Agenda item

4.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Gail Smith) reported that five petitions and questions from five members of the public had been received prior to the published deadline for submission of petitions and questions for this meeting.  On four of the petitions, representations were to be made on behalf of the petitioners, and a fifth petition would be received in the absence of a speaker.  A question from another member of the public had been received immediately prior to the start of the meeting and, as chair of the meeting, the Lord Mayor had used her discretion and would permit the question to be asked.

4.2

Petitions

4.2.1

Petition Requesting A Meeting With The Housing Service To Discuss Criminal Damage To Vehicles On Brick Street

The Council received an electronic petition containing 63 signatures requesting a meeting with the Housing Service to discuss criminal damage to vehicles on Brick Street.

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Carole Needham. Ms Needham stated that a number of tyres had been slashed on vehicles parked outside her home on Brick Street. She detailed a number of incidents in which cars were damaged around the area. She said that these incidents had been reported to South Yorkshire Police, and that on one occasion a suspect had been arrested but later released. She stated that residents did not feel able to provide witness statements due to fear of the suspected perpetrator. Ms Needham stated residents were concerned that these crimes could continue and increase in severity. She stated her belief that the perpetrator was a resident of nearby flats and said that the suspect had breached their tenancy agreement in carrying out these crimes. She asked that the Council intervene to prevent these incidents from continuing or worsening.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Alison Teal (Executive Member for Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure). Councillor Teal thanked Ms Needham for bringing this petition and expressed her sympathy. Councillor Teal said she had reviewed Police reports, which suggested that bringing charges against the individual mentioned had been difficult as residents were reluctant to provide statements. Councillor Teal stated she understood residents’ hesitancy to provide such statements. She said that the Police had visited all of those whose vehicles were affected and had stepped up patrols in the area. She added that the Police were looking into setting up a mobile camera in order to obtain further evidence to secure a prosecution. Councillor Teal stated she would discuss these incidents with the Housing Team, and would refer to the tenancy guidance quoted by Ms Needham when doing so.

4.2.2

Petition Requesting The Closure Of The Gennel Between Horndean Road and Idsworth Road Due To Anti-Social Behaviour

The Council received a joint electronic and paper petition containing 57 signatures requesting that the Council close the gennel between Horndean Road and Idsworth Road due to anti-social behaviour.

Representations on behalf of petitioners were made by Salil Mahmood. Mr Mahmood stated that the gennel was originally built for the residents of Horndean Road to use to travel to Page Hall Road. He said that the area was now used by individuals who do not live in the area. Mr Mahmood said that residents did not feel safe going near the location, and they did not feel safe leaving their homes. He asked that the Council close off the alley and turn this into a green space. He stated that the Neighbourhood Association felt this change would allow the space to be used by the community for play and the growing of vegetables. He stated that child sexual abuse was taking place in this location and said that this had been reported to the Police on a number of occasions. Mr Mahmood stated that every house on the road had signed this petition and asked that the Council suggest some ways to resolve these issues for the residents of Horndean Road.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Alison Teal (Executive Member for Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure). Councillor Teal thanked Mr Mahmood for bringing the petition and offered to visit the area in order to learn more about the issues raised. She stated that there were serious safeguarding issues for the Council to look into, and she said that she was committed to visiting the area and learning more about the issues in order to resolve these problems.

4.2.3

Petition Requesting The Council To Make Bold and Meaningful Public Commitments On Behalf Of The City Before COP26 Begins

The Council received an electronic petition containing 10 signatures requesting that the Council make bold and meaningful commitments on behalf of the city ahead of the start of COP26.

