Council Minutes 5th December 2007

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

          Pat White

          Tony Holmes

          Pat Fox

          Ali Qadar

         

         

         

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 Councillor Robert MacDonald, who was in hospital and Members asked that their best wishes for a speedy recovery be conveyed to him and his family.

 

 

2.

MINING TRAGEDY AT DONETSK

 

            The Lord Mayor (Councillor Arthur Dunworth) referred to the recent mining disaster in Donetsk and read out the following message that had been sent to the Mayor of Donetsk:-

 

 

 

            “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the recent mining disaster that has brought such tragedy and grief to your City.  Sheffield and South Yorkshire have suffered many similar circumstances in the past, so we know how deeply you grieve when these occasions arise, particularly ones which lead to such tremendous loss of life.

 

            Would you please convey the condolences of the City and citizens of Sheffield to all of the families of the miners killed or missing.  Our hearts go out to them.”

 

 

 

            He also read out a message sent by the President of the Sheffield Trades Union Council to the Independent Trade Union of Miners at the Zasyadko mine in Donetsk:-

 

 

 

            “The following delegates attending the Sheffield Trades Union Council Meeting in Sheffield tonight wish to express their sorrow and deep sympathy regarding the enormous loss of life and injuries suffered by our colleagues, the miners of the Zasyadko Mine as a result of an underground explosion and fire.  Our thoughts also go out to the miners’ families whose loved ones have either lost their lives or suffered injuries.

 

            The citizens of Sheffield are proud of the fact that your City, Donetsk, is twinned with the City of Sheffield and, for this reason alone, we feel we have a special relationship with the people of your City, particularly in this dreadful period of adversity.”

 

 

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 7th November, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

 

 

4.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

4.1

Petitions

 

(a)       Petition concerning the recent death of Jonathan Matondo

 

            The Council received a petition containing 88 signatures and heard representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Maxine Bowler referring to the recent tragic shooting of Jonathan Matondo and calling on the City Council to fund a memorial garden in his name, created and designed by local young people, making up for years of neglect of the Nottingham Street Recreation Area and enabling the area to once again become a safe place in which children could play.  Maxine Bowler also reflected the petitioners’ belief that, if recreation areas were to be saved, they need park-keepers or wardens and called for funding to be made available for this. 

 

            The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Safer Neighbourhoods (Councillor Chris Weldon) who expressed his deep regret that the incident took place and shared his concerns with the petitioners concerning the area.  He stated that he had met with local Councillors to discuss the issues relating to the recreation area and indicated that he would refer the petition to the Area Panel as the appropriate vehicle for debate with local Councillors and the community in order that a community initiative for the area could be explored.

 

 

 

(b)       Petition concerning crossing facilities for children going to Sir Harold Jackson School

 

            The Council received a petition containing 509 signatures requesting the Council to provide crossing facilities at a point near to Bradway Drive for children going to and from Sir Harold Jackson School. Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Jill Wainman who drew attention to a recent accident near to the school involving a child and requested action by the Council to prevent further accidents.

 

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.  He suggested that the petition be referred also to the South West Area Panel who were conducting a transport survey in the area.

 

 

 

(c)        Petition concerning health walks and funding of Parks and Countryside Project Rangers

 

            The Council received a petition containing 54 signatures from people who live and work in the areas of Burngreave, Shirecliffe, Pitsmoor and Firs Hill and members of the Parkwood Springs Steering Group calling upon the Council to ensure that the posts of Woodlands Project Officer, Community Forester and Green Watch Ranger continued to be funded.  Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Carole Schofield who drew attention to the invaluable service provided by the staff in regenerating green space in an area of the City where open areas were at a premium to enhance the quality of life for all residents and to promote the use of green space by local families, community groups, school and youth groups through community events and educational projects.

 

            The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) who stated that he was aware of other similar petitions concerning Health Walks in the City and, in recording the Council’s thanks to the work being done by the community in the Parkwood Springs area, stated that the Council would try to keep the posts funded when considering the budget proposals for 2008/09 or seek external funding.

 

 

 

(d)       Petition requesting traffic calming measures around the area of the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground

 

            The Council received a petition containing 101 signatures from residents of Melrose Road, Coupe Road and Burngreave Street calling upon the Council to introduce a high level of traffic calming around the area of the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground.  Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Peter Rickard-Green, who highlighted the anti-social activities involving drugs and car drivers regularly wheel spinning and skidding outside the gates of the playground at all hours of the day and night and, on behalf of the Pitsmoor Adventure Playground User Group, requested the Council to introduce a high level of traffic calming, particularly adjacent to the children’s facility, before a child was killed.

 

            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 acknowledged that the behaviour of certain people in the area was unacceptable and called on the drivers to act more sensibly.  He added that such requests had to be determined in accordance with agreed Council criteria and would ask officers to investigate the request and report back through the Area Board.

 

 

 

(e)       Petition concerning charges levied on private households for collection of unwanted furniture

 

            The Council received a petition containing 53 signatures calling upon the Council to review the charges levied on private households for the collection of unwanted furniture and heard representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Mr. Lancaster who claimed that the charges levied on private households by the Council for the collection of unwanted furniture, etc. of £31 for up to 10 items was unfair when Council households were not charged for such service.

