Agenda and minutes

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

The Mayor was sad to learn of the passing of former Consort, Kingsley Jack, last month and would be attending the funeral later this month.  Kingsley was Consort between May 2005 and 2006.  The Council’s condolences go out to his family.

The Mayor also confirmed she was keeping the venue for the next Council meeting under review along with any mitigations required in any return to the Council Chamber.  Rotherham Covid case rates continued to be the highest in South Yorkshire and, therefore, it was necessary to continue to monitor the situation ahead of any decision being taken.  Apologies were given to Members who felt they were being inconvenienced by the current arrangements for Council, but it was a matter of safety.

The Mayor  welcomed the opportunity to report on a number of engagements:-

·           Attendance on 30th September for the Queen’s Award for Innovation Presentation by the Lord Lieutenant to the Marsden Weighing Machine Group for their revolutionary Patient Transfer Scale.  In 2016, Marsden partnered with the NHS to bring the device to market and it was now sold worldwide and helping to improve patient outcomes.

·           5th October saw the installation of the Master Cutler, Mr. James Tear, in Sheffield.

·           9th and 10th October was the re-opening of Rotherham’s Cancer Care Unit, which had been closed during the pandemic, on Badsley Moor Lane, and then the Wakefield Mayor’s Civic Service and Parade on the Saturday with the Sheffield Lord Mayor’s Civic Service on the Sunday.

·           14th October involved an evening of music and entertainment courtesy of The Dinnington Operatic Society, who performed a revue show entitled ‘It’s Time for a Musical’.

·           16th October saw the Mayor’s Charity Ball at Magna which was a wonderful evening and a tremendous success and grateful thanks were given to everyone who helped to organise it and to those who came along on the evening.

·           Respects were paid at the Yorkshire Miners’ Memorial Service in Barnsley on 17th October.

·           20th October saw the Naval Regional Commander's Official Reception and Demonstration evening in Leeds, aimed at promoting the work of regional maritime organisations.

·           An update was held with a representative from the Yorkshire Regiment on 21st October and heard about what they had been doing and about their future plans. 

·           Voluntary Action Rotherham health engagement stall was also visited in the market as part of their Breast Cancer Awareness event.

·           Attendance at the Rotherham United versus Milton Keynes football match on 23rd October which Rotherham won 3-0.

·           Attendance at the Centenary Dinner hosted by the Dinnington Branch of the Royal British Legion.

·           Back to the indoor market again on 28th October for the launch of the poppy appeal handing out awards and admiring the poppy cascade.

·           Later saw the live draw for the Women’s Euros 2022 followed by the Lord Lieutenant Awards Ceremony at Endcliffe Hall, Sheffield, for the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Yorkshire and the Humber.

·           This month saw the opening of the recently refurbished activity room at Rush House on 5th November  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To note the appointment of the Mayor’s Cadets for the 2021-22 municipal year.

The Mayor formally announced the names of her Cadets for the Municipal and Civic Year 2021/22 to the Council:-

·             Sea Cadets  - Cadet 1st Class Brooke Matthewman

·             Royal Air Force Cadets  – Corporal Matthew Burkinshaw

·             Army Cadets – Courtney Martin

The Mayor invited each Cadet down in turn to receive their Mayor’s Cadet badge and certificate.

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

Apologies were received from Councillors Barker, Havard, Hunter, Wilson and Yasseen.

Any communication received by the Mayor or Chief Executive which relates to a recommendation of the Cabinet or a committee which was received after the relevant meeting.

There were none to report.

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 29^th September, 2021 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Resolved: - That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 29^th September, 2021, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Councillor Bennett-Sylvester declared he was not voting on Minute No. 51 on the basis of involvement of a close relative’s construction company.

Mover: - Councillor Read                        Seconder: - Councillor Allen

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

There were no Petitions to report.

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.

There were no declarations of interest to report.

To receive questions from members of the public who may wish to ask a general question of the Mayor, Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.

(1)  Mr. D. Smith asked did this Council believe that Child Sexual Exploitation was still happening in Rotherham?

The Leader  explained Rotherham, perhaps more than any other Council, knew there would always be perpetrators who targeted children. As of last week the Council’s multi-agency support hub was supporting forty children who may be at risk of child sexual exploitation.

In a supplementary question Mr. Smith asked, during the period covered by the Jay Report, Rotherham’s Children Services continued to be inspected by Ofsted and be rated ‘good’ so what credence could be given to any Ofsted report for Rotherham given the failings.

The Leader pointed out that Ofsted would inspect and over that period of two decades Rotherham had come on a journey with more understanding about the form of abuse and responses. 

