Issue - meetings

Report from the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the works set out in section 1.7 in relation to:

(a)  The Black Hut;

(b)  Oaklea Retreat;

(c)  Clifton Learning Centre;

(d)  The Meeting Place (Wingfield); and

(e)  Artworks, Brook Hill

2.    Delegate authority to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 45

Consideration was given to the report which set out the Council’s commitment to invest in several community buildings, initially over the next 2 years, through the investment of £600,000, already approved as part of the Budget and Council Tax report at Council in March 2025. The £600,000 investment would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45

Report from the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the works set out in section 1.7 in relation to:

(a)  The Black Hut;

(b)  Oaklea Retreat;

(c)  Clifton Learning Centre;

(d)  The Meeting Place (Wingfield); and

(e)  Artworks, Brook Hill

2.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Property and Facilities Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety to amend the works as required within budget.

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Finance and Community Safety introduced the item explaining the facilities mentioned within the report supported a range of community activities which included but was not limited to, youth clubs, healthy eating clubs, community meetings, sports recreation and various adult learning centres. The Council set out to invest in several community buildings, initially over the next two years, though the investment of £600,000, which had been approved by Council. That investment would target the buildings with the greatest need, with a focus on health, safety, compliance, structure and integrity.

Officers from property and facility services, in collaboration with neighbourhood teams and community groups would define the scope of the work and ensure investment was aligned with sustainable occupancy and good governance. Other funding opportunities both internal and external will be sought to complement the existing funding.

The Assistant Director, Property and Facilities Services explained that the Black Hawk was located in Keppel Ward, Oakley Retreat was in Hoober, Clifton Learning Partnership was in Rotherham East, Meeting Place was in Greensborough, and the Artwork was in Keppel. This work was carried out in collaboration with the neighbourhood teams and community groups, with the aim of investing in these buildings. The focus was primarily on health and safety, as well as meeting some net zero requirements in terms of energy sustainability, to ensure these facilities remained sustainable for the communities that used them.

The Chair invited members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) to raise questions and queries on the points raised.

Councillor Yasseen no objection in principle to investing in community buildings to improve usability. However, it was felt that the report lacked sufficient information, particularly regarding the locations of the buildings and the selection process. Councillor Yasseen welcomed the Chair’s clarification on locations.

Councillor Yasseen queried why those specific buildings had been chosen for investment and not others, asking what criteria had been used to select them and how was equity being ensured across the borough in the selection process?

The Strategic Director for Finance and Customer Services explained the buildings were listed in the March budget report and selected based on health and safety needs, starting with the Black Hut, which had to be closed due to safety concerns.

The Assistant Director, Property and Facilities Services added that legacy condition surveys and input from neighbourhood teams were used to prioritise buildings. A new round of condition surveys is being commissioned to inform a long-term investment plan. Information on the criteria used to select the properties could be shared outside of the meeting.

Councillor Lelliott asked if all the buildings on the list were well-used or was the investment intended to increase their usage? The Assistant Director, Property and Facilities Services indicated it was for both reasons. Some buildings were underused due to disrepair, and fixing issues such as roof leaks would increase usage. The focus was on buildings with high demand and a potential for greater community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32