Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield Held in the Council Chamber Within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on W

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the City of Sheffield held in the Council Chamber within the Town Hall, Sheffield, on Wednesday, 3rd February, 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 Gail Smith John Robson Mike Davis David Barker Tim Rippon Keith Hill Chris Tutt

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 Ian Saunders Sylvia Dunkley Lynn Rooney Helen Mirfin-Boukouris Mike Reynolds Martin Lawton Roger Davison

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

Council 3.2.2010 Page 2

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marjorie Barker, John Campbell and Chris Rosling Josephs.

2. CORPORAL LI AM RILEY AND LANCE CORPORAL GRAHAM SHAW The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Oxley), asked Members to observe a minute's silence in memory of Sheffield Soldier Corporal Liam Riley and and his colleague Lance Corporal Graham Shaw, both members of the 3rd Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, who recently lost their lives in Afghanistan.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Housing Revenue Account and Rent Increase (Items 7 and 8 on the Summons) Councillors Steve Ayris and Jack Clarkson both declared a personal interest in Notice of Motion Nod. 8 and the item referred to Council both concerning the Housing Revenue Account and Rent Increase as a Member of the Sheffield Homes Board of Directors.

Notice of Motion concerning Cadbury, Trebor Basset The following Members declared interests in the above item of business:- Councillor Colin Ross declared a personal interest as a shareholder in the Royal Bank of Scotland. Councillor Ian Auckland declared a personal interest as a shareholder and pensioner of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Councillor Frank Taylor declared a personal interest as a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group of companies. Councillor Alan Hooper declared a personal interest as a shareholder in the Royal Bank of Scotland. Councillor Leigh Bramall declared a personal interest in relation to Cadbury Trebor Basset as his wife was employed by Cadbury.

4. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Petitions (a) Petition regarding the reduction in funding for Community Courses The Council received a petition, containing 88 signatures, objecting to the City-wide reduction in funding for Community Courses. Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Tracey Wright who stated that Tinsley Parents and Children’s Consortium was notified in December, 2009, that informal classes were being cancelled and that ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes were being reduced and that childcare support for women learners was also being withdrawn. She spoke of the adverse affect on learners and the community nursery which lost 19 paid places. She referred to the importance of ESOL courses and Community Courses for families and their role in relation to community cohesion in places like Tinsley which were diverse in nature. The need for ESOL classes was demonstrated by a waiting list of over 50 women. Tracey Wright referred to the benefits which had been achieved, including improved confidence for Council 3.2.2010 Page 3

women and for them to support their children’s learning. She asked that the Council address the issue of whether it wished for the achievements which had been recognised in Tinsley to continue or potentially be lost. She also made reference to other areas which might be affected which were also areas of deprivation including Arbourthorne, Manor and Castle and Richmond which had also had lifelong learning and skills provision withdrawn. The Council were asked to prioritise funding in disadvantaged areas for learners who were less likely to be able to access other courses, publicise lifelong learning and skills funding and courses and the demand for courses and provide childcare so as not to exclude women learners. The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Customer Focussed Services (Councillor Simon Clement-Jones) who stated that he was aware of the issue raised by the petition and commented upon the decision by the Government to reduce funding for lifelong learning. He stated that the Council was at present at the end of the budget process and that he wished to find out what would happen in relation to adult learning. He stated that the Council was not planning any reduction in adult learning but also commented that no further budget provision had been made. He acknowledged that there would be a gap in funding for lifelong learning in deprived areas of the City and offered to meet with the petitioners, Sheffield College and the Community Assembly Chairs as appropriate to make sure that the vital work undertaken with regard to lifelong learning and skills was not lost.

(b) Petition objecting to the Waverley Link Road passing through the playing fields at Woodhouse Mill The Council received a petition, containing 85 signatures, objecting to the Waverley Link Road passing through the playing fields at Woodhouse Mill. Representations on behalf of the petitioners were made by Paul Wood who referred to the importance of the playing fields as an open space for both young people locally and from other areas of the City. He referred to Council planning policy relating to the safeguarding of open space and to the potential alternative route through land owned by the water company. Reference was also made to the establishment of the playing fields by miners which had led to the establishment of a Trust which ceased in 1995 when ownership passed to the City Council. Mr. Wood stated that there had been no formal consultation with local residents upon the proposals and he asked the City Council to consider the implications if there were proposals of this kind which affected other parks in the City. The Council referred the petition to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Ian Auckland) who referred to advice produced by the Charity Commission in relation to land held in trust. He stated that if the land was held in trust the City Council would honour that position. He stated that he chaired the Cabinet Highways Committee, and took his decision on the basis that the City Council was the landowner and was therefore entitled to take in the wider interest, including that the link road would serve the economic and employment interests of the City, including the development of the Lower Don Valley. He expressed surprise that the issues Council 3.2.2010 Page 4

now raised were not identified sooner. Yorkshire Water were adamant that they would not give up the land. Councillor Auckland referred to a meeting of the Culture, Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny and Policy Development Board held on 2nd February, 2010, at which he had been asked to take account of the Board's concerns in relation to consultation and the position of Yorkshire Water in relation to the link road. The Cabinet Highways Committee had also taken up the issues raised by members of the public who attended in relation to consultation. He referred to a joint meeting of the Darnall and South East Area Panels in 2008 at which the link road had been discussed and stated that, whilst objections had been recorded at that joint meeting, the issue relating to charitable land had not been raised.

(c) Petition regarding parking issues in the Cannon Hall Road, Hampton Road, Goddard Hall Road, Fir Vale Road, Crabtree Road, Crabtree Close and Crabtree Crescent area The Council received a petition, containing 144 signatures, objecting to the implementation of any proposed local permit parking scheme in respect of the above area. The petition was referred to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Ian Auckland) who stated that the petition would be put forward into the consultation upon the relevant highways scheme and he thanked the petitioners for bringing this issue to the attention of the Council.

Public Questions (a) Public questions concerning Sheffield Racial Equality Council Mr. George Ben Anthony asked if the Council was aware of the fact that racism was on the increase and of the repercussions if a deterrent such as the Sheffield Racial Equality Council was disbanded? Dr. Debjani Chatterjee referred to the importance of good race relations and to the role of the people of Sheffield and the hard work of the Racial Equality Council in achieving good race relations. She asked if the City Council considered the Racial Equality Council to be ineffective, what the City Council was doing to help it become the effective body that it should be? Murcilla Mosleh referred to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27th January, 2010, at which a representative, on behalf of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Network asked a question about the lack of involvement of the Network during consultation relating to the Sheffield Racial Equality Council. She asked what action would be taken to stop the BME Network's name being used in vein and for real consultation to be meaningful? A question was asked on behalf of Karen Wilson, referring to the process relating to the equality impact assessment which had been undertaken in relation to the Sheffield Racial Equality Council, stating that this process was flawed and included inaccurate information relating to the Racial Equality Council. Mohammad Nazir referred to the fact that the Racial Equality Council was part of Sheffield's history in working with people in the City for equal opportunities. He asked what would happen to equal opportunities in future and if the City Council could assure people that they would be able to fulfil their Council 3.2.2010 Page 5

