Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

There were no questions from the public or the press.

(i)                 Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre – update (report attached)

Phil Rogers, Director of Culture and Leisure Services, to report.

(i)                 Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre Update

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Culture and Leisure Services, updating the Panel on the operational activity at Aston-cum-Aughton Leisure Centre during the period from its opening in September 2008 through to the end of January 2009.

Additional up to date information was provided for the Panel regarding attendance comparisons with the former facilities and the new leisure facility noting the increased through-put.

The Panel’s attention was drawn to:-

-                      Swim Academy (Learn to Swim programme)

-                      partnership with Early Years Learning Centre/PCT

-                      Fitness class timetable including Aqua Pilates;  Teen Gym

-                      use of facilities by Aston Comprehensive School – e.g. Leisure Centre, Sports Hall, fitness and dance studio, classroom

-                      work of the Sports Development Team and bookings in the sports hall

-                      Government Free Swimming initiative, starting April 2009, for all under 16 or over 60.

-                      number of users from neighbouring areas

-                      work with Aston Parish Council to facilitate sessions for under 18’s in the Sports Hall during school holidays

-                      snagging issues, particularly water temperature

-                      customer car parking

-                      unannounced visits by the Council’s Capital Project Development Manager and the NOF Officer

Members of the Panel raised the following issues:-

-                      use of facilities by non-local residents

-                      Government funding for the Free Swimming Initiative

-                      the need for more publicity to explain the PFI partnership to the public

-                      use of roped off lanes in the swimming pool

-                      women only sessions

-                      lack of privacy in the changing rooms

-                      car parking issues, particularly at Aston

-                      the need to develop further the partnership with the school re: community access

-                      staffing and supervision levels

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

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 6^th March, 2009.

It was noted that the sequencing of the lights at the Whiston crossroads was now working.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be approved as a correct record, and the positive feedback re:  Whiston Crossroads noted.

Paul Woodcock, Director of Planning and Regeneration, to report.

Further to Minute No. 139 of the meeting of the Panel held on 2^nd April, 2008, consideration was given to a report, presented by Mike Shires, Implementation Manager, detailing progress that has been made towards the Town Centre Renaissance.

Individual updates were given on the various elements of the overall renaissance programme including:-

-                      The Old Market Site

-                      Keppel Wharf site

-                      Imperial Buildings

-                      All Saints Building site

-                      Wierside site

-                      Bus station interchange – noting the ITA’s investment plan 2015-2019

-                      Flood alleviation scheme

-                      Railway station – works scheduled to commence November 2009

-                      Rotherham leisure complex

-                      Townscape heritage initiative

-                      Essoldo Chambers

-                      Various properties on High Street

-                      Lot 1 - Council Accommodation

-                      Lot 2 - Cultural Centre

-                      Lot 3 - remaining vacated sites

-                      Public realm strategy/works:- including canal frontage adjacent to the rail station; College Road gateway;  Markets Square; RCAT;  Church Street; Westgate Demonstrator/All Saints Quarter; All Saints Minster Churchyard; High Street

The principal sources of grant aid towards the physical renaissance were detailed in the submitted report.

Members of the Panel commented on:-

-                      low number of commercial units sold

-                      RCAT’s plans

-                      closure of Woolworth’s store and the large amount of empty retail space in the town centre

-                      aspect of the Minster following demolition of All Saints building

-                      Medieval design of some of the town’s buildings e.g. Nellie Dene’s

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made since the last report be noted and a further progress report be submitted to the Panel in October 2009.

(2)  That to help inform the forthcoming Scrutiny Review on the Image of Rotherham, copies of the proposed design for the interchange and station, together with the overall street scene, be provided.

Julie Roberts, Town Centre Manager,/Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by Julie Roberts, Town Centre Manager, relating to the securing of funding in January, 2009, from Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) and the Local Area Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) for the introduction of a Town Centre Business Vitality Grant Scheme, to provide a package of grants to both new and existing businesses.

It was explained that the Town Centre Business Vitality Grant Scheme comprised the following:-

Scheme A – Business Vitality Grant (for new businesses) – launched 16^th March, 2009 – noting 13 live enquiries were being dealt with

Scheme B – Shop Front Grants (for existing businesses) – to be launched April, 2009

Scheme C – Street Café grants (for existing businesses) – to be launched in April, 2009

Details of the aims of each scheme, together with the grant criteria, application and award procedures were set out in the report.  It was confirmed that applicants had to provide a Business Plan together with accounts

In addition reference was made to the securing, in autumn 2008, of funding from these same funding sources for the development of a Retail & Leisure Strategy for Rotherham Town Centre.  Progress in respect of this piece of work was also detailed in the submitted report.  It was also pointed out that the household survey would form part of the evidence base of the Local Development Framework.

