Agenda and minutes

There were no questions from members of the public.

Councillors Akhtar, Doyle, Hussain, Lakin, McNeely, Rushforth, R. Russell, Smith, Stone and Whelbourn declared personal  interests in Minute No. 154 (Housing Rent Increase) and Minute No. 155 (District Heating Scheme Charges) on the grounds that they were or had a friend or a family member who was a tenant or a garage holder and who may be affected by either of the decisions.

Councillor Wyatt declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Minute No. 154 (Housing Rent Increase) on the ground that he holds a tenancy of a Council owned garage and a personal interest in Minute No. 155 (District Heating Scheme Charges)  on the ground that he has friend or family members who may be affected by the decision.

Dispensations had been granted on 28^th January 2014  for all  Members when dealing with these issues in allowing them to participate in the discussion   and vote.

-           Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Councillor Whelbourn, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, introduced the minutes of the Rotherham Local Plan Steering Group held on 12th December, 2013.

Reference was made to the use of brownfield sites and the likelihood of some changes to the Core Strategy recommended by the Inspector.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress to date and the emerging issues be noted.

(2)  That the minutes of the Local Plan Steering Group held on 12^th December, 2013 be received.

-           Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 62 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 6th January, 2014, Councillor McNeely, Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, which sought approval for the proposed housing rent, new build rents, garage rent and communal facilities increases for 2014/15 to go forward for consultation, and subject to the outcome of that consultation to be presented at Cabinet for decision.

This year it was proposed to implement an annual increase of 3.2% for non-housing rent issues and 6.57% for rent in accordance with the prescribed formula issued by Government. Members were asked to also note the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2014/15. In anticipation of a Scrutiny recommendation being accepted by Cabinet, the proposed charges for district heating were considered within a separate report, considered within this agenda.

The report set out in detail the proposed housing rent, new build rents, garage rent and communal facilities increases for 2014/15.  The rents had been calculated in accordance with the national rent setting regime requiring all local authorities to use the prescribed formula and apply annual increases to actual rents to achieve the Formula Rent.  Applying this formula for 2014/15 produced an average rent increase for Council tenants of 6.57%. There would be major financial implications for the Council of not following this formula as the Government expected that all similar properties in the same local area would have equitable rent levels, even if properties were owned by different social landlords. This process was known as ‘rent convergence’. The Government set a target for Authorities to achieve rent convergence by 2015/16. 

The average rent for 2013/14 was £68.24 over 52 weeks (2013/14 being a 53 week year). The proposed 2014/15 average weekly rent using the Government formula, collected over 52 weeks would rise to £72.78, an average increase of £4.54 per week.

Total housing rent income generated through the proposed revised weekly rents was estimated to be £77.428m in 2014/15 assuming 100 Right to Buy sales, and voids and rent adjustments at 2%.

The Council completed the building of 132 new energy efficient properties in 2011/12. For these dwellings, the funding model assumed that rents would be aligned to the Council’s existing rent structure based on these dwellings having a higher property value (than existing stock). These rents were assumed to be fully converged and were, therefore, set higher than those of the existing Council stock. Consequently the proposed average rent to be charged across these properties would be £94.47 over 52 weeks based on the rent formula of Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 0.5%, an increase of £3.52 per week.

Recommended:-  (1)  That the average rent increase by 6.57% based on the Central Governments (DCLG) Rent Formula which results in an average increase of £4.54 per week collected over 52 weeks.  

(2)  That an average rent of £94.47 be set for new build Council properties.

(3)  That in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

-           Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 63 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 6th January, 2014, Councillor McNeely, Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, which sought approval from Members for the proposed increase in charges for District Heating for 2014/15.

There were a range of heating schemes, but in general district heating charges were made up of two components, a weekly charge and a metered charge per kilowatt hour of heating used. Weekly charges for most schemes exceeded the actual metered costs and hence 34% of all income received from weekly charges were returned to customers. This report recommended no increase in weekly charges, but an increase in kilowatt hour charges to more accurately reflect true costs.  The impact of this on consumers of district heating was that the vast majority would pay no more on a weekly basis, but some would receive less of a rebate once actual personal charges have been calculated following individual meter readings.

