Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no questions from the public or the press.

Andy Duncan, Strategic Policy Team Leader, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Policy Team Leader, relating to the progress being made on the development of the Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF).

It was reported that the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004 implemented the Government’s planning reforms. The requirements of this Act would eventually bring about the replacement of the current Unitary Development Plan with a portfolio of documents comprising a new Local Development Framework (LDF).

Documents produced to date included the Local Development Scheme setting out the project plan for LDF production and the Statement of Community Involvement, setting out the principles of public participation in the whole LDF process.

It was reported that preparation of the main planning documents was now in hand commencing with the Core Strategy, which was the cornerstone of the LDF.

The report submitted gave an update on progress on the Core Strategy and the contributory factors affecting production of the LDF as a whole.

Specific reference was also made to:-

·              Core Strategy.

·              Sustainability Appraisal.

·              Employment Land Review.

·              Housing Land Review.

·              UDP Saved Policies.

·              Regional Spatial Strategy.

·              LDF Timetable Update.

Further information was also provided on how the Community Strategy themes would be progressed through the LDF process.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager to report.

-           to note progress.

Further to Minute No. 63 of the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 6^th October, 2006, consideration was given to a report detailing progress on the key actions of the Regeneration Plan.

The Plan’s progress was monitored six monthly by means of statements from lead officers across the Council on progress made under each of the key actions. Progress was also monitored annually using a total of 35 Performance Indicators specified in the Plan, with these due to be updated after 31st March, 2007.

Key progress made during 2006 was detailed in the report between the Themes of the Community Strategy, with more detailed monitoring feedback for all key actions.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the updated position on the key actions of the Regeneration Plan be noted.

(2)  That a further update report be provided to this Scrutiny Panel in July, 2007.

Business Manage, Leisure & Green Spaces, to report.

Further to Minute No. 96 of the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 1st December, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Business Manager - Leisure and Green Spaces, which detailed the progress made on the development of the Green Spaces Strategy and related areas of work.

The Green Spaces Development Manager remained a critical appointment in terms of moving forward on the Strategy and the recruitment process for this post was under way.

Particular reference was made to:-

·              Playing Pitch Strategy.

·              Alignment of the Green Spaces Strategy with the Local Development Framework.

·              Heritage Lottery Bids for Clifton and Boston Parks.

·              Housing Market Renewal.

·              Green Flag Status.

It was acknowledged that there may be green spaces which were not identified within the audit and some of the findings may need to be adjusted to take into account any new information that came to light during consultation.  The proposed hierarchy of sites may also need to be reviewed to take into account consultation results.  The timescale for completion of the draft Strategy would depend on the availability of resources to pursue outstanding tasks and demands placed on resources by other key pieces of work.

Contact details of groups that could be consulted as part of this Strategy were welcomed.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and progress noted.

Steve Hallworth, Business Manager, Leisure & Green Spaces to report.

-           to consider the Play Strategy.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Project Development Officer, which detailed the development of Rotherham’s Play Strategy 2007-2012.

It was reported that the Rotherham Play Strategy had been developed by a partnership of organisations led by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in response to an invitation from the Big Lottery Fund that was linked with a funding allocation of £655,841.14.

The funding was dependent on the strategy being fully signed off before the application is processed and there were tight deadlines linked with the application.

The purpose of the funding was to improve free play opportunities for children and young people in Rotherham.

The Strategy recommended that the following priorities be addressed:-

1.      To raise awareness of the value and significance of play for children and young people and to promote better understanding of the role of play in their personal development.

2.      To provide a targeted range of challenging and exciting outdoor play spaces for children and young people.

3.      To support and maintain a strong and effective play partnership representing all sectors of the community which will co-ordinate and enable good quality, sustainable play.

4.      To recognise and value the range of workers who deliver play opportunities across all sectors, to share good practice and to increase the number of qualified play workers in Rotherham.

5.      To involve children and young people in the planning, design, delivery and feedback on the management of future play facilities.

6.      To identify and remove barriers preventing children and young people           from accessing play opportunities

It was noted that the Council intended to submit the Strategy and funding application by 12th March, 2007 following its endorsement by the Cabinet.

Members of the Scrutiny Panel welcomed this Strategy and requested that any barriers to moving the Strategy forward be dealt with and overcome.

Resolved:-  That the Play Strategy be welcomed and its approval by Cabinet be noted.

Consideration was given to the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st February to 31st May, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the Forward Plan be noted.

Bob Stock, Network Principal Engineer, Streetpride, to report.

