Minutes of the City Council Meeting held on 26th July 2006

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 26th July, 2006 pursuant to notice duly given and Summonses duly served.

PRESENT

THE LORD MAYOR (Councillor Jackie Drayton)

THE DEPUTY LORD MAYOR (Councillor Arthur Dunworth)

1 Arbourthorne Ward	10 Dore & Totley Ward	19 Mosborough Ward
Tim Rippon	Keith Hill	Sam Wall
Julie Dore	Mike Waters	Mike Peat
John Robson		David Barker

2 Beauchief/Greenhill Ward	11 East Ecclesfield Ward	20 Nether Edge Ward
Anthony Holmes	Graham Oxley	Ali Qadar
	Pat Fox	PatWhite
	Vic Bowden

3 Beighton Ward	12 Ecclesall Ward	21 Richmond Ward
Helen Mirfin-Boukouris	Roger Davison	Liz Naylor
Ian Saunders	Michael Reynolds	Martin Lawton
Chris Rosling-Josephs	Sylvia Dunkley	John Campbell

4 Birley Ward	13 Firth Park Ward	22 Shiregreen & Brightside Ward
Denise Fox	Alan Law	Peter Rippon
Bryan Lodge	Joan Barton	Jane Bird
Mike Pye	Chris Weldon	Peter Price

5 Broomhill Ward	14 Fulwood Ward	23 Southey Ward
Shaffaq Mohammed	John Knight	Gill Furniss
Paul Scriven	Andrew Sangar	Tony Damms
Alan Whitehouse	Janice Sidebottom	Leigh Bramall

6 Burngreave Ward	15 Gleadless Valley Ward	24 Stannington Ward
Steve Jones	Garry Weatherall	David Baker
Ibrar Hussain	Terry Fox	Vickie Priestley
	Rosemary Telfer

7 Central Ward	16 Graves Park Ward	25 Stocksbridge & Upper Don Ward
Bernard Little	Bob McCann	Alison Brelsford
Jean Cromar	Peter Moore	Martin Davis
Jillian Creasy	Ian Auckland	Martin Brelsford

8 Crookes Ward	17 Hillsborough Ward	26 Walkley Ward
Sylvia Anginotti	Alf Meade	Jonathan Harston
John Hesketh	Robert MacDonald	Diane Leek
	Janet Bragg	Veronica Hardstaff

9 Darnall Ward	18 Manor Castle Ward	27 West Ecclesfield Ward
Mazher Iqbal	Jan Wilson	Trevor Bagshaw
Mary Lea	Pat Midgley	Kathleen Chadwick
Harry Harpham	Jan Fiore	Alan Hooper

		28 Woodhouse Ward
		Ray Satur
		Marjorie Barker
		Mick Rooney

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anne Smith and Andrew White.

2.	DEATH OF FORMER COUNCILLOR BARBARA BELCHER
	The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jackie Drayton) referred in sympathetic terms to the recent death of former Councillor Barbara Belcher and, after a number of Members of the City Council paid tribute to her, a minute's silence in her memory was observed.

3.	SOUTH YORKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
	The Lord Mayor welcomed to the meeting representatives of the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and was joined by all Members of the City Council in paying tribute to the Service’s fire fighting activities, along with the Police and Emergency Planning Team, in connection with two recent major fires in the City and in protecting property and the environment of South Yorkshire in fighting grass and moorland fires during the current hot weather.
	In response, a South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service representative presented the Lord Mayor with a plaque as a token of appreciation.

4.	SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
	The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jackie Drayton) announced that a Special Meeting of the Council would be held at 2.00 p.m. on Friday, 29th September, 2006 to receive a recommendation of the Strategic Resources and Performance Scrutiny and Policy Development Board (Audit Committee) on the External Auditor’s report on the Statement of Accounts 2005/06.

5.	MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL 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 July, 2006 be approved as a correct record, with the inclusion of the names of Councillors Keith Hill, Alan Hooper, Janice Sidebottom and Alan Whitehouse in the list of members present.

6.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
6.1	Public Questions
	There were no questions asked by members of the public.

6.2	Councillor Andrew White
	The Chief Executive reported on the continuing illness of Councillor Andrew White.
	RESOLVED: That, for the purposes of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, approval be given to the continued absence of Councillor Andrew White from meetings of the Council, due to his illness.

