pugh

That this Council:-

 

(a)       is very concerned by the increases in hate crime reported in the days following the EU referendum and condemns those who use the referendum as cover to seek to hurt and divide our communities;

 

(b)       was appalled by the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, USA on 12 June 2016 in which 49 people were killed and 53 others were injured;

 

(c)        fully condemns hate crime in all its forms, including crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:

 

(i)         Disability;

 

(ii)        Race or ethnicity;

 

(iii)       Religion or belief;

 

(iv)       Sexual orientation;

 

(v)        Transgender identity;

 

(d)       is concerned that 284 hate crimes were recorded in Sheffield by South Yorkshire Police in 2014/15 – a 22% increase on the previous year;

 

(e)       is committed to defending the rights of everyone in Sheffield to live their lives free from fear and discrimination;

 

(f)        acknowledges the work the Council and its partners are doing to combat hate crime in the city, including:-

 

(i)         raising the profile of hate crime, including publicity materials and briefings for community forums;

 

(ii)        the Hate Crime Strategic Group’s work to identify new ways of increasing 3rd party reporting centres;

(iii)       the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel work to review hate crimes and incidents and share best practice; and

 

(iv)       the work being done by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to ask communities how they would find it best to report hate crime and hate incidents; and

 

(g)       encourages the public to report hate crime to the police or to local agencies and community organisations, including Sheffield City Council, Victim Support and Citizens Advice Bureaux, who can report incidents of hate crime to the police on behalf of a member of the public.

Minutes:

8.

Tributes to Former Councillor Isobel Bowler

Minutes:

9.

Members' Questions pdf icon PDF 130 KB

5.1       Questions relating to urgent business – Council Procedure Rule 16.6(ii).

 

5.2       Supplementary questions on written questions submitted at this meeting   – Council Procedure Rule 16.4.

 

5.3       Questions on the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue and Pensions – Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985 – Council Procedure Rule 16.6(i).

 

            (NB. Minutes of recent meetings of the two South Yorkshire Joint    Authorities have been made available to all Members of the Council via the following link -

            http://sheffielddemocracy.moderngov.co.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13165&path=0)

 

 

 

Minutes:

10.

Representation, Delegated Authority and Related Issues pdf icon PDF 39 KB

To consider any changes to the memberships and arrangements for meetings of Committees etc., delegated authority, and the appointment of representatives to serve on other bodies.

Minutes:

11.

Proposed Merger of the Council's Audit and Standards Committees pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Report of the Acting Executive Director, Resources.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

12.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Julie Dore

That this Council:-

 

(a)       believes that improved high speed rail connectivity is vital to rebalancing the UK economy and securing economic growth in the North;

 

(b)       notes that HS2 Ltd has decided to opt for a HS2 city centre station location and believes that - if confirmed by Government - this represents significant and welcome news for Sheffield and the City Region;

 

(c)        notes the huge economic benefits a city centre station will bring to Sheffield and the City Region, including creating 6,000 more jobs and 1,000 more new homes than an out of town location at Meadowhall, and believes this is more important than ever at a time of significant economic uncertainty following the EU referendum result;

 

(d)       understands that having a high speed rail line running into the centre of Sheffield will make a significant contribution to the regeneration and transformation of the city centre;

 

(e)       notes the work the current Administration has constantly undertaken to make the case and fight for a city centre station location;

 

(f)        also notes the contributions made by private sector stakeholders and the Star newspaper in pushing for a city centre station location;

 

g)         in contrast, recalls that the Government’s proposal for the Meadowhall location was formulated under the Coalition Government, with the previous Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Sheffield Hallam launching proposals for the HS2 station at Meadowhall;

 

(h)       further recalls comments by the previous Deputy Prime Minister about the Meadowhall location: "If you look at those balance of effects of one location versus another, most fair-minded people would conclude, as the Department for Transport has, that this is a better location."; and

 

(i)         believes the Administration's actions on HS2, alongside work to secure HSBC in the city centre, the launching of the work to create Europe's first Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and the Olympic Legacy Park, the launch of the city’s branding as The Outdoor City and recent work to secure major investment in the city from Chengdu, all demonstrate this Administration's determination to create jobs and be ambitious for the city, and calls on the opposition parties to support these initiatives, alongside work to support small business and improve our skills base, and stop talking the city down to score political points.

