Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, The Crofts, Moorgate Street, Rotherham. S60 2TH

Contact: James McLaughlin - Email: james.mclaughlin@rotherham.gov.uk (Tel. 01709 822477) 

Items
No. Item

143.

Declarations of Interest.

 

To invite Councillors and Commissioners to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting, to confirm the nature of those interests and whether they intend to leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

Minutes:

Councillor Beck declared a personal interest at Minute No. 151 (Proposal to increase capacity at Wales High School) on the grounds of being a School Governor.  He remained in the room, but did not speak on this item.

144.

Questions from Members of the Public

 

To receive questions from members of the public who wish to ask a general question.

Minutes:

(1)  A member of the public again referred to his questions at previous meetings relating to the absence of correspondence following the seeking of advice from the Council’s Legal Officer and Civil Servants around the protocols for non-abidance with the Council’s Constitution and Statutory Instrument.

 

A letter dated the 15th December, 2016, had been received, which was quoted from, which again referred to the seeking of advice without any formal confirmation documentation in any format and which, therefore, could not be verified as accurate.

 

On this basis the dates of when advice had been sought was requested.

 

Commissioner Sir Derek Myers confirmed no such information was available and had it been would already have been provided.  The seeking of advice had been obtained during the implementation stages of intervention when it was determined that Commissioners were not bound by the same legislation as Councillors.  This was also confirmed in a letter from Civil Servants, a copy of which had been provided to the member of the public.

 

In a supplementary comment the member of the public accepted that the legislation did not apply, but was unable to accept whether the information provided by the Commissioner was correct when no hard evidence to substantiate this could be provided.

 

(2)  A member of the public referred to a previous question relating to the statement made by the Chairman of the Planning Board at the Council Meeting held on 7th December, 2016, and the recent letter sent by the Leader dated 21st December, 2016, indicating a wilful interpretation of the Inspector’s report.

 

Reference was made to the Inspector’s report which was set out into four distinct areas and the Chairman of the Planning Board had misinterpreted this referring to the decision in the final paragraph when in fact it was also set out in the first.

 

He asked why was the Leader failing to deal with Councillors who told lies and, therefore, misleading the Council.

 

Councillor Read, Leader of the Council, was of the view that the Chairman of the Planning Board gave a summary of the reasons by the Planning Inspector and having looked at this further it would appear a flavour of the outcome was presented with no deliberate attempt to mislead.

 

In a supplementary question the member of the public believed the benefit of the doubt was being given to the Chairman of the Planning Board when in fact the reason for the application being dismissed was based on no very special circumstances being demonstrated to warrant development in the Green Belt.

 

Councillor Read, Leader of the Council, had given his view and had, as promised, responded in writing prior to Christmas.  He advised that should the member of the public be so wished to make a complaint he could do so via the Standards and Ethics Committee.

145.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 December 2016 pdf icon PDF 94 KB

 

To receive the record of proceedings of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 12 December 2016.

Minutes:

Resolved:-

 

That the minutes of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 12th December, 2016 be agreed as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

146.

Purchase of the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre (AMPTC) pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Kenny

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.     That the Council purchase the AMPTC, subject to securing funding for the purchase from the Sheffield City Region and undertake the necessary due diligence regarding the financial viability of the AMPTC and the legal and taxation implications arising from its purchase.

 

2.     That the Assistant Director of Legal Services be authorised to negotiate and complete the necessary legal documentation to purchase the building and any grant documentation required by SCR.

 

3.     That it be noted that any operating surplus generated by the AMPTC may have conditions placed on it via the SCR funding agreement and that, subject to the purchase being agreed, an amendment to the Capital Programme will need to be made by Council in due course.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval for the Council to purchase the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre (AMPTC) using Sheffield City Region (SCR) capital funding, subject to a satisfactory valuation of the building and securing the funding.

 

Purchase of the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre using Sheffield City Region capital funding would retain it within the public sector in Sheffield City Region, without putting the Council at the financial risk of using their own funding.

 

Commissioner Kenny agreed:-

 

1.     That the Council purchase the AMPTC, subject to securing funding for the purchase from the Sheffield City Region and undertake the necessary due diligence regarding the financial viability of the AMPTC and the legal and taxation implications arising from its purchase.

