Agenda and minutes

The Mayor was pleased to present the Customer Service Excellence Award to Directorates’ representatives in recognition of their achievement.

Congratulations were offered to all those involved in this success.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 9^th December, 2009 be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

The Chief Executive submitted apologies for absence from Councillors Boyes, Burton, Clarke, Cutts, Fenoughty, Foden, Hughes, Johnston and Rushforth.

A member of the public asked would the Council set up an Adult (ASD) Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategy Group, as there was already one for Children?

Councillor Doyle assured the member of the public that the Council understood the implications of the Department of Health’s “A Better Future” a consultation on the future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions which the Learning Disability Partnership Board responded to last year.

In preparation for the publication of the strategy the Council and its partners on the Partnership Board have set up an Adults Autistic Spectrum Conditions Strategy Group (A.A.S.C.S.G.) task group, led by a Senior Manager.  The group included commissioners and representatives from both the Children and Young People’s and Mental Health Services.  The Board held an event on Friday to engage with service users and carers to also be part of this group, which would lead on the implementation of the strategy.

It was also confirmed that this group would work closely with the existing group within Children’s Services and also the commissioners within the Social Care and Health Service.

The Learning Disability Service had already commenced meetings with Children and Young People’s Services regarding services for people with an autistic spectrum disorder, including the Autism Communication Team and was working with Speak Up, the self advocacy group, to ensure there was independent advocacy available for this service user group.

Councillor Doyle also reported that Rotherham was to have its own Carers’ Centre in the near future.  Following consultation with carers last year, a venue had been agreed and work would commence shortly to fit out the centre.  Carers have always supported the idea of such a centre and the response had been overwhelmingly positive.

The centre was to be based at Drummond Street, directly across from the bus station, library, theatre and Council Benefits Office and would be a flagship for everybody who cared for someone.

Councillor Doyle agreed to pass the member of the public’s name onto the relevant people expressing his willingness to be involved.

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee (Section B) (pages 22B to 26B) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Austen                              Seconder:- Councillor Hodgkiss

Capital Programme Financial Monitoring Report – November, 2009 (Minute No. C166) (Page 128-129C)

Continuation of Legal Authorisations in respect of Illegal Money Lending Activities (Minute No. C168) (Pages130C – 131C)

Housing Rent Increase 2010/11 (Minute No. C172) (Pages 133C – 134C)

Building Schools for the Future (Transforming Rotherham Learning) – Outline Business Case (Minute No.C178  (Pages 137C – 138C)

Grounds Maintenance (Minute No. C181) (Page 139C)

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet (Section C) (pages109C to 139C) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Stone                                Seconder:- Councillor Sharman

(Councillors Akhtar, Blair, Burton, Currie, Dodson, Doyle, Falvey, Goulty, Hussain, J. Hamilton, Havenhand, Hodgkiss, Kirk, Lakin, Littleboy, McNeely, Nightingale, Pickering, P. A. Russell, R. S. Russell, Sangster, Sharman, Sims, Smith, Stone, Walker, Whelbourn, Wootton, F. Wright and S. Wright declared a personal interest in Minute No. C172 (Housing Rent Increase 2010/11) on the grounds of being a Council tenant, being related to or association with someone in Council accommodation.

Children and Young People – Pages 51D to 60D (Section D)

Community Development and Engagement – Pages 24E to 28E (Section E)

Cultural Services and Sport – Pages 23F to 36F (Section F)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation – Pages 83G to 95G (Section G)

Health and Social Care – Pages 64H to 83H (Section H)

Housing and Neighbourhoods – Pages 56J to 75J (Section J)

Resources – Pages 22K to 35K (Section K)

Streetpride– Pages 16L to 19L (Section L)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation and Streetpride – Pages 31M to 36M (Section M)

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

·              Children and Young People – Pages 51D to 60D (Section D)

·              Community Development and Engagement – Pages 24E to 28E (Section E)

·              Cultural Services and Sport – Pages 23F to 36F (Section F)

