Council Minutes 9th January 2008

1        Arbourthorne Ward

10      Dore & Totley Ward

19      Mosborough Ward

          John Robson

          Mike Davis

          David Barker

          Tim Rippon

          Keith Hill

          Sam Wall

          Julie Dore

          Anne Smith

          Mike Peat

 

 

 

2        Beauchief/Greenhill Ward

11      East Ecclesfield Ward

20      Nether Edge Ward

          Simon Clement-Jones

          Vic Bowden

          Colin France               

          Clive Skelton

          Graham Oxley

          Ali Qadar

          Tony Holmes

          Pat Fox

         

         

         

         

3        Beighton Ward

12      Ecclesall Ward

21     Richmond Ward

          Chris Rosling-Josephs

          Mike Reynolds

          John Campbell

          Helen Mirfin-Boukouris

          Roger Davison

          Liz Naylor

          Ian Saunders

          Sylvia Dunkley

          Martin Lawton

 

 

 

 

 

 

4        Birley Ward

13      Firth Park Ward

22      Shiregreen & Brightside Ward

          Denise Fox

          Chris Weldon

          Peter Price

          Mike Pye

          Alan Law

          Peter Rippon

          Bryan Lodge

          Joan Barton

         

 

 

 

5        Broomhill Ward

14      Fulwood Ward

23      Southey Ward

          Shaffaq Mohammed

          Andrew Sangar

          Leigh Bramall

          Alan Whitehouse

          Janice Sidebottom

          Gill Furniss 

          Paul Scriven

        John Knight

          Tony Damms

 

 

 

6        Burngreave Ward

15      Gleadless Valley Ward

24      Stannington Ward

          Ibrar Hussain

          Denise Reaney

          Vickie Priestley

          Steve Jones

          Garry Weatherall

          David Baker

          Jackie Drayton

          Terry Fox

 

 

 

 

7        Central Ward

16      Graves Park Ward

25      Stocksbridge & Upper Don Ward

          Jillian Creasy

          Ian Auckland

          Martin Brelsford

          Bernard Little

          Bob McCann

          Alison Brelsford

          Jean Cromar

          Peter Moore

          Martin Davis

 

 

 

8        Crookes Ward

17      Hillsborough Ward

26      Walkley Ward

          John Hesketh

          Steve Ayris

          Penny Baker

          Sylvia Anginotti        

          Janet Bragg

          Jonathan Harston

          Brian Holmes

         

          Diane Leek

 

 

 

9        Darnall Ward

18      Manor Castle Ward

27      West Ecclesfield Ward

          Harry Harpham

          Jenny Armstrong

          Alan Hooper

          Mazher Iqbal              

          Jan Wilson

          Trevor Bagshaw

          Mary Lea

          Pat Midgley

          Kathleen Chadwick

 

 

 

 

 

28      Woodhouse Ward

 

 

          Mick Rooney

 

 

          Ray Satur

 

 

          Marjorie Barker

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Robert MacDonald and Pat White and Members, after learning that Councillor Pat White had sustained damaged ligaments in a fall earlier that day, asked that their best wishes for a speedy recovery be conveyed to her.          

 

 

2.

COUNCILLOR JENNY ARMSTRONG

 

            The Lord Mayor (Councillor Arthur Dunworth) referred to the fact that Councillor Jenny Armstrong had recently given birth to her first child and Members wished to place on record their congratulations to Councillor Jenny Armstrong and her partner upon the birth of their daughter.

 

 

3.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

RESOLVED:  On the motion of Councillor Pat Midgley, seconded by Councillor Jean Cromar, that the minutes of the meeting of the City Council held on 5th December, 2007, be approved as a correct record with the correction of the declaration of interest  of Councillor Jonathan Harston in Item 8.3 of the minutes - Jordanthorpe Extra Care Housing Development - to read as follows:-

 

            "Councillor Jonathan Harston declared a non-prejudicial interest in the above item as a shareholder of the South Yorkshire Housing Association."

