Agenda item

4.1

Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods

The Leader of the Council (Councillor Julie Dore) announced that she had appointed Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards to act as Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods during the period of absence of Councillor Isobel Bowler.

4.2

Victoria Cross Commemoration

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Denise Fox) announced that the laying of a commemorative stone to remember Acting Sergeant John Crawshaw Raynes (Royal Field Artillery) who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1915 for his actions during the First World War, would take place on Monday 12 October 2015 at 11.00am at the War Memorial in Barker’s Pool.

4.3

Petitions

4.3.1

Petition Opposing the Proposed Closure of the Sheffield South West Delivery Office

The Council received an electronic petition containing 839 signatures opposing the proposed closure of the Sheffield South West Delivery Office on Ecclesall Road.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Steph Gale who stated that she had begun the petition on ‘change.org’ to raise awareness in relation to the proposed closure of the Sorting Office. The petition had now collected over 800 signatures and messages of support. There had been no publicity concerning the proposed closure. The Delivery Office was well used by people to collect parcels and was well located for public transport and parking.

The proposed alternative facility was at Pond Street, which it was considered would not be convenient for people who used the Delivery Office on Ecclesall Road and would not be as accessible for people who were elderly or disabled people due to its location and opening hours and would contribute to congestion and pollution in the city centre. She expressed concern that the issues of cost were being put ahead of services to customers and also stated the proposals were short sighted if the Royal Mail sought to protect its parcel delivery service as other delivery companies delivered parcels. She asked the Council to support the petition expressing concern at the proposal by Royal Mail to close the South-West delivery office on Ecclesall Road, and requesting that, should the closure go ahead, suitable arrangements are made for local residents to collect parcels from an alternative site in the Ecclesall area.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Leigh Bramall, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development and Deputy Leader. Councillor Bramall stated that there was a Notice of Motion concerning the proposed closure of the Ecclesall Road Delivery Office, which was to be considered at this meeting of the Council and which supported the position taken by the petition. The Council would do what it could to raise the issue and to get the right result.

4.3.2

Petition Opposing the Cuts to Concessionary Travel for Children, Elderly and Disabled

The Council received a petition containing 365 signatures opposing cuts to concessionary travel for children, elderly and disabled.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Jeremy Short who stated that further cuts to services were planned. There had been inadequate consultation and relatively few people were aware of the proposed changes. This had not been announced by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive on 1^st September. It was acknowledged that the Passenger Transport Authority had a difficult task and that a significant number of its staff posts which might have undertaken consultation and engagement, had been made redundant. The consultation questionnaire asked people to identify where and relation to which groups, cuts should be made, but there was not an option in the questionnaire for ‘no cuts’. The City Region Devolution Deal, whilst it would include additional funding, represented little in the context of the cuts which had already been made. He asked the Council to stand up to the government in relation to the cuts and to suspend any further cuts pending real consultation in relation to the transport network.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Terry Fox, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport. Councillor Fox stated that the Passenger Transport Executive had lost approximately 50 percent of its staff in the past few years. An announcement was made concerning consultation at the Combined Authority Transport Committee meeting on 1^st September and there would be opportunity for the public to address the Committee at the forthcoming meeting on 12^th October. There had been 1,500 replies to the consultation, to date and Members would take into account the results of the consultation. He said that the representations made at this meeting would be included as part of the responses to consultation and that he would also speak with the Interim Director General of the Passenger Transport Executive, David Young.

4.3.3

Petition Requesting Warm Homes, Good Jobs and Safe Pensions

The Council received a joint electronic and paper petition containing 803 signatures requesting warm homes, good jobs and safe pensions.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Joan Miller, who stated

that the Council should make it a priority to undertake a targeted programme of home insulation in Sheffield given the knowledge of the effects of climate change, which were already becoming apparent. There was he said enough carbon to result in a two percent increase in temperatures in 17 years. The matter concerned humanity and was urgent. He said that it was in cities that much of the action relating to the climate would take place. There was a lot of evidence that investing in climate action will be good for health, employment and the economy, whilst contributing to savings on energy bills. He said that fuel poverty was a scandal which impacted upon people’s health and wellbeing and that one of the benefits of home insulation was that it would help improve health, particularly of vulnerable people and help them save money on energy costs.  It was suggested that a financial instrument was created to bring about action on climate change and the local pension fund should be used to invest in buildings and transport for the future.      

