Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield Held in The

3 Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the th Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 5 May 2010 pursuant to notice duly given and Summonses duly served.

PRESENT

THE LORD MAYOR (Councillor Graham Oxley) THE DEPUTY LORD MAYOR (Councillor Alan Law)

1 Arbourthorne Ward 10 Dore & Totley Ward 19 Mosborough Ward Julie Dore Colin Ross David Barker John Robson Mike Davis Chris Tutt Tim Rippon Keith Hill

2 Beauchief /Greenhill Ward 11 East Ecclesfield Ward 20 Nether Edge Ward Louise McCann Colin Taylor Ali Qadar Simon Clement-Jones Vic Bowden Colin France Clive Skelton Pat White

3 Beighton Ward 12 Ecclesall Ward 21 Richmond Ward Chris Rosling-Josephs Sylvia Dunkley Lynn Rooney Helen Mirfin-Boukouris Mike Reynolds John Campbell Roger Davison Martin Lawton

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

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

6 Burngreave Ward 15 Gleadless Valley Ward 24 Stannington Ward Jackie Drayton Frank Taylor Arthur Dunworth Ibrar Hussain Denise Reaney Vickie Priestley Steve Jones Garry Weatherall David Baker

7 Central Ward 16 Graves Park Ward 25 Stocksbridge & Upper Don Ward Robert Murphy Peter Moore Jack Clarkson Jillian Creasy Ian Auckland Martin Brelsford Bernard Little Bob McCann Alison Brelsford

8 Crookes Ward 17 Hillsborough Ward 26 Walkley Ward Brian Holmes Joe Taylor Diane Leek John Hesketh Steve Ayris Penny Baker Sylvia Anginotti Janet Bragg Jonathan Harston

9 Darnall Ward 18 Manor Castle Ward 27 West Ecclesfield Ward Mary Lea Pat Midgley Kathleen Chadwick Harry Harpham Jenny Armstrong Alan Hooper Mazher Iqbal Jan Wilson Trevor Bagshaw

28 Woodhouse Ward Mick Rooney Ray Satur

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1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marjorie Barker, Ian Saunders and Gail Smith.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTE REST There were no declarations of interest from Members of the City Council.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Clive Skelton, seconded by Councillor Jack Clarkson, that the minutes of the meeting of the City Council held on 7 th April, 2010, be approved as a correct record.

4. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Petitions (a) Petition regarding the Poor Condition of the Pavement on Birley Moor Road The Council received a petition, containing 21 signatures, objecting to the poor condition of the pavement outside numbers 2 to 34 Birley Moor Road. Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Bill Carline who referred to the poor condition of the pavement surface and to problems with water laying on the pavement surface which affected people wishing to board buses from the bus stop. The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Street Scene (Councillor Ian Auckland) who referred to the Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which, he stated, was intended to restore all roads and pavements in the City to a good condition. Meanwhile, he suggested that the petitioners’ concerns be brought to the attention of the local Community Assembly, which had a budget to address certain highways issues. The petition would be presented to the Cabinet Highways Committee and would then be passed to the Community Assembly, where the Assembly had a budget to deal with it.

Public Questions (a) Public question concerning the START Federation of Tenants and Residents Jean Gleadall asked if the Leader of the Council agreed that there should be an investigation into complaints she had raised regarding issues relating to START. She referred to time limits to such requests and asked when she would receive an answer. Shirley Frost asked if the Council would now apologise for derecognising START without good cause, declare its support for a new federation and pledge its support, including financial support from the Housing Revenue Account which was how such organisations were supported elsewhere in the United Kingdom. She also referred to a number of things that had gone wrong in relation to START, including the lack of separation between the City Council and START and between the bank and the auditors. Winnie Smith asked whether the START money had gone in with the residential levy money and if it had, she requested a copy of the residential Council - 5th May 2010 3

levy account. Pat Molloy referred to the mishandling of finances of the START Federation of Tenants and Residents and asked if the Council would apologise for the mishandling of the START account by Council officers and the need for a proper investigation. He also asked if the Council would reimburse START for the amounts withdrawn from that account. Peter Chapman asked who has the authority to spend tenants’ residual levy and why, in Sheffield, there was not a federation of tenants and residents associations. Sylvana Mansell asked for assurance that, when the people of Sheffield that had been community activists for years were asking for an investigation to hold officers accountable and apologise for the misery they had caused individuals who had been vilified and used as scapegoats to justify bad practice, an investigation was undertaken. In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Paul Scriven) stated that he recognised that volunteers for START were grieved and the circumstances referred to by the questioners had led them to feel that their good work and reputation had been affected. He stated that the Council needed to get to the bottom of the issue and that he therefore proposed that a meeting be called between the Chief Executive of the City Council, the Leader and relevant Members and the Executive Director, Communities, to agree terms of reference for an investigation in order that all parties could be happy with the proposed process for an investigation. He proposed that Council work with members of START as part of the investigation. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities (Councillor Bob McCann) stated that in relation to the residual levy money, a new group was to be established comprising tenants and Councillor representatives. Ways were being sought of engaging with tenants in an improved way and accounts were available for people to look at should they require sight of them.

