Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Tourism Panel held on 4^th December, 2006.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Minute No. 45 be amended to read

“Reference was made to outline proposals for 2007 in respect of:-

-           Rotherham’s 800^th anniversary as a market town.

(2)     That the remaining minutes be approved as a correct record.

Tourism Panel

4th December, 2006

Please note that a copy of the Action Plan is provided separately for Members.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Town Centre Management Group held on 4^th December, 2006.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be noted.

-        Finance and Accountancy Manager to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Service Accountant, Economic and Development Services, detailing the performance against budget of the Economic and Development Services Programme Area Revenue, Fee Billing and Trading resources for the period 1^st April to 30^th November, 2006.

It was reported that at this stage in the financial year the Programme Area was likely to achieve an underspend against its total net revenue budget.  However, it was pointed out that this headline figure would change in the next report because of changes to be processed via the revised estimate process.

Attention was drawn to the following:-

RIDO:-

-                      Projected underspend as a result of funding received from Transform South Yorkshire

-                      Shortfall on outdoor markets rental income

Planning and Transportation:-

-                      Projected balanced budget

-                      However, cost pressures on Land Charges and Transportation budgets, currently compensated for by excess income from Development Control

Asset Management:-

-                      Projected underspend as a result of surplus from Rotherham Construction Partnership’s fee income

-                      Pressures re: office accommodation – repairs, maintenance and increased energy costs

-                      Costs associated with the opening of the Customer Service Centres

Streetpride:-

-                      Pressures re: car parking budget

-                      Costs associated with the Ground maintenance contract (it was reported that a bid had been made to the Corporate Contingency Fund to cover this immediate payment)

Business Unit:-

-                      No significant cost pressures

Corporate Accounts (vacancy factor):-

-                      Nil variance

Those present referred to the impact of decisions taken in one Directorate affecting the budget of another.

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

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

Consideration was given to attendance at the following:-

-           LGIU Good Practice Seminar – Influencing Town Planning:  Collaborative Working between Principal, Parish and Town Councils – 8^th February, 2007 – London

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Planning Board be asked to determine attendance.

-           LGA Conference – Annual Transport Conference – 8^th March, 2007 – London

(2)                  That approval be given for the attendance of two Councillors (Councillors Smith and R. S. Russell)

-           RTPI – e-Planning Conference – 14^th March, 2007 – London

(3)                  That the Conference be not attended by Councillors.

-           RTPI – Planning for Sustainable Rural Communities – 21^st March, 2007 – London

(4)                  That attendance remain to be decided.

-           RTPI – Waste Management Conference – 23^rd March, 2007 – London

(5)                  That approval be given for the attendance of two Councillors (Councillors Smith and R. S. Russell)

-           RTPI – Effective Community Involvement Conference – 30^th March, 2007 – London

(6)                  That the conference be not attended.

-           RTPI – Masterclass – An Introduction to Design Appraisal – 15^th March and 25^th September, 2007 – London

(7)  That the Masterclasses be not attended.

Reference was made to Minute No. 407 of the Meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on 28^th April, 2003 relating to the above.

Resolved:-  That the Transportation Unit Manager be asked to submit the report referred to in the above Minute, with reference to both Rotherham’s and South Yorkshire’s perspective of the Integrated Transport Plan.