Agenda and minutes

-         to receive the minutes and note the matters highlighted therein.

The following report was submitted:-

Health, Welfare and Safety Panel

21st January, 2005

-         to receive the minutes and note the matters highlighted therein.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Rotherham Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group held on 28^th January, 2005.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

-         to receive the minutes and note the matters highlighted therein.

The following report was submitted:-

Tourism Panel

7th February, 2005

Head of Planning and Transportation to report.

-         to update Members on regional planning matters and to seek endorsement of the consultation response to the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Planning and Transportation Service, updating Members on regional planning matters, and seeking endorsement of the consultation response to be submitted to the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly on Pre-Draft Regional Spatial Strategy.

The following issues were highlighted:-

- alternative scenarios of different patterns of development in the region and in South Yorkshire: (a) responding to market forces; (b) matching need with opportunity; (c) managing the environment as a key resource;

- the potential reduction in the Council’s housing requirement;

- the need for a review of land allocated for employment purposes;

- the issue of road user charging and parking policy;

- potential renewable energy targets;

- health impact assessments.

Members commented on several issues included within the report:-

- the review of the Green Belt;

- the provision of affordable housing;

- disused railway lines which had served former colliery sites.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the completion of RPG12 Selective Review and the South Yorkshire Leaders’ agreement to the South Yorkshire Spatial Strategy Vision be noted.

(2)  That the consultation response to the Pre-Draft Regional Spatial Strategy, as now discussed and amended, be endorsed.

(3)  That the report be forwarded for information to the Corporate Management Team, the Cabinet, the Regeneration Board and the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel.

Countryside and Rights of Way Officer to report.

-         to report receipt of a petition requesting path closure.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Countryside and Rights of Way Officer, relating to the receipt of a petition requesting the closure of an adopted footpath extending from Eilam Close to Kimberworth Public Footpath No. 3, on crime prevention grounds.

A plan showing the location of the path was appended to the report.

Reference was made to current legislation and the current trial of public footpath closures.

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

(2)  That the request for closure be not acceded to at this time, and that matters of public nuisance continue to be reported to the local Police.

(3)  That the closure request be considered in the future on completion of the current trial of public footpath closures.

Countryside and Rights of Way Officer to report.

-         to report receipt of a petition requesting path closure.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Countryside and Rights of Way Officer, relating to the receipt of a petition requesting the closure of an adopted footpath extending from Holly Crescent to Dalton Public Footpath No. 7, on crime prevention grounds.

A plan showing the location of the path was appended to the report.

Reference was made to current legislation and the current trial of public footpath closures.

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

(2)  That the request for closure be not acceded to at this time, and that matters of public nuisance continue to be reported to the local Police.

(3)  That the closure request be considered in the future on completion of the current trial of public footpath closures.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to report the results of consultations.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, relating to the results of consultations carried out regarding the proposed traffic calming scheme on Cherry Tree Estate, Wales.  It was reported that two formal letters of objection had been received from residents of the Cherry Tree Estate.

Details of the objections were set out in the report, and the Schemes and Partnerships Manager gave a response to each.

A location plan, illustrating the proposed scheme, was appended to the report.  It was pointed out that the scheme was in line with the Council’s policy of improving road safety and was designed to introduce a 20 mph zone.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the objections to the use of road humps on Cherry Tree Estate, Wales, be not acceded to, and the residents be informed of the intention to proceed with the scheme.

(2)  That support for the scheme be reiterated and the scheme be implemented.

Principal Network Engineer to report.

-         to consider proposals for the development of Highways Asset Management Planning.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Principal Engineer, relating to the Department of Transport’s encouragement for local authorities to prepare Transport Asset Management Plans.

The report outlined proposals to develop asset management planning for highways in Rotherham. Initially, consultants would be engaged to undertake a health check of the Council’s data, systems and processes. This analysis would enable evidence of the Council’s progress on the introduction of asset management planning to be included within the Local Transport Plan 2 submission in July, 2005.

A further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers, on completion of the health check analysis.

Further information on public satisfaction and priorities for the highway service would be obtained as part of the 11th Rotherham Reachout survey.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the development of a Highways Asset Management Plan for Rotherham, as described in the report now submitted, be supported.

(2)  That the report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information, and the Scrutiny Panel be asked to nominate three Members to assist the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services in contributing to the development of the plan.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to report on the implications of the Road Safety Bill.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, relating to the implications of the Road Safety Bill for the Council, as introduced in the House of Commons on 30^th November, 2004.

The report outlined the provisions within the Bill, including drink driving, speeding, penalties and enforcement, driver training, driver fatigue and driver and vehicle licensing.  The view was expressed that there were not expected to be any significant financial implications for the Council.

