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Minutes of Council Meeting held 1st February 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, 1st February, 2006, 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
          Simon Clement-Jones
          Pat Fox
          Ali Qadar
         
          Vic Bowden
          Pat White
         
          Graham Oxley
         
         
         
         
3        Beighton Ward
12      Ecclesall Ward
21     Richmond Ward
          Ian Saunders
          Sylvia Dunkley
          Martin Lawton
          Chris Rosling-Josephs
          Kate Dawson
          John Campbell
          Helen Mirfin-Boukouris
 
         
 
 
 
4        Birley Ward
13      Firth Park Ward
22      Shiregreen & Brightside Ward
          Bryan Lodge
          Joan Barton
          Peter Price
          Mike Pye
          Chris Weldon
          Peter Rippon
          Denise Fox
          Alan Law
         
 
 
 
5        Broomhill Ward
14      Fulwood Ward
23      Southey Ward
          Paul Scriven
          John Knight
          Tony Damms
          Alan Whitehouse
          Andrew Sangar
          Leigh Bramall
          Shaffaq Mohammed
          Janice Sidebottom
          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
         
 
 
 
7        Central Ward
16      Graves Park Ward
25      Stocksbridge & Upper Don Ward
          Jean Cromar
          Ian Auckland
          Martin Davis
          Jillian Creasy
          Barrie Jervis
         
          Mohammad Azim
         
         
 
 
 
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
 
 
          Ray Satur
 
 
        
           
 
 
 

 
            Heather Hunt asked if the Council had any idea of the number of asylum seekers in the City in the last five years and how many of those had been successful, how many had been deported and how many had been left destitute and without rights.  She also asked if the City Council had implemented Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act to remove children from asylum seeker parents who had exhausted their right of appeal and been made destitute. 
1.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
 
            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jane Bird, Alison Brelsford, Martin Brelsford, Tony Holmes, Peter Moore, Vickie Priestley, Mick Rooney, Clive Skelton and Andrew White.
 
 
2.
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 4th January, 2006, be approved as a correct record.
 
 
3.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
 
 
3.1
Petitions
 
(a)       Petition concerning Tesco Park and Ride Bus Service
 
            The Council received a petition containing 117 signatures objecting to the Tesco Abbeydale Road Park and Ride bus service being redirected away from the City Centre and heard representations from Karen Wallace, on behalf of the petitioners, who asked a number of questions as to when the decision to change the service had been made, by whom and for what reasons, what other options had been considered, for example, running it to town and then to the University area and, if so, why had they been rejected.   She also asked what consultations had taken place, what publicity had been made to encourage people to use the service and what could be done to re-establish the service.
 
            The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (Councillor Terry Fox), who stated that he was aware of the correspondence between the petition organiser and the Council and confirmed that Service 505, which had been introduced as a condition of planning permission being granted for the Tesco Store had been re-routed to serve the University and Hallamshire Hospital area as it had been poorly used on its original route.  He pointed out that people could still park at Tesco and use the 97 bus service.  However, he undertook to contact Ms. Wallace after the meeting and respond to her questions on consultation and other matters.
 
 
 
(b)       Petition concerning Lack of Bus Service in the Halsall Avenue area of Darnall
 
            The Council received a petition containing 262 signatures protesting at the lack of a bus service in the Halsall Avenue area of Darnall and heard representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Mrs. G. Lee, who stated that many of the petitioners were elderly and disabled people who could not walk down to the local shops at Darnall and that walking to Prince of Wales Road to catch a bus was also too far for them.  She stated that there used to be a bus running along Halsall Avenue, Pearce Road, James Street, Collister Gardens and Poole Road but this had been withdrawn, which meant that people were unable to get around the area, leaving them virtual prisoners in their own homes.
 
            The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (Councillor Terry Fox), who sympathised with the petitioners' plight and stated that he had been involved in talks with First Group which had led to the provision of the short term daytime service in the area, but he had been informed that the service had been withdrawn due to timetabling difficulties.  However, he undertook to arrange a further meeting with First Group to urge them to review the position.
 
 
 
(c)        Petition concerning Bus Fare Increases and Service Cuts
 
            The Council received a petition containing 2,315 signatures protesting about bus fare increases and service cuts and calling on the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and the City Council to bring about the re-regulation of local public transport, with "quality contracts" and to demand that the Government bring public transport back into public ownership.  Representations were made on behalf of the petitioners by Mr. Calvin Payne, who stated that as part of the "We Want Our Buses Back" Campaign, he had written to the Minister for Transport and read out extracts of the response that had been received and called for an end to the situation where high bus fares were deterring passengers and cuts in service meant that people did not have access to public transport.
 
            The Council referred the petition for consideration by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (Councillor Terry Fox), who gave a brief update on developments since the issue of bus services was debated at the December Council Meeting, with particular reference to Quality Bus Contracts and the South Yorkshire Bus Strategy.  He stated that he would continue to work and meet with local interest groups to continue to press for regulated bus services.
 
 
 
(d)       Petition concerning Lee Moor Common, Storrs
 
            The Council received a petition containing 40 signatures requesting the support of the Council in preventing a named individual obstructing public access to the legally designated Town and Village Green known as Lee Moor Common and, after hearing representations made on behalf of the petitioners by John Woods, who briefly highlighted the problems which were the subject of Court proceedings on 22nd March, 2006, referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Parks and Green Spaces (Councillor Harry Harpham).
 
            In response, Councillor Harpham stated that the Council had designated the land as common land two years ago and he undertook to contact Bradfield Parish Council to ensure they fulfilled their legal responsibilities to ensure the named individual abided by the law and would pass on a response to Mr. Woods.
 
 
 
(e)       Petition concerning Hathersage Road, Ecclesall Road South and Whirlow Bridge Lay-By
 
            The Council received a petition containing 11 signatures concerning road conditions in the Hathersage Road area and heard representations made on behalf of the petitions by Mr. Harold Ullyatt, commending the work which had been undertaken on Hathersage Road but drawing attention to the presence of tarmac and hardcore by the side of the road, the poor condition of the road surface at Whirlow Bridge Lay-By caused by earth moving machinery, and the generally poor state of the Whirlow Bridge traffic Island.  He stated that, although the project was designed to remove surplus water from fields adjoining the road, it had not taken into account all the water problems in the area, including the fact that, in wet weather, the river flowed down from Whirlow Brook Park and farm land, flooding the lay-by and forming a pond on Ecclesall Road South, which made that part of the road impassable for pedestrians, and another pond opposite the Judges' residence at Whirlow Court.
 
            The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Parks and Green Spaces (Councillor Harry Harpham), who stated that he understood that the works on Hathersage Road had been carried out to address problems with an adverse camber but he undertook to ask Officers to investigate the flooding and drainage problems and to clear up any mess immediately and rectify any damage in the lay-by and would keep Mr. Ullyatt informed.
 
 
 
(NOTE: Councillor Ray Satur declared an interest, as an employee of First Group, in paragraphs (b) and (c) above relating to bus services and did not speak or vote thereon.)
 
 
3.2
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.
 
 
3.3
Public Questions
 
(a)       Public Questions concerning Refugees and Asylum Seekers
 
            Robert Spooner asked if the Council could provide night shelter for 20 Iraqi Kurds faced with eviction and other destitute asylum seekers in Sheffield or help the Asylum Seekers Support Initiative to provide accommodation and if the Council could put pressure on the Government to stop using destitution as a tool to send people home.
 
            Deacon Dave Havard, in thanking Councillors for their efforts in connection with Mohammad Arrian being allowed to remain in the Country, asked if the Council could operate with more humanity when evicting people from homes and if the Council could reorder the agenda to allow Notice of Motion 14 relating to refugees and asylum seekers to be debated at this meeting.
 
 
            Stephen Lewis asked about the rights of failed asylum seekers and Stuart Crosthwaite asked what destitute people were expected to do with no income or accommodation and asked that representations be made to the Government for them not to use destitution as a weapon against refugees and asylum seekers.
 
            Lucy Hopley asked, as the Council had not exercised its powers under Section 9, could it join with others in calling for the repeal of Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act.
 
            In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration and Adult Services (Councillor Mick Rooney), who was ill, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Jan Wilson) responded by indicating that Members were concerned when dealing with issues on refugees and asylum seekers, but were required to act lawfully and would continue to do so.  She stated that a local Ward Councillor was taking up the matter relating to the 20 Iraqi Kurds and confirmed that, as advised by the Chief Executive, the Council was legally unable to provide accommodation or support for failed asylum seekers.  She stressed that the Council would continue to work through the proper procedures and was pleased that the system worked in the case of Mohammad Arrian.  She stated that the Council did know the number of refugees in the City but there was no accuracy on the numbers of those rendered destitute.  She confirmed that Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act had not been exercised by the Council, although unaccompanied children had been given support.  She also confirmed that failed asylum seekers had few rights, and that the Council would always place its duty of care to children as its highest priority.  As to whether the Council would join in seeking a repeal of Section 9, she suggested that it would be appropriate for this issue to be discussed by the all party Refugee and Asylum Seekers Working Group who could make a recommendation to the Council.  She expressed the hope that there would be an opportunity during the afternoon for a debate on Notice of Motion 14 re Refugee and Asylum Seekers.
 
 
 
(b)       Public Questions re Transport Issues
 
            Rebecca Bryson asked what prospects there were for the Council to lead a campaign and lobby Parliament for the re-regulation of bus services and asked if the Council would ask the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, in conjunction with other PTAs, to jointly call for the re-regulation of bus services and to address bus service cuts and increases in bus fares.  She referred to the recently introduced free city centre bus service in Leeds and asked why Sheffield could not reintroduce one.  She also asked if Sheffield City Council representatives put any proposals to the Passenger Transport Authority. 
 
            Terence Burke stated that he had recently moved to Sheffield and was disgusted with the bus services and asked that the poor and vulnerable should be given greater respect through providing better bus services.
 
            In response, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport (Councillor Terry Fox) stated that the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and Executive did work with others through the Passenger Transport Executives Group and formed partnerships to put forward their points of view.  He stated that Councillors from the two larger parties on the Council sat on the Passenger Transport Authority and took their responsibilities seriously and had recently recorded a vote of no confidence regarding the Company's overall approach to managing bus services within South Yorkshire.  He pointed out that meetings of the PTA were open for the public to attend.  He stressed that the Council did keep an eye on vulnerable areas by contributing to the support of bus services that were not commercially viable and had to be financed through the tendered networks.
 
 
 
 
 
(c)        Public Question re War in Iraq
 
            Alan Kenny referred to the 100th death of a British soldier in Iraq and asked about the possibility of a motion being debated at the next Council meeting urging the Government to withdraw British troops from Iraq.  He stated that a vigil was proposed to be held at 5.00 p.m. that day in the Peace Gardens and asked the Lord Mayor if a minute's silence could be held at this Council meeting as a mark of respect.
 
            In response, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Roger Davison) stated that a minute's silence would not be observed and that Members would be able to attend the vigil if they so wished.
 
 
4.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
 
RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Pat Midgley, seconded by Councillor Simon Clement-Jones, that the Council does now proceed to consideration of Item 14 related to the Notice of Motion in connection with refugees and asylum seekers.
 
 
5.
NOTICE OF MOTION RE REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS
 
            It was moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, that this Council :-
 
 
 
(a)       notes the Council’s excellent work in supporting refugees and asylum seekers through the Gateway projects and contracts with the National Asylum Support Service and thanks all the Council officers, partner agencies, local press, voluntary groups and citizens that have made this possible;
 
 
 
(b)       is deeply concerned about the number of destitute asylum seekers in the City, whose applications have failed and whose housing and benefits have been removed;
 
 
 
(c)        joins the Greater Manchester Local Authorities, the four Children’s Commissioners, the British Association of Social Workers and the Association of Directors of Social Services in calling for the repeal of Section 9 of the Asylum and Immigration Act, which allows Local Authorities to remove children from asylum-seeker parents who have exhausted their right of appeal and been made destitute;
 
 
 
(d)       welcomes the Government’s proposals for a New Asylum Model with a “case management” approach to dealing with asylum seekers which, if properly resourced, would speed the decision making process, offer consistent support and advice from arrival to decision, and avoid long periods of destitution and detention;
 
 
 
(e)       believes that asylum seekers should have the right to paid work or financial benefits (not food vouchers), education, health care, and properly funded legal advice; and
 
 
 
(f)         instructs the Chief Executive to send a copy of this Motion to the local Members of Parliament, the Minister for Immigration and the Home Secretary.
 
 
 
            Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Jan Wilson, seconded by Councillor Pat Midgley, 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)       acknowledges the distressing and oppressive circumstances that are faced by many people in countries which are devastated by civil unrest, war or poverty;
 
 
 
(b)       reaffirms that Sheffield, in common with other towns and cities across the world, takes seriously its shared responsibility to relieve the suffering and distress of those seeking refuge from oppressive conditions;
 
 
 
(c)        reaffirms its commitment to working on a cross-party basis through the Refugee and Asylum Working Group both to address issues within Sheffield and, where appropriate, to raise issues at a national level;
 
 
 
(d)       notes the achievements of the Working Group in overseeing programmes such as the Gateway Programme, the United Nations’ resettlement scheme which has seen 51 Burmese refugees and 69 West African refugees resettled in Sheffield;
 
 
 
(e)       recognises the enormous contribution of the community, voluntary and faith sectors who work within the diverse communities in Sheffield;
 
 
 
(f)         notes that on 25th January, on Holocaust Memorial Day, various faiths and communities in Sheffield joined together to reflect as a City how we can ensure that the prejudice that swept the continent over 60 years ago does not happen again; and
 
 
 
(g)       believes that as a City we have always made a firm commitment to oppose victimisation and racism in all its forms and believes that we must always continue to do so.
 
 
 
            On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.
 
 
 
            The motion, as amended, was then put as a substantive motion in the following form and carried:-
 
 
 
            That this Council:
 
 
 
(a)       acknowledges the distressing and oppressive circumstances that are faced by many people in countries which are devastated by civil unrest, war or poverty;
 
 
 
(b)       reaffirms that Sheffield, in common with other towns and cities across the world, takes seriously its shared responsibility to relieve the suffering and distress of those seeking refuge from oppressive conditions;
 
 
 
(c)        reaffirms its commitment to working on a cross-party basis through the Refugee and Asylum Working Group both to address issues within Sheffield and, where appropriate, to raise issues at a national level;
 
 
 
(d)       notes the achievements of the Working Group in overseeing programmes such as the Gateway Programme, the United Nations’ resettlement scheme which has seen 51 Burmese refugees and 69 West African refugees resettled in Sheffield;
 
 
 
(e)       recognises the enormous contribution of the community, voluntary and faith sectors who work within the diverse communities in Sheffield;
 
 
 
(f)         notes that on 25th January, on Holocaust Memorial Day, various faiths and communities in Sheffield joined together to reflect as a City how we can ensure that the prejudice that swept the continent over 60 years ago does not happen again; and
 
 
 
(g)       believes that as a City we have always made a firm commitment to oppose victimisation and racism in all its forms and believes that we must always continue to do so.
 
 
 
(NOTE: Councillors Sylvia Anginotti, Tony Damms, Jackie Drayton, Denise Fox, Terry Fox and Tim Rippon declared interests, as employees of various Housing Associations and abstained from voting on the above item.)
 
 
6.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
 
RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Pat Midgley, seconded by Councillor Jean Cromar, that the Council does now proceed to consideration of Item 7 relating to the Notice of Motion relating to the Heart of the City Regeneration Projects.
 
 
7.
NOTICE OF MOTION RE HEART OF THE CITY REGENERATION PROJECTS
 
            It was moved by Councillor Anne Smith, seconded by Councillor Mike Waters, that this Council:
 
 
 
(a)       welcomes the progress made on the Heart of the City regeneration projects;
 
 
 
(b)       notes that:
 
 
 
(i)         these projects would bring £778 million of private sector investment into the City;
 
 
 
(ii)        an economic analysis and an economic assessment underpins all activity on these projects in which the private sector plays an integral role;
 
 
 
(iii)       a total of £950 million of investment activity will be generated under the Heart of the City Master Plan;
 
 
 
(iv)       the City Council’s commitment is for the sum of £6.3million only, which represents an exceptionally good return for Sheffield; and