obligations with regard to equal opportunities? In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Paul Scriven) stated that the Chief Executive wrote to all Members of the Council with evidence to show that an e-mail was sent to the Chair of the BME Network on 19th June, 2009. An e-mail was sent from the Chair of the Network in December, 2009, to Members of the Network, confirming that they had seen consultation relating to the Racial Equality Council and had been asked for their views. He stated that the City Council did not fund organisations although it did fund services and the City Council had given a firm commitment that it would continue to fund the Service that Sheffield Racial Equality Council provided in relation to race discrimination casework. There would be a tender process for the casework service and the Racial Equality Council would be able to tender for this work. Councillor Scriven stated that the Sheffield Racial Equality Council had been given funding of £120,000 by Sheffield City Council although it had only dealt with 44 cases in 2009. If Sheffield Racial Equality Council was to submit a tender it would be assessed in line with the relevant tender criteria. It was not the City Council's position to close the Racial Equality Council but there was an opportunity for the Racial Equality Council to prove that they were cost effective and were the best organisation to provide the race discrimination casework service. He stated that there was documentary evidence that the City Council had had concerns regarding the Sheffield Racial Equality Council for some time and had stated that it needed to improve services. The contract between the City Council and the Racial Equality Council did not include policy work.

(b) Public question concerning Website Information relating to Racial Incidents David Fisher asked why only the telephone number of the Police was available on the City Council's website in relation to the reporting of racial incidents? In response, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Customer Focussed Services (Councillor Simon Clement-Jones) stated that the City Council worked in partnership with South Yorkshire Police although he acknowledged the point raised by the questioner that someone wishing to report a racial incident might also wish to contact another organisation in relation to the incident.

(c) Public question concerning Council Rent Rises David Fisher expressed concerns relating to rent increases for Council tenants and the possibility of rents being increased up to the level of rent for housing in the private sector. He expressed the hope that the City Council would support its words with appropriate action. In relation to the housing budget, he also expressed concern that the Housing Revenue Subsidy would fall. In response, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer, Communities (Councillor Bob McCann) stated that he shared the questioner’s concerns in relation to the rent increases and the reasons behind those increases. Councillor McCann stated that he had spoken to the Housing Minister in relation to the convergence of rents for Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords. In relation to the Housing Subsidy, the figures Council 3.2.2010 Page 6

quoted in the report submitted to the Cabinet on 27th January, 2010, relating to the housing revenue account were forecasts.

(d) Public question concerning Who is in Charge? Martin Brighton stated that the current culture of the Council had led to a breakdown of the responsibilities which distinguished Elected Members and Civil Servants. He said that decisions made in the Chamber had been ignored or countermanded by the Executive and referred to a number of cases where Members had heard questions and replies which had resulted in no action, including in relation to proposals for carbon reduction, proposals for opening up Council meetings by allowing some form of recording as was the practise of other Local Authorities, promises to provide written responses and information and receive responses and expectation of a report to be presented back to Full Council. Mr. Brighton indicated that his question was posed to all Members and he invited an interim response. In response, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Paul Scriven) stated that he hoped all Elected Members felt that the Council was Member-led. Members worked with Officers, who provided advice and there were occasions when officer advice or recommendations were not followed by Elected Members. In response to the question ‘Who is in Charge?’, Councillor Scriven stated that this depended at what level in the organisation. He referred to decision making bodies such as Planning Boards, Licensing Boards and Community Assemblies. In his view the Council was a Member led organisation.

(e) Public question concerning Adult Evening Classes John Buston referred to a reduction in the provision of adult evening classes provided by Sheffield College. He asked if the Council was prepared to be critical of the Government's policy relating to adult education and restore funding for evening classes which addressed the educational needs of Sheffield's adults? In response, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning (Councillor Andrew Sangar) stated that he was prepared to be critical of the Government's policy and it was his role to make representations to Government in relation to adult learning and that this would apply to both the present and future Governments.

(f) Public question concerning Agency Employees James Smith asked a question concerning the employment of agency employees and the Council's proposals to outsource business support services. He asked if the Council would stop the practice of employing agency staff. In response, the Cabinet Member for Special Projects and Devolution and Deputy Leader (Councillor David Baker) stated that in relation to outsourcing of services the Council had to ensure that services were carried out as efficiently as possible. In relation to agency workers, and wasteful practices referred to by the questioner, the Council employment of some agency staff was a necessary to the delivery of Council services, although this was normally on a temporary basis. He shared the concerns expressed by the questioner in relation to cost and stated that the Council aimed to reduce the Council 3.2.2010 Page 7

bureaucracy attached to employment. Councillor Baker also referred to the Council's achievement of reducing the number of senior posts earning over £50,000 a year by 10%.

(g) Public question concerning a Pedestrian Crossing at the junction of Blackstock Road and Gleadless Road Cate McDonald referred to a petition, submitted to the Council in 2009, asking for a pedestrian crossing at the junction of Blackstock Road and Gleadless Road. She stated that there was a potential for a serious accident and although there was an under-pass at the site, which meant that the instatement of a pedestrian crossing was not such a priority, pedestrians such as older people in particular did not wish to use the under-pass. In response, the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Streetscene (Councillor Ian Auckland) made reference to Community Assemblies, which were able to fund local highways schemes. However, he stated that there was not enough money to do everything that people would like to do. There were difficult issues at the junction of Blackstock Road and Gleadless Road, which made such a scheme expensive, although a pedestrian crossing could be considered in the future. He requested that the questioner speak to him further in relation to the crossing.

(h) Public question concerning Youth Provision in Longley Mick Ibbotson referred to a shortage of youth provision in Longley, which was fuelling an increase in anti-social behaviour. He asked if the Council would put pressure on both Sheffield Futures and the local community organisations to provide facilities for young people who needed somewhere to go and to feel valued. In response, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning (Councillor Andrew Sangar) expressed sympathy with the views put by the questioner. He stated that he would raise this issue with Council Officers and would request that a written response be made to Mr. Ibbotson. He added that the Council were looking at provision to ensure that young people had positive things to do.

