Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Board held on 22^nd March, 2006, be accepted as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Joint Leisure Services Centre Board held on 8^th March, 2006.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be noted.

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Senior Economic Strategy Officer to report.

-         to consider the Employment Plan for Rotherham and forward the Plan to the Cabinet for approval.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Economic Strategy Officer, relating to the Rotherham Employment Plan 2006-2010.  The Plan set out the programme of activity for the next four years in relation to increasing Rotherham’s employment rate through attracting investors and supporting growth, equipping the economically inactive with the skills to enter employment and increasing the number of new business start-ups.

An explanation was given of the strategic and borough context of the Plan, and reference was made to both national and local policies and priorities.

A summary was also given of the key objectives, targets and actions that the Council and key partners were committed to achieving in relation to employment creation and access; to support economic growth in Rotherham.

Members raised the following issues:-

• The structural weakness in the national economy
• How to make the most of investment coming in to Rotherham
• Contract specifications requiring use of local people and the local supply chains alongside the need for flexibility and avoidance of penalties re:  delivery timescales
• The importance of Developers’ track record in supporting local people and projects
• Economic history of the area
• The process of economic diversification
• Colleges and training providers linking to new developments
• concerns about the % of economically inactive population when compared with the statistics for Yorkshire and the Humber and nationally
• changes to benefit schemes
• employment of disabled people (including people with learning difficulties) and employment of ex-offenders
• the closure of local Job Centres and the shift to a centralised Call Centre
• involvement of the local M.P.’s
• how realistic were the resources and funding
• SYNet and ICT connectivity in the region
• Consultation with the multi-agency Employability Group and with key partners on the Rotherham Enterprise Network and Investment South Yorkshire

Resolved:-  (1)  That, subject to the inclusion in the document of reference to disabled people (including people with learning disabilities), and to the importance of ICT, the Rotherham Employment Plan be endorsed and forwarded to Cabinet for approval and adoption.

(2)  That it be noted it was intended to refer the report to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for consideration.

(3)  That a letter be sent to the three local M.P.’s in respect of concerns about benefit schemes and the closure of local Job Centres which appeared to be working against efforts to create full employment and economic growth.

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

Manager, Schools Organisation, Planning and Development to report.

-                  to consider a request for a lease.

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

Consideration was given to a report relating to receipt of a request from the Stepping Stones Children’s Centre for permission to allow the construction of a new community café within the Children’s Centre.  It was reported that to allow for funding to be secured for equipment on the premises the Stepping Stones Café Ltd had to obtain a long-term lease for use of the café area in the building.

Resolved:-  That the report be referred to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services.

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

Network Regulation Engineer to report.

-                  to outline an option and consider a capital bid

(Exempt under Paragraph 6 of the Act – information which reveals that the Council proposes to serve a notice on a person or to make an order or direction under any enactment)

Further to Minute No. 249 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 5^th April, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Executive Director, Economic and Development Services, relating to the provision of alternative parking sites for the loss of St. Ann’s car park.

It was explained that it was necessary to reinstate some parking in order to provide customer parking and protect the local economy.

A plan accompanying the report identified a number of suitably sized areas of land within a reasonable walking distance of the Town Centre to use for short term temporary car parking (for five years).  The sites would enable 360 spaces to be created.

It was explained that some of the land was leased and some was the responsibility of Neighbourhoods, although this issue had not yet been fully resolved.

Details were given of the cost involved to carry out the necessary civil engineering works and for the Traffic Regulation Order, together with the proposed method of funding.

Reference was made to the awaited Arup study of the future short and long term car parking requirements of the town centre, and to the report on the proposal to extend the charging zone around the town centre which would also examine residents’ car parking schemes.

Members raised the following issues:-

• Consultation with Ward Councillors
• Other options, including land at Erskine Road managed by Culture and Leisure Services
• the Gateways initiative
• the long term strategy for car parking
• the involvement of Neighbourhoods re: the St Ann’s Road (South) site
• the proviso that this car parking was temporary only and that the sites would be reinstated to their present condition
• safety issues around the school and the footpath

Resolved:-  That the Executive Director for Economic and Development Services:-

(1)   serves the appropriate notice on the lessees of the areas of land at Fitzwilliam Road to vacate the land.

(2)    continues to negotiate with the Executive Director Neighbourhoods re: the site at St. Ann’s Road (South).

(3)    submits a more detailed report regarding the funding of the proposal through prudential borrowing.

