All motions and amendments are available on this site. Full agenda, minutes of previous meeting and motions on the council website.
Public PetitionsCrossing for Holthouse Infants and Carterknowle Junior SchoolsNo crossings for travelling to schools on business numbers. No patrol warden on any more than two terms in last six years. Have put two earlier petitions, response of road safety team was that they would review, but no action after that. Ask for crossings to be reviewed and ways of implementing some measures to address problem.
Cllr Aukland responds and thanks petitioner for providing briefing note beforehand. Believes council has a good way of assessing schemes - will look at the area and then take forward with officers.
Impact of lighting on A621 and impact on Peak parkRepresentative of Sheffield and Peak Against City Encroachment (SPACE) about proposed streetlights and new speed limit on Baslow Road going out to a new bus terminus. Lights are in contravention of protecting Peak District national park, would be clearly visible from park at night and in day. Petition for removal of lights, asks for speed limit of 40mph rather than 30mph (currently 60mph), but that current 30mph limit should be better enforced, asks for a review of decision. Campaign supported by CPRE and local organisations.
Cllr Aukland states decision moving bus terminus was correct. Decision has been made, but SYPTE, Council Highways Dept, Peak Park planning are meeting to review it.
Traffic on Ridgehill Avenue and Newlands RoadSince construction of tramway Newlands Road has been used as a ratrun. Accidents have been happening regularly, with snow one person had their wall hit 5 times in one day with drivers going at speed trying to get through faster. Asking for traffic control, barriers to stop cars mounting pavement.
Cllr Aukland said officers are investigating and there has been a seperate question on the issue at the Area Panel.
Protesting against proposed Tesco Express at ParkheadPetition of 1700 signatures from a petitioner who works in a local convenience store. Nearby residents have put together their own critical traffic report. Already 5 Tescos within 2.5miles. At Totley local shops closed within months of the new store. "I'm proud of my store and what it's acheived"
Cllr Aukland will ensure petition going to planning board, says can't comment further as decision for board but councillors have heard the petition.
Meersbrook Park Tennis CourtsResident and member of Meersbrook Park Users Trust wants to develop the site of tennis courts for multi-use sports as currently in a bad condition. Unless funding is found worst courts will be removed. Trust has found £6.5k funding of required £111k, council has committed £21k, trust is asking for more, from Healthy Towns initiative if possible.
Cllr Mohammad says appreciates involvement of friends groups. Will look at Healthy Towns inititive and see if it fits in.
Fencing on Gaunt WayPart of regeneration of Gaunt Road shops was the removal of derilict garages, but the fencing put up around the site blocked off a route commonly used by parents taking their children to school. Council will build a path round the site so route can be used.
Zebra Crossing in CrookesMany requests such as this to upgrade a zebra crossing to pelican crossing, but Cllr Aukland will look into it.
Public QuestionsParking on Grass VergesQuestion around cars making mess of verges, leaving dirt and mud on pavement. Bollards not being supplied to stop cars mounting kerb, despite being promised.
Cllr Aukland responded that issue has taxed many minds. Paper setting out options on the issue is coming up. Recognise realities people face.
Rubble used for paths in Peak DistrictStates that council is effectively fly tipping rubble as hardcore for paths in the peak district around Lenny Hill and Moss Road. Cllr Mohammad thanked questionner for raising the issue and will be in touch.
Clarification of how a third party might influence policyQuestion on how council is ensuring that policy and decisions are not influenced by a third party. Refers to Community Assemblies and asserts proposed structure of devolved power includes people who have wrecked local democracy. Asserts "cult members have been indoctrinated at ratepayers expense in [the town hall]". On being asked what the third party was, states it is called "common purpose".
Cllr Scriven stated that councillors have to declare any interests, standards board makes sure that councillors abide by rules. Furthermore, any illegal activity should be reported to the police.
Local neighbourhood forums, funding and lobbyingQuestion from a representative of several local forums stating concerns with process that defined which forums qualified for funding. Concerns city is about to lose forums and a network that supports hundreds of community workers. Asserts there was a suggestion by council officer that any lobbying by forums after decision made might rebound on them. In response to this Chief Exec apologises if any officer gave that impression and said would investigate. Cllr Scriven made clear it was the right of any organisation to lobby.
