Council Minutes 1st June 2005

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held Wednesday, 1st June, 2005

Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 1st June, 2005 pursuant to notice duly given and Summonses duly served.

PRESENT

THE LORD MAYOR (Councillor Roger Davison)

THE DEPUTY LORD MAYOR (Councillor Jackie Drayton)

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

2 Beauchief/Greenhill Ward		11 East Ecclesfield Ward	20 Nether Edge Ward
Anthony Holmes		Vic Bowden	Ali Qadar
Simon Clement-Jones
Clive Skelton

3 Beighton Ward		12 Ecclesall Ward	21 Richmond Ward
Ian Saunders		Kate Dawson	Martin Lawton
Chris Rosling-Josephs			John Campbell
Helen Mirfin-Boukouris			Terry Barrow

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

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

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

7 Central Ward		16 Graves Park Ward	25 Stocksbridge & Upper Don Ward
Jean Cromar		Peter Moore
Jillian Creasy		Ian Auckland
Mohammad Azim		Barrie Jervis

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

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

			28 Woodhouse Ward
			Marjorie Barker
			Mick Rooney
			Ray Satur

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Alison Brelsford, Martin Brelsford, Martin Davis, Julie Dore, Sylvia Dunkley, Patricia Fox, Keith Hill, Graham Oxley and Janice Sidebottom.

2.	PRESENTATION OF SEALED RESOLUTION CASKET TO FORMER LORD MAYOR AND LADY MAYORESS
	The Lord Mayor (Councillor Roger Davison) presented a Sealed Resolution Casket to Councillor Michael Pye and Mrs. Josephine Pye in recognition of the official duties performed by them as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2004/05.

3.	MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
	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 4th May and the Annual Meeting held on 18th May, 2005 be approved as a correct record.

4.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
	Petitions
	The Council considered a petition (a) containing 57 signatures, calling upon the Council to do whatever it can to include Granby Road and the odd-numbered houses on Addison Road, in the Fir Vale Housing Market Renewal Scheme as they considered that the exclusion of such property is divisive and unfair and, after hearing representations on behalf of the petitioners by Ms. Pauline Lambert, to which a response was made by Councillor Chris Weldon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Regeneration who outlined the bidding cycles for Housing Market Renewal Funding and the proposals to include the premises now mentioned in the funding cycle, referred the petition for the further attention of Councillor Weldon,
	(b) containing 110 signatures, objecting to the proposed development at 184 Ecclesfield Road, Chapeltown as a children’s home and after hearing representations made on be, half of the petitioners by Mr., Ron Frost to which a response was made by Councillor Veronica Hardstaff, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, who, whilst indicating that the proposals for the Children’s Home were not connected with the City Council, undertook to hold discussions with the persons who had submitted proposals for the development, referred the petition for the attention of the West Planning and Highways Area Board;
	(c) containing 98 signatures objecting to the proposed and now part implemented road marking and parking changes on Page Hall Road and after hearing representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Mr. Asad Akbar to which a response was made by Councillor Terry Fox, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, in which Councillor Fox indicated that Council officers had been on a site visit to Page Hall Road with a view to investigating the objections by the Local Residents and that the City Council would be working with the local community to seek further solutions under Traffic Regulations Orders, referred the petition for the attention of the City Centre and East Planning and Highways Area Board;
	(d) containing 50 signatures drawing attention to several recent road accidents involving children and requesting road safety measures for Idsworth Road and Bolsover Road and after hearing representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Mr. Nazir Ahmed, to which a response was made by Councillor Terry Fox, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, indicating that the matter would be referred to officers of the City Council, referred the petition for the attention of the City Centre and East Planning and Highways Area Board;
	(e) containing 399 signatures, expressing concern at the holding of the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers’ summit meeting in Sheffield, stating discussions on the domestic impact of the “War on Terror” mark the beginnings of the erosion of civil liberties and pointing out that the summit meeting will cause massive disruption in the city centre as well as being a massive cost to the ratepayer and after hearing representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Ms. Suzie Willey, referred the petition for consideration under item 12 on the agenda related to Notice of Motion given by Councillor Jillian Creasy in respect of the G8 Conference in the City; and
	(f) containing 95 signatures objecting to a planning application for the development of an amusement centre at Sicey Avenue – planning application number 05/01593/CHU, referred the petition for the attention of the City Centre and East Planning and Highways Area Board.