(i) Public question concerning Waverley Link Road Maurice Littlewood asked a question as Chair of the Handsworth Community Forum, concerning the Waverley Link Road. He referred to the link road being an area of contention over a number of years. He further stated that there did not appear to have been much pressure applied to the Yorkshire Water when asking them to give permission to have the link road routed through their land. He asked when the City Council had advised community groups in relation to the change of route for the link road and asked what the benefits of the link road would be as modelling showed that there would be an increase in traffic if the link road was built. Mr. Littlewood referred to meetings held at Woodhouse Mill and Handsworth which had been against the proposals for the link road rather than in support. He stated that whilst he had respect for the City Council he believed that if the Council allowed the link road to be developed against people’s wishes, they will have failed the people of Sheffield. In response, the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport and Council 3.2.2010 Page 8

Streetscene (Councillor Ian Auckland) stated that the playing fields were situated in Rotherham and the planning policies applied were those of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council under its Unitary Development Plan (UDP). He referred to the joint meeting of the Area Panels which were minuted and stated that he could provide a copy to Mr. Littlewood of the minutes of the joint meeting. Councillor Auckland continued that the Cabinet Member from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council stated that there was no recorded objection to the link road. He stated that the City Council would write to Yorkshire Water to ascertain their position and acknowledge that a preferred solution would be that Yorkshire Water was prepared to allow the road to be routed on their land. He also stated that he would be agreeable to visit Yorkshire Water to investigate this further. With regards the possibility of compulsory purchase of Yorkshire Water's land, the water company had statutory protection against compulsory purchase. Councillor Auckland also stated that having the road build on stilts was not affordable or feasible in engineering terms and, in any case, the Government was likely to choose the least expensive option in relation to the link road. He referred to proposals made for the link road in 2005 which did cross the top quarter of the playing field and stated that there were wide economic benefits to the construction of the link road, although there was no dependency between the development of Waverley and the link road. Finally, Councillor Auckland stated that the issues raised regarding the Trust status of the playing fields would be investigated further along with other matters which had recently come to the Council's attention.

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 provisions of Standing Order A18(4), were asked and were answered by the appropriate Cabinet Members.

South Yorkshire Joint Authorities Pursuant to Standing Order A18(7), relating to the time limit for Members’ questions, no questions were considered on the discharge of functions of the South Yorkshire Joint Authorities for Fire and Rescue, Integrated Transport, Pensions and Police under the provisions of Standing Order A18(6).

6. REPRESENTATION, DELEGATED AUTHORITY AND RELATED ISSUES RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Clive Skelton, seconded by Councillor Jack Clarkson:-

That (a) approval be given to the following change to the memberships of Council 3.2.2010 Page 9

Boards, etc. and the appointment of representatives to serve on other bodies:-

Sheffield Compact - Councillor Mazher Iqbal to replace Councillor Pat Midgley.

and (b) approval be given for the establishment of a Planning Area Board Advisory Group comprising Councillors Trevor Bagshaw, Arthur Dunworth, John Hesketh, Colin Ross, Janice Sidebottom, Ibrar Hussain, Alan Law, Ray Satur and Jillian Creasy.

7. ITEMS REFERRED TO COUNCIL 7.1 Comprehensive Area Assessment and Annual Audit and Inspection Letter RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Simon Clement-Jones, seconded by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, that the following recommendations of Cabinet at its meeting held on 27 th January, 2010, concerning the Comprehensive Area Assessment and the Annual Audit and Assessment Letter, be approved:-

RESOLVED: That (a) the information contained in the Audit Commission's report on the Comprehensive Area Assessment, Organisational Assessment and Annual Audit Letter, be noted; (b) the Deputy Chief Executive be asked to put in place and implement an improvement plan to address the points raised by the Audit Commission; and (c) the progress made against the improvement plan be reported to Cabinet in six months' time.

7.2 Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor David Baker, that the following recommendations of Cabinet at its meeting held on 27 th January, 2010, concerning the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, be approved:-

RESOLVED: That (a) the contents of the report now submitted and the changes to the Council's powers and duties arising from the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, be noted; (b) the Deputy Chief Executive be requested to provide the Cabinet with an update on any consultations which require the input of the Council under the provisions of the Act; and (c) the Council be recommended to authorise the Director of Legal Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Chief Executive, to make any consequential amendments to the Council's constitutional documents as and when required, prior to the new Constitution being approved by the Cabinet and Council.

7.3 Community Assemblies – Consolidation and Further Development RESOLVED: On the Motion of Councillor David Baker, seconded by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, that the following recommendations of Cabinet at its meeting held on 27 th January, 2010, concerning Community Assemblies – Consolidation and Further Development, be approved:-

Council 3.2.2010 Page 10

RESOLVED: That (a) the development of the new Community Assembly structures be welcomed and all those involved in the successful transition from the former, valuable, Area Panel structure to the new City-wide approach, be thanked; (b) the Council be recommended to (i) amend the Council's Constitution by adopting the suggested new terms of reference for Community Assemblies as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, in place of the existing terms of reference and (ii) grant delegated authority to the Director of Legal Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council, to make any other consequential changes to the Constitution which may be necessary; (c) approval be given (i) to the changes outlined in the report now submitted to consolidate the decision-making and governance arrangements of Community Assemblies, and, in particular, the amended scheme of delegations in Appendix 1 to the report, setting out the powers that the Cabinet has delegated to Community Assemblies and which confirms the ability of Community Assemblies to further delegate any of their powers to Officers, (ii) for the devolution of relevant children and young people's activity budgets and the linked decision-making processes from the Children and Young People's Directorate to Community Assemblies and (iii) for the further involvement of Community Assemblies in anti-social behaviour and community safety priority setting, linked to Neighbourhood Action Groups and the already de-centralised Safer Neighbourhood Officer Teams as set out in the report now submitted; (d) support be given for further community involvement activity at Community Assembly level, which will be dictated by resources being made available in 2010/11; (e) each Community Assembly be invited to formally nominate a Council representative onto a Sheffield Homes Area Board in line with the guidelines set out in the report now submitted; and (f) a Devolution Programme Board be established, to be jointly chaired by the appropriate Executive Director and the Deputy Leader of the Council, the primary purpose of the Board being to support the cultural and organisational change necessary to embed Assemblies into the way that the Council carries out its business and to take forward the devolution agenda across the Council.

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

For the Motion (46) - Councillors Louise McCann, Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Brian Holmes, John Hesketh, Sylvia Anginotti, Colin Ross, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, John Knight, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Peter Moore, Ian Council 3.2.2010 Page 11

Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Arthur Dunworth, Vicky Priestley, David Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Alison Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper and Trevor Bagshaw.

Against the Motion (1) - Councillor Ian Saunders.

Abstained on the Motion (33) - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Oxley), the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, 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, Janet Bragg, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

7.4 Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget and Rent Increase 2010-11 It was moved by Councillor Bob McCann, seconded by Councillor Paul Scriven, that the following recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting held on 27 th January, 2010, concerning the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget and Rent Increase 2010-11, be approved:-

“That (a) approval be given for rents for dwellings to be increased by an average of 2.1% above the 2009/10 annual figure, from 5th April, 2010, which means an average 3.6% increase on the current rent levels to reflect the reduction made in August, 2009, as a result of the late change to the Government's subsidy determination for 2009/10; (b) approval be given for annual rents for garages and garage sites to be increased by 2.1% from 5th April, 2010; (c) approval be also given to a decrease of 5% in Community Heating charges, effective from April, 2010 as set out in Appendix B to the report; (d) service charges for furnished accommodation, interim accommodation and burglar alarms be not increased; (e) the Council's Lettings Policy be amended so that, from implementation of the new Choice-Based Lettings website, applicants other than those awarded immediate, urgent or planned priority rehousing be limited to three choice-based lettings bids per week and further analysis be carried out to assess the feasibility of extending this restriction to all applicants; Council 3.2.2010 Page 12

(f) the Interim Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities be granted delegated authority to determine the wording of the amendment to the Lettings Policy and the date of its implementation; (g) the HRA Revenue Budget for 2010/11, as set out in Appendix A to this report, be approved; (h) Sheffield Homes Management Fee for 2010/11 be not increased above the 2009/10 level; (i) Sheffield Homes be requested to reduce the cost of Senior Management posts by 10%; (j) a sum of £600,000 be allocated to Investing in Communities in 2010/11; and (k) the Interim Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Safer Communities, be granted delegated authority to amend the rent levels for 2010/11 to the levels recommended by Her Majesty's Government in the event that the Government issues revised figures in the final subsidy determination following the completion of consultation over the draft subsidy determination issued on 10th December, 2009.”

