Minutes of the Meetings of the City Council held on Wednesday 6th September 2006

Minutes of a Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 6th September, 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	Anne Smith	Sam Wall
Julie Dore	Mike Waters	Mike Peat
John Robson	Keith Hill	David Barker

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

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
Alan Whitehouse	Andrew Sangar	Tony Damms
	Janice Sidebottom	Leigh Bramall

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

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

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

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

		28 Woodhouse Ward
		Ray Satur
		Marjorie Barker
		Mick Rooney

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion of the Lord Mayor (Councillor Jackie Drayton), seconded by Councillor Steve Jones, that under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Honorary Freedom of the City of Sheffield conferred by the Council upon The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) in recognition of the eminent service rendered by them to the Nation and their friendly associations with the City, be now conferred by the Council on The Yorkshire Regiment, which was recently formed by an amalgamation of three historic County Regiments including the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 6th September, 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	Anne Smith	Sam Wall
Julie Dore	Mike Waters	Mike Peat
John Robson	Keith Hill	David Barker

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

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
Alan Whitehouse	Andrew Sangar	Tony Damms
	Janice Sidebottom	Leigh Bramall

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

7 Central Ward	16 Graves Park Ward	25 Stocksbridge & Up, per Don Ward
Bernard Little	Bob McCann	Martin Davis
Jean Cromar	Peter Moore
	Ian Auckland

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

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

		28 Woodhouse Ward
		Ray Satur
		Marjorie Barker
		Mick Rooney

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Baker, Jillian Creasy, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Diane Leek, Graham Oxley, Paul Scriven, Andrew White, Pat White and Jan Wilson.

2.	DEATH OF FORMER COUNCILLOR PETER WOOD
	The Lord Mayor (Councillor Jackie Drayton) referred in sympathetic terms to the recent death of former Councillor Peter Wood and, after a number of Members of the City Council paid tribute to him, a minute's silence in his memory was observed.

3.	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 26th July, 2006, be approved as a correct record.

4.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
4.1	Petitions
	(a) Petition concerning Road Safety on Abbeydale Road
	The Council received a petition containing 82 signatures and heard representations made on their behalf by Christopher Senior, drawing attention to the danger of speeding vehicles to other road users, including those on the pavements and to residents in their houses on Abbeydale Road, south of its junction with London Road near to Mount Pleasant Park and requesting the installation of a speed camera.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Transport (Councillor Terry Fox) suggested that, in many cases, there was a fine line between anti-social behaviour and poor driving and the Council had received frequent requests for the installation of speed cameras, and the request contained in the petition would have to be assessed in accordance with the agreed criteria for such provision and he 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.

	(b) Petition concerning the Future of Ann's Grove School
	The Council received a petition containing 466 signatures and heard representations made on their behalf by Susan Hearnshaw, calling on the Council to ensure that the old Ann's Grove School building is not sold off to property developers or left to go to ruin, as the petitioners considered that the building is of historic significance and is part of the community of Heeley and should be preserved for the use of the people of Heeley.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance (Councillor Steve Jones) indicated that the speaker's plea for the Council to protect the school building as a means of supporting community spirit in the Heeley area as well as providing an educational facility was shared by the Council and that the issue was being actively investigated by local Councillors taking account of local people’s views and it was hoped to resolve the situation over the next month or two.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance (Councillor Steve Jones).

	(c) Petition concerning the Payment of Benefits to Ill or Disabled People
	The Council received a petition containing 201 signatures from the North Sheffield Federation for Disabled Self-Help Groups and heard representations made on their behalf by Jason Leman, opposing any move by the Government to force ill or disabled people to look for work against their better judgement and opposing any cuts in benefits for people who feel they are not ready to return to work and expressing concerns about the impartiality of local Councils and their ability to benefit financially from return to work programmes.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Adult Services (Councillor Mick Rooney) indicated that he would not expect the Council to be part of any programme which was exploitative but he believed the Government's proposals were well-intended and had been designed to provide training and job opportunities for people with learning and physical disabilities as well as to accurately appraise their ability to enter the labour market. Whilst he agreed that employers had a responsibility to provide disabled people with meaningful work and remove barriers to their employment, he disagreed that the Government's proposals were a cost cutting exercise aimed at forcing people back to work.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Adult Services (Councillor Mick Rooney).

	(d) Petition concerning Pedestrian Safety at Carr Road
	The Council received a petition containing 64 signatures of residents of Carr Road, Walkley, expressing their concerns for the safety of pedestrians, especially children, due to the volume, speed and dangerous driving, including driving on the pavements, that occurs on Carr Road, Walkley, and suggesting that a 20 mph limit is imposed, with an electronic sign that flashes "slow down" or a speed camera.
	The Council referred the petition for consideration by the West and North Planning and Highways Area Board.


4.2	Public Questions
	(a) Public Question concerning leafleting in the City Centre
	Dave Fisher asked whether the Council would reconsider its proposals to restrict leafleting in the City Centre which he considered to be a traditional form of communication or protest.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces (Councillor Brian Lodge) indicated that the Council had been looking at this issue for some time, due to the severe problems with litter in the City Centre from time to time caused by leafleting. The Council's City Centre Management Team received on average one complaint from the public per day regarding litter in the City Centre and the Council was now seeking to incorporate the appropriate legislation into its Service Delivery Plans. The Council would not wish to inhibit campaigning organisations (charities and political organisations were, in any case, exempt from legislation) but due regard had to be given to taking action where leafleting had become a problem such as that arising from the night-time economy and associated leafleting by night clubs, pubs etc.