 

2.     That the Assistant Director of Legal Services be authorised to negotiate and complete the necessary legal documentation to purchase the building and any grant documentation required by SCR.

 

3.     That it be noted that any operating surplus generated by the AMPTC may have conditions placed on it via the SCR funding agreement and that, subject to the purchase being agreed, an amendment to the Capital Programme will need to be made by Council in due course.

147.

Application to introduce a permanent Market at the Old Town Hall pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Kenny

 

Recommendation:-

 

That the application from FCFM to operate a permanent market within the Old Town Hall be refused.

 

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which detailed a proposal from FCFM Group Ltd (FCFM) to operate a permanent market within the Old Town Hall.

 

The proposal would be likely to benefit the Old Town Hall, but with the risk that this would be at the expense of the Centenary Market Hall and could lead to some displacement. The proposal would not generate any income to the market that could be used to help mitigate this risk.

 

The proposal from FCFM would require an agreement to waive the licence fee due which was outside the delegated authority given to officers under the Market Franchise Rights Policy. 

 

The importance of developing the town centre was emphasised and, therefore, it was suggested that further dialogue take place with FCFM to discuss a way forward.

 

Commissioner Kenny agreed:-  That the application from FCFM to operate a permanent market within the Old Town Hall be refused.

148.

Caring Together - The Rotherham Carers' Strategy pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Roche (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Myers

 

Recommendations:-

 

That the Caring Together, the Rotherham Carers’ Strategy 2016-2021 be endorsed for partnership approval at the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which set out the intentions and actions necessary to support Carers and Young Carers in Rotherham in the Caring Together, the Rotherham’s Carers’ Strategy.

 

This partnership strategy’s ambition was to build a stronger collaboration between Carers and other partners in Rotherham and formally start to recognise the importance of whole family relationships.  The strategy laid down the foundations for achieving these partnerships and set the intention for future working arrangements.  It aimed to make a difference in the short term and start the journey towards stronger partnerships across formal services, people who used services and their Carers.

 

The strategy recognised that Carers formed an essential part of the overall health and social care offer within Rotherham and should have a voice in how they were supported.  The strategy identified desired outcomes which have been developed with Carers:-

 

·             Outcome One:Carers in Rotherham are more able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions and feel empowered.

·             Outcome Two:The caring role is manageable and sustainable

·             Outcome Three: Carers in Rotherham have their needs understood and their well-being promoted

·             Outcome Four: Families with young Carers are consistently identified early in Rotherham to prevent problems from occurring and getting worse and that there is shared responsibility across partners for this early identification.

·             Outcome Five: Our children are recognised and safeguarded in their challenging role and receive appropriate intervention and support at the right time.

·             Outcome Six: Children and young people in Rotherham that have young carer roles have access to and experience the same outcomes as their peers.

 

These outcomes would feed into a delivery plan which would be a live document supported by the Caring Together Delivery Group.

 

Caring Together, seen as a key priority, had been co-produced between Adult Services, Children’s Services, Customer Services, Rotherham Carers, including Young Carers, the Voluntary Sector, RDaSH and the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group.  Input from the Rotherham Foundation Trust would be incorporated prior to sign off by the Health and Wellbeing Board. 

 

Cabinet Members welcomed the development of the outcomes, which included input from young carers and information was provided on how the needs would be assessed and support for young carers would be addressed.

 

Commissioner Myers agreed:-  That, subject to wording adjustments agreed with the responsible Cabinet Member, the Caring Together, the Rotherham Carers’ Strategy 2016-2021 be endorsed for partnership approval at the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

149.

Enhanced Environmental Crime and Parking Enforcement pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Hoddinott

Commissioner:         Ney (in advisory role)

 

Recommendation:-

 

That discussions with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council are commenced to explore the options and feasibility of a shared service, utilising their existing contract with an external provider, to deliver enhanced environmental crime and parking enforcement within Rotherham on the basis of a twelve month pilot (with an initial evaluation after 6 months). 

