Council Minutes 1st October, 2003

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held Wednesday, 1st October, 2003

Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 1st October, 2003 pursuant to notice duly given and Summonses duly served.

PRESENT

THE LORD MAYOR (Councillor Diane Leek)

THE DEPUTY LORD MAYOR (Councillor Mike Pye)

1 Beauchief Ward	11 Firth Park Ward	20 Nether Shire Ward
Peter Moore	AlanLaw	Jane Bird
Andrew Sangar	Joan Barton	Doreen Newton
		Peter Rippon

2 Birley Ward	12 Hallam Ward	21 Netherthorpe Ward
Angela Smith	John Knight	Sylvia Anginotti
Bryan Lodge	John Hesketh	Steve Ayris
		Brian Holmes

3 Brightside Ward	13 Handsworth Ward	22 Norton Ward
Peter Price	Mick Rooney	Chris Tutt
Alf Meade	Ray Satur	Garry Weatherall
John Webster	Marjorie Barker	Beverley Wright

4 Broomhill Ward	14 Heeley Ward	23 Owlerton Ward
Alan Whitehouse	Tessa Hainey	Mark Wilde
Paul Scriven	Ian Richardson	James Hanson
Janice Sidebottom	Terry Fox

5 Burngreave Ward	15 Hillsborough Ward	24 Park Ward
Ibrar Hussain	Janet Bragg	John Robson
Steve Jones	Peter MacLoughlin	Julie Dore
Jackie Field	Robert MacDonald

6 Castle Ward	16 Intake Ward	25 Sharrow Ward
Jan Wilson	Martin Lawton	Jean Cromar
Mike King	John Campbell	Mohammad Nazir
Pat Midgley	Bob McCann	Basheer Khan

7 Chapel Green Ward	17 Manor Ward	26 South Wortley Ward
Kathleen Chadwick	Harry Harpham	Vic Bowden
Graham Oxley	Jan Fiore	Arthur Dunworth
	Gill Furniss	David Baker

8 Darnall Ward	18 Mosborough Ward	27 Southey Green Ward
Mary Lea	Chris Rosling-Josephs	Tim Rippon
Mohammad Altaf	Barbara Belcher	Tony Damms
	Sam Wall	Steve Wilson

9 Dore Ward	19 Nether Edge Ward	28 Stocksbridge Ward
Keith Hill	Andrew White	Maureen Brelsford
	Pat White	Martin Brelsford
	Ali Qadar

10 Ecclesall Ward		29 Walkley Ward
Roger Davison		Jonathan Harston
Sylvia Dunkley		Veronica Hardstaff
Kate Dawson

1.	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
	Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Barrow, Martin Davis, Mike Davis, Pat Fox, Ilyas Khan, Ian Richardson, Colin Ross, Anne Smith, Elizabeth Taylor and Chris Weldon.

2.	PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
	Petitions
	The Council considered petitions (a) containing 656 signatures, regarding the disrepair of the Rivelin Mill Pond and calling upon the City Council to re-assess this issue as promised and, after hearing representations made by Mr. Roger Kite on behalf of the petitioners, referred the petition for consideration by Councillor Gill Furniss, the Cabinet Member for Development, Environment and Leisure who also responded by indicating that this matter would be considered as part of the Council's budget setting process for the 2004/2005 financial year;
	(b) containing 1,010 signatures requesting the provision of a skateboard park at Stocksbridge and after hearing representations made on behalf of the petitioners by Mr. Paul Howard referred the petition for consideration by Councillor Gill Furniss the Cabinet Member for Development, Environment and Leisure who also indicated that she would meet with representatives of Stocksbridge Town Council to consider this request;
	(c) containing 113 signatures supporting the proposal to redesignate the remaining Norton Free catchment area to Meadowhead, and calling upon the City Council to recognise Norton Free as an official feeder school to Meadowhead and after hearing representations from Mrs. J. Phelan on behalf of the petitioners referred the petition to Councillor Angela Smith, the Cabinet Member for Education who indicated that, at the moment, the Authority had no preferred options with regard to the Norton Free catchment area and that all proposals would be considered;
	(d) containing 1,084 signatures requesting the Council not to close Newton Grange Elderly Persons' Home until equal or better facilities are provided and referred the petition for consideration by Councillor Mick Rooney, the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health; and
	(e) containing 5,800 requesting the City Council to reconsider their proposal of a commercial rent payment of £30,000 per year and rising as attached to the new lease of Sheffield Central Deaf Club, residing at the property of 2 Surrey Place and indicating that they believe this to be an unfair and unjust action by the City Council towards deaf people and after hearing representations made by Mr. Philip Richardson on behalf of the petitioners agreed that the petition be referred for consideration by Councillor Jan Wilson the Leader of the City Council and be considered together with Notice of Motion No.11 to be moved by Councillor Paul Scriven.

