Agenda and minutes

Council - Wednesday 6 September 2017 5.00 pm

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.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

2.

Suspension and Amendment of Council Procedure Rules pdf icon PDF 131 KB

To approve, for the duration of this meeting, certain revisions to the Council Procedure Rules, as set out in the schedule included with this agenda, 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.

 

Minutes:

3.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 88 KB

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

Minutes:

4.

Public Questions and Petitions and Other Communications

(a)       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.

 

(b)       Petition Requiring Debate

 

The Council’s Petitions Scheme requires that any petition containing over 5,000 signatures be the subject of debate at the Council meeting.  A qualifying petition has been received as follows:-

 

            Night Café for the Homeless and Vulnerable

 

To debate an electronic petition entitled “Night Café for the Homeless and Vulnerable”.  The petition –   https://www.change.org/p/sheffield-city-council-night-cafe-for-the-homeless-vulnerable - contains 7,538 supporters (as at 29th August) and includes the following wording:-

 

Services at night & weekends are none existent. With the help of local businesses and volunteers we would like to run a night cafe for the most vulnerable within our city and to finally bridge the gap between charities & services from closing to opening.

The night cafe will also support services getting information out & help guide people to the right places and be a hub at weekends to act as further support for the outreach teams like street pastors and police to bring people instead of tying up emergency services.

 

 

(The following 4 items of business are Notices of Motion submitted in line with the outcome of the Review of Full Council Meetings Member Working Group.  2 further Notices of Motion are included on the agenda as items of business 13 & 14, as these were submitted at variance to the decision of the Working Group.)

Minutes:

5.

Notice of Motion Regarding "Securing Better Transport for Sheffield and The North" - Given By Councillor Jack Scott and To Be 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 have seen £59 billion more for transport if funded the same as London, and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5.

Minutes:

6.

Notice of Motion Regarding "The Electrification of Midland Mainline" - Given By Councillor Ian Auckland and To Be 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.

 

Minutes:

7.

Notice of Motion Regarding "Tackling the Damage of Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals" - Given By Councillor Julie Dore and To Be 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 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.

 

Minutes:

8.

Notice of Motion Regarding The Labour Party's Position on "Brexit" - Given By Councillor Jack Clarkson and To Be 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.

 

Minutes:

9.

Members' Questions pdf icon PDF 549 KB

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

 

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

 

9.3       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://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ecCatDisplay.aspx?sch=doc&cat=13165&path=0)

 

Minutes:

10.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2016-17 pdf icon PDF 107 KB

To receive the annual report providing 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.

 

Councillor Chris Peace, Lead Member for Scrutiny, will introduce the report, to be followed by an opportunity for Members of the Council to ask questions or make observations on the contents of the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

11.

Minutes Of Previous Council Meeting pdf icon PDF 539 KB

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5th July 2017 and to approve their accuracy.

 

Minutes:

12.

Representation, Delegated Authority and Related Issues pdf icon PDF 115 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:

13.

Notice of Motion Regarding "The Importance of Constitution" - Given By Councillor Douglas Johnson and To Be 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.

 

Minutes:

14.

Notice of Motion Regarding "Review of Student Accommodation" - Given By Councillor Douglas Johnson and To Be 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.

 

Minutes: