Agenda and minutes

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

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year. A full update on Mayoral activity since the last meeting was included in Appendix A to the Mayor’s Letter. The Mayor highlighted some specific events during the meeting which included hosting the High Sheriff’s first Veteran’s Seminar and attending 2 events celebrating the Ukraine Christmas.

The Mayor had visited Whiston and Coleridge Primary Schools and hosted pupils from Waverley Junior Academy at the Town Hall. He had also opened the new facilities at Aston Academy, attended Brinsworth Academy’s Winter Community Fayre and visited Dinnington High School to see the Dinnington Community Boxing Group.

In the week prior to Council the Mayor had attended the Children’s Capital of Culture – Making It Happen - manifesto launch which included performances from some of Rotherham’s most talented young people.

The Mayor reminded Members that a public Civic event would be held on Friday, 27th January at 11.30 a.m. in All Saints Square to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barker, Burnett, Clark, Havard, Pitchley, Thompson and Whomersley.

Any communication received by the Mayor or Chief Executive which relates to a recommendation of the Cabinet or a committee which was received after the relevant meeting.

There were no communications received.

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 30^th November, 2022, and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 30th November, 2022, as corrected, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover: Councillor Read                          Seconder: Councillor Allen

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.

There were no petitions to receive.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

1.    Mr. Adeel Hussain asked: In August last year, the Advertiser stated that the ‘ridiculous Westgate Cycling Route was being scrapped’ after Westgate businesses and residents challenged the Council’s ill thought through and damaging cycling proposals. Can Rotherham Council give us an honest answer, is the Westgate Cycling Route going to be imposed on local businesses and people? Yes or No.

Councillor Beck explained that the Council did hear loud and clear the responses to the consultation and what had been said. He confirmed that the Westgate Scheme would not be taken forward as proposed, however, the Council was considering options that would ensure that the aim of improving access to the Town Centre for cyclists could still be met. The new proposed scheme would be drastically different from that proposed in 2022. All of the banned turns that were proposed as part of the Scheme would be scrapped and there were plans to enhance the parking offer for businesses on Westgate and their customers. The Council had listened and heard and as such, hoped to bring forward plans for the new Scheme very soon. It was hoped that the new Scheme would incorporate all of the views that had been submitted previously. Further, it was hoped that by building more residential units in the Town Centre there would be more custom for the businesses on Sheffield Road and Westgate.

In his supplementary, Mr. Hussain stated that, apparently, local businesses and residents were consulted but Mr. Hussain explained that he and others knew nothing about it until Councillor Yasseen mentioned it. Councillor Yasseen held a meeting about it and it was clear there was only one option and no opportunity for residents to direct the route of the Scheme. It therefore felt like a pointless consultation. The community, not the Council, organised a campaign and nearly 800 residents completed a cycling survey which, in 2 weeks, showed that most were against the Scheme. There were sacrificial elements so that the Council could claim that they had listened to residents. Mr. Hussain asked that if a different Scheme was being proposed, why was the Council not consulting on that and allowing the local community to comment on the revised Scheme?

Councillor Beck explained that a drop-in session had been held in Riverside House prior to Christmas specifically for businesses on Westgate and a further one was scheduled for Friday, 20th January, at 2.30 p.m. in Riverside House. Letters had been sent out to businesses regarding that. Councillor Beck stated that the Council were trying to engage with the local business community, and this was evidenced by the 780 letters that were sent out as part of the original consultation. It was incumbent on the Council to take a balanced view, taking into account the impact on local businesses. Councillor Beck believed the new Scheme would be a positive thing as there would be much more parking for customers of the businesses to use and there would be hundreds more people living  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

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 items that required the exclusion of the press and public.

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

The Leader stated that:

·        There had been sad news from Liberty Steel in the past week and thoughts were with all of those affected following the companies announcement of 440 potential redundancies including 185 potentially in Rotherham. The company was undertaking a 45 day consultation period and Council officers had met with senior members of staff to identify the support that the Council may be able to offer to individuals who were affected. The picture would become clearer as the consultation progressed. The potential job losses were very unwelcome news at what was already a very difficult time for the local economy. The Leader stated that all Members who had followed the fortunes of Liberty Steel over the years would hope that this was a difficult spell that would pass, and green steel production would continue on those plants.

·        The announcement at Liberty was not unrelated to the situation with the wider economy which was why the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, and the Leader were writing to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, urging the Government to take much more action. The 2 things they could do were to put in place a package of support for energy intensive industries and buy more British products.

·        Over Christmas, the Council funded the £30 supermarket vouchers scheme for families with nearly 12,000 local children entitled to benefits-related free school meals. In addition, the Christmas Hamper programme had supported 300 families across the Borough.

·        The Council had secured a “Money Saving Expert” column in the Rotherham Advertiser which would be authored every 2 weeks by an officer from the Council’s Financial Inclusion Team.

·        Just before Christmas the Council had been given an award from the DWP for its work on the KickStart Programme. The Council had taken on more KickStart work placements than any other employer in South Yorkshire. Of the over 60 people that took part, 25 had moved on to permanent employment with the Council which was a credit to both them and the staff that had worked to make that happen.

·        The Holocaust Memorial Day event would take place in All Saints Square from 11.30 a.m. – 12.00 Noon on Friday, 27th January, 2023.

In response to the statement, Councillor Bennett-Sylvester stated the strategic industries such as steel should be under public ownership not individual ownership and this was something the Government should look at. Councillor Bennett-Sylvester also stated that Liberty Steel had large land holdings in the Dalton, Thrybergh and Aldwarke area and asked the Leader if anything had been looked at with the South Yorkshire Mayor regarding using those holdings as potential employment sources to either utilise capital or income systems and bring in extra employment to an area which has significant deprivation and struggles to meet some of the new employment areas that had been developed?

Councillor Bacon stated that, in relation to Liberty Steel, the Government was working closely with the industry to secure a sustainable and competitive future. The Government  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

To note the minutes of the Cabinet Meetings held on 21^st November and 19^th December, 2022.

Councillor Mills referenced the Local Neighbourhoods and Road Safety Schemes and asked if money was not spent in certain Wards, could that money be put back into the pot so that other Wards could make use of it?

The Leader explained that yes, the money would be recycled for other areas if not spent as allocated.

Councillor Bennett-Sylvester also referenced the Local Neighbourhoods and Road Safety Schemes and asked if schemes in the second tranche could be amended and re-evaluated if required and how this would be communicated to Members?

The Leader explained that the schemes would be developed based on the representations of Ward Members, the input from the public and the statistical information available. Going forward, Ward Members should continue to be involved in the development of the schemes and there would be flexibility to ensure that appropriate schemes are delivered at the time.

Resolved:

That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 21st November and 19th December, 2022, be received.

Mover: Councillor Read                         Seconder: Councillor Allen

For Council to note that the Independent Renumeration Panel will be convened to review the Members’ Allowances scheme of the Council with a view to reporting its findings to a future Council meeting.

Consideration was given to the report which explained that The Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations, 2003 required an Independent Panel to review remuneration and pensions for Elected Members of Local Authorities at least every 4 years. Members were asked to note that the Independent Renumeration Panel (IRP) was required to be convened to review the Members’ Allowances Scheme of the Council, with a view to reporting its findings to the Council at a future meeting.

In response to questions, Councillor Allen confirmed that the findings of the IRP would be considered and debated by Members at a future Council meeting, and it would be for them to decide the appropriate actions for those recommendations. It was also confirmed that advice would be taken on how to broaden the membership of the Panel.

Resolved:

1.      That Council notes that the Independent Remuneration Panel was required to be convened to conduct a full review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme, with a view to reporting its findings to the Council at a future meeting.

2.      That authority be delegated to the Assistant Chief Executive in consultation with the Monitoring Officer to appoint the 3 specific members of the Panel drawn from organisations listed in paragraph 1.4 of the report submitted.

Mover: Councillor Allen                           Seconder: Councillor Read

To report on changes to political groups, the political balance of the Council and the entitlement of each group to seats on the Authority’s committees and to consider the appointment of members to the Council’s committees, boards and panels.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the membership of political groups on the Council; the political balance and entitlement to seats; and the membership of Committees, Boards and Panels. The political balance of the Council had changed due to changes in the number of Conservative (-1) and Non-aligned (+1) Members which took place in December 2022. The resignation of the Rotherham Democratic Party Councillor for Keppel Ward and results of the subsequent By-Election would be factored into the political balance report to Council in April 2023.

There were 149 seats available on Committees, Boards and Panels and under the calculation the Labour Group was entitled to 83 seats, the Opposition Group (Conservative) had reduced from 45 to 43 seats, the Liberal Democrat Group 10 seats and the Rotherham Democratic Party Group 8 seats. The seats allocated to the non-aligned Councillors had risen from 3 to 5.

Changes had also been made to the leadership of the Conservative Group as reported in the Mayor’s letter. Councillor Barley provided an overview of her personal reasons for standing down as Leader of the Conservative Group and went on to thank Members across all parties and officers for the space and support provided to her during a very difficult time.

Resolved:

1.   The appointment of the Conservative Group Leader (Councillor Ball) and Conservative Group Deputy Leader (Councillor Mills) be noted.

2.   That Council note the new political balance of the Council as a result of changes in the number of Conservative and Non-aligned members which took place in December 2022.

