Agenda item

5.1

Public Question in respect of Highway Tree Strategy

5.1.1

Rebecca Hammond commented that recently published versions of the Highway Tree Strategy, which had been found having previously been lost, included two versions called “Version 7”. Will there be an investigation into why there were two “Version 7’s” and into why the version which was presented as evidence in two court cases had a document control front sheet that demonstrated that it was a fabrication?

5.1.2

Councillor Lewis Dagnall, Cabinet Member for Environment and Streetscene, confirmed that the remaining documents related to the Streets Ahead contract had been released last week and, in relation to this, as much information had been released to the public as other comparable contracts across the country. This had been in response to campaigners’ requests for transparency. Councillor Dagnall was pleased the Highway Tree Strategies had been released and he would respond in writing to the more specific detail of Ms. Hammond’s question.

5.2

Public Question in respect of Independent Experts

5.2.1

Rebecca Hammond asked will the review of how Sheffield’s street trees are managed include input from any independent professional experts?

5.2.2

Councillor Lewis Dagnall replied that, when the Streets Ahead Contract had been reviewed, as the Cabinet Member, he took advice from people with the appropriate professional expertise and he was confident that we had this within the Council to enable Cabinet to make policy decisions to enhance the urban forest in the City. There would be further dialogue with stakeholders and members of the public and contributions could be made by independent experts at that point.

5.3

Public Question in respect of Webcasting

5.3.1

Nigel Slack stated that he had heard from a number of sources within the Council that a procurement process had begun for the webcasting of Council meetings and that a tender invitation will be sent out shortly. Is that the case? If so, what are the details of the specification in the tender for a webcasting service? Which meetings? Guarantees of independence from political interference? Indexing of agenda items and identification of participants? Archiving arrangements? Etc?

5.3.2

Councillor Olivia Blake, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, responded that there had been significant problems with the audio system in the Council Chamber and it was clear that it was now at the end of its operational life. There was no replacement equipment available for the current system. A procurement process had started and the Council had asked for options within the tender for potential recording, streaming and webcasting. Tenders had been received for this which were now going through the Council processes for evaluation.

5.4

Public Question in respect of the Public Realm on Charter Row

5.4.1

Nigel Slack commented that the changes to the public realm on Charter Row, at the back of the Debenhams store and the site of the new HSBC building, offered an opportunity to much improve that relatively sterile part of the City Centre. Unfortunately, for some strange reason, the seating on the Debenhams side of the street faced the back wall of Debenhams rather than across the open space towards the new green spaces being created at the side of the HSBC building. Why was this? Was this always the plan or a mistake?

5.4.2

Mr Slack added that, passing recently, it was clear that most of the new planting in that area was dying due to lack of watering. Who was responsible for this space and the maintenance of the planting?

5.4.3

In response, Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment, accepted why Mr Slack may think the layout was strange at this stage. However, this was part of the wider strategy for Heart of the City 2. The benches would be connected to the retail element at The Moor and it was the aim for people on the benches to face that rather than Debenhams. The public space could be used for a number of purposes, including the holding of events.

5.4.4

The recent hot weather had taken everyone by surprise and provision had not been made for that in terms of watering plants. The Council had spoken to the contractor who would ensure watering took place at that location on a weekly basis.

5.5

Public Question in respect of Due Diligence

5.5.1

Nigel Slack commented that, in the last year or so, he had heard the phrase ‘Due Diligence’ used on several occasions. It had been used in regard to many decisions by the Council, from the potential sale of the Central Library, the disposal of Mount Pleasant, to the recently collapsed ‘Ofo’ deal. What had never been made clear was what Due Diligence actually meant. Could the Council explain what this phrase meant? What steps were included in assessing Due Diligence? What information was accessed and assessed? Where was the information sourced? Who/which department assessed the information? What technical or other qualifications were expected of people in this decision making position?

5.5.2

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Julie Dore, explained that the term due diligence was a generic term. Before Councillors had to make very important decisions which impacted on people’s lives, all the checks and balances needed to be undertaken. It depended on the specific contract or decision as to what due diligence was undertaken. This usually included financial and legal implications. Recently this had included discussions with Government and the Department of Trade and Industry. Councillors needed to ensure they had all the facts at their disposal when taking a decision.

5.5.3

Councillor Dore added that Council staff would be used to undertake due diligence in the first instance. Other assistance may be brought into the process if required. If Mr Slack had a specific contract or decision in mind he should let Councillor Dore know and a more specific answer would be provided.

5.6

Public Question in respect of the Central Library

5.6.1

Nigel Slack commented that, over the last couple of years, the proposed fate of the Central Library had changed more than once. Sale to an outside investor, new building in the Heart of the City and now a revamp of the current location. What was the current situation with respect to the Central Library and building?

5.6.2

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure, responded that the Council was committed to the Graves Art Gallery and the building and plans for a twenty-first century library. A number of public events would shortly be arranged to discuss plans in more detail and where the library building should be located. The Central Library was a priority for the Council and the aim was to ensure a bright future for it.