The Council referred the petition to Councillors Jayne Dunn, Leigh Bramall and Ben Curran, Cabinet Members for Housing, Business, Skills and Development and Finance and Resources, respectively.

Councillor Ben Curran stated that the issues which had been raised concerning the effects of climate change becoming apparent were very important. He acknowledged the campaign for the pension fund to divest from fossil fuels and that alternatives to such investment needed to be found. The South Yorkshire Pensions Authority was also concerned with its fiduciary duty. Pension funds could also have a role in investing in infrastructure and he made reference to the Canadian pension fund which had invested in Birmingham International Airport. He believed there was resource in the pensions fund and he had asked officers to look at infrastructure works which were required and to put those to the Pensions Authority.

Councillor Leigh Bramall stated that jobs would be created through investment and it was important that the economy grew and there were skilled jobs, including in the area of improving energy efficiency and that he agreed with the premise of the case which the petitioners had made.

Councillor Jayne Dunn stated that the Green Commission was examining issues such as fuel poverty and there were things that could be done collectively to deal with actions relating to climate change and fuel poverty. The Council had invested £100 million in replacing roofs on housing in the City and would install heat meters in 6,000 homes. The private housing sector also needed to take similar action.

4.3.4

Petition Requesting the Council to Increase the Number of Syrian Refugees Welcomed to the City

The Council received a petition containing 33 signatures requesting the Council to increase the number of Syrian refugees welcomed to the City.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Mr Phillis Andrew. He requested that the Council match the generosity shown by Sheffield people to refugees by significantly increasing the number of Syrian refugees welcomed to Sheffield, as a City of Sanctuary, under the Government’s Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme over the next 5 years. It was planned to welcome 400 people to the City over five years, and the Council was asked to increase that number. The Council was also asked to request the Government to take a fair share of refugees who were already in Europe and who had fled the circumstances of war and persecution in Syria. He noted that donations had been made by people in Sheffield and South Yorkshire to help support refugees. The petitioners requested the Council to write to the Prime Minister and call upon the Government to give protection to refugees at Calais to be admitted to the UK to make their claims for protection and asylum. A rally and march would be held on Saturday 10 October at 11am.

The Council referred the petition to The Leader of the Council, Councillor Julie Dore. Councillor Dore stated that in relation to the number of Syrian refugees that the UK Government was prepared to welcome, it was right to put pressure on the Government to increase the overall number of people that they would accept. The Council was offering to resettle Syrian refugees and further reference to this issue was set out at Notice of Motion 9 on the Summons for this meeting of the Council. Sheffield was a friendly and welcoming city with an exemplary reputation with regard to resettling refugees who had fled war and persecution. The City had a good relationship with the civil service, Migration Yorkshire, third sector organisations and others. The most recent crisis involving refugees from Syria had put the issue at the top of the agenda and Sheffield was an example of best practice from which other places sought to learn and realise the benefits which resettled peoples brought to the city. Whilst the efforts of the Government were welcomed in so far as they went, the Council had made representations to Government in respect of the numbers of refugees that should be resettled in the UK over 5 years.

The Council would resettle refugees in the Sheffield, within available capacity and would also make sure they are properly supported by appropriate funding. The number of people to be resettled would be extended, if possible. The Home Office had written to the Council and would guarantee the first 12 months of funding for the resettlement of Syrian refugees and would provide additional funding. The Council was clear that people who were refugees had often gone through experiences which meant they needed support beyond a 12 month period or continuous support. Councillor Dore said that the contributions of those organisations supporting the petition were welcomed and that the Council would continue to work with them.

