Agenda

To identify items where resolutions may be moved to exclude the press and public.

Members to declare any interests they have in the business to be considered at the meeting.

To receive any petitions, questions or statements from the public, or communications submitted by the Lord Mayor, the Leader of the Council, or the Chief Executive, and to pass such resolutions thereon as the Council Procedure Rules permit and as may be deemed expedient.

NOTE: There is a time limit of one hour for the presentation of ordinary petitions and questions or statements submitted by members of the public.  The order for receiving public participations within the allotted time is – 1) Petitions; 2) Agenda-Related Questions; 3) Supplementary Questions to the (Written) Remit Questions; 4) Statements (Agenda-related & Remit).

In accordance with the arrangements published on the Council’s website and contained within the Council’s Scheme “Public involvement in decision making at Sheffield City Council”, petitions, questions and statements are required to be submitted in writing to publicquestions@sheffield.gov.uk, by 9.00 a.m. on the dates set out here:Meeting Dates and Deadlines.

6.1      Questions relating to urgent business (submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.6).

6.2      Supplementary questions (in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5) - on the answers, to be circulated at this meeting, provided to written questions (submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1) to the Leader of the Council, or any Policy Committee (or Sub-Committee) or Regulatory Committee Chair, or a Member appointed by the Council to serve on the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities (under the provisions of Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985), the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, or any other external body or joint committee, on matters within the functions of that Body.

That:

this Council notes:-

(a)      it is estimated that 1 in 6 people in England report a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, in any given week (NHS Digital 2016);

(b)      analysis suggests that 10 million people (8.5 million adults and 1.5 million children and young people) in England now require support for their mental health (O’Shea, 2021);

(c)      this year’s world mental Health Day on 10^th October highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

this Council:-

(d)      believes it is vital to address mental health issues in the workplace, which can affect wellbeing and morale so we can develop our workforce and deliver high quality services and support;

(e)      further believes we need to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and create cultures where all workers can thrive;

(f)       applauds the nurses, mental health support workers, volunteers, self-help and VCF groups working in this field across the city;

(g)      believes that trade union representatives have a vital role in addressing mental health problems in the workplace by raising awareness of mental health & wellbeing issues and offering support to people experiencing poor mental health, representing members on workplace issues, and negotiating appropriate workplace policies and procedures;

(h)      believes that the Council’s online Workplace Wellbeing resource is a great first step and provides a valuable toolkit signposting staff to appropriate support when required;

(i)       welcomes legislative changes to end fire and rehire and ban exploitative zero-hour contracts which will make work more family-friendly which is an essential part of ensuring good mental health at work;

(j)       welcomes the Council’s new All-Age Emotional and Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the commitment to partnership, involvement of people with lived experience, and co-production which has characterised its development;

(k)      welcomes the Government’s plans to create Young Futures Hubs and ensure every young person has access to a specialist mental health professional at school.

this Council resolves to:-

(l)       ensure mental and emotional health and wellbeing are valued the same as physical health, and that they are made everyone’s business;

(m)     ensure mental wellness, resilience and the prevention of illness are promoted pro-actively;

(n)      explore further opportunities for family-friendly policies and improving work/life balance, all of which help to support good mental health.

That this Council:-

notes:

(a)      the UK Government currently has a Youth Mobility Scheme in place with several non-EU countries, allowing a set number of young people to live and work in those countries for a specified duration of time, on a reciprocal basis;

(b)      in April 2024, the European Commission proposed a Youth Mobility Scheme between the UK and the EU;

(c)      the proposed Youth Mobility Scheme was rejected by both the previous and current Governments;

(d)      red tape at the UK/EU border has prevented children from taking part in overseas educational trips and that the School Travel Forum has reported a 30% reduction in overseas educational visits between 2019 and 2023;

(e)      between 2007 and 2013 the UK received over £500m more in funding from the EU for education and training than it invested in the Erasmus plus scheme;

(f)       the UK ceased participation in the Erasmus plus scheme in 2021 under the then Conservative government and the new government has not committed to rejoining the scheme;

(g)      barriers to touring erected by Brexit have impacted 30% of musicians, with lowest earners losing 49% of EU revenue on average.

believes that:

(h)      the former government erected significant barriers to young people with their botched deal with Europe, including removing the right of young people to move, live and work across EU countries;

(i)       young people should not face such barriers to travelling, living and working in Europe;

(j)       Sheffield’s universities, manufacturing and healthcare sectors, and local economy would all benefit from accessing the Youth Mobility Scheme;

(k)      Sheffield’s cultural offering, if given easier access to European countries, would enrich the lives of our neighbours;

(l)       every opportunity should be taken to repair the country’s broken relationship with Europe.

resolves to ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, calling for him to:

(m)     open negotiations with the EU and EEA to extend the Youth Mobility Scheme on a reciprocal basis to EU countries;

(n)      expand opportunities for young people to study, teach and volunteer abroad by returning to the Erasmus Plus programme as an associated country;

(o)      open discussions with the EU with the goal of reaching a reciprocal exemption from electronic travel authorisation schemes.

