Agenda item

It was moved by Councillor Sue Alston, seconded by Councillor Andrew Sangar, that this Council:-

(a)        highlights the important service provided by Mayfield Environmental Education Centre;

(b)        expresses disappointment that the opposition group’s budget amendment, which would have reversed an £8,000 cut to the Centre, was voted down by Labour Councillors;

(c)        believes that this cut, alongside the Administration’s lack of support, poses a serious threat to the future of the Centre and outdoor education in Sheffield; and

(d)        calls upon the Administration to reconsider its reduction in funding for Mayfield Environmental Education Centre.

Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Jackie Drayton, seconded by Councillor Denise Fox, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after the words “That this Council” and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

(a)       recognises the importance of Outdoor Education and its part in raising attainment and expectations and enabling enriching experiences of many children and young people across the City;

(b)       notes with concern that this Government is making unprecedented and unfair cuts to Sheffield City Council and that the Council has had to make savings of £140 million over the past two years with a further £50 million for 2013/14 and also the additional £7.4m cut to the Early Intervention Grant which specifically funded revenue work with children and young people;

(c)        regrets that Mayfield Environmental Education Centre is not being used by school groups in the City;

(d)       notes that despite providing funding last year to keep the Centre open and supporting a campaign to find a sustainable future for the Centre, a viable solution has not been found;

(e)       welcomes the Administration’s capital investment in the Thornbridge Outdoor Education Centre, especially enabling the Centre to adapt to provide more activities for disabled children and their families; and

(f)        is pleased to support Thornbridge Outdoors so it continues to provide access to the exciting outdoor opportunities for all children and young people in Sheffield.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

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

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       recognises the importance of Outdoor Education and its part in raising attainment and expectations and enabling enriching experiences of many children and young people across the City;

(b)       notes with concern that this Government is making unprecedented and unfair cuts to Sheffield City Council and that the Council has had to make savings of £140 million over the past two years with a further £50 million for 2013/14 and also the additional £7.4m cut to the Early Intervention Grant which specifically funded revenue work with children and young people;

(c)        regrets that Mayfield Environmental Education Centre is not being used by school groups in the City;

(d)       notes that despite providing funding last year to keep the Centre open and supporting a campaign to find a sustainable future for the Centre, a viable solution has not been found;

(e)       welcomes the Administration’s capital investment in the Thornbridge Outdoor Education Centre, especially enabling the Centre to adapt to provide more activities for disabled children and their families; and

(f)        is pleased to support Thornbridge Outdoors so it continues to provide access to the exciting outdoor opportunities for all children and young people in Sheffield.

(Note:  1. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Vickie Priestley) and Councillors Simon Clement-Jones, Shaffaq Mohammed, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Rob Frost, Sylvia Anginotti, Colin Ross, Joe Otten, Penny Baker, Diana Stimely, Roger Davison, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Denise Reaney, Ian Auckland, Anders Hanson, Katie Condliffe, David Baker, and Alison Brelsford voted for paragraphs (a), (e) and (f) and against the remaining paragraphs of the substantive motion and asked for this to be recorded.

2. Councillors Robert Murphy and Jillian Creasy voted paragraphs (a), (b), (e) and (f) and abstained on paragraphs (c) to (d) of the substantive motion and asked for this to be recorded.)