City of SanctuaryGiven council's leading role in signing up for City of Sanctuary status, asks what city will actually do. Cllr Scriven notes motion going to Council asks for a report to take initiative forward
ITEM 13: Neighbourhood Forums and funding decisionsItem moved up the agenda as several forum reps in the gallery.
The Lib Dems criticised the Labour motion not being properly written. They stated the decision had not yet been taken. pointed out that £1.7m was being asked for to support Voluntary Community and Faith organisations across the board. There was a big gap in funding after several big funding programmes had ended or changed what they were for. No administration would be able to find the funding without cutting council services. No preparation or budget allocation was made by previous administration, will work with VCF to resolve he issue.
The Labour motion needed some alterations because motions to council cannot themselves commit extra money. Labour were concerned that no information on the process or criteria to allocate money to forums had been given despite three requests, and that the decision had been taken even though councillors notified not to say that. Another £214k was needed to support community forums threatened. Finding the funding was a matter of priorities, for example the £160k being spent on a deputy chief exec. Had worked with VCF on the issue. Community Assemblies will need forums.
The Greens also questioned the basis of the decision. Also stated working with the voluntary sector was a very important part of the proposed Community Assemblies but was not in the proposal.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem)
VOTE LD for LAB abstain GRN against
CARRIED
MOTION as amended
VOTE LD for LAB abstain - but for a) d) g) - GRN for - but against e) h) i) and abstain b) j)
CARRIED
Councillor QuestionsSupplementary questions on those asked of the administration. Some of the points raised were:
Majority of the 2500 council employees who lost out in the council's pay and grading review were lowest paid;
The placing of the discounted introductory swimming courses is difficult as before and after schools is the only time many people can use the pool, response that lessons have been put in place where not many people go swimming;
Question over whether residents of Skinnerthorpe estate will have gap between Housing Market Renewal (HMR) purchase price and sale price of house will be covered by Council, response that gap funding is not part of HMR so cannot be done, in response to that was stated gap funding was put in by the Labour administration through the HMR board;
Renewable energy generation targets will be decided depending on EoN's decision on the biomass plant;
Some dispute over whether the Decent Homes standard has been watered down due to more properties than expected being on list due to less properties being bought under "Right to Buy".
Reports to councilITEM 7.1 Community Assemblies And Community Working
A Communities Assemblies report was brought to Council, recommended as a way of devolving executive decisions to local councillors and communities. It was supported by all parties but Labour and Greens questioned how the needs of neighbourhoods could be met by organisations the size of four council wards. The level of support for the Assemblies was also questioned, and the lack of acknowledgement of different areas having different levels of need regarding deprivation. The Greens also raised the issue of the City Centre and how the community can own the centre and make decisions through the Community Assembly when it is used for shopping and recreation by so many people in the city.
See full motion on this site.
MOTION. VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 7.2 Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget And Rent Increase 2009/10
In a discussion on the rent rises (6.2%) and heating price rises (5%) on council houses the Lib Dems said they have kept their promises, that the rent increases are the fault of the Labour Government. Labour said the district heating price increase should be reduced to 3.5% by use of district heating account reserves. The Greens said the money should be used to improve energy saving as that would mean a long-lasting solution. Some dispute also over how much the council can influence Sheffield Homes on the working hours and numbers of wardens, how long is the arm to an arms length organisation?
See full motion and amendments on this site.
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour)
VOTE LD against LAB for GRN for - but against 1
LOST
AMENDMENT 2 (Green)
VOTE LD against LAB for GRN for
LOST
MOTION
VOTE LD for LAB abstain GRN abstain
ITEM 7.3 Local Action Local NeedsMOTION. VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 8: Noting recession, welcoming council's report on actions to tackle downturnSee full motion and amendments on this site.
