Agenda and minutes

To consider any announcements by the Mayor or the Leader.

The Mayor presented Stewart Preece and Peter Watson from the Street Pride service with certificates of commendation from the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police for their actions in helping the police to apprehend a thief.

The Mayor also presented Tom Bell, Anne Marie Lubanski and Asim Munir from Adult Care and Housing with the Tenants Participation Advisory Service Accreditation Award.

Members of the Council joined the Mayor in showing their appreciation of the work done by those officers of the Council.

The Mayor reported on her activities:

“Since our last full Council Meeting on the 7th September, I have attended over 80 (89) engagements, far too many to mention individually and all equally as important so, picking out a few has been hard but,  here goes ….

I should mention my first engagement on the evening of the last Council Meeting - the Scout Annual General Meeting at Hesley Woods, this brought  back  lovely memories from my Girl Guiding days, many years ago !!

There has been many occasion to celebrate with businesses across the Borough including the 225th Anniversary of Oxley and Coward, the opening of ‘Tiny Bistro’ Wickersley, the official opening by the Duke of Gloucester at X-Cel Superturn and ASSEAL celebrated yet another Queen’s Enterprise Award, presented by the Lord Lieutenant.

I can’t mention businesses without congratulating all the winners and runners up at the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce Awards last Friday.

September saw many visits across the Borough to the McMillan coffee mornings, including the annual one held here in the John Smith room by Cllr. McNeely.

The Annual RMBC Garden Competition was celebrated here too and Cllr. Beck, my Consort, and I presented well deserving certificates and trophies.

And what about Ray Matthews, celebrating with him on his Final 75th Marathon!!  Now that’s a true hero.

The Rotherham Show saw another good two full days with so many lovely people, not to mention the pets!!

The Carnival that paraded the town was spectacular.  While I couldn’t attend, I did see part of the parade as I was returning from my engagement where I celebrated at the Higher Education Graduation,  again, here at Rotherham.

The Olympics Yorkshire Homecoming where we met some of our talented Olympians from the Olympics and Para-olympics, plus holding and (even wearing) the well deserving medal – I’m pretty sure that will be the last time I ever wear an Olympic Medal!

Moving on …..

The Rotherham Lions ‘Giveaway’ was again lovely, to hand out so many cheques to all the deserving groups and individuals.  All the money raised by the hard work of the Lions over the last 12 months.  I must also thank them again for the donation of £500 towards my charity this year.

Still so many functions, I could go on all night,  I won’t, but I do have to mention a few more..

I must mention the presentation to Muriel Davies of the Women of Steel Medallion. 

There has,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beck, M. S. Elliott, Finnie and Whysall.

To report on any petitions received by the Council.

The Chief Executive reported that one petition had been received which had been referred to the Regeneration and Environment directorate for response.

Councillor Wyatt enquired whether the petition in question related to landscaping at Carlisle Park, Swinton and requested that the practice of detailing petitions on the Mayor’s letter be reinstated. The Chief Executive confirmed that was the petition and all future petitions would be detailed on the Mayor’s letter circulated at the meeting.

Any communication received by the Mayor or Chief Executive which relates to a recommendation of the Cabinet or a committee which was received after the relevant meeting.

No communications were received.

To invite Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting, to confirm the nature of those interests and whether they intend to leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

There were no declarations of interest at the meeting.  

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 7 September 2016 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Councillor Allen indicated that the minutes stated that she was present at the previous meeting when in fact she had submitted her apologies. Councillor Julie Turner requested that the minutes be amended to ensure that it was clear whether Councillor John Turner or Councillor Julie Turner had spoken, rather than recording that Councillor Turner had spoken.

Resolved:-

That, subject to the amendment of the attendance record and to note that Councillor John Turner had submitted a question, the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 7 September 2016 be agreed as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

(Councillor Brian Cutts wished for his vote against the accuracy of the minutes to be recorded.)

To receive questions from members of the public who may wish to ask a general question of the Mayor, Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee.

The following questions were received:-

From Mr. D. Smith – “Why does the Borough Council insist on ignoring the opinion of the Parish Councils?

