Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th October, 2006.

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

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Research and Database Co-ordinator to report.

- to report activity and performance of the team.

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 to September, 2006.

The following aspects were highlighted:-

- more than 500 inward investment enquiries for the period handled, for the third consecutive year;

- more than 2,000 new jobs in the Borough from inward investment, local expansions and start-ups during the past six months;

- 233 new companies starting up, moving into or expanding in Rotherham in this six months’ period;

- 18 new ‘start-up’ companies moving into the Moorgate Crofts, Brampton and Century business centres;

- the Moorgate Crofts Business Centre is now 75% full;

- the occupancy level of the two business centres in the North of the Borough is almost 100%;

- Garnett Dickinson’s print facility at Brookfield Park is now completed, with the ‘Next’ warehouses well underway;

- the Beacon year for ‘Supporting New Business’ has now ended, with over 825 delegates from local authorities and other organisations seeing this Council’s work;

- Rachel Clark is now in post in Dinnington as Business Advisor, and has already helped six new businesses to start-up;

- the JOBMatch team is working with clients to recruit over 300 employees.

Resolved:- (1) That the report on the activity and performance of the Business Development Team for the period April to September, 2006 be noted.

(2) That the Business Development Team continues to monitor performance and activity and continue to report to the Regeneration and Asset Board on a six monthly basis.

Asset Manager to report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Asset Manager, which provided the Board with a property briefing note on the Local Government White Paper October, 2006.

Appendix 1 to the report set out a summary of the key issues of the paper as they related to property.

The Board noted that the White Paper recognised Rotherham as an exemplar of good practice.

It was pointed out that to maintain this status and implement the proposals in the paper, the Council would need to:-

·              develop, in consultation with Rotherham’s communities, area asset management plans which support the approved community plans. These plans would include all Rotherham’s assets not just Council assets.

·              develop and undertake, in consultation with Rotherham’s communities, area based asset reviews to inform the area asset management plans.

·              develop and use our property performance data.

A programme for the development of area asset management plans, together with a proposed methodology, timescales and resources implications would be presented to a future meeting.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report on the key issues as they relate to property be noted.

(2)  That the programme for the development of area asset management plans, together with a proposed methodology, timescales and resources implications be presented to a future meeting of this Board.

(3) That the report be included on the agenda of the Council’s next meeting with the three local Members of Parliament.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under the Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (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 below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006)  (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)).

Assistant Town Centre Manager to report.

-           to report details of this year’s programme.

Further to Minute No. 63 of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 18^th October, 2006 consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Town Centre Manager, setting out the programme of Christmas events and activities for 2006.

Also reported was a summary of the recently agreed proposal regarding the co-ordination of music (recorded and live) and the Big Screen festive schedule.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Christmas activities planned for 2006 be noted.

(2)  That the agreed proposal relating to the co-ordination of Christmas music (live and recorded) and the Big Screen schedule be noted.

Principal Officer to report.

-           to seek approval to the sale of this land.

Further to Minute No. 56 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 25^th July, 2005, consideration was given to a report, presented by the ADF Manager (Rotherham West), relating to the use of land at Canklow for the development of new homes following the Regional Housing Board’s Approved Development Programme for the Regional Housing Investment Plan.

The report detailed a number of options for the land transfer.

The Board noted the Council’s existing policy that capital receipts would not be ring-fenced to specific projects. Members expressed the view that further consideration should be given to a report concerning the use of capital receipts in support of regeneration projects in the ADF areas.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to process this project on the basis of disposal, as outlined in Option 1 in the report submitted.

Principal Officer to report.

-           to seek approval to the sale of the land.

Further to Minute No. 56 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 25^th July, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the ADF Manager (Rotherham West), relating to the development of new homes following the Regional Housing Board’s Approved Development Programme for Regional Housing Investment Plan.

The report detailed options for the land transfer.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to process this project on the basis of a disposal as outlined in Option 1 in the report submitted.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           To consider the options for the future use/disposal of this site.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to options for the future use/disposal of the above-mentioned site.

The appendices to the report illustrated the land in question and an indicative site development layout.

Discussion took place on the proposed scheme for the re-development of the nearby Bellowes Road retail area at Rawmarsh, including the need to provide gap funding.

Resolved:-  (1) That the land be marketed for disposal both with and without provision by the developer to maintain a community garden in perpetuity.

(2) That, at the present time, no action be taken concerning the relocation of the telephone mast.

(3) That a further report be submitted to this Board concerning the funding issues, now discussed, of the proposed Bellows Road retail development and the proposed ‘Boulevard’ development off Barbers Avenue, Rawmarsh (refer to Minute No. 82 below).

(4) That the site be marketed by the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office on the basis of a planning brief and existing garage tenants are served notice to quit at the appropriate time.

(5) That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services registers title to the land to permit effective marketing of the site.

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

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to consider disposal.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to options for the future use of the above-mentioned site.