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Chris Weldon, seconded by Councillor Tony Damms, as an amendment, that the recommendations of the Cabinet of 27 th January, 2010, as relates to the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget and Rent Increase 2010/11 be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (g) to (k) and the addition of the following new paragraphs (g) to (m) as follows:-

(g) that this Council allocates a 4% increase on Sheffield Homes’ 2009/10 Management Fee, which therefore equates to £1.2million extra for 2010/11;

(h) this £1.2m is to be used as one-off expenditure by Sheffield Homes so there are no ongoing commitments in future years;

(i) the management fee in 2011/12 will therefore revert to the same figure as outlined in the current HRA budget position;

(j) reserve balances will then be able to be maintained in accordance with risk based analysis and Audit Commission recommendations;

(k) this £1.2m will be absorbed by savings made over 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14, unless self financing allows reserves to be replaced from other sources;

(l) of this £1.2 million, £600,000 will be used by Sheffield Homes to replace the loss of expenditure from the cash standstill imposed by the current Administration;

(m) the excess £600,000 will then be used by Sheffield Homes to invest into more enhanced neighbourhood management priorities; and Council 3.2.2010 Page 13

(n) the HRA Revenue Budget, as set out in the revised Appendix A circulated at the Council meeting on 3 rd February, 2010, be approved.

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

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

For the Amendment (33) - The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Ian Saunders, 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, Janet Bragg, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

Against the Amendment (41) - Councillors Louise McCann, Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Brian Holmes, John Hesketh, Sylvia Anginotti, Colin Ross, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Peter Moore, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Arthur Dunworth, Vicky Priestley, David, Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper and Trevor Bagshaw.

Abstained on the Amendment - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham (4) Oxley), Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little.

The original Motion was then put to the vote and carried:-

Council 3.2.2010 Page 14

RESOLVED: That (a) approval be given for rents for dwellings to be increased by an average of 2.1% above the 2009/10 annual figure, from 5th April, 2010, which means an average 3.6% increase on the current rent levels to reflect the reduction made in August, 2009, as a result of the late change to the Government's subsidy determination for 2009/10; (b) approval be given for annual rents for garages and garage sites to be increased by 2.1% from 5th April, 2010; (c) approval be also given to a decrease of 5% in Community Heating charges, effective from April, 2010 as set out in Appendix B to the report; (d) service charges for furnished accommodation, interim accommodation and burglar alarms be not increased; (e) the Council's Lettings Policy be amended so that, from implementation of the new Choice-Based Lettings website, applicants other than those awarded immediate, urgent or planned priority rehousing be limited to three choice-based lettings bids per week and further analysis be carried out to assess the feasibility of extending this restriction to all applicants; (f) the Interim Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable, Safer Communities be granted delegated authority to determine the wording of the amendment to the Lettings Policy and the date of its implementation; (g) the HRA Revenue Budget for 2010/11, as set out in Appendix A to this report, be approved; (h) Sheffield Homes Management Fee for 2010/11 be not increased above the 2009/10 level; (i) Sheffield Homes be requested to reduce the cost of Senior Management posts by 10%; (j) a sum of £600,000 be allocated to Investing in Communities in 2010/11; and (k) the Interim Director of Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Safer Communities, be granted delegated authority to amend the rent levels for 2010/11 to the levels recommended by Her Majesty's Government in the event that the Government issues revised figures in the final subsidy determination following the completion of consultation over the draft subsidy determination issued on 10th December, 2009.

(NOTE: 1. The Successful Neighbourhoods Scrutiny and Policy Development Board exercised its right under the Council’s Standing Orders to scrutinise the Cabinet decision of 27 th January, 2010 relating to the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget and Rent Increase 2010/11 and make recommendations to the Council thereon, prior to the Council’s consideration of the decision. The Council were informed that no recommendations were made by the Scrutiny and Policy Development Board on the matter. Council 3.2.2010 Page 15

2. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Ian Saunders, 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, Janet Bragg, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (i), (j) and (k), against paragraphs (g) and (h) and abstained on paragraph (e) of the above Motion and asked for this to be recorded. 3. Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little abstained from voting on the above Motion and asked for this to be recorded). 4. Councillors Steve Ayris and Jack Clarkson both declared a personal interest in the above item as Members of the Sheffield Homes Board of Directors.)

8. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING COUNCIL HOUSING RENTS It was moved by Councillor Bob McCann, seconded by Councillor Penny Baker, that this Council:

(a) regrets that, in line with the increase required under the present Government’s rent restructuring policy, Sheffield’s Council tenants are set to see rents increased by an average of 3.6% in 2010/11.

With the consent of the Council and at the request of Councillor Bob McCann under Standing Order A20(8), it was agreed to remove paragraphs (b) to (f) of the Notice of Motion given in the Summons for this meeting.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Jan Wilson, seconded by Councillor Chris Weldon, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after “That this Council” and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

(a) acknowledges that many Sheffield people are currently experiencing the effects of the economic downturn;

(b) knows that many of these will be tenants of Sheffield City Council;

(c) is grateful that the Minister for Housing, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, recently met with the Leaders of the three political groups on this Council in order to explain Government policy relating to the guideline rent increase for 2010/11;

(d) is also grateful for the Minister's letter to the Leaders of the three political groups on this Council clarifying the Government’s policy relating to the guideline rent increase for 2010/11, a copy of which is attached as an appendix;

(e) welcomes his clarification that the guideline rent level had taken account of the current economic position; Council 3.2.2010 Page 16

(f) understands that the Government has a long term objective to harmonise the rent levels of tenants of Local Authorities and those of Registered Social Landlords;

(g) also understands that there is not, and never has been, a specific date by which this will be achieved;

(h) further understands that the projected guideline rent figure was 6.1%, however, in taking account of economic factors, the national average guideline rent increase has been reduced to 3.1%;

(i) is pleased that the Government has taken account of the likely circumstances of Council tenants in setting the reduced guideline rent increase;

(j) looks forward to the opportunity which will arise if the Government affords Sheffield City Council the freedom and flexibility of a ‘free standing’ HRA, which will enable the Council to set out its own business plan, including current and future rent levels;

(k) resolves to wholeheartedly work with the Government in the interests of Sheffield tenants; and

(l) directs that a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister for Housing and all Sheffield MPs.

