Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the action of the Cabinet Member on 24^th January, 2005, in opening the offers received for the following, be recorded:-

-                  Land to the rear of Swinton House Club, Swinton

-                  Land at Apollo Street/Sandhill Road, Rawmarsh

Technician to report.

-         to report the receipt of a request for the footway to be extended on Manor Close.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Streetpride, relating to the receipt of a request for the footway to be extended on Manor Close, Rawmarsh, to allow pedestrians to enter and exit an adopted public footpath.

It was explained that currently vehicles were parking in the lay-by and by doing so were obstructing the footpath which ended at this location making it difficult for pedestrians to enter or exit the footpath.  It was pointed out that other parking provision was available in the vicinity.

Consideration was therefore given to the proposal to extend the current footway across the lay-by to allow pedestrians to use this footpath unobstructed.

Members stated that the relevant Ward Members needed to be consulted.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposal to extend the footway be approved.

(2)  That the design and implementation be undertaken in the financial year 2005/2006.

(3)  That the usual consultation be carried out including with the Ward 7 Members.

Head of Streetpride to report.

-         to report that Streetpride had been short-listed for the LGC Award.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Streetpride, informing Members that the Streetpride Service had been short-listed for a top national award – the LGC Environment Award 2005, and that representatives of the Council had been invited to attend an awards evening on 14^th March, 2005 when the overall winner would be announced.

It was pointed out that this was a significant achievement for the Service and reflected the contribution made by the Service over the past 18 months in delivering on the Council’s sustainability agenda.

Members were referred to the Appendix to the report which contained the full submission, including quotations from customers and inspectors.

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

(2)  That the Streetpride Service be congratulated on this excellent achievement.

Head of Streetpride Service to report.

-         to report the response times for the last quarter of 2004.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Streetpride, detailing the Services’ response times for the period October to December 2004.

It was pointed out that overall the statistics indicated that the majority of targets were being met 100% of the time, with 25 out of 26 target response times being greater than 90% compliant.

Members commented on the specified target for response to a streetlight being out.  It was pointed out that there had been increased demand during November and December and that the average time to repair a street lighting fault during the quarter was 3.2 days.

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

(2)  That Streetpride continue to monitor performance response times and report quarterly to the Cabinet Member.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-         to report the contents of the 2005/2006 Local Transport Settlement letter.

Consideration was given to the content of a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, which informed Members of the 2005/2006 Local Transport Capital Expenditure Settlement and gave feedback on the 2003/2004 Annual Progress Report (APR).

Members were informed that the APR indicated a marked improvement in performance on last year and had scored “average.  Despite the improvement the overall settlement and individual allocations were less than last year.

The report submitted set out the funding allocations for the individual South Yorkshire local authorities for maintenance, integrated transport and supplementary bid.

It was pointed out that the DfT now required a re-appraisal of the following major schemes:-

-                   A631 West Bawtry Road

-                   A57 Improvement Schemes

Reference was made to the maintenance allocation which was particularly disappointing.  Comparisons with previous years’ allocations indicated a general downward trend in capital funding for maintenance in Rotherham, and this trend was continued in the indicative allocations for 2006/2007.  In the light of feedback from the public regarding the condition of highways and footways this was of particular concern.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Local Transport Capital Expenditure Settlement for 2005/2006 be noted.

(2)  That the matters contained within the report be referred to the Cabinet and the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

Head of Planning and Transportation Service to report.

-         to report proposed amendment to the scheme of delegation.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Development Control Manager and the Head of Planning and Transportation, detailing proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation for Development Control.

It was reported that the Scheme of Delegation (revised in October 2003) had been operating for over a year and a number of anomalies had arisen.

Members considered and discussed each of the proposed amendments, which were highlighted in bold in the appendix to the report, and the Head of Planning and Transportation advised.  Various further amendments and proposals were suggested.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed revisions to the Scheme of Delegation be amended in accordance with the views now expressed.

(2)  That the revised Scheme of Delegation be referred to the Planning Board for their views.

(3)  That, subject to (2) above, the revised Scheme of Delegation be presented to the Cabinet, for formal approval, and recommended to the Council as a change to policy.

-        to consider the HELM CPD Seminar Series.

(information attached)

Consideration was given to attendance at the following:-

-                      HELM CPD Seminar Series - Informed Decision Making – various dates and locations during February and March 2005

(1)  Resolved:-  That the seminar series be not attended.

