Agenda and minutes

External and Regional Affairs Manager to report.

-           to consider the issues arising out of the report and agree to further work on the potential activities.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the External and Regional Affairs Manager, detailing the findings of the reciprocal visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina which took place from 17^th to 22^nd September, 2006.

The report detailed the context of the visit and reference was made to the Council’s relationship with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Reference was made to the work of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and to the work alongside the UK Government to introduce Beacon Council status to Bosnia-Herzegovina in September 2005.

It was reported that as a result of the visit a number of areas for potential future work and collaboration had been identified, which included:-

-                      Business incubation and business support

-                      Tourism, culture and sport

-                      Young people and education links

-                      Regeneration projects

It was noted that this report had been considered by the International Links Committee.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the report be noted.

Emergency and Safety Manager to report.

-           to provide an overview of the new Emergency Reception Centre Plan.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Emergency and Safety Manager, relating to a proposal to implement a new Emergency Reception Centre Plan for when members of the community are rendered temporarily homeless due to a minor, or major, incident.

Reference was made to the requirements under the Housing Act 1996 (Part VII Homelessness) and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 which place responsibility on the Local Authority to provide for the essential welfare needs of those rendered homeless.

The Plan therefore intended to set out a procedure for establishing and operating Emergency Reception Centres in the Borough.

It was noted that once the Plan was launched it was to be the responsibility of the Adult Social Services and Children and Young People’s Services to ensure that all the staff listed within the Plan were trained and exercised, to ensure that the plan was integrated into the Council’s response arrangements.

Particular reference was made to the alternative premises which could be used as Emergency Reception Centres.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the report be noted and the Emergency Reception Centre Plan be approved.

Head of Streetpride to report.

-           to report performance in the 2^nd quarter of 2006/07.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Specialist Support Manager, detailing the overall performance of Streetpride in respect of its timeliness in dealing with requests for service in the second quarter 2006/2007.

It was reported that the average was 98.3% which was the same as the result achieved in the previous quarter and a slight improvement compared to 2005/2006.

The report submitted gave a summary of requests for service and the percentage meeting target response time.

Resolved:  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Streetpride continue to monitor performance response times and report on a quarterly basis to the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to report receipt of an objection to proposed road humps.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the LTP Delivery Manager relating to receipt of a letter of objection from Stagecoach in respect of the proposed road humps on Green Arbour Road. 

Reference was made to the accident pattern on this stretch of road between June 2002 and May 2005 which indicated 13 injury accidents between Katherine Road and School Road  - of which 7 were pedestrians below the age of 13, or above 78 years old.

Reference was also made to an analysis of data in relation to speed which showed that they were in excess of the 30 mph speed limit.

It was re-iterated that from investigation it was apparent that the scheme that would give the greatest first year rate of return and accident reduction was a vertical traffic calming scheme.

Details of the objection were set out in the report, and the letter submitted by Stagecoach was appended.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the objections to the introduction of road humps at the above location, be not acceded to and the objector informed of the decision.

(2)  That the scheme be implemented.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to report receipt of a petition and results of investigation into request for speed limit amendment.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the LTP Delivery Manager relating to the receipt of a petition, containing 101 signatures, and a covering letter, requesting that the existing de-restricted speed limit on Grange Lane, Thorpe Hesley is lowered to 30mph.

It was reported that a review of the four injury accidents that had occurred within the last three years showed that in 3 of the 4 cases the accidents involved vehicles that were either Light Goods or Heavy Goods vehicles.  It was therefore proposed to investigate the possibility of providing a weight restriction on Grange Lane.

Reference was made to new guidance on the setting of local speed limits, under which this length of road did not constitute a village and therefore a 30mph speed limit should not be promoted.

Reference was made to the possibility of reducing the speed limit to 40 m.p.h. and the cost of implementing measures to reduce speed.

It was reported that all speed limits of A and B roads were to be reviewed by 2011 and work was in hand to develop a Speed Management Strategy.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the request for a speed limit reduction be not acceded to and the lead petitioner informed of the reasons.

(2)  That an investigation into improved warning signs and 7.5t weight limit be  undertaken along with the suggestion that signs be installed to warn motorists of bends ahead.

Research and Database Co-ordinator.

-           to report on progress.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Research and Database Co-ordinator, detailing the activity and performance of the RiDO Business Development Team for the period April to September, 2006.

The following aspects were highlighted:-

-                      the key activities, outcomes and achievements

-                      key actions that the business development team contribute

-                      inward investment and business activity

-                      the work of JobMatch

-                      incubation, enterprise and business support

-                      The Buy Local scheme

-                      Business conferencing, meetings and events

-                      RiDO PR/Marketing

-                      Education project overview

-                      priorities for 2006/07, October-April

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on the activity and performance of the Business Development Team for the period April to September, 2006 be noted.

(2)                    That the Business Development Team continues to monitor performance and activity and continues to report to the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services on a six monthly basis.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following items in order to process the issues referred to.)

-           to acknowledge receipt of the petition and refer it to the SYPTE

(A copy of the petition will be available at the meeting.)

Consideration was given to a petition from residents in the Flanderwell Area in respect of the re-routing of the No. 10 bus service which currently avoided this area.

It was reported that the SYPTE was already aware of the concern of residents and was in discussion with the operator, First.  It was pointed out, however, that it was a commercial service.

Note was taken of the response received from SYPTE which confirmed the above points.

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

(2)  That the outcome of the discussions between the SYPTE and the operator, as set out in the letter received, be noted.

-           to receive the minutes.

The following report was submitted:-

Tourism Panel

30th October, 2006

Consideration was given to the minutes of a joint meeting between the Cabinet Members for Economic Regeneration and Development Services and Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure Services in respect of the approval for the completion and sealing of the South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership Memorandum of Agreement.

Resolved:- That the resolution be noted.

Resolved:- That the attendance of up to 3 members be agreed to attend the above Conference to be held in London on 26th November, 2006.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information which is likely to identify an individual):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information which is likely to identify an individual).

-           to receive the report and to consider the recommendations.

Consideration was given to the notes of a Stage 3 Complaint Panel held on 30^th October, 2006.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the decisions of the Panel be noted.

(2)  That the recommendations made by the Panel be implemented.