Agenda and minutes

To consider any announcements by the Mayor or the Leader.

The Mayor was delighted to present Nicola Ford and Caroline Ramsdenwith certificates of commendation by the Presiding Judge following their evidence in a recent CSE trial.

Members of the Council joined the Mayor in showing their appreciation in a round of applause.

The Mayor also welcomed newly elected Councillors Carter and Vjestica to their first Council meeting.

The Mayor on International Women’s Day reported on her activities since the last Council meeting, which included attending eighty one engagements with a further one this evening.

Over the past six weeks, the Mayor had visited nursing homes and schools and hosted visits to the Town Hall including cubs and scouts.  There had also been a charity night at the Trades Club which also involved the Mayor singing.  There had been a number of highlights since the last Council meeting which included celebrating Chinese new year, visiting the food bank, visiting 218 squadron drill team who had had the U.K.’s  foot drill competition, the opening of a new shop in the town centre - Jaded Heart and attending the real ale festival at Magna.

The Leader confirmed he had no further announcements when invited by the Mayor.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allcock, Atkin, Buckley, Cowles, D. Cutts, Hague, Price, Simpson and John Turner.

To report on any petitions received by the Council.

The Mayor reported that two petitions had been submitted, but had not met the threshold for consideration by Council, and would be referred to the relevant directorate for a response to be prepared. The petitions were:-

·             From 67 residents regarding road safety on Warren Vale Road, Swinton asking the Council and the Police to investigate and take action on concerns.

·             From 15 residents requesting the Council to install measures to prevent parking on the blocked paved pavement on Rectory Gardens, Todwick.

Councillor Sansome, having received the petition from residents on Warren Vale Road, urged the Council and the Police to undertake a study of this section of highway and to take any action necessary.

Councillor Sansome had also circulated consultation documentation regarding Children’s Anaesthesia and stressed the importance of sharing with residents’ the proposals and the need to respond.

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.

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.

The following Declarations of Interest were received:-

Minute No. 137 (Notice of Motion – Save Rotherham Post Office)

Councillor Tweed declared a personal interest on the basis that he was employed by Royal Mail, but in an entirely separate entity.

Minute No. 149 (Questions to Cabinet Members and Committee Chairmen)

Councillor Cusworth declared a personal interest on the grounds that she was asking a question of a Cabinet Member, but was also a Governor at Brookfield Academy, the subject of her question.

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 25^th January, 2017 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25^th January, 2017, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

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.

(1)  Mr. D. Smith, on International Women’s Day, wished to offer his congratulations to the Mayor in the manner in which she had represented this town over the past year.  In relation to his question he asked with the amount of houses built in Dinnington over the last ten years why was it that RMBC have only collected just under £24,000 from one developer.

Councillor Lelliott explained the residential developments that had taken place in Dinnington generally provided for affordable housing on sites that did not generate additional Section 106 contributions.  However, £55,000 including the £24,000 referred to by Mr. Smith had been received for public transport initiatives.

In a supplementary question Mr. Smith referred to nearly £200,000 being received over the years in Section 106 monies in Dinnington.  Very little, if any, had been spent on Dinnington’s infrastructure.  He was also in receipt of a letter which indicated the Council did not have to consider the opinions of the Town Council.   Bearing this in mind having spent £87,000 of Section 106 monies on travel passes just imagine what £87,000 could be spent on.  Taking this in to account how could you expect a Parish Council in Rotherham to trust the Council to run the Community Infrastructure Levy and deal with it properly.

Councillor Lelliott explained the Council could only work with the figures provided.  However, officers had been asked to provide a full answer in writing to Mr. Smith and the Cabinet Member offered to have a meeting after Council to go through this in more detail.  Different developments depend on Government legislation and whether or not Section 106 contributions could be triggered as to the viability of the development sites.    Some money had been used for sustainable transport initiatives and a full answer in writing could be provided on this.  The Community Infrastructure Levy policy had been approved by Council and once the Town Council received their 25% they would appreciate how efficient and open and transparent you had to be to spend Government monies.

(2)  Mr. P. Thirlwall firstly wished to thank the Chief Executive for including on the Mayor's letter the motions appearing on the agenda and how easier it was in the public gallery to follow the debate, secondly reminded the Leader he was still awaiting a response from him and Councillor Lelliott on how CIL money was intended to be spent and whether it could be used on reversing the disastrous Bramley traffic system and thirdly, Councillor Watson indicated some time ago that he was looking at revising Standing Orders, but if not completed yet could consideration be given to looking at the 50 word limit for questions from members of the public. 

He referred to the basic annual allowance claimed by Councillors which was £11,605.  As the UKIP Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Cowles claimed a further £8,717.

He asked could the Leader explain what extra duties Councillor Cowles performed to warrant claiming the extra allowance and what benefits were received by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

To receive and consider the reports, minutes and recommendations of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 13th February, 2017.

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

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To agree the Budget and Council Tax level for the 2017-18 financial year.

Further to Minute No. 171 of the meeting of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 13^th February, 2017, consideration was given to the report which proposed the Council’s Budget and Council Tax for 2017/18 based on the outcome of the Council’s Final Local Government 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) alongside a review of the financial planning assumptions within the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Leader of the Council confirmed this was the third time that he had had to deliver the budget and the seventh year of Tory austerity and spoke about:-

·                1,700 jobs lost from Rotherham Council over that time period. Potentially another 1,000 to go over the coming three years as another £66 million budget gap was being faced.

·                The biggest changes to Local Government funding not just of our lifetimes, but of anyone’s lifetime.

·                The unprecedented situation of Central Government telling Councils that if they want to meet the growing need of elderly and vulnerable adults – as we do – then we must send the bill to Council tax payers.

·                Members having to reflect deeply on the needs of their community, on their priorities, in order to draw together the proposals.

·                The thousands of conversations with staff and residents over the last two years resulting in the new Council vision. It’s about our home, about our community, and what kind of place we want to live in.

·                Committing an additional £10 million towards improving child safeguarding to recruit more permanent children’s social workers, and better equip them for the challenges that they face, recruit more foster carers and support more families to keep children out of care.

·                Two years ago additional investment was given to survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham the support that they had long waited for. More than 400 survivors have accessed that support and it would continue.

·                The crisis in funding for Adult Social Care and the particular pressures that affect our service. Over the last ten years the adult population of Rotherham had grown by less than 2%, but the population aged over 65 had grown by 10%.

·                Through the Adult Social Care levy, investment would be made in meeting the needs of vulnerable young people who were becoming independent adults, and protect services that would otherwise have to be restricted.

·                Protecting street cleansing and grounds maintenance in villages and localities. The first £5 million capital investment in the 2020 Roads Programme had already seen an additional 150 roads across the borough resurfaced, and the Council was committed to delivering a further £10 million over the next three years.

·                Taking responsibility against the people who litter the environment and who should pay the cost of cleaning it up, with more fines and prosecutions with tougher enforcement.

·                Protecting the revenue funding for the economic development team, and standing behind capital investment commitments towards revitalising the town centre. Alongside the commitment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132.

To consider the report of the Returning Officer detailing the results of the by-elections for Brinsworth & Catcliffe and Dinnington wards held on Thursday 2 February 2017. 

Consideration was given to a report of the Returning Officer reported that the persons indicated below had been elected Members of the Council at the election held on Thursday, 2^nd February, 2017. 

Resolved:-    That the report of the Returning Officer be received.

Proposer – Councillor Read                      Seconder – Councillor Watson

To consider an update in respect of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s review of ward boundaries in Rotherham

Consideration was given to a report which confirmed the Council had now received confirmation that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) was minded to recommend that fifty-nine councillors should be elected in future. The next stage of the Commission’s review of ward boundaries was to consult on the future make up of electoral wards across the borough.

The report detailed what was involved in the next stage of the review and outlined a recommended approach for the Council, the importance of which was urged to Members, in readiness of submitting a warding arrangement proposal to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s decision for fifty-nine councillors to be elected in Rotherham from May 2020 be noted.

(2)  That the report and timetable for the remainder of the ward boundary review be noted.

(3)  That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Constitution Working Group, to submit a proposal on behalf of the Council in respect of warding arrangements to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To report on the Disclosure and Barring Service Checks on Councillors that have been undertaken since May 2016.

Consideration was given to a report which confirmed that all current Councillors serving on Rotherham M.B.C. have been subject to a check on offences and convictions by Disclosure and Barring Service.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

To agree the Calendar of Meetings with Committees, Boards and Panels for the 2017-18 municipal year.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the Calendar of Meetings for the 2017-18 municipal year, which would be adjusted accordingly should there be a need for a change.

Councillor B. Cutts asked that consideration be given to increasing the frequency of meetings of full Council in order to reduce the number of pages on each agenda.

The Leader confirmed the number of pages had increased as a result of ensuring all Members had all the relevant reports on which to make a decision.

Councillor Steele also pointed out that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had also moved its meeting date to a Wednesday instead of a Friday to maintain a more appropriate pre-scrutiny work flow from Cabinet.

