Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham

Contact: Dawn Mitchell, 822062  Email: dawn.mitchell@rotherham.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

116.

Questions from members of the public and the press.

Minutes:

There were no members of the public or press present.

117.

Declarations of Interest.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made.

118.

Draft Corporate Plan - Progress Report

- presentation by Colin Bulger, Chief Executive’s Office

Minutes:

Colin Bulger, Head of Policy and Partnerships, presented the first draft of the Corporate Plan 2005/1010 which set out what the Council planned to do over the next five years to achieve its vision and aspirations for Rotherham.

 

The Plan described how the Council would strive for excellence in all the services it provided and as an employer of approximately 15,000 staff across the Borough but also how it would work with all its partners to ensure a shared sense of vision and belonging for all communities and residents.

 

The Community Strategy and Corporate Plan were designed to be co-ordinated and so identify the Council’s specific contributions to overall community wellbeing.  The revision of the Corporate Plan would set the training process by which the Council Strategy could be refreshed.

 

The Plan demonstrated how the Council would continue to support:-

 

-              The Rotherham Partnership which brought together public sector organisations across the Borough as well as business, community and voluntary sectors

-              The Community Strategy which was the framework by which the Partnership set out its vision for improving economic, social and environmental wellbeing in Rotherham

-              The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy which set out partners’ intentions for action in various priority areas within the Borough.

 

During 2004 the Council and its partners worked together to develop a new vision for the Borough which would steer progress across the Borough over the next five years and still further to the year 2020.  The vision was built around five priority themes:-

 

Rotherham Learning

Rotherham Achieving

Rotherham Alive

Rotherham Safe

Rotherham Proud

 

And two crosscutting themes which needed to underpin everything the Council did:-

 

Sustainable Development

Fairness

 

Details of the timetable for the consultation process, context and challenges and the current position were given.

 

Discussion ensued on the objectives of the Corporate Plan with the following issues raised/highlighted:-

 

-              The aim was to have a readable document that was easy to understand and track.

-              There would be feedback to those that contributed to the consultation process to explain what happened to their input.  There was no guarantee that every input would be incorporated but there would be an explanation as to why it was not included.

-              An undertaking had been given to return to the Area Assembly meeting upon completion of the document to explain the process that had been undertaken and possibly track some of the changes and the views of the Area Assembly.

-              There should be Wardens in all neighbourhoods not just ‘hotspots’.

 

Resolved:-  That Colin Bulger be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

119.

Air Pollution in Rotherham

- report by Mark Parry, Manager, Neighbourhood Development

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 48 of 18th September, 2003, Mark Parry, Manager, Neighbourhood Enforcement, presented a report on the work undertaken by the Air Quality Unit and the changes in national legislation since the joint Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Panels review into air pollution in Rotherham.

 

Mark drew attention to the following pieces of work that had taken place since the review:-

 

-              Air Quality Management Areas were declared in November, 2004, for Wellgate (nitrogen dioxide), St. Ann’s (nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter) and Wortley Road (nitrogen dioxide).

-              “Real time” monitoring devices had been installed at St. Ann’s and at Bradgate.

-              The nitrogen dioxide diffusion tube survey had been enlarged in partnership with the other South Yorkshire Councils and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.  In Rotherham they were centred around the A629 between the town centre to Junction 35 of the M1 and also around the Waverley area.

-              ”Detailed Assessment” for pollutant lead at the Aldwarke Corus works was completed and submitted to the DEFRA.  It concluded that if leaded steel production remained at the current level, exposure of the nearest residents should not exceed the objective for lead in 2008. 

-              The “Care4air campaign”, a partnership between the South Yorkshire Councils and South Yorkshire Travelwise, had been created to highlight what was happening in the region on air quality issues.

-              The new formal Local Transport Plan was currently being drafted.  A change in Government guidance had meant that air quality was one of the four main themes. 

 

The Panel considered the recommendations of the Review and the work that had, or had not, taken place:-

 

15.2 Communication with the Highways Agency and Department for the Envirornment, Food and Rural Affairs

Communication with the Highways Agency had continued on air quality nationally and between the agency and South Yorkshire Councils.  The Agency had been closely involved in the M1 Corridor Air Quality Partnership but not directly concerned with air quality issues, however, their brief had been changed and now included specific commitments to take air quality into account when proposing road schemes.  The Agency was a key stakeholder in the Local Transport Plan.

 

15.3 Motorway Speed Restrictions

The major costs of implementing the scheme were concerned with the costs of enforcing a reduced speed limit.  It would be necessary to use speed enforcement cameras on the motorway in order to ensure that traffic kept to the reduced speed limit.   The estimated set up cost per annual tonne of NOx emission improvement of the M1 speed restriction measure was £40,000.

 

15.5 Tree Planting

This was constrained by the lack of suitable available land, however, any tree planting within the Borough would have a positive impact.  The Authority was part of the “Care4Air” publicity initiative which rewarded good environmental practice and supported the planting of trees through the “Gift that Grows” scheme.

 

15.7 BramptonBierlow

Air quality had improved significantly since the declaration of the Air Quality Management Area.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

120.

Private Rented Sector Landlord Accreditation Scheme

- report by Robert Pearce, Principal Policy and Planning Officer, Neighbourhoods

Minutes:

Rob Pearce, Principal Policy and Planning Officer, Neighbourhoods, submitted a progress report on the above and steps taken to promote participation in the Scheme.

 

To date, only three applications had been received from landlords wishing to participate in the pilot scheme.  Inspections had been carried out on eight properties covered by the applications all of which met the required standards.

 

It was proposed that the Scheme be extended for a further six months to provide an opportunity to promote more intensively the benefits of the scheme.

 

It was noted that a further report was to be submitted to the Cabinet Member exploring more innovative ways to encourage participation in the scheme.

 

Discussion ensued on the report with the following points made/clarified:-

 

-              The Decent Homes Standard applied to private landlords and owner/occupiers but the Authority had no power to make them comply.  It was a case of encouraging them to do so.

-              There was difficulty in identifying landlords within an area.

-              Incentives were needed to encourage participation in the scheme so that landlords would be at a disadvantage if they were not participants.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress of the Private Rented Sector Landlord Accreditation Scheme introduced in two areas covering Brinsworth and the Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder, Eastwood and Springwell Gardens be noted.

 

(2)   That the additional measures being taken to promote take-up of the Scheme be noted.

121.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Services

Minutes of meetings held on 10th 17th and 24th January, 2005.

Minutes:

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Services held on 10th, 17th and 24th January, 2005.

122.

Recycling Group

Minutes of meeting held on 4th January, 2005

Minutes:

The Panel noted the minutes of the above Panel held on 4th January, 2005.

123.

Minutes of Scrutiny Panel held on 13th and 27th January, 2005

Minutes:

The minutes of meetings held on 13th and 27th January, 2005, were noted.

124.

Minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 14th and 28th January, 2005

Minutes:

The Panel noted the minutes of meetings of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 14th and 28th January, 2005.

125.

Minutes of the Asylum Seekers Working Party held on 2nd February, 2005

Minutes:

The Panel noted the minutes of the Asylum Seekers Working Party held on 2nd February, 2005, attended by Councillors Sharman (in the Chair), Boyes and Ellis.

126.

Exclusion of the press and public

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.

Minutes:

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 Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

127.

The Formation of the Arms Length Housing Management Organisation (ALMO)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 9 of the Act (accommodation provided by the Council/negotiation of terms).

Minutes:

Alison Palmer, Neighbourhood Development, submitted a report on the formation of the Arms Length Management Organisation and the Section 27 Application aided by a powerpoint presentation.

 

The Council must obtain the Secretary of State’s approval under Section 27 of the Housing Act 1985 to appoint the ALMO as its agent for the delivery of housing management services.  The Secretary of State will wish to be satisfied about a range of issues including compliance with the ALMO guidance and authorities must complete a prescribed questionnaire (Appendix 1).  The 18th February, 2005, deadline for submission had been met.

 

As part of the Section 27 application, details of the functions to be delegated to the ALMO and to be retained by the Local Authority (Appendix 2) and, once granted, the Authority may formally sign and bring into force the management agreement with its ALMO.  A summary and copy of the draft management agreement were appended at Appendices 3 and 4.

 

Under the terms of the management agreement, the ALMO should produce and regularly update a Delivery or Business Plan setting out its works programme and target.  It should be jointly endorsed by the Local Authority and the ALMO and should reflect a partnership delivering continuous improvement to tenants and the delivery of neighbourhood management over the long term.  Targets should be clear and measurable and be linked to the key objectives of the ALMO.  A draft delivery plan was attached to the report at Appendix 5.

 

Appendix 6 set out the progress made on Service Level Agreements for the provision of support services from the Council to the ALMO.

 

It was noted that the report had been the subject of an All Members Seminars on the 15th, and considered by the Cabinet on the 23rd February, 2005.  It would hopefully be adopted by full Council in March, 2005.

 

Discussion ensued on the document with the following points raised/clarified:-

 

-              The Council had the final say in the event of any disputes as it owned the ALMO.

-              If the ALMO defaulted, the Council had to give it time to rectify whatever the fault was.  As part of the Agreement, there was an order that could be imposed on them and the service could be taken back.  It was not thought that would have any implication on the funding as the service would still be provided and at the level agreed.

-              The table in the report projected loss of stock based on Right to Buys over recent years.  It was projected that Right to Buy would reduce as stock did not meet the Decent Homes Standard and people did not have the means or desire to exercise the Right.  The ODPM would expect the projections to be revised on an annual basis and submitted each year.

-              The Right to Buy rules were altering i.e. £25,000 maximum discount and had to have been in the property five years.

-              The Government were looking into the freedoms allowed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.

128.

Housing Revenue Account

- presentation by Anne Ellis, Finance and Accountancy Manager

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 of the Act – expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Local Authority)

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That this item be deferred until the next meeting.

 

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Local Authority)

129.

Themed Meeting

Minutes:

It was noted that a themed meeting on the subject of Food Inspections was to be held on Thursday, 10th March, 2005, commencing at 9.30 a.m.