Agenda and minutes

-           to receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Tourism Forum held on 3^rd October, 2006 at the Carlton Park Hotel, Rotherham.

It was noted that the Forum had requested more frequent meetings.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the minutes be received.

(2)  That the Tourism Forum members decide on the frequency of meetings.

-           to receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Transport Liaison Group held on 6^th October, 2006.

It was noted that this meeting had not been well attended by Elected Members, and that a questionnaire had been sent out to Panel Members and the Transport Operators asking for their views of the continued usefulness of this meeting.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the minutes be noted.

(2)  That the outcome of the questionnaire be discussed with the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services and  Democratic Services.

-           to receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Town Centre Management Group held on 9^th October, 2006, together with the accompanying Action Plan.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the poor Programme Area attendance at this meeting be noted.

(2)  That the minutes, and the Action Plan, be received.

-           to receive the minutes.

The following report was submitted:-

Health, Welfare and Safety Panel

13th October, 2006

A copy of the signatories to the petition will be available at the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report relating to the receipt of a petition, submitted by one of the Ward 8 (Keppel) Councillors on behalf of local residents in respect of Planning Application RB2006.1477 – Land at Droppingwell Road, Kimberworth.

Resolved:-  That the petition be received, and referred to the Head of Planning and Transportation for inclusion in the information for consideration by the Planning Board.

Customer Liaison Manager to report.

-           to report statistics on complaints received.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Customer Liaison Manager, detailing the complaints received by the Programme Area from 1^st July to 30^th September, 2006.

Reference was made to:-

-           improved handling of Stage 1 complaints within 10 working days

-           analysis of responses from customers about the complaints process

which indicated 75% satisfaction

It was reported that, arising from responses in respect of telephone calls not returned and letters unanswered, it was proposed to introduce Customer Care Training courses particularly for staff who deal with external customers.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and proposed action noted.

Principal Engineer to report.

-           to consider a proposed scheme and implementation subject to funding.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Highway Engineer, detailing proposals for ‘Gateway’ improvements on Meadowbank Road between South Street and Oakdale Road.

The works would consist primarily of new tarmac surfacing and block paved edge to the footway; repairs, reseeding and block paved edge to the adjacent verge, together with block paving feature works in the verge and at road junctions.  The scheme would also include high quality street furniture.

It was pointed out that the proposals were to be funded from the  Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder funding stream, subject to approval by the Transform South Yorkshire Board.

Resolved:-  That the works on Meadowbank Road (between South Street and Oakdale Road), forming part of the ‘Gateway’ Improvement Plan for 2006/7, be implemented subject to HMRP funding being made available.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to seek approval for design and implementation of bus stop improvement works.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, seeking approval to design and implement various measures aimed at improving access to and from the bus within the residential areas to the east and west of the A633 Dale Road/Warren Vale Road, Rawmarsh.

It was proposed that the improvements would be carried out in 3 phases, with Phases 1 and 2 being undertaken in 2006-07 and 2007-08.  Phase 3 would follow once it had been established what effect the Rawmarsh Housing Renewal Project would have on the Manor Farm estate.  The proposed bus stop improvement works were illustrated on the accompanying map.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given for the necessary consultation to be undertaken regarding the proposals.

(2)  That the detailed design be carried out and, subject to no objections being received, the improvements be implemented.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to consider the responses to the DfT consultation.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, relating to the agreed response of the Yorkshire Traffic Managers’ Group (YTMG) to the DfT’s consultation on The Traffic Management (Guidance on Intervention Criteria) Order 2006.

Reference was made to the statutory requirement to appoint a Traffic Manager and it was reported that all local authorities within the region had done so.

Specific reference was made to the powers of the Secretary of State which enabled action to be taken in respect of local authorities that may be failing with regard to compliance with the Network Management Duty. The implications in terms of automatic reduction on the Councils’ CPA rating, and costs, were detailed in the report. 

Appendix A to the report referred to the background paper on the Order prepared by the Chair of the YTMG and Appendix B set out a résumé of the YTMG’s response on the consultation to the DfT.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the consultation response be noted.

(2)  That the implications of the intervention by the Secretary of State be noted.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-      to report the conclusions of the investigation into possible provision of off-street parking facilities for residents.

Further to Minute No. 61 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 31^st July, 2006, consideration was given to a report presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, relating to the investigation into possible provision of off-street parking facilities for the residents of Estate Road, Rawmarsh.

It was reported that site observations carried out had shown no excessive parking stress on the road, other than at school times.

The present configuration of this residential road and footpath was described and it was noted that there was no footpath at road level.  However, there had been no reported injury accidents on this section of road within the last 5 years.

It was pointed out that significant alterations to the carriageway and footway embankment would be required and it was recommended that the provision of on-street, or off-street parking facilities at this location, did not contribute to the themes and targets of the 2^nd Local Transport Plan (LTP) and consequently funding could not be warranted from LTP sources.

It was also reported that the local Ward Councillors had been consulted.

Resolved:-  (1)  That it be noted there is no funding earmarked in the 2^nd South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan for a scheme to provide parking facilities at this location.

(2)  That the lead petitioner be informed of the decision.

Transport Unit Manager to report.

-           to report the proposal to construct a mini roundabout and raised junction tables.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, relating to a proposal to construct a mini-roundabout on Rotherham Road, Laughton Common, into a new housing development, together with the construction of two raised junction tables either side of the mini-roundabout, as part of Section 278 works.

A plan illustrating the proposed features was appended to the report.

It was explained that the scheme would help to reduce the speed of vehicles along Rotherham Road and improve the safety of those using the access to the housing estate.

It was pointed out that the scheme would be funded by the developer of the housing estate as part of the Section 278 Works.

