Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Debbie Pons, Principal Democratic Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

136.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

To consider any announcements by the Mayor or the Leader.

Minutes:

The Mayor was pleased to announce that since the last Council Meeting she had represented the borough of Rotherham on 44 occasions many of which have been to do with young people. The Air Training Corps 75th Anniversary Parade and service saw around 800 air cadets from South Yorkshire including many from Rotherham march through Doncaster. Whiston Junior and Infant School showcased their amazing young pupils in their Whiston’s Got Talent event, Rotherfeds One Billion and Rising flash mob in All Saints’ Square saw young people from Canklow, East Herringthorpe,  Dalton and Thrybergh use music and dance to spread a message of peace and call for violence against women to end and YMCA White Rose’s Tribo Fogo used Clifton Park as a backdrop for a tribal theatrical enactment and all done with fire and music, beat boxing and skate boards.

 

The Town Hall Open Day was very successful with dozens of people taking the tours and visits were hosted from Thorpe Hesley Friday Club, Kimberworth WI, St John’s Ambulance Rotherham District Division juniors and seniors, and members of REMA’s hate crime project.

 

The Mayor attended the launch of the Carer’s Constitution, the launch, at the District General Hospital, of a secondary breast cancer booklet, the launch of Active for Health at New York Stadium and the launch of the African Communities Network.

 

The Mayor also attended the opening of the Anne Frank exhibition in Riverside and the Steelos gallery at MAGNA and urged everyone to visit. Chinese New Year was celebrated with the Wah Hong Chinese Association and the dragon in the Town Hall foyer was made by the young people of Springwell Gardens to celebrate this.

 

On Monday the adventure that was the wonderful world of Grimm and Co. was entered into, which could only be described as magical and visitors needed to be prepared to be amazed. Rotherham was lucky to have this.

 

This was just a flavour of some of the positive things that have recently happened in Rotherham; however negative things that have happened in Rotherham were once again in the news.

 

First the Mayor wished to acknowledge the successful prosecutions in the child sexual exploitation trial.  The Mayor hoped everyone would join her in thanking those brave young women who came forward and gave evidence in this case. One member, quite rightly, described them as torchbearers for everyone, who have spoken out not only for themselves but for other women. Hopefully their bravery would encourage more victims to come forward.

 

The Mayor also want to acknowledge the conviction of Mushin Ahmed‘s killers.

 

And finally on behalf of the Council could the Mayor send condolences to the family of Maltby pensioner, Tommy Ward, who last week died in hospital five months after he was severely beaten by robbers in his own home.

137.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

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

Minutes:

The Chief Executive submitted apologies for absence from Councillors Burton, Cutts, Gosling, Hamilton, Mallinder, Price, Robinson, Russell, Tweed and Whysall.

138.

PETITIONS

 

To report on any petitions received by the Council.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive submitted the following petitions which had been referred to the appropriate Directorates for consideration:-

 

·             Containing 13 signatures from residents of Godstone Road objecting to the extension of the driveway for the Tasibee Group.

·             Containing 102 signatures from affiliated societies and members objecting to the closure of the Biological Records Centre urging the Council to recognise the national importance of the Biological Records Centre and support it in its ongoing work.

139.

COMMUNICATIONS

 

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.

Minutes:

No communications had been received.

140.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

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.

Minutes:

Councillors Currie, Rose, Sansome and Whelbourn declared personal interests in the Notice of Motion – European Union (Agenda Item 16) on the grounds of their involvement with the steel industry.

141.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING pdf icon PDF 143 KB

 

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 27th January, 2016 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 27th January, 2016, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

 

Councillor Atkin referred to Page 29 of the agenda pack and the response to Councillor Reeder on Question 11 in her absence and asked if she had in fact put suggested roads forward for repair and was advised she had put five forward when the suggestion had been for three.

 

Councillor Currie again referred to Minute No. 125 and asked for a response to his query about risk registers and Licensing.

 

He also referred to Minute No. 129 and application RB2015/1169 and asked for written confirmation whether or not the Looked After Children Council had been written to as part of the formal consultation process.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

142.

MINUTES OF THE CABINET/COMMISSIONERS' DECISION MAKING MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 70 KB

 

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meetings held on 15th and 23rd February, 2016.

 

15th February, 2016:-

 

See Minute No. 17 – Rotherham Transport Strategy (see Item 13 on this agenda)

 

See Minute No. 18 – Rotherham’s Housing Strategy 2016-19 (see Item 14 on this agenda)

 

23rd February, 2016:-

 

See Minute No. 29 – Revenue Budget Setting Report 2016/17 (see Item 9 on this agenda)

 

See Minute No. 30 – Capital Programme Budget Setting Report – 2016/17 to 2020/21 (see Item 11 on this agenda)

 

See Minute No. 31 – Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2016/17 – 2018/19 (see Item 12 on this agenda)

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making held on 15th and 23rd February, 2016, be adopted, with the inclusion of Councillor Steele, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board in the attendance.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

143.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

 

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.

Minutes:

(1)  Mr. Eyre referred to Facebook where he saw the post "Labour commits additional £10 million to fixing Rotherham's roads".  Acting due to the upcoming election aside was there a list of priority roads which were in need of fixing and if so who chose the list, residents, councillors or officers or others?

 

Councillor Sims, Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety, confirmed that as part of the Community Road Shows held last year residents gave feedback on the issues that were important to them, as part of that feedback the state of the roads was an area highlighted (Page 3 Views from Rotherham). The £10m would be allocated according to criteria in the published Highway Asset Management Plan.  Any work carried out was based on condition data, which was collected by specialist surveying machinery and by Highways Inspectors carrying out walked visual surveys to a particular standard.  This data together with information reported by Councillors and members of the public was brought together into a works selection matrix, which could be found in Section 11 of the Highways Asset Management Plan.  The Highway Asset Management Plan was on the website at -

http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/200083/roads_highways_and_pavements

 

In a supplementary question Mr. Eyre confirmed residents of Holderness and Rother Vale had contacted him regarding the condition of the roads in those areas and asked if the Council would look at out of centre roads such as on the B6067 Toad Lane.

 

Councillor Sims, Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads and Community Safety, asked Mr. Eyre to report any roads of concern.

 

(2)  Mrs. S. Hudson referred to some areas having buses which run every ten minutes while other areas, like Wentworth Parks in Swinton, have no service at all. Some residents report feeling isolated and abandoned by a lack of access to public transport. With an increasingly aging population aren't regular bus services essential in ALL areas?

 

Councillor Lelliott, Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, thanked Mrs. Hudson for her question and agreed that high quality public transport was essential to communities across Rotherham. Bus services were de-regulated in the area and decisions about the routes and the frequency of buses were predominantly commercial decisions that were made by local bus companies.

 

A petition had been received by the Council and discussed with the Transport Executive.

 

Where bus companies do not operate a commercial service, a supported bus network could be introduced by South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive where defined criteria have been met. The current criteria aimed to provide access to a 30 minute daytime service within either 400m (or 5 min walk) or within 600m (7 or 8 min walk) to a frequent bus service of 10 to 15 minute frequency.  This criteria extended to 800m on Sundays and evenings.  Much of Wentworth Parks estate was within 600m of an available bus route and, therefore, was unlikely to benefit from a publically funded service.

 

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive were unable to support the petition, but the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

144.

REVENUE BUDGET SETTING REPORT 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 191 KB

 

To approve and adopt the revenue budget for 2016/17, impact on the budget proposals in 2017/18 and 2018/19, investment proposals, use of reserves, comment and advice of the Interim Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services in relation to reserves, the consultation feedback from the public and partners, the proposed use of Capital Receipts to fund the first £2m of severance costs and the increase in the basic amount of Council Tax.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 29 of the meeting of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 23rd February, 2016, consideration was given to the report which proposed a Revenue Budget for 2016/17 based on the outcome of the Council’s Financial Settlement, budget consultation and the consideration of Directorate budget proposals through the Council’s formal Budget and Scrutiny process (Overview and Scrutiny Management Board).

 

The Leader of the Council spoke of cuts that totalled £116 million. Today the funding gap had risen to £138 million. Over the next two years it would rise to £164 million and the numbers were difficult to comprehend.

 

About 1,500 fewer people were employed by Rotherham Council than six years ago and by 2025, another 1,500 jobs could be gone.

 

This was the reality of Tory austerity. Not some quick shift of funding, some short term cuts to balance the books, but a radical and fundamental shrinking of the state and the biggest change to local government funding since the Second World War.

 

The task was to defend the most vulnerable, to be more efficient, and to face the reality of a future in which the Council would be almost entirely dependent on council tax and business rates generated locally.

 

The Leader paid tribute to his Labour Group colleagues who have battled through this conundrum over the last few months and outlined the budget which would:-

 

·             Demonstrate once again the commitment to ensuring Children’s Services met the standards that Rotherham families needed. The package today totalled a budget increase of £12 million: including funding the larger compliment of children’s social workers, meet the commitment to improve social worker pay moving towards a more permanent workforce - and increasing the amount of money available for long term support to survivors of child sexual exploitation.

 

·             Secondly, it responded to public priorities around the local environment; litter, grass cutting. The additional funding was being protected for Streetpride made last year – and across the capital and revenue budgets more than a quarter of a million pounds would be made available for local projects determined by Members and delivered through Area Assemblies.

 

The extra investment in road resurfacing had already seen something like 70 streets resurfaced this year. In the capital budget today, the Council would commit to spend an extra £10 million over the next four years. That commitment would mean that the amount of money the Council spent on road maintenance would have been maintained at double the 2014/15 level every year for five years.

 

·             Thirdly, because it was the right thing to do, and because it was known that the future of funding for Council services hinged on it, the Council would not reduce its commitment to deliver 10,000 more private sector jobs over the next ten years. The award winning RiDO team would be prevented from falling off the edge of the funding cliff as previous grant funding expired. In the capital budget an in-principle commitment was outlined to invest up to £17 million in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

145.

SETTING THE COUNCIL TAX FOR 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 179 KB

 

To approve this report and the formal Council Tax Resolution.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report introduced by the Leader which set out details of the calculation of the Council Tax for Rotherham’s parished and unparished areas for the financial year 2016/17 incorporating the new 2% Adult Social Care “Precept” encouraged by the Government and included both the Police and Crime Commissioner’s and the Fire and Rescue Authority’s Precepts as well as parish councils’ precepts.   

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That it be noted that:-

 

(a)  the Council Tax Base for the whole Council area for 2016/17 calculated on 27th January 2016 (minute C117) is 67,149.57 Band D Equivalent Properties (item T) in section 31B of the Local Government Act 1992 as amended (the Act)).

 

(b) for dwellings in  those parts of its area to which a Parish Precept relates the tax base is as set out in the table below:-

 

Parished Areas

Tax Base

Total Precept (£)

 Parish Council/Meeting

A

B

Anston

2,823.90

         262,750

Aston-cum-Aughton

4,174.58

         256,904

Bramley

2,267.36

         115,516

Brampton Bierlow

1,224.22

           64,782

Brinsworth

2,303.47

         225,222

Catcliffe

585.51

           58,586

Dalton

2,398.29

         136,000

Dinnington St John's

2,246.51

         178,146

Firbeck

135.40

             7,500

Gildingwells

40.82

                  -  

Harthill with Woodall

623.55

           42,305

Hellaby

239.92

             8,803

Hooton Levitt

51.86

                  -  

Hooton Roberts

81.82

             1,600

Laughton-en-le-Morthen

433.45

           22,034

Letwell

66.58

             1,778

Maltby

3,967.32

         183,700

Orgreave

543.41

           20,650

Ravenfield

1,008.45

           38,025

Thorpe Salvin

199.64

             8,026

Thrybergh

805.97

           57,766

Thurcroft

1,952.45

         151,373

Todwick

641.12

           42,925

Treeton

841.84

           53,000

Ulley

65.51

             6,213

Wales

1,977.89

         149,232

Wentworth

547.41

           17,284

Whiston

1,452.06

           71,650

Wickersley

2,606.33

         147,940

Woodsetts

589.37

           59,839

 TOTAL

36,896.01

2,389,549

 

(2)  That, as outlined in in the Budget Report to Cabinet Meeting on 23rd February 2016, the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2016/17 (excluding Parish Precepts), is £89,188,081 (including an Adult Social Care Precept).

 

(3)   That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2016/17 in accordance with section 31-36 of the Act:-

 

a.          £201,910,549 being the net aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils (£2,389,549) (Gross Council Expenditure less income and Specific Grants other than the Business Rates Retention Scheme, Settlement Funding Assessment Grants and other non-ringfenced grants.).

 

b.          £106,332,919 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its General Fund in respect of the Business Rates Retention Scheme, Settlement Funding Assessment grants and other non-ringfenced grants, set out in 31A (3) of the Act. 

 

c.          £4,000,000 being the amount which the Council estimates will be payable in the year from its Collection Fund to its General Fund in accordance with section 97(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (Council Tax Balance).

 

d.          £91,577,630 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3a above exceeds the aggregate of 3b and 3c above, calculated by the Council in accordance with section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

146.

CAPITAL PROGRAMME BUDGET SETTING REPORT - 2016/17 TO 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 126 KB

 

To approve and adopt the new Capital Strategy and the proposed Capital Programme for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 30 of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 23rd February, 2016 consideration was given to a report which presented the Council’s new Capital Strategy and the proposed Capital Programme for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 and to confirm that there were adequate levels of resources available to finance the Capital Programme. 

 

The Capital Strategy and proposed Capital Programme 2016/17 to 2020/21, which set out the Council’s future capital investment plans, would ensure that investment decisions were clearly aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities and vision for Rotherham.   

 

Councillor Vines sought clarification on whether the details as set out in the report were finalised or whether the contents remained fluid and was advised by the Leader that the final version of the document would be taken in the new municipal year.

 

Resolved:-  That the new Capital Strategy, as presented in Appendix A and Capital Programme, as presented in Appendix B (for £279.095m in the period 2016/17 to 2020/21), which will require prudential borrowing of £53.602m to fund non-HRA schemes over the five year period, for which provision has been made in the revenue budget for the associated financing costs, be approved.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Read                           Seconder:-  Councillor Alam

 

147.

PRUDENTIAL INDICATORS AND TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2016/17 - 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 188 KB

 

To approve and adopt the prudential indicators and limits for 2016/17 to 2018/19, the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Treasury Management Strategy for 2016/17 to 2018/19 and Investment Strategy 2016/17 to 2018/19.

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 31 of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 23rd February, 2016 consideration was given to the report which presented the Local Government Act 2003 and supporting regulations which required the Council to ‘have regard to’ the CIPFA Prudential Code and the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice and prepare, set and publish prudential indicators and treasury indicators that ensured the Council’s capital expenditure plans and affordable, prudent and sustainable in the long-term.

 

The Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management Strategy together formed part of the process which ensured the Council met the balanced budget requirement under the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

 

The report set out the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Borrowing Limits for 2016/17 and Prudential Indicators for 2016/17 to 2018/19 and had been presented to the Audit Committee in furtherance of its delegated role of scrutiny on Treasury matters, including the Treasury Management Strategy and related policies. 

 

In accordance with the Prudential Code for Capital Finance, the Secretary of State’s Guidance on Local Government Investments, CIPFA’s Code of Practice for Treasury Management in Local Authorities and with Council policy, the (Interim) Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services was required, prior to the commencement of each financial year to seek the approval of the Council to the following:-

 

i.      The Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2016/17 to 2018/19

 

ii.      A Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement which sets out the Council’s policy on MRP

 

iii.     An Annual Treasury Management Strategy in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management including the Authorised Limit

 

iv.     An Investment Strategy in accordance with the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) investment guidance

 

Albeit a technical and complex report the key messages were:-

 

a.     Investments – the primary governing principle would remain security over return and the criteria for selecting counterparties reflected this. Cash available for investment would remain low, resulting in low returns;

 

b.     Borrowing – overall, this would remain fairly constant over the period covered by this report and the Council would remain under-borrowed against its borrowing requirement due to the higher cost of carrying debt.  New borrowing would only be taken up as debt matures; and,

 

c.     Governance – strategies were reviewed by the Audit Committee with continuous monitoring which included Mid-Year and Year End reporting.

 

Councillor C. Vines sought clarification on the fluidity of the documentation and progress and was advised by the Leader that this document would follow the normal democratic route through Cabinet and any updates formally agreed and approved.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That prudential indicators and limits for 2016/17 to 2018/19 contained in the report be approved.

 

(2)  That the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement contained in Appendix A which sets out the Council’s policy be approved.

 

(3)  That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2016/17 to 2018/19 and the Authorised Limit Prudential Indicator be approved.

 

(4)  That the Investment Strategy for 2016/17 to 2018/19 be approved.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Alam  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

148.

ROTHERHAM TRANSPORT STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 69 KB

 

To approve and adopt Rotherham’s Transport Strategy and note the internal consultation and comments.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 17 of the meeting of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 15th February, 2016, consideration was given to the report which provided details of the Rotherham Transport Strategy (2016-2026) and the policy framework which set out the strategic approach and the vision and management of transport in Rotherham.

 

The Strategy addressed fundamental challenges in Rotherham to support economic recovery in the borough and the impact on safety, health and climate change.

 

The Strategy also explained how the Council would build on its strong transport policy direction set out internationally, nationally and locally in the Sheffield City Region.  It featured proposals to continue to improve the safety and condition of the road network in Rotherham and to support sustainable and affordable transport modes and ensure that fairness, safety and sustainability would be embedded in the transport projects delivered. 

 

Transport projects would work to deliver the aims of the Rotherham Growth Plan and those of the Sheffield City Region.  The Strategy set out a series of challenges, objectives, themes and actions that would contribute to the overall vision that by 2026 Rotherham would enjoy sustainable growth and sustainable travel choices.

 

Councillor Sansome referred to the consultation process and asked if this had been fully exhausted to allow for some consideration to be given to the businesses on Aldwarke Lane who had suffered and for these matters to form the basis of further discussion at the Transport Liaison Group to see if some of the issues could be addressed.

 

Councillor Lelliott confirmed the consultation process had finished, but would endeavour to speak to Councillor Sansome regarding his concerns.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Lelliott             Seconder:-  Councillor Sims

149.

ROTHERHAM'S HOUSING STRATEGY 2016-19 pdf icon PDF 71 KB

 

To approve and adopt Rotherham’s Housing Strategy 2016-19.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 18 of the meeting of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 15th February, 2016, consideration was given to the report detailed the extensive consultation on the Housing Strategy which had taken place with staff, partners, residents and other stakeholders with over 2,000 responses.   Members have been engaged in the review and refresh of the Housing Strategy with a Members Seminar held on 4th February 2015.

 

The Strategy had now been refreshed and the new draft, which covered the period between January, 2016 and December, 2018, was based on a sound evidence base and reflected the views of people living and working in Rotherham under five themes:-

 

·                Increasing the number of homes – housing growth.

