Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Austen, Littleboy and Swift, Marie Hayes, Val Allen, Phil Rogers, Guy Kilminster and Michael Bishop.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 7^th December 2005 were received as a correct record.

Reference List of Listed Buildings (Minute No. 57 of previous meeting)

a)            Reference List of Listed Buildings

Further to Minute No. 57 of the previous meeting, a reference list of listed buildings in the Borough was submitted.

Councillor R. Russell pointed out that some of the information was incorrect regarding the address/parish of a building.

Agreed:-  That the list of buildings be received but checked and corrected as appropriate.

b)            Rotherham Alive Partnership

Further to Minute No. 61 of the previous meeting, four members of the Cultural Consortium expressed an interest in being nominated to the Rotherham Alive Partnership.  A ballot was therefore held.

Agreed:-  That David Rowley represent the Cultural Consortium on the Rotherham Alive Partnership.

In the absence of Phil Rogers, this item was deferred until the next meeting.

Joanne Edley, Tourism Officer, reported in respect of the following:-

• the figures for the Visitors Centre which had improved
• the footfall figures for the Town Centre which were on target
• ways of promoting and increasing sales of local products (crisps produced locally were sent round for members of the Cultural Consortium to try)
• a gardening weekly leaflet was distributed
• the present situation on the Regeneration Project
• work with SheffieldUniversity
• work with South Yorkshire Tourism Managers
• packages for business overnight stays in the area
• the Walking Festival which would again be held in July
• work on Economic Impact Study and implications for jobs in the area;  RIDO and MAGNA were attracting funding
• work with Fitzwilliam Estates on various issues
• other projects such as involvement with the Dublin College Show, courses and work experience projects, contributions to Access for All

Subsequent comments on the above included reference to:-

a)                  the crisps which were handed round which did not have ingredients listed;

b)                  maintenance of the gateway to MAGNA;

c)                  the authority’s policy on monitoring of accommodation;

d)                  the Town Trail, notice boards being out of date and in poor condition;

e)                  the historic milestones around the Borough and who was responsible for maintaining them

Agreed:-  That the report be received and information noted.

Phil Gill, Green Spaces Manager, and Steve Hallsworth, Business Manager, reported on the following:-

-                      the future and way forward on green spaces;

-                      strategy plans being developed by the Sports Advisory Working Group;  a final document on this would be available shortly;

-                      the up to date situation of Leisure PFI;

-                      work being undertaken by the new Football Development Officer;

-                      proposals for the Community Sports Network

Subsequent comments were in respect of:-

a)                  the Football Development Officer and whether the appointment for a two year period was long enough to achieve required objectives.

                  Funding streams for extending the contract were being explored.

b)                  The Urban Park Rangers and their future resourcing. 

                  It was confirmed that there would continue to be a team of Rangers.  The present structure was outlined and their future working arrangements.

c)                  The situation in respect of UlleyPark.

                  The allocation of resources was being reviewed and redistributed, with                       some staff being used differently.

Agreed:-  That the report be received.

Sarah Wickham, Archives and Local Studies Officer, gave a presentation which included reference to:-

• the background to the Archives Service;
• use of the archives, main subject queries and majority of customer enquiries from outside the Borough;
• cataloguing of archives and grants available for this;
• the use of Heritage Lottery Funding for projects;
• the extent of outreach work;
• the amount of information available on the Internet for which there was a large demand;
• the long term presentation and protection of material

The comments/queries which followed related to:-

a)                  research issues and charges involved (basically charges were only for photocopying)

b)                  gaps in the service such as local businesses but proactive work was in hand to fill the gaps

c)                  information from schools;  it was forthcoming but it was a slow process

d)                  the obtaining of information from Urban District Councils

e)                  Access to Information Regulations, which were clarified.

Agreed:-  That the presentation and information be received.

The meeting was informed of the up to date situation in that an access agreement had been reached which the neighbouring landowner was currently being invited to accept.

Reference was made to ownership issues and it was hoped to clarify this in the near future.

Phil Gill and Steve Hallsworth outlined the work being done to ensure that green spaces were cared for and protected/improved.

Information was provided in respect of:-

• Access to green spaces for recreation
• The need to maintain good standards and responsibility for green spaces
• The Asset Management Strategy which included green spaces
• Increased community involvement, such as “Friends of” Groups particular regard being taken of sustainability issues
• Other relevant strategies being undertaken and areas considered to be priorities for improvement
• the availability of green spaces to each community (some communities do not have easy access to any)
• Green Flag Award bids

With regard to the future, work was ongoing in respect of:-

-           the grading of the various types of green space

-           accessibility and quality, standards and investment issues

-           ownership matters

-           partnership and stakeholder issues

Subsequent comments from members made reference to:-

a)      the management and use of green spaces and the need for a variety of types of play areas;

b)      development of facilities at Herringthorpe Playing Fields, particularly pitch and pavilion provision.  Discussion took place on the lease situation and partnership issues.  Strategic support from officers was requested.

c)      Issues surrounding the gift of sites and quality of sites concerned.  The Council’s objective was to provide a formula/criteria for developers.

d)      Action required to alleviate problems arising due to the growth of Japanese Knotweed.  The Environment Agency was to be made aware of problems in the area.

e)      Concerns arising from off road bikes using Borough owned land.  It was confirmed that where this occurred, it was not being done legally.

Jackie Thornhill, Sports and Physical Activity Manager, outlined the programme for the above conference and the possible impact for Rotherham of the 2012 Olympics.  Local venues were being looked at for consideration.

Tony Preston, Project Development Manager, informed the meeting that the action plan was now complete and would be published shortly.

Councillor Boyes informed the meeting of likely developments on this site.

A timescale for this was to be given at the next meeting.

This would be in early September, but the exact date would need to be set in accordance with the cycle of meetings for the new municipal year in due course.