The Panel was also invited to a half-day workshop was planned for May 2009 involving local stakeholders and partners to look at the delivery of a suggested vision/retail offer in both physical and non-physical terms.

Members of the Panel commented on:-

-                      the input to the Scrutiny Review on the Image of Rotherham

-                      the national recognition of this initiative

-                      the inclusion of Council employees who were the largest % of users of the town centre during the day time Monday to Friday

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)  That the outcome of the consultation on the strategy be reported to a future meeting of the Panel.

David Burton, Director of Streetpride,/Adrian Gabriel, Waste Manager, to report.

Further to Minute No. 130(2) of the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 6th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by Adrian Gabriel, Waste Manager, detailing the prices to be charged to customers for the collection and disposal of bulky items and special collections from households with effect from 1st April, 2009.

It was pointed out that there was a potential that any service price increase which impacted upon the customer could have a detrimental effect in terms of service uptake and consequently the local environment.

The Panel was advised that in assessing the impacts of the new pricing schedule for Bulky Item Collections recognition was given to the potential effect there could be with respect to fly tipping within the Borough.   Consideration was also given to inflation, landfill tax increases, legislation and the WEEE regulations.

Reference was made to the impact of Ward Member walkabouts with local residents, estate wardens and local clean ups.

The Panel raised the following issues:-

-                      locations where fly tipping was prevalent

-                      fly tipping on private land

-                      enforcement and number of prosecutions

-                      publicity

-                      availability of assistance in order to move bulky items on premises so that they could be accessed for collection

Resolved:-  (1)  That the holding of prices charged for the standard collection and disposal of bulky items from households in Financial Year 2009/2010 at the 2006/07 level, together with the reasons why, be noted.

(2)  That the proposed price changes for special collection implemented from 1^st April, 2009 be noted.

(3)  That the incorporation of the results of the Scrutiny Review on Fly Tipping and falling trend in fly tipping within the Borough be noted.

Phil Rogers, Director of Culture and Leisure, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by Phil Rogers, Director of Culture and Leisure Services, updating the Panel on the progress of the Play Pathfinder programme as it completed the Year One delivery.

The following progress was reported:-

-                      12 play areas were on target to complete

-                      official opening of the first play area at Thrybergh

-                      receipt of further monies from the DCSF in acknowledgement of the way in which the Council was working to deliver this programme

-                      delivery of a further play area in Greasbrough Park, bringing the total ton 13 in Year One

-                      13 to 16 Year Two projects (listed in the submitted report) and to incorporation of suggestions from local residents

-                      commencement of the Clifton Play Park project

-                      Celebration of Play event - 25 & 26^th July

-                      Rotherham adventure Playground – commencement of consultation

Members of the Panel commented on:-

-                      the success of this piece of work

-                      co-operation between Council, Parish Councils and other local land owning bodies, and local residents

-                      £2.5m investment

-                      quality and design of the play equipment being installed

-                      NI re: how children value parks and open spaces

-                      issues re:  dog fouling, grass cutting and teenage use

-                      future maintenance

Resolved:-  That the good progress, detailed in the report now submitted, be noted.

Phil Rogers, Director of Culture & Leisure Services, to report.

Further to Minute No.193 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 16^th February, 2009, consideration was given to a report, introduced by Phil Rogers, Director of Culture and Leisure Services and presented by Phil Gill, Greenspaces Manager, relating to the Draft Green Space Strategy which set out proposed standards for green space provision and upon which wider consultation with the public and main stakeholders was being undertaken.

Reference was made to the strict government guidelines laid down in PPG17 which set out how local authorities should assess local demand for green space and plan future provision to meet this.

The four strategic aims of the strategy, together with eight specific objectives were details in the submitted report.

An explanation was given of the three categories which had been used to grade each site.  A list of issues arising from the consultation on the draft was also set out in the report e.g. accessibility, management, quality of sites etc., and these had helped to inform the 31 recommendations.

The Panel was informed that following approval of the draft strategy it was proposed to undertake a further 3 months further consultation including with Area Assembly Co-ordinating Committees, Council web-site, leaflet, libraries, and with key stakeholders such as “Friends of” groups.

In addition it was proposed to test out new methodologies in a pilot study in Rawmarsh, the results of which would be used to allow a more rapid roll out of the final Strategy.

