Agenda and minutes

1.1

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kurtis Crossland, Alexi Dimond, Craig Gamble Pugh, Julie Grocutt, Maleiki Haybe and Gail Smith.

2.1

There were no items of business identified where resolutions may be moved to exclude the press and public.

3.1

There were no declarations of interest made by Members of the Council.

4.1

Pre-Election Rules on Publicity

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) stated that the meeting was being held within the pre-election period for the Woodhouse Ward By-Election on 28^th November 2024 and that, accordingly, the Pre-Election Rules on Publicity would need to be adhered to.  She reported that guidance on the Rules had been issued to all Members and she emphasised that Members must refrain from making speeches or asking supplementary questions which relate directly to the Woodhouse Ward, or are about matters that are likely to be locally contentious and, furthermore, must also avoid naming or making reference to candidates who are standing at the election.

4.2

Public Petitions, Questions and Statements

The Lord Mayor reported that two petitions were to be received at the meeting.  She added that written responses to questions received from eight members of the public on matters relating to the remit of full Council had been provided to the questioners and published on the Council’s website in advance of the meeting, and three supplementary questions arising from those responses had been received.  In addition, one statement relating to the remit of full Council had been received from a member of the public.  No questions had been received from members of the public on matters relating to items of business on the agenda for the meeting.

4.3

Petitions

4.3.1

Petition for Residents Only Parking on Troutbeck Road, Sheffield 7

The Council received a petition containing 19 signatures calling on the Council to install a resident only parking scheme on Troutbeck Road, Sheffield 7.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Callum Sweet, who stated that the residents of Troutbeck Road wished to work with the Council to find a way to tackle problem parking on the road, which was causing increasing tension, including between residents and nearby businesses. During planning consultations for the Jacob’s Gate development, potential residents had been told that they would have two private parking spaces each, but these had not been provided, and this was contrary to Highways regulations. Staff members from local businesses on Abbeydale Road were also parking on Troutbeck Road due to inadequate parking provision and bus lane restrictions.

Mr Sweet advised that this meant residents in the terraced housing were struggling to find parking spaces on weekdays, and this was particularly difficult for people with young children and those with disabilities. These issues were causing conflict between residents and some staff at the STEPS facility, who claimed that the road within the Jacob’s Gate area was private land.  Mr Sweet requested clarification on this from the Council.   He added that a petition suggesting a permit holder only policy, had been signed by 13 of the 15 terraced houses on Troutbeck Road, one more had given verbal agreement, and the only house not included was owned by STEPS.   Residents were hoping to work with the Council to establish the detail of how a permit scheme would operate.

The petition was referred to Councillor Ben Miskell  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.1

Urgent Business

With the permission of the Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn), Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed asked the following question relating to urgent business, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6:-

“What representation will the Council make to the Government on behalf of its local partners including charities, care providers and hospices that are facing unsustainable cost increases due to the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in her Autumn Budget?”

In response, Councillor Tom Hunt (Leader of the Council and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee) stated that the rate of Employer National Insurance Contributions would rise by 1.2 percentage points to 15%. He added that this had been a decision taken by the Chancellor of the Exchequer as part of a package of measures to provide stability to the public finances. He explained that he was waiting for further details, but it was worth noting that the Government was also choosing to protect small businesses by doubling the Employment Allowance to £10,500 and expanding it to all eligible employers. The Office for Budget Responsibility expected 250,000 employers to gain from these changes and an additional 820,000 to see no change.

Councillor Hunt confirmed that he would be happy to have a conversation with employers from across the city who wanted to talk to the Council about the changes to gain a deeper understanding of their implications.

5.2

Written Questions

A schedule of questions, submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, and which contained written answers, was circulated.  Members of the Council are able to ask the Leader of the Council, or any Policy Committee or Sub-Committee or Regulatory Committee Chairs, or Members appointed by the Council to serve on the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, or any other external body or joint committee, questions on matters within the functions of those Bodies.