 

 

Minutes:

Pursuant to Minute No. 68 of the meeting of the Cabinet and Commissioners held on 12th September, 2016, consideration was given to a further report detailing future options for enhanced environmental enforcement.

 

The report described the Council’s desire to strengthen enforcement activity around environmental crime issues such as littering, dog fouling and fly-tipping, which was detrimental to all neighbourhoods and of concern to local residents.  It was, therefore, proposed to increase enforcement activity with a time for action approach and a more robust response.

 

Three options were submitted for consideration and were outlined in this report.  Option 3 was recommended for approval to progress discussions with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to develop a shared service provision for twelve months, utilising their existing contract with an external provider, with an initial evaluation after three and six months after the contract had been rolled out. 

 

This period of review was endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board following consideration of this report, where they were satisfied with the proposal as long as this contributed to the Borough becoming safer and cleaner and the dispute resolution on fixed penalty notices remained with the Council

 

It was anticipated that, subject to successfully discussions with Doncaster, the trialled shared service would be in operation for the start of the financial year on the 1st April, 2017 across the Borough to tackle these issues and add value and enhancement as it also included car parking enforcement.

 

Commissioner Myers agreed:-  That discussions with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council be commenced to explore the options and feasibility of a shared service, utilising their existing contract with an external provider, to deliver enhanced environmental crime and parking enforcement within Rotherham on the basis of a twelve month pilot (with an initial evaluation after six months), subject to the satisfaction of the relevant Commissioner and Cabinet Member.

 

 

(Following publication of the agenda the Commissioners’ Office took the view that this item should be determined by Commissioners, rather than Cabinet.  This item was, therefore, moved up to the relevant point on the agenda.)

150.

Childcare Sufficiency Report 2016-17 pdf icon PDF 64 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson

Commissioner:         Bradwell (in advisory role)

 

Recommendation:-

 

That the Childcare Sufficiency Report 2016-17 be approved for publication.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report which detailed the Local Authority’s statutory duty under the Childcare Act (2006 and 2016) to secure sufficient childcare, so far as was reasonably practicable, for working parents, or parents who were studying or training for employment, for children aged 0-14 (or up to 18 for disabled children).

 

Statutory guidance included a requirement to report annually to Elected Members on how the Local Authority was meeting the duty to secure sufficient childcare, and make this report available and accessible to parents. 

 

The Childcare Sufficiency Report 2016-17 was based on the capture of data from childcare providers in June/July 2016 as this was the point in the year when take-up levels were highest and to look at how existing and potential childcare providers could support decisions on the creation of additional childcare in the Borough to meet demand when the eligibility for thirty hour child care places was introduced in September 2017.  Based on analysis of spare capacity and projected demand it was anticipated there would be a shortfall of places in some areas of the Borough at the busiest times and action was currently being taken to address this.   

 

To ensure the Local Authority was best placed to manage the childcare market, the position was kept under ongoing review. Take-up of early education for two, three and four year olds was reviewed termly and a full childcare analysis was carried out annually to ensure there continued to be adequate provision to meet needs. 

 

It was noted that there was a wide range of Ofsted registered childcare provision in the borough with over 93% of all Ofsted Registered childcare at ‘good or outstanding’ Ofsted grade.

 

Resolved:-  That the Childcare Sufficiency Report 2016-17 be approved for publication.

151.

Capital Funding for the Development of 30 Hour Childcare Places pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson

Commissioner:         Bradwell (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

  1. That Council be recommended to approve the inclusion of the DfE capital funded projects into the Capital Programme, if the funding bid is successful.

 

  1. That the revised criteria for distribution of local two year old Early Education capital funding to create 30 Hour Childcare Places be approved.

 

  1. That the purchase of an additional module for the existing IT system to support the eligibility checking and processing of payments to providers be approved.

 

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report detailed how the introduction of the Department for Education (DfE) 30 Hour Childcare entitlement would come into force in September 2017, and double the entitlement to early education for three and four year olds from fifteen to thirty hours a week for children with working parents. 

 

To ensure there was sufficient early education provision to meet projected increased demand, approval  was  requested to amend the criteria for allocation of the remaining 2013/14 two year early education capital funding to increase capacity within the childcare sector and to include Department for Education capital funding applied for in Summer 2016 into the Capital Strategy if successful. 