From the point of view of services in Rotherham, Ofsted had taken a particular interest, but Rotherham’s response to potential child sexual abuse cases was strong.  In fact the whole country and even the world were on a journey of improving responses to it. 

Rotherham would continue to challenge itself, and along with experts outside the Borough, continued to challenge. The response was strong and  children were kept as safe as they could be.

(2)  Ms. S. Earnshaw was unable to attend the Council Meeting so would receive a response in writing.

(3)  Mr. B. Cutts asked why did the circumstances require the Remembrance Day Parade to be contained within the confines of Clifton Park, with the Parade to march up and down the centre path?

Councillor Sheppard explained last year’s parade was held virtually, but was pleased it could go ahead this year.  In 2019, the Council was notified by South Yorkshire Police (SYP) that there would be a shift in responsibility for managing parades and it was now for the local Traffic Authority (the Council, not the Police) to decide on the road closure or other legally enforceable traffic management measures it considered any local on-road event to be held.   For the Remembrance Day Parade, the Council was both the event organiser and the local Traffic Authority and matters of public safety, security and associated costs rested with RMBC.

When parades were organised, the event organiser assumed liabilities and needed to be satisfied that there was an appropriate plan and resources in place to mitigate risks.  This now needed to include use of stewards, volunteers, signs and/or professional traffic management.

On that basis, discussions had been held with the Mayor of Rotherham, Armed Forces Champion, Parade Commander, local Royal British Legion, Vicar of Rotherham Minster and Rotherham MCVC who were all supportive of changing the format to this year’s Remembrance Civic event which would utilise Clifton Park:-

·            Reduces the need to visit three venues for the event (Town Hall, Minster and Cenotaph). 

·            Introduces a new shorter, flatter route contained within one centralised space off road at Clifton Park helping to eliminate risks and maintaining the highest levels of safety taking into account the audience,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

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 were no matters requiring exclusion of the press or public.

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

The Leader presented his statement and reported on good news with regards to funding.  Two of the Council’s three Levelling Up Fund bids had been successful for the Town Centre and Leisure and Skills packages totalling an investment of almost £40 million pounds.  These were great projects that should generate economic benefits for residents right across the Borough.

Being largely familiar with the town centre proposals, the Leisure and Skills bid was a creative package that would deliver real economic benefits in communities that needed them:-

·           Wentworth Woodhouse would transform its Riding School and Stables to create new hospitality and visitor centres as part of its £130m masterplan to bring new life to one of the country’s finest and largest historic houses.

·           Thrybergh Country Park would embark on the first stage delivery of its masterplan focused on outdoor education and wellbeing and the creation of a new destination waterside café.

·           Close to the Town Centre, Magna would create a suite of new exhibitions which would focus on science, nature and natural materials.

·           Rother Valley Country Park would embark on the first stages of a new masterplan focused on physical activity and adventure creating new hospitality and play facilities.

·           A new Skills Village at Gullivers Resort focusing on training, development, and accreditation within the hospitality and leisure sector.

·           Bridging the gap between school and employment, Maltby Academy Trust would invest in the redevelopment of the former Maltby Grammar School to create an incubator space for training, apprenticeships, and start up support in the leisure and hospitality sectors

Apart from the value to the community, to those that receive training, and the businesses that would be started, it was expected the schemes would deliver more than 100 local jobs. The Council would continue to plug away to secure the investment that communities deserved.

Moreover a bid to National Lottery Heritage Fund had been successful and Rotherham had been awarded £250,000 on behalf of a Northern Consortium which represented a £80,000 return and would fund the cultural programme that would support the celebrations for the Women’s Euros next summer.

The UK Community Renewal Fund bid for Children’s Capital of Culture was successful providing £1.8m to develop a pilot of the skills and talent development strand of the programme with nine consortium partners, so of course it was great to get Government backing for this exciting and innovative programme to benefit young people.

Everyone who worked on these bids was thanked. If only the Government would fund core services with the enthusiasm it announced grant programmes Rotherham would be in a much better place.

More good news too regarding Rotherham’s green spaces.  Rother Valley Country Park had collected its first Green Flag Award alongside Clifton, Greasbrough and Ulley Parks that have received one of the coveted awards – the mark of a quality park or green space. This was testament to the hard work and dedication of those who look after the parks.

Finally, Covid had not gone yet and everyone needed to keep  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To note the minutes of the Cabinet Meetings held on 20^th September and 18^th October, 2021.

Resolved:- That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 20^th September and 18^th October, 2021 be received.   

Mover: - Councillor Read                        Seconder: -  Councillor Allen

To note the financial position and approve the updated Capital Programme.