4.4

Public Questions

4.4.1

Public Questions Concerning Syrian Refugees

John Grayson asked if the petitioners could invite councillors and officers of the Council present to join them on a march up the Moor and rally on the Town Hall steps on Saturday 10 October at 11.00am saying “Sheffield welcomes refugees”. He asked if they might also invite the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, the City of Sanctuary, to say a few words to those who marched and would rally on 10^th October.

A question was asked as to whether to Council agreed that migrants and refugees have helped to build Sheffield, working in hospitals and NHS, care homes, universities, schools, factories and businesses and if the Council also agreed, in representing the City of Sanctuary in the UK, that immigration by refugees, migrant workers and international students has been good for Sheffield.

Councillor Julie Dore referred to her previous answer and said that there were great and positive benefits and contributions brought to Sheffield by immigrants and refugees who settled in the City. The Lord Mayor would determine whether or not he would be able to attend the march and rally on 10^th October. She said that she would speak with Cabinet Members to see whether a representative would be able to attend that event.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equality commented that he believed families who had migrated to the City made a very valuable contribution. He commented on a recent speech made by the Home Secretary on 6 October, which he stated was a retrograde step. He supported the comments made by Councillor Dore.

4.4.2

Public Questions Concerning Trees

Phil Shaddock asked the following questions on behalf of John Dryden: 

Minutes were produced for the first meeting of the Tree Forum. However, no minutes were produced in respect of the second Tree Forum meeting in September. He asked the reason for this and why the public were not informed that no minutes would be taken.

Ariane Brumwell asked why the Council felt that trees in some parts of Nether Edge should be pulled up and asked for a written response.   

Councillor Terry Fox, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, stated that he would provide a written response to the question from Ariane Brumwell. With regards the Tree Advisory Forum, minutes were taken of the first Forum meeting and it had been difficult to reach consensus as to what comprised an agreed version of those minutes which could be said to be an accurate record of the meeting. At the second Forum in September, he had said that this issue would be addressed later at that meeting. However, unfortunately this did not happen in the context of the presentations on the agenda at that Forum meeting. Councillor Fox proposed that, for the third meeting of the Forum, there would be a different format. He said that he would meet again with presenters and others to make sure what they intended to say was properly captured. He had also received correspondence with regard to the second Forum expressing alternative views.

4.4.3

Public Question Concerning Fuel Poverty

Jenny Patient asked whether, in terms of public health outcomes, the Council’s research had discovered any better programme of investment than home insulation to reduce fuel poverty.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equality, stated that the recommendations of the Green Commission were awaited. There had been an earlier report entitled ‘Out of the Cold into the Warm’. The Council was developing a fuel poverty strategy this year and the Marmot review had said that 25 percent of deaths were attributable to living in cold homes. The Council had worked with South Yorkshire Energy Centre to identify and to support vulnerable households, including the giving of debt and welfare advice. He confirmed that he would provide a written response to the question.

4.4.4

Public Question Concerning Air Pollution

Dave Dilner stated that a report published on 18^th February 2013 by Sheffield First Partnership showed that respiratory disease caused by air pollution in Sheffield resulted in over 500 premature deaths and had cost the local economy £160 million per year. Sheffield had one of highest incidence of child respiratory disease. An article in the Yorkshire Post had said that Sheffield was on the danger list in relation to air pollution. He asked what the Council had to say about these issues and commented on the contribution to an increase in air pollution of the loss in urban tree canopy cover.

Councillor Terry Fox, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, stated that he suffered from a respiratory disease. He made reference to the earlier petition which had been submitted to the Council in respect of climate change. The nature of the action by the Council was generational. In 2006, it had been highlighted that the City would potentially loose up to 75 percent of its trees, if no action was taken. In 2015, the Council had planted 50 thousand trees and created 17 new woodland areas for the future. There were other initiatives which were being developed, including a bid for electric vehicles, low emission zones, an air quality action plan and work by the Combined Authority on integrated transport. The Council took the issue of air pollution seriously and was working with others in this regard.

