Agenda item

4.1

Adam Butcher

4.1.1

Adam Butcher queried what action the Council would be taking, in terms of its budget allocation, in terms of helping to reduce levels of obesity in the City.

4.1.2

Eugene Walker, Interim Executive Director, Resources, stated that although the new funding arrangements, which would involve the Council receiving Public Health funding for both children and adults, as opposed to receiving separate allocations in the past, would result in some minor budget savings, there would still be a significant level of funding to look at how levels of obesity in the City could be reduced.

4.1.3

The Chair stated that a more detailed, written response from officers in the Children, Young People and Families and Place Portfolios would be forwarded to Mr Butcher within 10 working days of this meeting.

4.2

Peter Sephton, Chair of the Sheffield City Centre Residents’ Action Group (SCCRAG)

4.2.1

Peter Sephton referred to the decision of the Planning and Highways Committee, at its meeting held in October, 2013, to grant a one-year late opening trial licence in respect of West One Plaza, an area designated as a residential area in the Council’s Masterplan. The closing date for objections was 9^th October, 2014. He questioned whether Members were aware that the original 12 month trial had now been allowed to drift for 16 months, with no apparent end in sight.  As well as the obvious frustration being faced by a high number of residents in the West One apartments, and the concerns raised by SCCRAG, with regard to noise nuisance caused by the extended opening hours, Mr Sephton also questioned whether Members were aware that the decision made by the Planning and Highways Committee in October 2013, would lead to many residents submitting appeals for their Council Tax banding to be reduced.

4.2.2

Eugene Walker stated that it was important that the planning concerns were kept totally separate from the financial impact of the decision.  He stressed that the Council Tax banding valuations were undertaken by the Valuation Office and not the Council, but he would liaise with colleagues in the Place Portfolio in terms of providing a more detailed, written response to the questions. 

4.2.3

Councillor Alan Law, in his capacity as Chair of the Planning and Highways Committee, stated that the Committee was entitled to make such a decision if it perceived that there would be no significant detrimental effect to residents.

4.2.4

Councillor Chris Weldon stated that a more detailed, written response would be provided to Mr Sephton within 10 working days of this meeting.

4.3

Steve Hambleton, General Manager, Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind (SCRB)

4.3.1

Steve Hambleton questioned why residential care home fees, which were currently below the national average, were increasing by 2.33%, when nursing homes fees, which were more in line with the national average, were increasing by 2.45%.  He also sought assurances that the retendering of the community equipment contract would not result in a charge for equipment for sensory impairment.

4.3.2

Eugene Walker stated that he was aware of the differential in respect of the care home and nursing home fees, following the increases, and it was believed that the higher increase in respect of the nursing homes fees was as a result of capacity issues in the nursing sector.  He added that there had been consultation in respect of the increases.  In terms of the equipment, Mr Walker stated that he was not able to provide a response with regard to this at this meeting.

4.3.3

The Chair stated that a detailed, written response would be provided to Mr Hambleton, in respect of both questions raised, within 10 working days of this meeting.