Minutes:

13.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Ben Miskell

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes the publication of the Government’s White Paper, “Educational Excellence Everywhere”, and its intention to force all schools to become academies by 2022;

 

(b)       welcomes the White Paper’s focus on those parts of the country still lagging behind in terms of educational attainment;

 

(c)        however, believes that wasting £1.3 billion on an unnecessary top-down reorganisation of schools is the wrong approach, particularly at a time when funding per pupil is set to fall in real terms;

 

(d)       notes that around 85% of local authority maintained schools are good or outstanding, and believes the Government’s proposals are not supported by any evidence that academy status in and of itself improves standards of education;

 

(e)       believes these proposals do nothing to address the pressures being faced by schools today - huge teacher shortages, real terms cuts to school budgets and major overhauls to curriculums, assessments and exams - and could actually make these problems worse;

 

(f)        notes that when all schools are academies, national arrangements about the running of schools will not apply;

 

(g)       notes a recent report by the National Audit Office showing that teacher shortages in England are growing and the Government has missed recruitment targets for four years, and believes these plans will do nothing to improve the problems around teacher recruitment and retention;

 

(h)       acknowledges the work Learn Sheffield is doing to tackle teacher shortages in Sheffield, including working with partners to develop a strategy which makes it easier for individuals to identify the best route into teaching for them and support schools in retaining teachers;

 

(i)         believes that parents and local communities should be at the heart of the school system and was therefore disappointed to see that 50,000 parent volunteers could find themselves removed from governing bodies following the Government’s plan to scrap the requirement for schools to have parent governors;

 

(j)         notes that the proposals have attracted widespread opposition from parents, school staff, governors, headteachers and MPs and Councillors from across the political spectrum; and

 

(k)        will therefore work with other councils, trade unions, parents and governor groups to oppose the provisions in the White Paper.

Minutes:

14.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Lisa Banes

That this Council:-

 

(a)       believes that, on balance, it was in the best interest of Sheffield for the UK to remain in the European Union;

 

(b)       however, respects the outcome of the EU referendum and believes that we must work to ensure all communities pull together as a city to move forward; and

 

(c)        requests officers to examine the implications of the vote for Sheffield to ensure that our city can prosper outside of the European Union.

Minutes:

15.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes the tragic murder of Jo Cox MP, who was killed in her West Yorkshire constituency whilst carrying out her duties;

 

(b)       believes that this was an act of terror by someone who was filled with hate for democracy and decency, which was exacerbated by the current political climate in this country and the divisive rhetoric used by both mainstream and non-mainstream far-right political parties; and

 

(c)        resolves to work in the spirit of Jo Cox to work together with politicians of all colours who want to stand up for the vulnerable and fight against injustice and hate.

Minutes:

16.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Jack Clarkson

That this Council:-

 

(a)       recognises and accepts the democratic will of the people of the City of Sheffield and the United Kingdom as a whole to leave the European Union;

 

(b)       believes that this was the right choice for the country, as it will allow us to take back control of important areas of policy and implement the laws that are best suited to the needs of the United Kingdom;

 

(c)        believes that the people of Sheffield have rebelled against the traditionally dominant parties, and shown that on issues of vital importance to the future of the country they are at odds with the views of the local Labour and Liberal Democrat establishment;

 

(d)       notes that the vast majority of votes for “Leave” in Sheffield came from areas that traditionally vote for the Labour Party, and therefore believes it is clear that the Party has lost touch with its grassroots voters and supporters;

 

(e)       further notes that the “Leave” campaign won in some areas traditionally held by the Liberal Democrats, such as Stannington and Graves Park, despite that Party being amongst the most pro-European in Britain;

 

(f)        believes that the “Remain” campaign had no positive message for the people of this country, and attempted to frighten them into voting for the EU with threats of poverty, pestilence and “world war three”;

 

(g)       is proud that the “Leave” campaign offered a positive vision for Britain’s future, in which the country can open itself up to trade with the world, implement a fair and sustainable immigration policy, and focus British taxpayers’ money on their priorities; and

 

(h)       looks forward to the day when the United Kingdom reclaims its independence from the European Union, and once again becomes an important global economic and political power.

