Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: James McLaughlin, Democratic Services Manager 

Items
No. Item

68.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

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

Minutes:

The Mayor reported she had attended 81 engagements since the last Council meeting, but wished to highlight in particular World Mental Health Day which involved readings and an act from the Yellow Wallpaper Play by representatives from RDash and Open Minds on 10th October, 2017. 

 

The Town Hall also played host to Black History Month this morning with ladies enjoying morning coffee and another event was scheduled for the 30th October, 2017 during half term week to encourage family participation.

 

The Daniel Barnett Foundation were also holding a Christmas Smiles event for terminally ill children at the Town Hall involving artists and musicians during December, 2017 and Member involvement was encouraged.

69.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

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

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brookes, Cusworth, B. Cutts, M. Elliott, Hague, Ireland, Jarvis, Khan, Pitchley, Russell, Vjestica and Whysall.

70.

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:

Further to Minute No. 60 of the meeting of the Cabinet and Commissioners held on 16th October, 2017, the Mayor confirmed the recommendation for Council approval on this agenda for the Swinton Town Centre Redevelopment.

71.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING pdf icon PDF 131 KB

 

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 13 September 2017 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 13th September, 2017, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

72.

PETITIONS

 

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

Minutes:

The Mayor reported that 2 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:-

       

·                Containing 24 signatures requesting the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing to undertake meaningful consultation with the adult victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation

 

Child A and Elizabeth addressed the Council as part of the presentation of the petition requesting the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Housing to undertake meaningful consultation with the adult victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation.

 

·                Containing 1,000 signatures requesting that Cedar House be kept open.

 

Mrs. S. Thackery was unable to be present to address the Council, but this petition would be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board having met the threshold for debate.

73.

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:

(1)  Councillors Hoddinott and Read declared personal interests in Minute No. 78 (Swinton Town Centre Redevelopment) on the grounds of a relative living close-by to the proposals and would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

(2)  Councillor Atkin declared a personal interest in Minute No. 85 (Motion – Fracking) as Chair of the Planning Board and would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

(3)  Councillor D. Cutts declared a personal interest in Minute No. 85 (Motion – Fracking) as a member of the Planning Board and would not take part in the debate or vote.

 

(4)  Councillor Ellis declared a personal interest in Minute No. 85 (Motion – Fracking) on the grounds that her partner worked in the renewable energy industry and would not take part in the debate or vote.

74.

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 in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

Minutes:

Mr. P. Thirlwall referred to a question he had raised at the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Meeting on the 16th October, 2017 regarding the 50 word question limit for Council as part of a review of Standing Orders, which on reflection, he had raised at the Council meeting on the 8th March, 2017 and asked for this to be taken forward.

 

In coming to the question submitted he was aware that remuneration for Members with special responsibilities was recommended by the ‘Independent Remuneration Panel’ and approved by Council and asked could the Leader explain why Members receiving special responsibility allowances have to be named and approved by Council when they have in fact already been chosen by you or Labour Group? 

 

The Leader explained the procedure in respect of Members’ Allowances was governed by the Local Authorities (Members Allowances)(England) Regulations 2003 which detailed provisions for the establishment of an Independent Remuneration Panel, which was principally responsible for recommending a Members’ Allowances Scheme to the Council. In determining how to set the level of Members’ Allowances, the Council must have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

 

Both the law and the Council’s own Procedure Rules required the Council to appoint members to committees and to elect Chairs and Vice-Chairs. This provision was enshrined in the Local Government Act 1972. Having considered the political composition of the authority, the Council received nominations from political groups for the positions available and appointments were agreed on the basis of those nominations. It should be noted that special responsibility allowances were paid to members of the Labour Group and the UKIP group for the Leader of the Opposition

 

The rules in respect of the appointment of members to the Council’s executive, known as Cabinet in Rotherham, were different. The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 saw the introduction of a ‘Strong Leader and Cabinet’ model of governance. Following the Governance Review approved by the Council in 2016, Rotherham adopted this model of governance. Under this system, all executive power was invested in the Leader of the Council, including the determination of the size and composition of the Cabinet, which was reported into Council.

 

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked without a minute naming a person was the payment of a special responsibility allowance ultra vires?  If this was the case why was the Leader of the Opposition not mentioned in the Council minutes at the Annual General Meeting, nor had any Leader of the Opposition who had received an allowance ever been named.  How was Councillor Cowles confirmed and paid if he was not named in the minutes and if this was ultra vires would proceedings be sought for the recovery of the monies paid to all Leaders of the Opposition since 1974.

 

The Leader endeavoured to investigate this matter further regarding the naming of Leaders of the Opposition, but was confident Councillor Cowles was the Leader of the Opposition.

 

A response to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

75.

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

 

Agenda Item 10 (Recommendation from Cabinet – Swinton Town Centre Redevelopment) has two exempt appendices. Therefore, if necessary, the Mayor will move the following resolution:-

 

That under Section 100(A) 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

 

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That under section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting should the appendices be discussed for Minute No. 78 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

76.

LEADER OF THE COUNCIL'S STATEMENT

 

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

Minutes:

The Leader welcomed the opportunity to address the Council and was pleased to report the new procedure for receiving scrutiny review reports to give members of scrutiny the recognition for the work they carried out.

77.

MINUTES OF THE CABINET AND COMMISSIONERS' DECISION MAKING MEETING pdf icon PDF 122 KB

To note the minutes of Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 11 September 2017.

Minutes:

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 11th September, 2017, be received.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

78.

RECOMMENDATION FROM CABINET - SWINTON TOWN CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPMENT BRIEF AND ACQUISITION OF INTEGRAL SITE pdf icon PDF 43 KB

 

To consider, subject to recommendation by Cabinet, a proposal in respect of addition to the Capital Programme of the acquisition of the integral site for the Swinton Town Centre redevelopment.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 60 of the meeting of the Cabinet and Commissioners held on 16th October, 2017 consideration was given to the request to aquire the integral site forming part of the redevelopment and to include the scheme in the Capital Programme.

 

Details of the indicative costs regarding the proposals were set out in detail as part of the exempt appendices to the report.

 

Resolved:-  That the acquisition of the integral site forming part of the redevelopment site, on the basis outlined in Exempt Appendix E, be approved, subject to the agreement of satisfactory terms, and that this acquisition is added to the Council’s Capital Programme 2017/18

 

Mover:-  Councillor Sansome                 Seconder:-  Councillor Wyatt

79.

RECOMMENDATION FROM STANDARDS AND ETHICS COMMITTEE - REVIEW OF CODE OF CONDUCT AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES pdf icon PDF 44 KB

 

To consider recommendations from the Standards and Ethics Committee arising from a review of the Code of Conduct and associated procedures.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which detailed recommendations from the Standards and Ethics Committee for the adoption of a revised procedure for considering complaints alleging a failure to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct within Rotherham Borough Council.

 

There was provision at paragraph 36 of the procedure whereby the Complaints Hearing Sub-Committee would meet in public to consider the Monitoring Officer’s report in respect of the complaint. 

 

Resolved:-  That the revised Procedure for Considering Complaints Alleging a Failure to Comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct within Rotherham Borough Council be approved.

 

Mover:-  Councillor McNeely                  Seconder:-  Councillor Allen

80.

AUTHORISATION OF OFFICERS TO REPRESENT THE COUNCIL IN MAGISTRATES COURT PROCEEDINGS AND THE DELEGATION OF THE POWER TO AUTHORISE OFFICERS TO THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES pdf icon PDF 55 KB

 

To consider a report seeking authorisation for officers to represent the Council in Magistrates Court proceedings and to delegate the power to authorise officers to the Assistant Director of Legal Services.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which sought authorisation from the Council under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1972, for two newly recruited Technical Officers to the Council’s Account Management Team to appear in the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Council.

 

In order to efficiently deal with similar issues in the future and avoid delay, the report also sought delegation to the Assistant Director of Legal Services to authorise officers to appear in the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Council in the future.

 

Resolved:-  (1)   That Sean Beesley and Martin Selman be authorised under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1972 to prosecute, defend or appear in proceedings on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court.

 

(2)  That the power to authorise Council officers under Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1972 to prosecute, defend or appear in proceedings on behalf of the Council be delegated to the Assistant Director of Legal Services.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Watson

81.

MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES, PANELS AND BOARDS

 

To approve the following membership change to Committees, Panels and Boards:-

 

·                Councillor Julie Turner to replace Councillor Napper on Improving Lives Select Commission, leaving a vacancy for the UKIP Group on Improving Places Select Commission.

·                Councillor Ireland to replace Councillor Allcock on Improving Lives Select Commission, leaving a vacancy for the Labour Group on Health Select Commission.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the proposed changes to the membership of committees, panels and boards.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That Councillor Julie Turner replace Councillor Napper on Improving Lives Select Commission.

 

(2)  That Councillor Ireland replace Councillor Allcock on Improving Lives Select Commission, leaving a vacancy for the Labour Group on Health Select Commission.

82.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY UPDATE pdf icon PDF 356 KB

 

To receive an update on the activities of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny bodies in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.

Minutes:

Councillor Brian Steele, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, provided an overview of the work carried out by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and the 3 Select Commissions during the last few months, outlined the pre-scrutiny decision making process and the decisions taken and gave a further update on the work of each of the Commissions in turn.

 

Members involved in the role of scrutiny were thanked for their involvement and the challenge as part of the process.

 

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the update noted.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Steele                                      Seconder:-  Councillor Cowles

83.

SCRUTINY REVIEW - ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES IN ROTHERHAM pdf icon PDF 63 KB

 

To receive the scrutiny review and recommendations in respect of Alternative Management Arrangements for Children’s Social Care.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which shared the findings and latest analysis and current thinking of the Improving Lives Select Commission’s cross-party review group on the range of Alternative Management Arrangements (AMAs) for Children’s Services. It evaluated the relative strengths and challenges of the primary options available to the Council and suggested initial recommendations for future management arrangements.

 

The review concluded that a Practice Partner model would secure the most rapid and sustainable improvements in the short term (2 years) and present the lowest risk to the Improvement journey. In particular, its evidence suggested that the Practice Partner model would:-

 

·                Establish the right balance of political ownership, oversight and accountability for CYPS at the same time as rigorous external challenge.

·                Enable the good progress being made on the improvement programme to continue at an accelerated pace with minimal disruption to partners, wider council priorities or management focus.

·                Avoid high transition and operating costs associated with each of the AMAs and enable spend to be focused on front line delivery.

 

It was acknowledged that the peer practice partner model was by definition temporary. Once there was consistent good quality front-line practice, the Council would actively consider other options to work with others through integration, collaboration or further commissioning if this would secure more rapid and sustainable improvement.

 

The Cabinet and Commissioners would be required to respond formally to the recommendations and indicate agreement or otherwise, what action, would be taken to implement the recommendations, along with details of timescales and accountabilities.

 

Members welcomed the report and congratulated all those involved in the review and its recommendations.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and recommendations in respect of alternative management arrangements for Children’s Services in Rotherham, as outlined in Section 11 of Appendix 1, be noted.

 

(2)  That the response of Cabinet and Commissioners be fed back to Improving Lives Select Commission.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Clark                            Seconder:-  Councillor Allcock

84.

SCRUTINY REVIEW - EMERGENCY PLANNING pdf icon PDF 57 KB

 

To receive the scrutiny report and recommendations in respect of Emergency Planning.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which outlined the findings from a cross-party scrutiny review into the Emergency Planning process for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.  The existing Emergency Plan was considered to be out of date and called into question its resilience and was a determining factor for undertaking the review. 

 

Details of the methodology to the review and the visits undertaken were outlined, further assisted by the experience of a live incident during the review period.

 

Members thanked those involved with the review and would take forward the recommended training, which would be arranged in due course.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and recommendations in respect of Emergency Planning be noted.

 

(2)  That the response of Cabinet and Commissioners be fed back to Improving Places Select Commission.

 

Mover:-  Councillor Wyatt                      Seconder:-  Councillor Mallinder

85.

NOTICE OF MOTION - FRACKING

 

That this Council notes:-

 

·                With concern that the government has made fracking a central plank of the UK’s energy policy.

