Agenda item

Notice of Motion given by Councillor Adam Hanrahan

That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes that Sheffield is world famous for its pubs and real ale, and last year was named by the New York Times as the beer capital of Britain;

 

(b)       acknowledges the recent report by Sheffield University and Sheffield City Region “A snapshot of the beer industry in the Sheffield City Region” reaffirmed that Sheffield is the real ale capital of the world - and can also stake a claim to being the birthplace of the UK craft beer revolution;

 

(c)        finds it troubling that despite Sheffield’s claims to excellence in the brewing industry, many of our city’s community pubs are under threat from closure and notes that an alarming 68 pubs in Sheffield have closed since 2011, with many turning into convenience stores under permitted development rights;

 

(d)       notes the recent decision by Wandsworth Council in south London which has told the owners of 120 select bars and pubs that they have to seek councillors’ approval before changing the building’s use or knocking it down;

 

(e)       calls on this Authority to explore adopting a similar policy and protect a number of our city’s pubs from development due to their historic or architectural value or because they make a positive contribution to their community; and

 

(f)        also calls on this Authority to take into account Asset of Community Value status as a material consideration when applications for change of use are made in respect of pubs with such status.

Minutes:

7.1

It was moved by Councillor Adam Hanrahan, seconded by Councillor Ian Auckland, that this Council:-

 

 

 

(a)       notes that Sheffield is world famous for its pubs and real ale, and last year was named by the New York Times as the beer capital of Britain;

 

(b)       acknowledges the recent report by Sheffield University and Sheffield City Region “A snapshot of the beer industry in the Sheffield City Region” reaffirmed that Sheffield is the real ale capital of the world - and can also stake a claim to being the birthplace of the UK craft beer revolution;

 

(c)        finds it troubling that despite Sheffield’s claims to excellence in the brewing industry, many of our city’s community pubs are under threat from closure and notes that an alarming 68 pubs in Sheffield have closed since 2011, with many turning into convenience stores under permitted development rights;

 

(d)       notes the recent decision by Wandsworth Council in south London which has told the owners of 120 select bars and pubs that they have to seek councillors’ approval before changing the building’s use or knocking it down;

 

(e)       calls on this Authority to explore adopting a similar policy and protect a number of our city’s pubs from development due to their historic or architectural value or because they make a positive contribution to their community; and

 

(f)        also calls on this Authority to take into account Asset of Community Value status as a material consideration when applications for change of use are made in respect of pubs with such status.

 

 

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Jack Scott, seconded by Councillor Craig Gamble-Pugh, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

 

 

 

1.        the deletion of paragraph (e) and the addition of a new paragraph (e) as follows:-

 

(e)          notes that Sheffield is considering the merits of a policy which will emulate the example of local authorities such as Wandsworth;

 

2.        the replacement, in paragraph (f), of the words “also calls on this Authority to take”, by the words “notes that the present Administration takes”, and the addition of the following words at the end of that paragraph “and already ensures that where Assets of Community Value meet the criteria for non Designated Heritage Assets, that this non Designated Heritage Asset status is also deemed a material consideration for planning.”

 

3.        the addition of new paragraphs (g) to (j) as follows:-

 

(g)          regrets that the local decline in pubs reflects a national trend of pub closures under the previous coalition government who were widely criticised for failing to act to provide any significant support and protection for the industry;

 

(h)         strongly agrees with comments made by James Watson and Gareth Epps, Campaign for Real Ale, about the record of the previous coalition government: “This government claims to be ‘the most pro?pub administration in history, yet weekly pub closures on their watch have increased from 18 per week, to 26 per week, then up to 28 per week and now stand at a depressing 31 net closures per week. Can we blame the Coalition for the demise of the Great British Pub? Not directly, but after four years in power, with the plight of pubs regularly highlighted to them by CAMRA and other vocal bodies such as the Fair Deal for your Local Coalition, and Pub is the Hub, they have failed to make even the simplest changes to the planning system which would give pubs the much needed protection against damaging changes to their land and buildings. Moreover, the Coalition has further weakened the planning system, perpetuating the destruction of pubs through the euphemism known as ‘permitted development’”;

 

(i)           welcomes that 10 facilities in recent years (including many inns / pubs) have been listed as Assets of Community Value, thus endowing them with associated status and significance; and

 

(j)           further welcomes and applauds the efforts of local people who campaign to protect local facilities and buildings as Assets of Community Value, working with local councillors and the Administration to achieve these aims.

 

 

7.3

Following a right of reply from Councillor Adam Hanrahan, the amendment was put to the vote and carried.

 

 

7.3.1

(NOTE: Councillors Magid Magid, Douglas Johnson, Robert Murphy and Alison Teal voted for paragraphs (i) and (j) of part 3 of the amendment, and abstained on parts 1, 2 and paragraphs (g) and (h) of part 3 of the amendment and asked for this to be recorded.)

 

 

7.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

 

(a)       notes that Sheffield is world famous for its pubs and real ale, and last year was named by the New York Times as the beer capital of Britain;

 

(b)       acknowledges the recent report by Sheffield University and Sheffield City Region “A snapshot of the beer industry in the Sheffield City Region” reaffirmed that Sheffield is the real ale capital of the world - and can also stake a claim to being the birthplace of the UK craft beer revolution;

 

(c)       finds it troubling that despite Sheffield’s claims to excellence in the brewing industry, many of our city’s community pubs are under threat from closure and notes that an alarming 68 pubs in Sheffield have closed since 2011, with many turning into convenience stores under permitted development rights;

 

(d)       notes the recent decision by Wandsworth Council in south London which has told the owners of 120 select bars and pubs that they have to seek councillors’ approval before changing the building’s use or knocking it down;

 

(e)       notes that Sheffield is considering the merits of a policy which will emulate the example of local authorities such as Wandsworth;

 

(f)        notes that the present Administration takes into account Asset of Community Value status as a material consideration when applications for change of use are made in respect of pubs with such status and already ensures that where Assets of Community Value meet the criteria for non Designated Heritage Assets, that this non Designated Heritage Asset status is also deemed a material consideration for planning;

 

(g)       regrets that the local decline in pubs reflects a national trend of pub closures under the previous coalition government who were widely criticised for failing to act to provide any significant support and protection for the industry

 

(h)       strongly agrees with comments made by James Watson and Gareth Epps, Campaign for Real Ale, about the record of the previous coalition government: “This government claims to be ‘the most pro?pub administration in history, yet weekly pub closures on their watch have increased from 18 per week, to 26 per week, then up to 28 per week and now stand at a depressing 31 net closures per week. Can we blame the Coalition for the demise of the Great British Pub? Not directly, but after four years in power, with the plight of pubs regularly highlighted to them by CAMRA and other vocal bodies such as the Fair Deal for your Local Coalition, and Pub is the Hub, they have failed to make even the simplest changes to the planning system which would give pubs the much needed protection against damaging changes to their land and buildings. Moreover, the Coalition has further weakened the planning system, perpetuating the destruction of pubs through the euphemism known as ‘permitted development’”;

 

(i)        welcomes that 10 facilities in recent years (including many inns / pubs) have been listed as Assets of Community Value, thus endowing them with associated status and significance; and

 

(j)         further welcomes and applauds the efforts of local people who campaign to protect local facilities and buildings as Assets of Community Value, working with local councillors and the Administration to achieve these aims.

 

 

 

7.4.1

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