Recommended:-  (1)  That weekly charges be not increased.

(2)  That the various proposed increases to the kilowatt hour charges outlined within the report be approved as a means of achieving full cost recovery.

(3)  That to assist tenants, increases in the kilowatt hour charge be phased over a period of up to five years, as agreed at Cabinet held on 16^th January, 2013 (Minute C131(3) refers and be achieved by 2016/17.

-           Director of Finance to report.

Councillor Akhtar, Deputy Leader, introduced a report by the Director of Finance, which provided details of the calculation of the Authority’s proposed Council Tax base for the 2014/15 financial year.  From April, 2013 with the Localisation of Council Tax Support (now described by the Government as the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) the Council’s Tax Base was significantly reduced compared to 2012/13.  This was because under the Localisation of Council Tax Reduction Scheme, eligibility to what was previously Council Tax Benefit, was treated as a discount to the Tax Base.  

The Council’s Scheme for 2014/15 was reported to Cabinet on 16^th October 2013 where it was proposed that the Council continue with its current Council Tax Reduction Scheme, subject to making annual benefit adjustments notified by the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP). 

In determining the Council’s Tax base for 2014/5 the sustained impact of the welfare reform changes on the Council Tax collection rate had also been allowed for – the allowance for losses on collection had been increased from 3% to 3.5% giving an estimated collection rate of 96.5%.

The calculation also reflected the number of newly built properties being constructed and the empty properties brought back into use. 

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012 governing its calculation, it was determined that the Council’s Tax Base for the financial year 2014/15 was 64,179.01 Band D Equivalent Properties.

The Regulations set out the formula for the calculation and the estimated Tax Base as shown in Appendix A.  The Council Tax Base was derived from the total number of properties within the Council’s area as at the 1st December 2013, which, in the opinion of the Government’s Valuation Office Listing Officer, were subject to Council Tax. 

After allowing for the additions, discounts and reliefs the estimated property base was converted into Band D Equivalent properties, giving a total of 64,179.01 Band D Equivalents. Appendix A provided details of the total for both parished and non-parished areas. 

For 2014/15 it was estimated that some 907 new and reoccupied Band D Equivalent properties would be added to the Council Tax base - an increase of 1.4%.  Overall the 2014/15 Tax base showed a net increase of just under 0.9% or 547.57 Band D equivalent properties compared with the 2013/14 Tax Base of 63,631.44 Band D Equivalents.

The result of applying the 96.5% collection rate to the Band D Equivalents for each of the parishes within the Borough and for the Borough as a whole was shown in the final column of the appendix attached to the report and was made up as follows:-

Recommended:-  (1)  That the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2014/15 be adopted with the following revisions:-

(a)     Adjust the applicable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

-           Director of Finance to report.

Councillor Akhtar, Deputy Leader, introduced a report by the Director of Finance, which set out the requirement for the submission of a NNDR 1 Return to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) by 31^st January, 2014 and details contained in that return.  The Council’ share of the Retained Business Rates would represent a major proportion of the Council’s revenue resources and it was considered necessary to report the retained Business Rates estimates to Full Council.

At this stage the 2014/15 NNDR 1 form and guidance for its completion had still to be issued. The estimated retained business rate income of £34.9m in 2014/15 referred to in this report was, therefore, only provisional. Cabinet were, therefore, asked that the Director of Financial Services as Section 151 Officer be granted delegated authority to finalise the estimate for presentation to Full Council on the 29th January, 2014.

A key factor in determining the estimate was the assumed losses due to rating appeals. These were highly volatile and difficult to predict and, therefore, represented a major financial risk to the estimate being achieved.

(1)  Resolved:-  That the report be received and its contents be noted.

(2)  Recommended:-  That the Section 151 Officer be given the delegated authority, following consultation with the Leader and the Deputy Leader, to make any changes necessary to finalise the estimate for the meeting on the 29^th January, 2014.

-           Director of Finance to report.

