Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham. S60 2TH

Contact: Debbie Pons, Principal Democratic Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

53.

Minute's Silence - WW1 British Soldiers'

Minutes:

The Mayor referred to fifteen British soldiers who died in World War One who have been reinterred in northern France, one hundred years after they were killed in battle. Eleven of the soldiers were from the Second Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment.

 

Members of the Council stood in silence as a token of their respect.

54.

Council Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 10th September, 2014, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Lakin                           Seconder:-  Councillor Hoddinott

55.

Communications

Minutes:

(1)  The Acting Chief Executive submitted the following petition which had been referred to the appropriate Directorates for consideration:-

 

·                Containing 70 signatures from residents relating to parking near Broom Valley Community Primary School.

 

(2)  The Acting Chief Executive submitted apologies for absence from Councillors Burton, Clark, Finne, Havenhand, Johnston, McNeely, Roche, Smith and Whysall.

56.

Questions from the Public

Minutes:

(1)           Mr. P. Thirlwall asked if the Leader could please tell him when the Council would be scrapping the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Scheme which the previous Leader introduced so he could rub shoulders with celebrities and how he intended to use the £500,000 saving.

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, confirmed that the Council was currently in the process of looking at savings and investment options as part of its annual budget setting process for the financial year 2015/2016. The new budget would need to be in place for April, 2015 and to allow this to happen it would need to be approved by the Council in March, 2015.

 

As part of meeting this timetable the Council would shortly be undertaking a public consultation exercise with citizens to assist in considering options and choices. This would help to identify the things that were most important to the public.  As with previous years, the continuation of the investment made to the Imagination Library and any potential alternative uses for the funding would be one of the things that would be considered in setting the budget for next year.

 

The outcome of public consultation and final recommendations would be made to the full Council in March as a result of that consultation would not be decided until the early part of next year.

 

In a supplementary question Mr. Thirlwall asked if the Leader considered it right and fitting for the money saved by scrapping the scheme to be ringfenced for the victims of child sexual exploitation?

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, pointed out that the Council had to save £23 million next year and there were various savings options on the table.  Consideration would be given to the fund for the victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation.

 

(2)  Mr. R. Bartle asked what was the cost of clearing Doles Lane in Whiston of fly tipping over the last financial year?

 

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment, stated that the Council has dealt with 35 incidents of fly-tipping in Doles Lane over the last year (less than 1% of the total of 4,046).  The cost of disposing of the waste was estimated at about £1,500/year, but it was likely that if this location was target-hardened then the fly-tipping would be relocated elsewhere so there would be no cost-benefit in doing so.

 

In a supplementary question Mr. Bartle referred to Doles Lane as being a private track just used as a dumping ground and asked why more permanent measures like gating it off could not be considered?

 

Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment, pointed out that Doles Lane was a public right of way and could not be closed off.  Further investigations could be made, but at this moment in time enforcement action would continue to stop being from fly tipping.

 

(3)  Mr. D. Smith asked now it was known that Councillors Burton and Havenhand had access to the same Cabinet papers as Shaun Wright as Advisers, whilst he was Cabinet Member for Children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

57.

Standards Committee pdf icon PDF 32 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee (Section B) (pages 6B to 9B) be adopted.

                                                                                

Mover:  Councillor Sims                            Seconder:  Councillor Pitchley

58.

Cabinet Minutes pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Capital Programme Monitoring 2014/15 and Capital Programme Budget 2015/16 to 20/17 (Minute No. C52) (Page 62C)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet (Section C) (pages 35C to 70C) be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Lakin                          Seconder:-  Councillor Hoddinott

59.

Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 43 KB

 

Deputy Leader  – Pages 1D to 13D (Section D)

 

Children and Education Services – Pages 1F to 3F (Section F)

 

Planning, Highways and Street Scene Services/Environment – Pages 13G to 20G (Section G)

 

Adult Social Care and Health – Pages 1H to 8H (Section H)

 

Business Growth and Regeneration – Pages 6I-9I (Section I)

 

Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Pages 18J to 29J (Section J)

 

Finance – Pages 8K to 9K (Section K)

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

·                Deputy Leader – Pages 1D-13D (Section D)

 

·                Children and Education Services (Pages 1F-3F) (Section F)

 

·                Planning, Highways and Street Scene Services and Environment (Pages 13G-20G (Section G)

 

·                Adult Social Care and Health – Pages 1H to 8H (Section H)

 

·                Business Growth and Regeneration – Pages 6I to 9I (Section I)

 

·                Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Pages 1kJ to 29J (Section J)

 

·                Finance – Pages 8K to 9K (Section K)

 

Mover:- Councillor Lakin                           Seconder:- Councillor Hoddinott

60.

