Agenda and minutes

A member of the public referred to the problems being experienced by the residents of Wellgate House, particularly by those who had no extended family support and whose lives were becoming unbearable due to noise and general aggravation in the area and asked for action by the Council to try and alleviate some of the residents’ concerns.

Councillor Hussain allayed some of the fears by outlining the extensive activities and robust plan that had been devised for this area with various partner agencies.  An invitation was extended to the member of the public to the meeting that was taking place at 12.00 Noon today at Wellgate House with residents.

-        Chief Executive to report.

Further to Minute No. 229 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28th April, 2010, the Leader introduced the report which detailed the recommendations which have been considered by the Strategic Leadership Team and relevant officers from the Council and NHS Rotherham and a commentary provided as to the recommended actions required to ensure appropriate implementation.

The review recommendations, therefore, identified what measures should be put in place in order to encourage more women to initiate and sustain breastfeeding.

The key recommendations included:-

·              For all public Council buildings to sign up to the Breastfeeding Friendly accreditation developed by NHS Rotherham and publicise this on the Council website and through other Council literature.

·              Further develop the existing joint breastfeeding policy to include all Council buildings.

·              Raise awareness of the breastfeeding friendly accreditation to all Council staff, particularly front-line staff such as receptionists, through a staff briefing and training by NHS Rotherham.

·              Ensure all refurbished and new builds incorporate a quiet area for mothers to breastfeed.

·              Support partners to sign up to the accreditation and promote this via the Council website.

Since the scrutiny review took place, there has been considerable progress made with the breastfeeding agenda in Rotherham.  A number of the recommendations have already been implemented and/or completed.  The commentary provided, therefore, made suggestions for re-wording of some of the actions to reflect this progress and ensure the recommendations remained relevant.  

To ensure the breastfeeding agenda continued to progress, the recommendations needed to be underpinned by clear governance arrangements for both NHS Rotherham and the Council.

The Cabinet were being asked to consider and approve the recommendations, based on the commentary provided.  The relevant recommendations would then be compiled into an action plan and monitored on a six monthly basis through the Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel.

There was no identified funding available for delivering these recommendations with recommendations having to be delivered within existing resources.

Ensuring a space was allocated for mothers who wished to breastfeed in a quieter area and ensuring members of staff who work in Council buildings have received awareness training would become especially important once the Equality Act was published, making it illegal to turn away a mother wishing to breastfeed.

However, what was feasible at this time needed to be considered in light of the move to the new building which already included plans to have a designated breastfeeding room.  Therefore, it may not be cost effective to put into place any expensive alterations. 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the recommendations by Scrutiny be noted.

(2)  That each recommendation based on the commentary be approved and the action required taken forward, subject to funding being available.

(3)  That this report be referred to the Primary Care Trust and various health agencies with a request that they look to target resources in an appropriate way to assist in the delivery of the action plan.

-        Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Councillor R. S. Russell, Cabinet Member for Town Centres, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which set out details of a proposed shared service provision with Sheffield City Council for Emergency Planning and Business Continuity.

The proposals laid out in this report have been agreed with Sheffield City Council’s Executive Management Team (EMT) and also their Leadership Team (EMT and Cabinet Members).  It was proposed that a final report be placed before their Cabinet on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2010.

In March, 2007 Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council was awarded Beacon status for the provision of this service with a rating of ‘outstanding’.

In November, 2009 the Council was approached by the Deputy Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council to explore arrangements for a Shared Service and if agreed this Council’s Emergency and Safety Manager would manage the service.

In December, 2009 the manager of Sheffield Emergency Planning Team retired and at the request of Sheffield City Council, Rotherham’s Director of Asset Management put in place arrangements whereby Rotherham’s Emergency and Safety Manager would act as interim manager of Sheffield’s activities and carry out a review which had ultimately developed into this report.

This project involved Rotherham MBC and Sheffield City Council joining together to form a shared Emergency Planning Team which delivered an equal service to the residents of both Rotherham and Sheffield.  This project was, therefore, fundamentally, about the transformation from the current state where authorities have separate emergency planning functions and arrangements – to a future state where there was a shared service in place.

The principal driver of this initiative will be to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of services to the Rotherham and Sheffield communities rather than budget savings.  However, under this option Rotherham’s budget requirement would reduce.

The report set out detailed information relating to:-

·              Statement of Objective (Expected outcome).

·              Benefits.

·              Organisation (Range of options).

·              Response Capacity and Preparedness (Performance matching).

·              Political Environment (Governance).

·              Proposed Team Structure.

·              Further Activities.

The total cost of the shared service would be £456,642 each year divided between Rotherham and Sheffield City Council.

The contribution of both authorities was based on the relative populations of both areas.  This meant that Sheffield City Council would pay approximately 68% of the cost and, therefore, would have to contribute approximately £309,583 to this service each year.  Accordingly Rotherham would pay 32% with a contribution of £147,059 thereby making a saving of approximately £100k to previous budget allocations for Rotherham’s Emergency Planning function.

The funding of the shared service, if agreed, would be underpinned by a five-year legal contractual agreement between Rotherham and Sheffield City Council.

It was envisaged that the service should have its own cost code centre managed by the principal manager (Head of Operations) and for the accountable Director to report to a Member Committee.

As with any major change to service delivery there were of course initial risks and these, together with proposed treatment, were set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

-        Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Councillor St. John, Cabinet Member for Culture, Lifestyle, Sport and Tourism, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which detailed how, following consultation on the draft Green Space Strategy document, a final version had been prepared and was submitted for approval and adoption.  The Strategy set out recommended standards for Green Space provision and related activities and how these might be achieved.

The Strategy was based upon the following vision for Rotherham:-

 “a place where people’s lives are improved by having access to a network of safe, well-used Green Spaces offering a wide range of recreational and learning opportunities in high quality, sustainable environments”.

Four strategic aims were proposed:-

·              To increase the proportion of the people living within easy walking distance of Green Spaces meeting defined quality standards.

·              To increase the number of people who regularly visit Green Spaces.

·              To increase the proportion of the population who are satisfied with Green Space provision in Rotherham.

·              To increase the number of people participating as volunteers within Green Spaces.

The strategy also embraced the principles of sustainable development, fairness and community involvement.  These aims and principles led to eight specific objectives with the report also containing thirty-three recommendations. 

This report had no immediate financial implications.  However, longer term costs related to delivering and sustaining improvements in Green Space provision.  The Strategy was based on the principle of achieving improvement by maximising inward investment and using available Council funding in an efficient and targeted way.

It was proposed that the Council worked in partnership to access all available external funding and developer contributions, but it was also expected that bids to the Council’s Capital Programme would also be a feature of efforts to secure funding to support the strategic development of Green Space sites.  The implementation of the Strategy could also generate income to the Capital Programme through the sale of sites of limited strategic value.

Reprioritisation of maintenance programmes and savings from the cessation or reduction of service at some sites, based on informed decisions relating to the strategic value of sites, would be necessary to support the increased costs that would result from providing and sustaining higher standards of provision and priority sites.

Without significant capital and revenue investment it was unlikely that the proposed standards could be achieved. Delivery of strategic improvements would be heavily dependant on the development of effective partnerships and the availability of external funding opportunities and developer contributions. Whilst every effort would be made to ensure success in these areas, it was not possible to predict at this stage the availability of either. Future local demand for Green Space provision and the impact of development activities were difficult to predict in the long term and as such the strategy would need to review Green Space audit data periodically in order to take account of changing circumstances.

Cabinet Members welcomed this well written and concise report.

(1)  Recommended:-  That Green Space Strategy be adopted.

(2)  Resolved:-  That, subject  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

The following items are 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 relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)):-

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.

-        Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services to report.

Councillor Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, which provided a draft Local Investment Plan (LIP) for Rotherham. The Local Investment Plan formed part of the ongoing ‘Single Conversation’ process between the Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), which was the latter body’s methodology for engaging with local housing authorities for the purposes of prioritising and agreeing investment in placemaking, affordable housing, regeneration and associated infrastructure.

The draft Rotherham Housing Strategy 2010-2014 and the Rotherham Digest enabled the Council to identify its thematic and spatial priority principles for the Local Investment Plan. These principles were shared with Home and Communities Agency, Government Office and Yorkshire Forward officials in April, 2010 and broad mutual consensus was given to preparing the Local Investment Plan based on those priorities, on the understanding that it would be the subject of further amendments and approval by the Cabinet Member and Cabinet.

The drafting of a Local Investment Plan was an iterative process and the Homes and Communities Agency had been involved giving feedback as matters progressed. A summer meeting with the Homes and Communities Agency supported the draft Local Investment Plan presented at the Members’ Seminar, 4th July, 2010.  Members’ contributions received during and after that event had been incorporated into this latest version.

Subject to the outcome of the Governments Comprehensive Spending Review in October, 2010, the Local Investment Plan would form part of a ‘Local Investment Agreement’ between the Council and the Homes and Communities Agency which would incorporate proposed levels of investment in the Borough, by the Homes and Communities Agency, the Council itself and other partners. This agreement was envisaged to be in place by January, 2011.

The report also provided more in-depth background information relating to this Plan, its preparation and details about Rotherham’s draft.

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

Cabinet Members welcomed this report, but sought clarification on capital and revenue elements of the regeneration-led funding.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress to the final draft of the Rotherham Local Investment Plan be approved and, subject to any further amendment required, its submission to the Homes and Communities Agency be supported.

(2)  That officers to keep Members informed of the Local Investment Plan process as it develops.

(3)  That the final draft of the Rotherham Housing Strategy 2010-14 be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)

-        Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services to report.

Councillor Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, which provided an update on the progress made in developing a Local Investment Agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency, for the period 2011-14. The report also identified the key regeneration development sites proposed for release to support the delivery of the investment programme. Our Local Investment Plan would be a comprehensive document which set out the strategic context for targeted investment within the borough.

