Agenda item

4.1

Petitions

4.1.1

Petition Requesting the Council to Welcome More Child Refugees to the City

The Council received a joint electronic and paper petition containing 695 signatures, requesting the Council to welcome more child refugees to the City.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were received by Sue Pearson and three young people from the Sheffield Young People’s Equality Group.

Sue Pearson stated that the petitioners were aware of the financial constraints for the Council and also recognised the City’s record of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to Sheffield as a City of Sanctuary. She made reference to her own story of having been welcomed to the City as a Kindertransport child, which brought many Jewish children to safety in Britain and to having enjoyed the City’s warmth and hospitality at that time. She noted that November 2018 marked the eightieth anniversary of the Kindertransport.

She said that Lord Alf Dubs had called upon the Government to start a scheme for 10,000 child refugees to be settled in the UK in the next 10 years.  She asked the Council to support the campaign by pledging places for children, together with other local authorities.

Children from the Sheffield Young Peoples Equality Group then addressed the Council.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Jackie Drayton, Cabinet Member for Children and Families. Councillor Drayton thanked the petitioners and notably Sue Pearson for sharing her own story and the young people, for their moving contributions.

Councillor Drayton said she was proud that Sheffield was the first City of Sanctuary and had been part of the Government Refugee Gateway scheme since its inception. For many years, Sheffield had given a home to many refugees and asylum seekers, including Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and young people.  Also, following receiving a letter from Kent County Council appealing for other local authorities to help them by accepting children, Sheffield City Council had been one of only seven local authorities to respond positively and take children from Kent. The Council also accepted children from the Calais camp and supported UASC with relatives in Sheffield.  It also looked after any unaccompanied children who presented in the City.  She stated that over forty UASC had been accepted in the past year and a half. 

She explained that more children and young people were coming into care both nationally and in Sheffield, and this had placed a considerable strain on the children’s social care budget.  She also stated that Sheffield needed more homes for children in care and that was why the Council had run a campaign to recruit more foster carers.  As when there were no places available in Sheffield, children and young people had to be placed outside the City, which was not what the Council wanted.

She said she welcomed this campaign and was glad that Lord Dubs, whilst asking local authorities to sign the petition and take unaccompanied asylum seeking children, also acknowledged that extra funding was needed and was also calling on the Government to give financial assistance to Local Authorities to help them receive children and young people.

Councillor Drayton said she was happy to accept the petition on behalf of the Council, support the campaign and sign Lord Dubs’ scheme and would continue to welcome unaccompanied asylum seeker children and young people to the City.

4.1.2

Petition Requesting the Council to Install a Plaque Commemorating the Service Given by the People of Sheffield During the Conflict of War

The Council received a petition containing 2,039 signatures, requesting the Council to install a plaque to commemorate the service given by all the people of Sheffield during the conflict of war, and which also specifically remembered, on this 100^th year since the end of World War 1, the Sheffield Pals along with other Sheffield servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Pat Davey, who stated that the Frechville branch of the Royal British Legion had begun the petition and had received over 2000 signatures in about one week. The petition requested that a plaque was installed in the Council Chamber or the Town Hall to mark the important historical position of the Town Hall where the first of the Sheffield City Battalion ‘Pals’ signed up to serve. The City Battalion was formed because of the need for more volunteers. She said that it was most important to remember what took place in the Council Chamber in 1914 and the important role of women in war. The petitioners hoped that the Council would remember and recognise the bravery of all those who gave their lives and those who returned.

The Council referred the petition to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Julie Dore who thanked Pat Davey and the petitioners. She referred to the many events taking place to commemorate the First World War, which she would ask Councillor Mary Lea to outline. A notice of motion on the agenda for this meeting of Council also addressed the matter of the installation of a plaque and the honouring of the Sheffield Pals in particular.

