Agenda and minutes

1.1

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mike Chaplin, Lewis Chinchen, Maleiki Haybe, Mazher Iqbal, Abdul Khayum, Laura Moynahan, Alison Norris, Joe Otten and Garry Weatherall.

1.2

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Colin Ross) stated that he wished to make mention of the absence of Councillor Alison Norris who had been injured during a recent tragic incident in the Burngreave area of the city, and he offered the best wishes of the Council for her speedy recovery. Additionally, he reported that the wife of the victim of the attack, Chris Marriott, was a Council Officer and he expressed condolences, on behalf of the Council, to the Marriott family.

2.1

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

3.1

Councillor Minesh Parekh declared a personal interest in item 10 on the agenda (Notice of Motion regarding “Five Years Since Declaring A Climate Emergency”) (item 9 of these minutes) on the grounds that one of the proposed amendments contains a reference to his employer, Olivia Blake MP.

4.1

Lord Mayor’s Announcements

4.1.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Colin Ross) reported that he had visited the Winter Gardens earlier that day to see young people performing, in advance of the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) awards which were being held that evening in the city.  He stated that this major event in the city had engaged many sectors of the community, including schools, and it had been a pleasure to be involved.

4.1.2

The Lord Mayor also reported that celebrations marking the Lunar New Year on 10th February, would be taking place in the city over the coming weekend, including a Dragon Parade from the Town Hall on Monday.

4.1.3

He concluded his announcements by reporting that there would be a fashion show taking place in the Town Hall on 22nd March in support of the Lord Mayor’s charity.

4.2

Petitions and Public Questions

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Colin Ross) reported that one petition was to be received at the meeting and questions would be taken from 19 members of the public.

4.3

Petition : Calling on the Council to Create a Dedicated BAMER Community Infrastructure Fund

4.3.1

The Council received a joint paper and electronic petition containing 1,129 signatures calling on the Council to act on Race Equality by creating a dedicated BAMER (Black, Asian Minority Ethnic and Refugee Organisations) Community Infrastructure Fund.

4.3.2

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Emily Wilson, who explained that she had worked on the petition with Geoff Green, Emeritus Professor of Urban Policy, and with the CEOs of the five leading black and ethnic minority led organisations in the city, with a view to establishing the provision of council funds to support equity-led community infrastructure, which aimed to enable communities to solve problems within their community themselves.

Ms Wilson advised that previous engagement with the Council on this had been unsuccessful, but she felt that it was time to use the assets that the city had to build more cost effective, equitable and resilient models of community infrastructure, and it was particularly important that the Council listen to local communities in the wake of the Race Equality Report.  She concluded by saying that the Council should stop being a gatekeeper to funding and act as a connector and convenor for the city, focussing on enabling civic voice and power.

4.3.3

The petition was referred to Councillor Tom Hunt (the Leader of the Council and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee) to respond.  Councillor Hunt offered his thanks to everyone who had signed and worked on the petition, and stated that he would do all he could to eradicate racism within the city.

Councillor Hunt explained that the Council was looking at how it supported and engaged with the city’s diverse voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, with the aim of improvement, so engagement was consistent, and included organisations who felt that they did not get their voice heard or have equitable access to the Council and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.1

Urgent Business

There were no questions relating to urgent business under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6(ii).

5.2

South Yorkshire Joint and Combined Authorities

5.2.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Colin Ross) reported that Councillors Douglas Johnson, Glynis Chapman, Ian Horner and Brian Holmshaw had given advance notice of questions relating to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.  The advance notice of the questions had enabled Councillor Tom Hunt, the Council’s representative on the Mayoral Combined Authority, to provide written answers, and copies of the questions and responses had been circulated at the meeting and published on the Council’s website.

5.2.2

Supplementary questions were asked by Councillors Johnson, Chapman, Horner and Holmshaw, and were answered by Councillor Hunt.

5.2.3

There were no further questions relating to the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue and Pensions and of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6(i).

5.3

Written Questions

A schedule of questions to Chairs of Policy Committees, submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, and which contained written answers, was circulated.  Supplementary questions, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.4, were asked and were answered by the appropriate Policy Committee Chairs until the expiry of the time limit for Members’ Questions (in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.7).