Representations on behalf of petitioners were made by Geoff Cox. Mr Cox stated that the Council had already declared Climate and Nature emergencies and referred to the 10-point Action Plan which the Council intended to implement in Autumn. He suggested that the 10-point Plan would only look at decarbonisation. He asked that the City’s commitment include measures to address the Nature emergency, and that a bold and meaningful commitment be made to addressing these issues ahead of COP26.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport). Councillor Johnson thanked Mr Cox for bringing the petition. He said that COP26 was a global event which encouraged central governments to address climate change and related issues. Councillor Johnson said that local government could deliver change; however, he stated that central government had financial and central control over these issues. Councillor Johnson stated that local government needed central government to support changes and asked them to partner up with local governments across the country. He referred to significant changes planned within the Housing Service through retrofitting, and within the Transport Service through the Transforming Cities Programme which aimed to support public transport and reduce carbon emissions. Councillor Johnson stated there was work being done to get millions of pounds of investment from central government in order to invest in new sustainable infrastructure within Sheffield. Councillor Johnson stated that this was the direction the Council was moving in, and said the Council was committed to addressing the climate crisis.

4.2.4

Petition Objecting To The Cuts To Community-Led Learning In Sheffield

The Council received an electronic petition containing 119 signatures requesting that the Council stop cuts to community-led learning in Sheffield.

Representations on behalf of petitioners were made by May Connolly. Ms Connolly stated that many jobs were at risk due to cuts to community-led learning and said that many of those whose jobs were at risk had found out via a letter sent through an internet portal. Ms Connolly said that these employees support individuals who find it most difficult to access support. She added that meeting the quota of 10 people attending the sessions provided was challenging, as many of the individuals supported were unable to leave their homes, attending Social Service appointments which might clash with the community sessions provided or who might have childcare commitments. Ms Connolly said that some individuals might not attend all 6 sessions provided and stated that a ‘payment by attendance’ method was not appropriate. She stated that she felt the group’s relationship with the Council was no longer productive or collaborative. She asked that the Council have a meeting with the group in which two-way communication was prioritised and their working relationship was discussed.

The petition was referred to Councillor Paul Turpin (Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Jobs and Skills). Councillor Turpin thanked Ms Connolly for bringing the petition and apologised for the previous relationship between the Council and the organisations referenced. He said that he would like to start to rebuild and recreate these relationships and stated that he hoped more frequent meetings would take place which he would attend. He said that he could not make financial commitments, but added that through discussions he would see what could be delivered by the Council to support the organisation.

4.2.5

Petition Requesting That Leopold Street and Pinstone Street Be Re-Opened To Traffic

The Council received a petition containing 52 signatures requesting that the Council re-open Leopold Street and Pinstone Street to traffic.

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport). As there was no speaker to this petition, Councillor Johnson stated he would provide a written response.

4.3

Public Questions

4.3.1

Public Question Regarding Increasing the Minimum Requirement of All Planning Applications in Relation to Domestic Heating

Matt Killeya asked the following question -

‘Sheffield City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has committed Sheffield to be a net zero city by 2030. In the Arup report commissioned by the Council and released this year, domestic heating was identified as one of the largest single contributors to emissions in our city.  Yet the Council continues to grant outline planning permission to substantial developments with a minimum requirement of only 10% of energy demands to be met by renewable and low carbon energy. Will the Council commit to significantly increasing this minimum requirement for all planning applications as a matter of urgency, as part of its revised Sheffield Local Plan and core planning guidelines?’

In response, Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport) thanked Mr Killeya for his question. Councillor Johnson stated he agreed with Mr Killeya and said he and his colleagues were often critical of developers who promised only 10% of renewal energy generation on site. Councillor Johnson said that the Council’s policy was at 10% currently and added that altering this would need to go into the Local Plan which was in progress at the moment. He stated that the Local Plan was being drafted and would go out to public consultation. Councillor Johnson encouraged Mr Killeya to contribute to the consultation.

4.3.2

Public Question Regarding Re-Opening Leopold Street and Pinstone Street

Jane Luxon asked the Council to re-open Leopold Street and Pinstone Street to traffic. She stated that she had contacted Councillors regarding the issues she had trying to access the area with her husband, who uses a wheelchair, but said she had received only one response. She said that access to her Bank, the Theatre and The Moor was challenging without a bus route through the area. Ms Luxon asked how many elderly and disabled people were being affected by the pedestrianisation in the area. She added that she felt Sheffield was not disabled-friendly, and asked whether electric buses might allow areas to be de-pedestrianised whilst still having a positive impact on the environment.

