Agenda and minutes

1.1

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Downing, Neale Gibson, Mazher Iqbal, Francyne Johnson and Alan Law.

2.1

In relation to the urgent item of business to be considered at the meeting regarding GP Services (item 5 of the minutes), personal interests were declared (a) by Councillor Mike Drabble on the grounds that he provides mental health counselling services in non-urgent Primary Care and (b) by Councillor Joe Otten on the basis that he has a financial connection to a GP practice.

3.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Gail Smith) reported that three petitions and questions from three members of the public had been received prior to the published deadline for submission of petitions and questions for this meeting.  On two of the petitions, representations were to be made on behalf of the petitioners, and a third petition would be received in the absence of a speaker.  Prior to the meeting, one of the questioners had withdrawn their questions.

3.2

Petitions

3.2.1

Petition Requesting The Installation Of A Fence Around The Green Area And Open Space Between Wensley Close And Wade Street To Stop Anti-Social Behaviour

The Council received an electronic petition containing 25 signatures requesting that the Council install a fence around the green area and open space, between Wensley Close and Wade Street, to stop anti-social behaviour.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Angilla Al-Gulaidi. Mr Al-Gulaidi stated he had lived in the Wensley Close area for over ten years and had seen increasing levels of anti-social behaviour in this area carried out by young people. He stated he had provided evidence of anti-social behaviour along with the petition. He said that the anti-social behaviour had made residents in the area anxious and frightened, and said that the problem had been getting worse. Mr Al-Gulaidi asked that a fence be installed to cordon off the area. He suggested that if this was not possible, a new football field could be added in Wensley Park to provide an alternative space for the young people.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Alison Teal (Executive Member for Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure). Councillor Teal thanked Mr Al-Gulaidi and his fellow petitioners for presenting the petition and for suggesting possible solutions. She stated that she felt it was important that officers visit the area, and that as she was unfamiliar with the area she would ask officers to provide her with background information. Councillor Teal said she agreed that the behaviour described was unacceptable and added that she would speak with officers and Mr Al-Gulaidi soon.

3.2.2

Petition Requesting The Council To Improve Safety For Pedestrians At The Junction Of Little London Road And Chesterfield Road

The Council received a joint electronic and paper petition containing 44 signatures requesting that the Council improve safety for pedestrians at the junction of Little London Road and Chesterfield Road.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Tony Tigwell. Mr Tigwell stated that Chesterfield Road was widened two years ago, and a drop kerb was added. He said that this created a dangerous crossing point near Lidl and B&M Bargains. He stated that vulnerable residents were particularly at risk. He said he felt it was a surprise that there had not been any fatalities on the road. Mr Tigwell said that this petition had been started over a year ago and was delayed due to the pandemic. Mr Tigwell requested that the Council remove the drop kerb on the corner  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.1

Urgent Business

4.1.1

With the permission of the Lord Mayor (Councillor Gail Smith), Councillor Ben Curran asked the following question relating to urgent business, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.6(ii):-

"The Government have announced the intention to relax covid-19 restrictions from 19th July, yet many experts and commentators feel that wearing masks should remain compulsory on public transport and in other enclosed spaces - including Sheffield’s Director of Public Health who has said he would continue to wear a mask.

Will Sheffield City Council explore measures that could be taken locally to require passengers on local buses and trams to wear masks, subject to the current exemptions - for example, through working with the Sheffield City Region Mayor and bus companies to include a local requirement as a condition of carriage, or other measures which could be introduced through the local bus partnership?"

4.1.2

In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Terry Fox) commented that the Government’s intention to place the onus for public safety back onto the individual citizen was a shift acutely recognised by the Council and it would continue to explore whatever measures were available within the city to maintain public safety.  He added that public safety remained the Council’s top priority.

4.1.3

Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport), in supporting the comments made by the Leader, referred to his portfolio responsibilities for transport and his involvement in the Covid Prevention Management Board and stated that the wearing of face coverings has been a contentious and, at times, divisive issue during the pandemic.  Although it would no longer be against the law to fail to wear a face covering, he did support the view of the Council’s Director of Public Health, and other scientists, that the wearing of face masks would continue to be beneficial in reducing the spread of Covid and other viruses.  He added, however, that there was no easy way to enforce the wearing of masks in various settings and he alluded to reports of hostility from some members of the public towards public service workers trying to enforce the legal requirements, and towards disabled members of the public who were not wearing masks due to their disability or health condition, and he concluded his comments by stating that he would urge the public to continue to wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces in the interests of community safety, whilst also understanding, and demonstrating respect and tolerance for, those who were unable to do so.