6.1

On the motion moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and seconded by Councillor Tom Hunt, and after contributions from nine other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Johnson, it was:-

RESOLVED: That, in accordance with the resolution passed by the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee at its meeting held on 24th January 2024 relating to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and HRA Budget for 2024/25:-

(a)      the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan report for 2024/25 and the HRA Business Plan priorities for 2024/25, as set out in the Financial Appendix to the report, are approved;

(b)      the HRA Revenue Budget 2024/25, as set out in the Financial Appendix to the report, is approved;

(c)      it be noted that once adopted by the City Council, monitoring the delivery of HRA Business Plan priorities will be within the remit of the Housing Policy Committee and a regular performance reporting schedule will be approved;

(d)      rents for council dwellings be increased by 7.7% from April 2024, in line with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard;

(e)      garage rents for garage plots and sites be increased by 7.7% from April 2024;

(f)       the sheltered housing charge be increased by 6.7% from April 2024;

(g)      the burglar alarm charge be increased by 6.7% from April 2024;

(h)      the furnished accommodation charge be increased by 6.7% from April 2024;

(i)       no increase be made to the community heating charge at this time; and

(j)       rents for temporary accommodation be increased by 7.7% for 2024/25.

6.1.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote on the Motion was FOR - 63 Members; AGAINST - 8 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.)

At this point in the proceedings, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Colin Ross) left the meeting, and the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) chaired the meeting for the remainder of the proceedings.

7.1

It was moved by Councillor Dawn Dale, and seconded by Councillor Ruth Milsom, that this Council:-

(a)      notes that the Government has decided to end funding for the Household Support Fund from the end of March 2024, and further notes with concern that the Government did not use the Autumn Statement or the Local Government Finance Settlement to confirm an extension of the Fund;

(b)      notes that Sheffield received £10.4m from the Household Support Fund in 2023/24 which is used to provide financial support to low-income and vulnerable households who are struggling to afford the essentials;

(c)      notes that the Fund is used to provide Free School Meal vouchers to 32,000 households during the school holidays;

(d)      notes that the support that the Council has provided through the Household Support Fund has helped tens of thousands of households in Sheffield who have struggled to afford energy, food, and other essentials;

(e)      notes that the Household Support Fund is a key part of the Council’s Cost of Living response which has brought together partners from the public sector, business, and the voluntary, community and faith sector to help those in need;

(f)       notes that the average number of Household Support Fund applications received per day in November 2023 is 112, which is a 148% increase on the same month last year, and that in 2023 there was an overall 47% increase in applications compared to 2022;

(g)      notes that the Chair of the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee has written to the Government to call for the Household Support Fund to be extended;

(h)      believes that ending the Household Support Fund will reduce vital support for people in our city who need it most;

(i)       believes that a cliff-edge in welfare provision in March 2024 must be avoided; and

(j)       calls on the Government to urgently provide clarity and reassurance to households in Sheffield, and to extend the Household Support Fund beyond March 2024.

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Tim Huggan, and seconded by Councillor Kurtis Crossland, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of a new paragraph (k) as follows:-

(k)      calls on all parties in Westminster to remove the two-child cap on Child Benefit which contributes to child poverty among many, larger families.

7.3

It was then moved by Councillor Maroof Raouf, and seconded by Councillor Angela Argenzio, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

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

(i)       believes that poverty has been made significantly worse by the removal of the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit and the introduction of the two-child cap on Child Benefit;

(j)       believes that, in addition to the local flexibility offered by the Household Support Fund, an uplift to national benefits is needed to address systemic poverty;

2.       the insertion, in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Sophie Thornton, and formally seconded by Councillor Mike Levery, that:-

This Council notes:-

(a)      the national housing crisis, with the housing shortage elevating private rent costs;

(b)      housing becoming increasingly unaffordable, particularly for lower-income, vulnerable and younger households;

(c)      concern for the numerous families currently in temporary accommodation;

(d)      the Council’s current policy which applies the Long-Term Empty Premium to Council Tax (LTEP) on properties left empty;

(e)      that in Sheffield, 1317 properties have been empty for 1-2 years, 973 properties are currently subject to the LTEP, and 295 properties are second homes;

(f)       the lack of incentives to renovate and retrofit empty properties;

(g)      the need for considered and sensitive policy-setting, considering complex circumstances that can leave homes empty for long periods, including: bereavement, declining or ill-health, diminished capacity, a building’s listed status and delays in planning permission;

(h)      the hard work of teams across the Council working to ensure fit and proper private rental property in the city, supporting credible and responsible landlords;

This Council believes:-

(i)       the housing crisis requires urgency and a strategic approach to prevent wasted property;

(j)       this Council has a duty as a responsible local authority to increase affordable rental accommodation;

(k)      incentives and support should be developed to encourage renovating and retrofitting empty homes;

(l)       that people purchasing empty homes should not be liable for increased council tax rates predating their ownership;

(m)     that tackling empty homes is vital for tangible climate action, with the benefits of retrofitting existing properties over the pressures on land use and materials that come with new builds;

This Council therefore resolves to:-

(n)      support responsible and credible landlords;

(o)      request the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme:-

(i)       investigation of ways to increase council tax on empty properties and second homes, ensuring thorough consideration for complex circumstances; and

(ii)       formulating policy to incentivise the renovation and retrofit of empty homes, such as resetting to standard council tax rates upon sale;

(p)      request the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme, investigation of ways to tackle unnecessary delays in obtaining planning permission in the city; and

(q)      write to the Government to:-

(i)       advocate for reform to end discounts for empty and derelict properties;

(ii)       seek support for the Liberal Democrat policy of restricting the sale of newbuilds as second homes; and

(ii)       request support for local authorities to ensure they have the skills and resources to maximise economic benefits from tackling empty homes.

