Agenda item

Notice of Motion Regarding "Yorkshire Devolution" - Given by Councillor Robert Murphy and to be Seconded by Councillor Magid Magid

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes the results of the 2012 referendum where Sheffield people voted overwhelmingly against an elected mayor for Sheffield;

 

(b)       notes the decision of the Special Council meeting of Friday 18th March 2016, supported by the Administration and the main opposition group, to endorse the proposed Sheffield City Region Devolution Agreement and delegating authority to the Chief Executive to conclude the agreement;

 

(c)        notes that despite admitting that 'the City Region consultation was also imperfect' the proposal was voted through;

 

(d)       notes that after judicial review the High Court found the Sheffield City Region consultation on whether to include the Chesterfield area was unlawful;

 

(e)       notes the failure of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal after the withdrawal of all but two members of the City Region and believes that this failure has been caused by poor leadership across the region;

 

(f)        believes this Council should stop following this Government's agenda on devolution and listen instead to the views of the people of Sheffield;

 

(g)       believes Sheffield should join the 'Coalition of the Willing' 17 of the 20 Yorkshire Councils and pursue closer links and devolution for Yorkshire; and

 

(h)       believes that a final decision on devolution for Yorkshire should not be made without a Yorkshire-wide referendum.

 

Minutes:

10.1

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

 

 

 

(a)       notes the results of the 2012 referendum where Sheffield people voted overwhelmingly against an elected mayor for Sheffield;

 

(b)       notes the decision of the Special Council meeting of Friday 18th March 2016, supported by the Administration and the main opposition group, to endorse the proposed Sheffield City Region Devolution Agreement and delegating authority to the Chief Executive to conclude the agreement;

 

(c)        notes that despite admitting that 'the City Region consultation was also imperfect' the proposal was voted through;

 

(d)       notes that after judicial review the High Court found the Sheffield City Region consultation on whether to include the Chesterfield area was unlawful;

 

(e)       notes the failure of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal after the withdrawal of all but two members of the City Region and believes that this failure has been caused by poor leadership across the region;

 

(f)        believes this Council should stop following this Government's agenda on devolution and listen instead to the views of the people of Sheffield;

 

(g)       believes Sheffield should join the 'Coalition of the Willing' 17 of the 20 Yorkshire Councils and pursue closer links and devolution for Yorkshire; and

 

(h)       believes that a final decision on devolution for Yorkshire should not be made without a Yorkshire-wide referendum.

 

 

10.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Lisa Banes, and formally seconded by Councillor Mohammad Maroof, 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)       notes that since 2010 investment in regional economic growth has been decimated under both the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition and Conservative Government;

 

(b)       believes that it is important that all Elected Members do everything possible to secure investment in Sheffield and that the South Yorkshire Devolution Deal was the responsible thing to do, to bring investment into the region, as has been seen in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, West Midlands and Tees Valley;

 

(c)        notes the recent decision of McLaren and Boeing to come to South Yorkshire and believes this further demonstrates the importance of the devolution deal as an additional source of resources and investment;

 

(d)       believes that this demonstrates that despite all the difficulties that have occurred, the Combined Authority has made a difference and working together across South Yorkshire it has supported the development of the region’s economy with every part of the region receiving additional investment;

 

(e)       reaffirms the benefit of the South Yorkshire Deal being an economic deal and not one that takes over public services and implementing the Government’s austerity agenda;

 

(f)        notes that, following the recent Combined Authority meeting, consultation will not now take place on the new powers secured as part of the deal, and although Sheffield and Rotherham both supported proceeding with the consultation, accepts that all local authorities have the right to make their own democratic decisions;

 

(g)       notes the letter from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, to the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, stating that he will not consider any proposals for a further devolution deal involving South Yorkshire Councils, and has confirmed that the scheduled 2018 mayoral election, signed off by all constituent members of Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, will go ahead;

 

(h)       notes that arrangements for regional economic development have changed significantly over recent years, noting that in only seven years since 2010 we have had Regional Development Agencies, then Local Enterprise Partnerships, then Combined Authorities and now Mayoral Combined Authorities;

 

(i)         therefore believes there is no reason why the South Yorkshire Deal would prohibit South Yorkshire authorities benefiting from further opportunities that come forward in the future and for example, supports the proposals outlined by the Labour Party to transform industrial policy through setting up a national investment bank and regional development banks, to help unlock £250 billion of investment and lending to address funding gaps in the private sector, revive local economies and incentivise economic activity;

 

(j)         believes therefore that whilst doing a South Yorkshire Deal does not prohibit Sheffield and South Yorkshire benefitting should a better opportunity come along in the future, it is, however, abundantly clear that there is no current prospect of a Yorkshire Deal to be implemented at the same pace as the South Yorkshire deal;

 

(k)        notes that this has been confirmed by the Secretary of State and that some of the ‘coalition of the willing’ are actually walking away from, instead of coming towards, a ‘One Yorkshire’ deal and that, in addition, there is no evidence that such a deal would be better for Sheffield and South Yorkshire than the current deal; and

 

(l)         therefore believes that the prospect of a better deal down the road, which has not come forward to date, should not prevent us from accessing investment now and will continue to do everything possible to secure the investment on the South Yorkshire footprint as a mayor will be elected in May, and will continue to work with other South Yorkshire authorities and the Government to attempt to take this forward.

