Agenda and draft minutes

1.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) reported with sadness, the death, on 29th November 2024, of former Councillor Graham Oxley who had served as a Member of the Council from 1999 to 2010, representing the East Ecclesfield Ward and was Lord Mayor of Sheffield in 2009/10.

1.2

She also reported the recent death of former Councillor Jim Bamford, who had served on the Council from 1995 to 1999.

1.3

Members of the Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillors Oxley and Bamford.  After the completion of the business of the meeting, several Members of the Council spoke to pay tribute to those former Councillors.

2.1

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nighat Basharat, Nikki Belfield, Denise Fox, Mark Jones, Nabeela Mowlana, Zahira Naz, Maroof Raouf, William Sapwell, Garry Weatherall, Cliff Woodcraft, Ann Woolhouse and John Wright.

3.1

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

4.1

Councillor Douglas Johnson declared a personal interest in item 9 on the agenda (Notice of Motion regarding “Protect Our Rivers”) (item 9 of these minutes) on the grounds that he serves as a Director of the River Stewardship Company, having been appointed to that role by the Council.

5.1

Lord Mayor’s Communications

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn,) reported that Members could donate to the yearly collection for the Archer Project via a Just Giving page, and that Women of Steel prints were available to purchase online or from the Cathedral gift shop with proceeds going to the Archer Project and Roundabout.

5.2

Public Petitions, Questions and Statements

The Lord Mayor reported that no ordinary petitions had been received for the meeting, but that a petition containing over 5,000 signatures would be debated at the end of this item of business, and that petition was referred to at item 5(b) on the agenda for the meeting.  She added that no questions had been received from members of the public on matters relating to items of business on the agenda for the meeting, and no statements had been received from the public.  She stated that written responses to questions received from three 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 two supplementary questions arising from those responses had been received.

5.3

Supplementary Public Questions

5.3.1

Supplementary questions, from Peter Garbutt, regarding public awareness of the implications of climate change

The following question, submitted by Peter Garbutt, was read out by the Chief Executive – “I believe it's extremely important to inform the Sheffield public about the implications of climate change. How else can they prepare, individually and in their communities? My question is, therefore, how does the Council propose to bring this information to ALL the people of Sheffield?”

In response, Councillor Ben Miskell (the Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee) stated that his response to Mr Garbutt’s original question was available on the Council’s website and the answer he was about to give should be considered alongside it as part of an ongoing conversation.

Councillor Miskell advised that he was aware of the research referenced by Mr Garbutt, which highlighted the potential risks to the Gulf Stream system of warm water currents.  He explained that Officers had advised that while there was evidence of this risk, there remained a recognised degree of uncertainty in the scientific community about how quickly such changes might occur, or how reversible they would be.  This made it difficult for the Council, or indeed other subject matter experts, to predict with any certainty the specific implications for UK cities like Sheffield.

Councillor Miskell added that considering that uncertainty, the Council continued to work with partners, including the Met Office, to deepen its understanding of the potential impacts that climate change was having on Sheffield.

Regarding the further question of how the Council could raise awareness among Sheffield’s residents of the issues described, Councillor Miskell stated that working within the constraints of budget pressures, the Council was actively finding ways to inform and engage as many people as possible, supporting understanding and action on the climate emergency.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1

Urgent Business

There were no questions relating to urgent business, submitted under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6.

6.2

Written Questions

6.2.1

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.

6.2.2

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).

7.1

On the motion moved by Councillor Joe Otten, and formally seconded by Councillor Minesh Parekh, and after contributions from four other Members, it was:-

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:  That the Council:-

(a)      notes that a licensing authority shall, before each successive period of three years, both prepare a statement of the principles that they propose to apply in exercising their functions under the Gambling Act 2005 during that period, and publish that statement; and

(b)      approves the draft Statement of Principles (Policy) under the Gambling Act 2005, recommended by the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee, under Part 3.2.1 of the Constitution, as set out in the report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhood Services, now submitted.