Supplementary questions, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, were asked by the Members who had submitted the original questions and were answered by the relevant Member, until the expiry of the time limit for Members’ Questions (in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.7).

6.1

It was moved by Councillor Christine Gilligan Kubo, and seconded by Councillor Ruth Mersereau, that this Council:-

notes:-

(a)      that Councillors regularly receive complaints about vehicles parked on pavements, dangerous road crossings, bins blocking footways, broken dropped kerbs, obstructive advertising boards and panels, litter and slippery and icy pavements;

(b)      the Council’s Transport Vision aims to deliver safer and inclusive streets, making it easy to walk, wheel and cycle and states that “we want our streets to be easy to navigate for everyone, including people using wheelchairs or mobility aids, blind or partially sighted people, and residents walking with young children in prams";

(c)      all Sheffielders are pedestrians at some point of every journey;

(d)      the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee is developing a Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Investment Plan (WWCIP);

(e)      the 2020 road policing report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found an absence of effective road safety strategies and highlighted that an increase in numbers killed and injured coincided with a decrease in the amount that the police spent on roads policing;

(f)       the Council has committed to a “Vision Zero” type approach to significantly reduce the yearly average of 357 people killed and seriously injured on Sheffield’s roads;

believes that:-

(g)      making Sheffield a Pedestrian Friendly City will have environmental, health and financial benefits for everyone;

(h)      making Sheffield a truly Pedestrian Friendly City will require the Council to lead on action across services in terms of investment, enforcement and better working practices, such as:

(i)       ensuring pavements are kept clear of litter, fly-tipping, bins, leaves and ice;

(ii)       enforcing illegal or dangerous parking, especially on pavements and dropped kerbs, where it limits access for disabled people;

(iii)      looking for pedestrian improvements such as more road crossings and more 20mph zones in residential areas;

(iv)      removing physical obstacles to pedestrians in footways;

(v)      improving signage for walking routes; and

(vi)      rolling out more Liveable (low traffic) Neighbourhoods in consultation with local communities to make streets safer and more pleasant;

resolves to:-

(i)       ask the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee to include the above in its WWCIP, with Sheffield aiming to become a Pedestrian-Friendly City;

(j)       ask the South Yorkshire Police and Mayor to prioritise and properly fund road safety, and to improve accessibility for pedestrians, including reversing the decision to abandon Operation Parksafe; and

(k)      support the cross-committee working group proposed to be established by the Transport, Regeneration and Climate and Waste and Street Scene Policy Committees, which will aim to work with parking services and the police to eliminate obstructive parking and reduce road danger for all walkers, wheelers and cyclists.

6.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Ruth Milsom, and seconded by Councillor Ben Miskell, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition of new paragraphs (b) to (d) as follows:-

(b)      the Council’s work making Sheffield more pedestrian friendly, including significant progress delivering 20mph zones (over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1

It was moved by Councillor Mark Rusling, and seconded by Councillor Matthew Dwyer, that this Council:-

(a)      reaffirms its commitment to the White Ribbon Campaign and the principles it represents: never to commit, excuse, or remain silent about male violence against women and girls (VAWG);

(b)      notes that it will be White Ribbon Day on 25th November, a day which encourages positive action to challenge harmful cultures and behaviours that lead to violence against women and girls;

(c)      notes the progress since the Council motion in November 2021 committing to the White Ribbon campaign, noting that, as an accredited organisation, we have a detailed action plan, as approved by White Ribbon, setting out our work until 2025;

(d)      notes statistics remain clear and shocking - in the year ending March 2023, South Yorkshire Police recorded 39,016 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes;

(e)      believes these figures demand urgent action, and welcomes the Council’s upcoming Violence Against Women and Girls, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, which will build on our existing efforts and outline a strong, multi-agency response;

