Agenda and minutes

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

To receive the record of the proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 6^th February, 2013 and the special meeting of the Council held on 1^st March, 2013, and to approve the accuracy thereof.

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

b)         Petitions Requiring Debate

            The Council’s Petitions Scheme requires that any petition containing over 5,000 signatures be the subject of debate at the Council meeting.  The following qualifying petitions have been received:-

(i)         Petition regarding the former Sheffield City Airport site

            To debate a petition containing 5,289 signatures concerning the former Sheffield City Airport site.  The wording of the petition is as follows:-

            “A petition calling on Sheffield City Council to urgently ensure that any redevelopment of the site of the former Sheffield City Airport (including further destruction of its infrastructure) is proscribed until an independent public enquiry is held to look into the potential for its future use as a facility for commercial aviation.”

 (ii)       Petition regarding Community Libraries

            To debate a petition containing 10,348 signatures concerning Community Libraries.  The wording of the petition is as follows:-

            “We the undersigned call upon Sheffield City Council to keep our libraries open.”

5.1       Questions relating to urgent business – Council Procedure Rule 16.6(ii).

5.2       Supplementary questions on written questions submitted at this meeting – Council Procedure Rule 16.4.

5.3       Questions on the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue, Integrated Transport and Pensions - Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1985 – Council Procedure Rule 16.6(i).

            (NB. Minutes of recent meetings of the three South Yorkshire Joint Authorities have been made available to all Members of the Council via the following link https://meetings.sheffield.gov.uk/council-meetings/full-council )

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

Report of the Chief Executive on recommendations referred by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 27^th February, 2013.

Report of the Chief Executive on recommendations referred by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 20^th March, 2013.

Report of the Chief Executive on recommendations referred by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 20^th March, 2013.

That this Council:

(a)       notes that the ‘bedroom tax’ is due to take effect from April this year;

(b)       condemns this policy which will affect anyone of working age (below 61 ½) on housing benefit deemed to be ‘under-occupying’ a social housing home, which equates to around 7500 homes across Sheffield;

(c)        deplores the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam for allowing the Government to implement this deeply unfair policy;

(d)       notes that the following are not exempt from the bedroom tax:

(i)                 those couples who need an extra bedroom because of one of them having a medical condition or disability;

(ii)               non-resident parents who have their children to stay at weekends in the holidays;

(iii)             families who offer regular respite support to other family members; and

(iv)              people living in homes which have  been substantially adapted at tax-payers’ expense;

(e)       is committed to supporting all residents, both children and adults, including those with disabilities and medical needs;

(f)         regrets that the Discretionary Payments Fund that the Government has made available is completely inadequate and is estimated to cover only a fraction of people affected by the bedroom tax and notes that this Fund is also expected to cover other welfare changes;

(g)       notes that the Government’s own Equality Impact Assessment estimates that two-thirds of households affected will have a member with a disability;

(h)        further notes that many independent analysts are predicting that households will move into the private rented sector, costing more, and that care needs for many disabled people will increase, again costing more;

(i)         further notes that there is not an excess supply of small properties available for households to move into in Sheffield;

(j)         further notes the bedroom tax will unfairly hit many people, including families with disabled children or adults, families who share the care of their children and families who offer respite care to other family members;

(k)        further notes that this policy may well end up costing the public purse more;

(l)         believes that disabled people – both adults and children – deserve respect and not to be penalised for their medical needs;

(m)      values the role of non-resident parents and believes they should be encouraged to play as full a part in the lives of their children as possible;

(n)        further values and appreciates the role of families who offer respite care – and not only because it saves the taxpayer billions of pounds;

(o)       notes that Housing Associations will have difficulty in keeping arrears down, damaging services for all tenants; and

(p)       therefore resolves to: 

(i)         ask the Leader to write to the Secretary of State outlining the Council’s concerns and urgently requesting that the bedroom tax is scrapped; and

(ii)               ask the Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods to write to Sheffield MPs outlining the concerns and asking that they lobby for their affected constituents and push for the bedroom tax to be scrapped.