5.7

Public Question in respect of Local Elections

5.7.1

Adam Butcher asked, in the light of the investigation by the Electoral Commission into the Vote Leave campaign in the European Union referendum, how can we make sure that Local Elections are safe and sound?

5.7.2

Councillor Julie Dore commented that, in light of recent publicity regarding the Vote Leave campaign, there had been a lot of public interest into how elections were run. As a result, Councillor Dore had looked into Sheffield’s record in how it carried out elections to ensure they had been carried out legally. The issues with the Vote Leave campaign were around expenditure and candidates in local elections also had an expense limit for their election campaigns. No candidate had spent over the limits allowed over the last several years which Councillor Dore had looked at. Returns were available for public scrutiny for up to two years following an election.

5.7.3

The Council employed a Returning Officer for elections who determined whether any malpractice had taken place. If there was, this would be referred to the Police for investigation. Again, Councillor Dore had checked and there had been no recent prosecutions in Sheffield. She therefore believed that Mr Butcher and others could be reassured that elections in Sheffield were safe and secure.

5.8

Public Question in respect of the Drug Strategy

5.8.1

Adam Butcher asked whether any consultation had taken place with carers and service users when developing the Drug Strategy which was on the agenda for this meeting?

5.8.2

Councillor Chris Peace, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, confirmed that consultation had taken place with current and ex-users via drug services. Individuals who were going through recovery and also still actively using had been spoken to. Events had taken place to seek service users’ views, such as at the Archer Project in March this year. Service users were at the heart of this Strategy as only by taking their views into account could it be taken forward.

5.9

Public Question in respect of High Court Ruling

5.9.1

David Dillner commented that, on Thursday 12 July in the High Court, Judge Graham Robinson said that the 13 campaigners who refused to sign the undertaking were “eminently justified” in not doing so. In light of this, what steps have been taken to initiate an enquiry and/or disciplinary proceedings against those officers, legal team and Councillors involved in drafting and issuing that undertaking?

5.9.2

Councillor Julie Dore stated that Mr Dillner was correct in his representation of the Judge’s comments. However, the Judge did not say that the Council had no right to ask for the undertaking. In respect of the drafting of the undertaking, the Council took into account professional advice on this but would take into account and learn lessons from the Judge’s comments. She did not believe this should result in disciplinary actions as officers had acted appropriately but if Mr Dillner wished to make a complaint he should go through the Council’s complaints procedure.

5.9.3

Councillor Lewis Dagnall added that, at the time, it had been explained that the Council felt it was necessary to apply for an extension of the injunction to ensure work was conducted safely and he believed the outcome in Court had achieved that. He welcomed the fact that the defendants and the Council had agreed a negotiated outcome on the terms of the injunction as work could now be done safely whilst balanced against peaceful protest. The Council always recognised the right to peaceful protest. The Council was looking at trying to find a compromise on all sides to continue the Streets Ahead work, so he thanked the defendants and others that an outcome had been agreed.

5.10

Public Question in respect of Olympic Legacy Park at the Oasis Academy

5.10.1

Gerry Montgomery commented that a few years ago investigations had taken place into the possibility of extending the English Institute of Sport (EIS) which had concluded that it was a very expensive operation to carry out. Mr Montgomery felt disappointed that, after four years, no real conclusion had been arrived at. He requested that officers make progress in respect of this and come to a decision.

5.10.2

Councillor Dore confirmed that no decision had been made as yet but the item was on the agenda for this meeting. Officers had looked at all the options and made recommendations to Cabinet. Further information had been received since the publication of the report which the Cabinet would discuss later in the meeting and Cabinet would ask questions of officers regarding each option. A decision would only be made when Cabinet were satisfied that they had all the necessary information.

5.11

Public Question in respect of Transport Strategy

5.11.1

Dr. Dany Jadresic commented that, regarding the Sheffield Transport Strategy and proposal to focus on Darnall and Attercliffe for cycling, she would like to propose a pilot project for full cycling infrastructure for Tinsley and its Attercliffe Road route into the Town Centre. Cycle Sheffield, which had over 50 members, had links with the local school which was interested in teaching parents and children to cycle to school to improve the environment and their health.

5.11.2

Councillor Jack Scott, Cabinet Member for Transport and Development, commented that he understood the passion for this type of work. Having a socially just City was important, to which cycle segregation was an important factor. The administrations manifesto had said the aim was to move away from a car-first model.

5.11.3

Councillor Scott added that the price of e-bikes was coming down as they became more popular and technical advances were made and the more the Council could do to support the roll out of this the better. In respect of schools, the Council had a captive audience of pupils and Councillor Scott looked forward to working with Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to incentivise schools to encourage active travel including cycling. The Council would look at particular areas to close the gap where cycling was less common. Although he couldn’t commit to the pilot proposal suggested by Dr. Jadresic, he would be happy to meet with her to discuss future plans.