The views of the South Yorkshire Planning and Transportation Steering Group and the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership were also reported.

Resolved:-  That the implications of the Road Safety Bill for the Council be noted.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to consider the construction of a zebra crossing and extend existing island.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, relating to proposals to construct a zebra crossing outside Wickersley Northfield Junior and Infants school, to improve pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of Northfield Lane and the A631 Bawtry Road and to introduce a gateway feature at the change of speed limit to the north of Northfield Lane.

The proposals were illustrated on Drawing No. 122/Northfield/SK/01.

It was pointed out that the proposals were in line with the objectives of the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan and aligned with the Council’s Road Safety and Speed Management strategies for improving road safety.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the necessary consultations be undertaken regarding the proposed works.

(2)  That authority be given for the detailed design to be progressed and, subject to a satisfactory design being produced and no objections being received, the measures be implemented.

(3)  That the scheme be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Programme for 2005/2006.

Executive Director to report.

-         to report on the 3^rd Quarter results.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Best Value Officer, detailing the performance indicators set against agreed targets and priorities for the third quarter 2004/2005.

Members’ attention was drawn to:-

BV156 – public areas in public buildings being accessible to people with a disability

BV99 – road accident casualties

Members also commented on:-

BV106 – building homes on previously developed land

BV109 – major planning applications determined in 13 weeks – (nb: developers were allowed a period of five years from the date of planning permission, within which to begin construction works)

LPI31 – informing the Health and Safety Executive of reportable injuries

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

(2)  That the performance indicators third quarter results for 2004/2005 be noted.

(3)  That the Council’s position in comparison with the Audit Commission 2003/2004 All England Upper Quartile Results be noted.

-                  to note receipt of the above petition and request that the traffic congestion issue be investigated.

Consideration was given to a report relating to the receipt of a petition regarding air pollution and traffic congestion in the vicinity of Davian’s Fish Shop at Middle Lane, Clifton, Rotherham.

It was noted that the issue of air pollution had been referred to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Services.

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

(2)  That the Head of Streetpride investigate the issue of traffic congestion referred to and submit a further report to the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services.

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, 2004 to January, 2005. Specific reference was made to the following issues:-

-           the portfolio of property assets

-           the cost of Winter maintenance

-           procurement savings

Resolved:- (1) That the anticipated out-turn position for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area budgets, as at January, 2005, be noted.

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

The following items are 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 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.

Head of Planning and Transportation to report.

-                  to approve the procedure for release of monies from the fund.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 – grants and expenditure)

Further to Minute No. 101 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on 18^th October, 2004, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Planning and Transportation Service, relating to a proposed procedure for the release of monies from the Orgreave Community Gain Fund.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the report be noted and the proposal that the allocation of the total sum of the residual monies from the original Orgreave Planning Gain Fund and the additional funding to be provided by UK Coal (a total of £182,000) be divided between the local Parish Councils and the remainder be open to bids from local community groups, be approved.

(2)  That £36,000 each shall be allocated for the Treeton, Catcliffe, Orgreave and Aston-cum-Aughton Parish Councils and an allocation of £18,000 made for Brinsworth Parish Council; the Parish Councils should co-ordinate the submission of suitable bids; the remainder shall be available for local community groups to bid for.

(3)  That the bids be assessed against the originally agreed criteria (in conjunction with the Heads of Legal Services and Financial Services), reported back to this Delegated Powers Meeting for approval and referred to Regeneration and Planning Boards for information;  the procedure adopted for the release of monies from the original fund shall be adhered to.

(4)  That an annual report detailing the balance of the fund shall be reported to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services and the allocations amended if necessary.

(5)  That the Orgreave Liaison Committee be informed of the bids submitted and any comments incorporated into the report to the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic and Development Services; updates shall be reported to each liaison meeting regarding the status of the Fund.

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

Development Team Manager to report.

-                  to seek authority to engage staff.

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

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Manager, relating to the forthcoming publication of the Rotherham Town Centre Masterplan, during March 2005.

It was reported that eight major areas of work were already being carried out in the Development Team and it was explained that this work would expand, necessitating the recruitment of additional staff.

Details of the posts required, were set out in the report, together with projected costs for years 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to recruit to the new posts, as detailed within the report now submitted, for the delivery of the Town Centre regeneration proposals.

(2)  That funds be made available from the Capital Programme to enable the immediate recruitment of the posts.

(3)  That future income from Rotherham Town Centre developments, grant funded administration fees and other funding bodies be used to minimise the impact on the Capital Programme.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 8 of the Act – report related to staff and finance)