Agenda and minutes

-         to receive the minutes and to note that this group had now held its final meeting.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the above meeting.

The Cabinet Member pointed out that the role of the Steering Group had now been incorporated within the new town centre arrangements, and that members of the group would continue to work within the new structure of the town centre groups and teams.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Town Centre Initiative Steering Group held on 25^th November, 2004, be received and it be noted that the group had held its final meeting.

-         to note the discussion.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the above meeting.

The Cabinet Member reported information provided by Legal Services in respect of the Section 106 Agreement.  

It was noted that it was proposed to arrange a meeting with Jones Homes’ representatives to discuss the possible earlier opening of the spine road.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the minutes of the meeting with Treeton Parish Council held on 16^th December, 2004 be received and issues raised noted.

(2)  That arrangements be made to set up the proposed meeting with Jones Homes’ representatives.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-         to inform Members of the planning, funding and implementing school travel plans.

Further to Minute No. 294 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 1^st March, 2004, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the planning, funding and implementing of School Travel Plans. 

Reference was made to the emphasis by the Government on tackling traffic congestion, in particular home to school travel – the “school run”.

In line with Government advice on School Travel Plans the following two headline objectives had been set:-

-                       contact 50% of schools within 12 months from April 2004 to discuss the potential for a School Travel Plan and contact the remaining schools within 2 years.

-                       Aim to reduce the number of car trips by a least 10% at each school after the 1^st year of implementing an individual School Travel Plan or associated project.

Details of Government funding available and the creation of the post of School Travel Plan Adviser were given in the report.

An explanation was given of the aims and objectives of School Travel Plans and of how they could be put together and who could be involved.  It was pointed out that the philosophy was for schools to form a working party with the STP Adviser and other interested parties (a copy of a proposed standard letter of invitation was attached Appendix A).

Appendix B to the report set out schools selected for the 2004/2005 financial year, and a flow chart showing the STP implementation process was attached at Appendix C.

Resolved:-  That the suggested approach to the delivery of the Council’s School Travel Plan Programme be endorsed.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-         to outline a pilot project to test the market for discounted public transport tickets for use in travel to particular locations on council business.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to a pilot project to test the market for discounted public transport tickets for use in travel to particular locations on council business.

It was explained that it was proposed to purchase day TravelMaster tickets from South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive at a discounted rate and that these would be made available to members of staff free of charge to enable them to use the bus on Council business or for the journey to work.

It was pointed out, however, that the PTE and transport operators required evidence as to the extent to which modal shift from the private car would be achieved through such a discount.

It was proposed that the pilot would involve employees based in Bailey House, who would be expected wherever possible, and at the discretion of the immediate Line Manager, to use public transport for journeys within the urban area of Rotherham and for journeys into Sheffield.  The pilot would also include not paying casual car allowance to those employees who choose to continue to use their car where public transport was a viable alternative.  Reference was also made to the contribution the initiative might make to transport and other corporate targets and objectives.

Members made the following comments:-

-                       the need to assess the take-up

-                       the impact on service efficiency and time implications

-                       any savings accrued

-                       proposed publicity

-                       cost of the pilot

-                       current level of use of TravelMaster tickets by people moving into new homes (as part of Section 106 Agreements with developers)

-                       promotion of cycling, and the Council’s electric bike

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to run a pilot project requiring Council business travel to certain locations by discounted public transport ticket, as outlined in the report now submitted.

(2)  That a report on the outcomes of the pilot be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services.

(3)  That an assessment be made of the take up of TravelMaster tickets where these are offered as a condition of planning permission and a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisors for Economic and Development Services.

Head of Planning and Transportation to report.

-         to note the contents of the report, and endorse the points contained in the report relating to the Council’s broad response to the Consultation Paper.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Planning and Transportation, relating to the proposed response to the ODPM consultation paper:  Draft Revised Circular on Planning Obligations.

Members were advised that the paper sought to replace Circular 1/97: Planning Obligations, and that the changes were proposed in the light of the effect that case law has had on the interpretation of Circular 1/97 and recommendations made by The Barker Review of Housing Supply.

The report outlined comments on the consultation papers together with the proposed Council response.

It was pointed out that the Draft Revised Circular underlined the Government’s decision to go ahead with reforming Section 106 guidance.

The report set out the main aims and the revisions to Circular 1/97.

Resolved:  (1)  That the content of the report be noted.

(2)   That the points contained in the report relating to the Council’s broad response to the Consultation Paper be endorsed.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following item in order to ensure places at the Forum and Conference were booked.)

Consideration was given to attendance at the following:-

-                  Local Government Association – Tourism Forum Meeting – 31^st January, 2005 – London

-                  Local Government Association Conference – Quality Counts – 1^st February, 2005 – London

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the attendance of Councillor S. Walker and one other Councillor.

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 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.

Landscape Manager to report.

-         to report on the negotiations between the Head of Streetpride and Ringway Highway Services Ltd in respect to the reduced contract value for the delivery of the grounds maintenance service.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 8 and 9 of the Act – report relates to proposed expenditure and acquisition of goods/services)

Councillor Boyes attended for consideration of this item.

Further to a joint meeting of the Cabinet Members for Economic and Development Services and Education, Culture and Leisure Services held on 1^st September, 2004, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Landscape Manager, relating to the negotiations between the Head of Streetpride and Ringway Highway Services Ltd in respect of the reduced contract value for the delivery of grounds maintenance service.

It was explained that, due to the national increase in price in grounds maintenance services over the past five years and the change by the Council to an output based contract, negotiations had been necessary to ensure that the contract value met the projected budget.

Appendix A to the report detailed areas where savings to the value of £588,618.55 had been negotiated, and where the outputs had been revised.

Particular reference was made to the following key savings:-

-                       reduction of hanging baskets

-                       blowing/sweeping back grass clippings from hard surfaces

-                       sports maintenance marking

-                       the remaining shortfall

Members referred to:-

-                       the impact on the town centre of the reduction in hanging baskets

-                       Area Assembly, community and Parish Council involvement

-                       Success of Streetpride and increased pressures on budgets

-                       Current level of over provision of sports pitches and facilities

-                       Overall impact on the Borough

Members were assured that the changes would not adversely affect the service delivery to clients or to residents of Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That the negotiations between the Head of Streetpride Service and Ringway Highway Services Ltd be noted and the revised annual contract sum for the delivery of grounds maintenance service be accepted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report relates to contractual matters)