Further to Minute No. 22 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19th July, 2021, consideration was given to the report detailing proposals to update the Capital Programme for 2020-21.

The final outturn position was an underspend against budget of £6.1m following the mitigating actions taken to manage the financial impacts of COVID-19. It incorporated the late receipt of £2m of Government support towards costs associated with Operation Stovewood and after a proposed transfer of £2m to create a new Children and Young Peoples Services Social Care Reserve.

The mitigation actions included the application of Government’s provision of £18.9m emergency funding to support the COVID-19 response and cost implications of this, the submission of compensation claims totalling £4.8m relating to the adverse impact of COVID-19 on Sales, Fees and Charges income and the use in 2020/21 of £5.2m from the Control Outbreak Management Fund (COMF.) Without the grant funding streams, the Council’s financial outturn would have been a £22.8m overspend.

The report suggested a prudent use of the remaining underspend following its transfer to the Council’s reserves. From this underspend, an allocation of £2m was to be earmarked for a COVID-19 Recovery Fund in order to support local residents throughout the remainder of the pandemic which was positive.

The Leader and Cabinet Members had worked tirelessly to improve the situation.

The original report providing detail to the proposals considered by the Cabinet was appended in order to provide Members with sufficient knowledge to agree the proposals.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the updated financial position as detailed in the report be noted.

(2)  That the updated Capital Programme as set out in paragraphs 2.76 to 2.79 of the report to Cabinet on 19th July, 2021 and Appendices 1 to 4 be approved.

Mover: - Councillor Alam                        Seconder: -  Councillor Read

To consider and endorse the Police and Crime Panel’s decision taken on 20^th September 2021 to commence the process to appoint a third independent (co-opted) member.

Consideration was given to the report which sought agreement to the proposal to appoint a third independent member to the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel as a necessary means of ensuring constitutionally secured consistency in the membership of the Panel.    A third independent (co-opted) member would support the membership of Elected Members from across the four South Yorkshire Districts and three independent (co-opted) members recruited by advertisement.

In addition to an application to the Secretary of State, the proposal for an extra independent (co-opted) member required a change to the Police and Crime Panel’s arrangements and these have to be approved by the four District Councils.  This decision should be unanimous across all four Districts to proceed.

Resolved:- That the Police and Crime Panel’s decision taken on 20^th September 2021 to commence the process to appoint a third independent (co-opted) member be approved.

Mover: - Councillor Haleem                        Seconder: -  Councillor Alam

To inform Council of amendments to the nomination of Members to serve on Committees, Boards and Panels.

Further to Minute No. 15 to the annual meeting of Council held on 26^th May, 2021 consideration was given to the report which provided suggestions on amendments to the nomination of Members to serve on Committees, Boards and Panels.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the following amendments be confirmed:-

Adoption Panel:

Councillor Pitchley to be appointed.

Fostering Panel:

Councillor Pitchley to be appointed.

Health Select Commission:

Councillor Hughes to be removed.

Councillor Keenanto be appointed.

Improving Places Select Commission:

Councillor Keenan to be removed.

Councillor Hughes to be appointed.

Rotherham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE):

Councillor Haleem to be removed.

Councillor Keenan to be appointed.

Mover: - Councillor Read                        Seconder: -  Councillor Allen

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

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board presented a report that provided Council with an update of overview and scrutiny activity and the work programmes of the respective Scrutiny Commissions since the last update had been received in March, 2021.

Mover: - Councillor Clark                       Seconder: -  Councillor Barley

This Council notes:-

·              For many years Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham was serious and widespread, but largely ignored by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and South Yorkshire Police (SYP).

·              Since 2014, progress has been made on many issues related to CSE, including improvements in taxi licensing.

·              However, children continue to be sexually exploited in Rotherham, and girls and boys continue to be raped and trafficked by organised gangs. The model used by organised criminals has changed, with CSE linking into Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), and private vehicles being used.

·              In the six months since the local elections, Councillors have passed community gathered intelligence to RMBC and SYP regarding possible grooming and CSE in numerous locations in the Borough, including Wath, Rawmarsh, Greasbrough, Clifton, and Eastwood.

·              The response to this intelligence has been poor, with slow or no action taken, obstructive and confrontational attitudes from the authorities, and a continual refusal to acknowledge that due to reactive, not proactive, Council and Police approaches to CSE, the true scale of the problem in Rotherham cannot be known at present.

·              Lack of community confidence in the Council and the Police continue to be significant barriers to the reporting of CSE, as individuals fear reprisals from alleged perpetrators and that no action will be taken in response to their reports. Potential whistleblowers who work for the Council similarly fear for their jobs should they speak out, as they say they have been instructed by managers not to talk about CSE.

