Agenda item

7.1

It was moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, and seconded by Councillor Barbara Masters, that this Council:-

(a)      notes the dire financial position this Council is in with a projected £18 million overspend already in this financial year and a serious risk of reserves being depleted within this financial year and the real threat of commissioners being appointed by the Government to take over the running of this Council;

(b)      notes the impact this could have on the people of Sheffield during the cost of living crisis, in particular the poorest in society, who are the least equipped to deal with the rising costs of food and energy;

(c)      furthermore notes that successful businesses not only bring jobs and prosperity to the City, reducing poverty across our city, but also helps the Council by bringing more business rates income;

(d)      notes that many businesses, large and small, also support local community projects and play an important role in improving our environment;

(e)      believes that Sheffield as a city has much to offer businesses both big and small with its great location, wonderful and diverse people, proud manufacturing heritage, social history, landscape and built environment;

(f)       believes that business relies on good digital and transport infrastructure and that transport policy should focus on improving access for people to and from all parts of the city, improving transport links with neighbouring areas and enabling the efficient delivery of goods, with any road closures in the City Centre being subject to careful consideration;

(g)      recognises that a strong cultural offer in the city helps to attract high skill and high value inward investment; and

(h)      therefore believes that this Council should be doing everything it can to build its business base, including but not limited to:-

(i)       working collaboratively with businesses and other organisations that want to invest in our city;

(ii)       exploring ways of using our heritage to support businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector which has been badly affected by the pandemic and recent rises in business costs, as we rebuild our economy;

(iii)      working to revitalise both our city centre and the other district centres across the Council area to make them attractive places to do business;

(iv)      ensuring that all Councillors act as ambassadors for Sheffield and build relationships with businesses big and small to help build and sustain our local economy; and

(v)      ensuring that Council policies and initiatives do not actively deter organisations coming to Sheffield or harm the prospects of those that are already here.

7.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Minesh Parekh, and seconded by Councillor Fran Belbin, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (i) to (m) as follows:-

(i)       believes that we must do everything we can to keep as much money as possible in the local economy, and notes that in the 12 months before the pandemic £80 million more was kept in the local economy, in comparison than with the previous financial year, due to council procurement policies which ensure priority for local contracts and suppliers;

(j)       believes that we need to go further in empowering our local economy and deliver radical and lasting polices around ‘community wealth building’ (a people-centred approach to local economic development, which redirects wealth back into the local economy, and places control and benefits into the hands of local people);

(k)      supports, therefore, the development of a ‘Community Wealth Building Charter’ encompassing a commitment to long-term collaboration between the city’s anchor institutions; supporting shared ‘community wealth building’ goals to commit to fair employment, opportunities for development, growing the local economy, and supporting small businesses, the voluntary sector, and co-operatives;

(l)       believes we must work collaboratively to deliver climate action and provide clean growth for the entire region, and to encourage citywide job security, better employment opportunities and drive up wages; as such we want to see all employers paying at least the Real Living Wage and spending more with local and regional suppliers, and we believe in empowering employees to be informed and involved in decision making within their organisations; and

(m)     recommends that the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee reports back to Council within 6 months to deliver a Community Wealth Building Charter with a clearly defined set of shared objectives to deliver locally for Sheffield, as well as providing an enhanced Ethical Procurement Strategy that delivers on our commitment to social, economic, and climate justice.

7.3

It was then moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and seconded by Councillor Peter Garbutt, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1.       the deletion, at the end of paragraph (a), of the words “and the real threat of commissioners being appointed by the Government to take over the running of this Council”;

2.       the deletion of paragraphs (c) and (h) and the re-lettering of paragraphs (d) to (g) as new paragraphs (c) to (f); and

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

(g)      believes that successful, sustainable and ethical businesses, which pay their taxes in the UK, treat their workers fairly and minimise their environmental impact, bring jobs and prosperity, reducing poverty across our city;

(h)      believes that locally owned and managed businesses, using local supply chains, retain more money in the local economy and should be especially encouraged over businesses that take their profits out of the local economy, support distant shareholders and have no real stake in the City of Sheffield;

(i)       recognises the great success of the Workplace Parking Levy introduced in Nottingham, which has invested millions of pounds each year into public transport, walking and cycling, and grants to businesses;

(j)       therefore asks the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee to look at adopting the benefits of a similar approach in Sheffield;

(k)      gives thanks to the Sheffield Sustainability Network and all those businesses in Sheffield which are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint and other negative impacts on society; and

(l)       gives thanks to Business Sheffield for the excellent support it gives to Sheffield’s local businesses with business support, administering of grants and delivering the new carbon assessment programme, all free of charge.

