Agenda and minutes

To consider any announcements by the Mayor in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3(2)(ii).

The Mayor was pleased to report on the last few months’ activity which had seen her attend 126 engagements since the last meeting.

The Mayor proposed that she produce a written report on her activity for sharing at future Council meetings in addition to her verbal report.

The Mayor confirmed she was also in receipt of a decorated African Mace, usually given to the Leader of the Tribe, which was presented at the African History Event.  This would serve as amazing reminder of a great cultural event and the amazing privilege and responsibility serving the people of Rotherham.

Rotherham’s switching on of the Christmas illuminations was again a great success, children filled and the decorations in Rotherham second to none.

The Mayor also opened an event with Grimm and Co.  She was pleased to report she had won in the raffle an umbrella that doubled up as a hex protector.

The Mayor was also pleased to report the opening of 2 art galleries in Rotherham, one above Riley’s Snooker Hall, and the other at Masbrough showing a hundred portraits of Rotherham people.

On Monday, 18^th December, 2017 the Mayor was also hosting an event with the Daniel Barnett Foundation inviting children from Bluebell Wood and the disabled carers’ forum children to an art therapy party for the children to make and take home art keepsakes and, of course, meet Father Christmas.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allcock, Bird, Clark, Evans, Reeder, Russell, Whysall and Yasseen.

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.

There were no communications received.

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 18October 2017 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 18^th October, 2017, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To report on any petitions received by the Council received by the Council and receive statements in support of petitions in accordance with Petitions Scheme and Council Procedure Rule 13.

The Mayor reported that no petitions had been 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.

Councillor Cusworth declared a personal interest in Minute No. 108 (Review of District Heating Charges) on the grounds that her brother was a resident on the Swinton Fitzwilliam Estate and whilst would speak on the matter would not participate in the vote.

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 in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

(1)  Mr. L. Harron asked did the Leader of the Council agree that online communications with members of the public about what resources have been specifically allocated to help victims and survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) have been dire and would he ensure that all relevant information was published online, say within two weeks?

The Leader confirmed he was aware of Mr. Harron’s ongoing concerns and his championing of this cause and was not sure he agreed that the information on the website was dire.  There was a page on the Council’s website which detailed the resources available including post abuse support and how to report concerns about any child at risk of CSE with contact details for the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, Rotherham Abuse Counselling Service, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre and Barnado’s.  The web pages did identify useful information for people seeking support and activity in the Borough.  This did not include financial resources allocated by the Council if specific details should be added the Leader was happy to take a representation on this.  He had also asked the Communications Team to ensure this page was easily accessible from the Council’s home page on the website.

In his supplementary question Mr. Harron referred to the statement made by the Leader in public a few weeks ago about the failure of the bid.  For people like Mr. Harron actively campaigning information was required to see what help could be given to assist with getting more resources. 

He described how three years on the 16^th December he had met with Paul Lakin, former Leader, and had offered then to give two days of his own voluntary activity for three months to improve the Council’s communications.  Ian Thomas was in the meeting at the time and indicated there were thousands who wanted to help.  He asked if Ian Thomas could write a report showing how he had utilised people and the time offered to him in his first few weeks in Rotherham.

The Leader was happy to speak to Mr. Thomas about what information could be made available on the Council’s website about what the Council had done in relation to child sexual exploitation as Rotherham clearly had a strong story to tell.  Whether this should involve information about the use of volunteers it was difficult to decide, but the Leader would reflect on this in the weeks to come.

(2)  From Mr. P. Thirlwall asked when was Appendix 8, Schedule 1, of the Council’s Constitution amended to include the Leader of the Opposition and could he have a copy of the correspondence from UKIP stating that Councillor Cowles was their present Leader?

The Leader enlightened Members on the previous question about the payment of a Special Responsibility Allowance to Councillor Cowles, Leader of the Opposition, and where that had been detailed. A response was provided in writing detailing how at the Annual Council Meeting in May, 2017 a report was tabled identifying Councillor Cowles as the Leader of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

Agenda Item 12 (Recommendation from Cabinet – Proposed Rother Valley Country Park Caravan Site) and agenda item 13 (Recommendation from Cabinet – District Heating Scheme Charges Review) have exempt appendices.