That this Council:

(a)       notes with alarm that average fuel bills have increased by £300 since the Coalition Government came to power;

(b)       further notes that funding for insulation and fuel poverty projects has been cut significantly by the Government, with the end of Warm Front and other grants;

(c)        further notes the extremely short-sighted Government decision not to invest in green technology projects, such as South Yorkshire’s Carbon Capture Scheme in Hatfield;

(d)       further notes the Government’s much-vaunted Green Deal could represent a positive approach, but has been appallingly mismanaged and subject to numerous unnecessary delays;

(e)       recalls the huge success of the Free Insulation Scheme, funded through investment from the previous Government and initiated by the previous Labour Administration, which delivered improvements to over 28,000 Sheffield homes, reduced carbon emissions by 22,000 tonnes and secured energy savings to Sheffield people worth over £3.9m per year;

(f)         celebrates that the current Administration has secured resources to undertake 100 - 150 physical improvements to heating (including insulation, central heating, replacement boilers and draught-proofing where this is still needed);

(g)       further celebrates that the Administration has secured a package of support and advice, targeted where it is needed, which will include information on how to use less energy, heating controls, cold weather payments, assistance with tackling any fuel debts and benefits advice and help with energy tariffs;

(h)        hopes that the positive outcomes the Administration will achieve will help to inform future schemes that further reduce fuel poverty in the City and calls on the Government to take significantly more action to tackle high energy bills;

(i)         notes the launch of the Big Sheffield Switch;

(j)         urges Sheffield residents to sign up to the scheme, which creates a mechanism for as many people as possible to register their interest in moving their energy provider through an auction held with energy supply companies;

(k)        recognises the strength in banding together to secure a much better energy deal;

(l)         understands that the people with most to gain are those who’ve never previously ‘switched’ (around 50% of the population), especially those on pre-payment meters or accounts that are just on standard tariffs;

(m)      celebrates that the significant public campaign for this scheme is at no direct cost to the Council;

(n)        believes that the “Big Sheffield Switch” further demonstrates the ability of the public sector to make lasting improvements to people’s lives and what can be achieved when people co-operate together;

(o)       recognises that the previous Administration utterly failed to undertake a collective energy scheme and warmly anticipates further Sheffield collective energy schemes in the future; and

(p)       concludes that the above actions, combined with reduced waste generation, significant increases in recycling and a clear commitment to bring forward Sheffield’s first Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, highlight Sheffield’s place as a leading environmental city.

That this Council:

(a)       recalls the campaign by the now Labour MP for Sheffield Central, Paul Blomfield, No Ifs, No Buts, No Profits. Lower the Permit Prices;

(b)       notes that as a result of this Administration’s budgets, parking permit charges have been hiked by 260%;

(c)        confirms that this hike will not only hit struggling families but also damage small businesses across Sheffield; and

(d)       believes it is wrong for the Administration to fleece local motorists to pay for their political pet projects and calls upon the Administration to reverse this year’s hike, with a view to returning to the lower price in future years.

That this Council:

(a)       is proud to have supported the One Billion Rising (Sheffield) campaign and its events on 14th / 15th February 2013 to raise awareness about violence against women and girls;

(b)       pledges to make this issue a priority for the next 12 months, through the following measures:

(i)        to continue to provide support to the local Sheffield Rising 2013 movement through the Women's Network and other relevant areas of Council activity;

(ii)       to promote the voice and influence of women and girls who are victims of violence and the local organisations which work to support them;

(iii)      to support initiatives in schools and colleges promoting consciousness about - and zero tolerance to - violence in relationships among young people; and

(iv)      to collaborate with other public bodies in seeking ways to address the problem and find solutions;

(c)        condemns the Coalition Government for the effect that their policies are having on women;

(d)       notes that there are more millionaires than women in the Coalition Cabinet and their misogynistic polices are having a massively disproportionate effect on women;

(e)       recalls that in April 2012 unemployment amongst women stood at 1.4 million, the highest level in 25 years;

(f)         knows that women make up a high proportion of public sector workers and are more likely to claim benefits such as working tax credits, etc;

(g)       notes that research by the GMB has shown that women account for 76% of the drop in the number of employees in the South East;

(h)        believes that the cuts are having a disproportionate effect on women; the cuts hit women harder because:

(i)         many women have pregnancy and maternity needs;

(ii)        women are far more likely to be lone parents (92% of lone parents are women);

(iii)       women are more likely to be the primary carers for children, frail older people, sick and disabled people;

(iv)       women are more likely to be the victims of domestic and sexual violence;

(v)        women live longer, often spending the final years of their lives alone; and

(vi)       women are, on average, financially poorer than men – particularly so in later life;

(i)         recalls that the Home Secretary, The Rt. Hon Theresa May MP, has publically warned that the cuts could hit women hardest;

(j)         notes that the Fawcett Society have challenged the budget from last year claiming it failed in its duty to assess whether it would impact on women unfairly; and

(k)        calls upon the Coalition Government to review benefit cuts and pension reforms that directly affect women disproportionately; women are entitled to a fair deal.