	(b) Public Question concerning Stop the War Demonstration
	Rebecca Bryson asked whether the Council was aware of the Stop the War Demonstration to be held in Manchester on 23rd September, 2006, and the preceding Stop the War events in Sheffield which would culminate in a Peoples' Walk and Cycle from Sheffield to Manchester. She also asked whether the Council supported these events and whether the Lord Mayor and Council Members across all parties would support the commencement of the Peoples' Walk and Cycle event.
	In response, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance (Councillor Steve Jones) indicated that he was aware of these activities but they would not be formally endorsed by the Council. However, individual Members had the opportunity to support the cause of peace in the Middle-East, the Sudan and other areas. Work was progressing across all political parties represented on the Council and with the Sheffield Members of Parliament to support the cause of peace.

5.	SHEFFIELD INTERNATIONAL VENUES
	Steve Brailey, Chief Executive, Sheffield International Venues, Wayne Coyle, Head of Sport and Director of Olympic and Paralympic Strategy, Sean Nolan, Head of Operations, Andrew Snelling, Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director and Glynn Sherwin, Chairman of Sheffield International Venues (SIV), attended the meeting to provide an update on the performance of SIV and the specific opportunities for Sheffield arising from the staging of the London Olympic and Paraplegic Games in 2012.
	Steve Brailey provided a presentation in which he explained the management structure of the Sheffield City Trust (the parent Board to SIV) and the SIV Board where 12 trustees sat on the Sheffield City Trust Board and eight Directors on the SIV Board. He referred to the overall aim of SIV which was to provide Excellence for All in Sport, Leisure and Entertainment within an organisational culture which had six core values including customer focus, equality of opportunity, continuous improvement, a professional and responsible approach, openness, honesty and integrity and a "can do" approach with the objective of increasing participation and attendances at SIV's facilities, maximising everyone's potential, maximising the economic impact on the City and promoting Sheffield's image and profile.
	In terms of the success of SIV, he pointed to the wide range of sporting facilities provided by SIV at major venues such as the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, the Don Valley Stadium and the Hillsborough Leisure Centre and to the anticipated company turnover of £19.5m in 2006/07 which had increased markedly and consistently over the last seven years with accrued savings of £6.3m being made by SIV in that period despite potentially damaging increases in energy costs. The facilities managed by SIV had continued to be improved and upgraded and the level of use at the facilities had continued to increase with 56,000 attendances at sports venues per week.
	A major success had been the Fitness Unlimited Scheme which had been launched in January, 2000, which comprised the largest fitness club membership in the City of over 12,500 and had become popular due to its affordability. The success of the facilities had been highlighted by their achievements in the United Kingdom Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure (QUEST) which had resulted in commendations for the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, the Don Valley Stadium, the English Institute of Sport and ICE Sheffield. In addition, the Hillsborough Leisure Centre had won the Fitness Industry Association Award 2005 for the United Kingdom’s Leisure Centre of the Year.
	Mr. Brailey went on to describe how SIV had striven to raise the number of people undertaking sporting activity and improve the health of the local community through Active Lifestyle Programmes, a general practitioner referral scheme and various sports development programmes. Much of SIV's success had also been aided by customer consultation through a customer care line, customer satisfaction surveys and an annual report. He felt that the City had been effectively presented nationally and internationally by the holding of 1,500 events across a range of professional and amateur sports. Events such as the World Snooker Championships and The Games 2006 (which attracted 65m television audience and created an estimated extra 7,200 demand on hotel bed nights) had helped to market Sheffield.
	In concluding, he pointed to the major contribution that the Sports Venues made to the local economy where, it was estimated £10m per annum visitor spend was generated and that the pursuit of sport as an investment priority placed Sheffield in a strong position to secure benefits accruing from the staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012.
	The Council then received a presentation from Wayne Coyle, Head of Sport and Director of Olympic and Paralympic Strategy, on Sheffield’s strategy for exploiting the sporting and other cultural, economic, social and environmental opportunities provided by the Olympics and Paralympic Games. He provided the Council with information on the national structure for the organisation of the Olympics through the Olympic Delivery Authority for the Games which oversaw the building of the facilities, additional road infrastructure requirements, transport etc. and the London Organising Committee for the Games, the body for delivering the actual games events with the help of a large number of volunteers. Sheffield's response to this had been to work with partners in the City, and Yorkshire Culture to prepare a regional response to the Olympics, which had culminated in the establishment of a Olympics and Paralympics Steering Group, comprising South Yorkshire partners and other key regional organisations. SIV had also researched and tracked regional, national and international developments as well as improved the profiling of the City at international events such as the World wheelchair Basketball Championships. Work had also been carried out to learn from the experiences of other countries who had recently staged the Games such as Australia and Greece.
	In order to raise Sheffield's profile, a marketing brand entitled "Lighting the Flame" had been established to maximise any commercial opportunities arising from the Games and a Sport Sheffield Community Support Network had also been established. Work had also been undertaken to target national governing bodies to base their major activities in the City and these included the governing bodies for boxing, basketball, volley ball and handball. Additionally, the City had hosted its first international training camp for athletes from outside of the United Kingdom and a public relations campaign had also been launched to promote the City's sporting facilities.
	SIV had sought to exploit opportunities through a vision which sought to secure Sheffield's place as the most active United Kingdom City by 2012 and to promote the City as a Euro-city of cultural distinction, positioning the City as a leader in hosting and delivering major events. Sheffield Hallam University had taken the lead to pursue the objective of ensure that South Yorkshire contributing 10% of the athletes to the Great Britain Team by 2012 and to provide a structure which provided for the progression of individuals from ordinary sport participation to elite status in certain sports. Sheffield was also striving to become the United Kingdom's leading City in sports business development.
	In summary, Mr. Coyle believed that Sheffield was well placed to grasp the opportunities provided by the Olympics in view of its sporting facili