Agenda

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

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

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 4 October, 2023, and to approve the accuracy thereof.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

To note the minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 18 September and 16 October, 2023.

To consider the recommendations from Cabinet regarding the Polling Districts and Polling Places Review 2023 Final Proposals.

To consider the recommendation from Cabinet regarding the transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner functions to the South Yorkshire Mayor from May 2024.

To consider the recommendation from Cabinet regarding the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy.

To consider the recommendation from Cabinet regarding their response to the scrutiny review recommendations on the impact of selective licensing.

To consider the recommendation from Cabinet regarding their response to the scrutiny review recommendations on modern slavery.

To consider the report and recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

To receive updates from ward councillors from Brinsworth on the activities supporting Thriving Neighbourhoods across the Borough.

To receive updates from ward councillors from Keppel on the activities supporting Thriving Neighbourhoods across the Borough.

To be moved by Councillor A Carter and seconded by Councillor Miro:

This Council notes:

1.    With great regret, the devastating flooding that occurred in Catcliffe and Treeton on 21st October 2023. As a result of the flooding, hundreds of houses were evacuated and extensive damage to property resulted from the ingress of flood waters to domestic properties and local businesses.

2.    That looting of residential properties occurred in Catcliffe during the floods in 2007.

3.    That in the aftermath of the 2007 Catcliffe floods the Council held a public meeting with residents to discuss the evacuation, flood, and subsequent response and receive feedback from residents.

This Council is concerned:

4.    That the Environment Agency did not issue an appropriate warning early enough to reduce the risk to life and enable more motor vehicles and personal possessions to be saved from the flood waters. Water levels were rising for some time before flood defences in Catcliffe were breached.

5.    About the difficulty residents in Catcliffe have reported in obtaining home and motor vehicle insurance, and in some instances where residents have obtained a quotation, it has been unaffordable.

6.    That South Yorkshire Police were actively enforcing the underused Wood Lane bus gate when alternative main routes in Catcliffe and Brinsworth were impassable, when looting of evacuated residential properties was a high risk.

7.    That South Yorkshire Police have not changed their policy on enforcement of the Wood Lane bus gate when they attempted to prioritise enforcement of this during the 2019 flooding crisis that affected residents in the borough.

This Council therefore resolves:

1.      That it has no confidence in the ability of the Environment Agency to provide an adequate response to future flooding in Catcliffe and Treeton to keep residents, homes, and businesses safe.

2.    That the Chief Executive and Council Group Leaders are requested to write to:

a.    The Environment Agency requesting:

                                               i.     A detailed explanation and a commitment to hold an enquiry to determine why a suitable warning was not issued to residents earlier when it was clear that flood waters would imminently breach the flood defences in Catcliffe.

                                              ii.     Significant investment in and improvement of the flood defences of the River Rother at Catcliffe.

                                            iii.     A detailed explanation and a commitment given to residents why active flood management of the River Rother up and down-stream of Catcliffe and Treeton did not appear to take place in the October 2023 flood.

b.    The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner:

                                               i.     Expressing regret that the Force focussed on enforcing the bus gate on Wood Lane at a time when alternative main routes in Catcliffe and Brinsworth were impassable and looting of residential properties was a high risk.

                                              ii.     Requesting a commitment to residents that they will not enforce the Wood Lane bus gate when flooding is affecting main routes into and out of Catcliffe, Treeton, and Brinsworth; and ensure that commanding officers are made aware of this commitment.

c.     The Government requesting funding  ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

To be moved by Councillor Jones and seconded by Councillor Elliot.

That this Council notes that:

1.    Since 2016 there have been many complaints to the Environment Agency around the re-permitting of the Grange landfill site at Droppingwell. Despite the valiant efforts of the Droppingwell Action group and the Council, the works carry on, without the proper level of scrutiny and regulation of the Environment agency. This has led to direct complaints to the EA that we believe haven’t been properly investigated.

The Council believes that:

1.    As part of the environmental monitoring of the site, the operator was required to install various monitoring systems. One of these systems was a network of ground water bore holes, that under the European landfill directives, is required to update the condition of the permit. The operator, without any prior knowledge or permission proceeded to drill a bore hole (bh5) on council property. Subsequently on two occasions the borehole was damaged to restore the access track to a useable condition after unpermitted use by a contractor. At no point was anyone made aware of the existence of BH5 and at no point has any formal permission been sort the site the hole on council land.  The test results from BH5 were questioned after test samples were allocated to BH5, even when the hole was not in existence. The investigation by the EA claimed that “the hole had been vandalised.” This claim was totally incorrect, at the point of investigation, only a very small number of people knew of the bore holes existence and certainly didn’t know of its location.