Councillor Akhtar, Deputy Leader, introduced a report by the Director of Finance which provided details of progress on the delivery of the Revenue Budget for 2013/14 based on performance for the first eight months of the financial year.  It was currently forecast that the Council would overspend against its Budget by £3.099m (+1.4%). This represented an improvement in the forecast outturn of -£1.526m since the October monitoring report. The main reasons for the forecast overspend continued to be:-

·                The continuing service demand and cost pressures for safeguarding vulnerable children across the Borough.

·                Income pressures within Environment and Development and ICT Services.

·                Continuing Health Care income pressures within Adult and Children’s Services, with concern that this pressure was increasing further.

·                Additional, one-off property costs relating to the continued rationalisation of the Council’s asset portfolio as part of the efficiency drive to reduce operational costs.

·                Some savings targets were currently pending delivery in full in 2013/14.

The moratorium on all except ‘essential’ spend had been in place since 16^th October, 2013 and was contributing to the reduced forecast overspend. Services were continuing to explore opportunities to maximise the flexible use of grant funding, whilst ensuring grant conditions were complied with. Further, the recent opening of the offer for staff to apply for Voluntary Early Retirement/Voluntary Severance (VER/VS) was also generating savings which would contribute to both reducing the in-year pressure and potentially contribute to closing the 2014/15 Budget Gap. These savings would become more evident in the next monitoring reports as applications were approved and reflected in the revised forecast outturn.

The Cabinet was asked to note that meetings were taking place with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) about concerns over access to, and timely payment of, Continuing Health Care income for clients with Continuing Health Care needs. An Action Plan was being developed and updates presented to a series of future meetings between early December and the end of the financial year. As the financial impact of these meetings became clearer, this would be reported through to Cabinet.   

Resolved:-  That the current forecast outturn and significant financial challenge presented for the Council to deliver a balanced revenue budget for 2013/14  and the actions implemented to address the forecast overspend be noted.

-           Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services to report.

Councillor Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families Services, introduced a joint report by Strategic Directors for Children and Young People's Services and Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, which set out details of the 2013 Borough Wide Lifestyle Survey Report.

The report included plans to distribute the lifestyle survey report to schools, the schedule for presenting the findings of the report, the communication plan and the on-going actions supporting the lifestyle survey results.

The Lifestyle Survey was a valuable piece of consultation capturing the views of young people in Years 7 and 10 at secondary schools, which all sixteen secondary schools had participated in, asking their opinions on:-

·                Food and Drink.

·                Health, Activities and Fitness.

·                Being In School.

·                Out of School.

·                Young Carers.

·                Bullying and Safety.

·                Smoking, Drinking and Alcohol.

·                Sexual Health.

·                Local Neighbourhood.

The positive results in the survey in particular around healthy lifestyle included:-

·                Fruit being the most popular break time snack.

·                An increase in % of pupils feeling they were a healthy weight.

·                More pupils taking part in regular exercise.

Contributing to these results had been the work carried out by the Obesity Strategy Group and the Healthy Schools Team, promoting the benefits of non-smoking and confidence building with young people in schools to help them not to give in to peer pressure.

Suggested areas for attention were similar to 2012 with:-

·                Rotherham Town Centre and public transport were where pupils said they felt least safe.

·                More young people identified themselves as young carers.

·                Bullying rates remained same as in 2012, however the number of pupils reporting bullying has reduced.

·                Local shops were identified as the places where pupils purchase their cigarettes and alcohol.

·                Parents supplying their children with cigarettes and alcohol.

·                Pupils feeling good about themselves had reduced.

Each year the results were shared with key stakeholders to ensure that activities were built into team plans to address any issues.  Teams plan to make changes to improve the lives of young people and comparisons were made each year to see if the changes made were making a difference.

Secondary schools would receive a copy of the borough wide report and their individual school report, so they could see what pupils at their own school were saying.

The Healthy Schools Service would also receive a copy of the individual school reports, so they could identify which school needed support in specific areas.

Cabinet Members welcomed the positive elements of this survey arising from engaging with young people and in the policy development and service delivery.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the contents of the 2013 Lifestyle Survey Report be noted.

(2)  That the communication of this report to all sixteen secondary schools be approved.

(3)  That the timetable for communicating the survey results and distribution list be approved.

-           Director of Public Health to report.