(f)       welcomes the Government’s recent enhancements to workers' rights around sexual harassment, including protections against third-party abuse, and supports VAWG being a key mission of this Government;

(g)      believes masculinity can be positive, but that too often toxic masculinity spread online has normalised misogyny among some young men and therefore welcomes the Government’s plans to tackle sexism in schools; and the critical importance of outreach work with men and boys;

(h)      renews our efforts and commits to:-

(i)       expanding Leadership and Outreach by increasing the number of White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions among our councillors and workforce;

(ii)       encourage every male councillor to be a White Ribbon Ambassador;

(iii)      strengthen partnerships with communities, stakeholders and institutions, including our local football clubs, to engage young men;

(iv)      prioritising Education and Prevention, in line with our Action Plan, ensuring that each service has a dedicated Lead for the White Ribbon Campaign, and commit to prevention across all services; and

(v)      strengthening Safety in the Night-Time Economy; working closely with licensed premises to further promote the "Ask for Angela" campaign, and Sheffield’s Women and Girls Night-time Safety Charter and Toolkit for businesses in the night-time economy; and

(i)       urges all Members to continue championing the White Ribbon Campaign, support the forthcoming Strategy, and reaffirm the Council’s role in ending violence against women and girls, committed to changing the culture, supporting victims, and to make our city a safe and equal place for all.

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Joe Otten, and seconded by Councillor Penny Baker, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (g) and (h) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraphs (g) to (i) as new paragraphs (i) to (k):-

(g)      notes that there was no indication at the Autumn Budget of how much funding has been allocated to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls, which will require specialist  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1

It was moved by Councillor Mike Levery, and seconded by Councillor Andrew Sangar, that this Council:-

notes that:-

(a)      Sheffield City Council is currently projected to be £34 million over budget by the end of this financial year;

(b)      according to the Local Government Association, one in four councils will need to apply for exceptional financial support in the next two years, without additional funding;

(c)      a recent report from the National Audit Office described the current Special Educational Needs (SEN) system as “not achieving value for money and is unsustainable”;

(d)      the Prime Minister has announced that the single bus fare cap will rise to £3 when the existing cap of £2 expires at the end of 2024;

(e)      in Sheffield, the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee General Fund is currently overspent by £14.1million;

(f)       according to research from the Health Foundation, real-terms social care spending per person will be at least 5% lower in 2024/25 than it was in 2009/10;

(g)      in Sheffield, the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee is currently overspent by £9million;

(h)      in 2023/24, Sheffield City Council incurred a loss of £4.9million as a result of legislation relating to supported accommodation and the lack of Government funding to fully subsidise housing for those experiencing temporary homelessness;

(i)       this financial year, the Council is expected to lose out on £7.1million due to this legislation;

(j)       also in this financial year, homelessness support in temporary and exempt accommodation is forecast to cost the Council £12.6 million;

believes that:-

(k)      without additional funding, local government provision will continue to decline;

(l)       without additional funding, more local authorities will be forced to issue Section 114 notices, effectively declaring bankruptcy;

(m)     local authorities require sufficient and sustainable funding in order to meet growing demand for services that our communities rely on every day;

(n)      Sheffield City Council faces serious financial challenges in the coming months and years; and

(o)      the burden of fixing the country’s economy should fall on the broadest shoulders including big banks, social media companies and oil and gas giants rather than hard working households.

