Agenda and minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest to report.

To receive questions from members of the public who wish to ask a general question in respect of matters within the Council’s area of responsibility or influence.

Subject to the Chair’s discretion, members of the public may ask one question and one supplementary question, which should relate to the original question and answered received.

Members of the Council may also ask questions under this agenda item.

There were no questions from members of the public.

Agenda Items 9 and 11 have exempt appendices. Therefore, if necessary when considering that item, the Chair will move the following resolution:-

That under Section 100(A) 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:-  That under Section 100(A) 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for agenda items 9 and 11 on the grounds that the appendix involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006. 

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

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Watson (in advisory role)

Commissioner:         Bradwell

Recommendations:-

1.    That Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) become part of the next phase of DfE Innovation Funded Projects to explore the feasibility of developing an alternative housing solution for Care Leavers in Rotherham.

2.    That it be acknowledged that Rotherham Care Leavers will be responsible for the design, development and delivery of the project and will be supported by a range of officers from across the Council to ensure the project is delivered within the principles and practices of RMBC as well as the vision and principles of the project. (Appendix A).

Consideration was given to a report which detailed how the House Project (HP), a Department for Education (DfE) Social Care Innovation Fund Project, looked at creating a new model of supported housing for young people leaving care which had been initiated in Stoke-on-Trent.

The project was the first of its kind for care leavers in the UK and involved young people having a lead role in developing and running the overall project, as well as choosing and refurbishing their own tenancy and identifying the support needed to sustain it. 

The key elements of the project were the offer of suitable, safe and long-term post-care housing alongside a holistic and bespoke package of training and support that focused on increasing young people’s independent living and personal skills and their participation in education, employment and training (EET).

A key aim of the project was to reduce the feelings of isolation and powerlessness that many care leavers could experience after leaving care.

The House Project (HP) was based on a tenant-managed housing co-operative model, run for, and by, young people aged 16-18 who were leaving care.  The aim was to secure 10 properties at any one time, replacing allocated properties when they reverted to the Council alongside a bespoke package of support until the young person was considered ready and able to transition out of the project, at which point they and their home reverted to a standard long-term Council tenancy.

Rotherham had been approached by the DfE to become part of the next phase of Innovation projects and attracted £370,000 of DfE funding so was at no cost to the Council.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations, subject to the governance arrangements being clarified to include provision for oversight by non-executive Members, the Leaving Care Team linked into the Scrutiny Review of Modular Housing Solutions to examine how care leavers could be involved in its development and how care leavers with additional needs were included in the project.

Commissioner Kenny agreed:-

(1)  That Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) become part of the next phase of DfE Innovation Funded Projects to explore the feasibility of developing an alternative housing solution for Care Leavers in Rotherham.

(2)  That it be acknowledged that Rotherham Care Leavers will be responsible for the design, development and delivery of the project and will be supported by a range of officers from across the Council to ensure the project is delivered within the principles and practices of RMBC as well as the vision and principles of the project.

(3)  That the following recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be accepted:-

(i)        That the governance arrangements be clarified to include provision for oversight by non-executive Members.

(ii)       That the Leaving Care Team links to the Scrutiny Review of Modular Housing Solutions to examine how care leavers can be involved in its development.

(iii)      That consideration be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Read

Commissioner:         Ney (in advisory role)

Recommendations:-

That Councillors be appointed to serve on Outside Bodies, as detailed on the schedule in Appendix 1.

Consideration was given to the report which set out the nominations received and the appointments of those nominees to the various organisations and partnerships.

Resolved:-  That Councillors be appointed to serve on Outside Bodies, as follows:-

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Ney (in advisory role)

Recommendations:-

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

2.    That those measures which have not progressed in accordance with the target set and the actions required to improve performance, including future performance clinics, be discussed

3.    That the performance reporting timetable for 2017/18 be noted.

Consideration was given to the report which confirmed how the Council Plan represented the core document that underpinned the Council’s overall vision, setting out headline priorities, indicators and measures that would demonstrate its delivery. Alongside it sat the Council’s Performance Management Framework which explained to all Council staff how robust performance monitoring and management arrangements were required to ensure effective implementation. 