 (4)    investigates the possibility of using the Erskine Road site for temporary car parking with Culture and Leisure Services.

(Exempt under Paragraph 6 of the Act – information which reveals that the Council proposes to serve notice on a person or to make an order or direction under any enactment.)

Partnership Implementation Office to report.

-                  to update the Board re:  potential funding

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

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer, relating to proposals to develop a Business Incubation Centre in Dinnington.

It was reported that the funding structure had been revised in the light of an unsuccessful LEGI bid.  Renaissance South Yorkshire, who held the land at Dinnington for this development, had approached the Council and funding was now available from Objective 1 and Yorkshire Forward.  However a capital sum was needed from the Council.

The package would deliver a mix of office and workshop start-up space.

It was pointed out that the business case was based on feasibility work carried out in October 2004, and that an update of the report was being undertaken to confirm the latest position with the recent construction of small space in the area around Dinnington.

It was proposed that the income from the Centre would pay off the costs of the borrowing.  It was noted that the capital expenditure proposals were supported by Corporate finance.

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

(2)  That approval be given to the RMBC capital expenditure based upon the proposals contained in the report, including undertaking unsupported borrowing of £1,350,000.

(3)  That, based on the current funding structure and given the land reservation available to the project, approval be granted to proceed, subject to external funding being approved and final market needs assessment.

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

Head of Asset Management to report.

-                  to update the Board on changes to the forecast of capital receipts.

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

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, updating the Board of changes to the forecast of capital receipts accruing to the General Fund resulting in a revision of the Council’s Capital Programme.

Reference was made to:-

• Estimate of the net amounts accruing to the General Fund and to the Housing Revenue Account
• Completion in 2005/2006 of conveyance of Brookfields Park, noting also the transaction costs
• Appropriation of Greasbrough Road Depot and Sheffield Road Baths Site
• 2006/2007 estimated sales
• Fitzwilliam Fields and the clawback situation at Manvers

Resolved:-  (1)  That the position on the current status of the capital programme be noted.

(2)  That the 2005/2006 Outturn Position be reported to the June meeting of the Board.

(Councillor Wyatt declared a personal interest in Swinton Comprehensive-Swinton House Club being a member)

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

Development Surveyor to report.

-                  to update the Board about on-going sales.

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

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Surveyor and the Valuation Manager, updating the Board of the current position regarding major land transactions throughout the Borough.

Updates on the following were detailed in the report:-

Zamor Crescent, Thurcroft

Flash Lane, Bramley

Daneshill, Moorgate

Manvers West – Express Parks

Lakeside South – Limes Developments

Thorpe Hesley – Wentworth Estates – access land

Greenlands Plantation, Maltby (The Muddies)

Dalton Depot

Kiveton Park Depot

Reference was also made to gypsies on development sites and the current eviction process.

Resolved:-  That the position on the current status of land sales be noted.

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

Development Surveyor to report.

-                  to report agreed terms.

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

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Surveyor, detailing the agreed terms for the acquisition of the above property.

It was noted that this property was adjacent to the Westgate Demonstrator Project and that the acquisition would be funded through Yorkshire Forward Single Pot. 

It was reported that it was intended to preserve the frontage of the building whilst redeveloping the rear of the premises to improve the access and siting to site 4 of the Westgate Demonstrator Project.

Resolved:-  That the acquisition of Lloyds Bank, 32-34 Corporation Street, on the terms as now reported, be noted.

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

Development Surveyor to report.

-                  to note the acquisition.

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

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Development Surveyor, detailing the agreed terms of the acquisition of the above property.

It was reported that the acquisition had been funded from Yorkshire Forward Single Pot and from Transform South Yorkshire, maximising allocated spend for 2005/06.

The strategic importance of the site was noted.

Reference was made to:-

• Impact on taxi ranks
• Discussions with tenants and options for the temporary relocation of small businesses in the Imperial and All Saints buildings
• Conservation elements

Resolved:-  That the acquisition of Westgate Chambers, on the terms as now reported, be noted.

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

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following item which had been referred from the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel)

Consideration was given to Minute No. 146 of the meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel held on 7^th April, 2006, relating to the above.

Resolved:-  That the Business Manager, Leisure and Greenspaces, submit an update report to the next meeting of the Board.

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

Wednesday, 17^th May, 2006 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Board be held on Wednesday, 17^th May, 2006, at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.