Agenda and minutes

-         to note the action of the Cabinet Member.

It was reported that the Cabinet Member on 8^th November, 2004 had opened the tenders received for the following scheme:-

-                   Supply and Installation of Traffic Signal Equipment and Controllers

Resolved:-  That the action of the Cabinet Member be recorded.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the RMBC Leisure/Joint Service Centre Project Board held on 4^th November, 2004.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-                  to report receipt of a petition and notes of a site meeting.

Appendix A and Appendix B now attached.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, relating to the receipt of a petition containing seven hundred and seventy one signatures of local residents submitted by Ravenfield Parish Council, requesting that consideration be given to the following:-

-                   a review of the speed limit on all roads approaching Ravenfield crossroads with a view to a reduction from 40 mph to 30 mph.

-                   speed warning lights in the village, particularly near to the school

-                   the installation of traffic lights, or a roundabout, at the crossroads

Consideration was also given to the notes of a site meeting that had been held on 18^th October, 2004 with representatives from Ravenfield Parish Council, Ward Councillors and officers from Streetpride.

Members made reference to the following issues:-

-                   the need for the Police to support any proposals

-                   the need to take account of proposed development in the area and to take a  long term view

Resolved:-  (1)  That investigations be undertaken to look into the possibility of reducing the existing 40mph speed limit to 30mph, on all roads approaching Ravenfield crossroads, and to report the findings to Members.

(2)  That investigations be undertaken into the possibility of improving road safety at Ravenfield Crossroads and outside the school.

(3)  That the lead petitioner be informed of the proposed investigations.

(4)  That the outcome of the site meeting be noted.

Best Value Support Officer to report.

-         to report on performance issues that have been identified.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Performance and Quality Manager, relating to the second quarter results of Performance Indicators set against targets and priorities.

Particular reference was made to the following:-

BVPI 99 – Road safety - number of casualties per 100,000 population

Members questioned the value of this indicator which was influenced by events beyond the control of the local authority.

BVPI 106 - % of new homes built on previously developed land

It was noted that the local authority was performing well compared with the Government target of 60% and the overall national performance.

BVPI 156 - % of authority buildings open to the public in which all public areas are suitable for and accessible to disabled people.

LPI 22 – average reception waiting time, sample one day per week - % of total visitors seen in 10 minutes

LPI 8 – Average time taken to repair a street lighting fault – Members noted the action plan that that been put in place and that this had now reduced.  It was pointed out, however, that this issue had been flagged as a pressure for Streetpride in 2005/2006  (Minute No. 103 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on18^th October, 2004 refers).  

LPI 31 – informing the HSE of reportable injuries and dangerous occurrences within 10 working days as a % of total.

Members expressed the view that performance was not acceptable.  Actions taken to address this issue were explained.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the position of the results with comparison to targets be noted.

(2)  That the performance indicator second quarter results for 2004/2005 be noted.

(3)  That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services relating to the average reception waiting time.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Town Centre Initiative Steering Group held on 14^th October, 2004.

Reference was made to disabled access to trains.

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

(2)  That the Access Officer be invited to the next meeting of the Town Centre Initiative Steering Group.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Rotherham Local Development Framework Steering Group held on 22^nd October, 2004.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under those 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 item of business on the grounds that it involves 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.

Business Development Manager to report.

-                  to report the activity and performance of the RiDO Business Development Team for the period April to September 2004.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report relates to negotiations for contracts for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Business Development Manager, relating to activity and performance of the RiDO Business Development team for the period April to September, 2004.

Reference was made to the following activities and results-

-           1,234 new jobs into the Borough from inward investment.

-           68 new companies starting up, moving in or expanding in Rotherham.

-           7 new ‘start-up’ companies moving into the 2 business centres.

-           22 more Rotherham companies joined Buy-Local and 3 events held.

-           13 companies provided with at least 8 hours HR assistance.

-           major company lined up for Dinnington (currently at planning).

-           the start of a new Objective 1 funded enterprise and incubation programme

-           Beacon Council bid for ‘Supporting new business’ submitted.

-           Visits from the Vice Lord Lieutenant for the County of South Yorkshire and

the Duke of Kent.

-           Continuation of the ODPM Working With Business Project.

Members’ attention was drawn to the following issues:-

-                   the need for staff with appropriate skills

-                   inward investment and business activity

-                   business incubation and Start-ups

-                   Business Awards

-                   The Buy Local Scheme

-                   Business conferencing

-                   JOBMatch

-                   Marketing and promotion:-  reference was made to the continued success of business breakfasts, and to a new initiative aimed at drawing people from the SE of England into jobs in Rotherham.

-                   The establishment of the Rotherham Enterprise Network

Members commented on:-

-                   the need to match jobs and skills training

-                   provision of a range of quality housing

-                   leisure provision in the DearneValley area

-                   the need for good transport links

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on the activity and performance of the Business Development Team for the period April to September, 2004 be noted with pleasure.

(2)  That the Business Development Team continue to monitor performance and activity and report to the Cabinet Member every six months.

(3)  That the report be submitted to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report identified specific companies and businesses)