Agenda and minutes

Venue: Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham. S60 2TH

Contact: Debbie Bacon  Email: debbie.bacon@rotherham.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

81.

Questions from Members of the Public

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

82.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

83.

Groundworks Trusts pdf icon PDF 27 KB

-        Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Rushforth, Cabinet Member, Culture and Tourism, introduced the minutes of the Groundworks Trusts Panel held on 10th October, 2012.

 

Cabinet Members noted the important contribution to the regeneration of the borough and to local communities, but suggested that consideration be given to extending good initiatives and activities, such as Rotherham in Root for example to Council tenants and say the Youth Service, which would only add value to the work being undertaken.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the minutes of the Groundworks Trusts Panel held on 10th October, 2012 be received.

 

(2)  That the continued excellent partnership work of both Groundwork Trusts be noted.

84.

EU Funding and Priorities for the 2014-20 Programme pdf icon PDF 48 KB

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Minutes:

The Leader introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources which provided an update on the consultation process and timescales, setting out the links to City Region initiatives and inviting discussion on how EU funding could be utilised to help deliver Council priorities.

 

The Government was currently consulting informally on priorities for the Programme, which would be fed into a national partnership agreement setting out how the United Kingdom would use the funds to help deliver the Europe 2020 goals of smart, green and inclusive growth.

 

The amount of funding likely to be received for 2014-20 largely hinged upon whether the proposed category of “transition regions” was created and, if so, whether South Yorkshire qualified based upon its GDP in relation to the EU average. If it did, the latest funding proposal suggested that there could be entitlement to significantly more funding than the approximate £320M ringfenced for South Yorkshire in the current ERDF/ESF Programmes (2007-13).

 

The broad funding objectives set out in the EC’s common strategic framework were listed in the report submitted.

 

It was important the Council engaged in the ongoing structural funds consultation process and related City Region workstreams so as to secure the best deal for Rotherham and the sub-region as part of the 2014-20 Programme.

 

Cabinet Members welcomed this report and were supportive of its content.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the consultation process instigated by Government for the new Programme be noted.

 

(2)  That the broad objectives for the structural funds and other EU Programmes be noted.

 

(3)  That a further report be submitted following publication of the Government’s formal consultation on the UK partnership agreement.

85.

Rotherham’s Olympic Legacy Project – Project Update and Next Steps pdf icon PDF 58 KB

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources which set out details of the work of the multi-disciplinary project team to deliver a programme of Olympic themed events and activities and create a genuine Olympic legacy for Rotherham’s communities which offered opportunities to celebrate the Games.

 

The Project Team had also worked tirelessly to forge an Olympic friendship with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, one of the six host London Boroughs.  Up to the present day, the friendship had focused on offering communities of both Boroughs the opportunity to take part in sporting and cultural activities on an exchange basis.  Rotherham intended to utilise the excellent opportunity to fore a meaningful peer support relationship.

 

The Project Team had also developed a detailed calendar of supercharged Olympic events which incorporated existing and entirely new projects which were set out in detail as part of the report.

 

The project had seen Rotherham residents engaged in a number of events that had captured the essence of the Olympic and Cultural Olympiad.  Those numbers had been and continued to be a positive sign and the feedback received was awe inspiring.  It was hoped to repeat many of the events on an annual basis, subject to funding being secured.

 

Following the Games, the Project Team made contact with all Yorkshire medal winners and Rotherham’s Olympians on an individual basis to congratulate them on their tremendous achievements, invited them to attend the Rotherham show and enquired as to whether they would be interested in working with the Council over the coming months to promote sport and healthy lifestyles throughout Rotherham.  Both Joe Roebuck and Amy Oliver from Rotherham had responded positively to exploring joint working opportunities.

 

It was proposed that members of the Project Team contribute to meetings of the Rotherham Active Partnership and to the Rotherham Active Network who would take responsibility for any continuing actions, themes and events.

 

Cabinet Members welcomed the initiatives which saw a number of Rotherham residents engage and looked forward to any further opportunities to deliver events to celebrate the Olympic year on an annual basis, subject to funding being available.

 

It was also suggested that a reciprocal arrangement be extended to children and families from both Boroughs to coincide with the forthcoming football match between Rotherham United and Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club similar to the one in January, 2012.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Project Team’s achievements in the planning and delivering a wide range of Olympic inspired events be noted.

 

(2)  That the current position in respect of Rotherham’s Olympic friendship with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham be noted.

 

(3)  That the next steps for the Rotherham Olympic Legacy project be approved.

86.

Connect to Support pdf icon PDF 53 KB

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 51(2) of a meeting of the Cabinet held on 5th September, 2012, Councillor Doyle, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources, setting out progress to date and proposals for the internal and public launch of Rotherham’s eMarketplace, Connect to Support (CtS).