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem) Argues for money spent on VAT cut be used for investment in green intiatives as set out in Lib Dem national policy
VOTE LD for LAB against GRN for - but abstain on l)
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 2 (Green) Argues for Sheffield Council economic masterplan and investment to be directed towards investment in green initiatives
VOTE LD against LAB abstain GRN for
LOST
MOTION as amended - noting recession, welcoming council report, supporting Lib Dem national policy on green investment
VOTE LD for LAB abstain - but for i) j) - GRN for -but against h) and abstain l)
ITEM 9: Free School Meals PilotLabour motion wants council to sign up to the free school meals pilot
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour) Wants council to find ways of funding along with PCT given high cost of match funding
VOTE LD against LAB for GRN abstain
LOST
AMENDMENT 2 (Lib Dem) Notes cost of free school meals is £6.3m to Sheffield Council and PCT and that council has asked for full Government funding of school meals pilot
VOTE LD for LAB against GRN abstain
CARRIED
AMENDMENT 3 (Green) Raises concerns about impact if pilot taken up but then not continued, and calls for full Government funding of free school meals
VOTE LD against LAB against GRN for
LOST
MOTION as amended - amendment 2
VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
See full motion and amendments on this site.
ITEM 10: Bus fare increases and bus regulation Lib Dem motion calls for Government to speed up powers to re-regulate buses given recent price rises
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour) Asks for united front and removal of criticism of Government
VOTE LD against GRN for LAB for
LOST
MOTION as original
VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 11: Sustainable Communities Act and HousingLabour motion proposing the use of the Sustainable Communities Act to allow the coucil to build homes
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour) Supports Gordon Browns comments stating if council's could prove it was cost effective it would be backed
VOTE LD against LAB for GRN for
LOST
AMENDMENT 2 (Lib Dem) Notes Sustainable Communities Panel has been set up to deal with these ideas and will take proposal forward
VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
MOTION as amended - panel will take forward proposal for council to build homes
VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 12: Electricity meters for hireLib Dem motion proposing smart electricity monitors that measure electricity usage to be available for hire from Libraries and First Point
MOTION. VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 14: Green New Deal ConferenceGreen motion supporting conference on the Green New Deal, investment in green initiatives at community, city, and national level
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem) Slight change in wording
VOTE LD for LAB abstain
CARRIED
MOTION. VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
See full motion and amendments on this site.
ITEM 15: Anti-Social Behaviour measures (Lib Dem)Lib Dem motion welcoming carrying on of 101 service, investment in 25 PCSOs, setting up of community justice panels, and commitment to a citywide out of hours noise nusciance service.
MOTION. VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 16: Benefits take-up for older peopleLabour motion calling on the council to encourage benefits take up in older people
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem) Welcomes the report on dealing with the economic downturn that includes proposals to improve benefit take up, also criticises Government and cold weather payments
VOTE LD for LAB against GRN against
CARRIED
MOTION as amended - Lib Dem amendment
VOTE LD for LAB abstain - but for b) GRN for - but abstain on c) e)
CARRIED
ITEM 17: City of SanctuaryLib Dem amendment asking for a report to council on how it is supporting City of Sanctuary and recommendations for going forward
MOTION. VOTE ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 18: St Georges DayLabour and Lib Dem motion on promoting greater celegration of St Georges day in Sheffield
AMENDMENT 1 (Lib Dem and Labour) recommends setting up cross party working group to produce recommendations
VOTE ALL for.
CARRIED
MOTION as amended - will promote St Georges Day with working party recommending ways forward
ALL for
CARRIED
ITEM 19: South Yorkshire Police, Fire and Ambulances services and LIFE courses (Lib Dem)Lib Dem motion thanking the services for their contribution to the Local Intervention and Further Education courses for young people around fire-safety and anti-social behaviour
MOTION. ALL for
CARRIED
See full motions and amendments on this site.
ITEM 20: Heathrow airport third runway and Doncaster airport night flying (Green)Green motion asking the Secretary of State to reverse the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow, halt plans for second runway at Stanstead. Also urging other South Yorkshire Authorities and Yorkshire Forward to reject any request relaxing rules on night flying into and out of Doncaster airport.
MOTION
VOTE LD for LAB abstain GRN for
CARRIED
ITEM 21: Royal Mail privatisationGreen motion objecting to a proposed part privatisation of Royal Mail
AMENDMENT 1 (Labour and Lib Dem) Welcoming proposals to provide financial services through post offices
VOTE LD for LAB for GRN against
CARRIED
MOTION as amended - Amendment 1 only
VOTE ALL for
CARRIED |