8.1

It was moved by Councillor Sophie Thornton, and seconded by Councillor Rob Reiss, that this Council:-

notes that:-

(a)      from April 2025 National Insurance employer’s contributions (NICs) will rise by 1.2%;

(b)      from April 2025 the secondary threshold will be lowered, meaning that employers will start to pay NICs on employees’ earnings from £5,000 instead of the current £9,100;

(c)      the Chancellor of the Exchequer has recognised “there will be consequences” as a result of the Budget announcements regarding employer NICs;

(d)      analysis from the Nuffield Trust shows that changes to employer NICs will cost the adult social care sector more than £900m next year;

(e)      the same report shows the total burden on the 18,000 independent organisations providing adult social care in England will be £2.8billion in the next financial year;

(f)       Sheffield is grappling with significant financial challenges, and the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee is forecast to be £9.5m overspent this year;

(g)      in response to the Nuffield Trust’s analysis, the Local Government Association have stated that “immediate adequate investment is needed in order to address unmet and under-met need and ensure timely access to social care for all who need it”;

believes that:-

(h)      subjecting social care providers to higher taxes is counterproductive and will worsen the health and care crisis;

(i)       social care services are provided by a range of organisations including hospices and the voluntary sector, and all but the very smallest will be hit by the employers’ NICs increase;

(j)       the Government’s lack of ambition and deafening silence on social care is disappointing;

(k)      GP surgeries and many health and care providers will not be shielded from the full force of this tax increase and will have no choice but to cut services and staff numbers;

(l)       ultimately, people in care will suffer the consequences of these employers’ NICs rises;

resolves to:-

(m)     call on the Government to exempt social care providers from the increase in employers’ NICs;

(n)      call for cross-party talks on social care immediately to deliver the sector long-term, sustainable funding; and

(o)      ask the Leader of the Council to forward a copy of this motion to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

8.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Laura McClean, and seconded by Councillor Matthew Dwyer, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following new paragraphs (a) to (f):-

(a)      believes that fourteen years of cuts and fiscal mismanagement, compounded by spiralling inflation and a failure to grow our economy, has hit public services hard;

(b)      believes the Budget sets the country on the path to making our public services fit for the future, but recognises that there is no quick fix, and difficult decisions will have to be taken;

(c)      notes the budget included a £22.6 billion increase in day-to-day spending and £3.1 billion capital boost for the Department for Health and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.1

It was moved by Councillor David Barker, and seconded by Councillor Mark Whittaker, that this Council:-

(a)      notes Sheffield's identity is directly shaped by our rivers, from powering mills and forges to the historical driving force behind the steel and cutlery industries;

(b)      notes that today our rivers provide natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and habitats for diverse wildlife;

(c)      believes that Sheffield’s rivers play an important part in the city's future;

(d)      celebrates the work to de-culvert the River Sheaf at Castlegate, to open up the River Sheaf at its confluence with the River Don for the first time in over a century, alongside a new public park, Sheaf Fields, celebrating the birthplace of our city;

(e)      believes that the country’s rivers and seas face significant challenges after 14 years of neglect under Conservative-led governments;

(f)       condemns the record levels of sewage pumped into Britain’s rivers in 2023, with Yorkshire Water discharging sewage into Sheffield’s rivers 4,781 times, a 33% increase from the previous year, totalling over 18,000 hours of discharge;

(g)      notes that earlier this year, Yorkshire Water paid a penalty of £150,000 for pollution incidents affecting the River Don;

(h)      thanks the many local organisations and volunteers throughout the city who commit time and effort to protect and celebrate our waterways;

(i)       welcomes the Government's announcements to crack down on polluting water companies, increasing the ability of the Environment Agency to bring forward criminal charges against water executives, increased penalties for polluters, and independent monitoring of every sewage outlet;

(j)       welcomes the launch of a new Independent Water Commission to review the water industry and ensure that regulations necessary to clean up our waterways are introduced;

resolves to:-

(k)      call for Yorkshire Water to be transparent and make a firm commitment to reducing sewage discharges into Sheffield’s rivers and streams;

(l)       request that the Transport, Regeneration and Climate and Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committees add river quality and restoration to their work programme;

(m)     continue celebrating and supporting the invaluable work of local groups protecting our rivers, ensuring they are central to Sheffield’s climate and environmental priorities; and

(n)      ask the Chief Executive to forward a copy of this motion to Yorkshire Water.