In response, Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport) stated that accessibility was an issue in many areas within Sheffield, including those areas which were not pedestrianised. He said that there had previously been a Shop Mobility scheme which supported individuals in accessing the City Centre. Councillor Johnson stated he felt this service should return. He said that the Council were working to improve accessibility through increasing blue badge parking and public seating, alongside assessing cobbled pavements and ensuring segregated cycling areas. Councillor Johnson said he felt the Amey contract was an opportunity to make more positive changes to accessibility within Sheffield; however, he said he felt this opportunity had not been engaged with fully.  Councillor Johnson stated that many people were in support of the pedestrianisation of this area but added that he wanted to improve accessibility also. He encouraged Ms Luxon to share her contact details in order to allow her to feed into future plans to improve accessibility within the city centre.

4.3.3

Public Question Regarding Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English (SAVTE) Referrals

Sylvia Ashton asked the following question -

‘Given that 70% of SAVTE referrals (for English language support) come from SCC front line staff, how does the Council plan to mitigate the negative impact of the recent change to the AEB and maintain support to people in desperate need of these vital services? We appreciate that Members will not be able to give us a full answer to this today and would welcome a chance to explain further the impact of the change on services to the people of Sheffield.’

In response, Councillor Paul Turpin (Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Jobs and Skills) thanked Ms Ashton for her question. He stated that he had spoken to Officers about SAVTE, and said it was his understanding that the language support offer had not changed. Councillor Turpin said he had arranged a meeting with Ms Ashton and her colleagues, within which he hoped to discuss the detail of this alongside the outcome of the tender. He stated that through this meeting, and ongoing meetings, he hoped to improve the relationship between the Council and the organisation whilst ensuring SAVTE were supported.

4.3.4

Public Questions Regarding Road Safety

Kurtis Crossland asked the following questions:-

‘What is the timescale for implementing the Waterthorpe and Westfield 20mph zones?’

‘Does the Council have access to funding to improve road safety near children’s playgrounds?’

In response to question one, Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport) stated that the implementation of both these schemes was included in the Road Safety Fund. He said that the delivery and construction would be determined by the cost of the scheme, the completion of the design work and the availability of materials. He added that there was currently a shortage of materials due to supply chain issues brought about by the pandemic. Councillor Johnson said that as soon as materials were available this work would be carried out.

In response to question two, Councillor Johnson stated that the Council did not have additional funding. He said that the Road Safety budget had been allocated on the basis of prioritising locations based on recurring evidence of road safety issues. Councillor Johnson said that new playgrounds would involve a change of use, and therefore road safety issues would hopefully be taken into consideration when new playgrounds were created. He also advised that any road safety issues be reported to South Yorkshire Police via the 101 service.

4.3.5

Public Questions Regarding Care Home Fees

Nesar Rafiq stated that he had attended the Council meeting with Mr Marshall, a Care Home manager, to ask a question regarding Care Home fees. Mr Rafiq said that for 7 years they had been attempting to get an increase on Care Home fees. He stated that they had not received more than £1 per year, per resident. He added that after 7 years they had brought a petition to Council, in 2018, which had resulted in an agreement with senior Sheffield City Council employees that cases such as these would be considered and increases awarded as a percentage. Mr Rafiq said that 18 months ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, they were happy with Sheffield City Council’s relationship with Care Homes; however, he stated this was no longer the case. He said there was a risk that residents would not have a place any longer due to the limited increase in investment for Care Home residents. He asked for an increase of £15 per week, per resident, without which he said they may have to close facilities.

In response, Councillor George Lindars-Hammond (Executive Member for Health and Social Care) thanked Mr Rafiq for his question and for his work for Care Homes. He stated that for the home in question, they were on non-standard fees which meant that the facility was not included in the annual raise process. He asked that a conversation take place between Mr Rafiq and the Council. Councillor Lindars-Hammond added that he felt there needed to be a movement away from individual negotiations and towards wider system changes. He stated that he would look at a long-term solution and communicate this to Mr Rafiq within the next 10 days, in order to provide certainty to both Care Home staff and Care Home residents.

4.3.6

(NOTE: Questions which had been submitted by Danny Allsebrook, but which were not asked at the meeting, would receive written responses from the relevant Executive Member/s).