Agenda and minutes

There were no questions from the public.

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

Councillor Rushforth, Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, introduced a report by the Chief Executive which provided details on the twenty-two individual contracts with Children’s Centres across the Borough.  Each of these contracts was due to expire on 1st April, 2012 with the vast majority of the centres being on school sites.

In order to commission this significant and important service to children and families in Rotherham, there was substantial work to complete. It had been agreed by the Chief Executive that the timeline for the commissioning of Children’s Centres would be extended into 2013.

This report, therefore, set out the reasons for the request to suspend Standing Orders and commission Children’s Centres.

The baseline position for Children’s Centres in 2010/11 was £6.23 million.  The proposed budget for 2011/12 was £5.28 million.  It was anticipated that further savings could be achieved through the commissioning of the service.

Resolved:-  That the suspension of Standing Order 48 (1) be approved to enable the commissioning of Children’s Centres in the financial year 2012/13.

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Councillor Wyatt, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources, which detailed that since April 2008, Local Authorities and Primary Care Trusts were under a statutory duty, under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act to produce a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) which established the current and future health and social care needs of the Rotherham population. It served as a repository of key sets of data in accordance with guidelines stipulated by the Department of Health. It informed the strategic priorities and targets which in turn informed commissioning plans with a view to supporting the delivery of improved health and social care outcomes and reduce health inequalities. 

The refreshed program of the Rotherham’s 2008 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment was identified as a key work stream for the year 2010-2011 within the Joint Commissioning work plan remit and was agreed through the Adults Partnership Board. The 2008 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment had now been updated; first stage of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment refresh process, to ensure that good quality and up-to-date information were current and accessible. The updated version was now accessible through the Council’s and NHS Rotherham’s internet and intranet sites as recommended through the Adults Partnership Board in September, 2011.

The report set out more detail as to why a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment was required, details regarding the refresh programme and any emerging needs, service user engagement and the series of next steps to be taken.

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

Cabinet Members noted the ongoing programme of work, but expressed concern about the absence of children’s issues and the reference to poor housing conditions in the private sector.

Resolved:-  (1)  That ongoing Joint Strategic Needs Assessment refresh programme of work be noted.

(2)  That the key conclusions that were emerging from the assessment of needs be noted.

(3)  That further discussions take place with Children and Young People’s Services.

(4)  That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet in three months time.

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 (information relating to financial or business affairs)

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

-        Strategic Director of Resources to report.

Councillor Akhtar, Deputy Leader, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Resources, which gave an update on progress towards creating a shared service between Rotherham and Doncaster Councils.

The risks and uncertainties associated with the creation of a shared service were set out in the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the discussions that had taken place with Doncaster Council be noted.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet at an appropriate stage.

(Councillor Hussain declared a personal interest on the grounds that he received a salary from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council)

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

This item was deferred pending further discussions.

-        Chief Executive to report.

The Leader introduced a report by the Chief Executive which sought approval for the appointments to the Joint Waste Board and Steering Committee that formed part of the contractual arrangements between Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham Councils for the management of the Waste PFI Contract with 3SE for its full term from Financial Close onwards. The report also highlighted some minor amendments to the Heads of Terms of the second Inter Authority Agreement (IAA2) approved by Cabinet on 20th October, 2010 and sought approval for those changes.

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

Resolved:-  (1)  That the appointment of Councillor Richard Russell as Rotherham Council’s representative on the Joint Waste Board established pursuant to IAA2 be approved.

(2)  That the appointment of the Council’s Waste Manager as Rotherham Council’s representative on the Steering Committee established pursuant to IAA2 be approved.

(3)  That delegated authority be granted to the Waste Manager to delegate any of his powers in respect of IAA2 to the BDR Manager as applicable.

(4)  That the changes to the Heads of Terms of IAA2 (approved by Cabinet on 20^th October, 2010) as detailed in this report be approved.