·              While RMBC has performed well in Ofsted and other inspections, what matters is not that inspections are passed, but that children are protected from some of the most horrific crimes imaginable.

·              In addition to these issues with current, active CSE, many survivors feel unsupported in their recoveries and targeted by social services in relation to their own children.

Therefore, we demand that the Council:-

·              Acknowledges that the true scale of CSE in Rotherham is not and cannot be known at present due to reactive policies and under-reporting, and that CSE may be occurring on the same scale as in the past.

·              Deliver, as a matter of urgency, proper, detailed, in-person training to Council staff and Council contractors who are in regular contact with members of the public or who work out in our communities, so that they can recognise grooming, and suspicious activities that may indicate CSE.

·              Launch a comprehensive public information campaign to likewise help members of the public recognise behaviours, activities, and other signs which may indicate CSE.

·              Review and improve internal procedures for handling reports and intelligence that may indicate CSE, with clear actions to be taken, deadlines for those actions, designated people responsible for taking them, and a clear escalation procedure.

·              Gather and record intelligence that may or does indicate CSE in a joined-up way, including cross referencing reports to build a fuller picture, working with expert partners in the third sector to gather intelligence, and sharing all intelligence with the police.

·              Takes a proactive approach to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 81.

It was moved by Councillor Barley and seconded by Councillor Thompson that:-

This Council notes:-

·            For many years Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham was serious and widespread, but largely ignored by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and South Yorkshire Police (SYP).

·            Since 2014, progress has been made on many issues related to CSE, including improvements in taxi licensing.

·            However, children continue to be sexually exploited in Rotherham, and girls and boys continue to be raped and trafficked by organised gangs. The model used by organised criminals has changed, with CSE linking into Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), and private vehicles being used.

·            In the six months since the local elections, Councillors have passed community gathered intelligence to RMBC and SYP regarding possible grooming and CSE in numerous locations in the Borough, including Wath, Rawmarsh, Greasbrough, Clifton, and Eastwood.

·            The response to this intelligence has been poor, with slow or no action taken, obstructive and confrontational attitudes from the authorities, and a continual refusal to acknowledge that due to reactive, not proactive, Council and Police approaches to CSE, the true scale of the problem in Rotherham cannot be known at present.

·            Lack of community confidence in the Council and the Police continue to be significant barriers to the reporting of CSE, as individuals fear reprisals from alleged perpetrators and that no action will be taken in response to their reports. Potential whistleblowers who work for the Council similarly fear for their jobs should they speak out as they say they have been instructed by managers not to talk about CSE.

·            While RMBC has performed well in Ofsted and other inspections, what matters is not that inspections are passed, but that children are protected from some of the most horrific crimes imaginable.

·            In addition to these issues with current, active CSE, many survivors feel unsupported in their recoveries and targeted by social services in relation to their own children.

Therefore, we demand that the Council:-

·            Acknowledges that the true scale of CSE in Rotherham is not and cannot be known at present due to reactive policies and under-reporting, and that CSE may be occurring on the same scale as in the past.

·            Deliver, as a matter of urgency, proper, detailed, in-person training to Council staff and Council contractors who are in regular contact with members of the public or who work out in our communities, so that they can recognise grooming, and suspicious activities that may indicate CSE.

·            Launch a comprehensive public information campaign to likewise help members of the public recognise behaviours, activities, and other signs which may indicate CSE.

·            Review and improve internal procedures for handling reports and intelligence that may indicate CSE, with clear actions to be taken, deadlines for those actions, designated people responsible for taking them, and a clear escalation procedure.

·            Gather and record intelligence that may or does indicate CSE in a joined-up way, including cross referencing reports to build a fuller picture, working with expert partners in the third sector to gather intelligence, and sharing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

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, recommendations and minutes of the meeting of the Standards and Ethics Committee be adopted.

In doing so the Chair pointed out the meeting was on the 16^th September but Parish Councillor Buckley and Parish Councillor Carroll were not confirmed as members of the Panel until the 29^th September at Full Council.  They were asked to leave before consideration of confidential items.

Mover:- Councillor McNeely                    Seconder:- Councillor Griffin

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:- Councillor Baker-Rodgers          Seconder:- Councillor Browne

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, recommendations and minutes of the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Roche                        Seconder:- Councillor Cusworth

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:- Councillor Atkin                          Seconder:- Councillor Bird

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:- Councillor Alam                          Seconder:- Councillor Allen

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

Mover:- Councillor Ellis                           Seconder:- Councillor Hughes

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).