(b) Public question concerning Birley Spa Woods Christine Titmuss asked why Birley Spa Woods were so severely underfunded. She referred to a small area of ancient woodland and important flora and fauna and to Birley Spa House. She stated that there were seven access points and only one of these was safe to negotiate. People who visited the area were disappointed that it was in a poor condition, whilst this area was within the City Council’s portfolio. The pond was silted and full of rubbish and paths in the woods were potentially dangerous and had not been maintained for approximately 10 years. In addition, wooden steps in the wood were rotting. In response, the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Local Environment (Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed) stated that he would take up the issues raised by the questioner with the Director of Parks and Countryside to see what could be done. He added that, as a Council, £10,000 had been allocated to Community Assemblies in relation to which local Members were able to prioritise spending. He would ensure that as well as notifying this matter to the Director of Parks and Countryside, it would also be raised with the Community Assembly Manager and local Members.

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(c) Public question concerning Participation in the North East of Sheffield Mick Ibbotson asked why people in the north east of the City were not being encouraged to participate in the political process and elections. He stated that no leaflets or canvassers had been visible in the north east. In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Paul Scriven) stated that he would speak to the questioner separately as some of the issues raised were of a party political nature. In relation to City Council services, he stated that the north east was not a forgotten area of the City and, with the establishment of Community Assemblies, concerns in relation to service provision could be addressed to the Community Assembly directly.

(d) Public question concerning Potential Loss of Car Parking – Application for Children’s Centre in Low Edges Mr Crooks made reference to a planning application relating to the development of a children’s centre in Low Edges. He asked why there was not a clearly displayed notice, informing local residents of the potential loss of the car park at the tenants’ and residents’ meeting rooms. He stated that a notice was displayed some distance from the site. In response, the Cabinet Member for Employment, Enterprise and Development (Councillor Colin Ross) stated that a public notice should have been clearly displayed in relation to the planning application and, whilst he was not clear on the detail in this particular case, he would ask Council officers to investigate as to whether the procedures had been properly followed in relation to notification in this case.

(e) Public question concerning Common Purpose Martin Brighton referred to questions and issues he had raised for the last 18 months concerning a third party called Common Purpose and decisions affecting the Council, bypassing local democracy, which were secret and did not make statutory declarations of interest as well as costing the ratepayer money. He referred to guidance from Common Purpose relating to seniority and leadership. He stated that the Council had done nothing about the situation to which he had referred and asked why not? In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Paul Scriven) stated that Mr Brighton had continually made reference to generalisations and not given specific cases where the kind of practices he had outlined could be shown. The Council would answer any specific allegation. He stated that the City Council would not answer such general questions in relation to Common Purpose and affirmed that Elected Members took decisions in the City Council.

5. MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS Urgent Business There were no questions relating to urgent business under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

Questions A schedule of questions to Cabinet Members submitted in accordance with Standing Order A18(2) and which contained written answers, was circulated and supplementary questions under the provision of Standing Order Council - 5th May 2010 5

A18(4) were asked and were answered by the appropriate Cabinet Members.

South Yorkshire Joint Authorities There were no questions relating to the discharge of the functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue, Integrated Transport, Pension and Police under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

6. REPRESENTATION, DELEGATED AUTHORITY AND RELATED ISSUES The Council noted that there were no changes to the Membership of Boards etc. nor the appointment of representatives to serve on other Bodies.

7. ITEMS REFERRED TO COUNCIL

7.1 Review of Audit Committee Arrangements RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor Simon Clement-Jones, that the following recommendations of the Audit Committee at its meeting held on 26th April, 2010, concerning a review of Audit Committee arrangements, be approved:-

RESOLVED: That (a) the contents of the report be noted: (b) the draft work programme for the Committee be approved; and (c) it be recommended to the Council Meeting on 5th May 2010 that, subject to the ongoing requirement for the Committee to be politically proportionate, (i) the Audit Committee comprises 6 non-Executive Members appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting and, where possible, the Political Groups be urged to nominate their Members with a view to them serving for minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years, (ii) the Chair of the Committee should serve for a 2 year period and, where possible, have been a Member of the Committee for 1 year, (iii) Appendix A to the report be strengthened to (A) reflect that in section 4 (a) and (b) under the ‘Principal Duties and Responsibilities’ the co- opted members would be “considering and commenting” rather than “approving”, (B) clarify any political restrictions that may apply, (C) include the competences required for co-opted members and (D) be more explicit on the commitment required; (iv) 2 non-voting co-opted members with financial, business, voluntary or community sector experience be appointed to the Committee for a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years, based on the role description/specification attached at Appendix A to the report; (v) the Committee be given authority to agree the recruitment and selection process for the co-opted members; (vi) a further report be submitted to the Committee regarding the proposed recruitment and selection process, including timescales for appointment, early in the 2010/11 Municipal year; and (vii) the Terms of Reference for the Committee as set out in Appendix B be amended at paragraph (2) to “consider and accept” the Annual Letter from the Auditor or the Audit Commission in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 as amended and to monitor the Council’s response to any issues of concern identified.

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8. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING SHEFFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL RESOLVED: on the Motion of Councillor Colin Ross, seconded by Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, that this Council:-

(a) notes that other Cities such as Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester have held food festivals which have brought tourism, an economic benefit to local business and enjoyment for local people;

(b) believes that Sheffield has a fantastic food offer which we should shout about and therefore welcomes the fact that Sheffield will stage its first ever City-wide food festival in June, with the potential to attract up to 50,000 people over the course of the festival;

(c) notes that some funding has been devolved to each Community Assembly to ensure that there are activities across Sheffield with the main hub in the City Centre, and therefore welcomes the inclusive City- wide nature of the festival and urges everyone to take advantage of the free festival and enjoy themselves; and

(d) notes it will be a welcome addition to the efforts pioneered by the present Administration to keep our City Centre vibrant and attractive which include the music festival, the Sheffield Wheel and Showcase Sheffield.

9. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING RECYCLING It was moved by Councillor Gill Furniss, seconded by Councillor Mary Lea, that this Council:-

(a) welcomes attempts to improve recycling in the City, especially given the stagnation of Sheffield’s recycling rates since the present Administration took office;

(b) notes the present Administration’s decision to replace the blue bin to recycle paper and card with a blue box;

(c) acknowledges that this move has been met with resounding disdain throughout the City, illustrated by the frequent complaints in the local media, particularly The Star newspaper;

(d) sympathises with these complaints from local people, noting concerns that the blue boxes:

(i) have no solid seal that protects them from adverse weather conditions;

(ii) are difficult to lift- especially if the paper inside is wet through if left out in the rain; and

(iii) are smaller than the blue bins and therefore hold significantly Council - 5th May 2010 7

less capacity - even the plans for a twice monthly collection offer less capacity than the current blue bin;

(e) believes that the move lacks common sense and clearly does not have public support;

(f) is concerned that as a result of these concerns, the present Administration are making it more difficult for people to recycle;

(g) therefore welcomes the largest opposition group’s proposal of keeping the blue bin for paper and card and using the new box for the new recycling materials; and

(h) resolves that the proposition of the largest opposition group be implemented.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, seconded by Councillor Paul Scriven, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1. The replacement of the words “especially given the stagnation of Sheffield’s recycling rates since the present Administration took office” in paragraph (a) by the words “and therefore regrets that both opposition groups have criticised these efforts as a ‘waste of money’";

2. The replacement of the words “to replace the blue bin to recycle paper and card with a blue box” in paragraph (b) by the words “to roll out a new recycling service across Sheffield that sees glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and cans collected from the kerbside for the first time ever in Sheffield;

3. The deletion of paragraphs (c) to (h) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (f) as follows:-

(c) welcomes the fact that the new service includes the offer of a free assisted collection, a hat to stop paper being blown around and a significantly greater capacity for paper and card recycling through the offer of a second box;

(d) notes initial findings from the roll out of phase one of the new recycling service shows that double the tonnage of recycling waste has been collected compared to the previous service and up to an extra 20% of local people are using the new service compared to the old service;

(e) notes that the service will be fully rolled out by the end of the year and welcomes the fact that when everyone has had the chance to use the service and give feedback, there will be a review of the new service that will include recommendations on how we can improve it; and Council - 5th May 2010 8

(f) in addition welcomes the fact that the present Administration have plans to provide a free citywide recycling service for the collection of garden waste in 2011, but regrets the fact that both opposition groups are against this new service too.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

It was then moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of five new paragraphs as follows:-

( ) notes also that the new waste strategy will only reduce Sheffield’s carbon emissions by barely more than a tenth of a percent;

( ) further notes that focussing on reduction, re-use and repair as well as recycling would have done more to save emissions, raw materials and landfill than the current scheme;

( ) further notes that extending the contract with Veolia has done nothing to help local enterprises and may indeed drive some of them out of business;

( ) notes that whereas nationally the party of the current Administration is against incineration and favours anaerobic digestion, in Sheffield they have failed to implement either of these policies;

( ) therefore supports the smallest opposition party’s proposal for a free bulky waste collection and to produce biogas in Sheffield rather than importing it from elsewhere;

On being put to the vote, the amendment was negatived.

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

That this Council:-

(a) welcomes attempts to improve recycling in the City, and therefore regrets that both opposition groups have criticised these efforts as a 'waste of money';

(b) notes the present Administration's decision to roll out a new recycling service across Sheffield that sees glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and cans collected from the kerbside for the first time ever in Sheffield;

(NOTE: Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little voted for paragraphs (b), (d) and (e) and abstained from voting on paragraphs (a), (c) and (f) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)

10. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING ADULT EDUCATION It was moved by Councillor Andrew Sangar, seconded by Councillor Paul Scriven, that this Council:-

(a) believes that lifelong learning and adult education is vital to ensure that people have the opportunity to gain new skills that will be beneficial to themselves and the rest of society;

(b) is therefore concerned to learn that Sheffield College have announced they intend to close the Bannerdale Centre, Mount Pleasant and the Walkley Centre adult learning centres as a result of the proposed national funding cuts;

(c) notes that courses likely to be affected include English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), European languages, crafts and literacy and numeracy;

(d) believes that the current economic climate means that adult education is more important than ever and therefore opposes the national cut of £1.2m from Sheffield College’s adult learning budget, the equivalent to a 10% reduction; and

(e) resolves to write to the incoming Government to call for these cuts to be reversed and furthermore write to all local Sheffield MPs to ask for their support.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (d) and (e) as follows, and the re-lettering of existing paragraphs (d) and (e) as new paragraphs (f) and (g):- Council - 5th May 2010 10