9.1.1

(NOTE: With the agreement of the Council and at the request of the mover of the Motion (Councillor David Barker), the Motion as published on the agenda was altered by the addition of reference to the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee in paragraph (l) of the Motion.)

9.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Joe Otten, and seconded by Councillor Barbara Masters, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition of a new paragraph (f) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraphs (f) to (i) as new paragraphs (g) to (j):-

(f)       notes that according to the Rivers Trust, 35% of England’s rivers fail to meet ‘good condition’ due to treated sewage;

2.       the addition of new paragraphs (k) to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.1

It was moved by Councillor Fran Belbin, and seconded by Councillor Karen McGowan, that this Council:-

(a)      supports the Government’s new landmark Employment Rights Bill that will help workers in Sheffield by taking steps to make work pay and upgrade workers’ rights;

(b)      welcomes measures in the Bill to provide protection against unfair dismissal from day one, establish parental and bereavement leave from day one, end unscrupulous practices of fire and rehire and fire and replace, make flexible working the norm where practical, deliver stronger protections for pregnant women and new mothers, and strengthen statutory sick pay;

(c)      notes that thousands of workers in Sheffield are currently employed on a zero-hour contract, and believes that the ending of exploitative zero-hour contracts and strengthening of employment rights will be a big help to many;

(d)      supports the measures in the Bill to establish a new Fair Work Agency to enforce employment rights, such as holiday pay, and to provide support and guidance for employers;

(e)      supports the Government’s commitment to increasing the national living wage by 6.7% to increase pay for thousands of working people in Sheffield;

(f)       supports measures in the Bill to modernise trade union laws to help unions in their vital role representing workers’ interests and improving working conditions, including introducing rights for trade unions to access workplaces and repealing restrictive legislation;

(g)      recognises analysis by the Trades Union Congress which shows the benefit to the economy of reducing workplace stress, improving staff well-being, improving minimum wage compliance and increasing labour market participation;

resolves to:-

(h)      thank trade union convenors for their work at Sheffield City Council, noting the positive work they do for both employees and employer, including promoting workplace wellbeing and providing representation, support and advocacy;

(i)       commit to work with businesses, partners, unions and residents to grow the economy of Sheffield and increase productivity, wages and jobs growth; and

(j)       affirm our commitment to promoting fair and equitable employment practices in Sheffield.

10.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Kurtis Crossland, and seconded by Councillor Simon Clement-Jones, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the addition of new paragraphs (c) and (d) as follows, and the re-lettering of the original paragraph (c) as a new paragraph (e):-

(c)      supports Liberal Democrat MPs’ amendments to the Bill including setting out entitlement to kinship care leave and requiring companies with more than 250 employees to publish information about their parental leave and pay policies;

(d)      notes that, according to the Local Government Association, costs resulting from the Bill will exacerbate service pressures in local authorities unless they are matched by increased funding;

2.       in newly re-lettered paragraph (e) [the original paragraph (c)], the deletion of all the words following the words “zero-hour contract”;

3.       the addition of a new paragraph (f) as follows:-

(f)       believes that we should find ways to improve rights and conditions for those on zero-hour contracts such as establishing a new ‘dependent contractor’ status with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Andrew Sangar, and formally seconded by Councillor Ian Horner, that this Council:-

notes:-

(a)      the ongoing bus reform consultation by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) towards bus reform, including initiating a public consultation with franchising as the preferred option;

(b)      that South Yorkshire only receives £10 per resident of funding towards buses, compared to almost £40 in West Yorkshire;

(c)      that the bus fare cap will be raised nationally from £2 to £3 from January which would mean the average commuter who takes the bus every working day of the week would face an extra £448 bill in 2025;