Councillor Dore said that the petition presented to Council went beyond the installation of a plaque for the Sheffield Battalion Pals and requested a memorial to everyone in Sheffield who contributed to the First World War. She said that it would be helpful to have discussions with representatives of the petitioners about what might be done in addition to a plaque commemorating the Sheffield Pals.

Councillor Mary Lea, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure outlined the various events which were taking place to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. These included: the planting of commemorative trees in parks; the installation of six Tommy figures in various locations in the City; a charity dinner and lighting of beacon at the Town Hall; memorial events on 11 November; a centenary concert on 17 November; events in libraries and the showing of a documentary film to commemorate the battle of Ancre. There would also be displays in the period prior to the anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles. Schools were being asked to participate and there was a website with further information.

4.1.3

Petition Objecting to the Proposed Closure of Woodburn Road Football PowerLeague (PITZ)

The Council received an electronic petition containing 617 signatures objecting to the proposed closure of Woodburn Road Football PowerLeague (PITZ).

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Yasar Mohammed and Mohamed Ali. They stated that the Powerleague at Woodburn Stadium was due to be closed in January 2019. Young people had had access to affordable training activities and PITZ had helped to keep young people off the streets and such facilities for young people should not be closed. Members of the Council were invited to attend the facility, which it was important to retain, especially given the increase in gang related activity and crime. The Council was urged to help to keep the facility open for young people.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure. Councillor Lea said that the Powerleague had wanted to quit from PITZ and they were expected to leave at the end of January. The facility was well-used by both Darnall and Burngreave football academies and by young people across the City and was very important to the City.  As regards the operation of the facility, another provider would operate the pavilion in the short to medium term, which would give time for a more permanent solution to be found.

4.2

Public Questions

4.2.1

Public Question Concerning Libraries

Nigel Slack made reference to the creation of 'associate libraries' in 2014. He said that the Walkley Carnegie library was one of these and great acclaim was given to the approach of mixing business with community services. However, he said that the partnership had fallen apart with the business partner of the project walking away. There had been a recent award of £90,000 from HLF (the Heritage Lottery Fund) and an upcoming £1.3M bid for renovations. This was all causing considerable concern for local businesses hoping for a boost from the project. He asked the following questions:

1.       What is the Council's understanding of the circumstances behind this failed project?

2.       What support, if any, did Council provide to help this project succeed?

3.       What is the current level of support this library receives from Council?

4.       What are the prospects for the future funding of all the 'associate libraries' in the city?

Councillor Mary Lea, the Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure, stated that it was her understanding that the True North and the Carnegie Library groups came to a decision that they no longer wanted to work together on the project. The Council provided officer support and expertise from the Library Service and Property Services and the Library received the same package of support as other associate libraries received. This included a grant from the Council, access to the library management system, training for volunteers and support from a volunteer coordinator. The library would receive advice and support on any future plans it might have as regards the delivery of a library service in that community.

Councillor Lea explained that funding for the associate libraries was in place until next year and as it was tapered funding, it would reduce each year. Funding would be in place for next year and there would then be a decision concerning the future. The associate libraries did a fantastic job for their respective communities and there was learning to be gained from them.

4.2.2

Public Question Concerning the Streets Ahead Contract

Nigel Slack made reference to news in April that Amey was planning to divest their UK PFI contracts (at least in part) and the more recent rumours that Ferrovial planned to sell off the whole of their services segment (including Amey) now being followed by both the main UK political parties committing to ceasing PFI deals in the UK. He commented that the prospects for the 'Streets Ahead' PFI (Private Finance Initiative) seemed limited.

He commented that, immaterial of concerns over the management, quality and performance of the contract, this suggested that Council should be in conversation about the future of this contract and the potential for bringing it to a close to their own timetable and desired solution, rather than waiting for some external decision to force a solution upon them.

He asked what was the current position of the Council on this contract and the likelihood of it lasting the full 25 years.