Further to Minute No. 95 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16^th October, 2013, the Director of Public Health introduced the report which provided an update on the recommendations.

The majority of the recommendations were accepted and focused on the prevention of overweight and obesity within the community and the promotion of weight management programmes to support children locally.

Only two of the recommendations were deferred and being given further consideration.

The re-commissioning of weight management services was ongoing and would be subject to approval.

Cabinet Members noted the news that it was National Obesity Awareness Week whilst welcoming the review and sought assurances on the methods of engaging with parents and the discussions on the introduction of a 400 m exclusion zone for new fast food takeaways near schools.

Resolved:-  (1)  The response to the Scrutiny Review of Child Obesity be approved.

(2)  That the response to the Scrutiny Review and any further responses to Cabinet be submitted to the next available meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board.

-           Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services to report.

Councillor Doyle, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, which set out details of the Fairer Charging Policies for Home Care and other non-residential Social Services issues under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 setting out guidance and statutory framework for calculating how much someone should pay towards their non-residential services.   This Policy was last updated in April, 2010 to take account of new statutory guidance related to the introduction of Self Directed Support Personal Budgets. 

In some incidences applying charges to services assessed to meet eligible needs could prevent some of the most vulnerable customers from accessing services. There was an inconsistent approach in place in applying charges and this report sought to regularise it. 

Recommended:-  That the revised Policy be approved.

-           Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which provided an update on changes to the guidance for setting local speed limits and sought approval for the Policy on the introduction of 20 mph speed limits/zones and the intention to investigate suitable locations for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits.

The DfT Circular 1/2013 ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’  gave guidance to Local Councils which would help in the setting of more consistent speed limits on local roads. It outlined how speed limits should be evidence-led and self-explaining and seek to reinforce people’s assessment of what was a safe speed to travel and that they should encourage self-compliance. The new guidance incorporated recent changes that created more flexibility for authorities to implement 20 mph limits and zones. It had also been designed to help explain to the lay person why and how local speed limits were determined.

The document also asked Local Authorities to keep speed limits under review with changing circumstances and to consider the introduction of more 20 miles per hour limits and zones, over time, in urban areas and built-up village streets that were primarily residential, to ensure greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists, using the criteria contained in the guidance.

Cabinet Members sought clarification on the basic principles of introducing speed limits which should be self-enforcing and on the need to ensure that any requests for traffic calming measures were realistic and did not overly raise public expectation.

(1)          Resolved:-  That the changes to the guidance issued by the Department for Transport for setting local speed limits be noted.

(2)           Recommended:-  (a)  That the Policy on the introduction of 20 mph speed limits be approved.

(b) That in line with the Policy investigations be carried out into suitable locations for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits.

(c)  That a further report be submitted once suitable locations have been identified for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits.

-           Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which sought approval for a proposed ‘invest to save’ initiative in residential street lighting. 

It was proposed to replace the 13,000 residential units with LED lighting units to offer further efficiencies in both the energy consumption and what should be a 20 year maintenance-free lighting installation. Initial costs of residential LED units were such that installations were prohibitive, but costs have now reduced to a level where these units are a viable option.

Initially it was proposed to leave the 15,000 compact fluorescent units in situ and concentrate on replacement of the 13,000 discharge lights. The average energy saving for each replacement would be around 45 watts which would give an overall saving on completion of the programme of 2,424,825 Kwh/annum. Multiplied by £0.10 per Kwh = £242,483 in energy savings.

As the decision required investment of over £500,000 it was a key decision.

Resolved:-  That the proposed Street Lighting Residential ‘Invest to Save’ Initiative be approved.

-           Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 72 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 2^nd December, 2013, Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which presented details of how the operation of this proposal to allow cycling in Rotherham would be monitored along with the timescales for introducing the scheme.

It was currently anticipated that the experimental order would come into force in Spring, 2014 with the first monitoring report being made to the Cabinet Member in Summer 2014. The exact date of implementation was subject to discussions with Legal Services and colleagues in Streetpride who were responsible for traffic signs.

Throughout the experimental order period people would be invited to give their views on how they think the change was working via e-mail or in writing.