 

 

10.3

It was then formally moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, and formally seconded by Councillor Martin Smith, 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)       notes that a strong successful economy is vital for future opportunities in business for entrepreneurs and the people of Sheffield, with adult skills and transport schemes so needed at its core;

 

(b)       believes the Sheffield City Region Devolution Deal is a stepping stone to supporting a more locally driven economic policy;

 

(c)        is concerned that the recent breakdown in trust within South Yorkshire potentially puts at risk jobs and future investment in our local area;

 

(d)       notes with disappointment that other devolution deals started after the Sheffield City Region deal, like Tees Valley (October 2015) and West England (March 2016), are much more advanced than the Sheffield City Region deal;

 

(e)       notes that despite a number of years working on the deal there is still no agreement on funding for the HS2 Station remodelling and Supertram replacements;

 

(f)        notes that the Devolution deal also had figures of up to £5m per annum for running the new devolved Authority out of the £30m per annum deal;

 

(g)       is concerned that we could end up electing a regional Mayor with very limited powers at a cost of up to £1m;

 

(h)       suggests that to keep the prized devolution deal on the table, local politicians and Sheffield City Council now needs to focus on how to go forward and not blame other Councils for the impasse that we find ourselves in;

 

(i)         requests the Administration to work together with South Yorkshire partners to find a way forward for the Sheffield deal that accommodates all South Yorkshire partners; and

 

(j)         requests that the Leader of Sheffield City Council reports back every quarter to full Council on the progress made regarding the developments in keeping the South Yorkshire Devolution deal on the table.

 

 

10.4

After a contribution from one Member and Councillor Robert Murphy declining his right of reply, the amendment moved by Councillor Lisa Banes was put to the vote and carried.

 

 

10.4.1

The votes on the amendment were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

 

 

 

 

For the amendment (46)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) and Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Michelle Cook, Kieran Harpham, Jackie Drayton, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Moya O’Rourke, Craig Gamble Pugh, Mazher Iqbal, Zahira Naz, Andy Bainbridge, Steve Wilson, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Cate McDonald, Chris Peace, Bob Johnson, Josie Paszek, Lisa Banes, Pat Midgley, David Barker, Tony Downing, Mohammad Maroof, Jim Steinke, Julie Dore, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Peter Rippon, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, Richard Crowther, Neale Gibson, Adam Hurst, Zoe Sykes, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Against the amendment (25)

-

Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Roger Davison, Shaffaq Mohammed, Paul Scriven, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Alison Teal, David Baker, Penny Baker, Vickie Priestley, Jack Clarkson, Keith Davis and John Booker.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstained from voting on the amendment (0)

-

Nil.

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

The amendment moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed was then put to the vote and was negatived.

 

 

10.5.1

The votes on the amendment were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

 

 

 

 

For the amendment (19)

-

Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

Against the amendment (52)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) and Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Michelle Cook, Kieran Harpham, Jackie Drayton, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy, Moya O’Rourke, Craig Gamble Pugh, Mazher Iqbal, Zahira Naz, Andy Bainbridge, Steve Wilson, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Cate McDonald, Chris Peace, Bob Johnson, Josie Paszek, Lisa Banes, Pat Midgley, David Barker, Tony Downing, Mohammad Maroof, Jim Steinke, Alison Teal, Julie Dore, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Peter Rippon, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, Jack Clarkson, Richard Crowther, Keith Davis, Neale Gibson, John Booker, Adam Hurst, Zoe Sykes, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstained from voting on the amendment (0)

-

Nil.

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

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

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes that since 2010 investment in regional economic growth has been decimated under both the Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition and Conservative Government;

 

(b)       believes that it is important that all Elected Members do everything possible to secure investment in Sheffield and that the South Yorkshire Devolution Deal was the responsible thing to do, to bring investment into the region, as has been seen in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, West Midlands and Tees Valley;

 

(c)        notes the recent decision of McLaren and Boeing to come to South Yorkshire and believes this further demonstrates the importance of the devolution deal as an additional source of resources and investment;

 

(d)       believes that this demonstrates that despite all the difficulties that have occurred, the Combined Authority has made a difference and working together across South Yorkshire it has supported the development of the region’s economy with every part of the region receiving additional investment;

 

(e)       reaffirms the benefit of the South Yorkshire Deal being an economic deal and not one that takes over public services and implementing the Government’s austerity agenda;

 

(f)        notes that, following the recent Combined Authority meeting, consultation will not now take place on the new powers secured as part of the deal, and although Sheffield and Rotherham both supported proceeding with the consultation, accepts that all local authorities have the right to make their own democratic decisions;