4.4.5

Public Questions Concerning Devolution

Martin Brighton stated that a document would shortly be released comprising the public record quotes of senior elected members and especially the Council Leader, expressing their opposition to an elected executive mayor, praising the electors for rejecting an elected executive mayor in a local referendum, and praising that the LEP (Local Area Partnership) proposal would continue without the imposition of an elected executive mayor.

Mr Brighton asked the following questions:

1. At what meeting, attended by whom, and when, and why, was the decision taken to abandon its core democratic principles, go against their own public policies, betray the wishes of their electors who once trusted them, and surrender to the Tory financial blackmail by accepting the conditions to get what is, in the bigger scheme of things over 30 years, not a big deal?

2. How can the Local Enterprise Partnership imposition be described as devolution if, conditional upon that claimed devolution, the expressed wishes of those to whom power is falsely alleged to be devolved are being ignored and what does this say about the political integrity and respect for democracy of the national and local political parties?

Councillor Julie Dore, the Leader of the Council, stated that as regards her position on the referendum for an elected city mayor, she did oppose that, because all of the power would be placed in the hands of an individual and, with the proposal for a city mayor, there were no corresponding increased powers, responsibilities or funding beyond what the Council already had. Whereas, the proposals as recently announced with regard to devolution were very different. The Sheffield City Region, comprised areas including South Yorkshire Authorities and some authorities in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The proposals were that the City Region would gain certain additional powers, funding and responsibilities, which would be passed from the Government. Under the proposals, the local authorities within the City Region would not cede powers to the elected mayor as it was considered that each local authority was best placed to decide upon local matters.

Councillor Dore said that the Government position was that the City Region would need an elected mayor, whilst the City Region local authorities believed that the Combined Authority represented an effective way of delivering the various devolution proposals, without the need for an elected mayor. However, the Government had said that the establishment of an elected mayor was a condition of the proposed additional powers and funding for the City Region and this was the basis of the negotiations with them.   

It was considered that the City Region had at this time, extracted as much power and funding as possible from the negotiations.  A democratic process would take place and the final devolution deal would be subject to approval by Council and a major consultation with other stakeholders and Councillor Dore said that she looked forward to people participating in that process.

4.4.6

Public Questions Concerning BME Network

Mr Brighton stated that another apparently abandoned central tenet of this administration is that it claims to devolve democracy to the communities and support self-management, self-determination and community empowerment.

Mr Brighton asked in reference to the BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Network as one example:

1. Why, with what authority and under which Council policy, can an elected member arbitrarily decide to impose its own leadership on a community group, attempt to financially cash-starve the organisation into submission, disempower the community the group represents, exclude the community group from engagement in the ‘partnership’ consultative decision-making processes, exclude the group from consideration to deliver contracts, and make top-down dictatorial decisions as to the structure and financing of the group?

2. With BME unemployment for the under 25’s at 56%, and a BME population in affected areas up to 19.6%, has the Council carried out an impact assessment for its decision, such as the effect of removing the voice and influence of the BME Network, the long-term effect of acting contrary to the wishes of the members of the BME Network, and the effective exclusion from the £6million Council-controlled Big Lottery funds?

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equality, stated that he would provide written responses to Mr Brighton’s questions. He stated that the Council did not control money relating to grants from the Big Lottery as community groups could apply for such grants. With reference to the Work Programme, Councillor Iqbal stated that he was looking at people who were furthest from the labour market, including groups such as BME communities, carers and people with learning disabilities. It was hoped that the devolution deal would contribute to this outcome as well. As with any grant, there were conditions. If these conditions are not adhered to, problems would need to be rectified and a decision made as to whether funding should continue or be terminated. A further conversation would be needed between him and that organisation.

