Agenda and minutes

-         to receive the minutes and note the issues raised.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Rotherham Local Development Framework Steering Group held on 4^th March, 2005.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to report the results of a consultation exercise.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Engineer, relating to the results of consultations carried out regarding the proposal to introduce an area wide traffic calming scheme on Moorhouse Lane, High Street, Greystones Road and Cow Rakes Lane, Whiston.

It was reported that from the consultations there was community support for the scheme.  However a number of minor amendments were made to the scheme and the proposals were illustrated on Drawing No. 126/QBC6/M3/2 accompanying the report.  Following further consultation objections had been received from Rotherham Chamber of Trade regarding Whiston crossroad, and it was pointed out that this was the subject of a separate scheme.  An objection had also been received from a local resident regarding the use of speed cushions.

It was reported that the scheme would be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2005/2006.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the changes to the scheme to overcome some of the concerns be noted.

(2)  That objections to the use of vertical traffic calming measures be not acceded to.

(3)  That support for the scheme be reiterated.

Schemes and Partnerships Manager to report.

-         to consider a proposal to construct a pedestrian island.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Engineer, relating to a proposal to install a pedestrian island on Packman Road, Brampton close to Brampton Ellis Junior and Infants School.   It was pointed out that parents had been asking for improved crossing facilities at this location.

The proposal was illustrated on Drawing No.  122/B6098/MR/SK/01 accompanying the report.

It was pointed out that funding was available from the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2005/2006.

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

(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 Capital Programme for 2005/2006.

Head of Planning and Transportation to report.

-         to consider a summary of the state of the historic environment.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Planning and Transportation Service, relating to the third annual report – Heritage Counts 2004:  The State of England’s and Yorkshire’s Historic Environment.

It was pointed out that the report provided an overview of ten years of investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards heritage projects across England, and sub-regional summaries of work in nine English regions.  Members’ attention was drawn to the report on The State of Yorkshire’s Historic Environment and to the comment that South Yorkshire was still struggling to recover from the decline of its steel and mining industries.

Particular reference was made to:-

-                       the South Yorkshire Archaeological Service’s characterisation study

-                       buildings and landscapes at risk: Rotherham was currently surveying all its listed buildings in order to publish a list.  Reference was made to the condition of Keppels Column and to proposed work on Rawmarsh Rectory

-                       statistical evidence;  an identified 11% increase in all planning applications in Yorkshire

-                       skills and training:  the Historic Environment Local Management initiative

-                       Heritage Open Days

-                       Heritage-led regeneration schemes

-                       the need to invest in the historic environment

Resolved:-  That the report be noted, in particular the references within the Yorkshire report to Rotherham, and how the various regeneration initiatives currently promoted by the Council fit into the national picture.

Strategic Planner to report.

-         to seek endorsement of the consultation response to be submitted to the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly.

Further to Minute No. 180 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on 21^st February, 2005, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Planner, relating to the proposed consultation response to be submitted to the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly on the Pre-Draft Regional Spatial Strategy phase 2 topic papers.

Attention was drawn to the following issues within the papers:-

-                  Housing

-                  sustainable tourism

-                  retail and leisure

-                  timetable

Members commented on the reference to housing numbers in the light of the proposed development at Waverley.  Reference was also made to hotel/conference provision in Rotherham; together with the development of the YES Project.

Members were referred to the proposed joint South Yorkshire responses which were appended to the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the consultation response to Pre-Draft Regional spatial Strategy phase 2 papers be endorsed.

(2)  That the report be referred to the Cabinet for information.

-         to consider attendance.

Consideration was given to attendance at the CABE Urban Design Summer School being held at the University of Westminster from 26^th to 29^th June, 2005.

Resolved:-  That consideration be deferred.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following item in order for arrangements to be made.)

Consideration was given to attendance by members of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel on one day at the Safety and Health Expo 2005 being held from 17^th to 19^th May, 2005 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Resolved:-  That approval be given for a one day visit of the Panel to the Expo.

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.

Forward Planning Manager to report.

-                  to approve the return of the allocation to the budget.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – grant allocation/expenditure)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Planning and Transportation Service, relating to the withdrawal of the submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund for match funding for the Townscape Heritage Initiative due to the inadequacies of the submission.  It was reported that as a result the CERB allocation for 2004/2005 would not now need to be taken up.

An explanation was given of the reasons for the withdrawal of the bid.

In addition, the Conservation and Urban Design Officer reported on recent discussions and meetings with Woodalls, the owner of buildings in High Street and the Town Centre Manager in relation to a solution to immediate difficulties and a future way forward.

It was pointed out that a revised scheme would be submitted in 2005 to bid for the maximum amount.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the CERB funding approved for this project will not be taken at this stage and the funding returned to the budget in 2004/2005.

(2) That the principle of funding a Townscape Heritage Initiative bid being rescheduled to the three years commencing April 2006 be supported.

(3)  That a further application be made to CERB at the appropriate stage in the Townscape Heritage Initiative submission process.

(4)  That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services concerning the draft Stage 1 submission and the amount and possible sources of funding required.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – grants and expenditure)

Reclamation Officer to report.

-                  to retain the balance of existing CERB approval.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – grant allocation/expenditure)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Reclamation Officer, relating to the CERB spending profile of the above project.  The circumstances leading to the delay in the work schedule linked to the Highway Improvements and the quality bus corridor were outlined, and reference was made to onsite issues with service providers.

It was pointed out that a revised scheme was currently being produced for the site, including landscaping.  Due to the changed timescale it would be necessary to roll the CERB allocation into the next financial year.  Members were therefore asked to consider that the approval remain in place.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the position of CERB expenditure be noted.

(2)   That the £50,000 capital approval remain in place to be spent in 2005/2006 financial year against the Environmental Improvements Scheme on Doncaster Road, Dalton.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – grants and expenditure)

Development Surveyor to report.

-                  to retain existing CERB approval.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – grant allocation/expenditure)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Surveyor, which presented the case for the retention of CERB funding to assist with bringing forward a programme of public realm works through the Urban Renaissance.

It was explained that as a result of the completion of the Strategic Development Framework it was now necessary to consider how to translate that vision into future implementation.   It was pointed out that public realm works would feature heavily in any future programme of activity and Members were requested to consider the CERB funding allocation being reprofiled into 2005/2006.

Resolved:-  That the remaining balance of £45,941 from CERB be retained in support of public realm works, advance investigation and design works in the town centre in 2005/2006.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 5 and 8 of the Act – grants and expenditure)

Partnership Implementation Officer to report.

-                  to update Members on progress on the Templeborough to Rotherham Flood Alleviation Scheme.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – land and property)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Partnership Implementation Officer, relating to the progress to date on the above scheme.  It was pointed out that the scheme was necessary in order to resolve the flood constraint that currently restricts development on 33 acres of urban centre land and to protect the A6178 Sheffield Rotherham link road, the main passenger and freight rail line and over 100 commercial and industrial properties.

Members’ attention was drawn to the following:-

-                       extension of the area upstream to the rail bridge near Magna, and downstream as far as Grafton bridge

-                       the formation of a partnership of public agency stakeholders to drive forward the scheme and access grant funding opportunities

-                       the employment of Jacobs Babtie to provide a technical perspective and set out a phased approach to the delivery of the scheme/identify some advance works

-                       proposed consultation

-                       access to funding

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report be noted and progress made be acknowledged.

(2)  That support be given to the prioritisation of this scheme for capital funding.

(3)  That, subject to the availability of funding from Yorkshire Forward, support be given to the carrying out of advance design works.

(Exempt under Paragraph 9 of the Act – land and property issues)