Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the annual meeting of the Council held on 15^th May, 2009 be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

(1) The Chief Executive submitted the following petitions which had been referred to the appropriate Directorates for consideration:-

·              From sixteen tenants of High Hazel Crescent, Catcliffe regarding their properties.

·              From sixty-six residents of Queensway regarding parking arrangements.

·              From twenty-eight residents of Heighton View, Aughton, Sheffield regarding the state of their gardens.

·              From fifty-one residents of Clifton Bank regarding the need to take action to protect the conservation area.

·              From 5,897 signatories calling on the services of Jamie Oliver to come and review the Wheels on Meals Service and to work with the Pensioners’ Action Group and Trades Unions to turn the Laundry Service into a flagship of labour and expressing the belief the Council have shown a complete lack of care and commitment to the elderly/vulnerable people of the town and should improve and continue running these services with commitment.

(2) The Chief Executive submitted apologies for absence from Councillors Boyes, Burton, Gilding, Havenhand, Hodgkiss, Johnston, Rushforth, Sangster, Sharp and S. Wright.

A member of the public asked how could the Leader of the Council and his colleagues assist the residents of Queensway to resolve the hazardous parking situation on this residential road? The majority of residents on Queensway were in favour of a residents’ parking scheme. What were the options for our road, taking account that we have had to deal with this parking problem for approximately eight years?

Councillor Smith reported that the Council’s Transportation Unit was working closely with colleagues in Planning to secure funding for a Residents’ Parking Zone around the area of Rotherham District General Hospital.  Meetings have been held with representatives of the hospital with a view to securing the funding as part of the planning process in relation to further redevelopment of the hospital site.  In addition, consideration was being given to suggested improvements to the hospital’s travel plan, which aimed to reduce the amount of staff and visitors driving to the hospital by car by supporting and encouraging sustainable modes of travel.

In a supplementary question, the member of the public requested urgent action as the refuse collection vehicle struggled to access Queensway due to the number of cars parked on the highway and indicated there were big safety issues.

Councillor Smith reiterated that should funding be secured to progress residents’ parking controls in the area surrounding the hospital, Queensway would be included in the proposals.

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee (Section B) (pages 1B to 6B) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Clarke                               Seconder:- Councillor Austen

Housing Rent Increase 2009/10 (Minute No. C21) (Pages 15C/16C)

Parish Review/Community Governance Review (Minute No. C31) (Pages 22C/23C)

Delegation of Powers – Revenues (Minute No. C32) (Pages 23C/24C)

Ex-Gratia Payments (Minute No. C36) (Page 26C)

Revenue and Capital Outturn 2008/09 (Minute No. C38) (Pages 27C-29C)

Credit Crunch Funding (Minute No. C43) (Pages 31C/32C)

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet (Section C) (pages 1C to 33C) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Stone                                Seconder:- Councillor Sharman

(The Mayor (Councillor Ali) and Councillors Akhtar, Atkin, Austen, Barron, Blair, Clarke, Currie, Cutts, Dodson, Donaldson, Doyle, Falvey, Fenoughty, Foden, Gamble, Gosling, Goulty, J. Hamilton, N. Hamilton, Hughes, Hussain, Jack, Kaye, Kirk, Lakin, License, Littleboy, Mannion, Nightingale, Parker, Pickering, G. A. Russell, P. A. Russell, R. S. Russell, St. John, Sharman, Sims, Slade, Smith, Stone, Swift, Thirlwall, Turner, Tweed, Walker, Whelbourn, Whysall, Wootton, F. Wright and Wyatt declared a personal interest in Minute No. 21 (Council House Rent Increase) as being, knowing or being related to a Council house tenant)

Children and Young People – Pages 1D to 25D (Section D)

Community Development and Engagement – Pages 1E to 6E (Section E)

Cultural Services and Sport – Pages 1F to 4F (Section F)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation – Pages 1G to 37G (Section G)

Health and Social Care – Pages 1H to 30H (Section H)

Housing and Neighbourhoods – Pages 1J to 16J (Section J)

Resources – Pages 1K to 9K (Section K)

Streetpride– Pages 1L to 6L (Section L)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation and Streetpride – Pages 1M to 12M (Section M)