 

The report highlighted the projected shortfall of childcare/early education places currently available to meet the anticipated demand and the potential capital funding available to increase places

 

Resolved:-

 

1.         That Council be recommended to approve the inclusion of the DfE capital funded projects into the Capital Programme, if the funding bid is successful.

 

2.         That the revised criteria for distribution of local two year old Early Education capital funding to create thirty hour Childcare Places be approved.

 

3.         That the purchase of an additional module for the existing IT system to support the eligibility checking and processing of payments to providers be approved.

152.

Proposal to increase capacity at Wales High School pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson

Commissioner:         Bradwell (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.    That, subject to a successful planning application, approval be granted to the proposal to increase capacity by a minimum of 150 places at Wales High School by the installation of additional classrooms to accommodate current and future pupil numbers.

 

2.    That £1.2m of the £2.5m approved and earmarked for increasing secondary school places in the borough in 2017/18 by the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting of the 11/04/2016, be allocated to fund the proposed works at Wales High School and that this expenditure be reprofiled into 2018/19 to reflect the construction programme for this project.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how the popular Wales High School, rated by Ofsted as a “Good”, was currently oversubscribed with the trend set to continue in future years.

 

This report, therefore, sought approval to increase capacity and the published admission number at the school to accommodate the current and future demand for places, subject to a successful planning application. 

 

Resolved:-

 

1.          That, subject to a successful planning application, approval be granted to the proposal to increase capacity by a minimum of 150 places at Wales High School by the installation of additional classrooms to accommodate current and future pupil numbers.

 

2.          That £1.2m of the £2.5m approved and earmarked for increasing secondary school places in the borough in 2017/18 by the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting of the 11/04/2016, be allocated to fund the proposed works at Wales High School and that this expenditure be re-profiled into 2018/19 to reflect the construction programme for this project.

 

(Councillor Beck declared a personal interest on the grounds of being a School Governor.  He remained in the room, but did not speak on this item)

153.

November 2016 Financial Monitoring Report and Mid-Year Treasury Review pdf icon PDF 213 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

That Cabinet:

 

·           Notes the current 2016/17 forecast overspend of £1.775m, after management actions and the allocation of additional in year budget. (Paragraph 3.1)

 

·           Notes and endorses the specific actions being implemented to challenge planned spend between now and the end of March to reduce the forecast overspend and minimise the call on reserves. (Paragraph 2.7)

 

·           Recommend any additional actions which could be implemented to help manage down the current forecast overspend.

 

·           Notes that a detailed Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Sufficiency Strategy and Financial Plan to address funding and provision will be discussed and consulted upon at the 13th January 2017 Schools Forum meeting. (Paragraph 3.16)

 

·           Recommends to Council the inclusion of the following schemes in the 2016/17 Capital Programme (paragraphs 2.13):

 

o    Capitalisation of Building Repair and Maintenance Costs - £157,000

o    Capitalisation of costs relating to Pit House West - £85,000

o    Capitalisation of Grass Cutter - Rother Valley Country Park - £35,000

 

·           Recommends to Council the approval of changes to budgets identified in Appendix 3 for projects which are already included in the Approved Capital Programme.

 

·           Notes the position in respect of the Mid-Year Treasury Review and recommends that Council approves the changes to the 2016/17 prudential indicators.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the latest report which set out the financial position for both the Revenue Budget and the Capital Programme at the end of November and was based on actual costs and income for the first eight months of the financial year and forecast costs and income for the remaining four months of 2016/17.

 

The revenue position, before adjusting for the additional budget allocation approved by Council on 7th December, showed a forecast overspend of £9.623m after currently identified management actions. The additional in year budget approval had reduced the forecasted overspend down to £1.775m, however, this additional budget approval had to be funded and the extent to which in year revenue spend across the whole Council could not be reduced, would inevitably impact the Council’s reserves and future financial sustainability.

