Agenda item

5.1

Kate Sheldon, Member Support and Civic Manager

5.1.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards) reported with sadness that Kate Sheldon, Member Support and Civic Manager, had died on 29^th August 2022.

5.1.2

Members of the Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of Kate, after which the Lord Mayor and former Lord Mayors, Councillors Gail Smith, Peter Price, Vickie Priestley and Denise Fox, spoke to pay tribute to Kate.

5.2

Petitions and Public Questions

5.2.1

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards) reported that, in view of this meeting being held during the period of national mourning following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, she had used her discretion, as Chair of the meeting, and had not invited petitioners to present their petitions or questioners to ask their questions at the meeting, nor would she invite the relevant Policy Committee Chairs to respond to the petitions and public questions at the meeting.  Instead, questioners will be supplied with written answers and the questions and answers will be published on the Council’s website on the webpage for this meeting.

5.2.2

The Lord Mayor stated that one ordinary petition (received from Lily Grayson) and questions from two members of the public (Geoffrey Cox and Rob Udale) had been received prior to the published deadline for submission of petitions and questions for this meeting.  A question from another member of the public (James Martin) had been received early this morning and she proposed to use her discretion, as chair of the meeting, and permit the question to be processed with the other questions received.  In addition, the agenda published for this meeting contained an item to debate a petition relating to the Graves Park Rose Garden Café building.

5.3

Petitions

5.3.1

Petition Requesting A Pedestrian Crossing on Cross Hill, Ecclesfield

The Council received an electronic petition containing seven signatures, requesting a pedestrian crossing on Cross Hill, Ecclesfield.  The Council referred the petition to the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee.

5.3.2

Petition Requiring Debate Regarding The Graves Park Rose Garden Café Building

The joint electronic and paper petition containing over 8,700 signatures asking the Council to repair, not demolish, Rose Garden Café, Graves Park, which was to have been debated under item 4(b) on the agenda, will now be debated at the next meeting of the Council on 2^nd November.  The lead petitioner, Liz Hnat, had agreed to this deferral subject to receiving assurances that no decisions about the café would be made prior to that date.  This assurance had been provided to her by the Assistant Director of Legal and Governance.

5.4

Public Questions

5.4.1

Public Question Regarding The Council’s Plans To Reduce Its Carbon Emissions

Geoffrey Cox asked the following question:-

“SCC Officers have confirmed that approximately one third of the entire carbon budget available to Sheffield for the period from our Climate Emergency declaration to achieving net zero has now been spent.  Will the leadership of the City Council speak at a public meeting to report on this spend, on the progress the city has made against its 10 point plan for reducing emissions down to net zero by 2030, and on its future carbon spend forecasts?”

A written answer, provided by Councillor Mazher Iqbal (Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee), will be published on the Council’s website here.

5.4.2

Public Question Regarding The Council’s Food Policy And The Serving Of Plant-Based Food At Its Events

Rob Udale asked the following question:-

“Sheffield prides itself on being one of the more forward-thinking cities in the UK, putting climate considerations at the heart of its policies. This awareness should include every aspect of council activities, including food provision. Other councils, including Oxfordshire and Cambridge City, have committed to serve only plant-based food at their meetings and events. Given that animal agriculture is a major contributor to climate emissions, and reducing consumption of meat & dairy is known to be the single most effective way to reduce impact, will you show climate leadership by committing to serve only plant-based food at Council events?  Even if largely symbolic, this will be a positive and forward-thinking step, sending a powerful message which will help normalise plant-based eating and bring council food policy into line with other climate-aware policies.”

A written answer, provided by Councillor Mazher Iqbal (Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee), will be published on the Council’s website here.

5.4.3

Public Question Regarding The Ability Of Local Area Committees To Support Residents During The Cost Of Living Crisis

James Martin asked the following question:-

“Considering the rising concerns of people being able to cope with the rising cost of energy and food, are Local Area Committees (LACs) able to readjust their budget expenditure plans where necessary or do governance rules prevent such adaptations? I am concerned that if governance rules currently prevent LACs from responding to this emergency, this will undermine local groups of councillors from providing support where one or more wards is unable to provide a support location for warmth and advice this winter.  I hope all councillors will carefully take in this question as though awkward amending budgets after much consultation, this could be the more compassionate thing to do – particularly if your ward has a venue to provide support but where vast fuel increases would mean that venues finances are unable to facilitate opening without assistance. The distance to travel for support being a barrier for many in the city.”

A written answer, provided by Councillor Terry Fox (Leader of the Council), will be published on the Council’s website here.