Deputy Leader – Pages 1N to 4N (Section N)

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of Cabinet Members as listed below be adopted:-

Children and Young People – Pages 1D to 25D (Section D)

Community Development and Engagement – Pages 1E to 6E (Section E)

Cultural Services and Sport – Pages 1F to 4F (Section F)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation – Pages 1G to 37G (Section G)

Health and Social Care – Pages 1H to 30H (Section H)

Housing and Neighbourhoods – Pages 1J to 16J (Section J)

Resources – Pages 1K to 9K (Section K)

Streetpride– Pages 1L to 6L (Section L)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation and Streetpride – Pages 1M to 12M (Section M)

Deputy Leader – Pages 1N to 4N (Section N)

Mover:- Councillor Stone                                Seconder:- Councillor Sharman

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee (Section P) (pages 1P to 15P) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Kaye                                  Seconder:- Councillor License

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Board (Section Q) (pages 1Q to 5Q) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Wootton                           Seconder:- Councillor F. Wright

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Planning Board (Section T) (pages 1T to 50T) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Pickering                           Seconder:- Councillor Dodson

(1)  Councillor Littleboy asked could the Leader inform the Council as to what the cost to the Council was in officer time and resources to enable it to respond to the many Freedom of Information requests?

The Leader reported that the overall cost to the Council of dealing with Freedom of Information requests for the financial year 2008/09 was £80,843.05.  This included officer time responding to requests, managing the requests and providing training for staff.  It did not include printing and photocopying costs, but the majority of responses were now sent electronically.  This represented an average cost of £130.18 per request. 

(2)  Councillor Cutts asked what was the date when Citizenship Certificates first came to fruition, how many had been issued to date in Rotherham and could he have a copy of the syllabus? 

Councillor Hussain reported that Citizenship Ceremonies started in January, 2004.  He was unable to provide volumetrics back to 2004, but confirmed that in the calendar year January, 2008 to December, 2008 there were 260 New British Citizens in Rotherham

The order of ceremony was available if required. 

(3)  Councillor Mannion asked how many benefit claimants in Rotherham have been covertly filmed to check on their honesty?

Councillor Wyatt explained there had been no use of film/video surveillance since August, 2006 and the occasion prior to that was April, 2005.

Video surveillance was something that could be used, but the need had been rare.

(4)  Councillor Thirlwall asked, in view of the fact that Councillor Stone introduced Denis MacShane to Rotherham in 1989, could he confirm that The Right Honourable Dr. MacShane M.P. had his full support and confidence with regard to his expenses claims highlighted in the recent expenses scandal?

The Leader reported that yes he did support Dr. D. MacShane M.P.

(5)  Councillor Parker indicated that recent press coverage regarding M.P’s expenses showed that one of Rotherham’s M.P.’s spent several thousand pounds on paper folding equipment and asked could the Labour Group Leader confirm if this machine had ever been used for folding leaflets or any other party political literature at any time including national or local elections? 

The Leader reported that this was a question that should be asked of the M.P. directly.

(6)  Councillor Turner referred to the present level of business being seriously poor!  The consequence of this would be that no tax would be required to be paid and indeed cannot be paid and he asked if the Council agreed with him that even the hitherto levels of borrowing would not, therefore, be repaid let alone the new horrendous levels? 

The Leader indicated that the Council was keenly aware of the economic situation affecting the community and had taken action to assist both individuals and businesses.  The Council itself was not immune to the impact of the economic slowdown, but would continue to manage its own resources through continuing effective financial management.

(7)  Councillor Blair asked what was being done about the flooding in Maltby particularly the roads and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

Councillor Thirlwall understood that a £15,000 loyalty bonus had apparently been awarded to the South Yorkshire Chief Constable Hughes and he asked the Police Representative if they could tell him if all long serving Members of the South Yorkshire Police Force would be receiving a loyalty bonus and did Rotherham Borough Council Representative vote in favour of loyalty bonuses?

Councillor Littleboy reported that it was not usual to comment in public on a individual’s contract of employment.  The Chief Constable had been consulted and confirmed that he had no objection to the details of this payment being announced in public.

It was, therefore, confirmed that in 2007 the Police Authority agreed to adjust the Chief Constable’s remuneration package from 1st October, 2006 subject to review.