Minutes:

17.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor David Barker

That this Council:-

 

(a)       believes the local taxi trade provides an important and highly valued service to the people of Sheffield;

 

(b)       notes the work the Council is doing with the local taxi trade to achieve high standards for quality and safety of the public;

 

(c)        feels this work is being undermined by Government legislation, particularly by the De-Regulation Act (2015) which came into force last October;

 

(d)       believes the De-Regulation Act puts the public at risk by:-

 

(i)         allowing drivers who do not meet the standards the Council requires local operators to adhere to, to work in the City; and

 

(ii)        preventing the Council from taking enforcement action against these drivers;

 

(e)       also notes that the De-Regulation Act allows operators from outside of the local licensing authority to accept bookings, whereas before, operators were only allowed to sub-contract bookings within their own area;

 

(f)        is concerned by reports from the local taxi trade of an influx of out of town operators working in the city, and fears that this could result in large operators using a loss leader approach to drive out local operators;

 

(g)       believes reduced competition, which would follow the displacement of local operators, would be to the detriment of local business and passengers; and

 

(h)       calls on the Government to reconsider its approach to the regulation of the taxi trade and act to give local operators and passengers greater protection.

Minutes:

18.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Martin Smith

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes that a prolonged period of economic and political uncertainty is bad for the country and bad for Sheffield;

 

(b)       further notes that the competition for inward investment is likely to intensify over the next few years;

 

(c)        believes that this could put a number of strategically important projects at risk, including HS2, HS3 and the Sheffield Retail Quarter;

 

(d)       calls on the members of all political parties represented on the Council to unite to promote Sheffield as an excellent place to invest and do business; and

 

(e)       requests the Leader of the Council to set up a cross-party working group with local businesses to develop new initiatives to improve the city economy.

Minutes:

19.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Richard Shaw

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes the recent City Initiatives for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CITIE) report, ‘Northern Powerhouse Analysis’, which suggests that free Wi-Fi in Sheffield city centre could help increase productivity and help to ease digital exclusion for lower income households; and

 

(b)       calls on the Administration to:-

 

(i)         adopt the aim of establishing free Wi-Fi in Sheffield city centre as part of its Smart City Framework; and

 

(ii)        work with private businesses and investors, Sheffield City Region and Government to form a strategy to get free Wi-Fi in the city centre.

Minutes:

20.

Notice of Motion given by Councillor John Booker

That this Council:-

 

(a)       believes we all owe a debt to those who serve, or have served, and their families, as recognised by the Armed Forces Covenant and our own local Community Covenant;

 

(b)       is concerned that local authorities, national government, charities and other service providers are not yet fully able to meet the needs of our Armed Forces community, as accurate information about this group just isn't available;

 

(c)        regrets that we don't actually know exactly how many veterans, reservists and dependants there are in the UK - let alone our local community - or what their needs might be;

 

(d)       notes that the only way that comprehensive information of this kind could be achieved would be through the inclusion of questions about the Armed Forces community in the next national census, and supports The Royal British Legion’s call for the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments to commit to this modest addition to the census;

 

(e)       further notes that the census is not due until 2021, but understands that the Office for National Statistics, National Records Scotland and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency have already begun consulting on its content; and

 

(f)        recognises that it will ultimately be for national politicians to decide the content of the next census, but believes that, by this Council committing to supporting the inclusion of the question on the Armed Forces community as the next census is trialled and developed, this stance would be invaluable in the coming months and years.

Minutes: