Agenda and minutes

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to report the result of consultations.

(Two members of the public were present for consideration of this item and the following item)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, relating to the results of consultations carried out regarding the proposal to introduce a road safety scheme on Middle Lane, Clifton.

The report set out details of the original scheme, on which the consultation exercise was based.

A summary of the consultation that had been carried out was given including reference to consultation with local residents, businesses, Area Assembly, Clifton Community Partnership, Ward Councillors and the statutory services.

Reference was made to the number of personal injury accidents along this stretch of road between 2001 and 2003, including those involving children.

A summary of concerns that had arisen from the consultation was given.  The Schemes and Partnerships Manager responded to each of the concerns. Reference was made to the receipt of a petition, containing approximately five hundred  signatures from Clifton Community Partnership in respect of the increased amount of traffic using Middle Lane since junction changes at the junction of Clifton Lane and Wharncliffe Street (referred to at Item 41 below).

In the light of the comments received it was proposed to revise the original scheme and these changes were explained (and illustrated on Drawing No. 129/U92/2a displayed in the Members’ Room prior to the meeting).

The measures would be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Capital Programme for 2004/2005, and were in line with the Council’s policy of improving road safety and providing facilities for vulnerable road users.

It was confirmed that following implementation the scheme and accident level would be monitored and should they not be reduced to a satisfactory level then the introduction of vertical traffic calming measures would need to be reconsidered.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the changes to the scheme to overcome some of the objections be noted.

(2)  That the objections to the mini-roundabouts and conversion of the existing Pelican crossing into a Zebra crossing be not acceded to.

(3)  That support for the scheme, as now amended, be reiterated.

(The above item was subject to the Call-in procedure and therefore not implemented)

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to report the receipt of a petition.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, relating to receipt of a petition containing approximately five hundred signatures from the Clifton Community Partnership expressing concern about the volume of traffic on Middle Lane.

The petition was also in respect of a request to revert the Clifton Lane junction to its former status.

It was noted that the petition was supported by the Ward Councillors from Rotherham East and Boston Castle Wards.  (Supporting letters were presented at the meeting.)

The Cabinet Member requested that this petition be investigated along with Minute No 32 (Walker Lane)  of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services held on 26th July, 2004.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the petition be received and an acknowledgement be sent to the lead petitioner.

(2)  That the Head of Streetpride investigate the matter, together with issues in respect of Walker Lane, and report to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to inform Members of the receipt of feasibility study/public involvement programme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, informing Members of the following:-

(i)         details of a public information exercise carried out by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive

This report detailed the various ways in which the information about the bus corridor proposals was conveyed to the public and summarised the feedback from the exercise.

(ii)         outcome of a feasibility study carried out by Mouchelparkman

This feasibility study had looked at measures that could be appropriate at various sites along the corridor which were aimed at improving capacity and improving bus journey time reliability.

It was pointed out that funding for the proposals was available from the PTE and from the Council’s Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2004/2005.

Resolved:-  That the reports regarding the Public Involvement Programme and the Feasibility Study for the Rotherham to Chapeltown Quality Bus Corridor be received, and endorsed, and form the basis of further design and consultation work.

Assistant Planner to report.

-         to seek adoption of Silverdales planning brief as supplementary planning guidance.

Further to Minute No. 274 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services held on 16^th February, 2004, and Minute No. 144 of the Planning Board held on 26^th February, 2004, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Planner relating to the above.

Members were informed that following a community consultation event held on 3^rd March, 2004, it was proposed to make minor changes to the draft planning brief, details of which were set out in the conclusion of the consultation statement.  Members were therefore asked to consider adopting the brief as supplementary planning guidance to assist in achieving the comprehensive regeneration of this site.

Reference was made to land assembly difficulties which were causing some delay.  However, these were being investigated.

It was noted that a copy of the community consultation statement was distributed at the meeting, and the draft planning brief, a file containing all relevant reports,  forms and comments had been made available in the Members’ Room at the Town Hall prior to this meeting.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the planning brief be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance, with the consultation statement included as a supporting statement available on request.

(2)  That the adopted brief be referred to Planning Board for information.

Executive Director to report.

-         to report performance against budget.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Streetpride Service, relating to the performance against budget for the Programme Area for the period April to June 2004/2005.

Members were informed that, at this point in the financial year, the programme area was on track to achieve a balanced budget.

Members referred to the following issues:-

-                       commercial properties

-                       voids

-                       record of occupation of Council properties

-                       commercial rent arrears

-                       overspend in respect of Land Charges

-                       use of Council properties without proper lease arrangements (the Black Hut, Kimberworth Park Road)

Members were referred to Minute No. 12 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services held on 28th June, 2004 in respect of action being taken to address the falling Land Charges Searches revenue.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the anticipated outturn position for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area budgets be noted.

(2)  That the report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

(3)  That the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office:-

(i)  report to a future meeting in respect of commercial rent arrears.

(ii)  investigate the issue of Council properties being used without proper lease arrangements.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following two items in order to note issues contained therein.)

-         to receive the minutes.

The following report was submitted:-

Tourism Panel

Monday, 19th July, 2004

-         to receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the above meeting.

Councillor Walker drew Members’ attention to the following:-

-                  timetable for the installation of the Giant LED screen in All Saints Square

-                  Magna’s proposal to hold a Christmas market

-                  Town Twinning

-                  Anti-social behaviour issues in the town centre

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

Economic Strategy Manager to report.

-         to consider the nomination of a representatives to the ACT.

Further to Minute No. 406 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors held on 9^th June, 2004, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Team Manager, relating to receipt of an invitation by the Academy of Construction trades to nominate an Associate Director for the Board of the Company.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the nomination of Mr. Richard Poundford, Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office to act as the Council’s Associate Board Member of the Academy of Construction Trades.

-         to receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel held on Friday, 16^th July, 2004 as follows:-

Health, Welfare and Safety Panel

Friday, 16th July, 2004

A copy of the petition will be available at the meeting.

-         to receive the above petition against the erection of the mast (Referred from Council on 4^th August, 2004).

Further to Minute No. 20(1)(a) of the meeting of the Council held on 4^th August, 2004, consideration was given to a petition from residents objecting to the location of the above communications mast.

Councillor Pickering, Vice-Chair of the Planning Board provided background information to this issue and advised Members that the permission had been granted to move the mast under emergency powers for a period of six months.  The matter was due to be considered again by the Planning Board in September, 2004.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the petition be received and the Head of Planning and Transportation Service send an acknowledgement letter to the lead petitioner together with an explanation of the background to this issue.

(2)  That the Head of Planning and Transportation Service report on this issue to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (report relates to the recipient of a service provided by the Authority):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (report contained information relating to the recipient of a service provided by the Authority).

-                  to consider the notes of the Panel meeting, and to note the decision reached.

Consideration was given to a report of a Stage 3 Complaint Panel held on 29^th July, 2004.

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