To ensure that the delivery of actions and their impact was assessed, formal quarterly performance reports were required to be submitted to the public Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision-Making meeting, with an opportunity for pre-Scrutiny consideration in line with new governance arrangements.  This report was the fourth and final report in the 2017/18 reporting cycle covering quarter 4 (1st January 2018 to 31st March 2018). 

The Performance Report and Performance Dashboard/Scorecard (Appendices A and B) provided an analysis of the Council’s current performance against 14 key delivery outcomes and 72 measures. 

This report was based on the current position of available data, along with an overview of progress on key projects and activities which also contributed towards the delivery of the Council Plan.   

At the end of the fourth and final quarter (January to March 2018) 25 measures had either met or had exceeded the target set in the Council Plan.  This represented 43.9% of the total number of indicators where data was available or where targets have been set. The direction of travel was positive for 32 (49.2%) of the indicators measured in this quarter. The Priority area with the highest proportion of targets met was Priority 4 (Extending Opportunity and Prosperity).

Cabinet Members provided an update in accordance with current performance for service areas:-

Councillor Beck, Cabinet Member for Housing, confirmed the measure relating to number of new homes delivered during the year had seen an increase of 10% from the previous year with the delivery of 479 homes, which was 162 properties below target.  There were a couple of external factors why this measure had not been met, but it was hoped with the approval of the Rotherham Local Plan developers would be more confident in bringing sites forward.  A new indicator would be introduced next year that would more specifically measure and report the number of new homes delivery that were as a result of direct Council intervention.

In terms of Measure 4.B2 property standards were continuing to improve and all housing stock owned and rented to tenants by the Council now met minimum standards of decency.

87% properties eligible to register under the Selective Licensing Scheme have registered and 90% of these properties have been inspected to test landlord compliance.  94.2% of these properties are compliant with the standards set for private landlords renting accommodation in the Borough.

Councillor Roche, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, confirmed the data for 2.A1(a) and (b) was of concern and whilst it had seen some improvement, this was still outside the local comparators top quartile.  A new provider was now in place and work would take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Service

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Ney (in advisory role)

Recommendations:-

That 20% discretionary top up relief is awarded to Headway Rotherham, Rawmarsh CLC, Rosehill Road, Rawmarsh, Rotherham S62 7HJ for the period 31^st May 2017 to 31^st March 2019 and to Open Minds Theatre Company (South Yorkshire), Rotherham Underground, Corporation Street, Rotherham S60 1NG for the period 6 February 2018 to 31^st March 2019.

Consideration was given to the report which set out detail of 2 applications for the award of a business rate discretionary relief.

Resolved:-  That 20% discretionary top up relief is awarded to Headway Rotherham, Rawmarsh CLC, Rosehill Road, Rawmarsh, Rotherham S62 7HJ for the period 31^st May 2017 to 31^st March 2019 and to Open Minds Theatre Company (South Yorkshire), Rotherham Underground, Corporation Street, Rotherham S60 1NG for the period 6 February 2018 to 31^st March 2019.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:-

1.    That the disposal of a strategic property as shown edged in red and hatched in pink at Appendix 1 and as detailed within Option 1 of this report, be approved.

2.    That if the necessary verification is not obtained in relation to Option 1 then Option 2 be approved.

3.    That the Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport negotiates and agrees the terms and conditions of the proposed disposal, with the Assistant Director of Legal Services negotiating and completing the necessary legal documentation.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to the joint disposal of approximately 24 acres of land off Stockwell Avenue, Kiveton Park, in partnership with the Rotherham North Notts Group (RNN). This site was allocated as a residential development site in the Local Plan that would potentially deliver 268 homes.

The options for disposal of this land were set out in detail as part of the report, including further information regarding the ransom strips which formed part of the considerations.

Relevant Ward Members had been consulted on the proposal and were supportive of the recommendatons.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the disposal of a strategic property as shown edged in red and hatched in pink at Appendix 1 and as detailed within Option 1 of this report, be approved.

(2)  That if the necessary verification is not obtained in relation to Option 1 then Option 2 be approved.

