Decision details

Date of Decision:

23 February 2021

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Paul Woodcock – Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

Nonspecific

Brief Description of Decision:

That the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment approves the proposed designs and associated spend (as detailed in the report) for the Hope Fields Covid-19 Memorial Garden.

Reasons for the Decision:

To support the aim of the Rotherham Together programme in providing lasting memorials to those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and to those who gave so much to the emergency response, relief efforts and recovery support, either as key workers, volunteers, businesses or residents supporting their community.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Through initial consultations in July 2020 a number of options were discussed for appropriate memorials ranging from a Town Centre commissioned public artwork to the Hope Fields proposal. Consultation was overwhelmingly in favour of the Hope Fields proposal for the following reasons:

·       Offering a quieter, more relaxed space for recovery from grief, anxiety and mental health issues

·       Providing a larger area to encourage dwell time and enable larger groups of people to come together when it is safe to do so

·       Ability to adapt over time and respond to the changing and unforeseen circumstances of the pandemic.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

No Conflicts of Interest

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

 Not Applicable

Reports or parts of reports considered

The report of the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment - Hope Fields COVID-19 Memorial Garden