Councillor Lewis Dagnall, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Streetscene, stated that the Council was committed to the Streets Ahead investment to improve the highways and footways and had seen significant increased satisfaction with regards to highways. The Council wished to see the Streets Ahead investment for the full 25 years. As part of putting the programme on a more sustainable footing, the Council was responding to residents’ concerns and trying to reach a compromise about the tree replacement programme, which would allow the Council to achieve the investment it had committed to deliver. Amey had given reassurance that it was committed to the delivery of the contract and would have substantial benefits to offer and were part of the solution as regards street trees. 

As regards PFI deals, it was recognised by political parties across the political spectrum that the PFI model was not the best model for achieving public investment. However, that did not mean that having local authorities crash out of deals at huge cost to the taxpayer and cost to services and to local people and the lack of investment opportunity would be a desirable solution to anyone, regardless of whether they wished to see the programme delivered in-house or with a private partner. Recent research had pointed to intervention by the UK government being the only way that local authorities and public bodies could seek to renegotiate PFIs to a model which offered more sustainable public finance.

4.2.3

Public Question Concerning Local Providers and Contracts

Nigel Slack stated that Preston City Council had received plaudits and awards for its localism approach to economics and the alternative models of ownership that play a part in that success. He made reference to a visit to Sheffield by Ted Howard, one of the key advisors in the Preston Model, some time ago and commented that things were moving slowly in the City.

He asked, with upcoming reviews of the Capita contract for IT and the Veolia contract for waste disposal, what steps had Council taken to ensure that the potential for truly local providers to be a part of the next solution for these services is embedded in the process?

Councillor Julie Dore, the Leader of the Council stated that the Council would strive for local businesses and organisations, including social enterprises and cooperatives to be successful in delivering public services for people on behalf of the Council. However and more broadly, it was also important to have ethical procurement policies. Wherever possible, the Council had sought to bring services back in-house.

Councillor Olivia Blake, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Council, said that it was incredible to see what had happened in Preston and there had been some strong outcomes. However, Preston was a different sort of Council to Sheffield, with Sheffield also having responsibility for social care and the pressure on Councils in relation to social care had been well documented in the press. The Council was a living wage employer and had been for a number of years. She said that she was pleased to announce in national living wage week that Sheffield City Council had gained Living Wage Foundation accreditation for its work throughout its supply chain in making sure the foundation living wage was becoming the norm in all of its contracts.

In reference to other models of ownership, Councillor Blake said that the Council was working with the Co-operative Party and the Council had recently signed the Cooperative Party’s Anti-Slavery Charter. She had recently been invited to speak at a conference about what the Council was doing in relation to ethical procurement as Sheffield was seen to be leading the way in this regard.

It was important that the Council had an ethical supply chain no matter where it did business. In relation to local procurement, the Council required one local bid in everything which went through its sourcing desk and had increased the level at which the sourcing desk could work. In April 2018, some analysis was undertaken, which showed that the Council had, in the last year, received invoices from every Sheffield postcode. This represented 59 percent of the invoices to the Council. The Council was committed to spending locally where possible and would also seek to ensure ethical standards in the supply chain as well.

4.2.4

Public Question Concerning Governance

Ruth Hubbard made reference to the recent decision regarding Weston Road trees. She said that campaigners would be informing residents about the leader and cabinet model and the alternatives that were available and said that signatures would continue to be collected for the petition to change governance arrangements. She asked whether the Cabinet would reconsider its decision and be able to make a change in governance as other councils had done cost neutral and would it collaboratively work with other members and with communities to design a modern committee system fit for Sheffield, its diverse communities and the difficulties faced in austerity.

Councillor Julie Dore, the Leader of the Council responded to the questions and said that when Ruth Hubbard last spoke at Council, she had made a statement saying that a petition was to be set up and was going to be submitted which would achieve the number of signatures required for a referendum and that there was awareness as to the cost to the Council associated with that outcome. Councillor Dore referred to the substantial cost of having a referendum, which the campaigners were requesting.