Councillor Walsh pointed out that the order of business was not only for Members of the Council, but more transparent for members of the public.

Resolved:-  That the Calendar of Meetings for the 2017-18 municipal year be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

That this Council notes the recent announcement to close Rotherham Post Office on Bridgegate, unless it can be franchised with a partner.

We call on the Post Office and Government to reverse this decision. We are concerned there are limited options for a franchise partner in town, meaning a closure is likely if this route is pursued.

The Post Office network has been reduced by more than 50% over the past 30 years and this is a step too far.  Rotherham Post Office is very well used and the decision would be detrimental to customers. As a Crown Post Office it provide services that are not available elsewhere for example, with regards to driving licenses and passports, these would be a big loss to residents in Rotherham.

We call on the council to write to the Post Office and Government outlying our concerns and encourage all members to sign and promote the petition against this decision.

Proposer:-  Councillor Yasseen              Seconder:-  Councillor Alam

Moved by Councillor Yasseen and seconded by Councillor Alam

That this Council notes the recent announcement to close Rotherham Post Office on Bridgegate, unless it can be franchised with a partner.

We call on the Post Office and Government to reverse this decision. We are concerned there are limited options for a franchise partner in town, meaning a closure is likely if this route is pursued.

The Post Office network has been reduced by more than 50% over the past 30 years and this is a step too far.  Rotherham Post Office is very well used and the decision would be detrimental to customers. As a Crown Post Office it provides services that are not available elsewhere for example, with regards to driving licenses and passports, these would be a big loss to residents in Rotherham.

We call on the Council to write to the Post Office and Government outlying our concerns and encourage all Members to sign and promote the petition against this decision.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried unanimously by the Council.

Rotherham Council condemns Amber Rudd, Home Secretary’s rejection on 31st October 2016 in Parliament of an Orgreave Inquiry as a grave injustice. We believe the events of 18^th June 1984 here in Rotherham at Orgreave demand there be an inquiry.

This Council is appalled by the decision not to hold an inquiry into the policing of picket lines at the Orgreave coking plant 18th June 1984 Miners’ Strike.  With this ruling, Amber Rudd has shown great contempt for the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, many former miners, their families and communities who for more than 32 years have waited for the truth and who have displayed huge courage and tenacity in trying to hold the authorities to account.

This Council observes that even the Independent Police Complaints Commission said in their redacted report released June 2015 “that there was “evidence of excessive violence by police officers, a false narrative from police exaggerating violence by miners, perjury by officers giving evidence to prosecute the arrested men, and an apparent cover-up of that perjury by senior officers”.

This Council is astonished that in the light of such statements Home Secretary Amber Rudd concludes that there are few lessons to be learned by the current police forces from any review of these events, that no one died, there was no miscarriage of justice, no convictions and therefore there will be no inquiry.

This Council notes that 95 miners were arrested and charged with riot offences, but all were later acquitted amid claims that South Yorkshire Police had fabricated evidence. There were also widespread examples of pickets being beaten unconscious by police officers. The miners suffered such treatment simply for exercising their right to protest against the threat to their jobs, their industry and communities.

It is shameful that as yet, no-one has to answer for the events of that day. Monday 31^st October 2016 was a bad day for justice. We do however salute the decision of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign to continue with its fight for transparency and a full public inquiry.

This Council will write to the Home Secretary asking that she takes into account the opinion of this Council, accepts that there is wide spread public concern about the events at Orgreave and calls on her to order an inquiry into them.

Proposer:-   Councillor Steele                 Seconder:-  Councillor Williams

Moved by Councillor Steele and seconded by Councillor Williams

Rotherham Council condemns Amber Rudd, Home Secretary’s rejection on 31st October 2016 in Parliament of an Orgreave Inquiry as a grave injustice. We believe the events of 18^th June 1984 here in Rotherham at Orgreave demand there be an inquiry.

This Council is appalled by the decision not to hold an inquiry into the policing of picket lines at the Orgreave coking plant 18th June 1984 Miners’ Strike.  With this ruling, Amber Rudd has shown great contempt for the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, many former miners, their families and communities who for more than 32 years have waited for the truth and who have displayed huge courage and tenacity in trying to hold the authorities to account.

This Council observes that even the Independent Police Complaints Commission said in their redacted report released June 2015 “that there was “evidence of excessive violence by police officers, a false narrative from police exaggerating violence by miners, perjury by officers giving evidence to prosecute the arrested men, and an apparent cover-up of that perjury by senior officers”.