The presumption will be that these reports will be considered in public, however if Members consider it necessary to refer to the exempt information detailed in the appendices to the reports, the Mayor will move the following resolution:-

That under Section 100(A) 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the 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 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:-  That under section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting should the appendices be discussed for Minute Nos. 107 and 108 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

To receive a statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

The Leader welcomed the opportunity to address the Council and was pleased to report on four items.

The first was on the development of budget proposals for the coming financial year which would be going to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board for consideration over the next few weeks.  The Government had also indicated the Local Government Settlement would be delayed until 19^th December, 2017 which provided no opportunity to respond to any sudden changes.  However, work would continue within the provisions and an update provided in due course.  This had been the toughest year yet for budget management going forward.

The second related to efforts with the Home Office and other Government Departments seeking funding for support with child sexual exploitation victims and survivors through criminal trials as part of Operation Stovewood.  Progress was slow, but a meeting had been arranged with the Home Office Minister, Victoria Aitkin, next month.  The Leader would provide an update on the outcome of this meeting.

Thirdly, Members would be aware that Ofsted had been inspecting Children’s Services over the course of the last month.  The outcome was not yet known, but the Leader wished to place on record his thanks and gratitude to the entire team within Children’s Services for their enormous commitment and fortitude in taking the Council this far in their improvement journey.  Staff needed to be advised that all Elected Members fully supported the work being undertaken.  The full Ofsted report would be published on the 29^th January, 2018 and the Deputy Leader had already arranged for an all Member Seminar for that morning so Members could be fully briefed on the detail as soon as this was available and in the public domain.

Fourthly, the Leader had also been appointed Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority and would hold that position through until May, 2018 when the Mayoral election was scheduled to take place.

The Leader also took the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

To note the minutes of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meetings held on 16 October and 13 November 2017.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 16^th October and 13^th November, 2017, be received.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To consider recommendations from the Cabinet arising from the interim review of polling places in the borough.

Further to Minute No. 67 of the meeting of the Cabinet and Commissioners held on 13^th November, 2017 consideration was given to the report which detailed the revised proposals for polling places.

This was a relatively straight forward procedure which now avoided the use and subsequent closure of schools unnecessarily.

Rotherham would undergo another full compulsory review in 2018/19, in time for the May 2020 Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking into account the new electoral boundaries.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Council be recommended to approve the proposals for polling places as outlined in Appendix 2,  in particular that:-

a.         The polling place for AD polling district be changed from Anston Hillcrest Primary School to the Methodist Community Hall, Sheffield Road.

b.         The polling place for CG and KG polling districts be changed from the AMRC Design Prototyping & Testing Centre, Wallis Way to the AMP Technology Centre, Brunel Way.

c.         The polling place for ID polling district be changed from the Maltby Service Centre, Braithwell Road to the Wesley Centre, Blyth Road.

(2)  The polling place for KB polling district be changed from the mobile library to Aston Fence Junior & Infant School.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam                            Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet to include the proposed caravan site project within the approved Capital Programme.

Further to Minute No. 68 of the meeting of the Cabinet and Commissioners held on 13^th November, 2017 consideration was given to the report which detailed outline proposals for a new caravan site at Rother Valley Country Park following assessment of its business potential and an opportunity to generate revenue and which would further enhance Rotherham’s reputation as a welcoming and enjoyable visitor destination. 

Ward Members were in full support of the proposals for development as this would not only bring visitors into Rotherham, but create and support business enrichment in the local economy.

Resolved:-  That the Rother Valley Country Park Caravan Site project be included within the approved Capital Programme as an invest-to-save initiative.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Lelliott

To consider recommendations from Cabinet arising from the review of District Heating Charges.