·                Ensuring affordable rented/social housing is available for those who cannot afford or do not want to buy a home.

·                Improving quality in the private rented sector, the fastest growing tenure in Rotherham.

·                Increasing opportunities for first time buyers and other households seeking affordable home ownership.

·                Ensuring a wide range of specialist housing that is suitable for older people and other specific groups.

 

The draft Housing Strategy provided residents with a clear and accessible document setting out how the Council was responding to the various housing challenges and what it intended to do.  It also pulled together in a single document, the key housing aims and objectives from other more detailed plans.

 

The Strategy had been written at a time that could herald the most significant changes for housing in a generation.  The Housing and Planning Bill was progressing through the parliamentary system and if passed would bring enormous changes to planning, house building and social housing systems.  Amidst the undoubted opportunities elements of the Bill provide, there were also very real challenges ahead, particularly for social housing system, which would make it increasingly difficult for people on modest incomes to afford suitable rented accommodation.

 

The Council would have to operate with a much lower level of resources than in previous years due to Government public spending cuts, and the social rent reduction which further reduced the Housing Revenue Account capacity to deliver housing growth and other key services.  This would be compounded by the Enforced Sale levy which Government intended to impose on local authorities to pay for housing association Right to Buy discounts.  The Council must, therefore, work in innovative and entrepreneurial ways with partners to deliver on the housing growth ambitions.

 

Councillor Roche, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, endorsed the report and in doing so highlighted the additional pressures as a result of an ageing population, which could be alleviated with good quality housing options.

 

Councillor Cowles made reference to the challenges facing Eastwood, being tough on anti-social behaviour and asked how many fines had actually been issued.

 

Councillor Reeder sought clarification on the number of new homes delivered during the years 2014/15 and 2015/16.

 

Councillor Currie welcomed this report and supported the hard work that had gone into its production.

 

Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149.

150.

SHEFFIELD CITY REGION DEVOLUTION DEAL pdf icon PDF 98 KB

 

To endorse the devolution agreement, note the work that has taken place since the ‘deal’ was proposed in October 2015, note and take into account the results of the City Region’s consultation exercise that has taken place between October 2015 and January 2016 and delegate authority to the Chief Executive (in consultation with the Leader and Commissioners as appropriate) to consent to an enabling Order.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the economic devolution deal which would involve the establishment of a new, directly elected Sheffield City Region Mayor, who would act as Chair of a Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority, working alongside Local Authority Leaders in exercising a number of powers and functions devolved from central Government.

 

The Leader outlined the benefits of the previous devolution deals and the need for more jobs and businesses.

 

To meet that challenge more local control was required over the policies that impacted on the economy, infrastructure spending, adult skills, more control over public transport and better programmes to help those furthest from the labour market.

 

The devolution deal offered the opportunity to mix and match funding streams and allow for decisions about EU funding to be made more locally.

 

The Leader explained about how he did not want an Elected Mayor initially, but had negotiated a deal which was worth living with one. 

 

The City Region would support developments in the local areas and going forward consideration would be given as to how to secure more investment in affordable housing, requiring closer working with City Region partners.

 

The Leader respected the concerns raised so far so highlighted:-

 

·                The proposal was solely concerned with economic issues, matching the “economic footprint” of the Sheffield City Region – it was not about creating a “super-council”.

 

·                The proposal did not remove any existing powers from Councils – it was specifically about devolving decision making down from the Government.

 

·                The powers being exercised under the devolution proposals were not being lifted from Councils, the Mayor would not replace any decisions currently made by Councils.

 

·                The proposed Mayor would have specific responsibility with regards to transport, but Council Leaders would continue to sit and make decisions with regards to other policy areas, as currently, in what was effectively a Combined Authority Cabinet – which the Mayor would chair. He or she would be one voice amongst ten.

 

·                Budgets or strategies proposed by the Mayor could be vetoed by a vote of two thirds of Combined Authority Councils.

 

Councillor Watson offered his support to the proposals and whilst being cynical initially recognised the importance of working together.

 

Councillor Cowles referred to the mandatory Elected Mayor and whether this was another layer of bureaucracy, the sharing of services across the region and any other areas of activity and how this would happen if there was some unwillingness across partners.

 

Councillor C. Vines commented on the little information about the City Region being shared, the change of heart around the Elected Mayor and the benefits to Rotherham.  He also referred to shared services and the devolution that had already taken place in Scotland and Wales

 

Councillor Currie supported this as a way forward for Rotherham and welcomed the local empowerment.

 

Councillor Hoddinott referred to the discussions that had taken place in the Chamber towards the end of 2015 and the probable imposition of an Elected Mayor.  This was a good deal for Rotherham  ...  view the full minutes text for item 150.

151.

NOTICE OF MOTION - EUROPEAN UNION

 

Motion on behalf of the United Kingdom Independence Party Group

 

Due to the negative impact that the “Treaty of Lisbon” such as Section 2: Aids granted by States – Article 107 (ex Article 87 TEC) and EU procurement rules have on the ability and cost of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to fulfil its obligations, this Council agrees that Great Britain would be better off outside the European Union.

 

EU state aid rules do not allow aid such as emergency loans or Government guarantees on loans to steel manufacturers in financial difficulties.

 

This puts the jobs of people who work in the steel industry and live in Rotherham or surrounding areas directly under threat.

 

This Council, therefore, resolves to:-

 

Call on the Government:  To consider supplying state aid to the steel industry immediately.

 

Call on the Government:  For Great Britain to leave the European Union and regain control of sovereign laws.

 

Proposer:-  Councillor Richard Fleming            Seconder:-  Councillor John Turner

Minutes:

Moved by Councillor Fleming and seconded by Councillor John Turner

 

Due to the negative impact that the “Treaty of Lisbon” such as Section 2: Aids granted by States – Article 107 (ex Article 87 TEC) and EU procurement rules have on the ability and cost of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to fulfil its obligations, this Council agrees that Great Britain would be better off outside the European Union.

 

EU state aid rules do not allow aid such as emergency loans or Government guarantees on loans to steel manufacturers in financial difficulties.

 

This puts the jobs of people who work in the steel industry and live in Rotherham or surrounding areas directly under threat.

 

This Council, therefore, resolves to:-

 

Call on the Government:  To consider supplying state aid to the steel industry immediately.

 

Call on the Government:  For Great Britain to leave the European Union and regain control of sovereign laws.

 

An amendment to the original motion was proposed by Councillor Parker and seconded by Councillor Jepson to replace the next to last paragraph to read:-

 

Call on the Government to provide state aid to the same level as the German Government presently provide to their steel industry and for the same period of time.

 

The amendment to the motion was put and carried and became part of the substantive motion.

 

The amended motion was put and LOST.

 

(Councillors Currie, Rose, Sansome and Whelbourn declared personal interests in the Notice of Motion – European Union (Agenda Item 16) on the grounds of their involvement with the steel industry)

152.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 39 KB

 

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Standards Committee held on 14th January, 2016.

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor Hughes                    Seconder:-  Councillor Pitchley

153.

AUDIT COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 84 KB

 

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Audit Committee held on 10th February, 2016.

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee be adopted.

 

Councillor Currie requested that when the report on the transportation arrangements for children was considered by the Audit Committee that consideration also be given to referring this report to the Corporate Parenting Panel.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Wyatt                      Seconder:-  Councillor Hughes

154.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD pdf icon PDF 76 KB

 

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 13th January, 2016.

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board be adopted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Roche                      Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

155.

PLANNING BOARD pdf icon PDF 33 KB

 

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Planning Board held on 28th January and 18th February, 2016.