 

            The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Environment (Councillor Mary Lea) who stated that, whilst she understood the concerns of the petitioners, pointed out that the weekly rent paid by Council tenants included an element that covered the cost of collecting unwanted furniture, etc.  However she stated that the Council would continue to review such charges on a regular basis.

 

 

 

(f)         Petition requesting action to prevent all day parking by non-residents of the Upperthorpe area

 

            The Council received a petition containing 191 signatures from residents of the Upperthorpe area calling upon the Council to take action to prevent instances of all day parking by non-residents, to consider the introduction of a local residents only parking scheme in residential and time limited parking in business areas, to aid local businesses.

 

            The Council referred the petition for consideration by the West and North Planning and Highways Area Board and the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge).

 

 

 

(g)       Petition concerning the relocation of Arnold Laver store at Little London Road

 

            The Council received a petition containing 29 signatures calling upon the Council to organise a meeting, as soon as possible before Christmas, with relevant planning officers and a senior representative from Arnold Laver regarding the relocation of the Arnold Laver store on Little London Road.  Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Mr. Slater, who requested that residents from Abbeydale Road, Arnside Road, Arnside Terrace, Coniston Road, Coniston Terrace, Langdale Road and other roads in the area likely to be affected by the increased traffic be contacted so that the proposals could be discussed with the residents. 

 

            The Council referred the petition for consideration by the City Centre, South and East Planning and Highways Area Board and the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Culture and Planning (Councillor Tim Rippon) who pointed out the many ways available to the public to make representations in connection with planning applications and stressed that all relevant transport and highways issues would be addressed and necessary conditions imposed if any planning application was to be granted.  He suggested that Mr. Slater should contact the Area Panel Chair to invite a senior representative from Arnold Laver to attend an Area Panel meeting and offered to discuss any other issues with Mr. Lancaster after the Council meeting.

 

 

 

(h)        Petition requesting the retention of the A4 bus route

 

            The Council received a petition containing 208 signatures calling upon the Council to enter into discussions with the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive on how to safeguard the A4 bus route and referred it for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge).

 

 

4.2

Public Questions

 

(a)       Public question concerning bus service no. 51 (City to Lodge Moor)

 

            Trevor Page referred to instances when buses on service 51 between the City Centre and Lodge Moor had not turned up and asked if the Council could gain information from First Bus as to how many evening services of the 51 bus service had been withdrawn this year, despite having been scheduled, and work with them to see if improvements could be made, as he had been told by the bus company that such information was not publicly available because of its commercial sensitivity.

 

            In response, the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) stated that he did have regular meetings with First Group and would pursue the matter with them and reply to Mr. Page.

 

 

 

(b)       Public question about governance and authority

 

            Martin Brighton asked why the Council had taken no action against elected members and officers who treated the Council Chamber with contempt in ignoring the production of a Council Housing Financing Report.  He asked why the Chamber was treated with such contempt and how was it possible for citizens to trust their safety and their futures to the decisions and directives of the Council Chamber. 

 

            The Leader of the Council (Councillor Jan Wilson) declined to respond to the question and pointed out that any citizen who felt unhappy at the way any service had been provided had recourse to the Local Government Ombudsman.

 

 

 

(c)        Public questions concerning Myers Grove/Wisewood Merger Traffic Impact Assessment

 

            Robert Palmer referred to a Traffic Impact Assessment commenced by the Council in October as part of the Myers Grove/Wisewood merger under the Building Schools for the Future programme and asked if the Council could confirm that the contract for this work was put out for tender, state who decided the consultants to carry out the contract and explain how an impartial view could be expected when the contract was awarded to a company that designs schools and provides technical advice for the Council under the Building Schools for the Future programme and thus have a vested in the merger going ahead.

 

            In response, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services (Councillor Harry Harpham) stated that such contracts had to meet national and local criteria and the process needed to be transparent.  He undertook to have a look at the claim made by Mr. Palmer and would make sure that, if the claim was correct, the assessment would be carried out by someone without a vested interest.

 

 

 

(d)       Public question concerning traffic calming measures around Pitsmoor Adventure Playground

 

            Jill Portman stated that the Melrose Road Residents’ Association had been told that traffic calming relied on deaths and injuries and asked if there were any alternative criteria that could take into account the safety of children on routes to school, proximity to playgrounds and reduction of speeding associated with criminality that would allow funding of traffic calming schemes.

 

            In response, the Cabinet Member for Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Bryan Lodge) stated that, whilst there were agreed Council criteria for assessing such requests, there were other forms of funding available, e.g. Safe Routes to Schools and he would pass on the questioner’s request to officers to investigate, in conjunction with the Police, to see if any opportunities were available to produce a traffic calming scheme.

 

 

5.

MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS

5.1

Urgent Business

 

            There were no questions relating to urgent business under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

 

 

5.2

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.

 

 

5.3

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, Police and Pensions.

 

 

5.4

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

 

            No questions were asked on the discharge of the functions of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembl