Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That Councillor G. Smith be appointed Chairman of the Regeneration and Asset Board for the 2006-2007 Municipal Year.

(Councillor Smith in the Chair)

Resolved:-  That Councillor Wyatt be appointed Vice-Chair of the Regeneration and Asset Board for the 2006-2007 Municipal Year.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 17^th May, 2006.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The following item was raised:-

Minute No.  173 – Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club – Lease of Facilities at Herringthorpe Playing Fields

Concern was expressed at the further delay in respect of the resolution of this issue. 

Resolved:-  That an up date report on the current issues and timeframe be submitted to the July meeting of this Board.

Research and Spatial Analysis Officer to report.

-         to note the content of the report and key issues.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Research and Spatial Analysis Officer, relating to the increase in the net total floor space on Rotherham’s employment sites during 2005, together with an increase in the uptake of land for economic development.

It was also reported that at the end of 2005 there were 308.8 hectares of available undeveloped land in Rotherham identified for industrial or mixed use.

It was pointed out that there had now been a shift in construction from the North of the Borough to the South, in particular at Dinnington and Waleswood.

Reference was made to current vacancy rates which had increased from 10% to 12% due to the increase in floorspace constructed, some of which was speculative.  It was pointed out that there was however strong interest from developers in many of the employment sites in Rotherham, although some older premises and locations were less attractive to the market.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the positive content of this report and the following key points be noted:-

• the continuing high rates of construction of new floorspace and the very high rate experienced in 2005.

• at the end of 2005 an additional 53,000 square metres of floorspace was under construction.

• a rise in the vacancy rate for economic floorspace, largely attributable to the high construction rate, but evidence that some sites are less attractive to investors.

• at the end of 2005 there were 308 hectares of available land in Rotherham identified for industrial or mixed use – 100 hectares of this required reclamation, a fall of over 61 hectares compared to 2004.

(2)       That a report be submitted to a future meeting of this Board detailing the quality, location, state of the market etc in respect of floorspace that has been vacant for four years or more.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council):-

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 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

Research and Data Base Co-ordinator to report.

(A copy of the Business Development Team 2005/2006 End of Year Activity Report is attached at the back of the agenda papers for Elected Members.)

Further to Minute No. 269 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration & Development Services held on 8^th May 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Research and Database Co-ordinator, detailing the activity and performance of the RiDO Business Development Team for the period April 2005 to March 2006.

Particular reference was made to:-

Inward Investment and Business Activity

-                      Enquiries, including start-up enquires

-                      Major site and property developments e.g  Brookfield Park at Manvers; Dinnington Colliery; AMP

Business Development Grants

JOBMATCH

-                      linked to Amaro and Johnston Press, with close links with Phoenix, Jobcentre Plus, RCAT, local schools

-                      Aftercare/on-going investor development in the Dearne

-                      Additional projects/company closures and downsizing

Incubation, Enterprise and Business Support

-                      Moorgate Crofts, Century and Brampton Centres

-                      Rotherham Enterprise Network and O1 funded Incubation project

-                      Beacon status for Supporting New Business

The Buy-Local Scheme

Business Conferencing, Meetings, Events and Corporate Hospitality

RiDO PR/Marketing

Events and Projects:- linking regeneration with education

Priorities form 2006/2007

Members commented on the very positive image that was being portrayed of Rotherham.

Resolved:- (1)  That the report on the activity of the Business Development team for the period April 2005 to March 2006 be noted.

(2) That the Business Development Team continues to monitor performance and activity and report to this Board every six months.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-         to report the current status of the capital programme.

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:-

• The 2005/2006 outturn position of the General Fund (which had exceeded target) and the Housing Revenue Account

• Capital receipt in respect of Brookfield Park, Manvers Phases 2 & 3 – noting the outstanding claims/clawback position

• Projected 2006/2007 receipts for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account

• The sale of Daneshill, Moorgate

• The forecast for 2007/2008 and 2008/2009

An explanation of the various methods of asset disposal was given, noting the range of issues to be considered by the Regeneration and Asset Board when being recommended a particular method for disposal.

