See full motions and amendments on this site. PETITIONS and QUESTIONSCommunity NurseriesThere was a big presence from the Save our Community Nurseries Campaign, with several petitions from nurseries around the city. They were asking for longer term funding at levels that would sustain the servies. Arborthorne Tiddlywinks is most at risk, due to Council funding falling £12k short. As one speaker said, they were "not prepared to see young children lose their learning environment".
The questions focused more on the planned independant review of the services, asking for funding until the review is complete, they noted the review was a statutory requirement in any case and raised concerns the Council would continue to favour their own providers, such as SureStart. There were accusations the Council had been systematically hostile to the representations of the Community Childcare Federation, and heartfelt appeals from people involved in the nurseries since the beginning to help them.
COUNCIL RESPONSE Commitments were reiterated on the planned independent review of early years childcare in the city, that is hoped to listen to and support the voluntary and community sector more. Funding would be continued for this year, and he had optimism the extra funding would be found for Arborthorne Tiddlywinks. Cllr Sangar and Cllr Alison Breylsford would be following up the work of the review to make sure all sectors have an equal part in the review
MOTION Community nurseries and the child care reviewCouncillors were unanimous in their support of this motion, which pledged to make sure voluntary and community run nurseries are properly involved in the forthcoming review of childcare in Sheffield, especially due to the pressure the new Children's Centres are putting on other providers. Cllr Robson gave an impassioned speech on behalf of Tiddlywinks nursery, and complemented the Lib Dem councillors for the work they have been doing. There were a couple of calls from Labour Councillors for guarantees that the Council would increase funding to Tiddlywinks, but given meetings on the issue had been taking place elsewhere the point was not pushed. (See full motion on this site)
MOTION (Council looks forward to independant review)
VOTE: ALL for
CARRIED in full
QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORSThere was a long discussion on the questions asked to the council administration. Particularly noteworthy were:
Planning service review coming to Cabinet on 14th January, will involve a kind of “fast track” for business applications with less documentation – concerns raised over how public consultation sits with that. Lots of questions on the Woodseats Traffic Management Scheme, amongst which the detail that the “Sheffield on the Move” event cost £2950, including £1,180 for one speakers expenses. Several questions on the Council’s waste consultation, one thing that was clear is that plastics are unlikely to be recycled, either at kerb side or mini-bring banks.
MOTION Cold Weather PaymentsDebate about cold weather payments hinged on whether to act right away (Lib Dems) or wait until a review, started by MP Clive Betts, has been carried out (Labour). The Lib Dems said it wasn't rocket science, and the current system of relying on three weather stations up to 70 miles away, with different people in Sheffield getting different terms was not right. Labour said that whatever system that is put in place should be properly considered, it was no guarantee that Western Park would be better. The Greens argued winter payments could only be a stop gap measure and more action from council was needed on insulation initiatives, keeping those in need warmer for less cost (see full motion and amendments, see news report)
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour)
Wait until review completed
VOTE: LD against LAB for GRN for
LOST
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
Need to have other measures in place, such as insulation.
VOTE: LD against LAB for GRN for
LOST
MOTION as original
Council will ask for Western Park Weather station to be used instead of three in neighbouring counties
VOTE: LD for LAB for, except for criticism of Government in motion GRN for
CARRIED in full
MOTION Free SwimmingThe continuing row over free swimming (as Labour call it) or subsidised swimming (as the Lib Dems call it). There arguments on how the cost to Council had been calculated (projected at £750k) with regard to how many elderly people actually used the facilities, and whether the scheme would really benefit fitness given previous schemes seemed to find little increase in the numbers swimming. The Lib Dems argue their scheme is more targeted at those who cannot swim, and has got the support of the PCT in preference over a more general offer of free swimming (see full motion and amendments on this site, see news report)
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
Criticising the Government failing to fully fund the initiative and supporting their own scheme, targeted at non-swimmers.
VOTE: LD for Lab against GRN for, except criticism of Government.
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Labour)
Supporting Lib Dem initiative, but asking Government scheme supported as well
VOTE: LD for, except against supporting Government scheme LAB for GRN for, abstaining on supporting Government scheme
CARRIED
MOTION as amended (basically Amendment 1)
VOTE: LD for LAB for, against criticism of Government and details of Lib Dem scheme GRN for, abstaining on criticism of Government and details of Lib Dem scheme
CARRIED
SUMMARY of other motionsSee full motions and amendments on this site.