7.4

After contributions from five other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, the amendment moved by Councillor Minesh Parekh was put to the vote and was carried unanimously.

7.5

The amendment moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson was then put to the vote and was carried in part.  Parts 1 & 2 and paragraphs (i) & (j) of Part 3 of the amendment were lost and paragraphs (g), (h), (k) & (l) of Part 3 of the amendment were carried.

7.5.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 46 Members; AGAINST - 29 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  The Labour Group members voted for, but abstained on Part 1 of the amendment, voted against Part 2 and against paragraphs (i) & (j) of Part 3 of the amendment.)

7.6

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

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      notes the dire financial position this Council is in with a projected £18 million overspend already in this financial year and a serious risk of reserves being depleted within this financial year and the real threat of commissioners being appointed by the Government to take over the running of this Council;

(b)      notes the impact this could have on the people of Sheffield during the cost of living crisis, in particular the poorest in society, who are the least equipped to deal with the rising costs of food and energy;

(c)      furthermore notes that successful businesses not only bring jobs and prosperity to the City, reducing poverty across our city, but also helps the Council by bringing more business rates income;

(d)      notes that many businesses, large and small, also support local community projects and play an important role in improving our environment;

(e)      believes that Sheffield as a city has much to offer businesses both big and small with its great location, wonderful and diverse people, proud manufacturing heritage, social history, landscape and built environment;

(f)       believes that business relies on good digital and transport infrastructure and that transport policy should focus on improving access for people to and from all parts of the city, improving transport links with neighbouring areas and enabling the efficient delivery of goods, with any road closures in the City Centre being subject to careful consideration;

(g)      recognises that a strong cultural offer in the city helps to attract high skill and high value inward investment;

(h)      therefore believes that this Council should be doing everything it can to build its business base, including but not limited to:-

(i)       working collaboratively with businesses and other organisations that want to invest in our city;

(ii)       exploring ways of using our heritage to support businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector which has been badly affected by the pandemic and recent rises in business costs, as we rebuild our economy;

(iii)      working to revitalise both our city centre and the other district centres across the Council area to make them attractive places to do business;

(iv)      ensuring that all Councillors act as ambassadors for Sheffield and build relationships with businesses big and small to help build and sustain our local economy; and

(v)      ensuring that Council policies and initiatives do not actively deter organisations coming to Sheffield or harm the prospects of those that are already here;

(i)       believes that we must do everything we can to keep as much money as possible in the local economy, and notes that in the 12 months before the pandemic £80 million more was kept in the local economy, in comparison than with the previous financial year, due to council procurement policies which ensure priority for local contracts and suppliers;

(j)       believes that we need to go further in empowering our local economy and deliver radical and lasting polices around ‘community wealth building’ (a people-centred approach to local economic development, which redirects wealth back into the local economy, and places control and benefits into the hands of local people);

(k)      supports, therefore, the development of a ‘Community Wealth Building Charter’ encompassing a commitment to long-term collaboration between the city’s anchor institutions; supporting shared ‘community wealth building’ goals to commit to fair employment, opportunities for development, growing the local economy, and supporting small businesses, the voluntary sector, and co-operatives;

(l)       believes we must work collaboratively to deliver climate action and provide clean growth for the entire region, and to encourage citywide job security, better employment opportunities and drive up wages; as such we want to see all employers paying at least the Real Living Wage and spending more with local and regional suppliers, and we believe in empowering employees to be informed and involved in decision making within their organisations;

(m)     recommends that the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee reports back to Council within 6 months to deliver a Community Wealth Building Charter with a clearly defined set of shared objectives to deliver locally for Sheffield, as well as providing an enhanced Ethical Procurement Strategy that delivers on our commitment to social, economic, and climate justice;

(n)      believes that successful, sustainable and ethical businesses, which pay their taxes in the UK, treat their workers fairly and minimise their environmental impact, bring jobs and prosperity, reducing poverty across our city;

(o)      believes that locally owned and managed businesses, using local supply chains, retain more money in the local economy and should be especially encouraged over businesses that take their profits out of the local economy, support distant shareholders and have no real stake in the City of Sheffield;

(p)      gives thanks to the Sheffield Sustainability Network and all those businesses in Sheffield which are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint and other negative impacts on society; and

(q)      gives thanks to Business Sheffield for the excellent support it gives to Sheffield’s local businesses with business support, administering of grants and delivering the new carbon assessment programme, all free of charge.