	(NOTE: Councillor Ray Satur declared an interest in those petitions referring to road safety measures and did not speak or vote thereon).

	Public Questions re G8 Conference
	Lesley Bolton, Alice Collins, Philip Satur, Deacon Dave Havard, Danny Weston, Patrick Gillett, Alan Kenny, Dave Fisher, Ceilidh Hammill, Kat McKay, Jeff Kirby, Eamon Ward, Stuart Crosthwaite, Cuthbert Baines and Richard Roper asked questions with regard to the arrangements for the holding of the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers Summit Meeting to be held in the City from 15th to 17th June, 2005, with particular reference to the role of the City Council in organising the Summit, the extent of consultations with local residents in Nether Edge, the maintenance of people’s right to dissent and demonstrate, detailed security arrangements for the Summit, who bore responsibility for bringing the Summit to the City, the views of the City Council on the Summit particularly in the light of their position with regard to the War in Iraq, the possibility of the City Council withdrawing its invitation and the possibility of compensation being paid to those businesses inconvenienced by the security arrangements for the Summit.
	In response to the questions, Councillor Jan Wilson the Leader of the City Council emphasised that all matters relating to safety and security in connection with the Summit meeting were the responsibility of the Home Office and the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and therefore, could not comment on either security arrangements or the terms of discussions held with residents in Nether Edge and that all questions in this regard should be directed to the Chief Constable.
	Councillor Wilson went on to indicate that decision by the City to host the Summit was made following a request by the Home Office and that such a request was seen as a recognition of Sheffield’s emergence as a major City. She went on to emphasise that all costs in connection with the event would be met by the Home Office but that there would be income for the City as a result of the expenditure from those people attending the Summit.
	In conclusion Councillor Jan Wilson indicated that she believed that the Summit was an opportunity to generate positive outcomes and she went on to emphasise her commitment to the right of individuals to express dissent and to demonstrate.

5.	ORDER OF BUSINESS
	RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Pat Midgley, seconded by Councillor Peter Moore, that the Council do now proceed to the consideration of Item of Business No. 12 – Notice of Motion given by Councillor Jillian Creasy.

6.	SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
	RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Peter Moore, seconded by Councillor Clive Skelton, that the provisions of Standing Order A14 relating to “motions which may be moved without notice at Council meetings, be suspended to enable the Chief Executive, Sir Robert Kerslake, to make a statement with regard to the arrangements for the holding of the G8 Summit Meeting.