Councillor Dore said that she would, of course, be prepared to talk about this issue and find out what outcomes the campaign wanted to achieve in order to find some solutions and which might achieve them. She said that she did not believe that moving to a committee system would give the outcomes which the campaign sought. She said she would be prepared to discuss with any groups or organisations which thought that there were better ways of doing democracy, consultation and engagement and the outcomes which the campaign wished to achieve.

4.2.5

Public Questions Concerning Knife Crime

Nick Simmonite referred to the night time economy board, which he chaired and spoke of the damaging effect of knife crime and perception of such crime on businesses, trade and goodwill in the City Centre. He said that the industry contributed significantly to the city economy and employment and was also part of the voluntary levy through the Business Improvement District (BID), which had funded a police sergeant. However, there were perceptions as to the risk to people in City centre. He offered a commitment to discuss what businesses could do and asked for the council’s commitment to work together to also recognise the hard work of the private sector in this regard.

Will Mason stated that the knife crime strategy recently published by South Yorkshire Police framed youth violence as a public health problem. He asked if and how the Council’s response to serious youth violence would reflect a public health approach.

Jon Cowley asked what the Council was doing to invest in youth provision and community groups working with young people to tackle the increase in knife crime. He said that it was known that investing in community based youth work was successful in tackling crime and that a coherent and co-ordinated approach was required. He also spoke about school exclusions and the increased risk of young people becoming involved in criminality.

Saeed Brasab referred to discussions with young people and to the concerns of young people which he said should be considered in any solution. These included the need to invest in community based organisations which had a track record of positive and trusted relationships with young people; the importance of having clear pathways, particular around support for those affected by a knife crime or violent incident or experience; proportionate stop and search practices; the value of safe spaces. It was vital that the concerns of young people were heard and looked at as part of solutions to issues. He asked what the Council would do to take on the concerns that young people had in tackling knife crime and youth violence.

Councillor Jim Steinke, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety responded to the questions. He said that some of the matters raised may be covered at greater length by the upcoming presentation concerning gun and knife crime which was on the agenda for this Council meeting. He appreciated that people may not be able to stay for that item of business and said that he would also provide written responses to the questions, if necessary. There were examples of things having changed by organisations including the Council, the police, the voluntary and commercial sector and other agencies working together.

What had been happening in relation to the night-time economy was a good example of where there had been changes. He referred to the Best Bar None awards, which demonstrated the efforts of pubs and clubs to make improvements and it was right to point out that recent occurrences of knife crime were not connected with what might have traditionally been seen as dangerous places. It was important for a thriving night time economy that peoples’ apprehensions were addressed. Those businesses also brought clear economic benefits.

He said that the ‘public health’ label was something which was originally applied by the Metropolitan Police and it had been adopted in Sheffield but in a more sophisticated way, which recognised that knife crime affected a relatively small number of people but it had a massive effect. Whilst it was not like other public health issues such as inequality, poverty and smoking; the approach to knife crime had to be broadly preventative and focussed on child and community issues and not being purely crime led but addressed using a broad approach. It was also important that the approach to knife crime was based on evidence, data and intelligence which was an approach akin to the best public health discipline and developments; and did not automatically assume that a particular solution would work.

Councillor Steinke said that there were four community events to focus upon the issue of knife crime in four specific areas of the city and this might be done elsewhere. Part of that was looking at investment but also recognising that perhaps some traditional youth services had not been working so effectively. There was a youth services review, led by Councillor Julie Dore, which would be reporting to Scrutiny. The Council would be looking at changing needs to which it had to respond. With regard to exclusions, there was a clear effect on the young people concerned. However, it should not be assumed that anyone excluded would go to prison, be subject to knife crime or commit such a crime. It was important not to stigmatise young people that had been excluded.