(NOTE: A copy of the Minister’s letter, referred to at paragraph (d) of the above amendment was attached to the list of amendments circulated to Members of the Council at the meeting).

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

It was then moved by Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor Andrew Sangar, as a further amendment, that that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (b) to (h) as follows:-

(b) notes the letter received from the Government regarding Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination 2010-11 states:

“Fixing the reduced guideline rent increase at has been achieved by changing the convergence date. To achieve a specific guideline rent increase of it has been necessary to use a convergence date (n) of 3 years.”

Council 3.2.2010 Page 17

“In a December announcement, the Government said rents for similar properties owned by different landlords must converge by 2012/13 rather than 2023/24. The change means target rents will increase more steeply than previously expected.”

(d) confirms that a cross party delegation from Sheffield City Council met with the Housing Minister, John Healey MP, regarding this issue on 28 th January 2010 at which the Minister contradicted his own Government's previously stated policy;

(e) notes that the letter received from the Housing Minister confirming this change in policy on 2 nd February 2010, states:

”The convergence date of 2013/14 set out in the 2010/11 draft determination has not been used to determine the national average guideline rent increase. The Government’s starting point and first concern was to see rent rises for council tenants next year at a reasonable and affordable level”

(f) is therefore shocked that the Government believe the average increase local tenants face in 2010/11 as a result of the rent level decision by the Minister is ‘reasonable and affordable’;

(g) notes that this increase amounts to an average of more than £100 extra on annual rent bills and therefore disagrees with the Housing Minister that this is ‘reasonable and affordable’ at a time of financial hardship; and

(h) confirms that this Council is opposed to any proposal that sees unjustified increases in tenants rent and therefore resolves to write back to the Minister asking him to change his mind so that tenants see a genuinely affordable and reasonable rent level in 2010/11 and beyond.

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

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

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

That this Council

(b) notes the letter received from the Government regarding Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination 2010-11 states: Council 3.2.2010 Page 18

(d) confirms that a cross party delegation from Sheffield City Council met with the Housing Minister, John Healey MP, regarding this issue on 28th January 2010 at which the Minister contradicted his own Government's previously stated policy;

(e) notes that the letter received from the Housing Minister confirming this change in policy on 2nd February 2010, states:

(f) is therefore shocked that the Government believe the average increase local tenants face in 2010/11 as a result of the rent level decision by the Minister is ‘reasonable and affordable’;

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

For the Substantive Motion (44) - Councillors Louise McCann, Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Brian Holmes, Council 3.2.2010 Page 19

John Hesketh, Sylvia Anginotti, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, John Knight, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Peter Moore, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Arthur Dunworth, Vicky Priestley, David, Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper and Trevor Bagshaw.

Against the Substantive Motion - The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan (32) Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, 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, Janet Bragg, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

Abstained on the Substantive - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham Motion (1) Oxley).

(NOTE: 1. Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (f), (g) and (h) and against paragraphs (d) and (e) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded). 2. Councillors Steve Ayris and Jack Clarkson both declared a personal interest in the above item as Members of the Sheffield Homes Board of Directors.)

9. NOTICE OF MOTION CONC ERNING EMERGENCY PLANNING It was moved by Councillor Jan Wilson, seconded by Councillor Harry Harpham, that this Council:

(a) recognises the hard work of Sheffield’s emergency planning section over the years, especially during the Sheffield flood, the recent fire strike and this winter’s adverse weather conditions;

(b) understands that Sheffield’s emergency planning department is held in high regard nationally and its Major Incident Response Group is unique Council 3.2.2010 Page 20

to the City;

(c) notes that much of the work of the emergency planning team is developed within necessary security arrangements, and consequently is not on the public record;

(d) also notes that the present Administration may be considering handing over, or jointly managing, some of the current functions of Sheffield’s emergency planning service to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council;

(e) further notes that Rotherham is a very successful Council and understands that the Metropolitan Borough Council is also highly regarded for its emergency planning functions;

(f) is happy to continue our good relationships with neighbouring Rotherham, but remains concerned at passing over such an important responsibility to another Authority;

(g) realises that if such a plan was to materialise, the town of Rotherham would have a major role in overseeing emergency planning in this City if there was to be another flood, another fire strike, or potential terror attack;

(h) believes that such a decision could leave Sheffield vulnerable and expose England’s fourth largest city to all sorts of risks;

(i) is astonished that a FIFA World Cup Candidate Host City, such as Sheffield, which could expect thousands of visitors for such an event, could consider transferring any part of its emergency planning functions to a smaller council, especially in light of the recent terrorist attack against the Togolese national football team, in Angola;

(j) can think of no other reason to contemplate such an action than an effort to cut costs;

(k) was also concerned to hear that emergency planning is not the only thing leaving Sheffield to Rotherham, following news that the current Administration saw fit to sell a reported 200 tonnes of grit to Rotherham last month, despite Sheffield supplies later running dangerously low;

(l) notes that with the benefit of hindsight this was indeed a foolish thing to do but is not at all surprised by the present Administration’s lack of foresight in such decisions;

(m) however, understands that Sheffield is a city of strategic importance to the region, which reflects why South Yorkshire’s Police and Fire headquarters are based in the City; and

(n) therefore resolves that the current Administration should not make any Council 3.2.2010 Page 21

plans which could in any way compromise the safety of the people of Sheffield.

Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor Bob McCann, 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 (f) as follows:-

(b) welcomes the fact that Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Borough Council are discussing how the local authorities can work better together in order to share skills, facilities and improve the emergency planning service for both areas;

(c) notes that there will be no assumed cost saving from this work included in the present Administration’s proposals for the 2010/11 budget and this work is aimed at improving the emergency planning service for Sheffield, however savings could be achieved as a result of this work;

(d) is therefore disappointed, but not surprised, that the major opposition group are once again not being totally honest with the people of Sheffield;

(e) is particularly disappointed that the major opposition group compare Sheffield with Angola in terms of levels of security and the likelihood of an attack by guerrilla forces fighting for independence; and

(f) believes the fact that the major opposition group has brought this issue as their number one proposal to be discussed at Council, shows just how out of touch they are.

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

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

That this Council:

(a) recognises the hard work of Sheffield’s emergency planning section over the years, especially during the Sheffield flood, the recent fire strike and this winter’s adverse weather conditions;

(d) is therefore disappointed, but not surprised, that the major opposition group are once again not being totally honest with the people of Sheffield;

(f) believes the fact that the major opposition group has brought this issue as their number one proposal to be discussed at Council, shows just how out of touch they are.

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

10. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING FUEL AND ENERGY USE With the consent of the Council and the seconder, Notice of Motion Number 10 on the Summons, was withdrawn at the request of the mover of the Motion, Councillor Bernard Little.

11. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING CADBURY TREBOR BASSET It was moved by Councillor Joe Taylor, seconded by Councillor Paul Scriven, that this Council:-

(a) believes that at a time of global recession, national and local government must do everything possible to support and promote UK businesses and prevent further redundancies;

(b) notes that Cadbury has 4,500 employees in the UK and that the Cadbury Trebor Basset factory in Owlerton employs around 700 workers;

(c) further notes that the firm originates in part from a company founded in Sheffield in 1842 and is therefore an important part of Sheffield’s manufacturing heritage;

(d) is therefore shocked that the present Government has allowed the state owned Royal Bank of Scotland to finance the takeover of the UK firm Cadbury by multinational food giant Kraft;

(e) is concerned that the Government is failing to ensure that the Royal Bank of Scotland concentrates on helping with finance for small and medium sized enterprises rather than multinational takeovers which may not be in the interests of the British economy;

(f) notes that, despite assurances being given at the time, significant numbers of jobs have been lost in the confectionary industry in York as a result of similar style takeovers; Council 3.2.2010 Page 23

(g) is concerned by warnings by the worker's union Unite that up to 30,000 jobs at Cadburys and across the supply chain could be put at risk as a result of this takeover;

(h) believes that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson's warning on December 4 th 2010 of the Government's “fierce opposition” to the takeover was nothing more than empty words; and

(i) resolves to write to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and City Minister Lord Myners to ask for reassurance that they will act to safeguard local jobs.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Ray Satur, seconded by Councillor John Robson, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (d) to (i) and the addition of new paragraphs (d) to (j) as follows:-

(d) therefore welcomes the action taken by local MP, David Blunkett, who has already been in talks with senior management at Kraft, trade unions and the Government, to seek assurances about jobs at the Cadbury Trebor Bassett plant;

(e) welcomes the steps taken by the Government to put pressure on Kraft to secure jobs across the country at Cadbury’s;

(f) further welcomes the request by the Leader of the major opposition group that Yorkshire Forward monitor the situation at Cadbury Trebor Bassett and is aware of the vulnerability of these 700 jobs in Sheffield;

(g) to the best of its knowledge, has had no indication that any member of the current Administration has made contact with either the management or trade unions at Cadbury Trebor Basset and therefore feels that this is entirely a political stunt;

(h) deplores this Administration for playing politics with vulnerable people who are genuinely concerned about their future;

(i) is unnerved at how low the current Administration can stoop in order to create political capital, as they have done so many times in the past; and

(j) resolves to co-operate with the staff and management of Cadbury’s, along with trade union officials and the Government, in order to safeguard jobs at Cadbury Trebor Bassett in Sheffield.

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

The original Motion was then put to the vote and carried as follows:- Council 3.2.2010 Page 24

That this Council:

(a) believes that at a time of global recession, national and local government must do everything possible to support and promote UK businesses and prevent further redundancies;

(b) notes that Cadbury has 4,500 employees in the UK and that the Cadbury Trebor Basset factory in Owlerton employs around 700 workers;

(c) further notes that the firm originates in part from a company founded in Sheffield in 1842 and is therefore an important part of Sheffield’s manufacturing heritage;

(d) is therefore shocked that the present Government has allowed the state owned Royal Bank of Scotland to finance the takeover of the UK firm Cadbury by multinational food giant Kraft;

(f) notes that, despite assurances being given at the time, significant numbers of jobs have been lost in the confectionary industry in York as a result of similar style takeovers;

(g) is concerned by warnings by the worker's union Unite that up to 30,000 jobs at Cadburys and across the supply chain could be put at risk as a result of this takeover;

(h) believes that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson's warning on December 4th 2010 of the Government's “fierce opposition” to the takeover was nothing more than empty words; and

(i) resolves to write to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and City Minister Lord Myners to ask for reassurance that they will act to safeguard local jobs.

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

For paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (g) - The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan and (i) (74) Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Louise McCann, Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Ian Saunders, Helen Mirfin-Boukouris, Bryan Lodge, Denise Fox, Mike Pye, Paul Council 3.2.2010 Page 25

Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Jackie Drayton, Ibrar Hussain, Steve Jones, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Brian Holmes, Sylvia Anginotti, Mary Lea, Harry Harpham, Mazher Iqbal, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, Joan Barton, Chris Weldon, John Knight, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Garry Weatherall, Peter Moore, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Pat Midgley, Jenny Armstrong, Jan Wilson, David Barker, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Gill Furniss, Arthur Dunworth, Vickie Priestley, David Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper, Trevor Bagshaw, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

Against paragraphs (a), (b), (c), - NIL (g) and (i) (0)

Abstained on paragraphs (a), - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham (b), (c), (g) and (i) (2) Oxley) and Councillor Leigh Bramall.

For paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and - Councillors Louise McCann, Simon (h) (44) Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Brian Holmes, Sylvia Anginotti, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, John Knight, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Peter Moore, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, David Barker, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Arthur Dunworth, Vicky Priestley, David, Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper and Trevor Bagshaw. Council 3.2.2010 Page 26

Against paragraphs (d), (e), (f) - The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan and (h) (30) Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Ian Saunders, 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, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

Abstained on paragraphs (d), - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham (e), (f) and (h) (2) Oxley) and Councillor Leigh Bramall.

(NOTE: Councillor Colin Ross declared a personal interest as a shareholder in the Royal Bank of Scotland. Councillor Ian Auckland declared a personal interest as a shareholder and pensioner of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Councillor Frank Taylor declared a personal interest as a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group of companies. Councillor Alan Hooper declared a personal interest as a shareholder in the Royal Bank of Scotland. Councillor Leigh Bramall declared a personal interest in relation to Cadbury Trebor Basset as his wife was employed by Cadbury.)

12. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING THE ECONOMIC RECESSION It was moved by Councillor Ray Satur, seconded by Councillor Mick Rooney, that this Council:

(a) acknowledges that this recent recession, unlike previous recessions, was a result of a global financial and economic crisis and has impacted the entire world;

(b) notes that this recent recession has also impacted Sheffield, although affecting some residents more than others;

(d) further welcomes the national fall in unemployment announced last week, of around 7,000 people, which is mainly due to tougher rules for claiming benefits and an improved JobcentrePlus;

(e) is relieved that local unemployment figures are levelling off, with numbers seeking benefits in Sheffield rising by just 65 people between November and December, a small figure compared to the gloomy and over-hyped predictions of mass unemployment by the Government Opposition Party;

Council 3.2.2010 Page 27

(f) recognises that this Government’s action has resulted in people leaving unemployment far quicker than in previous recessions and in fact 70% of claimants have come off benefits within six months, compared with 63% in the downturn of the early 1990s and 60% in the recession of the early 1980s;

(g) further recognises that the actions of the Government to support people through the recession have been successful, including, the VAT cut, car scrappage scheme, Future Jobs Fund, Working Neighbourhood Fund, investment to improve the Jobcentre Plus, January Guarantee for the young unemployed and September Guarantee for school leavers;

(h) further acknowledges that in past recessions people have lost their homes but, thanks to Government initiatives, during this recession homeowners have been supported through projects such as the Mortgage Interest Scheme, the Mortgage Rescue Scheme, the Court Desk Scheme and the Mortgage Arrears Pre-Action Protocol;

(i) further acknowledges that this ‘Real Help Now’ approach to dealing with the recession, deployed by this Government, is far more effective than the ‘do nothing’ approach advocated by the Government Opposition Party, which would have severely compounded the effects of the recession;

(j) believes that this ‘do-nothing’ approach is similar to the previous Government, who considered unemployment ‘a price worth paying’ and which peaked at a much higher level than this recession;

(k) is extremely concerned by the current attitude demonstrated by the Government Opposition Party, who seem to revel at the prospect of future cuts to public spending with an age of ‘austerity’ and the impact this will have on Sheffield;

(l) believes Sheffield people will remember the last impact a Conservative Government had upon this City; and

(m) resolves to proactively doing all it can to help place Sheffield back on the road to economic recovery.

Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Bernard Little, seconded by Councillor Jillian Creasy, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by:

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

“(a) acknowledges that the recent recession was a result of a global financial and economic crisis fuelled by unregulated market policies supported by all the large UK political parties during the past 30 years;” Council 3.2.2010 Page 28

2. The deletion of paragraphs (c) (d) (e) and (f) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (e) as follows:

“(c) welcomes the news that Britain is now out of recession but notes that many experts recognise that our economy is extremely fragile and fundamental changes towards a resilient financial and economic system are urgently needed;

(d) notes that, while unemployment fell nationally by around 7,000 people during the quarter Sep-Nov 2009, overall employment also fell, with the fall in full-time employment greater than the rise in part-time employment;

(e) notes that there are now one million employees and self- employed people who are working part-time because they couldn't find a full-time job, which is the highest figure ever recorded and is still rising;”

3. The deletion of paragraphs (k) to (m) and the addition of five new paragraphs as follows:-

“( ) agrees that the three large political parties' policies to address the national economic position, partly via significant public spending cuts, will harm the economy;

( ) notes the findings of the Government's own National Equality Panel, that the top 10% of the population own a hundred times the wealth of the bottom 10%, and that 13 years of Labour government has failed to reverse the inequalities which opened during the preceding Conservative administration;

( ) agrees that people being paid a living wage in socially and environmentally useful jobs will both stimulate the economy and reduce the gap between rich and poor;

( ) therefore supports the policy of an investment package to create jobs in areas genuinely needed for the future, such as clean energy and insulation, public transport, manufacturing, construction and engineering as well as caring and teaching, thereby stimulating the economy; and

( ) resolves to proactively do all it can to help put Sheffield on the road to an economy which is fairer and more sustainable.”

4. The relettering of the remaining paragraphs accordingly.

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

It was then moved by Councillor Paul Scriven, seconded by Councillor Council 3.2.2010 Page 29

Roger Davison, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after “That this Council” and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

(a) regrets that the statement made by the present Prime Minister “we will never return to the old boom and bust” has turned out to be untrue;

(b) furthermore regrets that the statement made by the present Prime Minister that Britain was “best placed” to weather the recession has also turned out to be untrue;

(c) wished the Government would have listened to the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP, in November 2003 when he warned of the prospect of a deep recession;

(d) notes that this recession has caused untold hardship for thousands of families across the UK, including many in Sheffield, and therefore notes with regret that it is premature to state ‘Britain is now out of recession’ as the figure could be revised down;

(e) supports Government initiatives that have proved effective in providing an economic boost, such as the car scrappage scheme and the Future Jobs Fund;

(f) however, believes that other initiatives such as the VAT cut have proven to be expensive and ineffective and this investment would have been better used to give low income families tax cuts, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats nationally;

(g) welcomes action taken by the present Administration to help local residents and businesses in the recession, which has been praised by the Independent Audit Commission, including:

(i) action to help local people, such as setting Sheffield’s lowest ever Council Tax, beginning a scheme to offer free insulation to reduce energy bills and providing every household with a recession survival guide;

(ii) action to help local business, such as saving business over £550,000 by encouraging them to apply for small business rate relief, making the planning service business friendly and committing to a ‘buy local’ policy; and

(iii) action to keep the city centre vibrant, such as the vacant shops strategy, launching new city centre festivals and bringing attractions to boost footfall such as the Sheffield Wheel; and

(h) confirms that the present Administration will carry on taking action to help local people in these difficult financial times.

Council 3.2.2010 Page 30

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

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

That this Council:

(a) regrets that the statement made by the present Prime Minister “we will never return to the old boom and bust” has turned out to be untrue;

(b) furthermore regrets that the statement made by the present Prime Minister that Britain was “best placed” to weather the recession has also turned out to be untrue;

(c) wished the Government would have listened to the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable MP, in November 2003 when he warned of the prospect of a deep recession;

(e) supports Government initiatives that have proved effective in providing an economic boost, such as the car scrappage scheme and the Future Jobs Fund;

(g) welcomes action taken by the present Administration to help local residents and businesses in the recession, which has been praised by the Independent Audit Commission, including:

(iii) action to keep the city centre vibrant, such as the vacant shops strategy, launching new city centre festivals and bringing attractions to boost footfall such as the Sheffield Wheel; and

Council 3.2.2010 Page 31

(h) confirms that the present Administration will carry on taking action to help local people in these difficult financial times.

(NOTE: 1. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Ian Saunders, 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, Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Leigh Bramall, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur voted for paragraphs (e) and (g) and against paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (f) and (h) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded. 2. Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (g) and (h), against paragraphs (c) and (e) and abstained from voting on paragraph (f) of the Substantive Motion and asked for this to be recorded).

13. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING COMMUNITY ASSEMBLIES It was moved by Councillor Alan Hooper, seconded by Councillor Clive Skelton, that this Council:-

(a) notes that a major pledge by the present Administration was to create Community Assemblies in order to progressively devolve power away from the Town Hall down to local communities and their Ward Councillors;

(b) is delighted that the launch of Community Assemblies has been successful and that as a result communities right across Sheffield are already seeing the benefits of allowing them a greater say over local services and priorities; and notes particular success stories include;

(i) local councillors being empowered to react to local priorities, for example the Northern Community Assembly, working with the Peak District National Park Authority, has been able to jointly create and fund a Rural Villages Project that aims to bring about positive differences to rural communities;

(ii) a highways budget of £100,000 being made available to each Community Assembly which has allowed them to fund highways schemes that have been requested for a number of years;

(iii) Community Assemblies investing in extra environmental teams, which has led to over 100 extra requests for jobs such as cutting back weeds and overhanging branches, cleaning up grot-spots and unblocking drains, being completed;

(iv) a Climate Change Fund of £50,000 being made available to each Community Assembly which has allowed them to fund local community projects which reduce carbon emissions, for example East Community Assembly have funded solar panels to be fitted Council 3.2.2010 Page 32

on the Tinsley Green community building which will help to reduce running costs; and

(v) the roll out of ‘You Choose’ participatory budgeting events across Sheffield in which local people put ideas forward for projects that will benefit the community and local people decide on which are to be funded;

(c) notes that the successful roll out of Community Assemblies represents yet another pledge delivered by the present Administration; and

(d) confirms that Community Assemblies are an integral part of how the Council operates and agrees that it is the policy of this Council to expand Community Assemblies’ role and influence going forward into the future.