 

The Council report approved additional in-year funding to address pressures, predominantly in Children’s Services (£7.848m) and £608k for new investments for Adults, Children’s and Corporate Services which would enable the delivery of significant savings in future years. The report also approved additional funding for 2017/18 of £11.005m which would be built into the Medium Term Financial Strategy and specific budget plans for next year.   

 

There was also a significant forecast overspend (£5.505m) on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs Block. This was a forecasted increase of £4.5m in an eight month period. Whilst this did not affect the Council’s financial position directly at this time it was imperative that the recovery strategy reported in September Financial Monitoring Report to Cabinet was implemented in order to address this position and avoid any risk to the Council in the future.

 

The report showed the detailed reasons for forecast revenue under and over spends by Directorate after management actions which have/were already being implemented and which also included extensive controls with monthly budget challenging meetings, the Workforce Management Board which scrutinised all requests for recruitment etc. and was chaired by the Assistant Chief Executive, management of procurement spend and deep dives into unspent budgets.

 

The Capital Programme was currently on target to deliver within the overall approved budget and the report provided a detailed update and sought support to recommend to Council the inclusion of £277k costs capitalisation in the 2016/17 programme and the re-profiling of some approved budgets to reflect revised timescales for project delivery.

 

The report also detailed the revisions to the regulatory framework of treasury management during 2009 which introduced a requirement that the Council receive a mid-year treasury review, in addition to the forward looking annual treasury strategy and backward looking annual treasury report required previously.  The review informed on performance against the plan and included key messages on investments, borrowing and governance, which was monitored by the Audit Committee.

 

The Leader asked for Directorates/Cabinet Members to report on some of the pressures they were facing and the corporate mitigating actions being taken, but similar to other Local Authorities across the country Rotherham was facing overwhelming pressures in Adult Social Care.

 

The Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

154.

Calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

That Cabinet resolve to recommend to Council:

 

·         That Rotherham’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/18 is unchanged from 2016/17;

·         That Council Tax discounts and premiums are not changed for 2017/18; and

·         That the amount calculated by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council as its Council Tax Base and those of the Parish Councils shown at Appendix A for 2017/18 shall be a total of 68,235.14 Band D Equivalent Properties.  

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which set out the calculation of the Council’s proposed Council Tax base for the forthcoming financial year 2017/18.  

 

This calculation took into account: the Council’s own Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS), discretionary discounts and premiums on second homes, projected future tax collection rate in 2017/18 and estimates of the changes and adjustments in the tax base that occurred during the financial year. 

 

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012 governing its calculation, it was determined that the Council’s Tax Base for the financial year 2017/18 was 68,235.14Band D Equivalent Properties.

 

Resolved:- 

 

1.     That it be recommended to Council:-

 

·             That Rotherham’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/18 be unchanged from 2016/17.

·             That Council Tax discounts and premiums not be changed for 2017/18.

·             That the amount calculated by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council as its Council Tax Base and those of the Parish Councils shown at Appendix A for 2017/18 shall be a total of 68,235.14 Band D Equivalent Properties.  

155.

New Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief Top Up pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendation:-

 

That the applications for discretionary business rate relief top-up to the registered charity British Heart Foundation for the premises listed in this report be refused in accordance with the details set out in Section 7 of the report.

 

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the applications made by British Heart Foundation, a registered charity, for the award of a discretionary business rate relief top-up for the premises listed in the report.  This was in accordance with the Council’s Discretionary Business Rates Relief Policy (approved 24th April 2013).

 

Resolved:-  That the applications for discretionary business rate relief top-up to the registered charity British Heart Foundation for the premises listed in this report be refused in accordance with the details set out in Section 7 to this report.

156.

Rural Rate Relief Top Up 2016-17 pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendation:-

 

That the applications for discretionary rate relief top-up listed in this report be approved in accordance with the details set out in Section 7 of the report.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the applications made by three ratepayers for the award of discretionary business rate relief top-up.  Any such award would align these small rural businesses with similar ratepayers who benefitted from 100% small business rate relief. The top-up relief would only be required for the 2016/17 financial year as the Government had announced plans in the Autumn Statement to increase rural rate relief to 100% from 1st April, 2017.  

 

Resolved:-  That the applications for discretionary rate relief top-up listed in this report be approved in accordance with the details set out in Section 7 to this report.