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

(2)  That a full update on Brookfields Park, Manvers, be included in the next Land Transactions report to the Regeneration and Asset Board.

(3)  That details of the disposal of Daneshill be reported to the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board.

Development Surveyor to report.

-         to note the position on the current status of land sales.

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

Updates on the following were detailed in the report:-

Zamor Crescent

Flash Lane, Bramley

Daneshill, Moorgate

Manvers West – Express Parks

Lakeside South – Limes Development

Thorpe Hesley – Wentworth Estates – access land (noting this issue was now closed)

Greenlands Plantation, Braithwell Road, Maltby (The Muddies) (refer also to Minute No. 14 of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 14^th June, 2006)

Dalton Depot

Kiveton Park Depot

Whitehill Drive, Brinsworth

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

(2)      That a detailed report on the land at Thorpe Hesley be submitted to the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board.

(Councillor S. Wright declared a personal interest in the following item being a Ward Councillor and involved with the ADF in the Rawmarsh area.)

Valuation Manager to report.

-         to note the report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Officer, relating to the recent, successful sale at auction of six assets that had been declared surplus to requirements, together with the total capital receipt achieved.

Reference was made to:-

• the sale of Daneshill
• the condition of the other five properties
• current market situation

Gaps in the consultation process, especially with Ward Councillors, were highlighted particularly where properties identified for disposal were within the ADF Pathfinder area(s) and which could, if developed differently or demolished for another use, contribute better to the overall regeneration of the area. 

An explanation of the process for the disposal of miscellaneous properties and garden properties was given.  Reference was also made to the need for better quality documentation for Ward Councillors to consider.

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

(2)          That the Head of Asset Management ensures that better quality location plans are provided for Ward Councillors as part of the consultation process already in place.

(3)          That the Neighbourhoods Programme Area be mindful of assets in, and proposals for, Housing Market Renewal ADF Areas when declaring land and property surplus to the Programme Area’s requirements.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-         to consider disposal.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking approval for the disposal of the above mentioned asset that had been declared surplus to the requirements of Rotherham Investment and Development Office.

The report contained a description of the topography of the site and its present use.  The location was illustrated on an accompanying plan.

Reference was made to an expression of interest received from an adjacent company to acquire the land for adding to the wildlife and wetland areas that already exist within the company’s existing site boundaries.

It was pointed out that as the land was reclaimed using Derelict Land Grant, any capital receipt would have to be paid back in full.

Members considered a recommendation that the site be sold to the interested company on the basis of a future use for amenity landscaping only, and at a price reflecting this.

Resolved:-  (1)  That disposal to the interested company, on terms as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

(2)  That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.

(Councillor Hussain left the meeting at this point)

Strategic Property Manager to report.-   to consider options for the future use of two areas of land at Chapel Walk.

Further to:-

Minute No. 4 of the meeting of the Property Board held on 6^th July, 2004,

Minute No. B158(71) of the Cabinet held on 9^th February, 2005, and

Minute No. 124 of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 22^nd February, 2006,

consideration was given to a further report, presented by the Head of Asset Management,  relating to an application by the Rotherham Mosque Trust to purchase land in the vicinity of Chapel Walk, Rotherham for improvement to facilities at the mosque.

The areas of land under consideration were illustrated on an accompanying plan.

It was reported that the Head of Streetpride had now indicated that he no longer wished to pursue these areas of land for pay and display car parking.

The views of the Head of Planning and Transportation were also set out in the report.

Consideration was given to three options which were detailed in the report.

Members referred to the previous decision which was to include the areas of land in question within the overall car parking strategy which was currently being compiled and expected to be completed by Autumn 2006.