4.4.7

Public Question Concerning School Places

Kaltun Elmi stated that there was a problem of less school places in Burngreave and families were forced to send their children to schools far away. Single mothers struggled to manage taking young children to different schools and there were some children who were not offered places at all. She asked what was being done to address the issue.

Councillor Jackie Drayton, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, stated that the birth rate in the city which was significantly higher than the national average.  There was pressure on school places in the North East and South West areas of the city.  Unfortunately, families were in the position of having to send their children to schools outside the catchment area.  Consultation was being undertaken on expanding capacity in those areas. 

Regarding children not in school, she explained that there was an independent appeals process through which parents could appeal in respect of school places.  She was aware that some families were still waiting for their case to be heard.

Councillor Jackie Drayton said that every child should have been offered a school place.  She stated that if names and details were provided of children who had not been offered a place, she would follow up these cases to ensure they had been offered a place.

She stressed that every child should be in school, even if it was not the school which the parents initially wanted.

4.4.8

Public Question Concerning Driver Only Trains

Craig Johnston stated that he represented the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) and he asked, in relation to the Council’s involvement with the Rail North project, whether the Council supported Government proposals to introduce driver only trains and to scrap guards on a large proportion of trains as part of the Northern Rail franchise. He asked if the Council would support rail workers and proposed that meetings of Rail North should be held in public.

Richie Veitch stated that in the proposals for the new Northern Rail franchise, there was a the recommendation to remove guards from fifty percent of services as there are occasions when guards allegedly cause delay to services because of revenue collection duties. He asked how many minutes’ delay is caused to rail services because of this.

Councillor Julie Dore, the Leader of the Council, stated that she was a Director of Rail North. Proposals had been submitted to the Department of Transport by political leaders in northern local authorities to give local people greater power to control the quality and price of rail franchises. Although the Government declined this initial proposal, it did propose that they work with the Government on issues such as timetables, fares and infrastructure.

Councillor Dore stated that personally she wished to see more guards on trains and the best possible journeys for passengers. She explained that Rail North was not responsible for contract specification and it was the Department for Transport which would agree the contract for the Northern Rail franchise and decide the contract specification. Rail North was seeking a chairperson and that group was tasked with ensuring that it continued to strive for better quality and that services were managed and maintained.

4.4.9

Public Question Concerning Green Jobs and Climate Change

Susannah Diamond asked if it was possible for the Council to make use of existing Council reserves to provide low interest loans to Sheffield householders to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty and the associated health issues, and provide individuals with more money in their pockets to contribute to a viable local economy.

Councillor Ben Curran, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, stated that the use of Council reserves was probably not possible. The Audit Commission had recommended that between 3-4 percent represented a prudent reserve. The City Council held 2.4 percent back in reserve, which was lower than in other core cities and he referred to the financial context of Government funding cuts.  There was some merit in the proposal, but the use of the Council reserves was in place to respond to emergency circumstances and not the right way to achieve the improvements relating to energy efficiency. Sheffield Money offered low interest loans to individuals.

4.4.10

Public Questions Concerning Post Trauma Stress Disorders

Rev Dr Leonora Charles Loughred stated that people who were refugees or those seeking asylum had often been the subjects of horrendous experiences and were vulnerable to post trauma stress disorders. Research was needed into this condition and consideration given to the treatment of people that experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. She asked what the Council was doing about this issue.

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living, responded that this was a serious problem, particularly in relation to people who were refugees or asylum seekers. Abuse or other traumatic experience could result in psychosis or post trauma stress disorder. There was research in this regard. Health and social care services could provide treatment and support, including in some cases, an individual budget to support them. The Health and Wellbeing Board had a work stream relating to emotional resilience and wellbeing which was looking at services and support in this area. Councillor Lea said that she would make sure that the issues relating to post trauma stress disorder in refugees and asylum seekers was raised with the relevant bodies.

