Agenda item

Public Questions and Petitions and Other Communications

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, or communications submitted by the Lord Mayor or the Chief Executive and to pass such resolutions thereon as the Council Procedure Rules permit and as may be deemed expedient.

 

 

(NOTE: There is a time limit of one hour for the above item of business.  In accordance with the arrangements published on the Council’s website in relation to meetings of the Council held whilst social distancing and other public health safety measures still apply, questions/petitions are required to be submitted in writing, to committee@sheffield.gov.uk, by 9.00 a.m. on Monday 29th November.)

 

 

Minutes:

4.1

The Chair (Councillor Colin Ross) reported that two petitions and questions from four members of the public had been received prior to the published deadline for submission of petitions and questions for this meeting.  Representations were to be made on behalf of the petitioners on one of the petitions and the other petition would be received in the absence of a speaker.  It appeared that two of the four questioners were not present at the meeting.  He added that in the absence of all the Executive Members of the Council at the meeting, arrangements would be made for written responses to the petitions and questions to be provided after the meeting.  Those responses would be published on the Council’s website.

 

 

4.2

Petitions

 

 

4.2.1

Petition Requesting a Traffic Island Barrier and Traffic Calming Opposite the Meditation Centre on Ecclesall Road

 

 

 

The Council received an electronic petition containing nine signatures requesting a traffic island barrier and traffic calming opposite the Meditation Centre on Ecclesall Road.

 

 

 

Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Christopher Beck. Mr Beck stated he was presenting the petition on behalf of a young girl who was killed in a car accident in front of the Meditation Centre. He said that this tragedy was avoidable, and said that this petition was in the form of a resolution:

 

-       Add to the metal railing of Ecclesall Road crossing to feed people onto the final eastern part of marked crossings to shops on two outward leads, leading southwest to Hunters Bar

-       Employ traffic calming measures to rein in drivers competing for first place as they move from two lanes to one on the approach to the bus stop area, or if the bus stop is removed devise appropriate traffic calming measure to create a sense of caution and awareness of the crossing.

 

Mr Beck said that Paul Blomfield, MP, had introduced him to the relevant Committee member and various area councillors. Mr Beck listed some key decision makers within the Council, as follows:-

 

Councillor Paul Wood (contacted by Paul Blomfield, MP)

Councillor Julie Grocutt

Councillor Mazher Iqbal

Councillor Douglas Johnson

Councillor Barbara Masters

Councillor Roger Davison

 

Mr Beck stated that Councillor Masters had provided helpful advice. He said that Councillor Davison was the only Member to contact him and visit the location of the accident. Mr Beck stated that he spoke for all concerned citizens of Sheffield, particularly those who had young children. He said that he had seen the accident and reiterated that this was an avoidable tragedy.

 

Mr Beck stated that during Councillor Davison’s visit, Councillor Davison had walked the crossing, taken photographs and viewed the issues in person. Mr Beck said that the absence of adequate road safety measures facilitated reckless behaviour by pedestrians and motorists but stated that opening a second lane might not reduce the competitive instincts of some motorists. He instead suggested signage, camera installation or similar traffic calming measures. Mr Beck said that those who have attended the area, such as Councillor Davison, would be best placed to observe the issues described. He asked that the money needed to bring in these measures be found within the Emergency Budget.

 

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport).  The Chair confirmed that arrangements would be made for a written response to be provided to Mr. Beck and published on the Council’s website.

 

 

4.2.2

Petition Requesting the Council to Open New, Free Public Toilets Around the City Centre

 

 

 

The Council received an electronic petition containing 17 signatures requesting the Council to open new, free public toilets around the city centre.  There was no speaker for this petition.

 

 

 

The Council referred the petition to Councillor Alison Teal (Executive Member for Sustainable Neighbourhoods, Wellbeing, Parks and Leisure).  The Chair confirmed that arrangements would be made for a written response to be provided to the organiser of the petition and published on the Council’s website.

 

 

4.3

Public Questions

 

 

4.3.1

Public Question Regarding Homelessness and Empty Buildings

 

 

 

Paige Shepherd asked the following question of the Council: ‘When we have dozens of empty buildings in our city that have sat that way for years, why do we have so many homeless Sheffielders?’

 

 

 

The Chair stated that arrangements would be made for Councillor Paul Wood (Executive Member for Housing, Roads and Waste Management) to provide a written response to Ms. Shepherd and for that response to be published on the Council’s website.

 

 

4.3.2

Public Question Regarding the Installation in the Town Hall of a Plaque Commemorating the Sheffield City Battalion

 

 

 

Patricia Davey asked the following question of the Council:-

 

‘My Lord Mayor I understand that on the 11th November of this year a plaque was unveiled in our Council Chamber to mark the very historic occasion of the first members of this City receiving the King’s Shilling thus leading to the formation of our own brave and famous Sheffield City Battalion. My Lord Mayor I would respectfully ask if you are able to give us information as to what led up to this Plaque being installed in the Council Chamber and also some information regarding why the Sheffield City Battalion was formed and their history.’

 

 

 

The Chair stated that arrangements would be made for a written response to be provided to Ms. Davey, jointly from the Lord Mayor (Councillor Gail Smith) and the Leader of the Council (Councillor Terry Fox), and for that response to be published on the Council’s website.

 

 

4.3.3

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

 

 

 

 

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