Agenda and draft minutes

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

The Mayor invited all present to observe a minute’s silence in memory of former Mayor and Councillor Terry Sharman, who had served on the Council from 1973-2015, and former Councillor Peter Thirlwall, who served on the Council from 2002-2011. The Mayor also wished those observing Ramadan, Lent and Holi all the best.

Throughout the meeting, Members expressed their condolences to the families of former Mayor and Councillor Sharman and former Councillor Thirlwall.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beck, Knight and Ryalls.

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.

Councillor Sheppard declared a personal interest in Minute 127 – Recommendation from Cabinet – Budget and Council Tax 2026-27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy on the basis that there were proposals relating to Selective Licensing Areas and he lived in a Selective Licensing Area. As this was a personal interest, Councillor Sheppard took part in the debate and vote on the item.

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 such items that required the exclusion of the press and public from this meeting.

To consider and approve the recommendation from Cabinet – Budget and Council Tax 2026-27.

Further to Minute 122 of the Cabinet Meeting held on 9 February 2026, the proposed Budget and Council Tax for 2026/27 was presented to Council for approval. This was based on the Council’s Final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2026/27, budget consultation and the consideration of Directorate budget proposals. A review of the financial planning assumptions within the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) had also been undertaken.

In moving the proposals, the Leader thanked Cabinet Members, the finance team and the Chief Executive for their work on the budget proposals. He particularly thanked Councillor Alam for his dedication and support as Cabinet Member for Finance. He noted the difficulties the Council had faced due to austerity under the former Conservative governments and the difficult decisions that had been taken, namely the closure of buildings, the loss of jobs and the retreating of services.

The Leader stated that, as of March 2026, nearly one in four councils with social care responsibilities in England needed Exceptional Financial Support. Bills in North Somerset, Shropshire and Worcestershire were going up by 9%.

As part of the proposals, Council Tax in Rotherham would be increased by 3.95% (including a basic Council Tax increase of 1.95% and an Adult Social Care precept increase of 2%.) This was below the government’s cap for the seventh successive year and lower than Reform-led Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, and North and West Northamptonshire’s, lower than Conservative-led North Yorkshire, and Liberal Democrat-led Hull and East Riding Councils. The Leader stated that this was a responsible decision and the result of a Labour government backing communities. Rotherham had received £14 million more than anticipated from the Government last year, with an additional £9 million more this year and a further £10 million more over the next three years as part of the Final Settlement.

The Leader highlighted some of the proposals within the budget, including the creation of a new team to support high street businesses, backed by £25,000 for each of Wath, Dinnington, Swinton and Maltby and the Town Centre to support promotional activities, events and locally identified needs. The next round of shop unit grants would receive over £600,000 from the Local Growth Fund. The Roadside Cleaning team would be increased again, and additional staff would be employed at Household Waste sites, supporting the on-site re-use shop and reducing the waste into landfill. The price of household bulky waste collections would be frozen.

In relation to Selective Licensing, the Leader explained that 60% of respondents to the consultation agreed that environmental issues were a problem in Selective Licensing areas. As such, a dedicated team was proposed to support these communities with such issues. A capital investment was also proposed to make physical improvements.

Other proposals included additional staffing to keep Rother Valley Country Park safe and in a good condition. A new fit for purposes building at Ulley Country Park would be in place and the running track at Herringthorpe would be replaced. £750,00 would be invested in the next  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.

To approve a calendar of meetings for the Council and its committees for the 2026-27 municipal year and note the indicative calendar of meetings for the 2027-28 municipal year.

Consideration was given to a report, submitted in accordance with the rules of procedure as detailed in the Council’s Constitution, that set out the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the 2026/27 Municipal Year.

Council were also asked to note the indicative Calendar of Meetings for 2027/28. This would be brought back to Council in March 2027 for formal approval.

Resolved:

1.    That the Calendar of Meetings for the 2026-27 Municipal Year be approved.

2.    That the Indicative Calendar of Meetings for the 2027-28 Municipal Year be noted.

Mover: Councillor Read                Seconder: Councillor Cusworth

To consider the recommendation of the Staffing Committee to approve the Pay Policy Statement 2026-27 for publication under Chapter 8 of the Localism Act 2011.

Consideration was given to the report which presented the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, attached at Appendix 1, for approval. The Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 was received by the Staffing Committee on 9 February 2026, alongside the request to recommend to Council.

Councillor Currie asked if details of the employer contribution pension cuts and their implications would be taken to Staffing Committee. Councillor Alam stated that a written response would be provided.

Resolved:

1.    That Council approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 (Appendix 1) as recommended by Staffing Committee on 9 February 2026.

Mover: Councillor Alam                          Seconder: Councillor Cusworth

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

There were no urgent items to consider.