7.	G8 SUMMIT MEETING – STATEMENT BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
	The Chief Executive, Sir Robert Kerslake, outlined the arrangements for the holding of the G8 Justice and Interior Minister’s Summit to be held in the City from Wednesday, 15th to Friday, 17th June, 2005.
	He indicated that the request for the City to hold the event had been received from the Home Office who had initially enquired as to whether it could be held in the city and how they could assist in the event. He went on to emphasise that the Summit’s organisation was solely the responsibility of the Home Office with the security arrangements being principally the responsibility of the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire with the City Council assisting where appropriate for example in initiating Road Closure Orders. The meeting itself would be held on Thursday, 16th June and the morning of Friday, 17th June with the primary City Council involvement being by way of a reception for the delegates at the Millennium Gallery on the evening of the 15th June. There would also be a dinner on the evening of the 16th June at the Cutlers Hall which had been organised by the Home Office in consultation with the City Council, with publicity for the event having been covered by the local press for some period of time.
	The Chief Executive went on to emphasise that all contacts and consultations with those residents of Nether Edge who would be affected by the Summit had been undertaken by South Yorkshire Police and there were temporary road prohibitions on Kenwood Road and on certain roads in the City Centre.
	So far as detailed road closures were concerned, the Chief Executive indicated that information was set out on the City Council’s website. The Chief Executive went on to emphasise that the impact of the road closures would be mainly felt during the evenings and he believed that there would be little or no effect on businesses during the day. He went on to indicate that so far as Sheffield Theatres were concerned one charity performance had been affected but this had been postponed to a future date.
	In conclusion the Chief Executive emphasised that the principal public order issues were ones for the Chief Constable who would be using his general powers including those in the Public Order Act 1986 (as amended) and who had sought consent to use Sections 13 and 14A of the 1986 Public Order Act (as amended).
	Following the statement made by the Chief Executive, Councillor Sylvia Anginotti asked about the terms of Sections 13 and 14A of the 1986 Act and in response, the Chief Executive indicated that Section 13 related to the management of processions and Section14A related to trespassory assemblies. He went on to emphasise that the Chief Constable was alert to the need to balance security and the right to lawful protest.
	Councillor Peter Moore asked what constituted proof of identity and in response the Chief Executive indicated that residents of Nether Edge had been individually informed of the security arrangements for the event which, he understood in some cases related to producing some photographic form of identity such as a passports or a driving licence but he would circulate to all members of the City Council further details of these measures. In response to a question from Councillor Jillian Creasy as to what the City Council considered to be peaceful demonstration and how the City Council could be encouraged to give information to those participating in such demonstrations, the Chief Executive emphasised that the situation had a degree of fluidity but that it was his belief that the Chief Constable was seeking to deal with the event as situations developed. He also understood that the Chief Constable was determined to use his powers only to protect the City and the event.
	In conclusion, Councillor Paul Scriven asked which restrictions the City Council had been asked to support which requests had been agreed upon and which had not and in response the Chief Executive indicated that the only support required of the City Council was for the making of temporary road closures and on application by the Chief Constable, to seek the consent of the Secretary of State to the making of orders under Section 13 and 14A of the Public Order Act 1986 (as amended).

8.	NOTICE OF MOTION RE G8 CONFERENCE
	It was moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Ali Qadar that this Council:-
	(a) notes that:

	(i) the G8 countries are the most rich and powerful in the World but represent only one tenth of its population;

	(ii) the G8 meetings are a caucus for this self-selected group to discuss strategy outside electorally accountable bodies such as the United Nations or World Trade Organisation; and

	(iii) the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers are interested in supporting the war on terror on the “home front” by introducing measures which restrict our civil liberties (such as identity cards and detention and control orders), and by the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers;

	(b) believes that:-

	(i) the G8 visit will put Sheffield on the map as a place which welcomes undemocratic and repressive tendencies at the highest level;

	(ii) the security measures being put in place for the G8 visit (secrecy, exclusion zones, issuing of passes) are themselves an indication of this style of government; and


	(iii) the desire to be internationally recognised should not outweigh the rights and well- being of local people and businesses; and

	(c) therefore:-

	(i) regrets the lack of consultation preceding the decision to host the G8 visit;

	(ii) supports the right of organisations such as Make Poverty History, Sheffield Stop the War Coalition and Sheffield Dissent Network to peacefully demonstrate their views;

	(iii) undertakes to explain to the people of Sheffield exactly what the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers’ agenda is and how precisely their visit befits and benefits the City; and

	(iv) in the interests of closing the gap internationally, instructs the Chief Executive to look into the possibility of hosting a meeting for the G77 – a caucus of the World’s poorest nations.

	Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Jan Wilson, seconded by Councillor Steve Jones 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) welcomes the opportunity for the City to host the G8 meeting which will raise the national and international profile of Sheffield, and welcomes the opportunity for Sheffield to play it’s role as a major British city;

	(b) acknowledges that Britain has a duty to play a responsible role as an influential Western power;

	(c) acknowledges the significant contribution that Britain has made to decreasing global debt in recent years, led by the present Government, and applauds the Government’s commitment to tackling poverty both nationally and internationally;

	(d) applauds the recent announcement by the European Union of their pledge to dramatically increase aid to developing countries, which should see collective E.U. aid increase to $80 billion in 2010;

	(e) acknowledges that we can achieve more by our collective endeavours than we can alone and welcomes international cooperation to tackle global problems;

	(f) welcomes the approach of the Government in using their leading role in the G8, the E.U., the Commonwealth and the United Nations, to further action on issues of global importance such as climate change and poverty; and

	(g) acknowledges that members of the public may have different views to those of the Government and respects the right for all organisations and individuals to peacefully demonstrate their views.