(3)  That the Assistant Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport negotiates and agrees the terms and conditions of the proposed disposal, with the Assistant Director of Legal Services negotiating and completing the necessary legal documentation.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:

1.    That the Inspector’s final report and the recommended Main Modifications be noted.

2.    That the Sites and Policies Document, as modified, be referred to Council for formal adoption as part of the Development Plan for Rotherham.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the Sites and Policies Document to be referred to Council for formal adoption as part of Rotherham’s Local Plan.

The document had been examined by an independent Planning Inspector and found to be “sound” subject to some changes. The Inspector’s final report sets out these changes, known as Main Modifications.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations, subject to specific briefings in respect major planning developments be delivered to Ward Members on a ward-by-ward basis and for Equality Impact Assessments to be explicitly referenced in the cover report of all items submitted for Cabinet and Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Inspector’s final report and the recommended Main Modifications be noted.

(2)  That the Sites and Policies Document, as modified, be referred to Council for formal adoption as part of the Development Plan for Rotherham.

(3)  That the following recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be accepted:-

(i)          That specific briefings in respect major planning developments be delivered to Ward Members on a ward-by-ward basis.

(ii)         That Equality Impact Assessments be explicitly referenced in the cover report of all items submitted for Cabinet and Pre-Decision Scrutiny.

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:

1.    That the decision to appoint a development partner for Forge Island and the terms of that appointment be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy.

2.    That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment be delegated authority to use the powers available to the Council to agree the purchase and terms of the leaseholds at Riverside Precinct and that funding for these acquisitions be provided from the Town Centre Investment scheme within the approved Capital Programme.

3.    That, subject to an assessment of the financial viability of the proposed final terms of the development agreement, the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services, be delegated authority to commit resources from the Town Centre Investment scheme within the approved Capital Programme to deliver a preferred scheme for the development of Forge Island.

4.    That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services, be delegated authority to instruct Legal Services or a third party legal provider to negotiate and complete the necessary legal documentation to give effect to the recommendations above.

5.    That approval be given to implement the flood defence works and the funding for implementation is taken from the allocated Town Centre Investment scheme.

6.    That Cabinet receive information on the Town Centre Investment scheme spend profile at appropriate trigger points.

Further to Minute No. 44 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 11^th September, 2017 consideration was given to the report which detailed how the Council was currently out to the market to secure a development partner for Forge Island. Stage 1 of the process had already been completed and the Council had since invited 3 potential development partners to submit detailed development proposals. The deadline for proposals to be received was 29^th June, 2018.

To allow a scheme to progress as quickly as possible it was proposed that the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, and the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services be given the appropriate authority to select a development partner from among the bids submitted in June.

In addition, authority was requested to complete outstanding property purchases at Riverside Precinct and to progress with the flood defence work required for development to take place.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations, subject to how it would hold decisions makers to account for exercising delegated powers in respect of the Forge Island redevelopment aspects of the Town Centre Masterplan, for quarterly updates to be provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on decision making and the implementation of the project for the flood alleviation programme to be referred to Improving Places as part of its powers to scrutinise flood risk management functions.

The Cabinet welcomed the developments on Forge Island and were advised by the Cabinet Member that she was fully involved in the robust arrangements which would be reported back to Cabinet as a matter of course.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the decision to appoint a development partner for Forge Island and the terms of that appointment be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy.

(2)  That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment be delegated authority to use the powers available to the Council to agree the purchase and terms of the leaseholds at Riverside Precinct and that funding for these acquisitions be provided from the Town Centre Investment scheme within the approved Capital Programme.

(3)  That, subject to an assessment of the financial viability of the proposed final terms of the development agreement, the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services, be delegated authority to commit resources from the Town Centre Investment scheme within the approved Capital Programme to deliver a preferred scheme for the development of Forge Island.

(4)  That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services, be delegated authority to instruct Legal Services or a third party legal provider to negotiate and complete the necessary legal documentation to give effect to the recommendations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

To receive a report detailing the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board in respect of the following items that were subject to pre-decision scrutiny on 6 June 2018:

·         The House Project

·         Rotherham Local Plan: Adoption of Sites and Policies Document

Consideration was given to the circulated report, the contents of which were included as part of the relevant items and the details included accordingly.