4.2

Written Questions

A schedule of questions to Executive Members, 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 Executive Members until the expiry of the time limit for Members’ Questions (in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.7).

4.3

South Yorkshire Joint Authorities

Questions relating to the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.1

RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Tony Damms and seconded by Councillor Dianne Hurst, that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1, the order of business as published on the Council Summons be altered by taking the urgent item of business (Notice of Motion Regarding “GP Services”), followed by item 7 (Notice of Motion Regarding “The City Centre”) as the next two items of business.

5.2

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Gail Smith) announced the proposal that an urgent item of business be considered at the meeting. Council Procedure Rule 26 states that “An item of business may be considered at a meeting of the Council as a matter of urgency, where it has not been possible to give five clear working days’ notice, on the recommendation of the Chair, but the reason for such urgency must be recorded in the minutes. Any non-confidential or non-exempt report relating to such item must be made available for public inspection once it has been issued.”

5.3

The Lord Mayor stated that a request had been received from Councillors Jack Scott and Ruth Milsom asking that the Council considers an additional Notice of Motion regarding GP Services.  The reasons for urgency and explanation of why it was not possible to submit the Notice of Motion in accordance with the usual timescales, was:-

·       General practice is coming under intense pressure and this is reaching crisis point in Sheffield as well as elsewhere;

·       A group of senior councillors met with senior general practitioners, Clinical Commissioning Group commissioners and the Director of Public Health on the evening of 30^th June. At that meeting, the councillors were left in no doubt about the seriousness and urgency of the situation. The GPs were keen for support from the Council. In particular, to help the public understand the pressure on general practice at the moment.

·       As the meeting only took place on Wednesday 30^th June, this did not allow for a Notice of Motion to be submitted within the usual timescale.

In view of the nature and timing of the issue, the Lord Mayor stated that she was satisfied that there were clear reasons for taking the Notice of Motion as an urgent item of business.  She added that the urgent item will replace the Notice of Motion at item 8 on the agenda, regarding “Investing In Early Years”, which is to be withdrawn by the mover of the motion, Councillor Jayne Dunn.

5.4

The proposed Motion was circulated to all Members of the Council on 7^th July 2021 and has been published on the Council’s website. Copies of the Motion, and proposed amendments to it, were available in the meeting room.

5.5

It was moved by Councillor Jack Scott, and seconded by Councillor Ruth Milsom, that this Council:-

(a)      recognises that general practices across the country are at breaking point, putting the whole of the NHS at risk;

(b)      believes that Primary Care is the ‘Bedrock of the NHS’, dealing with around 90% of patient  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.1

It was moved by Councillor Martin Smith, and seconded by Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, that this Council:-

(a)      recognises that a thriving city centre is vitally important for the economic and social future of Sheffield because it supports jobs, attracts inward investment and provides a focus for the cultural life of Sheffield;

(b)      notes that the Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact on the city centre, with decreasing footfall and a significant increase in retail closures;

(c)      is concerned that the permanent closure of the John Lewis store will deliver another long-term blow to the city centre;

(d)      notes that only 6 months after the then Cabinet Member for Business & Investment announced that a £3m deal had secured the John Lewis store in the city centre, the Company proposed its closure;

(e)      believes that due to eight wasted years by the previous Labour administration, the city centre has become too dependent on the fortunes and decisions of large national retailers, at the expense of local, independent businesses;

(f)       notes that, despite numerous commitments given by the previous Administration to either refurbish or relocate the Central Library and that the building is “it’s top priority for the Council’s cultural capital investment”, there is still no long-term plan for the Graves building;

(g)      notes that prime land at Sheaf Square has now been unused for 15 years, while the provision for taxis at the railway station continues to be poor and obstructive to other vehicles;

(h)      notes that recent changes to road layouts, relocation of bus stops, the closure of a major car park and measures to accommodate social distancing during the pandemic, have made it more difficult for people to access some parts of the city centre;

(i)       notes that last summer the Council announced it was working on a new strategy for the central area of Sheffield; and

(j)       therefore requests the Administration to:-

(i)       commit to publishing the new strategy for the central area of Sheffield within the next 3 months;

(ii)       commit to improving access for people to travel into and around the city centre; and

(iii)      commit to publishing a timeline to upgrade temporary bus stop facilities, introduced following the closure of Pinstone Street to bus services, to the equivalent City Centre “gold” standard.