 

·                That a number of exploratory licences have been granted across the North of England, including covering a large part of the Rotherham borough.

 

·                That in areas where exploratory drilling is under consideration, local residents have expressed concern.

 

·                That the Labour Party manifesto at the 2017 General Election included a clear commitment to ban fracking.

 

·                That UKIP’s 2015 election manifesto declared it’s “time to get ‘fracking’” and that “UKIP supports the development of shale gas…” UKIP’s 2017 manifesto stated that “UKIP will invest in shale gas exploration.”

 

·                That all planning applications relating to fracking must be considered on their merits in planning terms, within the rules set out by the government.

 

That this Council, therefore:-

 

a)        Regrets the decision of the then Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, to lift the national ban on fracking in 2012.

 

b)        Commits to not allow any fracking activities, including survey work, on Council owned or controlled land and property.

 

Proposer:-  Councillor Beck                                   Seconder:-  Councillor Wilson

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Beck and seconded by Councillor Wilson

 

That this Council notes:-

 

·                With concern that the Government has made fracking a central plank of the UK’s energy policy.

 

·                That a number of exploratory licences have been granted across the North of England, including covering a large part of the Rotherham borough.

 

·                That in areas where exploratory drilling is under consideration, local residents have expressed concern.

 

·                That the Labour Party manifesto at the 2017 General Election included a clear commitment to ban fracking.

 

·                That UKIP’s 2015 election manifesto declared it’s “time to get ‘fracking’” and that “UKIP supports the development of shale gas…” UKIP’s 2017 manifesto stated that “UKIP will invest in shale gas exploration.”

 

·                That all planning applications relating to fracking must be considered on their merits in planning terms, within the rules set out by the Government.

 

That this Council, therefore:-

 

a)        Regrets the decision of the then Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey, to lift the national ban on fracking in 2012.

 

b)        Commits to not allow any fracking activities, including survey work, on Council owned or controlled land and property.

 

Councillor Carter proposed and Councillor Jepson seconded the following amendment for the motion to now read:-

 

That this Council notes:-

 

       With concern that the Government has made fracking a central plank of the UK’s energy policy.

       That a number of exploratory licences have been granted across the North of England, including covering a large part of the Rotherham borough.

       That in areas where exploratory drilling is under consideration, local residents have expressed concern.

       That all planning applications relating to fracking must be considered on their merits in planning terms, within the rules set out by the government.

 

That this Council, therefore:-

 

a)      Regrets the decision of the Government to make fracking a central part of the UK’s energy policy.

b)      Commits to not allow any fracking activities, including survey work, on Council owned or controlled land and property.

c)      Pledges to write to the Government and local MPs asking them to lobby for changes to the UK’s energy policy to invest more money in renewable energy technologies and ban fracking.

d)      Pledges to not sell council land or property to companies involved in fracking.

 

On being put to the vote the amendment to the motion was put and LOST.

 

On being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

86.

NOTICE OF MOTION - INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION REPORTS

 

This council notes:

 

  1. The publication of independent reports on Wednesday 6th September 2017 into issues raised by Professor Jay’s 2014 report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham over the period between 1997 and 2013

 

  1. With great disappointment that the reports were unable to recommend disciplinary action or sanctions relating to the pensions of any former or current member of staff at Rotherham Borough Council, relating to the failings at the council between 1997 and 2013

 

  1. That the Leader of the Council has subsequently written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to ask him to consider the iniquity of the current law, under which senior managers can oversee systematic failures of public services seemingly without consequences, if they leave their jobs before those failings are exposed

 

  1. That the Independent Police Complaints Commission continue to formally examine allegations of misconduct against 30 police officers during the time period covered by the Jay Report

 

  1. That the National Crime Agency continue to pursue criminal investigations relating to the period covered by the Jay Report, the largest ever criminal investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation in the UK

 

  1. That significant progress has been made since the publication of the Jay Report in Rotherham, resulting in 30 perpetrators of child sexual exploitation offences being sentenced to a total of more than 350 years in prison

 

The council therefore resolves to:

 