157.

Housing Rent 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Beck

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.    That Cabinet note the content of the report.

 

2.    That Cabinet resolves to recommend to Council the following changes to Housing Rents charges:-

 

(a)    That dwelling rents are reduced by 1% for 2017/18 in line with the requirements outlined in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. The average dwelling rent for 2017/18 will be £73.29 per week over 52 weeks, an average reduction of £0.74 per week.

(b)    The average rent for the energy efficient council properties will also reduce by 1% to £94.48 per week, an average reduction of £0.95 per week.

(c)    That there is a 1% increase to charges for garage rents, communal facilities, laundry facilities and cooking gas in 2017/18 in line with the increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) as at September 2016.

(d)    That Cabinet note the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2017/18.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the proposed values for the setting of the housing rents and non-dwelling rents for 2017-18.

 

Further information was provided on the changes to the Government’s policy on social housing rents which resulted in the requirement to reduce dwelling rents by 1% over four years from April, 2016.  To comply with the legislation rents would be reduced by 1% for a second year from April, 2017, which would be of welcome relief by tenants.

 

However, this change to the rent formula from 2016/17 would result in the Council receiving less income than under the current formula over four years and,  therefore, impact on the Housing Revenue Account and ability to maintain quality accommodation for those people that needed it most.

 

Cabinet Members noted the Government direction to reduce housing rent and the apparent policy reversal on working towards rent convergence.

 

Resolved:-

 

1.         That the contents of the report be noted.

 

2.         That Council be recommended to approve the following changes to Housing Rents charges:-

 

(a)       That dwelling rents be reduced by 1% for 2017/18 in line with the requirements outlined in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016. The average dwelling rent for 2017/18 will be £73.29 per week over 52 weeks, an average reduction of £0.74 per week.

 

(b)      The average rent for the energy efficient Council properties will also reduce by 1% to £94.48 per week, an average reduction of £0.95 per week.

 

(c)       That there is a 1% increase to charges for garage rents, communal facilities, laundry facilities and cooking gas in 2017/18 in line with the increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) as at September 2016.

 

3.      That the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2017/18 (Appendix A) be noted.

158.

District Heating Scheme Charges 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 66 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Beck

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.    That the Cabinet note the content of the report.

 

2.    That Cabinet resolve to recommend to Council:-

 

a)     That there is no increase to the unit charge for the pooled district heating schemes.

b)     That there is no increase to the pre-payment weekly charge for the pooled and unmetered scheme at Beeversleigh.

c)      That there is no increase to the unit KWh charge at the Swinton district heating scheme

d)     That a further review of the performance of the pooled schemes will be undertaken in 2017/18 including the extent to which full cost recovery has been achieved. 

 

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the proposed charges for the Council’s District Heating schemes for 2017-18 and which examined each of the three distinct schemes taking into account the cost of the schemes, weekly pre-payment charge and the impact of the level of refunds and tenant arrears owed to the Council.

 

Resolved:-

 

1.         That the contents of the report be noted.

 

2.         That Council be recommended to approve:-

 

(a)     That there be no increase to the unit charge for the pooled district heating schemes.

 

(b)     That there be no increase to the pre-payment weekly charge for the pooled and unmetered scheme at Beeversleigh.

 

(c)     That there be no increase to the unit KWh charge at the Swinton district heating scheme.

 

(d)     That a further review of the performance of the pooled schemes be undertaken in 2017/18 including the extent to which full cost recovery has been achieved. 

159.

Leaseholder Service Charge Increases pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Beck

Commissioner:         Myers (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.          That the proposed changes to the annual leasehold service charges for 2017, as set out within sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2, be approved

 

2.          That all annual services charges, other than Ground Rent, be variable in future, with the charges being based on actual cost to the Council, as set out within section 4.1.3.

 

3.          That the introduction of fixed administration charges for ad-hoc services, as set out within section 4.1.4, be approved

 

4.          That the proposals to introduce further charge items in future in order to progress towards full cost recovery, as set out within section 4.1.5., be approved.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which set out proposals to increase the current annual service charges and to introduce a range of fixed administration charges in respect of service delivery to Council leaseholders, including increasing the administration and management from £60 to £130, and for those that had communal cleaning to increase from £26 to £98 in the next financial year.