3.   That the entitlement of the membership of the political groups be agreed and such entitlements be reflected in Council’s appointments of Members to Committees:

      Improving Lives Select Commission

      Councillor Barley – to be removed

      Councillor Thompson – to be removed

      Improving Places Select Commission

      Councillor Hunter – to be removed

      Health Select Commission

      Councillor Thompson – to be removed

      Councillor Hunter – to be added

      Sheffield City Region Audit, Standards and Risk Committee

      Councillor Barley (Substitute Member) – to be removed

      Councillor Castledine-Dack – to be added

      Licensing Board

      Councillor Wilson – to be added

      Trade Union Joint Consultative Committee

      Councillor Wilson – to be added

Mover: Councillor Allen                           Seconder: Councillor Read

To receive an update on the activities of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny bodies in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the work of the Health Select Commission and the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board from June 2022 until end of December 2022. An update was provided in the form of an appendix to the report by the Chair of the Health Select Commission, Councillor Yasseen.

The update highlighted the work of the Health Select Commission which sought to make health and social care services fair, safe and accessible for everyone at the point of need. It also sought to monitor changes in how health and social care services were delivered locally and in line with priorities to reduce health inequalities by improving access to services and promoting prevention and early intervention approaches.

Changes in the organisation and commissioning of health services were noted along with the decision by Central Government to postpone the funding agreement decision for social care until 2025. This delay would mean service delivery locally would continue to face challenge.

Recommendations to Cabinet were being made following a review on Covid-19 Care Home Safety. Intermediate care and reablement would be examined by the Commission in March 2023.

A list of highlights regarding improving access to services and promoting prevention and early intervention were set out in the appendix along with details of pre-decision scrutiny and work with the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board. Further information was also provided in relation to improving equalities and inclusion in Scrutiny.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board Work Programme was attached as Appendix 2 to the report.

Resolved:

1.              That the report be noted.

Mover: Councillor Yasseen                    Seconder: Councillor T. Collingham

To receive updates from ward councillors from Hellaby and Maltby West on the activities supporting Thriving Neighbourhoods across the Borough.

Further to Minute No. 55 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19th November, 2018, consideration was given to the annual Ward updates for Hellaby and Maltby West as part of the Thriving Neighbourhood Strategy.

The Strategy signalled a new way of working for the Council both for Members and for staff and covered every Ward in the Borough delivered through Ward Plans developed with residents to address local issues and opportunities. Ward Members were supported by the neighbourhood Team and worked with officers and residents from a range of organisations to respond to residents.

Update reports had been provided as part of the agenda. However, each Ward Member was invited to speak.

Councillors Andrews and Ball provided an update on activities in Hellaby and Maltby West Ward:

·        There were 3 Ward priorities:

o    Protecting and improving the environment.

o    Support and develop initiatives to increase community and individuals’ wellbeing.

o    Identify and support initiatives that improve Road safety.

·        There had been partnership events with Hellaby Parish Council such as the Queens Jubilee event, funding for the Memorial Tree and a Hog Roast.

·        There had been events such as Dementia Action Week and funding had been provided for Lost Chord Care home visits in addition to concerts and singalongs.

·        A freezer and food had been supplied to Maltby Foodbank. Councillors placed on record their thanks to all the volunteers there.

·        Councillors had supported Maltby Parish Council in provide hampers for families at Christmas.

·        Road safety had been improved around Laburnum Parade with additional parking provided along with re-laid pavements and additional safety bollards.

·        Parking Buddies had been installed outside local schools.

·        Improvements had been made to Hellaby Park including the drainage of spring water, seating and new play equipment.

·        Work had been carried out to improve the urban environment such as the funding of community skips and litter picks.

·        The important work done in partnership was raised.

Councillors Andrews and Ball placed on record their thanks to the Neighbourhood and Housing Officers along with partners for enabling them to carry out the above-mentioned activities.

Councillors Andrews and Ball wanted to do more to spread the message about what was being done across their Ward to residents and believed that a Community Day in Maltby Library could achieve this. Councillor Allen explained that she could help make that happen based on her experience of holding similar events.

Resolved:

1.             That the report be noted.

Mover: Councillor Andrews                    Seconder: Councillor Ball

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

Further to Minute No. 55 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19th November, 2018, consideration was given to the annual Ward updates for Hellaby and Maltby West as part of the Thriving Neighbourhood Strategy.

The Strategy signalled a new way of working for the Council both for Members and for staff and covered every Ward in the Borough delivered through Ward Plans developed with residents to address local issues and opportunities. Ward Members were supported by the neighbourhood Team and worked with officers and residents from a range of organisations to respond to residents.

Update reports had been provided as part of the agenda. However, each Ward Member was invited to speak.

Councillors Hunter and Tinsley provided an update on activities in Maltby East Ward:

·        There were 4 Ward priorities:

o    Improving opportunities and facilities for children and young people.

o    Support existing and new community groups thrive and develop.

o    Develop and support initiatives to improve community safety and the environment.

o    Support Maltby’s local economy and improve the High Steet environment.