Further to Minute No. 76 of the meeting of the Cabinet and Commissioners held on 13^th November, 2017 consideration was given to the report which recommended the reduction of the kwh charge to 6.28p per kwh with no standing charge for 2017-18 which would be applied retrospectively from 1st April, 2017.  These cost reductions would mean that charges for district heating in Rotherham for 2017-18 were comparable to both Sheffield and Doncaster.

Members welcomed the cost reduction for tenants on district heating and this would ensure the adoption of a charging structure that was fair to all tenants on district heating throughout the Borough.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the revised district heating cost model be approved.

(2)  That the unit Kwh charge across all district heating schemes be reduced to 6.28p per kwh (incl. VAT) and apply retrospectively from 1 April 2017.

(3)  That the weekly pre-payment charges on all pooled schemes be reduced as detailed in Option 3 of the report.

Mover:-  Councillor Beck                            Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To report on the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s final recommendations in respect of its review of ward boundaries in the borough.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how the Council had now received the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) final recommendations for the future Warding of Rotherham from 2020.

The Commission’s proposals were published on 31st October, 2017 and confirmed that there should be 59 Councillors in the Borough elected from 25 wards, which was 4 Wards more, but 4 Councillors fewer than there were at present. The Commission also proposed changes to all of the current Ward boundaries in the Borough.

This report, therefore, highlighted the final recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Whilst there were a few Members who objected to the proposals where their Wards were affected, the majority accepted the proposals and were in support of the changes to the ward boundaries.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the final recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in respect of the future Council size and
Warding arrangements in the borough of Rotherham be noted.

(2)  That the future Council size of 59 Members and the operation of 25 electoral Wards from May 2020 be noted.

Mover:-   Councillor Read                          Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To consider a proposal to undertake a Community Governance Review arising from a petition received from Orgreave Parish Council.

Further to Minute No. 17 of the meeting of Council held on 3^rd June, 2015 consideration was given to the report which detailed the outcome of the request for a Community Governance Review to alter the boundary of the Parish Council to cover only the settlement of Orgreave and the creation of a new Parish Council to cover the remainder of the current area of Orgreave Parish Council, which would include the southern part of the Waverley settlement.  On agreeing the Community Governance Review and approval of the Terms of Reference a further report was to be submitted with the results of the consultation exercise.

A consultation exercise did take place, but no further report was submitted to Council.  This report sought to rectify that omission.  There had been significant development on the Waverley site since 2015 and this report outlined the various proposals which have emerged from recent discussions with Orgreave Parish Council, Catcliffe Parish Council, the Waverley Residents Association and Ward Members and made recommendations for the further progress of the Community Governance Review.

Members welcomed the opportunity for further consultation to address some of the concerns that have been raised from recent discussions.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the modified terms of reference set out at Appendix 4 of this report be agreed.

(2)  That further consultation take place as set out at Section 4of this report. 

(3)  That a further report on the outcome of the further consultation be submitted to the Council in due course.  

Mover:-   Councillor Alam                       Seconder:-  Councillor Read

No motions have been received by the Proper Officer for this Council Meeting.

No motions have been received by the Proper Officer for this Council Meeting.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendation and minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Wyatt                      Seconder:-  Councillor Walsh

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 reports, recommendation and minutes of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Roche                      Seconder:-  Councillor Mallinder

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendation and minutes of the meetings of the Planning Board be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Atkin                        Seconder:-  Councillor Walsh

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendation and minutes of the meetings of the Staffing Committee be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam                        Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee, Licensing Board and Licensing Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee, Licensing Board and Licensing Committee be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Ellis                         Seconder:-  Councillor Beaumont

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 Council Procedure Rule 11(5).

Councillor Cowles referred to Prime Minister’s questions on the 15^th November, 2017 whenJeremy Corbyn raged against the Tories for cuts to the Fire Service, this view was supported by UKIP and local MP’s and, other Local Authorities were opposing this policy. Why was our local policy, in Rotherham, supported by Councillor Atkin continuing to support the cuts.