8.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Fran Belbin, and formally seconded by Councillor Zahira Naz, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the deletion of paragraphs (o) and (p) and the re-lettering of paragraphs (n) and (q) as new paragraphs (r) and (s); and

2.       the addition of new paragraphs (n) to (q) as follows:-

          This Council:-

(n)      notes that a decision on implementing applying  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Paul Turpin, and formally seconded by Councillor Alexi Dimond, that:-

This Council notes:-

(a)      Sheffield City Council (SCC) has declared a Climate Emergency and has an ambition to become a zero-carbon city by 2030;

(b)      in 2019, The Tyndall Centre produced a report stating that Sheffield City Council must reduce its carbon emissions by 14% each year to achieve zero carbon by 2030;

(c)      the latest 2022 CO2e emissions data indicates that Sheffield City Council has reduced emissions by 3% since 2019, and needs to reduce emissions by a further 77% by 2030 to be in line with the Sheffield-wide 80% reduction on 2019 emissions that the Pathways to Decarbonisation Report suggested could be achievable by 2030;

This Council believes:-

(d)      Green involvement in the Council Administration has been central to the climate action the Council has taken: from introducing Climate Impact Assessments, to the creation of the Ten Point Plan for Climate Action, to ensuring major schemes like Connecting Sheffield and the Clean Air Zone progress in the face of political opposition;

(e)      that unrelenting action to tackle the climate emergency is the only way to achieve zero carbon by 2030, and the Council should be working at all Policy Committees on urgently reducing emissions;

This Council resolves to:-

(f)       ask the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme, implementation of a workplace parking levy to leverage funding for active and public transport at comparable levels to Nottingham City Council, who raised around £680 million over 10 years;

(g)      request the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme, development of an advertising policy which does not support high carbon industries and products harmful to people and nature, such as promoted by Adfree Cities;

(h)      request the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme, the completion of the Green Jobs and Skills Strategy initiated by Greens during the Cooperative Executive;

(i)       call on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to make more funding available for Green Skills;

(j)       remind all Policy Committees to ensure the Climate Impact Assessment is used to develop all SCC decisions and actions;

(k)      ask the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme, an update on progress against the Renewable Energy strategy proposed by Greens in November 2022’s full Council meeting;

(l)       ask the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme as a matter of urgency, investigation of the practicalities of issuing Green Bonds to raise extra funding to support climate action;

(m)     ask the Member Development Working Group to consider how to ensure effective Climate Literacy training for all Members; and

(n)      ask the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to consider adding to its work programme, requiring all Policy Committees to set targets and prove they are reducing emissions across the portfolio, including publication of any increases.

9.1.1

(NOTE: With  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Tony Damms, and formally seconded by Councillor Dianne Hurst, that this Council:-

(a)      notes that decent housing is linked closely to physical and mental wellbeing and that in a cost of living crisis people depend even more on the comfort, decency and security of their home, yet increasing numbers of residents are losing their homes because their landlords can no longer afford the mortgage or they themselves can no longer afford to pay increased private rents or mortgages; and further notes that 3,020 people presented as homeless between April and December 2023, and of these, 584 were assessed as being owed a full homelessness duty;

(b)      notes that in Sheffield we need to build 3,018 net new homes a year to satisfy increasing demand and yet, through right to buy and disposals, social housing stock is decreasing each year, and further notes that regeneration is good for the local economy, it brings in business, creates jobs and generates pride in the local economy;

(c)      deplores that because of increasing building costs, our Housing Service bought homes off plan this municipal year and struggled to maintain the decency of existing stock; notes that many tenants are living in homes with damp, mould and leaking roofs and this affects their mental and physical health; and further notes that during the current municipal year disrepair claims cost the Council dearly;

(d)      notes that during a climate emergency the Council has a role to play and, as a local authority, has pledges to meet by 2030, yet is still talking about devising a route map to invest in bringing homes up to a C grade of environmental efficiency and has a programme to retrofit just 355 homes by external cladding on the principle of worst first and this will draw to an end next financial year;

(e)      asserts that this catalogue of failure displays a lack of ambition that is unworthy of our citizens; and

(f)       therefore resolves to:-

(i)       re-commit to building council homes;

(ii)       invest in existing council stock to improve warmth, security and energy efficiency; and

(iii)      ask the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to consider for its work programme consideration of the performance of the Housing Policy Committee against these aims.