·        Improvements had been carried out at Cherry Tree Park which had led to the planting of approximately 70 large tree saplings.

·        School visits were also organised to the Park to deliver fund environmental education, craft and sport sessions. Further events were planned throughout the year.

·        Free face-painting, gifts from Santa and a reindeer visit had also been funded.

·        Work had also been carried out to help young people by arranging visits with senior Army Cadets and it was hoped that a detachment could be set up in Maltby.

·        Events were organised to prevent isolation and loneliness following the pandemic. This included a cinema screening event and a monthly community singalong at the Salvation Army Church.

·        Falls and Fitness prevention classes for people whose mobility was affected by Covid lockdowns were also funded.

·        New litter picking equipment was purchased to help the community become litter free.

·        Work had been undertaken with the Police to develop and support initiatives to improve community safety. This included providing funding to purchase a large stock of home security items to deter burglars. ‘Who To Call’ leaflets were also provided to residents.

·        Parking Buddies had been funded for 3 of Maltby’s Junior Schools to improve road safety.

·        A pilot of a new Community Speed Watch was underway.

·        A defibrillator had been purchased along with a number of bleed kits.

·        Work was underway with the Masterplan for the High Street.

·        WhatsApp groups with local businesses had been established.

·        The ‘Take A Seat’ initiative was due to be launched.

Councillors Hunter and Tinsley placed on record their thanks to the Neighbourhood and Housing Officers along with partners for enabling them to carry out the above mentioned activities.

Resolved:

1.             That the report be noted.

Mover: Councillor Hunter                       Seconder: Councillor Tinsley

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:

That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee be adopted.

Mover: Councillor Baker-Rogers            Seconder: Councillor Cowen

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.

Resolved:

That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee and Licensing Committee be adopted.

Mover: Councillor Ellis                           Seconder: Councillor Hughes

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:

That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meeting of the Planning Board be adopted.

Mover: Councillor Atkin                         Seconder: Councillor Bird

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

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:

That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meeting of the Staffing Committee be adopted.

Mover: Councillor Alam                         Seconder: Councillor Allen

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).

There were no questions to designated spokespersons.

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

1)             Councillor A. Carter asked: Residents reported that roads leading to Brinsworth Whitehill Primary School, including Cawdron Rise, were not gritted during the December snow. Will the Council commit to ensuring these roads are added to the priority list for gritting?

Councillor Beck explained that he believed those roads had been gritted, and that the road around Brinsworth Whitehill Primary School formed part of the primary gritting routes.  Those routes were treated extensively during the recent cold week, including Cawdron Rise and Willowgarth Avenue and in addition to that other estate roads in the area around the School were included in the Community Routes which were also treated during the extended period of wintry showers.

In his supplementary, Councillor A. Carter explained that although the immediate road outside the school, Howlett Drive, had been gritted, lots of the other roads were not gritted.  Could assurance be given that this would be carried out in a timely manner if needed in future to ensure children could get to school safely? 

Councillor Beck indicated that Howlett Drive was on the secondary route so expressed concern as to why a road on the secondary route was done and why a road on the primary route had not been gritted and he would take this up with the Service directly.

2)             Councillor Reynolds asked: With the current economic climate will the Council consider the calling in of long-term debt e.g., Magna (£0.6M)?

Councillor Alam explained that the current economic climate was challenging.  Whilst the calling-in of any long term loan may de-risk that particular loan, it would have no benefit to the Council’s budget position in the short or medium term. Any repayment of a long term loan would simply be used to offset the related long term debtor balance that the Council holds in its accounts.

In his supplementary, Councillor Reynolds asked if it would be possible to recover that debt and use the funding in a better way?

Councillor Alam explained that it would go into the Council’s long term debtor account so it would not benefit the Council in the short or medium term but recalling the loan could have a negative impact on businesses, who may lose jobs or need to stop trading.  He confirmed that payments were being received.

3)             Councillor Tinsley asked: When filing a report form on the Council's website, you receive a receipt of your concern or issue.  When will a system be implemented where updates or completions of the report are given?

Councillor Read explained that the software to facilitate this was now in place and initial receipts were being produced.  The Bulky Waste Collection Service was an example of this being used in practice, where an update was provided at each stage.  It was the Council’s intention to roll this out to all similar services across the next 18 months.

4)             Councillor Reynolds asked: The new Camelia sculpture is called ‘a large-scale visitor attraction’. How many more visitors are expected? How will this be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

Any other public items which the Mayor determines are urgent.

There were no urgent items to consider.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Mayor and Members wished to place on record their thanks to Dean Walton, Civic Officer, who would be leaving the Council. They thanked him for all his hard work supporting the Mayoralty and Members throughout his time in post.