7.6.1

On being put to the vote, the Substantive Motion was carried, except for paragraph (a) which was lost.

7.6.2

(NOTE: The result of the vote was FOR - 73 Members; AGAINST - 0 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.  The Labour Group members voted for, but against paragraph (a) of the Substantive Motion.  The Green Group members voted for, but against paragraphs (a), (c) & (h) of the Substantive Motion.)

7.7

Accordingly, the resolution passed by the Council was as follows:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      notes the impact this could have on the people of Sheffield during the cost of living crisis, in particular the poorest in society, who are the least equipped to deal with the rising costs of food and energy;

(b)      furthermore notes that successful businesses not only bring jobs and prosperity to the City, reducing poverty across our city, but also helps the Council by bringing more business rates income;

(c)      notes that many businesses, large and small, also support local community projects and play an important role in improving our environment;

(d)      believes that Sheffield as a city has much to offer businesses both big and small with its great location, wonderful and diverse people, proud manufacturing heritage, social history, landscape and built environment;

(e)      believes that business relies on good digital and transport infrastructure and that transport policy should focus on improving access for people to and from all parts of the city, improving transport links with neighbouring areas and enabling the efficient delivery of goods, with any road closures in the City Centre being subject to careful consideration;

(f)       recognises that a strong cultural offer in the city helps to attract high skill and high value inward investment;

(g)      therefore believes that this Council should be doing everything it can to build its business base, including but not limited to:-

(i)       working collaboratively with businesses and other organisations that want to invest in our city;

(ii)       exploring ways of using our heritage to support businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector which has been badly affected by the pandemic and recent rises in business costs, as we rebuild our economy;

(iii)      working to revitalise both our city centre and the other district centres across the Council area to make them attractive places to do business;

(iv)      ensuring that all Councillors act as ambassadors for Sheffield and build relationships with businesses big and small to help build and sustain our local economy; and

(v)      ensuring that Council policies and initiatives do not actively deter organisations coming to Sheffield or harm the prospects of those that are already here;

(h)      believes that we must do everything we can to keep as much money as possible in the local economy, and notes that in the 12 months before the pandemic £80 million more was kept in the local economy, in comparison than with the previous financial year, due to council procurement policies which ensure priority for local contracts and suppliers;

(i)       believes that we need to go further in empowering our local economy and deliver radical and lasting polices around ‘community wealth building’ (a people-centred approach to local economic development, which redirects wealth back into the local economy, and places control and benefits into the hands of local people);

(j)       supports, therefore, the development of a ‘Community Wealth Building Charter’ encompassing a commitment to long-term collaboration between the city’s anchor institutions; supporting shared ‘community wealth building’ goals to commit to fair employment, opportunities for development, growing the local economy, and supporting small businesses, the voluntary sector, and co-operatives;

(k)      believes we must work collaboratively to deliver climate action and provide clean growth for the entire region, and to encourage citywide job security, better employment opportunities and drive up wages; as such we want to see all employers paying at least the Real Living Wage and spending more with local and regional suppliers, and we believe in empowering employees to be informed and involved in decision making within their organisations;

(l)       recommends that the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee reports back to Council within 6 months to deliver a Community Wealth Building Charter with a clearly defined set of shared objectives to deliver locally for Sheffield, as well as providing an enhanced Ethical Procurement Strategy that delivers on our commitment to social, economic, and climate justice;

(m)     believes that successful, sustainable and ethical businesses, which pay their taxes in the UK, treat their workers fairly and minimise their environmental impact, bring jobs and prosperity, reducing poverty across our city;

(n)      believes that locally owned and managed businesses, using local supply chains, retain more money in the local economy and should be especially encouraged over businesses that take their profits out of the local economy, support distant shareholders and have no real stake in the City of Sheffield;

(o)      gives thanks to the Sheffield Sustainability Network and all those businesses in Sheffield which are actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint and other negative impacts on society; and

(p)      gives thanks to Business Sheffield for the excellent support it gives to Sheffield’s local businesses with business support, administering of grants and delivering the new carbon assessment programme, all free of charge.