Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11^th December, 2013, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:  Councillor Stone                            Seconder:  Councillor Akhtar

(1)  The Chief Executive submitted the following petitions which had been referred to the appropriate Directorate for consideration:-

·                Containing 121 signatures from residents and local business on Kenneth Street and Effingham Street requesting that the route of the Rotherham to Parkgate free bus be changed in light of highway changes arising from the relocation of Tesco.

·                Containing 400 signatures from local residents requesting reinstatement of a play area on the site behind the Robin Hood Public House leading to Horsefair Park, Swinton.

(2)  The Chief Executive submitted apologies for absence from Councillors Ali, Goulty, Mannion, Pitchley, Rushforth, Sangster and Wyatt.

A member of the public asked with residential housing across the road, both front and rear of the Mason’s Arms, Wickersley, with a licence to sell alcohol until 2 and 4 o’clock in the morning with additional facilities for “hot tubs” and “outdoor bar in marquee”, what other similar licences were issued to both “residential” and “town centre” pubs?

The Leader reported that the Premises Licence for the Mason’s Arms, Wickersley allowed the sale of alcohol until midnight on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, and until 2.00 a.m. at all other times.  There was no requirement for a specific licence for the provision of hot tubs or marquees for the use of customers and, therefore, no licences for such facilities have been issued by the Council.  On occasions, the licensed hours may be extended by way of a Temporary Event Notice.  The Mason’s Arms, like many other premises within the Borough, have used such a notice to allow the sale of alcohol at times other than those specified on the Premises Licence.

In order to provide information in relation to times that other premises in the Borough were licensed to sell alcohol, it was necessary to carry out a detailed search of the information held by the Council.  This information would be provided to the questioner by way of a written response.

Resolved:-  That the minutes and reports of the meeting of the Standards Committee (Section B) (pages 19B-23B) be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Gosling                       Seconder:-  Councillor Sims

Capital Programme Monitoring 2013/14 and Capital Programme Budget 2014/15 to 2015/16

(Minute No. C139) (Page 64-65C)

Revision of RMBC’S Council Housing Allocations Policy

(Minute No. C146) (Page 72C)

Housing Rent Increase 2014/15

(Minute No. C154) (Pages 76-77C)

District Heating Scheme Charge 2014/15

(Minute No. C155) (Page 77C)

Calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2014/15

(Minute No. C156) (Pages 78-79C)

Retained Business Rates Estimates 2014/15

(Minute No. C157) (Pages 79-80C)

Charging Exemptions for Non-Residential Care

(Minute No. C161) (Page 83C)

Setting Local Speed Limits – Changes to Guidance

(Minute No. C162) (Pages 83-84C)

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet (Section C) (pages 63C to 90C) be adopted.

Mover:  Councillor Stone                            Seconder:  Councillor Akhtar

(Councillors Andrews, Astbury, McNeely and Pickering declared disclosable pecuniary interests in Minute Nos. 154 and 155 (Housing Rent Increase/District Heating Charge) on the grounds of being a tenant)

Dispensations had been granted for all Members when dealing with these issues in allowing them to participate in the discussion and vote.

·                Children, Young People and Families Services – Pages 31D to 41D (Section D)

·                Communities and Cohesion– Pages 19E to 22E (Section E)

·                Culture and Tourism – Pages 14F to 22F (Section F)

·                Regeneration and Development – Pages 26G to 38G (Section G)

·                Adult Social Care – Pages 29H to 29H (Section H)

·                Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Pages 26J to 43J (Section J)

·                Health and Wellbeing – Pages 18K to 20K (Section K)

·                Waste and Emergency Planning– Pages 22L to 28L (Section L)

·                Deputy Leader – Pages 11N to 18N (Section N)

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of Cabinet Members as listed below be adopted:-

·           Children, Young People and Families Services – Pages 31D to 41D (Section D)

·           Communities and Cohesion – Pages 19E to 22E (Section E)

·           Culture and Tourism – Pages 14F to 22F (Section F)

·           Regeneration and Development – Pages 26G to 38G (Section G)

·           Adult Social Care – Pages 25H to 29H (Section H)

·           Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Pages 26J to 43J (Section J)

·           Health and Wellbeing – Pages 18K to 20K (Section K)

·           Waste and Emergency Planning – Pages 22L to 28L (Section L)

·           Deputy Leader – Pages 11N to 18N (Section N)

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                          Seconder:- Councillor Akhtar

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee (Section P) (pages 14P to 16P) be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Gilding                                    Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

Resolved:-  That the reports and the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Board (Section Q) (Pages 15Q to 20Q) be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Wootton                      Seconder:-  Councillor Barron

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board (Section S) (Pages 30S to 40S) be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Doyle                           Seconder:-  Councillor Lakin

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Planning Board (Section T) (pages 33T to 41T) be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Pickering                    Seconder:-  Councillor Dodson

(1)           Councillor Vines asked how much money had Rotherham Council put in or committed to date from its conception into the failed Yorkshire Digital fibre networking  fiasco?