(d) notes that for many people, especially women with young children, those with little English and those on low incomes, provision of adult education in their local area is vitally important to increase accessibility and uptake and that retracting services into a central site (or sites) will effectively exclude them;

(e) notes also that the provision of adult education and the rent paid by Sheffield College are key components of the proposed Sharrow Programme, intended to create a community hub offering multiple facilities in the heart of Sharrow;

On being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

It was then moved by Councillor Leigh Bramall, seconded by Councillor Julie Dore, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted, be amended by the deletion of all the words after paragraph (a) and the addition of new paragraphs (b) to (k) as follows:-

(b) further believes that the current economic climate means that adult education is more important than ever and therefore regrets this Administration’s original decision to grant the North East Community Assembly, Sheffield’s most deprived Community Assembly area, less funding than the previous year;

(c) notes also the uncertainty over funding for adult education in the next academic year, due to this Administration’s failure to confirm any figures to date;

(d) thanks local people from Sheffield’s North East community for campaigning and protesting about the cuts to adult education in the area, by this Administration;

(e) believes that this Administration seems to be committed to cutting funding to Sheffield’s most deprived areas, which now receive less money than they did under the previous Administration;

(f) notes that even local MP Nick Clegg is shocked by the statistics highlighting inequality in Sheffield today, saying in a recent televised interview with Jeremy Paxman,

“I don’t think where you are poor, where you are born should determine the circumstances of your birth. And if you don’t think that’s a problem, in my city of Sheffield, a child born today in the poorest neighbourhood in Sheffield today in 2010 is on average going to die 14 years before a child just down the road in a more affluent neighbourhood of Sheffield.”

(g) is therefore astonished that despite massive support from a range of statistical evidence, a host of council partners and even the national Leader of the Liberal Democrats, this Administration have seen fit to Council - 5th May 2010 11

ignore sound advice and shamefully reduced funding to Sheffield’s most deprived areas;

(h) further notes this Administration have again chosen to ignore statistical evidence, when allocating Community Assembly road safety funding, which has shamefully not been allocated on the basis of need, meaning that areas with the most accidents get the same as areas with the least accidents, which defies common sense and is simply just not fair;

(i) notes this Administration’s failure to acknowledge what it can actually do itself, as the Administration of this City, to make sure that adult education funding goes to the places where people live who need it the most;

(j) also regrets the recent use of adult education, by this Administration, as a political football and acknowledges that adult education is all too important to be used in such a way; and

(k) therefore congratulates the current major opposition group for taking real action, by proposing a root and branch review of adult education across the City, as pledged in the major opposition group's 2010/11 alternative budget proposals.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was negatived.

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

That this Council:-

(a) believes that lifelong learning and adult education is vital to ensure that people have the opportunity to gain new skills that will be beneficial to themselves and the rest of society;

(c) notes that courses likely to be affected include English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), European languages, crafts and literacy and numeracy;

(e) notes also that the provision of adult education and the rent paid by Council - 5th May 2010 12

Sheffield College are key components of the proposed Sharrow Programme, intended to create a community hub offering multiple facilities in the heart of Sharrow;

(f) believes that the current economic climate means that adult education is more important than ever and therefore opposes the national cut of £1.2m from Sheffield College’s adult learning budget, the equivalent to a 10% reduction; and

(g) resolves to write to the incoming Government to call for these cuts to be reversed and furthermore write to all local Sheffield MPs to ask for their support.

(NOTE: The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law) and Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Helen Mirfin- Boukouris, Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox, Mike Pye, Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain, Steve Jones, Mary Lea, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Joan Barton, Chris Weldon, Garry Weatherall, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, John Campbell, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur voted for paragraphs (a), (c), (d) and (e) of the Substantive Motion and abstained from voting on paragraphs (b), (f) and (g) and asked for this to be recorded.

11. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING HOUSING POLICY It was moved by Councillor Chris Weldon, seconded by Councillor Tony Damms, that this Council:-

(a) is disappointed by this Administration’s policy on housing which has been led by the current Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities;

(b) welcomes the national investment of millions of pounds in Sheffield to build new Council housing right across the City as well as providing money to kickstart the building of many more new affordable homes;

(c) notes the pressure placed upon this Administration, by the major opposition group, at the Council meeting on 29 th July 2009, which forced the Administration to make a policy u-turn and actually bid for the second round of Social Housing Grant funding in order to build the extra homes desperately needed in this City;

(d) welcomes the national Mortgage Repossession and Homeless Prevention Fund which will allow the Council to provide families at risk of losing their homes with advice, loans and grants to support mortgage or rent payments;

(e) also congratulates this Administration for taking heed of advice from the Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance, although a year late, in introducing a mortgage assistance scheme, similar to that of the Council - 5th May 2010 13

enlightened Wakefield Council, in which families struggling to pay mortgages are given interest-free three-year loans from the Council;

(f) understands that the largest opposition group remains totally committed to improving the quality of housing in Sheffield and enhancing the quality of life for Sheffield tenants, and will continue to work with tenants’ representatives and Sheffield Homes at all levels to improve services for all tenants in this City;