Audit Committee pdf icon PDF 53 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee (Section N) (Pages 8N to 15N) be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Kaye                           Seconder:-  Councillor Sims

61.

Licensing Board pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Board (Section P (Pages 3P to 10P) be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Dalton                        Seconder:-  The Mayor

                                                                       (Councillor John Foden)

62.

Licensing Board Sub-Committee pdf icon PDF 27 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee (Section Q) (Pages 6Q to 11Q) be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Dalton                        Seconder:-  The Mayor

                                                                       (Councillor John Foden)

63.

Health and Wellbeing Board pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board (Section S) (Pages 11S to 28S) be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Doyle                          Seconder:-  Councillor Lakin

64.

Planning Board pdf icon PDF 34 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Planning Board (Section T) (Pages 11T to 23T) be adopted subject to the addition of Councillor Sansome to the list of those in attendance who was named substitute for Councillor Roche.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Atkin                           Seconder:-  Councillor Tweed

65.

Staffing Committee pdf icon PDF 18 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Staffing Committee (Section U) (Pages 1U to 2U) be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Lakin                          Seconder:-  Councillor Hussain

66.

Questions to Cabinet Members and Chairmen

Minutes:

(1)  Councillor C. Vines referred to the recent Cabinet re-organisation where Councillor Hussain had been moved to Environment and asked was this because like the Opposition the Leader felt there had been very little social cohesion or integration of ethnic minorities during Councillor Hussain's tenure?

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, confirmed that the new Cabinet Portfolios have been aligned with Directorate services to ensure clear lines of accountability. Councillor Hussain had taken on broader service portfolio whilst he himself had taken responsibility for cohesion related matters. This indicated the importance of the cohesion agenda.

 

In a supplementary question Councillor C. Vines referred to his own experiences in business and found it unusual to move someone from a position if they had been doing a good job.  Only those people that were not doing a good job were removed.

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, did not pass any comment.

 

(2)  Councillor M. Vines asked if the Council were receiving donations for the victims of child sexual exploitation and one donation of £50,000.00 and if this was true asked if she could be told where these donations were going?

 

Councillor Hoddinott, Deputy Leader, confirmed that the Council were not receiving donations, but believed reference was being made to the South Yorkshire Community Fund, which the Council had put in £20,000 and as reported in the media, received a £50,000 donation. Members of the public could also donate to that fund.

 

The Cabinet did receive presentations and a report from victim support groups and the Deputy Leader was happy to share details from that if Councillor M. Vines would find that useful.  It was also noted Councillor Clark, Deputy Mayor, was running a tombola in aid of Rotherham Women's Counselling service and would welcome donations.

 

(3)  Councillor Cowles asked now it appeared that Councillor Stone was unlikely to take any further part in the running of this Council would the Leader write to him to demand his resignation in order that the residents of Silverwood could have genuine representation on the Council?

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, explained that Councillor Stone was elected by the public, but advised that the manner in which an individual member sought to undertake his or her duties was a matter for that member.  This was, of course, on the basis that a member attended at least one meeting of the Council within a period of six consecutive months.

 

In a supplementary question Councillor Cowles referred to the lack of power to enforce and why this man was being supported for doing nothing.

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, pointed out that assumptions were being made that Councillor Stone was doing nothing.

 

(4)  Councillor Gilding asked how could the Council justify the payment of £40,000 to the former Strategic Director of Children and Young People's Services?

 

Councillor Lakin, the Leader, pointed out that the former Strategic Director had not been dismissed, but stated that she had worked for the Council under a contract of employment which entitled her to six months’ notice.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

Questions to Spokespersons

Minutes:

There were none.

68.

Appointment of Interim Chief Executive pdf icon PDF 33 KB

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the appointment of an interim Chief Executive to replace the former Chief Executive who was to leave the employment of the Authority on the 31st December, 2014.

 

Resolved:-  That the appointment on an interim basis of Jan Ormondroyd to the post of Chief Executive be approved with effect from 3rd November 2014.