The signing of the town centre vehicle restricted area would change as a result of the temporary order with the signs at the entry point being changed from a “No Vehicles Restriction” (red bordered white circle) to a “No Motorised Vehicle Restriction” (red bordered white circle showing a car and a motorbike). In addition, on the streets where contraflow cycling was permitted the existing one way signs would be changed to one way with contraflow cycling signs. Other than changes to signing no other changes were proposed to the town centre environment.

Cabinet Members considered this proposal in some detail and expressed some disappointment and concern that a decision had been made to reverse some elements of the Traffic Regulation Order to allow cycling in the town centre’s vehicle restricted area.

Despite the rationale for the proposal to lift the barriers to accessing employment, retail and education/training in the town centre for cyclists and the level of monitoring that was expected for the experiment, it was suggested that the risks to pedestrians and parents with children, blind or partially sighted and elderly people were such that further consideration was required of the decision.  Cabinet Members, therefore, recommended that the Cabinet Member, under his delegated powers, receive an updated report based on the Cabinet’s concerns.

Resolved:-  That this proposal be referred back to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services for further consideration under his delegated powers, having taken account of the discussion in Cabinet.

-           Director of Public Health to report.

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, introduced a report by the Director of Public Health which detailed how the Council had new statutory functions that included health protection and health improvement.  Public Health England monitored these responsibilities through the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF). Assurance was, therefore, required that the Framework was being monitored and appropriate action being taken to address the outcomes.

The Council’s wider responsibilities for population health required a co-ordinated approach, including all partners. The Public Health Outcomes Framework focused on the causes of premature mortality.  The Rotherham Health and Wellbeing Strategy (HWBS) supports early intervention and prevention as part of improving performance against the Public Health Outcomes Framework and the key lifestyle factors that influenced avoidable mortality.  The Outcomes Framework needed to be reviewed quarterly to drive improvements in performance.  Public Health would lead this agenda and report to Cabinet by exception. Priority measures included those for avoidable mortality, which also featured as a key outcome for the Integrated Transformation Fund. 

Public Health would agree with partner’s action plans to address under performance and complete a report card on each indicator. Where the Indicator was an outlier the report card would be reported to the appropriate planning or commissioning group.

Agreement needed to be reached on which performance measures were regularly reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board.  These should be indicators that were closely linked to the six locally determined priorities which followed the Health and Well Being Strategy. If these high level indicators showed no improvement or were significantly underperforming the Board would agree actions to be taken or hold a performance clinic with partners to develop a remedial action plan to engage action.  Where a performance clinic was held this would report to Cabinet. The emphasis of the performance clinics would be on innovation and doing things differently to drive improvement and change. 

Indicators outside of these top six strategic issues would be addressed elsewhere within the local performance framework.  The actions would refocus activity on early intervention and prevention agenda for long term and sustainable impact.  The report provided a framework for this process and an initial progress report.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report, but suggested that consideration be given to the content of a couple of recent Scrutiny Reviews which were relevant and which may be of some assistance to some of the Public Health Outcomes

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed framework to address performance on the Public Health Outcome Framework be approved.

(2)  That the reporting structures be approved.

(3)  That this framework act as a mechanism to deliver the Health and Wellbeing Strategy aim of moving services to prevention and early intervention.

-           Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 125 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27^th November, 2013, Councillor Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families Services, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which referred to the pre statutory and statutory consultation process on the proposal to expand Newman School, which had now been completed and the need for final determination on the proposals to expand.

It was proposed initially to expand the numbers on roll at Newman Special School from 90 to 110, an increase of 20 planned places for children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs naming that school in Part 4 of a Statement of SEN.  In addition, it was proposed to offer 2 ‘assessment’ places (total = 22 places) for children who were not in receipt of a Statement of SEN but where professional advice indicated that the child/young person required an immediate placement in specialist provision whilst a statutory education assessment was underway.

It was also proposed that the Head teacher of Rotherham’s Milton Special School, a specialist school for Communication and Interaction, would be seconded as a Consultant Head Teacher for the equivalent of three days per week for two years working alongside the Head Teacher of Newman Special School where the children with a Statement of SEN would be on roll.