This payment was made after taking advice from Leading Counsel and was agreed after consulting Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and the District Auditor.  The Authority had recently reviewed the payment and has confirmed it.

This payment was personal to the Chief Constable and did not apply to any other member of South Yorkshire Police.  Neither of Rotherham Borough Councils Members voted in favour of the package as they had to leave the meeting to be back in Rotherham.

Councillor Kaye introduced the Audit Committee Annual Report for 2008/09.

Resolved:- That the report be received.

Mover:- Councillor Kaye                                  Seconder:- Councillor License

Councillor Stone presented a report by the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, arising from the Independent Remuneration Panel which recommended the payment of allowances to the Independent Members and Parish Council representatives on the Council’s Standards Committee.

The Independent Remuneration Panel recommended an annual allowance of £1,000 for the eight Independent Members and three Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee and that a further £4,000 be allocated in respect of the responsibilities of chairing the Standards Committee and the Assessment, Review and Consideration and Hearing Panels of the Committee.  It was suggested that this be allocated as to £2,500 to the Chairman and £1,500 to the Vice-Chairman.

Payments should take effect from 1st August, 2009. 

Resolved:-  (1)That Co-optees’ Allowance of £1,000 per annum be paid to the Independent Members and Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee.

(2)        That additional Co-optees’ allowances of £2,500 and £1,500 be payable respectively to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee.

(3)        That the Council’s Members’ Allowances Scheme be amended accordingly.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

Councillor Stone reported upon the interviews for the post of Chief Executive.

Resolved:- That Martin Kimber be appointed Chief Executive and Head of the Paid Service.

Mover: Councillor Stone                                 Seconder: Councillor Sharman

Councillor Stone reported on the requirement to ensure that a continuing returning officer appointment for elections and registration officer appointment for electoral registration was in place at the retirement of the existing appointee, Mr. M. H. Cuff, Chief Executive Officer.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the new Chief Executive Officer be appointed as Returning Officer for all local government elections from the date he takes up appointment as Chief Executive.

(2)  That the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) be appointed interim Returning Officer for local government elections held during any interval between the departure of the present Chief Executive and the commencement of his successor.

(3)  That the existing appointment of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) as Deputy Registration Officer be noted.

Mover: Councillor Stone                                 Seconder: Councillor Sharman

Councillor Stone introduced the report relating to the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28) which made new provisions for the Executive Arrangements for local authorities and required the Council to consult on either an Elected Mayor and Cabinet or “Strong” Leader and Cabinet model, to be brought into effect in May, 2010.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the “Strong” Leader and Cabinet model be determined for consultation;

(2) That the consultation be undertaken in accordance with the Council’s Consultation and Community Involvement Framework;

(3)  That the proposals be open to consultation from late July until late October.

Mover:- Councillor Stone                                Seconder:- Councillor Sharman

Resolved:-  That Councillor Parker be appointed to the Planning Board.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

Councillor Stone presented a report by the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, relating to the appointment of Mr. Peter Edler as an independent member to the Standards Committee to fill a casual vacancy that had arisen.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Mr. Peter Edler be appointed to the Standards Committee as an independent member until January, 2011.

(2)  That Mr. Jovan Maric be thanked for his past service as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

“That this Council resolves to eliminate ‘institutional abuse’ within the Social Care Sector and that all people receive the same standard of care regardless of age or ability.”

Mover: Councillor Parker                                Seconder: Councillor Cutts

Moved by Councillor Parker and seconded by Councillor Cutts.

“That this Council resolves to eliminate ‘institutional abuse’ within the Social Care Sector and that all people receive the same standard of care regardless of age or ability.”

Amendment to the motion moved by Councillor Doyle and seconded by Councillor Gosling.

“That this Council supports the Social Care Sector so that all people continue to receive the same high quality standard of care regardless of age or ability.”

The amendment was put and carried.

Councillor Stone, on behalf of the Council, put forward a Vote of Thanks to Mike Cuff, Chief Executive, for the hard work he had undertaken during his employment in Rotherham and wished him well during his retirement.

Resolved:-  That the appreciation of the Council be forwarded to Mike Cuff and he be wished a happy and long retirement.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman