Meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday 4th October 2006
CITY OF SHEFFIELD
METROPOLITAN DISTRICT
COUNCIL SUMMONS
Notice is hereby given that a Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield
will be held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on
Wednesday, 4th October, 2006, at 2.00 p.m.
PUBLIC INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS AND ACCESS TO MEETINGS Council Meetings are open to the public. Admittance to the public gallery can be gained via the First Point Reception, Old Town Hall, Pinstone Street. Details of the business to be transacted can be viewed in advance at the First Point Reception which is open between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and between 9.00 a.m. and 4.45 p.m. on Friday, or you can ring on telephone no. 2734552. A copy of the Council Summons and any reports are also available on the Council’s website at www.sheffield.gov.uk. |
THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS IS PROPOSED TO BE TRANSACTED-
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
To receive the record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Council held on 6th September, 2006, and to approve the accuracy thereof.
2. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
To receive any questions or communications from the public, or communications submitted by the Lord Mayor or the Chief Executive and to pass such resolutions thereon as the Standing Orders permit and as may be deemed expedient.
3. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
(a) Questions relating to urgent business - Standing Order No. A18(6).
(b) Questions submitted at this meeting – Standing Order A18(2)
(c) Supplementary questions on questions submitted at this meeting - Standing Order No. A18(4).
(d) Questions on the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue, Passenger Transport, Pensions and Police - Section 41 of the Local Government Act, 1985 - Standing Order No. A18(6).
(e) Questions on the discharge of the functions of the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly –
Standing Order No. A18(6).
4. REPRESENTATION, DELEGATED AUTHORITY AND RELATED ISSUES
To consider any changes to the memberships and arrangements for meetings of Boards etc., delegated authority, and the appointment of representatives to serve on other bodies.
5. ITEMS REFERRED TO COUNCIL
CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005 AND THE ANTI-SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR ACT 2003
To consider a decision which was referred by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 13th September, 2006.
WISEWOOD, WADSLEY, LOXLEY STOCK TRANSFER
To consider a decision which was referred by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 13th September, 2006.
6. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR CHRIS WELDON
That this Council:
(a) believes that anti-social behaviour is a significant issue for individuals and families living in some neighbourhoods in Sheffield;
(b) acknowledges that although Sheffield is a very safe City overall, the experience of persistent anti-social behaviour will severely affect the quality of life of residents of the neighbourhoods concerned;
(c) believes that it is imperative that as a Council we respond to local people’s concerns and work together with the Government and local partners, to address the problem of anti-social behaviour wherever it occurs;
(d) welcomes the programme of Street Briefings currently underway in Sheffield, which invite local people to meet those who are working to make their communities safer, and invites local people to share their concerns about their neighbourhoods;
(e) notes that the first Street Briefing, which was co-ordinated by the Council’s Community Safety Team and took place in Woodthorpe in July, was very much welcomed by the local community and thanks local people for taking the time and the trouble to speak up about the issues that concern them in their neighbourhood;
(f) welcomes the commitment of the Police, Fire Service and Sheffield Homes to working in partnership with the Council to providing safer neighbourhoods for the people of Sheffield;
(g) particularly welcomes the involvement of Sheffield’s local evening newspaper, ‘The Star’ in supporting and promoting the current ‘Stand Together’ campaign, which encourages and supports Sheffield residents in standing up to bad behaviour together to help make Sheffield’s streets safer;
(h) supports the Government’s Respect agenda which is based on an unambiguous belief that everyone should be expected to uphold certain basic standards of behaviour towards others;
(i) welcomes the imminent visit of the Government’s Respect Academy, which will give Government Ministers a chance to look at examples of the Council’s proactive stance against anti-social behaviour; and
(j) is committed to working together, both with the Government and with local agencies, to make a real difference in tackling anti-social behaviour, and improving the quality of life for people living in Sheffield.
7. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR IAN AUCKLAND
That this Council:
(a) believes that a high quality publicly funded health service, free at the point of need, is one of this Country’s proudest achievements;
(b) notes that Sheffield’s local NHS delivers a high quality service to the citizens of Sheffield and therefore thanks all local NHS employees for their hard work within a challenging environment;
(c) notes with concern that the present Government is forcing Sheffield’s local NHS to find an almost impossible amount of savings over the next three years; including:-
(i) £90m in acute health services;
(ii) £9m within the Children’s Hospital;
(iii) £35m within Sheffield’s PCTs; and
(iv) £2.5m in Sheffield’s Care Trust;
(d) believes that these financially led cuts will undoubtedly have a detrimental effect on health and social care provision in Sheffield including greater financial pressures on the Council’s adult services;
(e) supports all those who took part in the recent protest against the closure of the S2 Ward in Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital;
(f) does not support the proposal to close the S2 Ward at Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital, which is financially led and driven by Central Government policy;
(g) therefore calls on Sheffield’s Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Board to drop their proposal to close the S2 Ward next year;
(h) believes that the NHS should be protected against the constant unnecessary and unhelpful reform and the front-line service cuts brought about by the present Government’s policy, both on a local and national level;
(i) therefore calls on the present Government to adopt a new health policy which embraces the principles of decentralisation, democratic accountability and closer working between primary care and social services whilst putting doctors and nurses at the heart of healthcare decision making rather than accountants ordered in by Whitehall; and
(j) directs that a copy of this motion is sent to the Secretry of State for Health, the Sheffield Members of Parliament, local Health Trade Union representatives and the Chief Executives of all Sheffield’s NHS bodies.
8. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR MARY LEA
That this Council:
(a) confirms that Sheffield is the greenest City in England;
(b) knows that the people of Sheffield are proud of and highly value the greenness of the City;
(c) believes that parks and green spaces are immensely important to people’s quality of life, providing the ‘green lungs’ of the City;
(d) notes that Sheffield has a history of strong commitment to the environmental agenda;
(e) welcomes the international ‘Making Places Profitable’ conference which recently took place in Sheffield, which explored the role of environmental improvements in stimulating economic growth in cities;
(f) is clear that it should take the lead in raising awareness and understanding of the role that the environment plays in attracting sustainable development;
(g) believes that the Council’s commitment to the environmental agenda is crucial, not only to the quality of life for Sheffield residents but also to the economy of the City; and
(h) welcomes the recent Cabinet approval of the Council’s Environmental Excellence Strategy which sets out how the Council can address its own environmental performance and use its significant influence, through policies, plans and programmes to embed this strategy across the wider City.
9. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR DAVID BAKER
That this Council:
(a) believes that we have a duty to ensure our built environment contributes to a high quality and sustainable environment in which people live and work;
(b) believes that environmental concerns should be at the heart of all decisions, strategies and policies;
(c) recognises that the proposed New Retail Quarter is one of the largest development projects Sheffield has ever seen and that this presents an opportunity to improve Sheffield’s green credentials and contribute towards the battle against climate change;
(d) should take action to ensure that the proposed New Retail Quarter, and other appropriate future developments, minimise carbon emissions by incorporating measures such as solar power, micro power generation, combined heat and power, recycled grey water and maximum energy efficiency;
(e) therefore directs that a ‘Sustainable Design Panel’ is set up which will:-
(i) advise and work with developers and planning officers in order to achieve environmental targets beyond those currently required by planning guidelines;
(ii) have the same status as the Urban Design Panel whose recommendations become a material planning consideration; and
(iii) comprise representatives of the Council, the local business community, conservation groups and other interested and appropriate bodies; and
(f) therefore directs the Chief Executive to draw up a report in consultation with all political parties on the Council, to be brought back to full Council within two months, which outlines the workings and details of the ‘Sustainable Design Panel’ as outlined above.
10. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR BRYAN LODGE
That this Council:
(a) notes that the City has made great strides forward in recent years in enhancing it’s reputation as one of Europe’s greenest cities and further notes that Sheffield’s success in winning Gold for Britain in Entente Florale was the ultimate recognition of this progress;
(b) believes that Sheffield’s reputation as England’s greenest City and the City’s success in Entente Florale could not have been achieved without the contribution of local residents, businesses and community groups across the whole of the City;
(c) wishes to congratulate the outstanding success of Sheffield’s community entrants in this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom competition, and personally thank those who make such a huge contribution to making the City look beautiful; and
(d) directs that copies of this resolution be sent to all those who won awards in the competition –
Chairman’s Award:
Eddie and June Jones, Beighton Orchard (Beighton in Bloom)
Environmental Award (Yorkshire Water Trophy):
Frances Tivey, Bolsterstone in Bloom
Villages and Towns:
Frances Tivey, Bolsterstone in Bloom
Vicky Williams, Firth Park in Bloom
Richard Godley, Grenoside in Bloom
Norman Garrett, Chapeltown in Bloom
Melanie Smart, Bradfield in Bloom
Danni Piermattei, Stannington in Bloom
Amanda Jones, Beighton in Bloom
Joan Banks, Stocksbridge in Bloom
Wendy Collins, Oughtibridge in Bloom
Businesses/Tourism/Gardens:
Steve Hogg, St Luke's Hospice
Trevor Wraigh, Kelham Island Tavern
Simon, Dore Moor Inn
Anton Whittaker, Meadowhall
Angus Hunter, General Cemetery
Joe Rowntree, Botanical Gardens
Neighbourhoods:
Angus Hunter, Lynwood Gardens
Kay Bewes, Hanover Estate Gardens
Cheryl Martens, Page Hall Community Association
Karen Wood, Wincobank Open Space
Polly Blacker, HERB Broomhall
Universities:
Paul Fletcher, University of Sheffield
11. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR SHAFFAQ MOHAMMED
That this Council:
(a) notes that it is one year since the major South Asia Earthquake;
(b) thanks all those who have contributed in providing aid for those in the region who lost loved ones, were injured or made homeless due to the devastating effects of the earthquake;
(c) is proud of the ongoing aid contribution by individuals and organisations from Sheffield, including the Pakistan Muslim Centre and the Lord Mayor’s charity who are helping to rebuild a school and a college in Bagh;
(d) notes that one year on from the disaster those in the region are still in need of much aid and
support;
(e) therefore urges the people of Sheffield to continue to contribute to the aid relief effort as much as possible; and
(f) directs that copies of this motion are sent out to all relevant local faith leaders and communities and the Pakistani High Commissioner.
12. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR ANNE SMITH
That this Council:
(a) notes that sustainable local communities are essential to the improvement and success of all areas throughout the City and have a vital role in regeneration;
(b) notes that all community facilities such as halls, clubs, community centres and post offices are very important to sustainability, thriving communities and community spirit;
(c) further notes that in some areas such as Totley, there is a lack of community facilities and that in other areas such as Southey Green (where the Ritz Social Club is being demolished to make way for 44 apartments) community facilities are being replaced by developments which do nothing for sustainability;
(d) further notes that this Council is constantly giving the illusion that local communities can have a greater say over what happens in their area, i.e. “Your Council Your Say” but that in practice, action on the ground gives people the impression that their views are being ignored; and
(e) accordingly resolves:
(i) to facilitate the provision, retention and improvement of community
facilities as a matter of policy, throughout Sheffield;
(ii) that the local planning process takes full account of the important role community facilities have in creating and maintaining sustainable communities; and
(iii) to listen to communities and community representatives before taking decisions which affect the quality of life of local residents as implied in the title” Your Council Your Say”.
13. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR JILLIAN CREASY
That this Council:
(a) acknowledges that different people and groups across the City will have different views about what is meant by, and how to achieve, a “cleaner, greener, safer” Sheffield;
(b) affirms that seeking to explore and respond to those diverse views is a valid role for officers and elected Members;
(c) notes, however, that the recent “Your Council, Your Say” exercise was:-
(i) statistically unreliable because of flawed sampling methods, poor response rate and biased questions;
(ii) unlikely to produce useful qualitative data because of the narrow scope, lack of purposive sampling and failure to provide space for comments; and
(iii) propaganda rather than genuine research;
and as such, did nothing to increase people’s confidence in the City Council’s willingness to listen to their views;
(d) cost Council Tax payers at least £45,000; and
(e) therefore resolves that, in future, any such exercise should be carried out in a more rounded, systematic and democratic manner, or the equivalent money and effort spent on more worthwhile projects such as the drive to encourage people to register to vote.
14. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR JILLIAN CREASY
That this Council:
(a) notes the current traffic congestion problems through Woodseats and along Abbeydale Road;
(b) notes the current attempts by local residents to improve the rail services stopping at Dronfield
Station;
(c) notes that Dronfield has one of the railway stations worst affected by privatisation due to it's
(c) notes that Dronfield has one of the railway stations worst affected by privatisation due to it's
position on a regional border and the fact that the franchise running the Station does not operate a service stopping there;
(d) notes that the number of stopping services at Dronfield, since privatisation in 1995, has been cut dramatically;
(e) therefore supports the campaign to improve Dronfield's rail service; and
(f) directs that copies of this motion be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport, and to Midland Mainline, Virgin Cross-Country, Central Trains, Arriva Northern and the residents' campaign group.
15. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR BERNARD LITTLE
That this Council:
(a) recognises that as Sheffield is one of the pilot Employment Consortia, the Welfare Reform Bill will have a large impact upon the people of Sheffield and the Council;
(b) notes that the Department of Health's recommendation on Fair Access to Care (2003) states:
"Councils should recognise that individuals are the experts on their own situation and encourage a partnership approach to assessment. They should help them prepare for the assessment process and find the best way for each individual to
state their views";
(c) notes that instead of engaging Incapacity Benefit claimants as partners, the Welfare Reform Bill will be prescriptive, with Claimants of the proposed Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) losing control over their return to work;
(d) notes that the level of fraudulent benefit claims is at 1% (+- 0.5%, DWP);
(e) is concerned that:
(i) there is no new money for the Employment and Skills Strategy to ensure employment, medical treatment and other support provided will be adequate and suitable;
(ii) over half of Personal Capability Assessments for Incapacity Benefit are currently found to be incorrect on appeal, yet there will be no proper provision for an improved medical assessment process under the new system;
(iii) Personal Advisors will be under pressure to meet targets of putting 6,500 incapacity benefit claimants back into work in the Sheffield region by 2010;
(iv) Personal Advisors threatening benefit cuts will force claimants into inappropriate treatment, unsuitable levels of work, or employment that is wholly unsuited to their capacities; and
(v) the threat of benefit cuts will cause claimants fear and stress, reducing the likelihood of long-term (re)engagement with employment or voluntary work;
(f) believes there is more to be gained for Sheffield, both financially and socially, by welfare reform that promotes a trusting system that supports the individual needs of claimants;
(g) notes that rather than being "work-shy", many claimants currently find it difficult to gain employment as 60% of employers themselves acknowledge they discriminate against potential employees with some form of disability, especially varying health conditions and mental illness;
(h) will strongly oppose any policy that involves conditionality, where claimants will be threatened with benefit sanctions;
(i) will commit, as part of its equality and diversity policy, to tackle discrimination experienced in employment by people with disabilities or ill health; and
(j) directs that copies of this motion be sent to the Sheffield Members of Parliament and
Ministers' at the Department of Work and Pensions.
16. NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN BY COUNCILLOR PETER MOORE
That this Council:
(a) notes the recently published leak from the CIA in a “National Intelligence Estimate Report” which contradicts the assertions by the President of the USA, supported by the Prime Minister as to the reasons for the invasion of Iraq and further highlights the fact that the Iraq war has provided a primary recruiting vehicle for violent extremists motivating a new generation of potential terrorists around the World;
(b) notes the fact that the Prime Minister misled Parliament and the British public about the reasons for the invasion of Iraq;
(c) notes the denial by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in an interview on the BBC on 25th September that the conclusions of the National Intelligence Estimate were correct and during that interview his support for the actions taken by the Prime Minister in invading Iraq; and
(d) therefore concludes that one of the most lasting legacies of the Prime Minister will be the disastrous Iraq invasion and its tragic consequences.
17. OBSERVATIONS
To receive observations on the minutes of the meetings of the various Council bodies for the period 19th August to 15th September , 2006.
Chief Executive
Dated this 26th day of September, 2006
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