 

A key issue for all authorities was with regard to the accreditation, registration of providers and branding on the Connect to Support site.  It was proposed that a de-regulated, low administrative control and low cost to the Council model would be adopted in Rotherham.  This would mean that the ‘Rotherham’ site would not be branded as a Rotherham Council site.  The accreditation of providers would be via a vendor rating such as CQC inspection rating or specialist business sector quality mark from an umbrella organisation such as Age UK.  Registration would be automatic via the Shop4Support model where basic information would be validated.  In order to safeguard customers purchasing goods and/or services from providers registered on the site, a Caveat emptor (buyer aware) statement would be clearly displayed.

 

Significant progress had been achieved with the initial technical blueprint sign off of the site design and content.  However, there were several separate elements remaining to ensure the system was fit for purpose before the launch of the site including:-

 

·              Configuration of the site’s managed information and advice content.

·              Consultation and usability testing with staff and customers.

·              Promotion and marketing campaign.

·              Registration protocol.

 

The target date for the external launch was proposed for January, 2013. 

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress to date on the development and implementation of an eMarketplace, Connect to Support (CtS) in Rotherham be noted.

 

(2)  That the option for accreditation, registration and Rotherham branding be approved.

 

(3)  That the configuration of the site be supported.

 

(4)  That the promotion and marketing campaigns be approved.

 

(5)  That the timeline for a public launch in January, 2013, of the Rotherham eMarketplace, Connect to Support (CtS) be noted.

 

(6)  That progress report be submitted to the Cabinet on the eMarketplace, Connect to Support in Rotherham in six months time.

87.

Corporate Risk Register pdf icon PDF 89 KB

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Minutes:

Councillor Akhtar, Deputy Leader, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources, which showed the risks associated with the Council’s most significant priorities and projects and actions being taken to mitigate these risks.

 

The Council’s key current risks continued to relate to the financial pressures faced by the Council as well as the implications of the Welfare Reforms and Localism Act which would have major implications for residents and Council Services. The report summarised the management actions that were being taken to mitigate these and other risks in the register. 

 

It was important to review corporate risks on an ongoing basis, to ensure risks relating to the Council’s key projects and priorities were effectively monitored and managed by the Strategic Leadership Team and Members.

 

Cabinet Members noted categories of red and amber in the report, the scores before and after risk mitigation actions and the removal of the Waste Management Contract and the Schools Capital Investment Programme from the Register.

 

Resolved:- (1) That the Corporate Risk Register summary be noted.

 

(2)  That the current assessment of the Council’s top four corporate risks be confirmed.

 

(3)  That any further risks identified be added to the risk register.

88.

Rationalisation of the Property Portfolio: Chislett Youth and Community Centre pdf icon PDF 508 KB

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Minutes:

Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources, which stated that, following a review of the buildings and services of the Youth Service within Children’s and Young Peoples Service, Chislett Youth and Community Centre, identified as one of the buildings for possible closure or, if appropriate, be taken over by a suitable voluntary organisation, had been successfully run by the Kimberworth Park Community Partnership.

 

Since June, 2011, under the Council’s adopted Asset Transfer Policy, the Partnership had been granted a seven year lease.  The Partnership had initially undertaken a local consultation exercise on the future of the Centre which had found overwhelming support for it to be developed in ways that met local needs.  Continued support for work with children, young people and their families was seen as a priority as was developing volunteering opportunities hopefully to enable local people back into employment.

 

The Community Partnership had been invited to submit a Stage 2 Big Lottery Reaching Communities – Capital Grant bid after successfully submitting an outline application.  The basis of the application was to upgrade and refurbish the Centre in order to establish it as a ‘community hub’ for the delivery of local services and activities, developed and managed by local people and aspiring to the aims identified during the consultation exercise. 

 

In order to qualify for the bid, the Big Lottery required that a lease of twenty one years be in place without any break options before the bid was accepted. 

 

The granting of such a lease without the break options was a diversion from the adopted Asset Transfer Policy.  Should the Kimberworth Park Community Partnership not wish to continue in occupation during the life of the lease or at its end, then the Council would be given back a building that would have had a considerable upgrade and extended lifespan.

 

Cabinet Members requested clarification and terms of the twenty one year lease, but were in support of the extended lease as they valued the positive contribution by former Councillor Sheila Walker and Ward Members and for their involvement towards the extension to the overall lifespan of this community building.

 

Resolved:- (1)  That the Director of Audit and Asset Management negotiate the terms of the proposed new lease as set out in the report.

 

(2) That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services complete the necessary documentation.

89.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relates to finance and business affairs).

Minutes:

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 Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (as amended March, 2006 (information relates to finance and business affairs).

90.

Rationalisation of the Property Portfolio - Land adjacent to 22 Wheatley Road Kilnhurst

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Minutes:

Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources, which sought approval for the disposal of the above-mentioned asset which was surplus to the requirements of the Resources Directorate.

 

The financial information and risks and uncertainties associated with this asset disposal were set out in detail as part of the report.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Director of Audit and Asset Management be authorised to market the asset on the basis set out in Option 2 of the report.

 

(2)  That the Director of Audit and Asset Management negotiates the terms of disposal.

 

(3)  That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.