1.    Express our deep sorrow for the failings of the past within the council, and to continue to prioritise dealing with child sexual exploitation

 

2.    Ensure that the new Senior Leadership Team of the Council take responsibility for ensuring the recommendations of the September 6th reports are followed through

 

3.    Recognise the bravery of Rotherham’s child sexual exploitation survivors and their families, who were so badly let down

 

4.    Continue to support all efforts to bring perpetrators of child sexual exploitation, and any professional who colluded in such abuse or otherwise engaged in any other related criminal activity, to justice

 

5.    Make formal representation to the Home Office with regards to the  ‘”Fusion Bid” for additional essential financial support to ensure that survivors of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham have the best possible support during forthcoming criminal trials of alleged perpetrators

 

6.    Condemn unequivocally those former members of staff and elected members of the council who declined to take part in the independent investigations that reported on September 6th; their unwillingness to try to help survivors to seek justice is utterly unacceptable

 

7.    Make formal representation to the government in order to ensure that new guidelines to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board make it clear that a child under the age of 16 cannot consent to their own abuse; it is not acceptable that victims of child sexual exploitation offences have been refused compensation for this apparent reason

 

Proposer – Councillor Read                      Seconder – Councillor Watson

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Read and seconded by Councillor Watson

 

This Council notes:-

 

1.         The publication of independent reports on Wednesday 6th September 2017 into issues raised by Professor Jay’s 2014 report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham over the period between 1997 and 2013.

 

2.         With great disappointment that the reports were unable to recommend disciplinary action or sanctions relating to the pensions of any former or current member of staff at Rotherham Borough Council, relating to the failings at the council between 1997 and 2013.

 

3.         That the Leader of the Council has subsequently written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to ask him to consider the iniquity of the current law, under which senior managers can oversee systematic failures of public services seemingly without consequences, if they leave their jobs before those failings are exposed.

 

4.         That the Independent Police Complaints Commission continue to formally examine allegations of misconduct against 30 police officers during the time period covered by the Jay Report.

 

5.         That the National Crime Agency continue to pursue criminal investigations relating to the period covered by the Jay Report, the largest ever criminal investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation in the UK.

 

6.         That significant progress has been made since the publication of the Jay Report in Rotherham, resulting in 30 perpetrators of child sexual exploitation offences being sentenced to a total of more than 350 years in prison.

 

The Council, therefore, resolves to:-

 

1.         Express our deep sorrow for the failings of the past within the Council, and to continue to prioritise dealing with child sexual exploitation.

 

2.         Ensure that the new Senior Leadership Team of the Council take responsibility for ensuring the recommendations of the September 6th reports are followed through.

 

3.         Recognise the bravery of Rotherham’s child sexual exploitation survivors and their families, who were so badly let down.

 

4.         Continue to support all efforts to bring perpetrators of child sexual exploitation, and any professional who colluded in such abuse or otherwise engaged in any other related criminal activity, to justice.

 

5.         Make formal representation to the Home Office with regards to the ”Fusion Bid” for additional essential financial support to ensure that survivors of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham have the best possible support during forthcoming criminal trials of alleged perpetrators.

 

6.         Condemn unequivocally those former members of staff and Elected Members of the Council who declined to take part in the independent investigations that reported on September 6th; their unwillingness to try to help survivors to seek justice is utterly unacceptable.

 

7.         Make formal representation to the Government in order to ensure that new guidelines to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board make it clear that a child under the age of 16 cannot consent to their own abuse; it is not acceptable that victims of child sexual exploitation offences have been refused compensation for this apparent reason.

 

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

87.

NOTICE OF MOTION - PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE)

 

This council wishes to show both solidarity and support with the victims of CSE, their families and the wider general public of Rotherham in requesting the following:

 

That the Prime Minster should without delay authorise a full public inquiry to be conducted by an agreed independent body of the period covered by the Jay Report into CSE. This inquiry should have the authority  to investigate all persons from all functions and departments both public and private sector, in order to identify those who were aware of what was taking place and who took little or no action to prevent further harm to victims and to make them both responsible and accountable for their actions.