 

Moved:-  Councillor Lakin                          Seconded:-  Councillor Hoddinott

69.

Membership Arrangements 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 47 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services submitted details of the revised membership arrangements in respect of Overview and Scrutiny Select Commissions and the membership allocations to committees, boards and appointments to outside bodies for the forthcoming year.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the following revised arrangements be approved:-

 

Cabinet Advisers:-

 

Adult Social Care and Health – Councillor Pitchley (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Andrews

Business Growth and Regeneration – Councillor Whysall (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Sansome

Children and Education Services – Councillor Lelliott (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Roche

Deputy Leader (Finance) – Councillor Sims (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Tweed

Environment – Councillor McNeely (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Swift

Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Councillor N. Hamilton (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Wallis

 

Area Assemblies:-

 

 

Chairman

Vice-Chairman

 

Wentworth North

(Hoober, Wath, Swinton)

 

Sansome

 

J. Hamilton

 

Rotherham North

(Keppel, Wingfield, Rotherham West, Rotherham South)

 

 

Johnston

 

 

Sims

 

Rotherham South

(Rotherham East, Boston Castle, Sitwell)

 

 

Wallis

 

 

McNeely

 

Wentworth South

(Rawmarsh, Valley, Silverwood, Rother Valley West)

 

 

N. Hamilton

 

 

Currie

 

Rother Valley West

(Brinsworth/Catcliffe,

Rother Vale, Holderness

 

 

Swift

 

 

Buckley

 

Rother Valley South

(Dinnington, Anston/Woodsetts, Wales

 

Havenhand

 

Dalton

 

Wentworth Valley

(Maltby, Hellaby, Wickersley)

 

Ellis

 

Godfrey

REGULATORY BOARDS

 

Standards Committee:-

 

Councillor Finnie

Councillor Gosling (Chairman)

Councillor Middleton

Councillor Pitchley

Councillor Sansome

Councillor Sims (Vice-Chairman

Councillor Tweed

Vacancy

 (8)

 

Independent Members:-

 

Mr. I. Daines

Ms. A. Dowdall

Mr. P. Edler

Ms. J. Porter

Mrs. C. Saltis

 

Parish Council Representatives:-

Councillors D. Bates, D. Rowley and R. Swann.

Licensing Board:-

 

Councillor Andrews

Councillor Beck

Councillor Buckley

Councillor Cutts

Councillor Dalton (Chairman)

Councillor Doyle

Councillor Ellis

Councillor Foden (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor Hamilton, J.

Councillor Hamilton, N.

Councillor Havenhand

Councillor McNeely

Councillor Parker

Councillor Reeder

Councillor Reynolds

Councillor Robinson

Councillor Roddison

Councillor Sangster

Councillor Sharman

Councillor Sims

Councillor Swift

(21)

 

Licensing Committee:-

 

Councillor Andrews

Councillor Beck

Councillor Cutts

Councillor Buckley

Councillor Dalton (Chairman)

Councillor Doyle

Councillor Foden (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor Hamilton, J.

Councillor Hamilton, N.

Councillor Havenhand

Councillor McNeely

Councillor Parker

Councillor Reeder

Councillor Sangster

Councillor Swift

 (15)

 

Planning Board:-

 

Councillor Astbury

Councillor Atkin (Chairman)

Councillor Godfrey (Cabinet Member)

Councillor N. Hamilton

Councillor Kaye

Councillor Middleton

Councillor Pitchley

Councillor Roche

Councillor Roddison

Councillor Rushforth

Councillor Turner

Councillor Tweed (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor M. Vines

Councillor Wallis

Councillor Whysall

 (15)

 

Substitutes:-  Councillors Beaumont (Wentworth Valley), Vacancy (Rother Valley South), Councillor Sims (Rotherham North), Currie (Rotherham South), Lelliott (Rother Valley West), Sansome (Wentworth North) and Vacancy (Wentworth South).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audit Committee:-

 

Councillor Cowles

Councillor Kaye (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor Rushforth

Councillor Sangster (Chairman)

Councillor Sharman

 (5)

 

SELECT COMMISSIONS

 

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board:-

 

Councillor Ahmed

Councillor Currie

Councillor J. Hamilton

Councillor Middleton

Councillor Parker

Councillor Read (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor Sansome

Councillor Sims

Councillor Steele (Chairman)