Reference was also made to the regeneration and development of the town centre and to aspirations of other local businesses in this area.  It was also reiterated that any disposal had to be at “best consideration” for the Council.

Resolved:-  (1)  That consideration of this issue be deferred pending receipt of the Car Parking Strategy.

(2)  That the Head of Streetpride submit a report to a future meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board in respect of:-

(i)                 the reasons why the areas of land were no longer required by the Service for car parking purposes.

(ii)               progress in respect of the development of the overall car parking strategy.

(Councillor Ellis left the meeting at this point.)

(Councillor St. John declared a personal interest in the following item, being a non-executive Director of the PCT)

Asset Manager to report.

-         to recommend that Cabinet approves Capital allocations for each of the Aston-cum-Aughton and Rawmarsh Customer Service Centres.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Asset Management, relating to the current position of the capital funding approvals for the above Customer Service Centres.

It was pointed out that the funding would ensure that both Customer Service Centres would be delivered within the next six to twelve months.

Resolved:-  That the Cabinet be asked to approve capital allocations of £1.5 million each for the Aston-cum-Aughton and Rawmarsh Customer Service Centres.

Valuation Manager to report.

-         to consider the withdrawal of this site from sale at this time, and for the site to be re-considered for sale when the Local Development Framework takes effect.

Further to Minute No. 138(2) of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 22^nd March, 2006, consideration was given to a further report, presented by the Head of Asset Management, relating to the implications of the new development planning policy on the proposed disposal of Greenlands Plantation (The Muddies), Braithwell Road, Maltby.

It was reported that the Head of Planning and Transportation was unable to recommend the granting of planning consent and had confirmed that the land use allocation element of the Local Development Framework due in late 2008 would seek to re-examine the planning status of the site.

Reference was made to the geographical aspect of the site and to the fact that the site contained a protected species and significant flora and fauna.

It was pointed out that the withdrawal of this site from sale would result in the potential capital receipt not being available to the Council.

 Resolved:-  That this site be withdrawn from sale at this time, but that it be reconsidered for sale when the Local Development Framework takes effect.

Achieving Partnership Manager and Economic Strategy Officer to report.

-         to note the approval for RERF funding.

Further to Minute No. 17 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 22^nd May, 2006, consideration was given to a report relating to a request to the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund for a grant to fund a pilot knowledge diffusion project.

The project aimed to address the practical issue of getting knowledge from one organisation to another and to help to raise the level of average earnings in Rotherham to 90% of the UK average.

Resolved:-  That the approval of RERF funding for the Knowledge Diffusion pilot project be noted.

Assistant Town Centre Manager and Economic Strategy Officer to report.

-         to note the approval for RERF funding.

Further to:-

Minute No. 145 of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 22^nd March, 2006 and

Minute No. 18 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 22^nd May, 2006

consideration was given to a report, presented by the Town Centre, Tourism and Markets Manager, relating to a request for RERF funding for events equipment, technical infrastructure and public realm improvement works in order to facilitate the Big Screen Partnership with the BBC.

It was reported that recent screenings had been very successful and the excellent working relationship with the Police and Health and Safety staff was acknowledged.  Reference was also made to the work that had been undertaken to manage the event, to carry out risk assessments, stewarding of the events, the placing of barriers around the square and to the fact that no alcohol was allowed. 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the approval of RERF funding be noted.

(2)  That the positive update on the two recent events that had been screened be noted with pleasure.

Senior Project Officer and Economic Strategy Officer to report.

-         to note the approval for RERF funding.

Further to Minute No. 16 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 22^nd May, 2006, consideration was given to a report relating to a request for RERF funding to cover the current gap in funding, to ensure the payment of after value to English Partnerships can be made, and to fund any other items of ineligible expenditure by other partners associated with the delivery of the Magna Business Incubation Centre.

Resolved:-  That the approval of RERF funding be noted.

WEDNESDAY, 12^TH JULY, 2006 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board be held on Wednesday, 12^th July, 2006 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.