That this Council:

(a)       fully supports the Star Walk which aims to raise £150,000 for a Women of Steel statue;

(b)       believes these women deserve a permanent memorial in recognition of the women who worked in the steel mills during two world wars;

(c)        recognises that these women are an inspiration - our city is extremely proud of their achievements;

(d)       notes that the statue designed by world renowned artist Martin Jennings would be a permanent reminder of the Women of Steel;

(e)       urges all Sheffield City Council councillors and members of the public to sign up to the Star Walk in Hillsborough Park on Sunday, 28 April 2013;

(f)         reminds people that the walk is only one mile and will be completed by many of the Women of Steel who are now in their 80s and 90s and that the walk is open to people of all ages and will be a great day out for all the family;

(g)       is aware that entry is £10 for adults and £5 for children, with all money raised going to the Women of Steel Statue Appeal;

(h)        would like to thank Kit Sollitt, Kathleen Roberts, Ruby Gasgoine and Dorothy Slingsby who have been the leading voices behind the campaign – taking the appeal for official recognition to Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence; and

(i)         notes that further fundraising activities are planned for the future and urges everyone to get behind this campaign to recognise these amazing women.

That this Council:

(a)       believes thriving high streets across Sheffield’s communities are vital to both the City’s economy and its wellbeing;

(b)       welcomes the actions taken by the previous Administration to support local high streets through the Thriving Local and District Centres programme;

(c)        furthermore, thanks the Government for allocating Sheffield £100,000 through the High Street Innovation Fund, alongside £10,000 for Banner Cross traders;

(d)       feels the current Administration have treated small retailers and local high streets with contempt, demonstrated by their failure to tackle parking problems in both Banner Cross and Millhouses;

(e)       recalls the main opposition group’s budget amendment, which would have doubled investment for local centres, reversed parking permit hikes for small businesses and provided free parking on Saturdays at district centres; and

(f)         urges the Administration to address the issues facing local centres and high streets with an immediate Cabinet Report setting out steps to be taken.

That this Council:

(a)       notes that the Authority is projecting to spend £45m less than budgeted for in its Capital Programme for 2012-13 by the end of March 2013;

(b)       notes that this sum – comparable to the entire budget cut in 2012-13 – was budgeted for and remains unspent;

(c)        notes the unspent £3.903 million arising from “underspending on project estimates” and “other variations” within the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) portfolio alone would more than pay for the entire cuts to Early Years services;

(d)       reiterates the finding in the report to Cabinet on 21^st March 2012 - that the 0 to 5 Early Years are “the most important period in a child’s growth and development and can make a significant difference to a child’s future life chances.  The quality of health, care and education that young children experience during these years is critical to ensure that they have the best start in life.  As well as being welcoming of children, irrespective of need, parents said the most important feature they look for in a setting is one that shows they really care about the children in their care and take seriously the responsibilities that parents place on them to care for their child.”; and

(e)       requests officers within CYPF and finance to explore ways of using at least part of this capital sum to help child care settings prepare themselves for the transition to providing Free Early Learning for two-year-olds.

