Agenda and minutes

-         to receive the minutes and note the proposed re-constitution of the Steering Group.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Unitary Development Plan Review Members’ Steering Group held on 16^th July, 2004.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

Head of Planning and Transportation Service to report.

-         to inform Members about the consultation draft of the South Yorkshire Rail Strategy.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Transportation Officer, relating to the consultation being undertaken by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive on the draft of the South Yorkshire Rail Strategy.

Members’ attention was drawn to the following issues that related to Rotherham and that would significantly improve rail travel in Rotherham and South Yorkshire:-

(i)         Short to medium term priorities:-

-           Feasibility of a shuttle service between Doncaster and Robin HoodDoncaster SheffieldAirport, which will improve connectivity between Rotherham and the airport

-           Station improvements and platform extensions to Rotherham Central Station, together with improved passenger facilities

(ii)        Medium to Long Term Priorities:-

-           Capacity constraints at Holmes Curve

-           reinstatement of Blackburn curve

-           capacity constraints to the North of Sheffield Station

-           a direct heavy rail between Barnsley and Doncaster which could also be used for journeys from Barnsley to Sheffield via Rotherham

Members commented on:-

-                   the need to improve East-West coast mainline links

-                   the present condition of Rotherham Central Station

-                   the possibility of a new station at Parkgate

-                   the need to attract tourism

-                   the need to remove heavy freight from the roads

Reference was made in the report to Town Team’s recognition of the economic importance of rail and the pivotal transportation role for Rotherham Central Station in the Rotherham Renaissance Towns project.

The general consensus was supportive of the priorities now reported.

Resolved:-   That the draft South Yorkshire Rail Strategy be approved insofar as it relates to Rotherham and the comments set out in the covering report be endorsed and forwarded to the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

Street Works & Co-ordination Engineer to report.

-         to approve the proposed response to the consultation.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Regulation Engineer, relating to the Government’s consultation on Part 2 of the Traffic Management Bill 2004 – Network Management, and in particular the Duty Guidance document.

Members were advised that the Bill aimed to raise the standards of network management across all authorities throughout England, and required all local authorities to keep traffic flowing.  Also as part of the arrangements for delivering the network management duty the Bill required local authorities to appoint a Traffic Manager.  It was pointed out that the Government’s view was that the Bill’s provisions overall would be cost neutral.

Members discussed officers’ comments as a proposed response to the consultation, as set out in the Appendix to the report.

Reference was made to the existing range of duties already carried out by the Council to manage activities taking place on the network.

Members commented on the resource and cost implications, and expressed the view that the Bill did not address the issue of Local Authorities having more control over Statutory Undertakers.

Resolved:-  That the response to the consultation, as set out at Appendix A to the report now submitted, be endorsed and forwarded to the Department of Transport.

Head of Legal and Democratic Services to report.

-                  to consider the making of the Order by Thurcroft Parish Council in order to facilitate an environmental improvement scheme for which grant funding is available.

(Plan not available electronically)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Service Solicitor, Economic and Development Services, relating to a request from Thurcroft Parish Council to make the above Order to facilitate an environmental improvement scheme for which grant funding was available.

A plan of the site was appended to the report.

It was proposed that a local voluntary body would apply for a grant from the Countryside Agency, known as a Jubilee Garden Doorstep Grant.

The voluntary body would improve and maintain the land under the auspices of the Parish Council.  The Parish Council would hold the title to the land and be the accountable body for the grant.

Reference was made to Section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875 and Section 125 of the Local Government Act 1972, by which if the Parish Council was unable to acquire land by agreement for any purpose for which they are authorised to acquire land they may represent the case to the Borough Council who may make a Compulsory Purchase Order.

The background to the history and uncertain ownership of this land was explained.  The financial aspects of the proposed transaction were also explained.  

Members were advised that the expenses incurred would be recovered from the Parish Council.

Resolved:-  (1)  That pursuant to Section 125 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the Council make “The Rotherham Borough Council (Brampton-en-le-Morthen) (Environmental Improvements) Compulsory Purchase Order 2004 on behalf of the Thurcroft Parish Council for the purpose of an environmental improvement scheme on land in Brampton Road, Brampton-en-le-Morthen, Rotherham, as shown edged in black on the attached Drawing No.  3E8047.

(2)  That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to affix the Common Seal of the Council to the Order and Order Map.

(3)  That the Order be submitted to the First Secretary of State for confirmation.

-        Corporate Property Manager to Report

   to note the information in the report

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Asset Management, relating to three applications submitted by the Council to the Beacon Council Scheme 2004 (round six), for the following:-

-                   Asset Management (lead by Economic and Development Services)

-                   Supporting New Businesses (lead by Economic and Development Services)

-                   Integrated Children’s Services (lead by Education, Culture and Leisure Services and Social Services)

Reference was made to the timescale for the processing of applications and Members were advised that announcements would be made in April 2005.

