Agenda and minutes

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted the Food Service Plan which included performance for 2007/08. 

The report highlighted:-

-              A target of 95% of high risk premises had been set with the outturn for food hygiene being 96% and 100% for high risk food standards. 

-              116 premises had been inspected outside the Food Hygiene Programme and 180 revisits undertaken.

-              381 food samples had been submitted by the Authority and participated in various national and local surveys including looking at pathogens in raw meat and poultry and analysing spices for illegal dyes, colourings etc. 

-              There had been 44 food alerts and 652 infectious disease notifications received and responded to within 5 working days.

-              Inspection of category A and B food premises for April-October, 2008, had been 89%, target of 95%.  The premises were currently targeted in an attempt to ensure performance targets were met.

-              The target for NI184 had been exceeded in April-October, 2008 (81%).

-              337 service requests and 526 suspected food poisoning cases investigated.

Funding from the Food Standards Agency had been received to deliver a training package, Safer Food Better Business.  Working in partnership with the other South Yorkshire authorities and a contractor, 500 Rotherham businesses had been assisted in producing a safety management system tailored to their individual needs.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the performance for 2007/08 outlined in the Food Service Plan 2008/09 be noted.

(2)  That the Food Service Plan for 2008/09, statutorily required by the Food Standards Agency, be approved.

(3)  That the Council’s performance for April-October, 2008, be noted.

In accordance with Minute No. 3(3) of 19^th May, 2008, a report was submitted on the results of the consultation undertaken by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on a proposal for a UK-wide “Scores on the Doors” (SotD) scheme for providing consumers with information about hygiene standards in food businesses.  The result of their consultation was presented to the FSA Board on 10^th December, 2008, at which a new six-tier system was approved for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The FSA Board had also agreed that:-

-              The scope of the recommended national scheme would cover all businesses that supplied food direct to consumers including supermarkets, restaurants, cafes and takeaways

-              Displaying ‘scores’ would be voluntary but should be in a prominent position so that consumers could easily see it

-              A new UK steering group would be set up to manage the migration towards the national scheme

-              A decision on what symbols were used to represent the tiers would be made following further consumer research

The implications for Rotherham could not be fully assessed until the FSA published the full details of the new scheme.

Rotherham currently operated a six tier scheme so it was envisaged the changes would be minimal.  It currently only included caterers but other categories such as Supermarkets could be easily added and the display of ‘scores’ was voluntary and was based on stars.  The scheme in Rotherham was also used by 92 other local authorities.

The date for the launch of the new UK scheme had not been set but the steering group was likely to be set up during the new financial year.  Rotherham would continue to use the local scheme until the new scheme was available.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the decision of the Food Standards Agency to implement a six-tier ‘Scores on the Doors’ scheme be noted.

(2)  That a further report be submitted on the implications for Rotherham after the Food Standards Agency has published the details of the new six-tier scheme.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under those paragraphs listed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

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 those paragraphs indicated below of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

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

The Interim Chief Executive submitted a proposed new management structure for 2010 Rotherham Ltd. which was aimed at developing the organisation to meet future challenges including providing a 3-star “excellent” service.

The new structure involved a reduction in the tiers of management within 2010 and the Chief Executive taking line management responsibility for certain functions. 

Although the proposals had been agreed by the 2010 Board at its meeting on 3^rd December, 2008, as they were significant changes to the management structure, the Council’s approval was required under the Scheme of Delegation.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be deferred pending further consideration of the issues contained the report.

(2)  That a meeting take place as soon as possible between the Cabinet Member, Interim Chief Executive, 2010 Rotherham Ltd., Chair of the 2010 Board and the Strategic Director, Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, to discuss further the matters raised at the meeting.

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

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

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the work undertaken to examine the residential offer in the Sheffield City Region which had culminated in a stakeholder event where reports had been delivered around residential quality and choice, strategic integration of housing and affordable housing delivery.

The report identified that across the Sheffield City Region, future projections indicated that actual affordable housing delivery would not meet either the Regional Spatial Strategy targets, Local Area Agreement targets or the local affordable housing need targets identified within Strategic Housing Market Assessments unless significant action to deliver more affordable housing was undertaken.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the net loss of affordable housing be noted.

(2)  That a further report on actions to be considered be submitted to enable more affordable housing to be delivered in Rotherham and the Sheffield City Region.

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

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individuals)

(1)  Mr. S. and Mrs. C.

It was noted that a meeting of a Complaints Panel had been held on 15^th December, 2008, comprising Councillors Dodson (in the Chair), McNeely and F. Wright.  The Panel heard a complaint received from Mrs. C. relating to the Warden Service.

The Panel had upheld the complaint. 

It was noted that the decision was without prejudice and did not set a precedent.

Resolved:-  That the Panel’s findings be noted.

(2)  Mr. I.

It was noted that a meeting of a Complaints Panel held been held on 6^th January, 2009, comprising Councillors Whelbourn (in the Chair), Hodgkiss and McNeely.  The Panel heard a complaint received from Mr. I. relating to the alleged conduct of an Enforcement Officer.

The Panel had not upheld the complaint.

Resolved:-  That the Panel’s findings be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals)

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

The Temporary Finance Manager presented a report setting out the proposed rent increases for 2009/10 based on guidance issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and of the key elements of the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2009/10.

The national rent setting regime had been in place since 2002/03 which required all authorities to use a prescribed formula to calculate each tenant’s rent and to apply annual increases to actual rents to achieve the Formula Rent by 2011/12.  This had produced actual rent increases for Rotherham Council tenants averaging 6.6% between 2002/03 and 2005/06.  For 2006/07 and 2007/08 the DCLG had capped all authorities’ rent increases at 5% and compensated for the financial impact by paying an additional Housing Revenue Account subsidy know as the Rental Constraint Allowance (RCA).

For 2009/10 and 2010/11 the DCLG had removed the 5% rent cap and payment of the RCA but had extended the timescale for achieving the Formula Rent by 13 years to 2024/25.  Due to Rotherham’s historically low rents, and an element of catching up for the effects of the 5% rent cap as actual rents moved towards the Formula Rent, the average annual rent increase needed to be approximately 6.9% to achieve the Formula Rent in 2024/25.

It was noted that the Cabinet would consider the report at its meeting on 21^st January, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the Cabinet be requested to recommend to Council:-

(1)  An average rent increase of 6.9% based on the DCLG subsidy and rent proposals which result in an average increase of £3.79 to £58.69 per week when collected over 48 weeks.

(2)  That Housing subsidy Determinations, as detailed in the report submitted and the impact on the HRA budget, be approved.

(3)  That garage rents be increased by 4.5% in 2009/10 and the ringfencing be removed.

(4)  That an increase in the charges to clients receiving the Wardens Services by an average of 2.5% and Communal Facilities Charges by 2.5% in 2009/10 from the current average weekly charge of £3.98 to £4.08 be approved.

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