Members of the Panel commented on:-

-                      composition of the Green Spaces Board

-                      the need to avoid duplication

-                      sustainability and cost of future maintenance

-                      site grading i.e. local vs. strategic view of the value of specific sites

-                      current usage of sites

-                      complexity of the strategy

-                      length of time being taken to complete the strategy

Resolved:-  (1)  That the draft Rotherham Green Space Strategy and the details of the proposed wider consultation, together with the pilot study being undertaken in one ward during the consultation period to explore methods for site prioritisation and possible change of use, be noted.

(2)  That Members of the Panel, and colleagues, be encouraged to input into the consultation.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, detailing progress made on highways capital schemes both funded from the Local Transport Capital Programme and from other funding sources.

The following tables attached to the covering report detailed:-

It was also reported that confirmation had been received that exceptional funding had been awarded by the DfT to reconstruct the A630 Centenary Way between Canklow Road and Sheffield Road.  The Panel was asked to note the disruption this would cause.

The Panel was also referred to:-

Whiston Crossroads:-  noting that pedestrian and cycle facilities were now incorporated into the traffic light sequencing.  A post implementation review would now commence and the results reported to this Scrutiny Panel in due course.

A57:-  finalisation of the design included significant value engineering changes and has led to re-submission of the scheme for planning approval.  It was pointed out that a CPO and Side Roads Order were also needed and it was likely that a public enquiry would be called.  Following completion of statutory processes and approval of funding by the DfT work had been programmed to start Spring 2011 with completion Summer 2012.

Waverley Link Road:-  it was reported that Yorkshire Water needed to expand their works and consequently the alignment of the southern end of the road was being re-examined.  This had lead to the need for a revised Major Schemes Business Case which was to be submitted to the DfT late April, 2009.  Reference was made to the likelihood of CPO

Finance:-  allocation of 50% of the LTP settlement to the South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, and the apportionment of the remainder between the four South Yorkshire local authorities on a population basis.    It was also reported that additional grant from the DfT had been received in part support for the overspend on the A631 West Bawtry Road major scheme.

Also it was likely that significant sums of Regional Funding Allocation [RFA], originally earmarked for other Major schemes in the Y&H Region which have now slipped, would be re-allocated for spending via the LTP processes in 09/10 and 10/11. This would also be allocated to the SYITA for distribution throughout the sub-region.

Members of the Panel commented on:-

Waverley:– the need to consult on, and clarify, the line of the link road. 

It was re-iterated that a Major Schemes Business Case was being prepared and would be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services on 20^th April, 2009.

West  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

Further to Minute No. 52 of the Joint meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services and the Cabinet Member for Streetpride held on 16^th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by Karl Battersby, Stategic Director of Environment and Development Services, detailing the performance against budget of the Environment and Development Services Directorate as at the end of January, 2009.  A forecast for the whole of the 2008/2009 financial year was also reported.

The Panel’s attention was drawn to:-

-                      the continually reducing overspend

-                      key areas of pressure:-  consultancy fee income;  winter maintenance budget; unfounded flood related expenses

-                      areas of improvement being explored

-                      further savings identified

Members of the Panel commented on:-

-           the efforts being made to manage the budget towards a balanced outturn

-           responsibility for the budget for Off Road Motorcycling

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and officers of the Directorate be congratulated on their efforts to remain within budget.

(2)  That clarification be sought regarding which Directorate was now responsible for Off Road Motorcycling.

-                      27^th February, 2009.  (copy attached)

-                      13^th March, 2009.  (copy attached)

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

-                      27^th February, 2009

-                      13^th March, 2009

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

-                      2^nd March, 2009.  (copy attached)

-                      16^th March, 2009.  (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Streetpride held as follows:-

-                      2^nd March, 2009

-                      16^th March, 2009

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

-           2^nd March, 2009.  (copy attached)

-           16^th March, 2009.  (copy attached)

Consideration was given to the minutes of joint meetings of the Cabinet Members for Regeneration and Development Services and Streetpride held as follows:-

-                      2^nd March, 2009

-                      16^th March, 2009

The Panel referred to Minute No. 50 – Public Art Framework for Rotherham Town Centre, and in particular to the “Ears of Corn” installed at the Bradgate roundabout.  Concern was expressed about the public’s perception of the spending on such features.

It was explained that these art features were being provided from a package of funding, and were intended to spark community debate.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

(2)  That the Director of Culture and Leisure Services be asked to liaise with the Press Office to issue a statement out public art.

-           2^nd March, 2009.   (copy attached)

-           16^th March, 2009.  (copy attached)

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

-                      2^nd March, 2009

-                      16^th March, 2009

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Recycling Group held on 17^th March, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.