Councillor Jackie Drayton, the Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, stated that people who were refugees or asylum seekers would be supported by the Gateway project in respect of housing, health, education and language support. It was also recognised that ongoing support was required for people, including for children as there was evidence that children who had experienced trauma could be affected in their adulthood. There had been a school pilot in relating to low level mental health support, early intervention and prevention, which was also being undertaken in other schools. 

4.4.11

Public Questions Concerning Mount Pleasant Development on Sharrow Lane

Jonny Douglas asked a number of questions concerning the Mount Pleasant development on Sharrow Lane and in particular relation to the declared status of the exclusivity contract, which had been cited as preventing talks or receipt of information; a moratorium on proceeding until the matter was investigated properly and all interested parties given a fair hearing and the chance to have proposals properly considered.

Nigel Slack also asked questions concerning the Mount Pleasant House development and what he referred to as an apparent contradiction between information given at Cabinet on 22^nd July 2015 and a subsequent email of 24 September.

Councillor Ben Curran, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, stated that the matter and procedure adopted was to be examined by the Council’s Internal Audit team, who were independent to those already involved and he would not predetermine the outcome of the audit but gave an assurance that the matter would be followed up. He said that the three week period of reprieve could be extended beyond the meeting date of 3^rd November. It was important he said that people went ahead with the application for an asset of community value.

Councillor Jayne Dunn, the Cabinet Member for Housing stated in relation to Mr Slack’s question that the use of the word ‘terms’ at Cabinet on 22 July had referred to heads of terms or a non-binding agreement. Contracts relating to land and property would have to be made in writing.

4.4.12

Public Question Concerning an Integrated Transport System

Jennifer Carpenter stated that, in view of the announcement of devolved powers to the Combined Sheffield City Region Authority, will the City Council press for an integrated transport system that is reliable, minimally polluting and offers an attractive alternative to car transport.

Councillor Terry Fox, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport stated that this would be the case and the Council would work with many partners to deliver those things.

4.4.13

Public Question Concerning Recording of Meetings

Nigel Slack stated that at the Cabinet meeting on the 16^th September he was accused by a Council Officer of supplying “...misinformation...” to another member of the public putting a question that day. He said this was done in a forum where neither he nor the questioner was able to challenge the accusation. He referred to an e-mail from a Cabinet Member supporting the accusation. He asked whether, as a result of this and with reference to a Council Officer saying one thing in public and something contradictory in private, did the Council think it appropriate for members of the public to record meetings wherever possible.

Councillor Julie Dore responded that she did not recollect the conversation referred to by Mr Slack at the 16 September meeting of the Cabinet and had also looked at the minutes of that meeting. With regard to the recording of meetings, people were permitted to record at Council meetings such as Cabinet, Council and scrutiny meetings. If there was a move away from people recording at the discretion of the chair account would need to be taken of the nature of business and the audience and including when others did not wish for their contribution to be recorded, so a balanced approach was required.

4.4.14

Public Question Concerning Devolution

Nigel Slack stated that, following the signing of initial agreement to the Chancellor's so called 'devolution' deal for the City Region:

“

1.    Could the Council confirm whether there will be a full debate in this chamber in respect of the deal?

2.    Will Councillors get a free vote on the issue or will the whip be employed?

3.    Will the Council's decision be binding on the Leader when at the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority meetings?

4.    Did the Leader feel as uncomfortable as she looked when sat next to grinning Gideon?”

Councillor Julie Dore stated that in view of the magnitude of the decision relating to devolution, collective responsibility would need to be taken by Members and such a decision would not be subject of a free vote. The proposals document stated that any decision was subject to Council approval.

Councillor Dore stated that she did feel somewhat uncomfortable on that occasion, but that it was her job to get the best deal for the people of Sheffield and it did not actually matter if she was uncomfortable.

4.5.1

Petition

Petition Requesting Speed Reduction Measures on Loxley Road

The Council received an electronic petition containing 13 signatures requesting speed reduction measures on Loxley Road.

The petition was referred to Councillor Terry Fox, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.