The Deputy Leader reported that to date the Council had advanced £3.7 million, a repayable capital loan of £2 million drawn down in 2010/11 as part of the overall project funding agreement for the construction and deployment of the network, and a further £1.7 million since the network became operational in March, 2012. The funding advanced was proportionate to the Council’s stake in the Digital Region Project.

(2)           Councillor Gilding asked for an update on the latest situation regarding the “Ministry of Food” Unit in All Saints’ Square, together with details of how much the scheme had cost the Council so far.

The Leader reported that Rotherham Borough Council was in active discussions with the Jamie Oliver Foundation and an existing Ministry of Food Centre provider and it was anticipated that the Rotherham operation would be re-opening in May, 2014, once all the necessary repairs and fitting of the building had taken place.

For the six years since 2008 until the end of this financial year the Council would have committed a total of approximately £205,000 to the service.

(3)           Councillor Vines asked how much money RMBC had given out in loans over the last five years to Magna, Rotherham United Football Club, Rotherham Rugby Club and how much had been paid back to date and what interest rates were charged?

The Deputy Leader reported that loan transactions included in the last five years audited Statement of Accounts up to and including the 2012/13 financial year were as follows:-

Magna:-

In 2008/09 £200,000 was advanced and this was fully repaid in 2009/10.

In 2009/10 £150,000 was advanced and this was fully repaid in 2010/11.

In 2010/11 £150,000 was advanced and this was fully repaid in 2011/12.

£100,000 was advanced in 2011/12 and this was fully repaid in the financial year.

£250,000 was advanced in 2012/13 and this was fully repaid in the financial year.

All the loans were made at a commercial rate.

Rotherham United Football Club:-

In 2012/13 two loans, one of £2.8 million and one of just over £1.326 million were advanced to the football club.

The total of just over £4.126 million was advanced to facilitate the construction of the new Community Stadium.

The interest rate on both loans was at a commercial rate and a sum of £73,025 had been repaid as at 31st March, 2013, which was fully in line with the repayment schedule.

Rotherham Rugby Club:-

£55,000 was advanced and fully repaid in the 2008/09 financial year.

£55,000 was advanced and fully repaid in 2009/10.

£50,000 was advanced and fully repaid in 2010/11.

£50,000 was advanced and fully repaid in 2011/12.

£50,000 was advanced and fully repaid in 2012/13.

All the loans were made at a commercial rate.

(4)           Councillor Gilding asked what were the results of the consultation regarding the proposed ‘Residents’ Parking Scheme’ in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

(1)           Councillor Gilding asked what would the salary be of the new Chief Executive to the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire?

The Leader confirmed that this was not a question for the Police and Crime Panel, but one for the Police and Crime Commissioner as it related specifically to his office environment and the question would be referred on accordingly for him to answer.

Councillor Whelbourn, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, reported on the work programme for 2013/14 which was agreed in June 2013.  A half way evaluation of the programme had been carried out an in summary the results so far included:-

·                Over half of the work programme had commenced or been completed, therefore, delivery was on track.

·                Five reviews have been added in to the original agreed work programme.

·                All Select Commissions were on track to complete two full reviews this year, with the exception of the Health Select Commission which would complete three and one or two mini/spotlight reviews.

·                Overview and Scrutiny Management Board was on track to complete three.

·                A total of at least twelve reviews would be completed this year – an increase on last year.

The work programme was well on track to deliver a comprehensive and wide ranging set of reviews this year.  All of these subjects, and more, were key to some of the agendas being faced by the Council and aimed to add value to existing work taking place, with a view to making the most of increasingly diminishing resources for the people of Rotherham.

Councillor Ann Russell, Chairman of the improving Lives Select Commission, was invited to report on the recent meeting which considered an update on child sexual exploitation recognising the three reviews undertaken.  All Members had been invited to attend and ask questions of relevant partners who were in attendance.

Resolved:-  That the update on the work of Scrutiny be noted.