(g) deplores this Administration for transferring the extra money raised by the recent 4% Sheffield Homes rent rise straight in to the reserves, whilst at the same time reducing front line services, forcing tenants to pay more for less;

(h) thinks Sheffield tenants deserve better and congratulates the major opposition group for their alternative plans to fully passport the rent increase to improve tenants services and giving Sheffield tenants better value for money;

(i) notes with concern that this Administration have hardly lifted a finger to help bring empty homes back into public use as either social or affordable housing, as other towns and cities across the country have managed to do;

(j) is also concerned with the outcome of the Decent Homes scandal, in which the major opposition group revealed this Administration’s plans to deceive tenants by secretly cutting corners to changing the standard of Council house renovations;

(k) notes the outcomes of the Successful Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board investigation which involved the current Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities, in which he claimed not to have remembered a public announcement of this policy change while present at a public meeting in January 2009;

(l) further notes this Administration’s arrogance in a leaked memo which indicated a cover up, stating that the changes were not likely to be picked up by the media or tenants;

(m) condemns the ‘Sheffield Homes Budget Game’ exercise in which both tenants and Councillors were asked to ‘play’ in October 2009, and not only objects to such serious budget issues being treated as a game, but also opposes such attempts to relinquish responsibilities to tenants, in formulating the housing policy;

(n) was dismayed by the cover-up tactics used at December’s chaotic Council meeting to gag the major opposition from speaking out against this Administration’s appalling housing record, which included filibustering and changing the order of the agenda so that the major opposition group’s item could not be discussed; Council - 5th May 2010 14

(o) notes with concern a growing theme in attempts by this Administration to gag the major opposition group, which also led to Councillor Drayton being refused the right to speak at a public meeting of Cabinet, and attempts to gag both Councillors Weldon and Lodge for simply informing local people about this Administration’s cuts to services;

(p) notes the recent embarrassing housing policy initiative which involved a ‘psychometric test’ to identify whether local people volunteering to represent tenants on Sheffield Homes Boards can read, write and add up and feels that introducing such a test could put local people off representing their community;

(q) understands that proposals for this controversial test were known about for some weeks before the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities wrote to the Chair of Sheffield Homes, asking to “put the new assessment tests on hold”;

(r) is furious that the current Administration allowed these proposals to go even as far as they did;

(s) believes that the current Administration have led a catalogue of disasters, which is not doing the Council any good and neither is it doing the tenants of this City any good;

(t) has no confidence in the current Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities; and

(u) therefore, to ensure that tenants’ aspirations can be met, resolves that the current Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities be relieved of his current post in the hope, very possibly futile, that any other member of this Administration could provide better leadership for Sheffield tenants.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Bob McCann, seconded by Councillor David Baker, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1. The replacement of the words “disappointed by this Administration’s policy on housing” in paragraph (a) by the words “pleased by the unprecedented progress made on local people’s priorities in relation to housing and creating safer and more sustainable neighbourhoods,” .

2. The addition of the following words etc. at the end of paragraph (a):-

“including:- (1) Sheffield successfully securing investment to deliver over 600 more affordable homes by 2011, with bids in to the Government for more investment to deliver even more;

Council - 5th May 2010 15

(2) the commitment to build new council homes by March 2011, the first time in decades that new council homes will have been built in Sheffield;

(3) extending the decent homes programme so that an extra 6,000 council homes over and above what the previous Administration had planned receive improvement such as new kitchens and bathrooms;

(4) starting up the ‘Your Community, Your Choice’ events in which local tenants can put forward ideas and bid for money then make their own decisions about spending over £500,000 in their own neighbourhoods;

(5) starting up the Tenants Empowerment Programme Board, which is aimed at empowering tenants in the decision making, governance and management of council housing in Sheffield;

(6) starting the Affordable Warmth Scheme which so far has seen over 11,000 homes sign up to receive insulation for free;

(7) saving the popular 101 anti-social behaviour hotline after the Government withdrew funding and expanding the service to include a new late night noise nuisance service;

(8) providing funding for 15 extra Police Community Safety Officers on the street to make local people feel safer; and

(9) launching Community Justice Panels which aim to significantly reduce reoffending rates and provide victims of crime with greater satisfaction;"

3. The deletion of paragraph (c) and paragraphs (e) to (u) and the re- lettering of existing paragraph (d) as a new paragraph (c).

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

That this Council:-

(a) is pleased by the unprecedented progress made on local peoples priorities in relation to housing and creating safer and more sustainable neighbourhoods, which has been lead by the current Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities, including:-

(1) Sheffield successfully securing investment to deliver over 600 more affordable homes by 2011, with bids in to the Government for more investment to deliver even more; Council - 5th May 2010 16

(2) the commitment to build new council homes by March 2011, the first time in decades that new council homes will have been built in Sheffield;

(3) extending the decent homes programme so that an extra 6,000 council homes over and above what the previous Administration had planned receive improvement such as new kitchens and bathrooms;

(5) starting up the Tenants Empowerment Programme Board, which is aimed at empowering tenants in the decision making, governance and management of council housing in Sheffield;

(6) starting the Affordable Warmth Scheme which so far has seen over 11,000 homes sign up to receive insulation for free;

(7) saving the popular 101 anti-social behaviour hotline after the Government withdrew funding and expanding the service to include a new late night noise nuisance service;

(8) providing funding for 15 extra Police Community Safety Officers on the street to make local people feel safer; and

(9) launching Community Justice Panels which aim to significantly reduce reoffending rates and provide victims of crime with greater satisfaction;"

(b) welcomes the national investment of millions of pounds in Sheffield to build new Council housing right across the City as well as providing money to kick start the building of many more new affordable homes; and

(c) welcomes the national Mortgage Repossession and Homeless Prevention Fund which will allow the Council to provide families at risk of losing their homes with advice, loans and grants to support mortgage or rent payments.