Further to Minute No. 46 of the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 8th September, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Principal Engineer, Streetpride, detailing the progress on the development of a Highways Asset Management Plan.

It was pointed out that during the development work it became clear that the teams responsible for maintenance and management of the various elements of the highway set were at different stages in the implementation of their management systems and procedures.  Therefore, it was proposed that the Plan be limited to an initial three year period during which further development work may be undertaken towards production of a more rigorous and broader HAMP for an extended period to operate between 2010 to 2015.

It was explained that the overall aim of the Improvement Plan, agreed by Cabinet Member on 19th February for the period 2007-10, was to maximise the effectiveness of spending on the value and future life of the highway asset.  Details of how this was to be achieved were set out in the report.

It was noted that the HAMP would be kept under review and updated regularly.

It was, however, pointed out that the level of resources for maintenance of the highway asset throughout the period of the Plan could not be forecast with accuracy.

Reference was made to the Local Transport Plan process and the fact that because Rotherham’s road were assessed as being in good condition the DfT had reduced Rotherham’s allocation in subsequent years.  This together with reduced revenue expenditure was now beginning to affect the condition of the highway.

The Scrutiny Panel made reference to the routine electrical testing and structural inspections of 20% of the highway lighting stock per annum and the importance of ensuring public safety.

Reference was made and questions raised and answered on reactive highway maintenance, how sections of the road were repaired by Streetpride and how the highway network was currently funded.

Further information was also provided on the annual percentage of highway that should be repaired, the lifespan of the average road and the funding provision through R.N.F.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 2nd February, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the above meeting be approved as a correct record.

-           19^th January, 2007 (copy attached)

-           2^nd February, 2007 (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held as follows:-

-           19th January, 2007

-           2nd February, 2007

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes of meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 19th January and 2nd February, 2007 be noted.

-           22^nd January, 2007 (copy attached)

-           1^st February, 2007 (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held as follows:-

-           22nd January, 2007

-           1st February, 2007

With regard to Minute No. 197 it was confirmed that the Consultants engaged to undertake the work had been involved previously.

Reference was made to Minute No. 200 and the urgent repair work to the green roof system at Moorgate Crofts Business Centre.

Minute No. 205 referred to works on Meadowbank Road and it was suggested that consideration be given to the erection of high visibility bollards in this area.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 22nd January and 1st February, 2007 be noted.

-                      23^rd January, 2007 (copy attached)

-                      6^th February, 2007 (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure Services held as follows:-

-           23rd January, 2007

-           6th February, 2007

Resolved:-    That the contents of the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure Services held on 23rd January and 6^th February, 2007 be noted.

Dave James, Local Transport Plan Delivery Manager, Planning and Transportation Service, to report.

Further to Minute No. 203 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 1st February, 2007, consideration was given to a report, presented by the LTP Delivery Manager, which detailed how the second South Yorkshire LTP (2006-2011) had been rated as “Fair” and the Delivery Report on the First South Yorkshire LTP (2001-2006) had been rated as “Satisfactory to Good” by the Department for Transport. The Department for Transport have also informed the Council of the Integrated Transport and Maintenance settlements for 2007/08. A separate letter had also been received, informing South Yorkshire of the additional road safety element, as a consequence of changed funding arrangements for Safety Camera Partnerships.

Specific reference was made to the Local Transport 2007/08 Capital Funding Allocations as detailed in the report.

Further information was sought on the funding for the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnerships, the revenue arising from the fines, capital for new camera installations and public access to information.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the 2007/2008 Local Transport Plan Capital Expenditure Settlements and Capital Programme be noted.

(2)  That further information be provided on the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership and their funding.

Andy Kidder, EDS Finance and Service Accountant, to report.

Further to Minute No. 221 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 19th February, 2007, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Finance and Accountancy Manager, detailing the performance against budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate – Revenue, Fee Billing and Trading resources – for the period April, 2006 to January, 2007.

However, attention was drawn to the following:-

Planning and Transportation:-  Cost pressures on Land Charges.

Asset Management:-  Office accommodation repairs and maintenance (noting that a bid had been made against the Council’s capital minor works funding allocation).

Streetpride:-  Ground Maintenance contract

It was noted that the overall Directorate balanced position was a combination of cost pressures currently being compensated for by savings/additional income being generated elsewhere in the Service.  It was also noted that the Strategic Director and the Cabinet Member had determined that this was an acceptable way of balancing the budget (currently in accordance with Financial Regulation Virement Note Section 11) without the need for implementing virement.

Resolved:-  That the 2006/2007 budget position be noted and the report be received.