The Unity Gym was a great example of a new type of youth service in which there might be investment and consideration should be given to the form that might take in Sheffield and recognise that such provision was a safe space and boxing gyms may provide that in future. Stop and search was a difficult and sensitive issue and there was a need for more intelligent approaches to stop and search and which were more effective. There were examples in recent months of stop and search by the police having resulted in a lot of weapons that had been found and prosecutions.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, the Cabinet Member for Business and Investment, stated that he was pleased that Nick Simmonite had attended the Council meeting and championed work done with regard to the night time economy, together with the City Centre Manager, Richard Eyre, whom he had spoken to with regard to increasing footfall in the City Centre. He referred to publicity in the Observer food monthly, which had awarded best place to drink in the country to the Sheffield bar Public.

Councillor Iqbal stated that, as well as Best Bar None, the Purple Flag was awarded which reinforced safety for people on nights out in the City. There were also initiatives of the BID including the ‘Alive after Five’ initiative. He said that Sheffield was a very safe city. It was also good to report the successes and the work of private businesses, the Council and the BID team to ensure the night time economy in the City Centre flourished.

4.2.6

Public Question Concerning Protest and Human Rights

Calvin Payne asked for confirmation of the Council’s support for the right to peaceful protest under sections 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act and support to any citizen having been found to have had that right breached by South Yorkshire Police.

Councillor Julie Dore, the Leader of the Council, stated that she fully and absolutely supported the right of people to peaceful protest and she had participated in peaceful protest. She said that she also supported the justice system, and where it found an organisation to be at fault and she would also accept that.

4.2.7

Public Questions Concerning Accommodation for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

John Grayson stated that following a recent petition in July 2018 and despite a statement that no new families with children would be placed in the Earl Marshall guest house, SYMAAG (South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group) was aware of at least four families, two with leave to remain and no recourse to public funds, one that came to Sheffield for a family reunion and one family with four children with refugee status that had been placed there. He asked how many other families with children the Council had placed in the Earl Marshall since July. He also said that another family were to be placed in the Earl Marshall but that had been prevented following intervention by SYMAAG yesterday.

Hero Salih Ahmed asked when the Council would be able to house her and her two disabled children in Sheffield, them having been brought to the UK in July and granted the right to remain.

Councillor Jim Steinke, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety said that he would congratulate the questioner on gaining leave to remain. He hoped that her situation could be resolved. It was, however part of a broader problem of when Asylum Seekers were granted the leave to remain and become refugees and the Council and other agencies needed to make sure this process was done as smoothly as possible.

He said that in relation to the use of all bed and breakfast accommodation and specific issues relating to the Earl Marshall, meetings had been held with SYMAAG and with a view to resolving the issues. Matters relating to families housed at the Earl Marshall previously had also been investigated.  The best option for the Council would be to stop the use of bed and breakfast accommodation but this might not always be possible. There were specific issues relating to the Earl Marshall that the Council was examining, including whether other bed and breakfast accommodation was used in addition. It was key to only have people in bed and breakfast accommodation for as short a time as possible, for possibly one or two nights and then to have process in place to re-house them.

(Manuchehr Maleki Dizayi had also submitted a question in relation to this subject and was content that the matters he had raised had been addressed above.)

4.2.8

Public Question Concerning Road Safety in Oughtibridge

Mr C Hansell referred to an exercise by members of the local community to inform consultation about road safety in Oughtibridge. Leaflets and an online questionnaire resulted in 811 responses. Six percent of responses thought the Council’s proposal would be helpful and 74 percent supported an alternative proposal by the community. He asked if the Cabinet Member would give a commitment to take account of the exercise; hold meaningful discussion with local people and work with the organisers of this significant local initiative. 

Councillor Jack Scott, the Cabinet Member for Transport and Development, stated that he would write to Mr Hansell with a full response.

4.3

Petitions (2)

Petition Requesting a Pedestrian Crossing at the Junction of Stannington Road, Acorn Drive and Nook Lane

The Council received an electronic petition containing 138 signatures, requesting a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Stannington Road, Acorn Drive and Nook Lane.

There was no speaker to the petition.

The Council referred to the petition Councillor Jack Scott, Cabinet Member for Transport and Development.