	Public Question re: Planning Permission Policies and Procedures
	Mr. Martin Brighton asked if the Council would please consider the benefits of whether it would be wise to undertake a policy review with regard to the way in which planning permissions were conducted, in the context of a possibly new set of policies and guidelines and, gave two examples to support his question relating to a recent application in connection with the City Centre which dealt solely with the building although it was known that the proposed development was part of a larger plan and was itself dependent upon the results of further planning permissions and development and asking whether or not it would be possible when dealing with such matters, rather than in isolation, to include all related materials such that the deciding Councillors were at least aware of all the facts upon which they could give full and fair consideration adding that the present system appeared to be geared up to "salami" type planning in the City Centre; and also referring to suburbs and sales of Council held land around Council housing which raised several concerns relating to (a) where more affluent people could buy the land adjacent to what were Council homes, displays were seen of ostentation next to poverty; (b) where the land was bought and then fenced, the effect was that the perfect environment for crime and burglary was being encouraged and (c) in his view, some developments were out of character with the area, and without consultation with the people. In conclusion he asked if it would be possible to undertake a policy review such that our neighbourhoods were no longer left to decline in "free fall".
	In response, Councillor Jan Wilson, the Leader of the City Council, indicated that all planning matters were subject to planning laws and also added that many outstanding issues would be clarified once the Unitary Development Plan had been reviewed, which review offered an opportunity for comments to be made.
	She also added that, when consideration was being given to larger sites, a Masterplan was created and developers were informed of the requirements of the Masterplan. Anyone, however could apply for any developments within the site but the Planning Committee, would decide upon the final outcome.
	In conclusion, and turning to the comments relating to the development of owner/occupying property and land adjacent to Council homes, she indicated that owner/occupiers either had permitted rights or had to seek planning permission for any developmental proposals.

	Public Questions re: Sheffield Central Deaf Club
	A number of members of the public raised questions with regard to the future of the Sheffield Central Deaf Club and particularly the proposals from the City Council to increase the rental charges for the Club's premises by approximately 67%.
	Questioners particularly raised issues with regard to the future of the Club if such a rental charge was to be imposed and, although accepting that the City Council wished to work with the Club with a view to securing its future nevertheless expressed anxieties.
	Comments were also made with regard to why the City Council were prepared to spend money on paving in the City Centre but were not prepared to support the Club.
	In response the Leader indicated that she was extremely sorry that the questioners were of the opinion that it was the wish of the City Council to close the Club. She referred to a meeting which she had held with members of the Club earlier in the summer at which discussions were held with regard to the Club's financial situation and consideration was given to the best means by which the City Council could support the Club in the future. The Leader went on to emphasise that the Club's rent would not be increased this year as the City Council's grant aid provision would offset any potential increase.
	Turning to the question of works in the City Centre, Councillor Wilson indicated that finance for these works was given to the City Council for a specific purpose and could not be redirected elsewhere.
	The Leader concluded by stressing that it was the wish of the City Council to seek proper provision for the Club in the City in the long term and that she hoped that the questioners were now reassured with regard to the future of the Club, emphasising that the City Council and the Club would continue to work together in the future for the Club's benefit.

3.	ORDER OF BUSINESS
	RESOLVED: On the motion of Councillor Pat Midgley, seconded by Councillor John Webster, that the Council do now proceed to the consideration of Item 11 "Notice of Motion given by Councillor Paul Scriven" to be followed by Notices of Motion numbered 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 7 respectively and items of business 1, 4 and 5.

4.	NOTICE OF MOTION RE: SHEFFIELD CENTRAL DEAF CLUB PREMISES
	It was moved by Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor Maureen Brelsford
	That this Council:
	(a) notes the valuable work performed by the Sheffield Central Deaf Club, supporting thousands of deaf people on a daily basis and believes that a City Centre location significantly enhances the service they can offer;

	(b) deplores the proposals to increase the Club's rent by 67% and notes that this flies in the face of the administration’s professed commitment to social inclusion;

	(c) suspects that the administration are attempting to force the Club to vacate their present premises so that it can be let to a more high profile tenant in a better position to pay high rents than the Deaf Club;

	(d) believes that these actions are particularly inappropriate during the European Year of People with Disabilities;

	(e) directs the Chief Executive to circulate to all Members a list of organisations upon whom the Council is imposing a 67% rent increase; and

	(f) resolves to ensure that the Deaf Club can continue its work from its present facilities and that the Council continues to levy a rent of £18,000 pa, increased each year by the rate of inflation, over the next 5 years.

	Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Jan Wilson, seconded by Councillor Mick Rooney 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) determines that the Sheffield Central Deaf Club be charged a market rental of £30,000 this year;

	(b) notes that they should receive grant aid of £12,000;

	(c) welcomes the fact that the Deaf Club will therefore pay £18,000 rent this year, as they have done for a number of years;

	(d) notes that a review of arrangements for voluntary sector support to the deaf community will be undertaken over the next twelve months;

	(e) directs the Regeneration and Partnership Service to lead the review, with the close involvement and participation of the relevant organisations;

	(f) notes that the Leader of the Council has met with various members of the deaf community earlier this year and entered discussions on possible services for the deaf and hard of hearing communities;

	(g) further notes that the Council has supported and continues to support a number of organisations providing facilities for the deaf and hard of hearing communities of Sheffield; and

	(h) regrets that this matter has been turned into a political Notice of Motion.