The report made reference to the benefits of being awarded Beacon Status.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That the two applications lead by Economic and Development Services be supported and details of these be submitted to the next meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services.

(3)  That details of the application for Beacon status for Asset Management be referred to the Property Board for information.

(4)  That details of the application for Beacon status for Supporting New Businesses be referred to the Regeneration Board for information.

(5)  That the details of the application for Beacon status for Integrated Children’s Services be referred to the Cabinet Members for Education, Culture and Leisure Services and Social Services.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under the paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:-

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 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Executive Director to report.

-                  to report on the restructuring of the Finance Team.

(Exempt under Paragraph 1 of the Act – report relates to staffing)

(Appendix 1 – First Phase Plan and Appendix A – Action Plan are not available electronically)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Business Manager, relating to the restructuring of the Finance Team in the Economic and Development Services Programme Area as a result of the findings arising from the Strategic Review of Finance.

Reference was made to the proposed structure and an explanation was given of the new management arrangements in respect of the programme area.

It was pointed out that the proposals would contribute to the improvement of the finance function of the Authority as a whole, by ensuring more cohesion, co-ordination, consistency in standards, sharing of best practice and allowing flexibility of resources.

Resolved:-  That the report be received.

(Exempt under Paragraph 1 of the Act – report contained staffing information)

Project Officer to report.

-                  to seek approval for the implementation of landscape schemes and applications to Yorkshire Forward for grant funding.

(Exempt under Paragraph 7 of the Act – financial affairs of an organisation other than the Local Authority)

(Report not available electronically)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Implementation Officer, seeking approval for the implementation of landscape schemes, including upgrading, extension and replacement of existing landscaped areas at Manvers and Templeborough.

It was proposed to carry out improvement works, or extensions to landscaping schemes, which were implemented previously on highway frontages in the following key regeneration areas and which were now in need of re-instatement:-

Templeborough Enterprise Park

Bradmarsh Way

Manvers Gateway roundabout

Manvers Way/Golden Smithies Lane

Bolton Road/Manvers Way/Station Road

Frontages to Callflex and SheffieldUniversity MidwiferyCollege

Reference was made to the estimated cost and Members were advised that it was proposed to apply to Yorkshire Forward for capital costs and a further application for establishment and maintenance costs.

Members expressed concern about the responsibility for on going maintenance costs.

Particular concern was expressed about unauthorised parking on Golden Smithies Lane at the Sheffield UniversityMidwifery College and the level of parking charges levied by the University at this site.  It was confirmed that the landscaping scheme would be designed to address this issue.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the attached CP1 Form be accepted and approval be given to the submission of an application to Yorkshire Forward for grant funding.

(2)  That subject to (1) above, an application be made to Yorkshire Forward for funding to cover establishment costs for the four years after the initial year already included in the funding approved for the schemes.

(3)  That in the event of funding for future establishment costs beyond the initial first year not being met by Yorkshire Forward the sites subject of this report be added to the Council’s Annual Maintenance Programme.

(Exempt under Paragraph 7 of the Act – financial affairs of other than the Local Authority)

Project Officer to report.

-                  to seek approval for grant expenditure under the terms of the project.

(Exempt under Paragraph 5 of the Act – financial assistance provided by the Local Authority)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Implementation Officer, seeking approval for grant expenditure under the terms of the above project.

It was reported that the application accorded with the criteria for this scheme and three quotations for the proposed works had been obtained.  These had been checked for value for money and Financial Services had confirmed the immediate financial viability of the Centre and its ability to match fund grant aid.  It was noted that the proposals required planning permission and this had been granted.

The current community-wide use of the premises was highlighted and it was considered that the proposals would help to improve and promote the image of Rotherham.

Consideration was given to the proposed conditions of Grant Offer and illustrative plan, both of which were appended to the report submitted.

Members’ attention was drawn to the current financial position of the budget for Project 3.5 which was now fully allocated, and reference was made to the 31^st December, 2004 deadline.

Members expressed the view that such projects should recognise in some way the contributions received from SRB funding.

Resolved:-  (1)  That SRB Grant Aid be offered to the applicant, as indicated on the proposed Offer of Grant Aid appended to the report now submitted.

(2)  That SRB Grant Aid be awarded following the satisfactory completion of works and the submission of a receipted invoice by the applicant.

(3)  That the current financial profile of the Project 3.5 be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 5 of the Act – report related to financial assistance provided by the Local Authority)