Agenda item

HS2 Station Location

12.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Peter Rippon, and formally seconded by Councillor Leigh Bramall, that this Council:-

(a)      believes that improved high speed rail connectivity is vital to rebalancing the UK economy and securing economic growth in the North;

(b)      notes that HS2 Ltd has decided to opt for a HS2 city centre station location and believes that - if confirmed by Government - this represents significant and welcome news for Sheffield and the City Region;

(c)      notes the huge economic benefits a city centre station will bring to Sheffield and the City Region, including creating 6,000 more jobs and 1,000 more new homes than an out of town location at Meadowhall, and believes this is more important than ever at a time of significant economic uncertainty following the EU referendum result;

(d)      understands that having a high speed rail line running into the centre of Sheffield will make a significant contribution to the regeneration and transformation of the city centre;

(e)      notes the work the current Administration has constantly undertaken to make the case and fight for a city centre station location;

(f)       also notes the contributions made by private sector stakeholders and the Star newspaper in pushing for a city centre station location;

g)       in contrast, recalls that the Government’s proposal for the Meadowhall location was formulated under the Coalition Government, with the previous Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Sheffield Hallam launching proposals for the HS2 station at Meadowhall;

(h)      further recalls comments by the previous Deputy Prime Minister about the Meadowhall location: "If you look at those balance of effects of one location versus another, most fair-minded people would conclude, as the Department for Transport has, that this is a better location."; and

(i)       believes the Administration's actions on HS2, alongside work to secure HSBC in the city centre, the launching of the work to create Europe's first Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and the Olympic Legacy Park, the launch of the city’s branding as The Outdoor City and recent work to secure major investment in the city from Chengdu, all demonstrate this Administration's determination to create jobs and be ambitious for the city, and calls on the opposition parties to support these initiatives, alongside work to support small business and improve our skills base, and stop talking the city down to score political points.

12.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Ian Auckland, and formally seconded by Councillor Roger Davison, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.      the deletion of paragraphs (e) to (g) and the addition of new paragraphs (e) and (f) as follows:-

(e)      recognises the work done by the MP for Sheffield Hallam in supporting a city centre site, including lobbying the Secretary of State for Transport;

(f)       notes that the Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge argues for the location of the HS2 train station to be at Meadowhall, and acknowledges that it is part of democracy that people have a range of opinions and the freedom to express these different views;

2.      the relettering of original paragraph (h) as a new paragraph (g); and

3.      the deletion of original paragraph (i) and the addition of a new paragraph (h) as follows:-

(h)      believes the hard work of many on HS2, alongside work to secure HSBC in the city centre, the launching of the work to create Europe's first Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and the Olympic Legacy Park, the launch of the city’s branding as The Outdoor City and recent work to secure major investment in the city from Chengdu, demonstrates that this city, even with the economic challenges created with leaving the EU, is outward looking, and that local businesses and entrepreneurs are ready to do business with Europe and the World.

12.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was negatived.

12.4

The original Motion was then put to the vote and carried as follows:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      believes that improved high speed rail connectivity is vital to rebalancing the UK economy and securing economic growth in the North;

(b)      notes that HS2 Ltd has decided to opt for a HS2 city centre station location and believes that - if confirmed by Government - this represents significant and welcome news for Sheffield and the City Region;

(c)      notes the huge economic benefits a city centre station will bring to Sheffield and the City Region, including creating 6,000 more jobs and 1,000 more new homes than an out of town location at Meadowhall, and believes this is more important than ever at a time of significant economic uncertainty following the EU referendum result;

(d)      understands that having a high speed rail line running into the centre of Sheffield will make a significant contribution to the regeneration and transformation of the city centre;

(e)      notes the work the current Administration has constantly undertaken to make the case and fight for a city centre station location;

(f)       also notes the contributions made by private sector stakeholders and the Star newspaper in pushing for a city centre station location;

(g)      in contrast, recalls that the Government’s proposal for the Meadowhall location was formulated under the Coalition Government, with the previous Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Sheffield Hallam launching proposals for the HS2 station at Meadowhall;

(h)      further recalls comments by the previous Deputy Prime Minister about the Meadowhall location: "If you look at those balance of effects of one location versus another, most fair-minded people would conclude, as the Department for Transport has, that this is a better location."; and

(i)       believes the Administration's actions on HS2, alongside work to secure HSBC in the city centre, the launching of the work to create Europe's first Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District and the Olympic Legacy Park, the launch of the city’s branding as The Outdoor City and recent work to secure major investment in the city from Chengdu, all demonstrate this Administration's determination to create jobs and be ambitious for the city, and calls on the opposition parties to support these initiatives, alongside work to support small business and improve our skills base, and stop talking the city down to score political points.

12.5

(NOTE: Councillors Andy Nash, Bob Pullin, Richard Shaw, Adam Hanrahan, Joe Otten, Colin Ross, Martin Smith, Roger Davison, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, David Baker, Penny Baker and Vickie Priestley voted for paragraphs (a) to (d) and (f), abstained from voting on paragraph (e) and voted against paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of the motion and asked for this to be recorded.)