6.3	Petitions
	(a) Petition from North Sheffield Federation for Disabled Self Help Groups
	The Council received a petition containing 13 signatures of members of the North Sheffield Federation for Disabled Self Help Groups, and heard representations made on their behalf by Mrs. Pauline Heath, objecting to proposals to move the Groups from their existing premises at Five Arches Community Rooms in Penrith Road to The Hub on Shirecliffe Road and requesting that they be allowed to stay in their current premises.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Adult Services (Councillor Mick Rooney) who referred to a number of meetings that he had held with Mrs. Heath and other representatives of the Disabled Self Help Groups and explained the circumstances surrounding an unsuccessful lottery bid for new premises in the 1990s and the Council’s offer of a lease not being acted upon, which he acknowledged had created difficulties but this had recently been resolved. He confirmed that the cost of moving to the Hub and gap in funding would be covered by the Neighbourhoods and Community Care Directorate and he felt that, once things became clear as to which parts of the Hub would be occupied by the Groups, their fears would be allayed.

	(b) Petition concerning road safety on Greengate Lane, High Green
	The Council received a petition containing 196 signatures calling upon the Council to implement measures to improve road safety on Greengate Lane, High Green and heard representations made by Mr. Michael Hague in support of the petitioners’ request and who circulated photographs showing examples of the difficulties experienced on Greengate Lane.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Transport (Councillor Terry Fox) stated that he had visited the area and had organised a meeting to be held in August with a view to finding a way forward for the people in the area.
	The Council referred the matter for consideration by the West and North Planning and Highways Area Board.

	(c) Petition requesting crossing point at Anns Grove School
	The Council received a petition containing 559 signatures, and heard representations made on their behalf by Nicola Hodkin calling upon the Council to provide a crossing at the point of Anns Grove School and Heeley City Farm, for the benefit of the school and the community, before a serious accident happens.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Transport (Councillor Terry Fox) stated that he had visited the school in relation to the preparation of a school travel plan and that the request for a crossing would have to be assessed in accordance with agreed criteria and undertook to keep the petitioners informed.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board.

	(d) Petition concerning proposed youth shelter on Spotswood Place
	The Council received a petition containing 91 signatures objecting to the proposed building of a youth shelter on Spotswood Place basketball court, which the petitioners considered would encourage problem youths to gather on Spotswood.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services (Councillor Harry Harpham) and the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board.

	(e) Petition objecting to a casino development in Sheffield
	The Council received a petition containing 24 signatures calling on the Council to turn down any planning application to open a casino in Sheffield and referred the petition for consideration by the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board.

	(f) Petition concerning parking restrictions in Sharrowvale
	The Council received a petition containing 97 signatures objecting to the introduction of proposed car parking restrictions in the Sharrowvale area and referred the petition for consideration by the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board.

	(g) Petition concerning painting work at Bonville Gardens
	The Council received a petition containing 59 signatures calling upon Sheffield Homes to finish the painting of the central concrete banding on Bonville Gardens, which, it was recognised, was not structurally necessary but would improve the appearance of the block, which looked unkempt and unfinished in comparison with Dover and Morpeth Gardens, which had been painted twice.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Safer Neighbourhoods (Councillor Chris Weldon).

6.4	Members’ Questions
	(a) Urgent Business
	There were no questions relating to urgent business under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

	(b) Questions
	A schedule of questions to Cabinet Members, submitted in accordance with Standing Order A18(2) and which contained written answers, was circulated and supplementary questions under the provisions of Standing Order A18(4) were asked and answered by the appropriate Cabinet Members.

6.5	South Yorkshire Joint Authorities
	No questions were asked on the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue, Passenger Transport, Pensions and Police under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

6.6	Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
	No questions were asked on the discharge of the functions of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

7.	REPRESENTATION, DELEGATED AUTHORITY AND ASSOCIATED MATTERS
	RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Jean Cromar, seconded by Councillor Pat Midgley that (a) approval be given to following changes to the memberships of Boards, etc. and the appointment of representatives to serve on other bodies:-

	Children and Young People Scrutiny and Policy Development Board	-	Councillor Denise Fox to replace Councillor Alf Meade

	Culture, Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny and Policy Development Board	-	Councillor Martin Lawton to replace Councillor Mazher Iqbal

	Admissions Board	-	Remove Councillor Veronica Hardstaff to create a vacancy

	Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - Regional Planning and Infrastructure Commission	-	Councillor Alan Law to replace Councillor Mike Pye