That this Council:

(a)       welcomes the initiatives by Glasgow & Bristol City Councils in passing a motion highlighting concerns about refused asylum seekers and the lack of support for them in the UK;

(b)       commends the work with refused asylum seekers in Sheffield by organisations such as City of Sanctuary, Northern Refugee Centre, SYMAAG and ASSIST;

(c)        shares the concerns raised by groups working with refused asylum seekers about the levels of destitution in Sheffield and the associated problems this creates; and

(d)       asserts that if Sheffield’s proud declaration as the country’s first City of Sanctuary is to be meaningful and worthy of its fine words, we must act to improve this situation in the following ways;

(i)         the Leader of the Council writes to the Home Secretary and Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency seeking changes to their policy toward refused asylum seekers; and

(ii)        the Leader of the Council sends a copy of this letter to:

1.         The Home Affairs Select Committee for consideration during its inquiry into Asylum;

2.         Sheffield MPs to support the content of this motion and to raise the matter in the House of Commons; and

3.         The Local Government Association to encourage other councils in the UK to follow Sheffield’s lead.

That this Council:

(a)        highlights the important service provided by Mayfield Environmental Education Centre;

(b)        expresses disappointment that the opposition group’s budget amendment, which would have reversed an £8,000 cut to the Centre, was voted down by Labour Councillors;

(c)        believes that this cut, alongside the Administration’s lack of support, poses a serious threat to the future of the Centre and outdoor education in Sheffield; and

(d)       calls upon the Administration to reconsider its reduction in funding for Mayfield Environmental Education Centre.

That this Council:

(a)        recalls the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment in 2010 to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000;

(b)        notes that from April, as a result of Liberal Democrats in Government, the income tax paid by a full-time worker on the minimum wage will be almost halved thanks to the increase in the income tax threshold;

(c)        is pleased to see that the Coalition Government has gone further in the 2013 Budget by confirming the income tax threshold will increase by a further £560 to £10,000 from April 2014, one year earlier than planned;

(d)        welcomes that as a result of Liberal Democrat influence since 2010, 195,000 workers in Sheffield will see a £700 tax cut, while 21,280 low paid workers will have been lifted out of income tax altogether; and

(e)        furthermore, notes that the Coalition Government have ensured the super rich pay their fair share by cracking down on tax avoidance; putting a tax on private jets, increasing Capital Gains Tax for higher rate taxpayers, and blocking inheritance tax breaks.

That this Council:

(a)       believes that the Government’s “Bedroom Tax” is unjust and misguided and congratulates those who organised and attended simultaneous demonstrations across the country on Saturday 16th March 2013;

(b)       regrets that the Government is persisting with the policy, causing distress to thousands of families struggling to cope with cuts to social support and a difficult economic environment;

(c)        is pleased that the Government has dropped its appeal against the court ruling granting some relief to very disabled children being forced to share a bedroom;

(d)       supports the Government’s decision to change rules so that foster children, students and those in the armed forces, are now no longer considered to be under-occupying, although notes these ill-planned reversals are causing further confusion and cost;

(e)       calls on Government to fully fund cases where people are no longer considered to be under occupying due to policy changes, rather than top-slicing Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) funds;

(f)         notes that many so-called "spare bedrooms" in fact house medical equipment, or are used as a bedroom by spouses unable, due to illness, to sleep in the same room, or as a carer's room where a household member requires overnight care;

(g)       further notes that many separated parents with visiting rights need a spare room for the visits of their child(ren);

(h)        notes that Government funding for DHPs will fund around 1 in 16 households where under-occupancy applies, falling far short of supporting those in need;

(i)         notes that councillors are receiving a steady flow of casework around the legislation;

(j)         will therefore gather detailed case studies of those affected and submit these as evidence to Government on the effects of the under-occupancy measures and a case for more Government support for DHPs;

(k)        believes that costs arising from making decisions on discretionary payments will be substantial;

(l)         therefore, requests the Administration to do everything it can to inform and help residents affected by the bedroom tax and avoid eviction, for example through:

(i)         encouraging tenants to claim the benefits they are entitled to, for example Disability Living Allowance; and

(ii)        giving maximum practical support and choice to those tenants who do wish to move;

(m)      also requests the Administration to look into:

(i)         whether it would be possible to reclassify bedrooms so as to avoid the tax; and

(ii)        whether it would be feasible to ask Housing Associations and Sheffield Homes not to take eviction proceedings where arrears are solely due to unaffordability caused by the bedroom tax;

(n)        calls on the Government to abandon the Tax, and to address the housing shortage through bringing up to habitable, energy-efficient standard the approximately one million empty homes in the UK, and through an energy-efficient-house building programme, thereby providing three advantages, namely addressing the housing shortage, boosting the economy through increased employment, and providing the carbon reductions to which the Government is committed; and

(o)       directs that a copy of this motion is sent to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 21.