10.2

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

1.       the addition, at the end of sub-paragraph (f)(i), of the words “whilst supporting partnerships to significantly increase all types of affordable homes, including housing association properties”; and

2.       the addition of new paragraphs (g) to (i) as follows:-

(g)      notes the renewed focus on building affordable housing in the city, including through the development of the Housing Strategy under the oversight of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee and the Council’s partnership work with Homes England, and welcomes the approval of the Council’s draft Local Plan which will make a huge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.1

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion formally moved by Councillor Mohammed Mahroof and formally seconded by Councillor Fran Belbin, that this Council approves the changes to the Procedure for Dealing with Standards Complaints and the Councillor Code of Conduct, as outlined in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the report and as set out in Appendices A and B.

12.1

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion formally moved by Councillor Mohammed Mahroof and formally seconded by Councillor Fran Belbin, that this Council:-

(a)      approves the appointment of David Irvine and Martyn Thorpe as Independent Persons for a term of four years, to the end of the Municipal Year in 2028;

(b)      approves the appointment of James Brackley as a non-voting Co-Opted Member of the Audit and Standards Committee for a term of four years, to the end of the Municipal Year in 2028; and

(c)      approves the extension of the term of Alison Howard, the current non-voting Co-Opted Member of the Audit and Standards Committee, for a further four years, to the end of the Municipal Year in 2028.

13.1

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion formally moved by Councillor Mary Lea and formally seconded by Councillor Ruth Milsom, that (a) the minutes of the ordinary meetings of the Council held on 1st November and 6th December 2023 be approved as true and accurate records and (b) a footnote be inserted into the minutes of the meeting on 6th December, under sub-paragraph (b)(iv) of the resolution in item 10 on Banning Single-Use Vapes on Environmental and Health Grounds, suggesting that, to more accurately reflect the collaborative nature of the work in question, the words “, working alongside Public Health,” should have been included in the text, after the words “Sheffield Youth Cabinet”.

14.1

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

(a) it be noted that Councillor Will Sapwell, who was elected on 18th January 2024 as a Stannington Ward Councillor, has joined the Liberal Democrat Group on the Council, thereby restoring the political composition of the Council to the position that was reported to the Council meeting on 1st November 2023, (i.e. 31 Labour; 29 Liberal Democrat; 14 Green; and 8 Sheffield Community Councillors; with 2 Members [Councillors Lewis Chinchen and Sophie Wilson] not being members of any group on the Council), and that, accordingly, there is no change required to be made to the allocation of seats on Council Committees to the political groups, as approved at that Council meeting on 1st November 2023;

(b) it be noted that Councillor Will Sapwell became a member of the North Local Area Committee upon his election on 18th January 2024;

(c) it be noted that, at its meeting held on 6th December 2023, the North Local Area Committee had appointed Councillor Ann Whitaker to serve as Deputy Chair of the Committee for the remainder of the municipal year, filling the vacancy which had arisen in that position;

(d) it be noted that, in accordance with the authority given by the City Council at its annual meeting held on 17th May 2023, the Monitoring Officer had authorised the following appointment(s), with effect from the date(s) shown:-

Corporate Parenting Board

-

Councillor Ruth Mersereau removed as member, with effect from 14th December 2023.

Governance Committee

-

Councillor Dianne Hurst replaced Councillor Garry Weatherall as a member of the Committee, and Councillor Garry Weatherall replaced Councillor Dianne Hurst as a substitute member of the Committee, both with effect from 19th December 2023.

Licensing Committee

-

Councillor Garry Weatherall appointed as a member of the Committee, with effect from 19th December 2023.

Education, Children and Families Policy Committee

-

Councillor Toby Mallinson appointed as a substitute member of the Committee, with effect from 15th January 2024.

Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee

-

Councillor Will Sapwell replaced Councillor Gail Smith as a member of the Committee, with effect from 23rd January 2024.

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

Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee

-

Councillor Dianne Hurst to fill a vacancy as substitute member.

Governance Committee

-

Councillor Mary Lea to replace Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards.

Audit and Standards Committee

-

Councillor Garry Weatherall to replace Councillor Bryan Lodge.

Housing Policy Committee

-

Councillor Gail Smith to replace Councillor Barbara Masters.

Corporate Member Group

-

Councillor Mary Lea to replace Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards.

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

Learning Disabilities Partnership Board

-

Councillor Peter Price to be removed as member due to a reduction in the number of required nominations to this Board.