Agenda item

6.1

It was moved by Councillor Martin Smith, and seconded by Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, that this Council:-

(a)      recognises that a thriving city centre is vitally important for the economic and social future of Sheffield because it supports jobs, attracts inward investment and provides a focus for the cultural life of Sheffield;

(b)      notes that the Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact on the city centre, with decreasing footfall and a significant increase in retail closures;

(c)      is concerned that the permanent closure of the John Lewis store will deliver another long-term blow to the city centre;

(d)      notes that only 6 months after the then Cabinet Member for Business & Investment announced that a £3m deal had secured the John Lewis store in the city centre, the Company proposed its closure;

(e)      believes that due to eight wasted years by the previous Labour administration, the city centre has become too dependent on the fortunes and decisions of large national retailers, at the expense of local, independent businesses;

(f)       notes that, despite numerous commitments given by the previous Administration to either refurbish or relocate the Central Library and that the building is “it’s top priority for the Council’s cultural capital investment”, there is still no long-term plan for the Graves building;

(g)      notes that prime land at Sheaf Square has now been unused for 15 years, while the provision for taxis at the railway station continues to be poor and obstructive to other vehicles;

(h)      notes that recent changes to road layouts, relocation of bus stops, the closure of a major car park and measures to accommodate social distancing during the pandemic, have made it more difficult for people to access some parts of the city centre;

(i)       notes that last summer the Council announced it was working on a new strategy for the central area of Sheffield; and

(j)       therefore requests the Administration to:-

(i)       commit to publishing the new strategy for the central area of Sheffield within the next 3 months;

(ii)       commit to improving access for people to travel into and around the city centre; and

(iii)      commit to publishing a timeline to upgrade temporary bus stop facilities, introduced following the closure of Pinstone Street to bus services, to the equivalent City Centre “gold” standard.

6.2

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Abdul Khayum, seconded by Councillor Denise Fox, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraphs (c) to (j) and the addition of new paragraphs (c) to (j) as follows:-

(c)      believes that when the regeneration of our city centre was stalled from the financial crash and lack of action from the previous Lib Dem administration, the Labour administration acted to take control of the scheme away from a development company back into the hands of the city and believes that this proactive action was necessary in contrast to the inaction of the previous Lib Dem administration;

(d)      welcomes that by doing this the Heart of the City 2 project has been developed and believes that this is a cornerstone project that is helping to restore economic momentum and will drive growth in a post Covid-19 Sheffield and believes that if it had been left to the inaction of the previous Lib Dem administration the current developments that can be seen throughout the city centre would not be taking place;

(e)      further welcomes that by doing this the Administration has been able to future proof the regeneration of our city centre so that it is fit for how city centres are changing, not shaped by the old model of how city centres work but adapting to trends such as increases in online shopping, creating a thriving hub mix of independent businesses and larger companies, both commercial and retail occupiers, some of which have already opened, some are being built now and some are still in development;

(f)       therefore supports Heart of the City 2;

(g)      welcomes the success of Sheffield in being awarded over £15 million in funding for Fargate and High Street and thanks all partners who were involved in developing the bid;

(h)      believes it is important to ensure that the city centre remains accessible to all, recognises that many necessary actions were taken during the lockdown to enable social distancing and believes that as we move out of lockdown it will be important that a solution which maintains many of the benefits that have been brought about by the changes whilst ensuring everyone can access the city centre, should be sought;

(i)       confirms that the Administration will have a new Central Area Strategy in place by Autumn 2021, talking to people and businesses over the summer on their aspirations for the city centre’s future and welcomes the extensive action already taken, such as the publication of the Central Area Strategy Capacity Report last year, which looks at the capacity for new homes in the city; and

(j)       welcomes that Sheffield has a plan and it is only by taking proactive action as a city to put ourselves in the driving seat of the regeneration of our city centre that we are now creating a new city centre that we can be proud of as a city and puts us in a strong position to rebuild.