(NOTE: 1. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law) and Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Helen Mirfin- Boukouris, Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox, Mike Pye, Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain, Steve Jones, Mary Lea, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Joan Barton, Chris Weldon, Garry Weatherall, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, John Campbell, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Council - 5th May 2010 17

Satur voted for paragraphs (b) and (c) and against paragraph (a) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded. 2. Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little voted for paragraph (a) parts (1) to (3) and (6) to (9) and paragraphs (b) and (c) and abstained from voting on paragraph (a) parts (4) and (5) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)

12. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING THE UK CITY OF CULTURE 2013 RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, seconded by Councillor Jackie Drayton, that this Council:-

(a) is delighted that Sheffield has been short-listed to become the UK City of Culture in 2013;

(b) notes the substantial economic, social and reputational benefits that Liverpool experienced as European Capital of Culture in 2008 and believes that Sheffield would be in line to receive similar benefits if selected as UK City of Culture;

(c) thanks all local people and organisations who took part in the City-wide consultation and put forward their ideas whilst the bid was being developed;

(d) furthermore thanks the ‘bid stakeholder group’ and the ‘bid team’ who have and will continue to work hard to ensure the best possible chance of Sheffield becoming the UK City of Culture in 2013;

(e) recognises that Sheffield already has great cultural venues, superb music, popular literary and community festivals, outstanding theatre, excellent exhibitions at the City’s galleries and museums and a strong metalwork heritage;

(f) believes though that the particular strength of Sheffield’s bid lies in its focus on local people getting involved and becoming the creators, performers and artists, thus ensuring that UK City of Culture 2013 would be truly ‘Created and Made in Sheffield’; and

(g) reaffirms its support for the City of Culture bid and encourages everyone, both in the City and in the wider region, to get behind Sheffield.

13. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING ROAD SAFETY It was moved by Councillor Robert Murphy, seconded by Councillor Jillian Creasy, that this Council:-

(a) welcomes the news that no child pedestrians have died as the result of accidents on the City's roads during 2009;

(b) congratulates the South Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership on its work to reduce injury accidents resulting in a general reduction in casualties Council - 5th May 2010 18

over recent years but realises there is plenty more work to be done;

(d) notes the statement by Robert Gifford, the Chief Executive of the cross- party Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety that 'we will need to focus far more on effective delivery of road safety, making better use of the data and resources we have at our disposal';

(e) is shocked by the current Administration’s decision to reallocate danger reduction funds equally across the Community Assembly areas;

(f) believes for Community Assemblies to work they must be seen as not only equal but also fair;

(g) resolves to be open and honest about the way funds are being allocated in relation to need; and

(h) resolves to keep Community Assembly members fully aware of accident statistics during decision making on the highways budget.

(NOTE: With the consent of Council and the seconder of the Motion, and at the request of Councillor Robert Murphy, in accordance with Standing Order A20(8), Paragraph (e) of the Motion was altered so as to replace the words "road safety" with the words "danger reduction".)

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Ian Auckland, seconded by Councillor David Baker, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1. The deletion of all the words in paragraph (e) and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

“confirms that road safety funds have not been reduced and continue to be distributed on the basis of ‘worst first’, and is therefore disappointed that the smaller opposition group is not being honest with local people;”

2. The deletion of all the words in paragraph (h) and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

“welcomes the fact that the present Administration created the local highways budget for Community Assemblies which can be used for a wide range of local priorities and furthermore expects that all local Members will be aware of what the priorities are in their local area.”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:- Council - 5th May 2010 19

That this Council:-

(a) welcomes the news that no child pedestrians have died as the result of accidents on the City's roads during 2009;

(b) congratulates the South Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership on its work to reduce injury accidents resulting in a general reduction in casualties over recent years but realises there is plenty more work to be done;

(e) confirms that road safety funds have not been reduced and continue to be distributed on the basis of ‘worst first’, and is therefore disappointed that the smaller opposition group is not being honest with local people;

(f) believes for Community Assemblies to work they must be seen as not only equal but also fair;

(g) resolves to be open and honest about the way funds are being allocated in relation to need; and

(h) welcomes the fact that the present Administration created the local highways budget for Community Assemblies which can be used for a wide range of local priorities and furthermore expects that all local Members will be aware of what the priorities are in their local area.

(NOTE: The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law) and Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Helen Mirfin- Boukouris, Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox, Mike Pye, Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain, Steve Jones, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Mary Lea, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Joan Barton, Chris Weldon, Garry Weatherall, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, John Campbell, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney, Ray Satur voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (f) and (g) and against paragraphs (e) and (h) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)

14 NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION It was moved by Councillor Robert Murphy, seconded by Councillor Jillian Creasy, that this Council:-

(a) notes the high fuel prices and the related problems of energy security, Council - 5th May 2010 20

economic stability and fuel poverty;

(b) notes the Motion to Full Council of 30th July 2008 proposed by Councillor Jillian Creasy and amended by Councillor Alan Hooper, which:-

(i) noted that Sheffield has a Regional Spatial Strategy target of 10.6 megawatts of renewable energy generation by 2010 and a Sheffield Development Framework commitment of 12 megawatts by 2010; and

(ii) committed this Council to pursuing and developing renewable energy generation at appropriate sites in Sheffield;

(d) understands the current known level of grid connected renewable energy generation in Sheffield to be zero megawatts;

(e) believes this figure to be indicative of a lack of concern by the current Administration about keeping to commitments on energy issues and shows a lack of leadership;

(f) agrees with the smaller opposition group that the Administration's rejection of the Westwood Country Park wind power project without waiting for the results of a feasibility study sent a signal to developers that this Council would be unfriendly to future schemes;

(g) agrees with the smaller opposition group that failure to include anaerobic digestion in the new waste management strategy is another example of the Administration's poor understanding of the problem; and

(h) calls for an urgent report on the progress of this Council's commitment to renewable energy to be brought to this Council within 3 months.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, seconded by Councillor Bob McCann, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (c) to (h) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) and (d) as follows:-

(c) regrets the fact that the smallest opposition group ignore the issue of reducing energy consumption when addressing energy issues; and

(d) therefore welcomes Sheffield’s first ever comprehensive Carbon Reduction Framework which outlines what the Council is doing to reduce current levels of overall energy usage and increase renewable energy generation; including

(1) encouraging large scale renewable energy generation, for example putting in place the conditions for the development of a large scale anaerobic digestion facility; Council - 5th May 2010 21

(2) encouraging small scale renewable energy generation, for example advising residents on how they can install renewable and low carbon energy generation in their homes;

(3) making it easier for local households to reduce their energy consumption, for example providing SMART meter energy monitoring devices through Sheffield’s libraries;

(4) leading by example, for instance committing to improving the energy performance of all Council buildings by 10% by 2011; and

(5) encouraging business to reduce energy consumption and switch to green forms of energy, for example increasing the number of business and other non-domestic premises served by the District Heating Network and roll out the Sheffield Eco-business programme.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

That this Council:-

(a) notes the high fuel prices and the related problems of energy security, economic stability and fuel poverty;

(b) notes the Motion to Full Council of 30th July 2008 proposed by Councillor Jillian Creasy and amended by Councillor Alan Hooper, which:-

(i) noted that Sheffield has a Regional Spatial Strategy target of 10.6 megawatts of renewable energy generation by 2010 and a Sheffield Development Framework commitment of 12 megawatts by 2010; and

(ii) committed this Council to pursuing and developing renewable energy generation at appropriate sites in Sheffield;

(c) regrets the fact that the smallest opposition group ignore the issue of reducing energy consumption when addressing energy issues; and

(1) encouraging large scale renewable energy generation, for example putting in place the conditions for the development of a Council - 5th May 2010 22

large scale anaerobic digestion facility;

(2) encouraging small scale renewable energy generation, for example advising residents on how they can install renewable and low carbon energy generation in their homes;

(3) making it easier for local households to reduce their energy consumption, for example providing SMART meter energy monitoring devices through Sheffield’s libraries;

(4) leading by example, for instance committing to improving the energy performance of all Council buildings by 10% by 2011; and

(NOTE: The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law) and Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Chris Rosling-Josephs, Helen Mirfin- Boukouris, Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox, Mike Pye, Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain, Steve Jones, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Mary Lea, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Joan Barton, Chris Weldon, Garry Weatherall, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, John Campbell, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney, Ray Satur voted for paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) and against paragraph (c) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)

15. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING LOCAL AND DISTRICT SHOPPING CENTRES It was moved by Councillor Jillian Creasy, seconded by Councillor Robert Murphy that this Council:-

(a) notes that over the last couple of years, Sheffield has seen a rapid expansion in the number of supermarkets, which threaten local shops and the life of local and district centres;

(b) notes that supermarkets are part of an energy intensive and inefficient food market that does not contribute to a low carbon and environmentally efficient economy;

(c) is concerned that the New Retail Quarter was always going to damage independent shops and small businesses and that the delays have left us with nothing but window dressing to disguise the devastation of our City Centre;

(d) wishes to reduce the power that supermarkets exert on the environment, local community and economy and therefore commends Council - 5th May 2010 23

the work done by the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group and the report it published in 2006;

(e) supports the Competition Commission’s proposal to introduce a new strengthened Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) to replace the existing supermarket code of practice and a GSCOP ombudsman to monitor and enforce the new code and help resolve disputes between retailers and suppliers;

(f) supports the Competition Commission’s recommendation to Government to introduce a competition test into the planning system for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) to amend or repeal the Land Agreements Exclusion Order so that certain agreements can no longer benefit from exclusion from the Competition Act 1998;

(g) will make full use of national and local planning guidance such as PPS6 paragraph 3.21, and S4 and S5 in the UDP, which all seek to protect existing centres;

(h) will investigate the use of parking charges to put supermarkets on a level playing field with shops in local and district shopping centres; and

(i) will thus not only support particular local campaigns against the expansion of supermarkets and big chain stores but show the people of Sheffield that the Council is on the side of small business and thriving local and district centres and is prepared to support, develop and implement the necessary policies.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Collin Ross, seconded by Councillor Ian Auckland, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:-

1. The replacement of the words “over the last couple of years, Sheffield has seen a rapid expansion in the number of supermarkets, which” in paragraph (a) by the words “over the last few decades the UK has seen an expansion in the number of supermarkets which have the potential to”.