 

Proposer – Councillor Cowles                  Seconder – Councillor Jepson

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Cowles and seconded by Councillor Jepson

 

This Council wishes to show both solidarity and support with the victims of CSE, their families and the wider general public of Rotherham in requesting the following:

 

That the Prime Minster should without delay authorise a full public inquiry to be conducted by an agreed independent body of the period covered by the Jay Report into CSE. This inquiry should have the authority  to investigate all persons from all functions and departments both public and private sector, in order to identify those who were aware of what was taking place and who took little or no action to prevent further harm to victims and to make them both responsible and accountable for their actions.

 

Councillor Read proposed and Councillor Watson seconded an amendment for the motion to replace the words in the second paragraph “… without delay authorise …” with the word “consider”.

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was accepted by the Council and became the substantive motion.

 

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

88.

STANDARDS AND ETHICS COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 39 KB

 

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

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor McNeely                  Seconder:-  Councillor Allen

89.

AUDIT COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 54 KB

 

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

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor Wyatt                      Seconder:-  Councillor Walsh

90.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD pdf icon PDF 61 KB

 

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

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor Roche                      Seconder:-  Councillor Mallinder

91.

PLANNING BOARD pdf icon PDF 28 KB

 

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

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor Atkin              Seconder:-  Councillor Tweed

92.

LICENSING BOARD SUB-COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 21 KB

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

 

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Mover:-  Councillor Ellis                         Seconder:-  Councillor Beaumont

93.

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 Council Procedure Rule 11(5).

Minutes:

There were none.

94.

MEMBERS' QUESTIONS TO CABINET MEMBERS AND CHAIRMEN

 

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

Minutes:

(1)  Councillor Simpson asked could RMBC add to his request to the Transport Board for a feasibility study of a cable car from Waverley to Sheffield especially linked to park and ride and other areas?

 

Councillor Lelliott confirmed the Council was developing a business case which sought to identify connectivity improvements to and from Waverley and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.  This included walking, cycling and sustainable transport.

 

In terms of the cable car the Cabinet Member would ask the Transport Section to take a look at the scheme but wider these schemes were typically expensive and may not demonstrate value for money.

 

In a supplementary question Councillor Simpson was aware this issue had gone to second stage to try and get some funding.  He hoped the Council could be positive about new forms of transport especially things like cable cars which have provided successful in other countries as a commuting mechanism, which not only assisted congestion, but tourism and could be implemented in such schemes, for example Gullivers.

 

Councillor Lelliott had used similar transport systems abroad and agreed connectively was the key and the aspirations, but the costs associated with cable car technology and the success of such schemes within the UK were expensive and limited.

 

(2)  Councillor Carter asked why was it that 13 roads in the Leader’s Ward were scheduled to be repaired in the next year, whereas only 4 roads in Brinsworth and Catcliffe ward were scheduled for repair?

 

Councillor Hoddinott advised the Leader took road repairs very seriously and if Councillor Carter had attended the highways seminar last week he would see £50 million was being invested on roads over 5 years locally.  There was only seven road repairs in the Leader’s Ward, 8 in the Sitwell Ward, 19 in Aston and Woodsetts and 14 in Rother Vale. 

 

Roads were assessed by officers to a set criteria.  There were more plans for Brinsworth this year, but in order to minimise disruption to residents these rolled forward to next year due to works with Virgin Media.  Residents of Brinsworth would see the benefit of Labour’s investment in roads over the next few years.

 

(3)  Councillor Mallinder asked if she could have a progress report on the community allotments in Dinnington.

 

Councillor Hoddinott thanked Councillor Mallinder and local residents for raising the issue of the Victoria Street allotments and working together to address some of the issues.  Some improvement had been made including:-

 

·                Formal notices being served on allotment plot owners, which had resulted in waste being cleared and fencing erected to prevent further fly-tipping. The exception being however, that fencing to the community allotment was still awaited, but it was anticipated this would be a start date would be confirmed by the end of this week.

·                Conifers have been cut back along the footpath that ran across the back of the Victoria Street allotments following enforcement action against the owners. This had allowed more light onto the footpath and allotments.

·                A range of warnings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

95.

URGENT ITEMS

 

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

Minutes:

There were none.