Issue - meetings

(a)     The Chairman advised that free parking on a Saturday had now been approved on the run up to Christmas.

(b)     A representative from Ravenfield Parish Council asked about the Local Development Plan and the timescales for implementation and was advised that the next round of consultation would take place early in the new year.  The plan setting out Rotherham’s proposed housing target was due to be lodged this month with the Government.  The number of properties had been significantly reduced and work was continuing on the responses received as part of the consultation process.

         It was intended to do further work on individual sites and to assist in the process it was suggested that a further Parish Liaison meeting be arranged early in the new year to look at the next steps and consultation process/timescales.

         Discussion ensued on the allocation of sites, the consultation process and how, having listened to local people, some sites had been altered.

         A representative from Dinnington Town Council pointed out that the objections in Dinnington were around the use of Greenfield sites as opposed to brownfield sites and it was pointed out that there was insufficient brownfield sites to fulfil the housing need.  With negotiation some Greenfield sites would have to be released and Dinnington had significant development potential in an urban area.

         A representative from Anston Parish Council was aware that some developments in Dinnington had stalled due to some developers not wish to develop on brownfield sites.

         Karl Battesby, Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, pointed out that the policy around Section 106 agreements was changing and each site that came forward would be judged on whether it was an economically viable prospect for development.

(c)     A representative from Aston-cum-Aughton Parish Council asked about the proposed charges for grounds maintenance and was informed that further information would be sought and this would be circulated with the minutes.

(a)     A representative from Thrybergh Parish Council asked about weed treatment and general repairs, particularly around the Wootton Court Old People’s Home area.

This was an issue across the borough and another Parish Council had contacted the call centre to request weed treatment only to be told to contact the Parish Council as they were unfamiliar with borough layout.

The Director of Streetpride referred to the maps which he believed were 97% accurate.  He gave an update on the current process regarding weed treatment and the additional resources that had been employed recently across the borough due to a number of complaints.   It was also planned that weed treatment would commence earlier next year at the start of the growing season.

A representative from Ulley Parish Council also expressed some concerns about gully cleansing and the kinds of street sweepers being put into operation which were proving to be ineffective due to the types of brushes being deployed and again referred to the timescales/cycles of weed treatment.

The Director of Streetpride thanked Parish Councils for bringing concerns to his attention and would investigate the effective use of street cleansing to ensure the required actions were being carried out.