Agenda, decisions and minutes

To invite Councillors 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 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  ...  view the full agenda text for item 117.

8 public questions had been received:

1.    Mr. Marston asked a question in relation to the proposed housing developments on Boswell Street. He stated that at the time the Herringthorpe Leisure Centre was demolished, it was in the Council Plan to build houses on the site. However, it was claimed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

To receive the record of proceedings of the Cabinet meeting held on 18 December 2023.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18th December, 2023, be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings subject to two clerical corrections.

Agenda Item 11 has an exempt appendix. 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 item of business on the grounds that it  ...  view the full agenda text for item 119.

The Chair advised that Appendix 5 to Minute No. 126, contained exempt information, however, the meeting remained open to the public and press throughout.

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations

1.    That Cabinet approve the Rotherham Adult Social Care Strategy (2024 – 2027.)

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval for the new Rotherham Adult Social Care Strategy (2024-2027) which was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. In April 2023, Cabinet had given approval to refresh the Council’s strategy for Adult Social Care. A 3 months consultation period with key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:-

1.    Notes the outcome of the 90-day consultation exercise.

2.    Notes the requirements of the national closure of the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and the impact on Rothercare.

3.    Approves £1.7M capital investment funding  ...  view the full agenda text for item 121.

Consideration was given to the report which set out the proposals for the digitalisation of the Rothercare Service. Rothercare provided an alarm service, connected to a 24-hour call centre, that created a route to rapid assistance in an emergency. The service was available to all adult residents of Rotherham, regardless  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

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

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the Corporate Parenting Strategy and approve the three-year plan as set out within the Strategy; 

2.    Note the Responsibility of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People to Chair and convene the Corporate  ...  view the full agenda text for item 122.

Consideration was given to the report which presented the Corporate Parenting Strategy for approval. The Strategy set out the priorities for children and young people and outlined improvements to services and practices for children who were Looked After or had care experience. There were currently 509 children in care and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

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

Recommendations:

1.    That Cabinet endorse the Neglect Strategy 2024-2026.

2.    That Cabinet approve the Local Authority involvement in the development and implementation of the Partnership Strategy Delivery Plan and the oversight of progress by; the Neglect Delivery Group, Rotherham  ...  view the full agenda text for item 123.

Consideration was given to the report which introduced the Neglect Strategy 2024-2026 which was attached as Appendix 1. This was a partnership strategy and was governed by the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership (RSCP.) It was owned by the Neglect Delivery Group which reported directly to the RSCP Executive Partnership Group.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

Report from the Strategic Director for Finances and Customer Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the current General Fund Revenue Budget forecast overspend of £1.1m.

2.    Note that actions will continue to be taken to reduce the overspend position but that it is possible that the Council will need to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 124.

Consideration was given to the report which set out the financial position as at the end of November 2023 and forecast for the remainder of the financial year, based on actual costs and income for the first 8 months of 2023/24. As at November 2023, the Council Directorates currently estimated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the Council-owned sites listed in Appendix 3 being brought forward to deliver new Council homes.

2.    Approves the appropriation of specified General Fund sites to the Housing Revenue Account. Further detail about the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 125.

Consideration was given to the report which set out the proposals in relation to the Housing Delivery Programme 2024-25. These proposals would continue to support the delivery of hundreds of new Council homes by March 2026, through a combination of development on Council-owned land and the acquisition of homes from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet recommends to Council to: -

1.    Approve the proposed 2024-25 Base Case Option C for the HRA Business Plan.

2.    Note that the Business Plan will be reviewed annually to provide an updated financial position.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 126.

Consideration was given to the report which, alongside providing the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2024/25, recommended proposed changes in housing rents, non-dwelling rents, District Heating charges and other service charges. Cabinet were asked to recommend to Council that Council dwelling rent be increased by 7.7%

The proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

Report from the Strategic Director for Finances and Customer Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet: -

1.    Approves the use of grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, if successful, and a contribution from the existing Council capital decarbonisation to deliver the proposed works to the Council’s operational property, as set  ...  view the full agenda text for item 127.

Consideration was given to the report which summarised the proposed approach to improving the energy efficiency and decarbonisation of 8 Council buildings. This included works to install a low carbon heat source utilising funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) and the allocated Council Decarbonisation Capital budget.

The Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.

Report from the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendation:

1.    That Cabinet adopts the Local Labour Policy Interim Policy Statement.

Consideration was given to the report which sought Cabinet approval to adopt the Local Labour Policy Interim Policy Statement. This Policy would set out the requirements for major and/or employment generating development entering into Local Labour Agreements, increasing the opportunities for local people to access training and local employment.

Rotherham’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

1.    That the amendments to the Hackney Carriage tariffs and soiling charge detailed in this report and Appendix 1 be approved along with a 14-day consultation period.

2.    That following the period of consultation, if no objections are received or  ...  view the full agenda text for item 129.

Consideration was given to the report which explained that a representation had been received on behalf of members of the Rotherham Hackney Carriage Association requesting a rise in the metered fares currently being charged by Hackney Carriages in Rotherham. In addition, the Association was requesting changes to the times that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet note:

1.    The overall position in relation to the Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities.

2.    The Quarter 2 2022-23 data for the Council Plan performance measures.

3.    The performance reporting timetable for the remainder of the 2023-2024 year.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the progress made on the activities in the Year Ahead Delivery Plan as well as the Council Plan. The Council Plan set out the outcomes that the Council would work towards over the period from 2022 to 2025. There  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

To receive a report detailing the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board in respect of the above items that were subject to pre-decision scrutiny on 16 January 2024.  

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

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Monday 12 February 2024 commencing at 10.00am in Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved:-

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Monday, 12th February 2024, commencing at 10.00 a.m. in Rotherham Town Hall.