Agenda and minutes

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 Temporary Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods, submitted a report which detailed performance to the end of January, 2009, indicating the Housing Revenue Account was projected to outturn with a deficit of £1.057M.

Within this, there were a number of variances which were identified as:-

·              Income

·              Contributions of the Housing Repairs Account

·              Supervision and Management Costs

·              ALMO Management Fee

·              HRA Subsidy to Government

·              Cost of Capital

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

(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 Temporary Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods, submitted the proposed Revenue and Capital Management Fee budgets for 2009/10 together with the proposed increase to the Housing Revenue Account Repairs Budgets managed by 2010 Rotherham Ltd. on behalf of the Council.

It was proposed that the Revenue Management Fee be increased and to increase the managed budget for repairs by 2.5% as well as retaining the level of Capital Management Fee at 7.7% of the relevant Capital Programme managed by 2010.

Resolved:-  That the proposed Revenue and Capital Budget increases be approved.

(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))

Consideration was given to a report presented by Nisar Ahmed, Temporary Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods, which detailed the income, expenditure and net position for the Neighbourhoods Service within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate compared to the profiled budgets for the period ending 31^st January, 2009.  It also included the projected year end outturn position.

The forecasted position for Neighbourhoods was an overspend of £37,000.  Explanations for the major variances were set out in the report submitted.

Discussion ensued on the Bereavement Service, the contract with Dignity Services and the revenue costs.

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

(2)  That a meeting be arranged between the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Strategic Directors of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services and Finance to discuss the Bereavement Service.

(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))

Nisar Ahmed, Temporary Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods, submitted a report setting out details of the proposed Housing Investment Programme for 2009/10 and the resources to support the Programme.

The Programme was split between schemes managed by 2010 Rotherham Ltd. and those managed by the Council.  It was proposed that the Programme managed by 2010 should total £63.201M and the Council Programme £13.134M.

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

(2)  That a HIP Programme of £76.335M be approved.

(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))

Further to Minute No. 23(2) of 16^th June, 2008, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods submitted details of specific land and property assets identified through strategic masterplanning activity and the identification of new opportunities to support programme delivery. 

The report presented the rationale for the strategic acquisition of the assets for consideration.

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

(2)  That the proposed programme of acquisitions detailed in the report be supported.

(3)  That the Director of Asset Management be instructed to negotiate the acquisitions and agree terms.

(4)  That future development proposals for any of the acquired sites be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods for consideration.

(5)  That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, be instructed to complete the legal documentation.

(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)

It was noted that a meeting of a Complaints Panel held been held on 23rd February, 2009, comprising Councillors Barron (in the Chair), Havenhand and Whysall.  The Panel heard a complaint received from Mr. F. relating to the Council’s Allocations Policy and the length of time it was taking for him to be rehoused.

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)

The Chairman reported that it was Nisar’s last meeting.  He was thanked for his excellent work whilst he has been the temporary Finance Manager and wished all the best for the future.

The Chairman reported that it was Michelle’s last meeting before she left the employment of the Authority.

Michelle was thanked for all her work on behalf of the Directorate and the Council and wished all the very best in her future employment.