 

 

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

4.1

Petitions

 

(a)       Petition requesting Improvements to the Fishing Pond by the Fire Station on Rivelin Valley Road

 

            The Council received a petition organised by the Wisewood and District Fishing Club containing 189 signatures requesting that improvements be made to the banks and walkways of the fishing pond by the Fire Station on Rivelin Valley Road, which were used by hundreds of local families and fishermen every year.

 

            The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) who stated that he would discuss with the Parks and Countryside Service the action which could be taken to improve the area around the fishing pond, and indicated that he would liaise with the Fishing Club in that regard.

 

 

 

(b)       Petition requesting Pedestrian Crossing Facilities on Abbeydale Road South

 

            The Council received a petition containing 42 signatures requesting the provision of pedestrian crossing facilities on Abbeydale Road South between the Wagon and Horses Public House and Beauchief crossroads, ideally to be situated between Dobcroft Avenue and Dobcroft Road, to enable safer crossing to and from Millhouses Park.

 

            The Council referred the petition to the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board and the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) who stated that such requests had to be assessed in accordance with agreed Council criteria and that Officers would investigate the request and report back through the Area Board.

 

 

 

(c)        Petition requesting Improvements to Parkland known as Rolling Acres, Sothall

 

            The Council received a petition containing 165 signatures requesting the provision of mini goalposts at parkland known as Rolling Acres, Sothall in order to avoid the need for swings being used as goalposts, and for the condition of the Park to be brought back from disrepair.

 

            The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) who commended the efforts of young people to enhance their local parklands and indicated that the request made by the petitioners was a prime example of the type of activities that the present administration would endeavour to support via its budget proposals for 2008/09 which contain enhanced provision for activities for 8 to 13 year olds.

 

 

 

(d)       Petition requesting Road Safety Improvements at the Junction of Sicey Avenue and Nethershire Lane

 

            The Council received a petition containing 171 signatures of residents of the Shiregreen area drawing attention to road safety and traffic issues at the junction of Sicey Avenue and Nethershire Lane and calling for action to be taken in the form of the provision of a light-controlled crossing, before an accident occurs.

 

            The Council referred the petition to the West and North Planning and Highways Area Board and the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) who stated that such requests had to be assessed in accordance with agreed Council criteria and that Officers would investigate the request and report back through the Area Board.

 

 

4.2

Public Questions

 

(a)       Public Question concerning Privatisation and Outsourcing of Council Services

 

            Martin Brighton asked why it was that local Council tax payers were being asked to pay increasing amounts of Council tax, whilst the Council privatises and outsources more of its functions, thus undertaking less and less.

 

            In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Jan Wilson) indicated that, where Council functions were outsourced, the Council retained responsibility for those services and managed and monitored the contractual arrangements with the service providers.  She cited examples of good practice and service improvements which the Council had secured as a result of its outsourcing arrangements.

 

 

 

(b)       Public Question regarding Limitation of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences

 

            Mr. Affic sought clarification as to the Council's intention to limit hackney carriage vehicle licences, indicating that he had been led to believe that a limit of 830 was to be imposed, whereas a limit of 860 was now being proposed.

 

            In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Jan Wilson) commented that a decision in relation to limiting hackney carriage vehicle licences was to be made later at this meeting, adding that the present administration was proposing a limit of 830, but an alternate proposal to impose a limit of 865 was to be submitted for consideration by the Council by the largest opposition group on the Council.

 

 

5.

ITEM REFERRED TO COUNCIL - TAXI PROVISION IN THE CITY

 

            It was moved by Councillor Jan Wilson, seconded by Councillor Bryan Lodge, that the following recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting held on 12th December, 2007, concerning taxi provision in the City, be approved:-

 

 

 

"That:-

 

 

 

(i)         for the purpose of consideration of the report now circulated on the Provision of Taxi Services in Sheffield, the powers previously delegated by the Council to the Licensing Board be assumed by the Council in respect of any decision regarding the limitation of numbers of hackney carriages and for this item only;

 

(ii)        this Council:

 

(A)       having given consideration to the content and advice contained in the report of the Chief Executive on the provision of taxi services in Sheffield;

 

(B)       having given consideration to the content and advice in the independent expert report from Halcrow Ltd.;

 

(C)       being aware that this is a very finely balanced issue;

 