MOTION Primary SchoolsA motion on the bid to support primary schools was voted through, after some difference of opinion about the language used in the motion by the Lib Dems.
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour) Changes the language of the motion to remove criticism of Government. VOTE: LD against LAB for GRN for LOST
MOTION as original VOTE: LD for GRN for, but against (e) and abstaining on (d) LAB for, but against (d) and (e) CARRIED
MOTION Central Area PanelThere was a robust debate on the Broomhill, Central, and Nether Edge Area Panel. The Greens pointed out local people had to wait two hours before presenting their own questions and petitions, they also stated the concerns of the central ward councillors had been dismissed, or even suppressed, despite assurances different plans could be made for different wards. The Lib Dems claimed they were representing the whole community, not just the few who turned up to the meeting. They heavily criticised Labour for campaigning on the issue, Labour in turn argued that it signified the Community Assemblies were not democratic. (see full motion and amendments, see news report) AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE: LD for LAB against GRN against
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
VOTE: LD against LAB for GRN for
LOST
MOTION as amended (the Lib Dem amendment)
VOTE: LD for GRN against, except for (a) LAB abstain
CARRIED in full
Debate ended at this point with the rest quickly voted on.
MOTION Waste StrategyA Labour motion on waste and a Green amendment criticising the strategy was overwritten by the Lib Dems, welcoming the waste consultation.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE: LD for LAB against GRN against
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
VOTE: LD against LAB abstain GRN for
LOST
MOTION as amended (the Lib Dem amendment)
VOTE: LAD for LAB against GRN against
CARRIED
MOTION School Meals and Ministry of FoodThe Green motion on providing free school meals and calling for a report into Sheffield having a "Ministry of Food" was lost with the Lib Dems overwriting it. The Lib Dem amendment criticised Government investment, also called into question the use of the “Ministry of Food” pilot, and stated that it would require budget funds.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE: LD for GRN against LAB against
CARRIED
MOTION as amended (Lib Dem amendment)
VOTE: LD for GRN against, but for (a) LAB abstain
CARRIED
MOTION Council Housing and the Housing Revenue AccountA housing motion put forward by Lib Dems was largely supported, after an unsuccessful attempt by Labour to amend it. The motion criticises how housing rent is redistributed by the Government and resolves to work towards a better solution. Labour and Greens voted for the final amendment apart from the criticism of the previous administration, which alledged the then Council had done nothing about the situation.
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour)
VOTE: LD against LAB for GRN for, but abstain on some points
LOST
MOTION as original
VOTE: LD for LAB for, against (a) and (d) GRN for, against (a) and (d)
CARRIED
MOTION Post Offices and the Post Office Card AccountA Labour motion around Post Office Card Accounts, which complimented the Government on its decision, was broadly supported. A Green amendment, calling for a moratorium on post office closures, was carried. A Lib Dem amendment criticising the Government closure programme was also carried.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE: LD for LAB against GRN for
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
VOTE: LD for LAB against GRN for
CARRIED
MOTION as amended (original plus criticism of Government closures and call for moritorium)
VOTE: LD for LAB for, except criticism GRN for
CARRIED
MOTION Diversity DayUnanimous support for having a day to celebrate diversity in Sheffield
MOTION
VOTE: ALL for
CARRIED
MOTION Electrification of Midland MainlineThe Labour motion calling for the electrification of the Midland Mainline between Sheffield and London was carried, but amended by additional parts critical of Government policy around rail investment from both Lib Dems and the Greens.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE: LD for LAB against GRN for
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
VOTE: LD for LAB against GRN for
CARRIED
MOTION as amended (much of original but with criticism of Government)
VOTE: LD for LAB for, but against criticism GRN for
MOTION Sale and Leaseback MortgagesA Green motion on 'Sale and Leaseback' mortgages was deleted by a Lib Dem amendment that stated a report will be drawn up to look at ways of helping people during the recession. A Green amendment asking the council to become a fast track authority on the Mortgage Rescue Initiative was supported by all.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE: LD for LAB abstain GRN against
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
VOTE: ALL for
CARRIED
MOTION as amended (Lib Dem amendment plus Green amendment)
VOTE: ALL for
CARRIED
MOTION Ban Bullying at Work campaignA Green motion on bullying, committing the Council to support the Ban Bullying at Work campaign, was supported by all. A good end to the proceedings.
MOTION
VOTE: ALL for
CARRIED |