·              Economic Development, Planning and Transportation – Pages 83G to 95G (Section G)

·              Health and Social Care – Pages 64H to 83H (Section H)

·              Housing and Neighbourhoods – Pages 56J to 75J (Section J)

·              Resources – Pages 22K to 35K (Section K)

·              Streetpride– Pages 16L to 19L (Section L)

·              Economic Development, Planning and Transportation and Streetpride – Pages 31M to 36M (Section M)

Mover:- Councillor Stone                                Seconder:- Councillor Sharman

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee (Section P) (pages 24P to 31P) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Sangster                           Seconder:- Councillor Kaye

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Board (Section Q) (pages 17Q to 20Q) 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 98T to 124T) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Pickering                           Seconder:- Councillor Dodson

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Leader and Deputy Leader (Section U) (page 9U) be adopted.

Mover:- Councillor Stone                                Seconder:- Councillor Sharman

(1)  Councillor Thirlwall asked if the Leader could explain to this Chamber how the Chief Executive could fulfil his duties under the Emergency Plan when he lived outside Rotherham?

The Leader pointed out that if Councillor Thirlwall attended the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel of which he was a member, he would know how the Council responded to an emergency situation and how the emergency plan worked.

The Council had organisational arrangements in place to respond to any emergency situation, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. There were two officers available for initial response; a Forward liaison Officer and a Borough Emergency Co-ordinator (a named Chief Officer), who would arrange for the activation of the Emergency Plan. Part of this initial arrangement was to contact the Chief Executive, Leader, Cabinet Members and other senior managers and to mobilise the Council's response. This enabled the Chief Executive to determine his particular role as the strategic head of the Council and if necessary when to take direct control, should this be required.

These arrangements were regularly tested, reviewed and refined as required to ensure that Rotherham had embedded and resilient arrangements.

The Leader also pointed out that in 2007 when Rotherham experienced the dreadful flooding problems, the then Chief Executive lived in Derbyshire and the emergency plan was fully operational.

(2)  Councillor Gilding referred to most Rotherham schools being closed during the recent snowfalls and asked what steps were being taken to ensure that schools remained open at such times and that they were available to serve the public?

Councillor S. Wright confirmed that due to the disruption caused by heavy snowfall across the country many schools had to close.  Due to this consideration was being given as to the reasons why schools closed at this time and then discussing with the schools as to how best to solve the issues.

To assist the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee were to undertake a scrutiny review into what lessons could be learnt, reasons for why chools closed at short notice and where recommendations would inform the best way to proceed in the future.

(3)   Councillor Turner reported that Maltby Leisure Centre was about to open and it appeared to be of an excellent design with already more than 700 people enrolled.  He asked was there a point where the Council would see a return on this income above a certain turnover or did D.C. Leisure take it all?

Councillor St. John reported that this leisure centre was excellent, just like the other three that were now open.  He confirmed that the PFI contract with DC Leisure included a provision whereby the Council benefited from a profit share arrangement on profits over the level assumed in the original DC Leisure business plan.  This arrangement operated on a contract, rather than an individual facility basis.  The gain share arrangements operated on a cumulative basis over a five year period, therefore, it was possible that early years’ profits could be reduced by later  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

To consider the adoption of the following motion :-

At a time of severe pressures on the Council budget, this Council resolves to discontinue first class rail travel for Councillors and use the money saved to support front line services for the people of Rotherham.

Mover:  Councillor Thirlwall                                Seconder:  Councillor Slade

Moved by Councillor Thirlwall and seconded by Councillor Slade:-

“At a time of severe pressures on the Council budget, this Council resolves to discontinue first class rail travel for Councillors and use the money saved to support front line services for the people of Rotherham.”

Moved by Councillor Wyatt and seconded by Councillor License as an amendment

“At a time of severe pressures on the Council budget, this Council resolves to use the most appropriate rail travel arrangements to London.”

The amendment was put and carried and adopted by the Council.

(Councillors Blair, Donaldson, Gilding, Mannion, Parker, Slade Thirlwall and Turner voted against the amendment)