Whereupon it was moved by Councillor Mazher Iqbal, seconded by Councillor Peter Price, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after “That this Council” and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

(a) supports the principle of promoting greater participation in, and devolving power to, our communities;

(b) recognises that Community Assemblies have demonstrated some examples of good practice, such as the free swimming scheme for school-children in the summer holidays created by the North East Community Assembly;

(c) regrets that Community Assemblies are now much larger in size than the former Area Panels, each Assembly covering an area the size similar to that of a town;

(d) finds it ridiculous that an area the size of Sheffield’s North East is regarded as a ‘community,’ when it is even larger than the Lancashire town of Burnley, which has its own Town Hall, Borough Council and even a Premier League Football Club to its name;

(e) believes that one clear reason for this is the uninviting, often formal and overly bureaucratic structure of Community Assembly meetings;

(f) regrets further that Community Assemblies operate a top down structure and are therefore controlled from the Town Hall, not giving genuine power to local people;

(g) also regrets that Community Assemblies are seemingly being used by the present Administration as a mechanism of pushing through cuts in service, such as planned cuts to adult education services, and fears that this will be an increasingly common tactic of this Administration in the future; Council 3.2.2010 Page 33

(h) fails to see the evidence that Community Assemblies are more open, honest and transparent than the former Area Panels, as frequently claimed by the present Administration; and

(i) concludes that Community Assemblies are a new initiative and must be given more time to demonstrative their effectiveness, however, is concerned that they are to date failing to meet the goals that they were established to achieve.

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

(NOTE: Councillors Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy and Bernard Little abstained from voting on paragraph (g) of the above amendment).

The original Motion was then put to the vote and carried as follows:-

That this Council:

(ii) a highways budget of £100,000 being made available to each Community Assembly which has allowed them to fund highways schemes that have been requested for a number of years;

Council 3.2.2010 Page 34

(c) notes that the successful roll out of Community Assemblies represents yet another pledge delivered by the present Administration; and

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

For paragraphs (a) and (d) (44) - Councillors Louise McCann, Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Robert Murphy, Jillian Creasy, Bernard Little, Brian Holmes, John Hesketh, Sylvia Anginotti, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, John Knight, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Peter Moore, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Arthur Dunworth, Vicky Priestley, David Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper and Trevor Bagshaw.

Against paragraphs (a) and (d) - NIL (0)

Abstained on paragraphs (a) - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham and (d) (32) Oxley), the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Ian Saunders, 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, Council 3.2.2010 Page 35

Lynn Rooney, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

For paragraphs (b) and (c) (41) - Councillors Louise McCann, Simon Clement-Jones, Clive Skelton, Paul Scriven, Alan Whitehouse, Shaffaq Mohammed, Brian Holmes, John Hesketh, Sylvia Anginotti, Mike Davis, Keith Hill, Colin Taylor, Vic Bowden, Sylvia Dunkley, Mike Reynolds, Roger Davison, John Knight, Andrew Sangar, Janice Sidebottom, Denise Reaney, Peter Moore, Ian Auckland, Bob McCann, Joe Taylor, Steve Ayris, Gail Smith, Chris Tutt, Ali Qadar, Colin France, Pat White, Arthur Dunworth, Vicky Priestley, David Baker, Jack Clarkson, Martin Brelsford, Diane Leek, Penny Baker, Jonathan Harston, Kathleen Chadwick, Alan Hooper and Trevor Bagshaw.

Against paragraphs (b) and (c) - NIL (0)

Abstained on paragraphs (b) - The Lord Mayor (Councillor Graham and (c) (35) Oxley), the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Alan Law), Councillors Julie Dore, John Robson, Tim Rippon, Ian Saunders, 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, Martin Lawton, Jane Bird, Peter Price, Peter Rippon, Tony Damms, Gill Furniss, Mick Rooney and Ray Satur.

14. NOTICE OF MOTION CONCERNING EDUCATION AL ATTAINMENT It was moved by Councillor Harry Harpham, seconded by Councillor Julie Dore, that this Council:-

(a) welcomes the strong improvement in GCSE results across the City;

(b) congratulates all Sheffield pupils for their achievements, which reflects their dedication and hard work; Council 3.2.2010 Page 36

(c) praises Sheffield’s teachers, teaching assistants, parents and all others who play an incredible role in providing excellent support to local pupils;

(d) acknowledges that a significant reason for the consistent improvement in results over the past ten years has been the considerable investment placed in education by the Government;

(e) recognises with pride that since 1997, spending per pupil has more than doubled, and there are 40,000 extra teachers and 116,000 teaching assistants;

(f) supports the Government’s proposals to extend the school leaving age to 18;

(g) further supports Educational Maintenance Allowances, which have given, and continues to give, many students from low income families the opportunity to stay in education;

(h) commends the Building Schools for the Future Programme, which has seen £187 million invested in Sheffield to transform the school buildings of the City and provide a conducive environment for learning;

(i) recognises that results have vastly improved across the board in education in Sheffield since 1997, resulting in a record number of people now attending university;

(j) regrets that the previous Government did not prioritise education, through cutting spending and allowing children to be taught in crumbling school buildings;

(k) shudders to think what education would be like in Sheffield today if there was still a Conservative Government and realises what a disastrous effect any future Conservative Government would have on education in this City and the country as a whole, if ever elected; and

(l) recognises, however, that much more is to be done to ensure that further improvements will occur in the future, and that every child in Sheffield is given the best possible start in life.

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Andrew Sangar, seconded by Councillor Mike Reynolds, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of all the words after “That this Council” and the substitution of the following words therefor:-

(a) notes that a major pledge by the present Administration was to improve young people’s life prospects by bringing about a step change in exam results so that Sheffield reached and then exceeded the national average;

Council 3.2.2010 Page 37

(b) notes the action taken by the present Administration to deliver on this commitment, including;

(i) launching Sheffield’s first Raising Attainment and Aspiration Strategy, which aims to drive up young people’s achievements;

(ii) recruiting excellent head teachers from around the country and introducing the best leadership development programmes for heads that the City has ever seen; and

(iii) giving a free book to every school-starter and introducing a Volunteers Reading Scheme, to encourage Council employees to work with young people who need one to one literacy support;

(c) therefore welcomes the fact that this year saw the City’s largest ever improvement in GCSE results, in particular the measure of students achieving 5 A* - C grades including English and Maths, which went up by 3.9%;

(d) welcomes the fact that the gap between Sheffield students and the national average has been narrowed by 1.7% and that Sheffield has improved its performance against other major cities;

(e) furthermore welcomes Sheffield’s primary school results in Key Stage Two, which bucked the national trend by showing an improvement in combined English and Maths results;

(f) places on record its congratulations to pupils, teachers, schools and parents for this year’s excellent results and thanks them for their hard work;

(g) confirms that Sheffield is now catching up with the national average and that this represents another pledge delivered by the present Administration; and

(h) recognises that further hard work will be needed to build on this year’s results but is confident that the policies of the present Administration will give the best possible chance for children and young people to succeed.

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

average;