	(b) it be noted that, following a ballot of parent governors serving on school governing bodies in the City, Ms. Teresa Hagan and Ms. Juliett Barrott had been elected to serve as Parent Governor Representatives on the Children and Young People Scrutiny and Policy Development Board and, accordingly, Ms. Hagan and Ms. Barrott be appointed to serve on the Board for a three year period ending 31st July, 2009;
	(c) it be noted that, although the Governing Body of Sheffield College has revised its composition, resulting in the number of Local Authority nominee members being reduced from three to two, Councillors Trevor Bagshaw and Sam Wall would continue to serve as Governors of the College for the remainder of their period of office which ends on 31st August, 2008;
	(d) Councillor Robert MacDonald be appointed to serve as the Council’s representative on the Board of the South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership, and the Chief Executive be authorised, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to appoint any subsequent representatives to serve on the Board;
	(e) as recommended by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 28th June, 2006, the transfer of delegated powers under Sections 14 to 20, 25, 26, 59 and 66 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 and Sections 262 to 265 of the Public Health Act 1936 from the former Chief Engineer, Design and Building Services to the Head of Transport and Highways be affirmed;
	(f) the existing authority previously granted to the Executive Director, Development, Environment and Leisure and the Director, Street Force, in respect of powers and duties under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 (as amended by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005) be varied to include powers and duties now provided under the new Section 2A of the Act, relating to 'fixed penalty notices for offence of abandoning vehicles'; and
	(g) Councillor Alan Law be nominated to serve on the Governing Body of Longley Park Sixth Form College.






8.	NOTICE OF MOTION RE: CLIMATE CHANGE
	It was moved by Councillor Mary Lea, seconded by Councillor Tim Rippon, that this Council:

	(a) believes that climate change is one of the most important issues facing the United Kingdom and, indeed, the world today;

	(b) believes that it is important to understand our environmental footprint and seek through personal and collective action to improve and reduce our impact on the environment;

	(c) notes that Sheffield is well known as England’s greenest city and believes that we must ensure that future generations can enjoy the precious assets of the City;

	(d) believes that it is essential for the Council to demonstrate strong and committed leadership in moving forward the environmental agenda in the City and, therefore, welcomes the establishment of a new Cabinet portfolio for Sustainable Environment which will be key in achieving this;

	(e) notes that Sheffield has a long history of environmental awareness, and further notes that during the 1960s and 70s was known as the cleanest industrial City in Europe;

	(f) believes that environmental excellence should be embedded into all that the Council does and, therefore, looks forward to the forthcoming Environmental Excellence strategy which will define the City’s vision for the future;

	(g) notes that Sheffield is already taking a lead in many aspects of the green agenda, for example in the use of green energy to heat over one hundred buildings in the city centre including universities, health facilities, shops and offices;

	(h) notes that the City Council is currently conducting a review of the potential for renewable energy across the City, which will enable us to actively support and promote the development of renewable energy schemes across the City;

	(i) further notes that Sheffield is taking a lead role in the development of a Core Cities Climate Change Group, helping to exchange best practice and share knowledge with other local authorities in the United Kingdom;

	(j) notes that in Sheffield there are approximately 4 trees for every person living in the city and welcomes the tree planting work that is taking place across the City to further increase the number of trees in Sheffield;

	(k) notes that the City Council has recently signed the Nottingham Declaration, which acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on our community during the 21st century and commits the Council to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate on our City;

	(l) also notes the commitment of the Government to the green agenda and welcomes the Government’s proposals to establish a new Office of Climate Change, which will monitor progress towards the Government’s carbon goals and ensure coherence of action across Government departments to achieve them; and

	(m) further notes that the Government has recently announced that planning restriction on micro-generation is to be lifted and wholeheartedly welcomes this move, which will mean that the removal and reduction of planning restrictions on small scale micro-generation schemes, including solar panels and small turbines, will come into effect next year.

	Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor Ian Auckland, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

	(i) the substitution of the word ‘could’ for the word ‘will’ in the third line of paragraph (d) of the Motion; and

	(ii) the deletion of all the words in paragraphs (g) to (m) of the Motion and the substitution of the following words therefor:

	(g) welcomes the news that, following the Council’s resolution on 1st February 2006, brought about by the Notice of Motion given by Cllr Mohammed, the City Council has recently signed up to the Nottingham Declaration which commits the Council to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate in our City;

	(h) expresses concern that the present administration have failed to bring forward the signing of the Nottingham Declaration on a cross-party basis, and therefore calls on the present administration to avoid fracturing cross-party support on such an important issue;

	(i) believes that warm words, documents and strategies do not make a difference on their own, and that progress will not be made until there are real changes on the ground on issues such as environmentally-friendly transport, more local recycling schemes, promotion and use of waste minimisation, extra renewable energy schemes, significant green travel plans, a ‘buy local’ policy and other such environmental action;

	(j) directs that the Council moves to as low as possible ‘carbon footprint’ by setting stringent and demanding annual targets on this issue;

	(k) notes that the present administration have a responsibility to bring forward a green plan of action to fundamentally change the way this Council and Sheffield tackles the issue of climate change;

	(l) believes that we can make a difference locally, but the onus is also on the Government on a national and int