6.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Abdul Khayum, seconded by Councillor Denise Fox, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (c) to (j) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (j) as follows:-

(c)      believes that when the regeneration of our city centre was stalled from the financial crash and lack of action from the previous Lib Dem administration, the Labour administration acted to take control of the scheme away from a development company back into the hands of the city and believes that this proactive action was necessary in contrast to the inaction of the previous Lib Dem administration;

(d)      welcomes that by doing this the Heart of the City  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Terry Fox, and formally seconded by Councillor Julie Grocutt, that this Council:-

(a)      recognises the incredible efforts that all staff, partner organisations, voluntary sector, local businesses, community groups and the people of Sheffield have made to get the city through the past 18 months, and thanks everyone for their contribution;

(b)      notes that as the city moves out of lockdown, and continues to open up, it is essential that the Council takes action to secure the city’s recovery across a wide range of areas including support for jobs and the local economy, children and education, supporting people in financial hardship and the full reopening of Council services;

(c)      welcomes the co-operation agreement between the Labour and Green Groups, as set out below:-

          “This Agreement is dated 19 May 2021 and is made between the Labour and Green political groups elected as Members of Sheffield City Council.  This is an agreement for the 2021/22 municipal year and will therefore come to an end at the AGM in May 2022 unless extended by agreement of both parties.

          This Agreement has been drawn up following detailed discussions between the two groups. The Green and Labour Groups acknowledge that no party has an overall majority on Sheffield City Council and this requires a new way of working to be established between the parties.

          Both groups are committed to working in an open, inclusive and democratic way and ensuring the Council has stability and effective leadership.  In order to support this and reflecting the decision of the people of Sheffield in the governance referendum, a politically proportionate transition committee model has been introduced and will be piloted to enable a new way of working in the Council which will facilitate the transition to the committee system.

          Both parties will support the appointment of Terry Fox as Leader of the Council, Julie Grocutt as Deputy Leader of the Council and the appointment of five Labour and three Green Executive Members (designed to represent political proportionality). Whilst the Liberal Democrats declined to join the Executive, if they were to reconsider this decision, then they will get three seats, two to be offered by Labour and one offered by the Greens.

          Both parties will work together in the interests of Sheffield.  In order to secure the city’s recovery we will:-

(i)       implement the new Local Area Committees, giving power back to our communities;

(ii)       introduce a new approach to community safety with additional safer neighbourhood wardens;

(iii)      provide additional investment in our young people;

(iv)      support the recovery of our district centres;

(v)      implement the recommendations in the Arup report dated 19 March to create a pathway to deliver the shared ambition for net zero; and

(vi)      appoint an independent person to conduct a local non-statutory inquiry into the management of the street trees dispute.

          Both parties agree:-

(i)       a commitment to deal with each other fairly and honestly;

(ii)       to recognise that this is a new way of working that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

In accordance with the arrangements referred to by the Lord Mayor earlier in the meeting, and at the request of the proposed mover of the motion (Councillor Jayne Dunn), and with the consent of both the proposed seconder of the motion (Councillor Mick Rooney) and of the meeting, item 8 on the agenda (Notice of Motion Regarding “Investing In Early Years”), was withdrawn from consideration.

9.1

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

(a)      believes that with the right support, Sheffield businesses have the opportunity to be leaders in green and sustainable technology;

(b)      believes successful local councils of the future will be those which adopt the ‘circular economy’ approach, which designs out waste, is regenerative by design and is powered by renewable energy; at its heart is the idea of reducing resource use through well-developed local plan policies that embeds reusing resources and materials that are in circulation in the economy and recycling as a last resort, which will help us meet our sustainable development goals;

(c)      believes a prime example of this is the EU ‘right to repair’ legislation which requires manufacturers to design longer lasting products and make spare parts readily available in a push to reduce waste and increase opportunities for small businesses in the after-sales support sector;

(d)      believes that Sheffield must have a huge and positive role to play in the transition to a circular economy;

(e)      notes that Sheffield has a recycling rate for household waste of 30.7% which is well below the highest performing English local authority, Three Rivers, of nearly 65%; and a radical improvement in the City’s recycling rate will therefore require the collection and recycling of food waste;