	On being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

	The votes on the amendment were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

	For the amendment (46)	-	The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Mike Pye) and Councillors Bryan Lodge, Angela Smith, John Webster, Peter Price, Alf Meade, Steve Jones, Ibrar Hussain, Jackie Field, Pat Midgley, Jan Wilson, Mike King, Mary Lea, Mohammad Altaf, Alan Law, Joan Barton, Mick Rooney, Ray Satur, Marjorie Barker, Terry Fox, Janet Bragg, Robert MacDonald, John Campbell, Martin Lawton, Gill Furniss, Harry Harpham, Jan Fiore, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Barbara Belcher, Sam Wall, Peter Rippon, Jane Bird, Doreen Newton, Beverley Wright, Garry Weatherall, Mark Wilde, James Hanson, John Robson, Julie Dore, Mohammad Nazir, Basheer Khan, Jean Cromar, Tony Damms, Tim Rippon, Steve Wilson and Veronica Hardstaff.

	Against the amendment (29)	-	Councillors Andrew Sangar, Peter Moore, Janice Sidebottom, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Graham Oxley, Kathleen Chadwick, Keith Hill, Sylvia Dunkley, Kate Dawson, Roger Davison, John Hesketh, John Knight, Tessa Hainey, Peter MacLoughlin, Bob McCann, Pat White, Ali Qadar, Andrew White, Steve Ayris, Sylvia Anginotti, Brian Holmes, Chris Tutt, David Baker, Arthur Dunworth, Vic Bowden, Maureen Brelsford, Martin Brelsford and Jonathan Harston.

	Abstained (1)	-	The Lord Mayor (Councillor Diane Leek).

	The original motion, as amended, was then put as a substantive motion in the following form and carried.

	That this Council:-
	(a) determines that the Sheffield Central Deaf Club be charged a market rental of £30,000 this year;

	(b) notes that they should receive grant aid of £12,000;

	(c) welcomes the fact that the Deaf Club will therefore pay £18,000 rent this year, as they have done for a number of years;

	(d) notes that a review of arrangements for voluntary sector support to the deaf community will be undertaken over the next twelve months;

	(e) directs the Regeneration and Partnership Service to lead the review, with the close involvement and participation of the relevant organisations;

	(f) notes that the Leader of the Council has met with various members of the deaf community earlier this year and entered discussions on possible services for the deaf and hard of hearing communities;

	(g) further notes that the Council has supported and continues to support a number of organisations providing facilities for the deaf and hard of hearing communities of Sheffield; and

	(h) regrets that this matter has been turned into a political Notice of Motion.

	The votes on the substantive motion were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

	For the substantive motion (46)	-	The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Mike Pye) and Councillors Bryan Lodge, Angela Smith, John Webster, Peter Price, Alf Meade, Steve Jones, Ibrar Hussain, Jackie Field, Pat Midgley, Jan Wilson, Mike King, Mary Lea, Mohammad Altaf, Alan Law, Joan Barton, Mick Rooney, Ray Satur, Marjorie Barker, Terry Fox, Janet Bragg, Robert MacDonald, John Campbell, Martin Lawton, Gill Furniss, Harry Harpham, Jan Fiore, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Barbara Belcher, Sam Wall, Peter Rippon, Jane Bird, Doreen Newton, Beverley Wright, Garry Weatherall, Mark Wilde, James Hanson, John Robson, Julie Dore, Mohammad Nazir, Basheer Khan, Jean Cromar, Tony Damms, Tim Rippon, Steve Wilson and Veronica Hardstaff.

	Against the substantive motion (29)	-	Councillors Andrew Sangar, Peter Moore, Janice Sidebottom, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Graham Oxley, Kathleen Chadwick, Keith Hill, Sylvia Dunkley, Kate Dawson, Roger Davison, John Hesketh, John Knight, Tessa Hainey, Peter MacLoughlin, Bob McCann, Pat White, Ali Qadar, Andrew White, Steve Ayris, Sylvia Anginotti, Brian Holmes, Chris Tutt, David Baker, Arthur Dunworth, Vic Bowden, Maureen Brelsford, Martin Brelsford and Jonathan Harston.

	Abstained (1)	-	The Lord Mayor (Councillor Diane Leek).


	(At the conclusion of this item the Members of the City Council expressed their unanimous thanks to Mrs. Trudy Field who had acted as a signer for the deaf during the duration of the debate).

5.	NOTICE OF MOTION RE: SHEFFIELD AS A MULTI-CULTURAL CITY
	It was moved by Councillor James Hanson, seconded by Councillor Pat Midgley

	That this Council:

	(a) notes that Sheffield is a vibrant multicultural City;