A draft Local Investment Plan (LIP) for Rotherham had been developed, which included a range of investment proposals, to be delivered within identified spatial priority areas. The Local Investment Plan proposals required £52 million of Homes and Communities Agency investment support to enable delivery of the programme.

The investment plan contained proposals to deliver continued investment activity in a number of localities, utilising Council owned strategic development sites, to support delivery. The sites have been assembled as a result of neighbourhood investment activity, including selective demolition programmes and strategic acquisitions. This had been supported by external grant funding, such as Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder grant and Regional Housing Board grant funding, totalling £10.45 million to date. The Asset Management Service had undertaken valuation appraisals of each of the sites identified. The sites total 16.71Ha with an estimated market value of £11.87 million.

The report proposed that these sites were allocated to support delivery of the Local Investment Plan. The report recommended that the sites were released following a competitive developer partner procurement process utilising the Homes and Communities Agency’s Delivery Partner Panel Framework. The aim was to develop a long term partnership between the Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and private developer/s to invest in and deliver future development activity, including recycling investment returns.

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

Cabinet Members welcomed any opportunity for investment activity in a number of localities across the borough.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed release of the identified sites through Option 4 to achieve the regeneration aims and objectives set out in the Local Investment Plan be approved.

(2)  That the release of the sites on the basis of a deferred capital receipt, to support the long term regeneration aims of the Borough be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)

-        Strategic Director of Finance to report.

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Resources and Commissioning, introduced a report by the Team Leader (RBT), which set out details of nine organisations which were currently in receipt of 70% Discretionary Relief.

The financial information and risks and uncertainties associated with this relief were set out as part of the report.

Resolved:-  That 100% rate relief be granted to the nine organisations for the period 1st April, 2010 to 31st March, 2011 for one year only.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)

-        Strategic Director of Finance to report.

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Resources and Commissioning, introduced a report by the Team Leader (RBT), which set out details of organisations currently in receipt of Section 43 Mandatory Relief which have applied for the 20% Discretionary Relief top up.

The financial information and risks and uncertainties associated with this relief were set out as part of the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That discretionary relief top up be granted for the period 1st April, 2010 to 31st March, 2011 for one year only for applications DRRTU/46, DRRTU/47, DRRTU/50, DRRTU/52, DRRTU/71, DRRTU/74, DRRTU/84, DRRTU/99, DRRTU/100, DRRTU/125 to DRRTU/147 inclusive (thirty-two in total).

(2)  That discretionary relief top-up be refused for all the remaining applications.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)

(The following Cabinet Members declared personal interests by exception in the various applications due to their either being Ward Members or their use of the facility:-

Councillor Hussain        -        Community Development Groups

Councillor Lakin             -        DRRTU/134 and DRRTU/135

Councillor Smith            -        DRRTU/52

Councillor Stone            -        DRRTU/71

Councillor Whelbourn    -        DRRTU/41)

-        Strategic Director of Finance to report.

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Resources and Commissioning, introduced a report by the Team Leader (RBT), which set out details of three applications for discretionary rate relief on the three listed premises

The financial information and risks and uncertainties associated with this relief were set out as part of the report.

Resolved:-  That the granting of 100 % Discretionary Rate Relief on the three applications for the periods shown up to 31stMarch, 2011 be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)

-        Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Environment, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which made recommendations for the future use of Council depot facilities and sought authority to declare redundant depots surplus to service requirements.

Proposals for each depot were set out in the report, along with the financial information and risks and uncertainties associated with the declarations.

Cabinet Members took account of the proposals, but welcomed the rationalisation of the Council’s property assets.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Director of Asset Management take forward the recommendations outlined in Item 7 of the report to maximise revenue savings.

(2)  That the properties listed in item 7.4 be declared surplus to service requirements.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)

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

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – information relating to labour relations matters)

Councillor Lakin, Cabinet Member for Safeguarding and Developing Learning Opportunities for Children, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which set out details of concerns about the size, structure and the unsuitability of this Children’s Home and the proposals for its future use.

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

Cabinet Members sought clarification and further information on the accommodation for young people, and suggested that discussions take place with several Directorates regarding the future use of this building.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the plans to close Goodwin  Crescent Children’s Home be approved in order to comply with the timescale and the completion of the process by 31st March, 2011.

(2)  That discussions take place regarding the potential future use of this building.

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – information relates to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter)

-        Strategic Director of Finance to report.

(Councillor Stone declared a prejudicial interest in this item on the grounds of being on the Magna Board and left the room whilst this item was discussed.  Councillor Smith assumed the Chair at this point.)

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Resources and Commissioning, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Finance, which set out details of a request for the Council to provide a further one year loan to the Magna Trust, which would replace an existing loan facility, due to be repaid before the new loan was to be taken out.

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

Resolved:-  (1)  That a short term Council loan facility to the Magna Trust of up to £150,000 on terms as specified in the report be approved.

(2)  That consultation be given to whether the loan can be secured against a facility called the ‘water tower’ on the Magna site.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relates to financial affairs of any particular individual including the Council)