This Council is astonished that in the light of such statements Home Secretary Amber Rudd concludes that there are few lessons to be learned by the current police forces from any review of these events, that no one died, there was no miscarriage of justice, no convictions and therefore there will be no inquiry.

This Council notes that 95 miners were arrested and charged with riot offences, but all were later acquitted amid claims that South Yorkshire Police had fabricated evidence. There were also widespread examples of pickets being beaten unconscious by police officers. The miners suffered such treatment simply for exercising their right to protest against the threat to their jobs, their industry and communities.

It is shameful that as yet, no-one has to answer for the events of that day. Monday 31^st October 2016 was a bad day for justice. We do however salute the decision of the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign to continue with its fight for transparency and a full public inquiry.

This Council will write to the Home Secretary asking that she takes into account the opinion of this Council, accepts that there is wide spread public concern about the events at Orgreave and calls on her to order an inquiry into them.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried by the Council.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:-  Councillor McNeely                  Seconder:-  Councillor Khan

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 consider recommendations from the Audit Committee in respect of the Council opting into the sector-led option for the procurement and appointment of external audit from 2018/19 onwards.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the recommendation of Audit Committee be approved for the Council to opt into the sector-led option for the procurement and appointment of external audit from 2018/19 onwards.

(2)  That the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services be delegated authority to complete and submit the opt in form (Appendix A) to PSAA by the deadline of the 9th March, 2017.

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 and minutes of the meetings of the Health and Wellbeing Board be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Roche                      Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:-  Councillor Tweed                     Seconder:-  Councillor Sansome

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:-  Councillor Ellis                         Seconder:-  Councillor Rushforth

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 Read

To consider a recommendation from Staffing Committee in respect of the Pay Policy Statement 2017.

Resolved:-  That the Pay Policy Statement for 2017-18 be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam                        Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider a recommendation from Staffing Committee in respect of the Living Wage.

Resolved:-  That an increase in the Council’s Living Wage rate to £8.45 from 1^st April, 2017 and a commitment to an annual review to consider budget position and grading risks be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam                        Seconder:-  Councillor Read

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 none.

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

(1)  Councillor Cusworth asked what support is the Council providing to Brookfield Primary Academy in Swinton, since Ofsted gave the school an overall rating of “inadequate” following their recent inspection in September, 2016.

Councillor Watson confirmed that since the Ofsted inspection, one of the Principal Advisors from the Local Authority had met with the Executive Head Teacher and co-constructed a package of support which was available to the Academy. As part of this, extra support had been given to Brookfield Academy to strengthen its safeguarding processes and systems. In addition, teaching staff have attended the Council’s SATS preparation and moderation sessions and the Executive Head Teacher attended the recent Primary Head Teachers’ meeting, which focused on elements of best practice.

In a supplementary question Councillor Cusworth understood the Council had previously offered support to the school, but this was not accepted.  However, with a new Head Teacher in place could the Council give assurances that they and Wakefield Academy Trust were now working together.

Councillor Watson confirmed in part.   Prior to the inspection the school decided it did not want to take advantage of the Rotherham’s School Improvement Services offer.  Since the inspection, however, the school had been willing to work with the Council and the Head Teacher and the Senior School Improvement Adviser had co-produced a package.  However, at this moment in time financial approval from Wakefield Academy Trust was still awaited. 

(2)   Councillor Carter asked what was South Yorkshire Labour’s united policy on devolution to the Sheffield City Region.

The Leader explained how the Combined Authority was made up of the Leaders of the four South Yorkshire authorites who wished to continue moving forward with the Sheffield devolution deal.  The Combined Authority regretted the impact and judicial review from Derbyshire, but accepted the consequence of this whilst getting into the right place legally.  This now meant that the election for Mayor would be moved back to 2018.

Leaders would continue to pursue what options they believed for their own local authorities and this was the view the Leader had taken on behalf of this authority.

In a supplementary question Councillor Carter asked why, when the South Yorkshire Members of Parliament had taken a different stance looking towards a Yorkshire-wide version, could the Leaders not agree this between them.

The Leader pointed agreement had been reached on the position of the Combined Authority.  However, he pointed out to Members that each Leader had a responsibility to their own areas and to pursue a devolution deal in the best way.  He was personally unconvinced about a Yorkshire model of devolution as it would prove difficult to get this.  Some people may think it may be possible to do this and some people think it may be possible to achieve this and keep the Combined Authority for the Sheffield City Region with one Mayor for the whole of the Yorkshire area.  All options would be examined as they came forward, but it was the Leader’s view that the Sheffield City  ...  view the full minutes text for item 149.