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Reference was also made to Minute No. 89 and the health check undertaken during October 2015 by the Local Government Association where this Council’s Development Management Service was currently found to be within the top ten highest performing local authorities in England.  Special thanks were passed on to all those involved.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Atkin                        Seconder:-  Councillor Middleton

156.

STAFFING COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 19 KB

 

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Staffing Committee held on 15th February, 2016.

 

See Minute No. 19 – Pay Policy Statement 2016 (report appended to the minutes)

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor Watson                    Seconder:-  Councillor Alam

157.

MEMBERS' QUESTIONS TO DESIGNATED SPOKESPERSONS

 

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).

Minutes:

There were none.

158.

MEMBERS' QUESTIONS TO CABINET MEMBERS AND CHAIRMEN

 

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

Minutes:

(1)  Councillor Sansome asked, given the need to improve care in the face of Tory cuts for the Council and NHS, could the Cabinet Member give an update on health and social care integration and the partnerships needed to make that happen? 

 

Councillor Roche, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, confirmed that the Government cuts were having an impact on the services being provided.  However, in that context good progress had been made, but there was still a way to go.  He confirmed the Care Act 2014 had set out the need for health and social care to work together for better outcomes for customers.

 

The key point about the Act was for the Clinical Commissioning Group and the Council to come together to produce a spending plan using the Better Care Fund. 

 

Part of this was about developing partnerships and was pleased to report that the Chief Executive Officers and also the Chairs of the Clinical Commissioning Group and the Hospital Trust have stated independently that their relationship with the Council was the best it had ever been.

 

RMBC Adult Care and Housing had embarked on a number of joint service initiatives with Health. These include the following:-

 

Better Care Fund: This was a joint funding agreement between Health and Social Care to transform services through integration initiatives including the following:

 

RMBC Vulnerable Persons Team. Located in Adult Social Care: Nationally recognized as a leading initiative to improve services and support to vulnerable adults. Including adult survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation. The Team was funded via the Better Care Fund, Public Health and the Council. This was one of the smallest teams within RMBC whose input in supporting child sexual exploitation survivors had resulted in the successful prosecutions against perpetrators of child sexual exploitation.

 

The Perfect Locality: This was a joint development exercise by RMBC with Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humberside NHS Foundation Trust, the Rotherham Foundation Trust, and Rotherham CCG to improve services. Through working in partnership with Health the following improvements were intended to come through:-

 

·           Reduction in citizens being bounced around the system.

·           Maximum choice and control for citizens to remain as independent as possible.

·           Keeping people safe when needed and doing so in a personalised framework.

·           Good support for carers.

·           Timely assessments and reviews.

·           Promoting well-being.

·           Reduction in costs of care and particularly residential care placement.

 

In all there were eighteen funding streams in the Better Care Fund which were working to improve the health of Rotherham people.

 

Another service was the Council’s Occupational Therapy Service, jointly commissioned with Health to provide an integrated service for people across the borough with physical disability.

 

Finally, a recent meeting was held with the Hospital Trust and the Clinical Commissioning Group to plan a locality based approach with seven key hubs where a joint service was intended to be offered with one named contact person for the user.  It was expected that this programme would be rolled out quickly starting with a pilot in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

159.

URGENT ITEMS

 

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

160.

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

 

Should it be necessary, in the opinion of the Mayor, to consider excluding the press and public from the meeting in relation to any items of urgent business on the grounds that private information is likely to be divulged.

 

There are no such items at the time of preparing this agenda.

Minutes:

There were no confidential matters for consideration.

161.

CATHERINE PARKINSON

Minutes:

The Mayor recognised that this was Catherine Parkinson’s last Council Meeting as Interim Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services.

 

The Mayor asked everyone to join her in thanking Catherine for all her support here in Rotherham and wished her all the best for the future and invited everyone to show appreciation by a round of applause.