In response, Councillor Yasseen, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Working and Cultural Services, stated that “the Council values its relationship with Parish Councils and has in recent years sought to improve and build on the positive relationship that exists between the two levels of local government. For example, the Council is committed to continuing with the RMBC/Parish Joint Council Working Group which is chaired by the Cabinet Lead, Neighbourhood Working and Cultural Services, and comprises elected representatives from all the Parish Councils across the borough. The group has worked together to refresh the Parish/RMBC Council Charter which sets out our joint commitment to partnership working.

The Council is also committed to supporting individual Parish Councils and their Clerks through training and events. Training has been provided on the planning process and health and safety in response to requests by Parish Clerks and Councils. A Parish Council Network Conference is also scheduled for November 2016 which again is to promote a common agenda around neighbourhood planning.

It should be borne in mind that as with any relationship between statutory partners there will be areas of policy agreement but also of difference. Such differences should not automatically be construed as partners not listening to each other’s opinions.”

As a supplementary question, Mr Smith reiterated his initial question and queried why, in his view, the Borough Council treated Parish Councils with contempt. In response, Councillor Yasseen expressed her disappointment at Mr. Smith’s view and referred to the work that the Borough Council had done with Dinnington Town Council in preparing a neighbourhood plan. She also made reference to the Joint Liaison Meeting scheduled for 20 October 2016 where discussions would be ongoing regarding a number of outstanding issues.

From Mrs. M. Watson:- “Is the Council aware of the implications of allowing Fisher German Prestner, agents of Ineos, to carry out seismic testing as a precursor to ‘Fracking’ in Harthill and Woodall?”

Councillor Lelliott responded “INEOS have been granted a Petroleum Exploration Development Licence (PEDL) by the Government for onshore oil and gas in the UK in our area. This means they have the sole rights to investigate fracking via the licence.

In relation to seismic testing this would only require the permission of the landowner to carry out, as no development is involved, so the Council has not been approached regarding this matter (parish council meeting with Ineos reported, in the Rotherham Advertiser, to take place on 17 October). However, any further, more intrusive, testing e.g. the drilling of test bore holes etc would require consideration via a planning application. To implement the fracking licence the company would also require other regulatory requirements such as planning permission, an Environment Agency permit and health and safety requirements.”

Mrs. Watson did not take the opportunity to ask a supplementary question.  

To receive and consider the reports, minutes and recommendations of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 12 September 2016.

Resolved:-

1.    That the minutes of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 12 September 2016 be received.

2.    That the Library Strategy 2016-19 and future service offer be approved.

3.    That implementation of the revised savings proposals in respect of the Libraries Service and adjustment to the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved.

To consider an overview of the legislative impact on the council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2016-17

Consideration was given to a report which introduced a paper considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 10 October 2016 which detailed the impact of legislation on the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2016-17.

It was reported that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) records all expenditure and income relating to the provision of council housing and related services, and the Council is required to produce a HRA Business Plan setting out its investment priorities over a 30 year period.

Following the introduction in 2012 of HRA self-financing, whereby the Council was awarded control over its HRA in return for taking on a proportion of national housing debt, Rotherham’s HRA was in a strong position with a healthy level of reserves. However a number of policies had recently been introduced by central government that will result in a dramatic reduction to HRA resources, namely:

·         Welfare Reforms

·         Changes resulting from the Housing and Planning Act 2016

It was noted that the cumulative effect of these changes was that £51m of savings were likely to be required by 2020-21 when compared to the previous business plan, meaning that the Council would need to take some difficult decisions about prioritisation, and how to achieve the best outcomes locally for Rotherham residents. Further discussions would be required regarding how best the Council manages social housing and new housing delivery in the future and it was noted that this would be the subject of further reports.  

Members debated the wider legislative and policy issues in respect of housing which had been driven by the government’s agenda. Reference was made to the ‘Spare Room Subsidy’, also known as the ‘Bedroom Tax’ and the impact of this policy on local people, specifically younger people, and the provision of good decent housing. Discussion also took place on the impact of the Homes and Communities Agency moving from the award of grants to loans.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

LOCAL PHARMACIES

That this Council:-

Recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our town.

Rotherham Council notes that:

·           The 69 pharmacies in Rotherham offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care

·           Pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more.  We already work closely with them

·           Advice and support services are also available to care homes

·           Several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population.

Rotherham Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170M nationally to take effect from October 2016.  This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could effectively mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which could potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services.  Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs.  A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interests of patients and carers.

This Council resolves:-

To write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England detailing ur concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.