The site under consideration was illustrated on the plan accompanying the report.

Resolved:-  (1) That the Head of Asset Management Service negotiates a relocation of 2010 Rotherham Ltd from the Barbers Avenue Depot.

(2) The Head of Neighbourhood Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, is requested to declare the site surplus to requirements subject to the relocation, referred to at (1) above, taking place.

(3) That a further report about this depot site be submitted to this Board, after the Board has had the opportunity to consider future proposals for the Bellows Road Centre, Rawmarsh.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to consider options for future use.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, detailing options for the future use of the above-mentioned land.

The accompanying plan illustrated the areas of land to be considered.

Resolved:- (1) That site A (as shown on the drawing submitted) be sold on the open market by the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office and site B shall be retained in the ownership of the Council.

(2)  That, at the appropriate time, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services serve notices on the existing occupiers of the site

(3) That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services complete the necessary documentation.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to consider disposal.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to options for the future use, or disposal, of the land at Longfold, Melton High Street, West Melton.

The area of land under consideration was illustrated on the accompanying plan.

Resolved:- (1)  That the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office take steps to remove unauthorised occupation on the land in  consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and subsequently market the land for sale for residential development purposes.

(2) The Head of Legal and Democratic Services shall register the Council’s land and complete all the necessary sale documentation.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to determine future use of the site.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to the future use of the above-mentioned land.

A plan appended to the report illustrated the area of land under consideration.

Resolved:- (1)  That the Head of Rotherham Investment and Development Office conduct negotiations with the special purchaser and in the event of this failing to produce best consideration, the property be placed on the open market.

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

Principal Officer to report.

-           to seek approval to the sale of the land by private treaty.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Valuation Officer, relating to the progress on the disposal of the former Dalton Depot at Doncaster Road/Herringthorpe Valley Road.

It was reported that the land had been marketed as “Open to Offers” and details of the offers received were set out in the report.

Resolved:-  That consideration of this matter be deferred until the next meeting, to enable Officers to clarify the intentions of the highest bidder.

Principal Officer to report.

-           to seek approval to the sale of the land by private treaty.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Valuation Officer, relating to the disposal of land at Brookfields Park, Manvers.

The report detailed the background to the acquisition of this land in the early 1990s.

It was reported that this area of land, illustrated on the plan accompanying the report, because of the problematic configuration was not included in the reclamation scheme, and a decision was made to incorporate it into the landscaping of the remaining area.

Reference was made to the geography of the site.

It was reported that interest had been expressed in disposal of the site by private treaty to St. Paul’s Developments plc, and thereby removing the site from the maintenance contract.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the disposal of this site by private treaty, as detailed in the report now submitted.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           monthly update.

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.

Resolved:-  That the position on the current status of the Capital Programme be noted.

Project Manager to report.

-           to report progress on the development of the strategy.

Further to Minute No. 27 of the meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 12^th July, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by  the Head of Asset Management Service,  detailing the progress on the development of the strategy for the refurbishment of Grove Road, 2^nd floor, north east (Moorgate) end of the 1^st floor, the south east end of the ground floor, the reception and staircase.

It was reported that a permanent office had been identified at Millside for GMB personnel.  The costs associated with their temporary location and refurbishing the area at Millside were also detailed in the report.

The Board was advised of the revised anticipated timescale for the works which was now 8 months, with completion by December 2006.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the proposed modifications to the timescale of the works and Cabinet be asked to consider that a further £22,500, bringing the revised total to £742,500, be made available from the Council’s Capital Programme.

Asset Manager to report.

-           to consider funding actions required.

Further to Minute No. 45 of the meeting of the Board held on 13^th September, 2005, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Head of Asset Management Service, identifying funding actions required to progress the development of a Customer Service Centre at Dinnington.

It was reported that adapting the existing neighbourhood office for use as a temporary customer service centre until the permanent purpose built centre is completed would meet the Council’s obligation to provide customer service centres within the given timescale.

Resolved:  That the Cabinet be requested to approve that the £600,000, not required for the Swinton Customer Service Centre, be now used to finance the temporary facility at Dinnington and to contribute towards the relocation of the community library to the Aston Customer Service Centre.

Partnership Implementation Officer to report.

-           to seek approval to a lease on a peppercorn rate.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Partnership Implementation Officer (RiDO), setting out proposed details for the lease of an area of land, for the creation of a wetland as part of the Flood Alleviation Scheme at Centenary Riverside, to an external partner for the future management of the site.

Resolved:-   That approval be given to the lease of the area of land for the creation of a wetland as part of the Flood Alleviation Scheme at Centenary Riverside to an external partner on a nominal lease in order to transfer responsibility for the ongoing liability for the future maintenance of the site, as detailed in the report now submitted.

Wednesday, 6^th December, 2006 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board be held on Wednesday, 6^th December, 2006 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Rotherham.