Agenda item

4.1

Petition in respect of Traffic around the Train Station

4.1.1

Ibrar Hussain submitted a petition, containing 122 signatures, requesting that the Council act urgently to explore all options as traffic congestion was creating problems for all users and stakeholders, delays in leaving the station and getting into the station was bad from both directions and this was giving Sheffield a bad image.

4.1.2

As Mr Hussain was not in attendance at the meeting, Councillor Jack Scott, Cabinet Member for Transport and Development, stated that he would respond to Mr Hussain in writing.

4.2

Public Question in respect of Highway Matrix Signs

4.2.1

David Blythen commented that, although he was not a motorist, he was supportive of the correct use of bus lanes. In respect of matrix signs which were across the City and often displayed information for those travelling in the Cit, he was not sure who operated them. However, he believed they could be put to good use to remind people that bus lanes were still not to be used by vehicles on bank holidays as many motorists did not realise this. He had submitted a Freedom of Information request which showed that there was a 30% increase in fines for people using bus lanes on bank holidays. He suggested that the matrix signs could be used on bank holidays to advise motorists that bus lanes were still in operation.

4.2.2

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Julie Dore, commented that she always welcomed suggestions where people felt the Council could improve its services. She believed that the Council operated the matrix signs but these needed to abide by Department for Transport (DfT) regulations.

4.2.3

Councillor Jack Scott added that the signs were operated by Council staff in the Town Hall. The regulations stated that the signs could be used to inform of traffic management and parking issues. He would check with the DfT if they could be used for the purpose of informing people in respect of bus lane usage. There had been an issue on Moore Street where the Police had shut the road but people were not aware and all fines in respect of this had been cancelled. Councillor Scott commented that there was a need for proper operation of bus lanes on bank holidays but he would write to the DfT and provide Mr Blythen with a copy of the response.

4.3

Public Question in respect of Director of Public Health Report

4.3.1

Nigel Slack referred to the Director of Public Health Annual Report, on the agenda for this meeting, and commented that, in the last of his key messages on page 3 of the report, the Director referred to the anchor institutions around the City and importantly in our neighbourhoods, with the comment: ‘ There is an important ‘people and communities’ element to this; progress shouldn’t only rely on technical solutions but should also be based on engagement to involve communities in solutions and build on the assets that already exist.’ Will the Council therefore ensure that this approach is integrated not just into any future Neighbourhood Engagement Strategy as might be expected but also into all future consultation approaches, moving to an ask first and co-design strategy, as opposed to the ‘masterplanning’ that was the current norm with the public being asked to endorse decisions already made and invested in by officers and Cabinet Members?

4.3.2

Mr Slack further commented that the second key point for him was the first paragraph of the introduction on page 4 which stated: ‘Work is a critical determinant of good health and wellbeing. This is not just about paid employment, but could also be described as any meaningful activity that provides us with a sense of purpose.” Mr Slack stated that this was becoming an ever more crucial response to the future landscape of work with the increasing dependency on precarious employment, fake self-employment and the inevitability of automation. Mr Slack therefore asked will the Council endorse the Director of Public Health looking in detail at the impact of precarious employment practices on the economic and mental health of the City and begin to assess the potential ameliorating strategies for this, be that Universal Basic Income or other support structure that will deliver positive outcomes for those becoming ever more vulnerable in this hostile environment economy?

4.3.3

In response, Councillor Julie Dore commented that she did not accept that the only way the Council consulted was through masterplanning. There were many examples of consultation on individual policies/issues such as the budget. In relation to Mr Slack’s specific request of the Director of Public Health, the report contained 3 recommendations where the City Council, Sheffield City Partnership and the City Region were aligning and the Director of Public Health would be engaging with wider bodies.

4.3.4

The City Council was constantly reviewing its employment practices although it needed to be taken into consideration that most people in the City were not employed by the City Council. The Sheffield City Partnership looked into employment practices in the private and voluntary sectors and they were keen to look at an inclusive economy for Sheffield.

4.3.5

Councillor Jackie Drayton, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, added that the Council developed policy by reflecting what was happening in the outside environment and what people were saying. Value of work was a key priority for the Council and the issue of austerity would be debated at the Full Council meeting to be held this afternoon. Women or men who were based at home through either caring for children or in a caring role were a key focus and it was clear that this could lead to an impact on their health.

4.3.6

For Councillor Drayton, the focus should not just be on paid employment and the value of volunteers’ work should be recognised. This was currently a terrible time for the economy and this had led to people being exploited through work.

4.3.7

Councillor Jim Steinke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, commented that reference to the value of work should be referenced within the Neighbourhood Management Strategy. However, the Council would be engaging with people and looking at best practice.

4.3.8

Councillor Jayne Dunn, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, added that adult education was an important focus within her portfolio. The Council was doing whatever it could, particularly in the communities hit hardest by the economic issues and it was working closely with other organisations as to the best way to support this.

4.3.9

Councillor Olivia Blake commented that it was important to recognise that the cost of childcare was excluding people who may want to work. However, this could only be changed with changes to national policy. More regulation was needed and the Council would support the Trade Unions in calls for more regulation.

4.3.10

Councillor Dore was certain that the debate this afternoon at Full Council on austerity would raise some important issues. Although austerity was supposed to have ended, the presentation to be made at Full Council would clearly show that it hadn’t. By seeing the impact down to individual households this impact would be clearer. There were things that could be done locally but welfare was a national regulation. John McDonnell M.P., Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer had said that a Labour Government would look into the notion of a universal basic income to enable people to live a decent and fulfilled life. She understood that it was likely that Full Council would commission a further report following the debate regarding austerity and the debate could therefore be continued.