6.3

It was then moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, seconded by Councillor Ruth Mersereau, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraph (h), the re-lettering of paragraphs (i) and (j) as new paragraphs (q) and (r), and the addition of new paragraphs (h) to (p) as follows:-

(h)      believes that Sheffield must look forward to a vibrant city centre that supports Sheffield’s local businesses, has a good quality of life for an increasing residential population and is an enjoyable place to visit;

(i)       believes that good access into the city centre is vital and we should aim to increase the numbers of people visiting on foot, by bike, by bus, tram and train;

(j)       therefore believes that the best way to support a good bus and tram network is to make it cheaper and more convenient to arrive by public transport than by private car;

(k)      believes that we need to improve air quality and should therefore reduce the number of unnecessary journeys by private car;

(l)       believes that reducing congestion in the city centre will make streets safer as well as cleaner and more pleasant to enjoy;

(m)     recognises that the city centre and its residents are desperately short of green spaces and outdoor public spaces, and that we need to free up some car parking spaces for use as public green/outdoor space to make the city a more attractive and healthier place to visit and to live in;

(n)      welcomes independent shops and would like to see more neighbourhood shops and services, so that a wide range of shops and services is within 15 minutes walk;

(o)      notes that research by the London Borough of Waltham Forest showed that people walking to their high street spent 40% more than people who drove but that business owners massively over-estimated their customers’ car use;

(p)      recognises that whilst blue badge parking is still necessary for some, believes that a modern, electric FreeBee bus would make the city centre more accessible to many disabled people, recognising also that car ownership is lower among disabled people;

6.4

It was then moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, seconded by Councillor Barbara Masters, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the addition of new paragraphs (k) and (l) as follows:-

(k)      to give protection against inappropriate development and to give certainty to potential investors, believes that the grossly delayed development of the local plan must go ahead; and, following a resounding response from local people on options for housing numbers, calls on the co-operative executive to publish the draft local plan without further delay; and

(l)       is deeply concerned that to date the Administration has failed to explain whether there is an adequate clawback provision for the £3m offered to John Lewis to stay in Sheffield City Centre and calls on the co-operative executive to publish the financial implications to the Council of this closure.

6.5

After contributions from three other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Martin Smith, the amendment moved by Councillor Abdul Khayum was put to the vote and was carried.

6.6

The amendment moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson was then put to the vote and was carried, with the exception of paragraphs (m) and (p) which were negatived.

6.7

The amendment moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed was then put to the vote and was carried.

6.7.1

The votes on the amendment moved by Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed were ordered to be recorded and were as follows:-

For the amendment (41)

-

Councillors Simon Clement-Jones, Richard Shaw, Sophie Thornton, Ann Woolhouse, Angela Argenzio, Brian Holmshaw, Kaltum Rivers, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Martin Phipps, Tim Huggan, Mohammed Mahroof, Joe Otten, Colin Ross, Martin Smith, Vic Bowden, Alan Woodcock, Roger Davison, Barbara Masters, Shaffaq Mohammed, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Alexi Dimond, Paul Turpin, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Christine Gilligan, Kevin Oxley, Peter Garbutt, Maroof Raouf, Alison Teal, Penny Baker, Vickie Priestley, Richard Williams, Lewis Chinchen, Bernard Little, Alan Hooper, Mike Levery and Ann Whitaker.

Against the amendment (35)

-

The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards) and Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Denise Fox, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Safiya Saeed, Ruth Milsom, Mary Lea, Zahira Naz, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Cate McDonald, George Lindars-Hammond, Josie Paszek, Terry Fox, Anne Murphy, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Sophie Wilson, David Barker, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, Julie Grocutt, Ben Curran, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood

Abstained from voting on the amendment (1)

-

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Gail Smith).

6.8

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

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)      recognises that a thriving city centre is vitally important for the economic and social future of Sheffield because it supports jobs, attracts inward investment and provides a focus for the cultural life of Sheffield;

(b)      notes that the Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact on the city centre, with decreasing footfall and a significant increase in retail closures;

(c)      believes that when the regeneration of our city centre was stalled from the financial crash and lack of action from the previous Lib Dem administration, the Labour administration acted to take control of the scheme away from a development company back into the hands of the city and believes that this proactive action was necessary in contrast to the inaction of the previous Lib Dem administration;

(d)      welcomes that by doing this the Heart of the City 2 project has been developed and believes that this is a cornerstone project that is helping to restore economic momentum and will drive growth in a post Covid-19 Sheffield and believes that if it had been left to the inaction of the previous Lib Dem administration the current developments that can be seen throughout the city centre would not be taking place;

(e)      further welcomes that by doing this the Administration has been able to future proof the regeneration of our city centre so that it is fit for how city centres are changing, not shaped by the old model of how city centres work but adapting to trends such as increases in online shopping, creating a thriving hub mix of independent businesses and larger companies, both commercial and retail occupiers, some of which have already opened, some are being built now and some are still in development;

(f)       therefore supports Heart of the City 2;

(g)      welcomes the success of Sheffield in being awarded over £15 million in funding for Fargate and High Street and thanks all partners who were involved in developing the bid;

