Agenda and minutes

To consider the minutes of the last meeting and update any matters arising

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 20th February, 2006.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 20th February, 2006, be approved as a correct record.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, RBT

The Chief Executive, RBT, submitted a report on the progress and performance of RBT for the quarter from November, 2005 to January, 2006, highlighting:-

- customer-service-centre programme well underway with the town-centre CSC being formally opened and work starting on Swinton CSC;

- improvement proposed to Surgery Connect access with golden-number and face-to-face contact;

- the Streetpride service, for which Rotherham Connect offers the front end, was recognised as one of the top four street-cleansing services in the UK by APSE at the beginning of December, 2005;

- the Council’s shortlisting for the Local Government Chronicle eGovernment award;

- national award winner in the Guardian public service awards for the flexible/home-working initiative;

- the Council rated second nationally in terms of cashable savings (under Gershon);

- short-listing for Beacon status of the Council’s procurement service;

- the first supplier, Corporate Express, goes live on end-to-end eProcurement;

The report included the Service overview for:-

§                     Customer Services/Public Access

§                     HR and Payroll

§                     ICT

§                     Procurement

§                     Revenues and Benefits

§                     Progress against Corporate Initiatives

§                     Equalities

§                     Investors in People

§                     Consultation/Complaints

§                     Audit Updates

§                     Schools (appointment of Schools Account Manager)

Details were also provided of the Service Level Agreement underperformance during the period November, 2005 to January, 2006.

Reference was made to the increase in charges, imposed by Central Government, in respect of local authorities’ actions in the Magistrates’ Court.

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

(2) That a report be submitted to a future meeting in respect of the services provided by RBT to schools.

To consider the attached report of the Welfare Rights and Money Advice Service Manager

Consideration was given to a report of the Welfare Rights and Money Advice Manager describing the role and functions of (i) the Welfare Rights Service and (ii) the Money Advice Service.

The report stated that the Welfare Rights Service specialised in social security benefits for people with disabilities and carers. The Service offered advice to those people who are the most vulnerable and targeted the following groups:-

- children and young people with disabilities

- people receiving non-residential social services

- people who are terminally ill

- the black and minority ethnic community

During 2004/205, the Welfare Rights Service had helped customers obtain a total of more than £2 millions in extra benefits.

The Money Advice Service offered debt advice to residents of the Rotherham Borough area. The advice included negotiating with creditors; help and representation to apply for bankruptcy, completing court forms and attending court for repossession hearings. This Service was operating two projects:-

- a debt awareness campaign

- GPs referring certain patients who require debt advice (a project being developed with the Herringthorpe Healthy Living Forum)

During 2004/205, the Money Advice Service had dealt with almost 300 new customers and advised them about almost £3 millions of debt.

Additionally, a debt advice was now appearing regularly on Radio Sheffield, to provide appropriate advice to listeners.

Resolved:- That the report be received and the work of the Welfare Rights and Money Advice Services be noted.

To consider any questions received from Elected Members

There were no issues raised by Elected Members.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following item to enable the arrangements to be processed without delay)

Resolved:- That one Councillor be authorised to attend the above exhibition and conference.

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 (financial affairs).

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Asset Management, relating to an evaluation of sites in the Rawmarsh and Parkgate area for the provision of a Customer Service Centre.  The report had been referred from the Regeneration and Asset Board (Minute No. 125 of 22nd February, 2006, refers).

Details of the five sites that had been evaluated were set out in the report.  It was noted that the preferred location was at Barbers Avenue.

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

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Asset Management, relating to the progress of the Customer Service Centres Programme. The report had been referred from the Regeneration and Asset Board (Minute No. 126 of 22nd February, 2006, refers).

A brief outline of the progress being made to develop each of the six proposed Centres was given in the report.

In respect of the development of a Customer Service Centre in the Aston area it was reported that, following the previous meeting of the Board, ground investigation work at the Mill Stone Quarry site had taken place and the initial results indicated confidence that the site could accommodate a Customer Service Centre without substantial foundation works costs.

Resolved:- That report be received and the progress for each of the six Customer Service Centres be noted.