It was noted that the proposals were in line with the Local Transport Plan objectives for improving road safety.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the necessary consultations be undertaken regarding the proposed alterations.

(2)        That detailed design be carried out and, subject to no objections being received, the scheme be implemented.

(3)   That the scheme be undertaken as part of the Section 278 Works for the housing development.

Finance and Accountancy Manager to report.

-           to report on performance against budget.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Finance and Accountancy Manager, detailing the performance against budget for the Economic and Development Services Programme Area Revenue, Fee Billing and Trading resources for the period 1^st April to end 30^th September, 2006.

It was reported that at this stage the Programme Area was likely to achieve an underspend against its total net revenue budget.

However reference was made to the following:-

RIDO:–

• projected underspend due to the funding bid from Transform South Yorkshire due to be received September 2006
• shortfall on outdoor market rental income (currently being compensated for by  an estimated surplus on commercial property rental income)
• slow down in the rate of properties being vacated

Planning and Transportation:- 

• Emerging cost pressures on Land Charges (currently compensated for by excess fee income from Development Control)

Asset Management:-

• projected underspend due to surplus from fee income from Rotherham Construction Partnership being used to off-set utility price increases and cleaning charges in office accommodation

Streetpride:-

• pressures re:  car parking and grounds maintenance

Business Unit:-  no significant cost pressures identified

Corporate Accounts:-   nil variance

Resolved:-  (1)  That the anticipated outturn position for the Economic & Development Services Programme Area Budgets as at end September 2006 be noted.

(2)                That this report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

Principal Traffic Officer to report.

-           to propose a pilot scheme of sites for Traffic Regulation Orders to prohibit verge parking.

(Exempt under Paragraph 6 of the Act – information which reveals that the Council proposes to serve a notice on a person or to make an order or direction under any enactment)

(It was considered that the following report should be debated in the open session as the public interest in maintaining the exemption did not outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.)

Further to Minute No. 348 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on 19th April, 2004, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, relating to a proposed initial pilot scheme of sites for the implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders to prohibit the parking of motor vehicles on highway verges.  In addition it was proposed that at certain locations waiting restrictions would be required to ensure displacement parking did not occur on main routes.

The initial pilot would target the main routes into Rotherham where off street parking was either available or potentially available.  It was noted that many of these main routes were designated as key routes in the 2^nd Local Transport Plan where congestion issues would be addressed.

A list of proposed pilot scheme sites, together with associated waiting restrictions were set out in the Appendices to the report.

In addition it was reported that a range of other measures would be applied for particular locations.

Resolved:-  (1)  That, subject to no objections being received, the appropriate Traffic Regulation Orders for the prohibition of verge parking and at certain locations waiting restrictions be made under powers currently delegated to the Head of Planning and Transportation Service.

(2)                    That a series of press releases be issued when the Traffic Regulation Orders are made, outlining the positive environmental benefits of their introduction and the possible effects of displaced vehicles onto the main carriageway.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of attendance at the following three conferences/seminars in order for places to be booked as early as possible.)

Consideration was given to attendance at the following:-

-           APSE Seminar:  Performance Networks Working Seminar and Most Improve Performer Awards – 14^th and 15^th December, 2006 – Blackpool.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given for the attendance of two Councillors.

-           NCP – Better Parking and Traffic Management – 28^th November, 2006 – London

(2)               That approval be given for the attendance of two Councillors

-           Yorkshire and Humber Assembly – Planning for a wetter future – 12^th December, 2006 – Sheffield

(3)  That approval be given for the attendance of three Councillors.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under those Paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) -  (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

Partnership Implementation Officer to report.

-           to seek approval to procurement of a partner and endowment payment.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Further to Minute No. 99(2) of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 13^th September, 2006, consideration was given to a report presented by the Partnership Implementation Officer, relating to a proposal to carry out an external procurement process to secure a management partner for the future management of the wetland area to be created as part of the Flood Alleviation Scheme at Centenary Riverside.

It was reported that the main contractor for the Flood Alleviation scheme had been appointed, and that the project management had been contracted.

As part of the scheme it had always been proposed to delivery a sustainable wetland area which could manage itself, or be managed by others.  It was pointed out that the capital allocation for the provision and maintenance of a wetland area would attract external grant funding within the current grant approval contracts from Yorkshire Forward and Objective 1.

Details of the lease of the land and proposed rent of the site would be reported to the Regeneration and Asset Board.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to undertake a procurement process to select a preferred partner to manage the Centenary Riverside Wetland Area, and for agreement of a one-off endowment payment.

Head of Streetpride to report.

-           to update on progress.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

Further to Minute No. 54(3) of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 17^th July, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Streetpride, detailing the up to date position in respect of the dispute between the Council and its Strategic Partner for Grounds Maintenance.

A brief résumé of the background to the contract was given, together with a summary of the grounds of the dispute.

Particular reference was made to:-

·        Payment for work not undertaken by the contractor

·        Valuation of work deleted from the contract by the Council

·        Adjudication in respect of the 2005/2006 deductions dispute

·        Negotiation of a settlement for remaining years of the contract

Reference was also made to the current performance of the contractor and to the current specification.

The financial implications and identified risks, were detailed in the report submitted, together with further aspects which would continue to be negotiated.

It was stressed that a well maintained high quality environment was important to the regeneration of Rotherham.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Head of Streetpride submit a further report to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services to update on the determination made by the adjudicator.

(3)  That the Head of Streetpride (with advice from Legal Services and Culture and Leisure) continues to negotiate with the Strategic Partner with the aim of finding a settlement position.

(4)  That the Head of Streetpride submit a further report to Cabinet Member to update on negotiations and any litigation and, if appropriate, to recommend a settlement position.