Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That Councillor Rose Margaret McNeely be elected Chairman of the Rotherham Borough  Council for the ensuing  Municipal Year and that she be  entitled to  the  style  of  Mayor  by  virtue  of Section 245(1)  of  the  Local  Government Act 1972.

 Mover: Councillor Wootton                           Seconder: Councillor Hussain

Councillor McNeely thereupon made and subscribed the statutory declaration of acceptance of office.

The Mayor (Councillor McNeely (in the Chair)

Resolved:- That  the Council  tender its  sincere  thanks to  Councillor Shaukat Ali for the  excellent manner in  which he has  carried out  all his duties as Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham. 

And that the best thanks of this Council be recorded for the kind and admirable way in which Wajida Nassem performed the duties of Mayoress.

 Mover:-  Councillor Kirk                                 Seconder: Councillor Dodson

Resolved:- That  Councillor Shaun Wright be  elected Vice-Chairman  of the Rotherham   Borough Council for  the ensuing Municipal Year  and that  he  be entitled to  the style  of Deputy Mayor  by virtue  of section  245(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

 Mover: Councillor  Whelbourn                      Seconder: Councillor Lakin

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21st April, 2010 be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

The Chief Executive submitted apologies for absence from Councillors Clarke, Cutts, Donaldson, J. Hamilton, N. Hamilton, Hodgkiss, Sangster and Sharp.

Resolved:- That Councillor Roger Stone be elected as Leader of Rotherham Borough  Council.

 Mover: Councillor Gosling                              Seconder: Councillor Littleboy

The Leader reported on his appointments to the Cabinet as follows, with portfolios and delegated powers as regards executive functions remaining as previously:-

The Cabinet                                                                                      Councillor

Deputy Leader                                                                                 Sharman

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care                                 Doyle

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s                        Lakin

   Services

Cabinet Member for Community Development                              Hussain

  and Engagement

Cabinet Member for Resources                                                     Wyatt

Cabinet Member for Economic Development,                                Smith

  Planning and Transportation

Cabinet Member for Cultural Services and Sport                          St.John

Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods                      Akhtar

Cabinet Member for Streetpride Services                                     R. S. Russell

The portfolios were under review and any alterations would be reported to the next Council Meeting in July, 2010.

In addition, the Leader wished to offer his congratulations to Rotherham United Football Club for their success at getting to the play-offs, with particular mentions for Tony Stewart, Brian Beckett, Paul Douglas and Ronnie Moore.

Proposed Revisions to the LDF Steering Group Constitution and Terms of Reference (Minute No. C236) (Page 187C – 188C)

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet (Section C) (pages 178C to 192C) be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconder:-  Councillor Sharman

The Democratic Services Manager submitted proposals for 2010/11.

Resolved:-  (1) That Councillor Turner be Chairman of the Wentworth Valley Area Assembly (Maltby, Hellaby, Wickersley) and Councillor Parker be Vice-Chairman.

Mover:- Councillor Gilding                   Seconder:- Councillor Mannion

(2)  That the following arrangements be approved:-

Cabinet Advisers:-

Leader and Deputy Leader – Councillor Littleboy (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Gosling

Health and Social Care – Councillor Gosling (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor P.A. Russell

Children and Young People’s Services – Councillor Havenhand (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Currie

Community Development and Engagement – Councillor Burton (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Walker

Resources – Councillor Buckley (Senior Adviser)

Economic Development, Planning and Transportation – Councillor Walker (Senior Adviser)

Cultural Services and Sport - Councillor Falvey (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor License

Housing and Neighbourhoods – Councillor Goulty (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Kaye

Streetpride Services – Councillor Ali (Senior Adviser) together with Councillor Tweed

Consideration was given to the revised Scheme of Delegation of Powers to Members and Officers, which had been updated to include some minor changes as referred to in the report.  Any changes that may be made by the Leader in future as regards executive functions would be reported to all Members.

Resolved:- That the Scheme of Delegation of Powers for Members and Officers for 2010/11 be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone       Seconded:-  Councillor Sharman

Consideration was given to a report outlining amendments to the Executive Procedure Rules and Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules following the adoption of the revised Constitution at the Council meeting of 21st April 2010.

Resolved:- That the revised Executive Procedure Rules and Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules and the amended wording to Article 8 of the Constitution be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone       Seconded:-  Councillor Sharman

Consideration was given to a report which set out in detail the requirements of Sections 10 to 22 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20) which provided a statutory duty for principal local authorities to handle and respond to petitions. This included making provision for the submission of e-petitions and adopting a “scheme for handling petitions”.

The Council was, therefore, required to adopt a Petitions Scheme, taking account of provisions set out in an Order and statutory guidance.

Resolved:- (1)  That the scheme be adopted as the Council’s “Scheme for Handling Petitions”.

(2)  That the commencement dates for the provisions of the scheme be as follows:-

·              Paragraphs 1 to 3; 5 to 21; and 29 to 31 – 15th June, 2010.

·              Paragraphs 4 and 22 to 28 – 15th December, 2010.

(3)  That the Council’s Constitution and Standing Orders be amended as follows:-

·              After Section (1) of Article 6 of the constitution insert “(1A) Any citizen may organise, sign and present a petition to the Council in accordance with the Council’s Scheme for handling petitions”.

·              In Standing Order 4 insert “Presentation of petitions” and “Debate on petitions”.

·              After Standing Order 8 insert “8A Presentation of petitions”.

·              After Standing Order 8A insert “8B Debate on petitions”.

·              That the sub-paragraphs set out in Appendix B to this report apply to Standing Orders 8A and 8B.

(4)  That the list of officers, by position, who may be called to give evidence as set out in the report be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Stone                               Seconded:-  Councillor Sharman

The Returning Officer reported that the persons indicated below had been elected Members of the Council at the election held on 6^th May, 2010:-