(d)      that local leaders in Liverpool, Manchester, and West Yorkshire have pledged to keep the £2 fare cap for at least three months of next year, but that the Mayor of South Yorkshire has not made the same pledge;

(e)      that South Yorkshire received less Bus Service Improvement Plan revenue funding for 2025/26 than Liverpool City Region, despite having a similar total population;

believes that:-

(f)       the current system of deregulated buses has failed our city, and improvements to our bus network are desperately needed;

(g)      local authorities should be granted the powers they need to restore bus routes and add new ones where there is local need;

(h)      the fare cap increase is like a bus tax for people across Sheffield which will impact users struggling to make ends meet as well as local businesses and high streets;

(i)       the money received through Bus Service Improvement Plan revenue funding should be used to restore routes that have been previously cut;

resolves to:-

(j)       call on the Mayor of South Yorkshire to retain the £2 bus fare cap until at least December 2025;

(k)      encourage members of the public to take part in the bus reform consultation which can be accessed at the SYMCA website; and

(l)       ask the Chief Executive to forward a copy of this motion to the Mayor of South Yorkshire.

11.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Ben Miskell, and formally seconded by Councillor Craig Gamble Pugh, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the addition of the following new paragraphs (a) to (h):-

(a)      notes that the £2 bus fare cap was due to end on 31 December, with no funds provided by the previous government to continue it;

(b)      notes that the new Government has introduced a £3 fare cap until the end of 2025;

(c)      notes that average single fares are expected to remain below £3, and passengers may get best value from buying returns, weekly, monthly, or multi-operator tickets that are more affordable and flexible;

(d)      welcomes the Government’s recent announcement of £17.6 million funding for South Yorkshire’s bus service;

(e)      welcomes the comments from the Mayor of South Yorkshire that the additional funding will help to protect the network;

(f)       supports bringing buses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

12.1

On the motion formally moved by Councillor Joe Otten, and formally seconded by Councillor Dianne Hurst, and after a contribution from Councillor Martin Phipps, it was:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      notes the impact on the allocation of seats on Council Committees of the new political composition of the Council, following the result of the Woodhouse Ward By-Election held on 28th November 2024, as set out in the report of the Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement now submitted;

(b)      notes the initial allocation of seats to political groups on individual committees before final adjustment, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, and which is based on the committees (and their sizes) which were approved at the annual meeting of the Council on 15th May 2024 for operation in the Municipal Year 2024-25;

(c)      in order to satisfy the requirement to ensure that each group has the required number of seats overall in comparison to the total number of seats available on all committees to reflect their composition on the Council as a whole, approves (i) the final adjustments of seven seats as shown in the schedule circulated at the meeting and (ii) revised appointments of Councillors to give effect to the new seat allocations and reflect the wishes of the political groups, as follows:-

Councillor Willis Marshall to fill a vacancy on the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee;

Councillor Gail Smith to fill a vacancy on the Licensing Committee;

(d)      for the purposes of Council Procedure Rule 25.6, gives the consent of the Council in any case where a Member chooses not to be appointed to serve on any Policy or Regulatory Committee; and

(e)      notes that, as respects the appointment of Members to serve on Council Committees, where vacancies exist or in cases of urgency to ensure quoracy or representation, the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the relevant political group whip, has the authority to appoint Members to serve on such Committees, as necessary, on the understanding that details of such appointments will be reported to the next or subsequent meetings of the Council.

12.1.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 57 Members; AGAINST - 11 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 1 Member.)

13.1

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

(a) Councillor Mark Rusling be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee in place of Councillor Minesh Parekh;

(b) Councillor Barbara Masters be appointed to fill a vacancy on the Sheffield Conservation Advisory Group; and

(c) Councillor Rob Bannister be appointed to serve on the Governance Committee in place of Councillor Mark Rusling.

(NOTE: The above appointments incorporate the appointment of Councillor Rob Bannister to replace Councillor Mark Rusling on the Governance Committee, which was reported to the meeting by the Lord Mayor as an addition to the schedule of appointments circulated to the meeting.)

14.1

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 6th November 2024 be approved as a true and accurate record.