Agenda and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no questions from the public or the press.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 8^th May, 2009.

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

Work Programme 2009 – 2010 – Bronwen Moss to report. (copy attached)

Bronwen Moss, Scrutiny Adviser, presented the 2009-2010 Work Programme for consideration by the Scrutiny Panel.

Discussion ensued on the Work Programme’s contents and it was suggested that a visit be arranged to Clifton Park for this Scrutiny Panel to view the progress.

Discussion ensued on the presentation of the report on Grounds Maintenance and whether it was more appropriate for it to be submitted in November rather than October.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a visit to CliftonPark be arranged for all members of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel.

(2)  That the Work Programme be altered to include the report for Grounds Maintenance in November, 2009 only.

Consideration was given to the representation on outside bodies and members of the Council’s sub-groups, panels etc. for the 2009-2010 Municipal Year.

Resolved:-  That the following representation/membership be approved:-

·             Groundwork Creswell:-  Councillor Sharman and Councillors Swift and Whysall as named substitutes.

·             Health, Welfare and Safety Panel:- Councillor Swift and Councillor Gosling as substitute.

·             Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel:-  Councillor Gosling.

·             Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group:-  Councillor Boyes.

·             Members’ Training and Development Panel:-  Councillor Whysall.

·             Members’ Sustainable Development Action Group:-  Councillor Gosling.

·             Recycling Group:-  Councillor Boyes.

·             Rotherham and Barnsley Chamber:-  Councillor Boyes.

·             Rotherham Arts Council:-  Councillor Swift.

Fiona Earl, Principal Accountant, to report.

-           to report on the performance against budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate Revenue accounts for the financial year April to March 2008/09. 

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which detailed the performance against budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate revenue accounts for the financial year April to March, 2008/09. 

The report set out in detail, and further information was provided on, the outturn for each of the Service Areas, where there were over and underspends in services and what pressures and measures were being taken to manage the overall budget.

Discussion ensued on the action that had been taken to remedy some of the difficulties that had been faced by Culture and Leisure Services.

Resolved:-  (1) That the outturn position for the Environment and Development Services Directorate revenue budgets for the 2008/2009 financial year be noted.

(2) That Cabinet be requested to consider earmarking a carry forward of £28,819 for Culture and Leisure Services.

Fiona Earl, Principal Accountant, to report.

-           to report on the performance against the approved Environment and Development Services Directorate capital programme for the financial year April 2008 to March 2009.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Finance Manager, detailing the performance against the approved Environment and Development Services Directorate capital programme for the financial year April, 2008 to March, 2009. 

A summary of the Capital Programme Spend 2008/09 was provided for the Directorate.

Further information was provided on the overall position and reasons for variances against the revised budget, by Service Area.

Resolved:-  That the actual outturn position for the Environment and Development Services capital programme, as at the end of financial year 2008/09, be noted.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to provide an update on the Fitter for Walking project.

Further to Minute No. 205 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 16^th March, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Transportation Unit Officer, updating the Scrutiny Panel on the progress of the Fitter for Walking Project, which was a four year partnership between the Council and Living Streets.

It was reported that a Fitter for Walking Regional Co-ordinator for the geographic areas of Rotherham and Doncaster (Living Streets – Yorkshire and Humberside) had been appointed in May, 2008 and to date Living Streets and local communities had identified and developed the following schemes:-

-                 Addison Road/Laburnum Road, Maltby – access to local shops.

-                 St. Albans Church, Wickersley – Lighting and footpath improvements.

-                 Thurcroft Mineral Line.

-                 Wath Heritage Walk.

-                 Play Pathfinder.

Reference was made to the requirement for match funding from the Council, which was not “new money”, but could be made up through a combination of both capital and revenue funding, including existing allocations.

The Scrutiny Panel welcomed this initiative and it was suggested that the Living Streets Fitter for Walking Co-ordinator’s contact details be more widely circulated.

Resolved:-  That the progress being made be noted.

David Phillips, Principal Highways Engineer, to report.

-           to present a summary of reservoir safety issues, and update of recent developments.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Highways Engineer, which summarised the reservoir safety issues and updated the Scrutiny Panel on recent developments.

It was reported that under the Reservoirs Act 1975 the Council was the ‘undertaker’ for four reservoirs within the Borough:-  Thrybergh, Ulley, Firsby and RotherValley CountryPark.  All the borough’s reservoirs had performed safely when exposed to extreme conditions.  The problems at Ulley had been caused by the disintegration of the masonry spillway, but works to the reservoir to preserve its usage for future years were planned later this year, subject to planning permission be granted.

