Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 14^th June, 2006.

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

-        Project Officer to report.

The Regeneration and Asset Board noted the contents of a report of the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office stating that, on 19th June, 2006, the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services had approved the adoption of the Shopfront Design Guide and the Rotherham Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan as Interim Planning Statements. Copies of these documents were included with the report.

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)).

-        Strategic Leader, Culture and Leisure Services, to report.

Further to Minute No. 173 of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 17^th May, 2006, consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of Culture and Leisure Services, relating to the community access arrangements contained in the proposed lease with the Rugby Club of a section of Herringthorpe Playing Fields and the associated changing pavilion.

The Board considered that the proposed arrangements ought to be completed within one month and referred to the costs being incurred by the Council in this matter. Discussion also took place on the possibility of other sports/recreation development on the Herringthorpe Playing Fields.

Resolved:- (1) That the contents of the report, including the community access arrangements written into the lease agreement and the current progress towards signing the agreement be noted.

(2) That the Rugby Club be informed that the proposed lease must be completed within twenty eight days.

-        Project Officer to report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office concerning the progress of the Westgate Demonstrator Project, one of the key regeneration schemes within the Rotherham Town Centre which is central to the delivery of both the Housing Market Renewal Programme and the Rotherham Renaissance Charter.  The report provided an update on the progress made in a number of key areas and in particular outlined the method of procurement of Construction Contracts, the operation of the Sinking Fund to maintain the area following completion of the project and the strategy for acquiring additional land and property.

Resolved:- (1) That the considerable progress made to date on the Westgate Demonstrator Project be noted, particularly in terms of:-

• Procurement of Construction Contracts
• Rotherham Learning Website
• Café / Bar within the Public Realm
• The development agreement

(2) That the strategy for acquiring additional land and property be supported.

(3) That the allocation of expenditure from the Sinking Fund, as detailed in the report submitted, be approved and a further report about this Fund be submitted to the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board.

(4) That the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services shall be the Member representative in the competition selection process for the café / bar building.

-        Development Surveyor to report.

The Head of Rotherham Industrial and Development Office submitted a report concerning the proposed acquisition of Nos. 14 to 26 (inclusive) Domine Lane, Rotherham.

Resolved:- That the acquisition of these properties be approved, on the terms and conditions detailed in the report now submitted.

-        Strategic Property Manager to report.

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 sale of Daneshill, Moorgate

• Land at Flash Lane, Bramley

• Forecasted 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 capital receipts for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account

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

(Councillor Wyatt declared a personal interest in the item relating to the sale of land at Swinton Comprehensive School/Swinton House Club, as a Governor of the School and Member of the Club)

-        Development Surveyor to report.

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
• Dalton Depot
• Kiveton Park Depot
• Whitehill Drive, Brinsworth

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

-        Project Manager to report.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Asset Management concerning the progress with the development of the strategy for the refurbishment of Grove Road, second floor, the north-east (Moorgate) end of the first floor, the south-east end of the ground floor, the reception area and the staircase. The report referred to the re-programming of the works, which would be carried out in two phases instead of one and would last a further nine weeks at an additional cost of £40,000.

Resolved:- That Cabinet be asked to approve:-

(i)                 the proposed modifications to the timescale of the works for the refurbishment of the Grove Road office accommodation

(ii)               a further £40,000 being made available from the Council’s Capital Programme, resulting in a revised total of £720,000 for this project.

-           Valuation Manager to report.

The Valuation Manager submitted a report detailing the present position in respect of the proposed development at Thorpe Hesley by Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates. Reference was also made to the application for designation of part of this area as a village green.

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

(2) That the Council shall withdraw from the sale of land at Thorpe Hesley to Fitzwilliam (Wentworth) Estates.

-        Development Manager to report.

Further to Minute No. 8(2) of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 14th June, 2006, the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office submitted a report detailing the expenditure at Brookfields Park, Manvers, including the surplus which would contribute to the Council’s Capital Programme.

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

(2) That the anticipated financial surplus from Brookfield Park, Manvers, as detailed in the report submitted and which  has contributed to the Council’s Capital Programme be noted.

(3) That it be noted that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not issued formal approval for the use of European Regional Development Fund funding as noted in the report and that this sum be reserved within the capital surplus, pending formal approval.

(4) That the estimated settlement figure of £861,483 of the outstanding contractual claim be noted and that the finally agreed sum be adjusted from the capital surplus.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board be held on Wednesday, 16^th August, 2006 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.