Agenda and minutes

- to consider the disposal of the property

The Head of Housing Services presented a report proposing the disposal of No. 168 Scholes Lane, Scholes.

The property was a pre-1914 2 bedroom end terrace stone cottage and was the sole remaining Council rented property in Scholes village.  It was 1 of 36 transferred into the ownership of Rotherham Council in 1980 from Wentworth Estates.  The property had been managed as a Council tenancy ever since.

It had been adapted throughout to meet the needs of the last occupant approximately 15 years ago.  The adaptations included an extension to provide a bedroom and a bathroom and a ground floor WC. 

The property had been surveyed on 14^th January, 2005, to assess both the cost of bringing the property back to the existing habitable standard and to current Decent Homes standards. The estimated works for the former was approximately £15,000 (including £1,500 contingency) with the bulk of estimate being for the replacement of kitchen units, bathroom suite, damp remedial work and a new roof.  To bring the property up to current Decent Home standards an estimated further £8,000 would be required to include new secure by design windows and doors, electrical rewiring and heating.  Aspirational standards envisaged under the revised Decent Homes would likely increase the amount further.

The property was valued on the open market value at £100,000 in its present condition and £125,000 if brought up to current Decent Homes standard.  However, it was noted properties recently disposed of at auction had achieved considerable higher capital receipts than anticipated.

Resolved:-  That No. 168 Scholes Lane, Scholes, be disposed of at auction.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 7 and 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (business affairs of a third party/negotiation of terms).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

- report of Senior Housing Officer, Neighbourhood Services

The Senior Housing Officer presented a report on the findings of the Secretary of State in relation to the Doncaster Road, Dalton (Compulsory Purchase Order). 

It was proposed that prior to any future action being considered relating to the use of Compulsory Purchase powers, the following points be fully considered and used as guidance (they had been defined using fuller comments laid down by the Planning Inspector in his report to the Secretary of State):-

-              Scheme justification and impacts

-              Benefits to the authority if CPO was approved

-              Objector’s description of the proposed public amenity area as being cosmetic was accepted

-              Retention of the property did not affect the bus lane works or environmental improvements

-              Visual impact and appearance

-              Human Rights Act

Resolved:-  (1)  That the findings in the report made by the Secretary of State be noted.

(2)  That the content and recommendations of the report be adopted for guidance prior to entering into the course of action for any future proposals.

(3)  That a report be submitted in 6 weeks’ time setting out options and associated costs for the future of the remaining properties.

(4)  That Neighbourhoods and Economic and Development Services submit a joint best practice procedure on the new Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Human Rights Act by April, 2005.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 7 and 9 of the Act – business affairs of a third party/negotiation of terms)

(Exempt under Paragraph 1 of the Act – information relating to employees of the Council)

Appendix not available electronically

The Human Resources Manager submitted an update report on the status of the restructure of the Neighbourhoods Programme Area.

Appendix 1 set out the final structures which had been subject to consultation with staff and trade unions on a continual basis.  In the main the changes had been implemented to strengthen the front line services.

Recruitment to the new posts commenced on a phased basis in September, 2004, and to date over 300 interviews had taken place.  A total of 153 full-time equivalents had been successful in obtaining a new post (73% represented a promotion).  In terms of job matches, there had been 98 posts remaining the same principally within the Neighbourhood Services departments.

The next phase of recruitment had now commenced with a total of 177 posts to be filled.  Recruitment had begun week commencing 24^th January, 2005 and expected to be completed by the end of February.

Resolved:-  (1)  That continued support for the full implementation of the new structure be approved.

(2)  That once the recruitment had been completed, a breakdown of local arrangements be supplied to local Members together with contact numbers.

(Exempt under Paragraph 1 of the Act – employees of the Authority)