Proposed by:    Councillor David Roche

Seconded by:    Councillor Jeanette Mallinder

Proposed by Councillor Roche and seconded by Councillor Mallinder:

This Council recognises and values local pharmacies as a vital primary care health service and as an integral part of the fabric of local communities throughout our town.

This Council notes that:

·         The 69 pharmacies in Rotherham offer a range of services such as dispensing prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines and supporting self-care

·         Pharmacies play an important role in promoting wellbeing such as healthy eating, smoking cessation, exercise, flu vaccination, sexual health and more.  We already work closely with them

·         Advice and support services are also available to care homes

·         Several local pharmacies have achieved Healthy Living Pharmacies (HLP) status recognising and evidencing their role in improving the health of their local population.

Rotherham Council is greatly concerned about Government imposed threats to pharmacies as a result of cuts in the budget of £170M nationally to take effect from October 2016.  This is a 6% cut in cash terms but could effectively mean a cut of 12% during the financial year which could potentially close up to a quarter of pharmacies with an increased focus on warehousing dispensary and online services.  Service cuts in pharmacies put more residents at risk as well as putting pressure on GPs and on hospital services and therefore increasing NHS costs.  A fully funded community pharmacy service is cost effective and is in the interests of patients and carers.

This Council therefore resolves to write to the Secretary of State for Health, NHS England detailing our concerns and demanding an immediate reversal of these proposals.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Standards and Ethics Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-

1.    That the minutes of the Standards and Ethics Committee held on 29 September 2016 be adopted.

2.    That the Member/Officer Protocol be amended and the Constitution updated accordingly.

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Audit Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 21 September 2016 be adopted.

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 21 September 2016 be adopted.

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Planning Board.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Board held on 15 September 2016 be adopted.

To put questions, if any, to the designated Members on the discharge of functions of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, in accordance with Standing Order No. 7(5).

There were no questions received for designated spokespersons.

To put questions, if any, to Cabinet Members and Chairmen (or their representatives) under Standing Order No. 7(1) and 7(3).

Councillor Simpson asked “The Rejuvenation of the town centre is very welcomed but some outlying centres like Brinsworth Lane shopping area seem to have been forgotten. Can we make sure that villages and green areas like Aston, Lathe Road (Whiston) and Waverley are retained and protected from over development?”

In response, Councillor Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, stated “All areas of retail (town centres, district centres and local shopping centres) are identified in the Local Plan and so the current and future uses are guided by this planning policy document. The Adopted Local Plan Core Strategy has already fixed the amount of development to come forward in each of the areas across Rotherham. This strategic plan is being followed up with the more detailed Sites and Policies document, which is currently going through an independent inspection, to determine exactly which sites will be allocated for future development and which areas will be protected for the future.

As a supplementary question, Councillor Simpson referred to the opportunity to protect natural areas around the Waverley development from over development. Councillor Lelliott responded in agreement with Councillor Simpson’s point and offered to meet with him to discuss further outside of the meeting.

Councillor Sansome asked: “In light of the announcement by Tata to put its Speciality Steels business with the Brinsworth and Aldwarke sites in Rotherham up for sale, can he provide us an update?”

In response, Councillor Read, Leader of the Council, stated “As was reported in the press last month, Tata is working with interested purchasers of the Speciality Steels business. As you can imagine negotiating the sale and purchase of a business of this size and scale, which is currently part of a larger group of businesses, is a complex process and subject to commercial confidentiality. The Council has worked closely with Tata to support both the business and, importantly, the employees through the restructuring process and we remain in regular contact with the management at Tata. I recognise that these are uncertain times for everyone at Tata, the workforce, and their families particularly in the lead up to Christmas - and that all concerned will be anxious to hear news that the sale process has been brought to a successful conclusion. All I can say at the moment is that discussions on the sale are ongoing and the relevant parties are working hard to conclude matters.”

As a supplementary question, Councillor Sansome asked for an update on the work by the Taskforce dealing with people who had been made redundant. Councillor Read referred to the good work done by government agencies and reported that from 720 redundancies support had been provided by RiDO to 323 people and a further 158 people who were deemed to be at risk, but not selected for redundancy. Of the 323:-

·         131 have new jobs or are self-employed (120 employed and 11 self-employed)

·         18 have retired

·         6 are not looking for work for various reasons

·         64 are  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.