That this Council:-

(a)      notes with immense pride the outstanding achievements of Sheffield athletes who represented Team GB at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris,  

(b)      believes these athletes demonstrated extraordinary skill and dedication to compete in Paris. 

(c)      recognises the invaluable contribution of Sheffield’s sporting infrastructure, training facilities, and local sporting communities in supporting these athletes on their journey to the world stage, noting that Sheffield is home to some of the best sporting facilities in the country, including the English Institute of Sport and Ponds Forge International Sports Centre; 

(d)      notes with pride that Sheffield has long been a hub for Olympic and Paralympic development through hosting training sessions, national competitions, and creating pathways for athletes to succeed from grassroots to elite levels; 

(e)      further notes with pride that Sheffield is home to GB Boxing, British Para Table Tennis, Para Badminton, Ice Hockey UK, British Ice Skating, Skateboard GB, and the City of Sheffield Diving Club, one of 5 British Diving national performance hubs. 

(f)       believes that the success of Sheffield’s athletes reflects the city’s wider culture of inclusivity, perseverance, and ambition, and believes that Sheffield’s commitment to inclusivity in sports has been instrumental in ensuring that all athletes have opportunities to succeed

in light of these achievements, resolves to:

(g)      congratulate all Sheffield athletes and their coaches for their exceptional performances in the Paris 2024 Games;

(h)      support the council’s Sport and Leisure strategy (2023-2033) and our commitment to investing in an active Sheffield, to inspire people of all ages and abilities, and improve health and wellbeing through continued investment and promotion of sports infrastructure, from grassroots to elite level;

(i)       celebrate the city’s status as the Outdoor City, recognising the role that our parks and outdoor spaces play in promoting healthy, active lifestyles;

(j)       wish all of our athletes and sporting clubs success for the upcoming year.

That this Council:-

notes:

(a)      the distress caused to residents over the uncertainty regarding the potential removal of the 25% council tax discount for single person households, following Deputy Prime Minister’s refusal to rule it out during weeks of questioning;

(b)      that according to the 2023 Council Taxbase statistics, over 8 million households across the country, particularly in the North of England, have been left anxious about potential financial hardship due to this uncertainty;

(c)      that many of those potentially affected are pensioners who have already endured the removal of their Winter Fuel Payment this year, compounding financial struggles;

(d)      that removing the discount would not only affect pensioners but also impact single parents, first-time buyers and those fleeing domestic violence.

believes that:-

(e)      the Single Person Council Tax Discount needs to remain to provide essential financial relief to those who rely on it;

(f)       after only four months, the Government appears to be targeting the most vulnerable in society, as evidenced by the removal of the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners and the anxiety caused over the potential loss of the Single Person Council Tax Discount;

(g)      targeting the most vulnerable in our society is unjust and exacerbates inequality, eroding the social safety nets that protect those in need;

(h)      Sheffield residents deserve stability and respect rather than fear and confusion;

(i)       those with the broadest shoulders should bear the brunt of any tax rises and it is fair to ask those who are more able to contribute more, rather than placing the burden on those already struggling;

(j)       there are other methods to raise council tax income, such as increasing taxes on properties purchased as second homes;

(k)      there are alternative ways exist to secure much-needed funds, such as reversing cuts made to banks by the previous government, redirecting resources from those who can most afford it to those who need it most.

resolves to:

(l)       oppose any attempt to abolish the Single Person Council Tax Discount;

(m)     call on the government to provide assurances that policies affecting vulnerable households will be communicated clearly and considerately to prevent unnecessary distress;

(n)      ask Chief Executive to write to the Deputy Prime Minister conveying this message and highlighting the detrimental impact of recent policies on the most vulnerable in our community.

To receive the record of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 4 September 2024, and to approve the accuracy thereof.

To consider any changes to the memberships and arrangements for meetings of Committees etc., delegated authority, and the appointment of representatives to serve on other bodies, which may be proposed at the meeting.