2. The addition of the word “many” after the words “notes that” in paragraph (b).

3. The deletion of all the words in paragraph (c) and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

“fundamentally disagrees with the smallest opposition group that our city centre is a scene of ‘devastation’ and furthermore supports the New Retail Quarter as part of a balanced city centre that includes popular large retailers as well as local independent shops;”

Council - 5th May 2010 24

4. The deletion of all the words in paragraph (h) and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

“does not support forcing supermarkets to introduce parking charges, but would rather support the present Administration and their policy to look at solutions to make parking more attractive in our local district shopping centres;”

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

It was then moved by Councillor Ray Satur, seconded by Councillor Gill Furniss, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted, be amended by:-

1. The deletion of all the words after the words “notes that over the last couple of years, Sheffield has seen a rapid expansion in the number of supermarkets,” in paragraph (a);

2. The deletion of all the words in paragraph (c) and the substitution of the following words therefor, “backs plans for a New Retail Quarter in the City Centre and also supports thriving local and district centres across this City”;

3. The replacement of the words “Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR)” in paragraph (f) by the words “Department for Business, Innovation and Skills”; and

4. The deletion of paragraphs (g) to (i) and the addition of new paragraphs (g) to (n) as follows:-

(g) also notes the response by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to consult with the public on these issues, including the need for an independent body to monitor and enforce the GSCOP, and further supports the national decision to revoke the Land Agreements Exclusion Order from 2011;

(h) will make full use of national and local planning guidance such as PPS6 paragraph 3.2.1, the new Department for Communities and Local Government’s PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth, and S4 and S5 in the UDP, which all seek to protect existing centres;

(i) notes however, that thriving local and district centres, independent shops and small businesses should be promoted and supported in addition to, and not as an alternative to, supermarkets and the New Retail Quarter;

(j) understands that Sheffield shoppers want choice and variety and that such developments are essential as part of a modern economy;

Council - 5th May 2010 25

(k) does however promote the idea of more sustainable and ethical supply chains and deplores any exploitation of third world manufacturers, recognising that many suffer from poor working conditions, including long hours, low pay and minimal employment rights;

(l) seeks to promote a more sustainable and more ethical retail sector in the City, as well as promoting the role that small businesses and independent shops have to play, but in addition recognises that people do prefer to have a choice of where to shop and that people often enjoy the leisure experience offered to them by large shopping developments;

(m) will thus not only support particular local campaigns against the expansion of supermarkets and big chain stores such as the recent community opposition to the planned expansion of ASDA in Handsworth, but will also back local people who want large supermarkets in their area, such as the building of a new ASDA supermarket in Parson Cross which has received popular support from local people; and

(n) further notes that local people know what’s best for their area and that this Council is not only on the side of small business and thriving local and district centres, but also local people and is prepared to support, develop and implement the necessary policies.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was negatived.

(NOTE: Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little voted for paragraphs 3 and 4 (g), (h), (k), (l) and (n) and against paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 (i), (j) and (m) of the above amendment and asked for this to be recorded.)

The original Motion as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

That this Council:-

(a) notes that over the last few decades the UK has seen an expansion in the number of Supermarkets which have the potential to threaten local shops and the life of local and district centres;

(b) notes that many supermarkets are part of an energy intensive and inefficient food market that does not contribute to a low carbon and environmentally efficient economy;

(c) fundamentally disagrees with the smallest opposition group that our city centre is a scene of ‘devastation’ and furthermore supports the New Retail Quarter as part of a balanced city centre that includes popular large retailers as well as local independent shops; Council - 5th May 2010 26

(d) wishes to reduce the power that supermarkets exert on the environment, local community and economy and therefore commends the work done by the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group and the report it published in 2006;

(g) will make full use of national and local planning guidance such as PPS6 paragraph 3.21, and S4 and S5 in the UDP, which all seek to protect existing centres;

(h) does not support forcing supermarkets to introduce parking charges, but would rather support the present Administration and their policy to look at solutions to make parking more attractive in our local district shopping centres; and

(NOTE: Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (i) and against paragraphs (c) and (h) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded.)

16. OBSERVATIONS There were no observations on the minutes of meetings of various Council bodies for the period 15th March to 9th April, 2010.

17. RETIRING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Oxley) referred to the retirement of Councillors Jonathan Harston (Walkley Ward), Steve Jones (Burngreave Ward), Mike Pye (Birley Ward), Chris Tutt (Mosborough Ward) and Pat White (Nether Edge Ward). The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law) paid tribute to the Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Oxley) who was also retiring as Councillor for East Council - 5th May 2010 27

Ecclesfield Ward. Other Members of the Council also paid tribute to retiring Members.