Agenda item

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 therefore, support is given to calls from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, for this to be addressed urgently;

 

(j)         states that the disparity between transport in the north of England and London must now be addressed and reiterates comments made by Council Leader, Councillor Julie Dore, prior to the transport summit in Leeds, that the Government must:-

 

(i)         commit to making an integrated transport network across the whole of the north and especially a commitment to a Northern Powerhouse Rail; and

 

(ii)        commit to upgrades that will make an immediate difference – particularly reversing their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midland Mainline.

 

Minutes:

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 have seen £59 billion more for transport if funded the same as London, and therefore, support is given to calls from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, for this to be addressed urgently; and

 

(j)         states that the disparity between transport in the north of England and London must now be addressed and reiterates comments made by Council Leader, Councillor Julie Dore, prior to the transport summit in Leeds, that the Government must:-

 

(i)         commit to making an integrated transport network across the whole of the north and especially a commitment to a Northern Powerhouse Rail; and

 

(ii)        commit to upgrades that will make an immediate difference – particularly reversing their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midland Mainline.

 

 

5.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Martin Smith, and seconded by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

 

 

 

1.          the replacement, in paragraph (b), of the words “the Council Leader, Councillor Julie Dore” by the words “many people from the private and public sector”; and

 

 

 

2.          the addition of a new paragraph (j) as follows, and the re-lettering of original paragraph (j) as a new paragraph (k):-

 

 

 

(j)         regrets that continuing disagreement between Labour-controlled councils in South Yorkshire has called into question the election of the Sheffield City Region mayor which is depriving our region of a strong voice on strategic transport issues such as the electrification of Midland Mainline, whereas cities such as Manchester and Liverpool are already beginning to reap the benefits of devolution;

 

 

5.3

It was then moved by Councillor Robert Murphy, and seconded by Councillor Alison Teal, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

 

 

 

1.          the deletion of paragraphs (a) to (e) and the addition of new paragraphs (a) to (e) as follows:-

 

 

 

(a)       notes the new HS2 Route will result in the loss of hundreds of homes in the city region and a reduction in services stopping in Sheffield City Region compared to the original proposal;

           

(b)       believes that if the Government and Administration were serious about the Northern Powerhouse Rail, their top priority would be improved rail links between northern cities rather than faster journeys to London;

           

(c)        notes the proposal from HS2 will not provide the benefits of “substantially reduced journey times” or “release space on the conventional rail network for new commuter, regional and freight services”, the statements used as justification for Sheffield City Council supporting the concept of High Speed Rail;

           

(d)       notes that no high-speed track will be laid in the city of Sheffield, and believes that the proposal is effectively a high-speed bypass cutting through the City Region;

           

(e)       is not surprised that, considering the spiralling costs of HS2 (up from £32 billion to £55 billion), other rail investments, such as electrification of Midland Mainline, are being stopped to save money;

 

 

 

2.          the addition of the following words at the beginning of paragraph (f) -  “believes electrification of the Midland Mainline would have brought many of the benefits of HS2 at a fraction of the cost and disruption to the area, and”;

 

 

 

3.          the deletion of paragraph (h) and the addition of new paragraphs (h) to (n) as follows:-

 

 

 

(h)       notes that despite reportedly spending £190,000 of council tax payers’ money, the Administration failed to persuade HS2 to site a station at Sheffield Victoria and believes that the proposed site of Sheffield Midland Station will not provide the economic benefits, capacity and connectivity improvements that a Sheffield Victoria option claimed;

 

(i)         notes the Administration’s proposal failed to win the support of other South Yorkshire Councils and caused animosity with other areas of the City Region, and believes that this has thereby damaged the close working relationship necessary for effective devolution;

 

(j)         notes that current proposals include no improvement to journey times between Sheffield and Leeds;

 

(k)        notes that there are currently further delays to rail improvements between Sheffield and Manchester;

 

(l)         notes that the proposed Tram/Train service between Sheffield and Rotherham is significantly delayed and vastly over budget;

           

(m)      believes that this Administration has shown itself to be incompetent with regards to improving our city’s rail services; and

 

(n)       apologises to passengers who regularly have to deal with overcrowding and poor services on local routes;

 

 

 

4.          the re-lettering of original paragraphs (i) and (j) as new paragraphs (o) and (p).

 

 

5.4

Following debate on the matter under consideration, and a right of reply from Councillor Jack Scott, the amendment moved by Councillor Martin Smith was put to the vote and negatived.

 

 

5.5

The amendment moved by Councillor Robert Murphy was then put to the vote and was also negatived.

 

 

5.6

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

 

 

 

RESOLVED: 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 therefore, support is given to calls from Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, for this to be addressed urgently; and

 

(j)         states that the disparity between transport in the north of England and London must now be addressed and reiterates comments made by Council Leader, Councillor Julie Dore, prior to the transport summit in Leeds, that the Government must:-

 

(i)         commit to making an integrated transport network across the whole of the north and especially a commitment to a Northern Powerhouse Rail; and

 

(ii)        commit to upgrades that will make an immediate difference – particularly reversing their decision to cancel the electrification of the Midland Mainline.

 

 

 

5.6.1

(NOTE: 1. Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, Colin Ross, Martin Smith, Roger Davison, Shaffaq Mohammed, Paul Scriven, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, David Baker, Penny Baker and Vickie Priestley voted for paragraphs (a) and (c) to (j) of the Motion, and voted against paragraph (b) of the Motion, and asked for this to be recorded; and

 

 

 

2. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Magid Magid) and Councillors Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy and Alison Teal voted for paragraphs (f), (g), (i) and (j) of the Motion, and voted against paragraphs (a) to (e) and (h) of the Motion, and asked for this to be recorded.)