Resolved:-  (1)  That after consideration of representations received, the proposal to expand Newman School be approved.

(2)  That the Secretary of State for Education be informed accordingly by the School Admissions, Organisation and SEN Assessment Service.

-           Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services to report.

Councillor Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families Services, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which set out details of the proposal to achieve the required Early Years and Child Care services, including Children Centres  revenue reduction to meet the Council-wide significant revenue reductions required by the Government. 

Cabinet was asked to endorse the proposal for consultation for statutory public consultation in relation to changes to Early Years’ Service and children’s centre delivery, which would be of the maximum required 45 day period so that the reconfigured service, beginning with the Early Years‘ Service, and the required revenue reductions be implemented from April, 2014.

The current revenue budget for Early Years and Child Care Services, including children’s centres was £5.053m.  There was a required revenue reduction of £2.2m for 2014-16. Substantial consideration had been given to the best way forward to achieve this revenue reductionand the proposal was to:-  

·                Close thirteen registered Children’s Centrebuildings with a reduction to nine   buildings across the borough.

·                These nine   buildings then clustered to form seven registered Children’s centres across the borough resulting in an increased size of reach areas.

·                Creation of a foundation years’ service across health, social care and education.

·                Shift to provider funded training for all settings to access any training, including those requiring improvement/inadequate. This could affect sufficiency going forward as only Good settings could offer two year old places. 

This proposal would deliver the required financial efficiency and there would be an impact on the quality and quantity of the service provided by the Early Years and Child Care service.

A consultation strategy would be developed and in line with the previous service transformations a detailed consultation with staff, schools, practitioners, wider stake holders and the public would take place.

The consultation would include an impact assessment in accordance with statutory guidance.

Cabinet Members noted that the Council was making every effort to protect services where possible, was looking at any viable option and had demonstrated its commitment to supporting Rotherham’s children and its most vulnerable citizens.  However, the point had now arrived where a decision had to be made on the future provision that could be offered.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposal for statutory public and subsequent staff consultation be approved.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet on the outcome of the consultation process and the proposals going forward.

-           Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services to report.

Councillor Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families Services, introduced a joint report by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services, and Rotherham’s Clinical Commissioning Group , which sought to inform Cabinet of the proposal to integrate services across Social Care, Education and Health for children with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) in Rotherham. This proposal was in line with the Government’s requirements for reforms in commissioning and provision for SEND across Education, Health, Social Care and wider partners as set out in the Department of Health’s (DH) SEN Green Paper ‘Support and Aspirations; a New Approach to Special Educational Needs and Disability and with joint commissioning as set out in the Children and Families Bill (DfE).

This report set out the improved outcomes for children and their families, legislative requirements for the Council, key principles, benefits and potential risks of this integrated approach and that the proposal is in line with the joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Starting Well, Developing Well and Living and Working Well. It was stated here that changes would take place in services to meet the required reductions in revenue as demanded by Central Government.

Cabinet were asked to endorse the proposal for consultation which would be of the maximum required 45 day period so that the reconfigured joint approach service and the required revenue reductions be implemented from April, 2014.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposal for consultation be approved.

(2)  That future reports on the feedback from the consultation and the  progress to achieve an integrated SEND Service be submitted to the Cabinet in due course.

-           Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services to report.

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities and Cohesion, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which provided details of the proposal to achieve the required Integrated Youth Support Services (IYSS) revenue reduction to meet the Council wide significant financial efficiencies required by the Government.

Cabinet was asked to endorse the proposal for consultation which would be of the maximum required 30 day period so that the reconfigured service and the required revenue reductions be implemented from April, 2014.

There was a required revenue reduction and substantial consideration had been given to the best way forward to achieve this revenue reduction.  Consultation would, therefore, focus on reconfiguration of staffing structures and the provision, vacant posts, income and overhead costs.

It was noted that this proposal delivered the required revenue saving and may have an impact on the quality and quantity of the service provided by the Integrated Youth Support Services.  In relation to the reduction in the numbers of sessions, there may be around 1,472 less youth club sessions per annum.

Resolved:-  That the proposal for consultation be approved.