2.    In correspondence with senior officers at the council, the EA have claimed that the siting of BH5 is a matter for the operator to address with RMBC. They also carried onto say that the reinstatement of BH5 was “preferable but not required “as part of the pre-conditions for the sites re opening. Every 6 months the EA must carry out a compliance report, this report matches the sites operation with the conditions of the license. Over the last two years while expressing to the council that the reinstatement wasn’t a “requirement” the CAR report to the operator has expressed the EAs concern that the borehole hadn’t been reinstated and reminded the operator that “until the requirement to re-instate bh5 was undertaken, no waste could be accepted onto site”.

3.    We believe that the communications from the EA to RMBC have been very disingenuous, to try to downplay the requirement for BH5’s re-instatement. We also believe that should the borehole now be re-instated, with its location now public and readily accessible, the possibility of it being in a serviceable condition for any length of time, is highly unlikely. The monitoring of the borehole would also require repeated access on a monthly basis to land that we have now gated off to stop illegal trespass, this would then risk a claim of access in law by the operator, who is already trying to claim a  ...  view the full agenda text for item 19.

To be moved by Councillor Ball and seconded by Councillor Burnett:

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is saddened and disturbed by the terrorist atrocities being committed by the terrorist group Hamas against Israel, as we have seen this has caused horrific devastation and created an escalating humanitarian crisis.

Considering this, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council resolves to:

1.    Express support to members of our Rotherham community who have been deeply impacted by this conflict.

2.    Condemns the pulling down of the Israeli flag from the Town Hall in which South Yorkshire Police are investigating this incident.

3.    Condemns the rise in anti-Semitic attacks across Rotherham and the South Yorkshire area.

4.    Reiterate our support for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council's adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism.

5.    Call on local media to always refer to Hamas as 'terrorists’ rather than 'militants' for the reasons of factual accuracy and common decency.

6.    Support the local call for humanitarian pauses to allow in aid and help the release of hostages, while underscoring the need to protect both Palestinian and Israeli civilians.

To be moved by Councillor Tinsley and seconded by Councillor Fisher.

That this Council note that:

1.    Approximately 1200 school children are injured each month in traffic related collisions within a 500m radius of schools. (According to ROSPA) School Crossing Patrol Operatives play a vital role in ensuring children’s safety on route to school. However, the last major change in road safety around schools in the Rotherham Borough was back in 2009, which resulted in the introduction of Traffic Regulation Orders to enforce School Crossings and advisory 20MPH speed limit signs that were fitted near schools more recently.

2.    "School street" schemes, have proven successful in multiple UK authorities, closing roads during drop-off and pick-up times to enhance pupil safety, promote active travel, and improve air quality.

3.    The Council currently work with the Road Safety Partnership to educate School Children and Adults around road dangers and behaviours.

We believe that:

1.    School Crossing Patrol operatives face instances where cars fail to stop. We believe that the Council is seemingly not recording these instances along with prosecuting vehicle owners.

2.    Cars regularly park on School Keep Clear Lines (zig zag) and contraventions are hard to enforce.

3.    Car’s parking on pavements near Schools, impede the view of pedestrians making it hazardous for children and adults to cross safely.

4.    School Street initiatives establish a vehicle free zone near school entrances or gates during School drop-off and pick-up times. By regulating vehicle access on specific School Streets, these initiatives facilitate safe crossings in front of school entrances/gates. These schemes also help to promote walking or cycling to school for both parents and school children, contributing to a decrease in air pollution around Schools.

Therefore this Council resolves to:

1.      Enhance and improve the process and reporting of near miss incidents for Crossing Patrol Operatives. Provide body worn cameras to aid documenting and prosecuting non-compliance of stop signs.

2.    Explore technologies that can aid in enforcing School Crossings (Zig Zag Lines) traffic regulation orders (TROS). Analyse and put into action appropriate parking and road markings around school entrances to guarantee an unobstructed, safe view for pedestrians crossing.

3.    Commit to work with schools and ward councillors within our authority that would benefit from a school street and compile a list of schools where school street trials could be launched as soon as practically possible, once the Council has the relevant powers to enforce them, fast tracking where experimental traffic orders could be used.

4.    Continue to work with all schools in the Rotherham Borough to develop accredited Travel Plans, which will include enforceable No-Idling Zones and “school streets” schemes. Providing a member session to inform members of the support available to Schools.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

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).

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

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

SHARON KEMP,

Chief Executive.