Councillor C. Vines

Councillor Watson

Councillor Wyatt

 (12)

Health:-

 

Councillor Dalton

Councillor Havenhand

Councillor Hunter

Councillor Jepson

Councillor Kaye

Councillor Robinson

Councillor Sansome (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor Swift

Councillor M. Vines

Councillor Whysall

Councillor Wootton

Councillor Wyatt (Chairman)

(12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Improving Lives:-

 

Councillor Ahmed (Vice-Chairman)

Councillor Astbury

Councillor Buckley

Councillor Burton

Councillor Clark

Councillor J. Hamilton (Chairman)

Councillor N. Hamilton

Councillor McNeely

Councillor Reynolds

Councillor Roddison

Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

70.

Scrutiny Update

Minutes:

Councillor Steele provided an update on activity and achievements so far for each of the Select Commissions and how the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had overseen its own work programme as well as that of the Select Commissions.

 

Resolved:- That the Scrutiny update noted.

71.

Motion - Towns Against Tax Dodging

The Council notes:-

 

·          It has been estimated that the UK Treasury loses as much as £12 billion to tax dodging by multinational companies every year. Developing countries lose three times more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year – enough to give a basic education to the 57 million children currently missing out.

·          The UK has a particular responsibility to end tax dodging, as it is responsible for 1 in 5 of the world’s tax havens in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

·          The use of tax havens by UK companies is rife, with 98 of the FTSE 100 companies routinely using tax havens.

·          Large multinational companies pay as little as 5% in corporate taxes globally, while smaller businesses pay up to 30%.

 

This Council believes:-

 

·             As a local authority we have a duty to provide the best possible public services.

·             Our ability to provide quality local services would be significantly enhanced by the increased revenues from the government tackling tax dodging.

·             All who benefit from public spending should contribute their fair share.

·             The UK must take a lead role in creating a fairer tax system and combatting tax dodging.

 

This Council resolves:-

 

·             To support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:

         

         “While many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living, some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide quality public services. The UK government must listen to the strength of public feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies, in developing countries and the UK.”

 

Proposer:-  Councillor Steele                    Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

Minutes:

Moved by Councillor Steele and seconded by Councillor Watson.

 

“This Council notes:-

 

·          It has been estimated that the UK Treasury loses as much as £12 billion to tax dodging by multinational companies every year. Developing countries lose three times more to tax dodging than they receive in aid each year – enough to give a basic education to the 57 million children currently missing out.

·          The UK has a particular responsibility to end tax dodging, as it is responsible for 1 in 5 of the world’s tax havens in the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

·          The use of tax havens by UK companies is rife, with 98 of the FTSE 100 companies routinely using tax havens.

·          Large multinational companies pay as little as 5% in corporate taxes globally, while smaller businesses pay up to 30%.

 

This Council believes:-

 

·             As a local authority we have a duty to provide the best possible public services.

·             Our ability to provide quality local services would be significantly enhanced by the increased revenues from the Government tackling tax dodging.

·             All who benefit from public spending should contribute their fair share.

·             The UK must take a lead role in creating a fairer tax system and combatting tax dodging.

 

This Council resolves:-

 

·             To support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:

         

         “While many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living, some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide quality public services. The UK Government must listen to the strength of public feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies, in developing countries and the UK.”

 

The motion was put and carried unanimously and was adopted by the Council.

(The Mayor authorised consideration of the following urgent item in order to process the matters referred to)

72.

Appointment of a Returning Officer, Registration Officer and Deputy Registration Officer

Minutes:

Councillor Lakin, Leader of the Council, introduced a report which set out details of the  requirement to ensure that continuing appointments for a returning officer for elections and a registration officer and deputy registration officer for electoral registration were in place when Martin Kimber, Chief Executive left the employment of the Local Authority.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services be appointed as Returning Officer for Local Government elections.

 

(2)  That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services be appointed as Registration Officer and  Stuart Fletcher, the Deputy Monitoring Officer be appointed as Deputy Registration Officer.

 

(3)  That the temporary amendment to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to enable the Director of Legal and Democratic Services to undertake the “Proper Officer Provisions”  described in the report, all the above  recommendations to be effective from the date of the Chief Executive leaving the employment of the Council be approved.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Lakin                           Seconder:-  Councillor Hoddinott

 

(Jacqueline Collins, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, left the room whilst this matter was discussed)