(h)      believes it is important to ensure that the city centre remains accessible to all, recognises that many necessary actions were taken during the lockdown to enable social distancing and believes that as we move out of lockdown it will be important that a solution which maintains many of the benefits that have been brought about by the changes whilst ensuring everyone can access the city centre, should be sought;

(i)       confirms that the Administration will have a new Central Area Strategy in place by Autumn 2021, talking to people and businesses over the summer on their aspirations for the city centre’s future and welcomes the extensive action already taken, such as the publication of the Central Area Strategy Capacity Report last year, which looks at the capacity for new homes in the city;

(j)       welcomes that Sheffield has a plan and it is only by taking proactive action as a city to put ourselves in the driving seat of the regeneration of our city centre that we are now creating a new city centre that we can be proud of as a city and puts us in a strong position to rebuild;

(k)      believes that Sheffield must look forward to a vibrant city centre that supports Sheffield’s local businesses, has a good quality of life for an increasing residential population and is an enjoyable place to visit;

(l)       believes that good access into the city centre is vital and we should aim to increase the numbers of people visiting on foot, by bike, by bus, tram and train;

(m)     therefore believes that the best way to support a good bus and tram network is to make it cheaper and more convenient to arrive by public transport than by private car;

(n)      believes that we need to improve air quality and should therefore reduce the number of unnecessary journeys by private car;

(o)      believes that reducing congestion in the city centre will make streets safer as well as cleaner and more pleasant to enjoy;

(p)      welcomes independent shops and would like to see more neighbourhood shops and services, so that a wide range of shops and services is within 15 minutes walk;

(q)      notes that research by the London Borough of Waltham Forest showed that people walking to their high street spent 40% more than people who drove but that business owners massively over-estimated their customers’ car use;

(r)       to give protection against inappropriate development and to give certainty to potential investors, believes that the grossly delayed development of the local plan must go ahead; and, following a resounding response from local people on options for housing numbers, calls on the co-operative executive to publish the draft local plan without further delay; and

(s)      is deeply concerned that to date the Administration has failed to explain whether there is an adequate clawback provision for the £3m offered to John Lewis to stay in Sheffield City Centre and calls on the co-operative executive to publish the financial implications to the Council of this closure.

6.8.1

(NOTE: 1. The Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Sioned-Mair Richards) and Councillors Chris Rosling-Josephs, Denise Fox, Bryan Lodge, Karen McGowan, Talib Hussain, Mark Jones, Safiya Saeed, Ruth Milsom, Mary Lea, Zahira Naz, Abdul Khayum, Abtisam Mohamed, Cate McDonald, George Lindars-Hammond, Josie Paszek, Terry Fox, Anne Murphy, Ben Miskell, Jack Scott, Sophie Wilson, David Barker, Mike Drabble, Dianne Hurst, Dawn Dale, Peter Price, Garry Weatherall, Mike Chaplin, Tony Damms, Jayne Dunn, Julie Grocutt, Ben Curran, Mick Rooney, Jackie Satur and Paul Wood, voted for paragraphs (a) to (q) and against paragraphs (r) and (s) of the Substantive Motion, and asked for this to be recorded.

2. Councillors Simon Clement-Jones, Richard Shaw, Sophie Thornton, Ann Woolhouse, Tim Huggan, Mohammed Mahroof, Joe Otten, Colin Ross, Martin Smith, Vic Bowden, Alan Woodcock, Roger Davison, Barbara Masters, Shaffaq Mohammed, Sue Alston, Andrew Sangar, Cliff Woodcraft, Ian Auckland, Sue Auckland, Steve Ayris, Kevin Oxley, Penny Baker, Vickie Priestley, Richard Williams, Alan Hooper, Mike Levery and Ann Whitaker voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (g), (h), (o), (p), (r) and (s), voted against paragraphs (c) to (e), (j) to (n) and (q), and abstained from voting on paragraph (i) of the Substantive Motion, and asked for this to be recorded.

3. Councillors Angela Argenzio, Brian Holmshaw, Kaltum Rivers, Douglas Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Martin Phipps, Alexi Dimond, Paul Turpin, Christine Gilligan, Peter Garbutt, Maroof Raouf, Alison Teal and Bernard Little, voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (g), (h) and (k) to (s), and abstained from voting on paragraphs (c) to (f), (i) and (j) of the Substantive Motion, and asked for this to be recorded.

4. Councillor Lewis Chinchen voted for paragraphs (a), (b), (f), (g) and (k) to (s), and abstained from voting on paragraphs (c) to (e) and (h) to (j) of the Substantive Motion, and asked for this to be recorded.)