8.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Zahira Naz, and seconded by Councillor Elle Dodd, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (p) to (y) as follows:-

This Council:-

(p)      believes challenges facing local government are caused by systemic under-funding by governments since 2010, by high inflation, and rising demand for services;

(q)      notes since the original motion was published the Government has delivered a Budget to provide more support for councils, and with poorest households gaining the most;

(r)       notes the Budget provides a pay rise for over 3 million workers who receive the National Living Wage, and increases the state pension by up to £470;

(s)      supports councils getting 100% of Right To Buy receipts and new funding for the NHS to deliver an extra two million operations, scans and appointments a year;

(t)       supports  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.1

It was moved by Councillor Dawn Dale, and seconded by Councillor Laura McClean, that this Council:-

(a)      believes that every child should have the best start in life;

(b)      is committed to making Sheffield a place where all children belong, and all young people can build a successful future and believes that foster carers in Sheffield help that become a reality;

(c)      says a big thank you to all foster carers and kinship carers who open their home to support children and young people;

(d)      believes that foster carers provide loving, stable homes for children and young people;

(e)      says thank you to the network of foster carers who provide support for each other, and thanks the Council’s Fostering Team for their work to provide training for foster carers and 24/7 support;

(f)       welcomes the recent government announcement of £44 million to support kinship and foster carers;

(g)      notes that Sheffield needs more foster carers to help look after children and young people in our city;

(h)      believes that all elected members should help to raise the profile of fostering in Sheffield so that more children and young people have a safe, loving home;

(i)       encourages people in Sheffield to consider becoming a foster carer;

(j)       notes the Council’s ‘Fostering Friendly Employer’ policy aims to set an example for other employers to follow, including providing five days extra leave for Council staff if they foster a child;

(k)      recommends that anyone interested in becoming a foster carer should contact Sheffield Fostering Service to find out more;

(l)       notes National Care-Leavers Week (28 October to 3 November) with the Council delivering a 7-day programme of activity for our care-experienced young people, aged 16-25, including activities like film screenings, learning and cooking sessions, Breakfast Clubs, and an Education and Employment Fair;

(m)     congratulates Speak Up Now youth group (for older care-experienced young people) for their nomination for a National Voice Award, noting their innovative work on ‘Comfy Cozy Crates’, which provide blankets, pots and pans, cutlery, a cookbook and a doorbell, as many care leavers report feeling unsafe where they live;

(n)      believes it is important to ensure the voices of care-experienced young people are heard by the Council and all public bodies so that they help to shape our work, and notes that since 2022 the Council has recognised care experience as a protected characteristic; and

(o)      congratulates the Council’s Voice and Influence Team for their work in ensuring the voices of care-experienced young people help to influence our work.

9.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, and seconded by Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of a new paragraph (h) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraphs (h) to (o) as new paragraphs (i) to (p):-

(h)      notes that the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee received a proposal to reduce the amount that the Staying Put Provider receives in skills allowance to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.1

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion formally moved by Councillor Mary Lea and formally seconded by Councillor Joe Otten, that the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 2nd October 2024 be approved as a true and accurate record.

11.1

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion formally moved by Councillor Mary Lea and formally seconded by Councillor Joe Otten, that:-

(a) it be noted that, in accordance with the authority given by the City Council at its annual meeting held on 15^th May 2024, the Monitoring Officer had authorised the following appointments, with effect from the dates shown:-

Senior Officer Employment Committee

-

Councillor Steve Ayris replaced Councillor Sophie Thornton, with effect from 14^th October 2024.

(b) approval be given to the following changes to the memberships of Committees, Boards, etc.:-

Housing Policy Committee

-

Councillor Richard Williams to replace Councillor Gail Smith.

(c) representatives be appointed to serve on other bodies as follows:-

Cycle Forum

-

Councillor Ben Miskell to replace Councillor Mark Jones.

(d) it be noted that (i) the Senior Officer Employment Sub-Committee, at its meeting held on 22^nd October 2024, appointed Richard Groves to the post of Director of Operations, within the Adult Care and Wellbeing Service, and that Mr. Groves is expected to start in post on a date to be agreed in January 2025 and (ii) the Senior Officer Employment Sub-Committee, at its meeting held on 23^rd October 2024, appointed Catherine Bunten to the post of Director of Quality, Strategy Delivery and Partnerships within the Adult Care and Wellbeing Service, and that Ms. Bunten started in post on 4^th November 2024.