(f)       also notes that food waste is a hugely important economic and environmental issue for the country, with more than 600 tonnes thrown away by Sheffield households each year; and

(g)      therefore resolves to:-

(i)       publish the results of the consultation with local universities, charities and Ellen MacArthur Foundation Knowledge Partner organisations, that have experience of delivering circular economy projects with businesses and local authorities, as resolved at the Council meeting in December 2019;

(ii)       support the introduction of local deposit return and refill schemes for all food and drinks containers;

(iii)      make ‘evidence of environmental improvement’ a requirement for all businesses and organisations seeking grant funding or any other form of financial support from the Council;

(iv)      instruct the Executive Director, Place, to carry out a full study that quantifies the potential benefits of the circular economy approach to the city and report back to full Council within six months;

(v)      use best practice in conjunction with councils across the UK and beyond, to define a metric for progress made in the transition to circular economy;

(vi)      explore measuring food waste in all Council premises and support measures to communicate the importance of reducing food waste;

(vii)     develop proposals to introduce a pilot scheme for the collection of food waste from households to identify the issues and opportunities in a wider roll-out across the whole city, with the intention to roll out domestic food waste collection across the city to produce biogas energy via anaerobic digestion as soon as is practicable;

(viii)    support local businesses to transition to closed loop systems and eco-design approaches using the RESolve framework, with an emphasis on production of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.1

RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Dianne Hurst, seconded by Councillor Tony Damms, that:-

(a)(i) the impact on the allocation of seats on Council Committees of the new Governance Committee, established at the meeting of the Council on 16^th June 2021, and comprising 11 seats, as appended to this report, be noted and (ii) the final adjustment of one seat (to be given up by the Liberal Democrat Group and allocated to the Labour Group) 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, be approved, with that adjustment being to reverse the adjustment made at the annual meeting of the Council on 19^th May 2021 on the Children, Young People and Family Support Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee;

(b) it be noted that, in accordance with the authority given by the City Council at its annual meeting held on 19th May 2021, the Chief Executive had authorised the following appointment, with effect from the date shown:-

Local Government Association General Assembly

-

Councillor Douglas Johnson to fill a vacancy, with effect from 22^nd June 2021.

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

Children, Young People and Family Support Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

-

Councillor Jack Scott to replace Councillor Kevin Oxley; and

Councillor Vickie Priestley to replace Councillor Mike Levery.

Scrutiny Committee Substitute Members

-

Councillor Kevin Oxley to replace Councillor Joe Otten.

Our Council Transitional Committee

-

Councillor Bryan Lodge to fill a vacancy; creating a Transitional Committee Substitute (non-Executive) Member vacancy; and

Councillor Colin Ross to replace Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed.

Education, Health and Care Transitional Committee

-

Councillor Kevin Oxley to replace Councillor Colin Ross.

Transitional Committee Substitute (non-Executive) Members

-

Councillors Sue Alston, Sue Auckland, Tim Huggan, Barbara Masters and Richard Shaw to fill vacancies.

Licensing Committee

-

Councillor Ann Woolhouse to replace Councillor Mohammed Mahroof.

Governance Committee

-

Councillors Sue Alston, Dawn Dale, Christine Gilligan, Mark Jones, Mike Levery, Mohammed Mahroof, Sioned-Mair Richards and Kaltum Rivers to fill vacancies.

Access Liaison Group

-

Councillor Douglas Johnson to fill a vacancy.

Allotments and Leisure Gardens Advisory Group

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Councillor Angela Argenzio to fill a vacancy.

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

South Yorkshire Pensions Authority

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Councillor Garry Weatherall to replace Councillor Francyne Johnson.

South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel

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Councillor Bryan Lodge to replace Councillor Garry Weatherall.

Emergency Planning Shared Services Joint Committee

-

Councillor Douglas Johnson to fill a vacancy.

Environment Agency – Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee

-

Councillor Douglas Johnson to fill a vacancy.

Migration Yorkshire (SY Sub-Regional Migration Group)

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Councillor Alison Teal to replace Councillor Garry Weatherall.

River Stewardship Company

-

Councillor Douglas Johnson to replace Councillor Garry Weatherall.

Sheffield Business Adviser Panel

-

Councillor Paul Turpin to fill a vacancy.

Sheffield Health and Social  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.