(D)       being aware that the Council can only lawfully limit the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences if, but only if, it is satisfied that there is no significant unmet demand for hackney carriage services in accordance with Section 16 of the Transport Act 1985;

 

(E)       and having given particular consideration to the following:-

 

a.         the fact that Sheffield is a changing City with significant new residential development in the City Centre particularly for young people and students;

 

b.         the fact that taxis, both hackney carriages and private hire, are a critical part of Sheffield’s transport infrastructure and have a vital role in ensuring that residents and visitors are able to move quickly and safely around the City, particularly when other forms of public transport are not available;

 

c.         the finding from the independent consultants’ report that, at this point in time, there is an oversupply of hackney carriages in the daytime and an under supply during peak weekend evening periods; and

 

d.         the comments in the independent consultants’ report about significant unmet demand;

 

(iii)       this Council:-

 

therefore believes that at this point in time it is able to consider limitation of hackney carriage numbers as it is satisfied there is no significant unmet demand, and resolves that:

 

(A)       based on all the evidence available to the Council, in particular the expert report, the Chief Executive’s report, its knowledge and experience of the growth, development and changing balance of residential and business development which is particularly obvious in the City Centre and that there are currently 818 hackney carriage vehicles licensed, limitation on the number of hackney carriages be re-introduced;

 

(B)  , ;     based on this information, the number of hackney carriage vehicle licenses be determined at 830;

 

(C)       in future each application for a hackney carriage license be considered by the Licensing Board on its merits taking account of the policy determined by Council on limitation; and

            (D)       a further demand study be conducted in February 2009."

 

 

 

            Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Terry Fox, seconded by Councillor Ray Satur, as an amendment, that so much of the recommendations of the meeting of the Cabinet of 12th December, 2007, as relates to taxi provision in the City, be approved and amended by the addition of the following words as a new paragraph at the end of the resolution:-

 

 

 

            (iv) this Council requests that the Licensing Board, in its consideration of the issues referred to the Board by the Cabinet, also considers the recommendation that, given the adverse reaction to the suggested late night taxi starting rate of £5, both from members of the public and from members of the taxi trade, this proposal is no longer pursued.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

(NOTE: The votes on the amendment were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

 

 

 

For the Amendment (41)

-

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Jane Bird) and Councillors John Robson, Tim Rippon, Julie Dore, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Ian Saunders, Denise Fox, Mike Pye, Bryan Lodge, Steve Jones, Jackie Drayton, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Jean Cromar, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Mary Lea, Chris Weldon, Alan Law, Joan Barton, Garry Weatherall, Terry Fox, Janet Bragg, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, Pat Midgley, David Barker, Sam Wall, Mike Peat, John Campbell, Liz Naylor, Martin Lawton, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Tony Damms, Mick Rooney, Ray Satur and Marjorie Barker.

 

 

 

 

 

Against the Amendment (39)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Arthur Dunworth) and Councillors Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Tony Holmes, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Paul Scriven, John Hesketh, Sylvia Anginotti, Brian Holmes, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Vic Bowden, Graham Oxley, Pat Fox, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, Sylvia Dunkley, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, John Knight, Denise Reaney, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Peter Moore, Steve Ayris, Colin France, Ali Qadar, Vickie Priestley, David Baker, Martin Brelsford, Alison Brelsford, Martin Davis, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Diane Leek, Alan Hooper, Trevor Bagshaw and Kath Chadwick.

 

 

 

 

 

Abstained (1)

-

Councillor Anne Smith.

 

 

 

 

 

            Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, seconded by Councillor Diane Leek, as an amendment, that so much of the recommendations of the meeting of the Cabinet of 12th December, 2007, as relates to taxi provision in the City, as amended, be approved as now amended by the deletion of all the words after the words "That" and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

 

 

 

(a)       this Council:-

 

 

 

(i)         welcomes the independent study by the Halcrow Group Ltd into the provision of taxi services in Sheffield and thanks all those involved in bringing this report forward;

 

 

 

(ii)        notes that the report shows that the decision to remove the limitation of just 300 hackney taxis back in 2000 was correct, furthermore notes that as a result of that decision there are over 520 more families in Sheffield able to provide themselves with an income and people are able to move about more easily