Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the International Links and Town Twinning Committee, held on 29th September, 2004, be received.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Rotherham Local Development Framework Steering Group, held on 22nd October, 2004, be received.

Senior Engineer to report.

-           to summarise feedback from residents

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Streetpride concerning the progress of the Engineers on Street Corners initiative. The report stated that the emphasis of this initiative was to involve and consult with all stakeholders, particularly local residents affected by highway maintenance schemes. This initiative had been well received by the public of Rotherham.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Engineers on Street Corners initiative be continued and a further progress report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to report on issues discussed at the Regional Transport Forum

The Transportation Unit Manager submitted a report about the proceedings of the Regional Transport Forum which had taken place at York on 11th November, 2004. The report stated that the Transport Forum had debated the following issues which had specific relevance to Rotherham:-

- the Regional Spatial Strategy

- Regional Transport Priorities (ie: the Supertram network extension, the Waverley Link Road, the A57 improvements at Todwick and a possible new Junction 1A of the M18 motorway)

- the Northern Way initiative

Reference was also made to the pilot Regional Transport Board. Members agreed that it would be important for this Council to contribute to Regional planning and transportation matters.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That details of the regional planning and transportation issues which affect the Rotherham Borough area continue to be reported to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-           to seek approval for alterations to the traffic calming scheme to overcome a noise problem caused by HGVs

Further to Minute No. 301 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services held on 6th January, 2003, consideration was given to a report presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager concerning the need to make alterations to the traffic calming scheme at Lime Grove, Swinton, involving the installation of domed speed cushions on the highway. It was also proposed that there should be a prohibition on heavy goods vehicles above 7.5 tonnes from travelling along Lime Grove and certain adjacent roads.

Resolved:- (1) That the alterations to the traffic calming scheme at Lime Grove, Swinton, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

(2) That approval be granted for the making of the appropriate Traffic Regulation Order prohibiting Heavy Gooods Vehicles above 7.5 tonnes on Lime Grove, Slade Road/Temperance Street and Manor Road/Cliffefield Road, Swinton.

(3) That local residents and the Councillors representing Ward 16 be informed of the proposed alterations to the traffic calming scheme at Lime Grove, Swinton.

Head of Planning and Transportation to report.

-           to report proposed introduction of an electronic document management system to process building control and planning applications

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning and Transportation Service concerning a proposal to introduce an Electronic Document Management System to process building control and planning applications and also to enable the electronic submission of applications to the Council.

Resolved:- (1) That the improvement of the Planning and Building Control Services, by the e government means outlined in the report now submitted, be supported.

(2) That the e planning system ultimately selected shall be compatible with all necessary ICT applications used by this Authority.

Executive Director to report.

-           to report on performance against budget for EDS April to October, 2004/05

The Executive Director of Economic and Development Services submitted a report relating to the performance against budget of the Economic and Development Services Programme Area for the period April to October, 2004. Specific reference was made to the following issues:-

- the portfolio of commercial properties

- the costs of office accommodation

Resolved:- (1) That the anticipated out-turn position for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area budgets, as at October, 2004, be noted.

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

Members noted the information regarding the above conference.

The following item is 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 Paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (the reports contain contractually sensitive information)

Projects and Partnerships Manager to report.

-           to update Members on progress

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – information relating to expenditure and contract negotiations)

The Executive Director of Economic and Development Services submitted a report concerning the progress of the Rotherham Construction Partnership and its resultant Charter and Brand.

Resolved:- (1) That the progress report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the contents of the Rotherham Construction Partnership Charter, as detailed in the report now submitted, be noted.

(3) That support be given to the branding to be applied by partners on Rotherham Construction Partnership projects, as detailed in the report now submitted.

(4) That the existence of Rotherham Construction Partnership as an important factor in the target of achieving Beacon Status for Asset Management be noted.

(5) That progress reports about the Rotherham Construction Partnership projects be submitted at regular intervals to meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services.

(Consideration of the following item was agreed, as a matter of urgency, to enable the contract to be processed without delay)

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director of Economic and Development Services concerning the proposed refurbishment of the ground floor within the Civic Building, Walker Place, Rotherham, in order to create a first stop shop for the Rotherham Connect service.

Resolved:- (1) Thatthe guaranteed maximum price of £1,460,000 and the placing of a contract with Birse Build Limited be approved in respect of the construction of a First Stop Shop for the Rotherham Connect service on the ground floor of the Civic Building.

(2) That the Head of Asset Management Service agree a target cost, within budget, and progress the construction works.