-                      APSE – Road, Highways and Street Lighting Seminar 2005 – 10 -11^th March, 2005 – Newcastle

(2)  Resolved:-  That approval be given for the attendance of four Councillors.

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.

Economic Strategy Manager to report.

-                  to consider funding for feasibility study into renewable energy at Wath Montgomery Hall.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – information relating to applicant for financial assistance and proposed expenditure)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Manager, requesting funding to assist in carrying out a renewable energy feasibility study at Wath Montgomery Hall.

It was reported that the application had been scored using previously agreed scoring criteria and had attained a 6 out of 21 score, which was not sufficient to meet the overall aims of the budget.

Members sympathised with the aims and objectives of the feasibility study.  However, in view of the low scoring could not support the request and suggested that an approach be made to the Cabinet Member, Community Planning and Social Inclusion for consideration of funding from the Community element of CERB.

Resolved:-  That the application for CERB funding be not approved.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – report related to grants funding and expenditure)

Head of Asset Management to report.

-                  to define initial implications for the Council of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and draft regulations 2005.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 8 of the Act – staffing and financial implications)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Asset Management, relating to the initial implications for the Council of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and draft Regulations 2005.

An outline of the new areas of responsibility was given in the report.

Members were advised that the Act also meant there were changes in the funding regime for Emergency Planning and funding was now provided by Formula Spending Share rather than the former Civil Defence Grant.

Details were given of the current financing for Emergency Planning and to increased Central Government contributions.  The proposed budget allocation for 2005/2006 was reported.

It was pointed out that failure to comply with the Act would have an adverse effect on Rotherham’s ability to fulfil its legal obligations, the forthcoming Corporate Performance Assessment and the proposed 2005 Beacon Status bid for Emergency Planning.  It was also emphasised that the Government was urging local authorities to use the FSS for the purpose for which it was granted.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the budget allocation for 2005/2006 be noted.

(2)  That the resource levels indicated by Central Government to fulfil the legal requirements of the Civil Contingencies Act be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 8 of the Act – report related to staffing and financial resources)

Executive Director to report.

-                  to report performance against budget for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area for the period April to December 2004.

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – report contains financial information)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Streetpride, relating to the performance against budget for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area Revenue, Fee Billing, Trading and Capital resources for the period April to December 2004.

It was pointed out that at this point in the financial year the Programme Area was indicating a balanced budget.

However, Members’ attention was drawn to the following issue:-

-                  Winter maintenance – significant cost pressures

Resolved:-  (1)  That the anticipated outturn position for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area Budgets as at the end of December, 2004 be noted.

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

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – report contained financial information)

Project Officer to report.

-                  to seek approval for the implementation of a hard landscape scheme, including the resurfacing of the car park and associated lighting scheme adjacent to the Dinnington Resource Centre and Library on Laughton Road.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report contains contractual information)

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval for the implementation of a hard landscape scheme, including resurfacing of the car park and associated lighting scheme adjacent to Dinnington Resource Centre and Library on Laughton Road.

Details of the scheme and costings were set out on the accompanying CP1 form.

It was noted that the proposed works would be funded by way of grant from Yorkshire Forward.

Resolved:-  That the attached CP1 form be accepted and the offer of funding given by Yorkshire Forward to implement the scheme be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report referred to contractual details)

Partnership Implementation Officer to report.

-                  to select a preferred bidder

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report contains contractual information)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Partnership Implementation Officer, relating to the selection of Parallel 56/Innovacion as preferred bidder for the role of lead partner in the delivery of the e-Business Vision Centre located at Magna.

It was pointed out that the facility would provide a one stop shop for technology change for small and medium sized businesses in South Yorkshire.  The centre aimed to provide a total solution to enable business growth.  It was noted that such a facility did not exist elsewhere in Rotherham or South Yorkshire.

Members were advised that funding was from Objective 1 and Yorkshire Forward.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress to date in relation to securing external funding and partner organisations be noted.

(2)  That the selection of Parallel 56/Innovacion as the Preferred Bidder for the delivery of the contract for the e-Business Vision Centre be approved, subject to detailed contract negotiations.

(3)  That the report be referred to the Cabinet Member for Education, Culture and Leisure Services in view of the joint work being undertaken on this project.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – report contained contractual information)