(1) Councillor Hoddinott asked in the wake of Sarah Everard's awful murder, were the Panel scrutinising South Yorkshire Police's approach to violence against women and girls? 

Councillor Haleem responded and confirmed that in the Police and Crime Plan 2021-22, this was a priority under Protecting Vulnerable People.

In 2021 the number of incidents of violence against women and girls was shocking.  Rape and sexual offences were amongst some of the most serious and high impact crimes against a person and victims needed to have the confidence to come forward and report to the police. The Government had published a National Strategy aimed at tackling Violence against Women and Girls (published July 2021) which highlighted four key areas namely: Prioritising Prevention, Supporting Victims, Pursuing Perpetrators and Strengthening the System.

The Police and Crime Commissioner convened a round table with partners to ensure that everything was being done. The Police and Crime Commissioner strongly believed that women and girls in South Yorkshire had the right to feel safe in public spaces and in their own homes. Children and young people should also feel safe in schools and educational settings.

The Police and Crime Commissioner wanted the Police and partners to focus their activity in this area on preventative action, education and safety messages to potential victims as well as work with the perpetrators of violence. He had applied for Home Office funding through the Safer Streets Fund to achieve some of these things, but, he also wanted his office and the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to lead work with the Police and partners to influence changes in attitudes, especially the attitudes of men and boys in South Yorkshire to women and girls, their notions of masculinity and who they looked to as role models.

Councillor Haleem would be ensuring that the Panel received a copy of the strategy to scrutinise it and ensure that the response was as robust as possible.

In a supplementary question Councillor Hoddinott asked whether the Panel could receive a report into the Police's approach to drink spiking and injections in South Yorkshire.

Councillor Haleem responded the Panel would be asking for the report and confirmed South Yorkshire Police had had reports of drink spiking and also the use of injections in all districts, though principally in Sheffield with its bigger night time economy, but not big numbers.

The reports were mainly from females but some males had also reported. At present it has not been possible to identify any drug used.  All were being investigated and victims supported.

South Yorkshire Police were working with partners, including the Violence Reduction Unit, NHS, licensing bodies etc. and venues were being contacted since they also had a role.

The national Police lead was DCC Jason Harwin, former District Commander for Rotherham.

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

(1)  Councillor Ball withdrew his question.

(2)  Councillor Whormsley referred to moving into the colder months and residents looking to prepare for winter found it hard to understand where winter grit bins were located so asked would the Council please publish a list of winter grit bins and their locations.

Councillor Beck explained there were over 400 grit bins placed around the Borough and the locations were already published on the Council’s website. 

The location of grit bins could be found under the “find a grit bin near you” section on the Council’s website.  An A to Z of records allows Councillors and residents to bring up a full list of locations.

(3)Councillor Castledine-Dack explained that in Dinnington people were very disappointed with the outcome of the bid for the Levelling Up Fund, which would have been transformative if successful. As a community, Dinnington needs to regroup whilst keeping up the momentum behind this campaign.  She asked would the Council commit to review and resubmit a stronger bid when feedback was received?

Councillor Lelliott explained that the Council welcomed the successful outcome of two of the Levelling Up Fund submissions that had secured almost £40m for schemes across the Borough. The Cabinet Member shared the disappointment that the Principal Areas for Growth application did not secure the much-needed investment for projects in Wath and Dinnington. 

At this time the Council was unable to speculate why it did not meet the Government’s assessment criteria and further feedback was awaited from Government which would be reviewed whilst waiting details of future Levelling Up Funding rounds.

In a supplementary question Councillor Castledine-Dack asked if the Cabinet Member would commit to working with the Dinnington Community Land Trust and the Town Council whose work was instrumental in delivering this bid.

Councillor Lelliott confirmed she would work within the processes laid down to secure this.

(4)  Councillor Bennett-Sylvester asked could the Cabinet Member please account for the differences in the percentage of households subscribing to the brown bin tax between our most and least deprived Wards?

Councillor Beck pointed out the Council did not operate a brown bin tax.

There would always be differences in different areas in terms of a Garden Waste Collection Service and this could be for a number of reasons including whether residents had gardens or not. Households without gardens were higher in number in the more deprived Wards so it was expected subscriptions to be lower in those areas. 

In a supplementary question Councillor Bennett-Sylvester had looked at figures for the most deprived Wards of take-up between 15% and 65% taking out almost 30% and asked if a flat rate could be applied. This recharge was discriminative and exclusive against poorer communities and asked if, as part of the Local Government settlement, ways could be considered where communities were excluded and what the impact of a dual rate would be for this Council.

Councillor Beck expressed his sympathies, but pointed out that a review of Rothercard was to take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

There were no urgent items for consideration.