The Scrutiny Panel noted that routine inspections were carried out, together with smallscale maintenance and grass cutting, with more significant maintenance being funded from bids to the Maintenance Capital Investment Programme, for which further bids had been submitted for the next two years.

Discussion ensued on the promotion and publicity on the works envisaged at Ulley Reservoir and it was suggested that an article be placed in Rotherham News to alleviate any concerns members of the public may have.

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

(2)  That necessary publicity action be taken to raise the profile and alleviate fears on works envisaged to Ulley Reservoir in the next few months.

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

-           to present a progress report on implementation of the Highway Asset Management Plan 2007-2010.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Principal Engineer, Streetpride, which detailed the progress of the implementation of the Highways Asset Management Plan 2007-2010.

The Scrutiny Panel’s attention was drawn to some achievements which included:-

·             Second phase of the Major Strategic Capital Footway Programme.

·             £5 million Capital Investment for Principal Roads.

·             Use of “Gripfibre” Carriageway Surfacing.

·             Secured Funding from Department of Transport for Centenary Way.

·             Influence on the Maintenance Schemes Programme by the 2007 Floods.

Discussion ensued on the amended guidance for LTP3 and the DaSTS agenda (Delivering a Sustainable Transport System) and how the Transport Asset Management Plan from 2011 would need to reflect the revised objectives for LTP3 and a further report in November should set out initial thoughts on the potential implications for maintenance and future strategy.

It was pointed out that approval had been given by the Cabinet Member for Streetpride Services to extend the term of the Plan through to 2011 to bring it into line with the Local Transport Plan (3^rd version) which would begin in April, 2011 (Minute No.  3 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Streetpride Services held on 1^st June, 2009 refers).

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress to date be noted, together with the extended term of the Plan.

(2)  That a further report be submitted in November, 2009 on the potential for change to the Highways Asset Management Strategy arising from the latest LTP guidance.

Alan Platt, Best Value Support Officer, to report.

-           to outline the performance results up to the fourth quarter of the year 2008/2009.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which outlined the performance results up to the fourth quarter of the year 2008/2009.

The report focused on indicators affected by the following issues:-

-               Performance measures in the EDS suite of performance indicators.

-               Performance indicators that have not reached their target setting.

-               Performance clinics.

-               All England upper quartile comparisons 2007/2008.

-               The New Performance Framework – Single Set of National Indicators, out of 198 indicators EDS indicators are identified in this report. Local Area Agreement (LAA) indicators for which EDS is responsible have also been identified.

-               Equalities report.

-               Risk Management report.

Further information was also provided on the NI and KPI Performance for 2008/09, the number of indicators that had and had not achieved their set target and the PI’s that had not achieved their target in Quarter 4 which included:-

·             BV 200b

·             NI 169

·             BV 224b

·             NI 195a

·             NI 195b

Discussion ensued on the effects of prolonged wet weather, customer satisfaction and equality monitoring and the costs associated with this data collection and the need for more Elected Members to take up the opportunity to participate in Emergency Planning Training.

Reference was also made to the BV 204 (Planning Appeal Decisions) and the number of appeals this actually related to.  A report was being submitted to the Planning Board setting out the number of appeals, the numbers upheld and dismissed and who had made the decisions. 

As part of performance monitoring by this Scrutiny Panel it was suggested that details on the Streetpride response times be included for consideration and scrutiny.

Further information was also provided on performance clinics and how the Directorate dealt with underperforming areas and the importance of this Scrutiny Panel, as well as the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee, being kept fully informed.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the performance indicator fourth quarter results for 2008/2009 be noted.

(2)  That the Council’s position in comparison with the Audit Commission 2007/2008 All England upper quartile results be noted.

(3)  That the report submitted to the Planning Board on the performance of appeals be submitted to the next meeting of this Scrutiny Panel.

-           17^th April, 2009.  (copy attached)

-           28^th April, 2009.  (copy attached)

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

-           17^th April, 2009.

-           28^th April, 2009.

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

(THE CHAIRMAN AUTHORISED CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM IN ORDER TO  PROCESS THE MATTER REFERRED TO.)

The Chairman referred to a recent complaint regarding communication and the need for this Scrutiny Panel to understand and have the opportunity to consider issues relating to this.

Resolved:-  That a report on this issue be submitted to the Scrutiny Panel in July, 2009.