 

(g)       notes the letter from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, to the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, stating that he will not consider any proposals for a further devolution deal involving South Yorkshire Councils, and has confirmed that the scheduled 2018 mayoral election, signed off by all constituent members of Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, will go ahead;

 

(h)       notes that arrangements for regional economic development have changed significantly over recent years, noting that in only seven years since 2010 we have had Regional Development Agencies, then Local Enterprise Partnerships, then Combined Authorities and now Mayoral Combined Authorities;

 

(i)         therefore believes there is no reason why the South Yorkshire Deal would prohibit South Yorkshire authorities benefiting from further opportunities that come forward in the future and for example, supports the proposals outlined by the Labour Party to transform industrial policy through setting up a national investment bank and regional development banks, to help unlock £250 billion of investment and lending to address funding gaps in the private sector, revive local economies and incentivise economic activity;

 

(j)         believes therefore that whilst doing a South Yorkshire Deal does not prohibit Sheffield and South Yorkshire benefitting should a better opportunity come along in the future, it is, however, abundantly clear that there is no current prospect of a Yorkshire Deal to be implemented at the same pace as the South Yorkshire deal;

 

(k)        notes that this has been confirmed by the Secretary of State and that some of the ‘coalition of the willing’ are actually walking away from, instead of coming towards, a ‘One Yorkshire’ deal and that, in addition, there is no evidence that such a deal would be better for Sheffield and South Yorkshire than the current deal; and

 

(l)         therefore believes that the prospect of a better deal down the road, which has not come forward to date, should not prevent us from accessing investment now and will continue to do everything possible to secure the investment on the South Yorkshire footprint as a mayor will be elected in May, and will continue to work with other South Yorkshire authorities and the Government to attempt to take this forward.

 

 

 

10.6.1

The votes on the Substantive Motion were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

 

 

 

 

For paragraphs (a) and (i) of the Substantive Motion (48)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) and Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Michelle Cook, Kieran Harpham, Jackie Drayton, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Moya O’Rourke, Craig Gamble Pugh, Mazher Iqbal, Zahira Naz, Andy Bainbridge, Steve Wilson, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Cate McDonald, Chris Peace, Bob Johnson, Josie Paszek, Lisa Banes, Pat Midgley, David Barker, Tony Downing, Mohammad Maroof, Jim Steinke, Julie Dore, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Peter Rippon, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, Jack Clarkson, Richard Crowther, Keith Davis, Neale Gibson, Adam Hurst, Zoe Sykes, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Against paragraphs (a) and (i) of the Substantive Motion (20)

-

Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, 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, Vickie Priestley and John Booker.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstained from voting on paragraphs (a) and (i) of the Substantive Motion (3)

-

Councillors Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy and Alison Teal.

 

 

 

 

 

For paragraphs (b) to (h) and (j) and (k) of the Substantive Motion (67)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) and Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Michelle Cook, Kieran Harpham, Jackie Drayton, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Moya O’Rourke, Craig Gamble Pugh, Adam Hanrahan, Mazher Iqbal, Zahira Naz, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Andy Bainbridge, Steve Wilson, Roger Davison, Shaffaq Mohammed, Paul Scriven, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Cate McDonald, Chris Peace, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Bob Johnson, Josie Paszek, Lisa Banes, Pat Midgley, David Barker, Gail Smith, Tony Downing, Mohammad Maroof, Jim Steinke, Julie Dore, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Peter Rippon, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, David Baker, Penny Baker, Vickie Priestley, Jack Clarkson, Richard Crowther, Keith Davis, Neale Gibson, Adam Hurst, Zoe Sykes, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Against paragraphs (b) to (h) and (j) and (k) of the Substantive Motion (1)

-

Councillor John Booker.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstained from voting on paragraphs (b) to (h) and (j) and (k) of the Substantive Motion (3)

-

Councillors Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy and Alison Teal.

 

 

 

 

 

For paragraph (l) of the Substantive Motion (48)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Anne Murphy) and Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Michelle Cook, Kieran Harpham, Jackie Drayton, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Moya O’Rourke, Craig Gamble Pugh, Mazher Iqbal, Zahira Naz, Andy Bainbridge, Steve Wilson, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Cate McDonald, Chris Peace, Bob Johnson, Josie Paszek, Lisa Banes, Pat Midgley, David Barker, Tony Downing, Mohammad Maroof, Jim Steinke, Julie Dore, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Peter Rippon, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, Jack Clarkson, Richard Crowther, Keith Davis, Neale Gibson, Adam Hurst, Zoe Sykes, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Against paragraph (l) of the Substantive Motion (1)

-

Councillor John Booker.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstained from voting on paragraph (l) of the Substantive Motion (22)

-

Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, Martin Smith, Roger Davison, Shaffaq Mohammed, Paul Scriven, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Alison Teal, David Baker, Penny Baker and Vickie Priestley.