Councillor Atkin, Designated Spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire Authority, explained South Yorkshire Fire Authority and service managers have repeatedly stated their commitment to provide the best possible service to the people of South Yorkshire within the resources available to it, despite Government imposed funding cuts which have reduced its annual budget by around 25%. As a member of the Association of Metropolitan Fire and Rescue Authorities, South Yorkshire’s Fire Authority had consistently lobbied for a fairer local funding settlement and would continue to do so.

In a supplementary question Councillor Cowles made reference to the I.R.M.P. which was currently out of date and pointed out plans were not set in stone.  Plans were set and resources identified covering a particular period of time, but plans should be reviewed and amended accordingly.  First priority should be to residents and fire fighters as fire fighters were entering buildings against national policy in order to save lives before a second pump was available from out of area to arrive approximately ten minutes later. 

The problems were at night and Mr. Corbyn went on to report that fire related incidents had increased by 25% since 2010.  Other figures were also heading north and the Fire Authority had financial reserves of £27.3 m.  There would be an opportunity to do something about the precept in 2020.  The Fire Authority appeared to be cash rich so if it only cost £200,000 to run a pump you could do so for a number of years.  The Labour Party had been setting unsound budgets for years and using reserves.  More houses were being built thus increasing the risk. 

Councillor Cowles asked why were the cuts being supported when surely looking at things now there were 2 options and only one outcome – do you agree? 

Councillor Atkin responded and confirmed nobody wanted to support the cuts, but it was the duty to balance a budget.  Quoting from Jeremy Corbyn he had indicated that no Labour Councillor should set an illegal budget and Councillor Atkin was not willing to go against this.

To put questions, if any, to Cabinet Members and Chairmen (or their representatives) under Council Procedure Rules 11(1) and 11(3).

(1)  Councillor Wyatt wished to thank Councillor Beck for the time and attention he and officers have given seeking a fair pricing structure for customers on district heating, the opportunities to make representations to him and the diligence applied to these issues.  Councillor Beck had referred in Agenda Item 13 to the reduction of costs and the ongoing work that would continue on thermal comforts and improvements and asked would he please investigate residents’ concerns regarding positioning of internal thermostats, in particular those on the inside of external walls to a small number of properties, but this had possibly contributed to increased costs.

Councillor Beck confirmed the Council would investigate this further as this related to some properties on the Swinton Fitzwilliam Estate where the thermostat was erected on external walls and could result in a bigger draw on the heating.

In a supplementary question Councillor Wyatt referred to information he had since received regarding thermal imaging surveys that would take place between Christmas and New Year on the Swinton Fitzwilliam Estate.  He asked that proper advice also be given to tenants about further refunds expected.

Councillor Beck pointed out that a number of engagement sessions have taken place across all district heating schemes over the past few months, and involved talking to residents, raising awareness and sharing information about how to improve the thermal comfort and efficiency of older properties.  The Council would do as much as it could to make residents aware how they could help themselves and where the Council needed to help.

(2)  Councillor Carter referred tohealth promotion being the backbone of preventing disease in our communities and asked what plans did the Council have to increase the uptake of exercise and sporting activities among younger children in the Borough?

Councillor Roche pointed out the Council along with the CCG and the Hospital Trust used early intervention and prevention alongside health promotion and as part of this the Council was providing an extensive range of opportunities to promote healthier lifestyle. Examples included:- 

·                Holiday activity called Mega Active during Summer, Spring Bank and Easter, October and February – Total of 5,393 attendances during 2016/17 programme.

·                Active Rotherham delivered a disability sport programme targeting people aged 14 years + - Total of 5,083 attendances during 2016/17.

·                The Council have an agreement with Places for People Leisure to deliver a range of sport and physical activity opportunities for young people - Number of physical visits to Leisure Facilities during 2016/17 was 1,241,225. This was the total visits which included young people.

·                The Council facilitated 2 action groups for sport to work with schools and partners with the aim of developing, mapping and co-ordinating sports provision for young people.

·                The Council worked with numerous voluntary sports clubs on issues such as funding bids, facility development, training and development to increase opportunities for young people to have better quality sport and physical activity experiences and better quality facilities.

·                The Council was currently working with Yorkshire Sport Foundation to refresh  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

There were none.