Issue - meetings

Cabinet Portfolio:-                All (Lead Portfolio – Corporate Services and Finance)

Strategic Directorate:           All (Lead Directorate – Assistant Chief Executive)

Consideration was given to a report which detailed performance data in respect of progress made against the key measures detailed in the Council Plan for the period from October to December 2018 (Quarter 3).

Members highlighted the measures in respect of economic activity in the town centre and sought assurances from the Strategic Director of Regeneration who indicated that Rotherham was no different to any other town centre in the country due to change in the retail environment, competition from other places and the surge in online shopping. The Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan and other policies recognised that there needed to be a greater mix of leisure, residential and public open spaces in the town centre, however that would take time to be delivered. The Strategic Director anticipated that demand for floor space and retail would continue to be challenging and expected to see a shrinking footprint for retail within town centres.

Following on, Members sought assurances in respect of the steps that the Council was taking to encourage landlords to look at alternative usage for empty retail units. In response, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment explained that this work was underway and the authority was engaging with numerous landlords and cited the example of space at the Old Town Hall.

Reference was made to the delivery of new homes and that the authority had fallen behind target and sought assurances in respect of when Members could expect to see that measure back on target. In response, it was explained that a lot of work had been undertaken recently and planning permission had been granted for 500 residential properties, with another 500 in delivery. The Planning Service was working closely with colleagues in Housing Services to put together a programme for sites recently granted or stalled to establish what could be done to get some momentum into building on site.

Members sought assurances that the authority’s duties in respect of the housing repairs and maintenance contract would be met. In response, the Strategic Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health confirmed that robust contract arrangements were in place with partners. Furthermore, the process had begun to identify interested bidders for the new contract. Lessons continued to be learned with current partners and this would be used to influence the future approach to the management of the contract

Referring to the parliamentary impasse in respect of exiting the European Union, Members sought clarity in respect of alternative plans to continue the recent successes in business growth. In response, the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment explained that the authority had a good record for backing start-up businesses and was skilled in drawing down external funding to support economic growth. The position in respect of EU funding remained unclear in view of the parliamentary impasse, but the Strategic Director was confident that there was a strong platform to continue to leverage funding for economic development in future.

Members referred some recent scrutiny activity in respect of managing the transitions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive

Recommendations:-

1.    That the overall position and direction of travel in relation to performance be noted.

2.    That consideration be given to measures which have not progressed in accordance with the target set and the actions required to improve performance, including future performance clinics  ...  view the full agenda text for item 123

Consideration was given to the Council Plan which was the core document that underpinned the Council’s overall vision and which set out the headline priorities, outcomes and measures that would demonstrate delivery of the vision. The process for monitoring of performance against the vision was set out in the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123