 

The proposals would result in the average annual service charge increasing from approximately £212 per leaseholder to £377 which equated to a 78% increase, although leaseholders who did not receive communal cleaning services would see a lower annual increase of approximately 50%.

 

It was necessary to increase charges because the Council did not currently recover the full cost of services which were delivered to leaseholders. Consequently, these proposals were a continuation of the progression towards full cost recovery and had been consulted upon, the principle of which was approved by Cabinet following submission of an earlier Leasehold Income Collection report on 11th April, 2016.

 

It was proposed to provide a full cost breakdown each year for each leaseholder as part of their charge.

 

Cabinet Members welcomed the hard work that had taken place to achieve this position, which had been undertaken in full consultation with leaseholders as part of the process.

 

Resolved:-

 

1.          That the proposed changes to the annual leasehold service charges for 2017, as set out within sections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2, be approved

 

2.          That all annual services charges, other than Ground Rent, be variable in future, with the charges being based on actual cost to the Council, as set out within section 4.1.3.

 

3.          That the introduction of fixed administration charges for ad-hoc services, as set out within section 4.1.4, be approved.

 

4.          That the proposals to introduce further charge items in future in order to progress towards full cost recovery, as set out within section 4.1.5., be approved.

160.

A618 Growth Corridor pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

 

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

 

Recommendations:-

 

1.     That the allocation of up to £384,000 for Phase 2 of the A618 Growth Corridor be approved from the £10m allocation for Highway Improvement Works, approved as part of the Capital Strategy 2016-21.

 

2.     That the Phase 1 works be completed utilising the Phase 2 funding if the Phase 1 works are not complete before the end of the financial year 2016/17.

 

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the economic growth sites in the south of Rotherham around the A618 growth corridor as well as existing developments. The largest potential development was at the Pit House West site, currently being progressed by Gulliver’s for a leisure facility and proposals to expand the Vector 31 employment site. 

 

The highway improvements were currently confined to four existing junctions on the A618 and A57 network. A bid, with an Outline Business Case for fully funding these highway improvements, was submitted to the Sheffield City Region (SCR) Combined Authority on 24th October, 2016.  The Outline Business Case was approved to move to a full submission, and the Final Business Case was submitted to the SCR on 11th November, 2016.

 

From correspondence with the SCR, it had been stated that funding for the improvements (the ‘A618 Growth Corridor’) would only be made for the financial year 2016/17. The value of the works that were deliverable in 2016/17 – effectively Phase 1 of the project - was £759,000. Any further and later works – Phase 2 - in the area would have to be the subject of a further bid, or funded by non-SCR sources.

 

It was known that it would be necessary to conduct some works in 2017/18 onwards and to undertake further studies to examine improved means of access to developments in the area. Funding for this was not currently allocated from any source.

 

It was, therefore, proposed that the allocation of up to £384,000 for Phase 2 of the A618 Growth Corridor be approved from the £10m allocation for Highway Improvement Works, approved as part of the Capital Strategy 2016-21 and that the Phase 1 works be completed utilising the Phase 2 funding if the Phase 1 works were not complete before the end of the financial year 2016/17.

 

The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment provided an explanation about funding proposals and risks for Phase 1 and Phase 2, what the works entailed and the benefits and improvements along the A618 Growth Corridor, including the visitors to Rother Valley Country Park and Gullivers.  It was suggested and agreed that the financial spend be closely monitored.

 

The Chief Executive pointed out that the A618 growth corridor was one of the key things that came out of the consultation undertaken as part of the development by Gullivers and sought to address some of the key issues from residents along with job creation linked to these two sites.

 

Resolved:-

 

1.         That the allocation of up to £384,000 for Phase 2 of the A618 Growth Corridor be approved from the £10m allocation for Highway Improvement Works, approved as part of the Capital Strategy 2016-21.

 

2.         That the Phase 1 works be completed utilising the Phase 2 funding if the Phase 1 works are not complete before the end of the financial year 2016/17.