Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 13^th June, 2007.

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

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

 Asset Manager to report.

- to present a briefing note to the Board.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Asset Manager, relating to the York Consulting Case Study Report on Rotherham’s Corporate Capital Strategies and Asset Management Plans.

It was reported that York Consulting’s report was a good testament to Asset Management in Rotherham and a post Beacon endorsement of our strategies, practices and procedures.

Board Members welcomed Asset Management as a National example of good practice as evidenced by the Council’s Beacon Status Award.

Resolved:-  That the report’s conclusions be noted.

Economic Strategy Manager and Research & Spatial Development Officer to report.

 -  to report details on the amount of floorspace and available development land in the Borough and how this has changed over the year.

Consideration was given to a report, presented jointly by the Economic Strategy Manager and the Research and Spatial Development Officer, detailing the amount of floorspace and available employment land in the Borough, and how this had changed over the year.

The net total floor-space on Rotherham’s employment sites rose to almost 2.6 million square metres in 2006, with 60,000 sq m. constructed in the last year - 21% of the total floorspace in Rotherham has been constructed within the last 10 years. 2006 was another good year for the uptake of land for economic development, a fall on the very high amount seen in 2005 but 20.05 hectares was the second highest rate since 2000. By the end of 2006 there were 291.2 hectares of available undeveloped land in Rotherham identified for industrial or mixed use.

Since 1998 Rotherham has experienced high construction rates of new economic floorspace and high rates of uptake of land for economic development. This has resulted in an increase in the local employment rate (now close to the national average) and 24,000 new workplace jobs in the borough since 1998 (Source: ONS Annual Business Inquiry 2005). However there is no guarantee that construction / development rates will continue at this high rate (some development will undoubtedly have taken place due to funding/incentives under Objective 1 / Regeneration schemes which are coming to an end).

Board Members welcomed the excellent progress being made and the high level of activity taking place. It was noted that action was needed to utilise vacant premises and to attract new businesses to Rotherham.

Reference was also made to the need to consider any proposals from the Government to make more land available for housing and for the Council to be in a position to take advantage of any forthcoming legislation.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Board notes the progress on the development of business space within the Borough.

(2)  That the following measures be adopted to manage the existing vacancy rate on the Borough’s industrial estates:

(i)                   That the Council optimises its position on future development for speculative use, except in the case of Rotherham town centre which could greatly benefit from speculative office developments, and that the Council disposes of industrial sites only for known end users where these can be identified.

(ii)                 That the Council contacts the owners of industrial premises which are redundant, derelict or in need of significant capital investment to return them to operational use, in order to establish a programme of Council intervention.  There is scope for some older premises to be refurbished to suit particular requirements and fit respective budgets.

(iii)                That RiDO work with owners, agents and developers to market these properties and suggest alternative uses.  Where a change of use has potential planning implications, RiDO will liaise with the Planning Department on the suitability of any suggested schemes.

(iv)                That the following sectors are targeted to locate in the borough; Advanced Manufacturing and Metals (high value engineering/manufacturing) that has a modern industrial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Asset Manager to report.

-           to propose an integrated comprehensive strategy and implementation programme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Asset Manager, which proposed an integrated comprehensive strategy and implementation programme to address the Local Government White Paper October 2006, Community Buildings Review, Development of Area Asset Management Plans, the Quirk Review Findings, the Government‘s Response to the Quirk Review, the Community Assets Fund and the proposed CPA and CAA requirements.

The major risk is that the Council does not develop, approve and adequately resource an integrated comprehensive strategy and implementation programme and issues such as Community Calls for Actions and ‘PROD’ powers are not addressed in a robust consistent manner and decisions are made on an ad hoc basis.

Board Members referred to the benefits accruing from previous and present Scrutiny Reviews and from the development of good schools facilities management.

The report set out detailed actions in response to the various initiatives.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the proposed items listed below which are detailed in appendix 3 to the report now submitted:-

1.         Strategy, principles and governance

2.         Next steps

3.         Standard reply to asset transfer requests

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 (as amended March 2006) (information relates to the financial or business affairs).

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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in 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 person (including the Council)).

Town Centre Manager and Programmes Officer, to report.

-  to note the approval of RERF.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Economic Strategy Officer, informing the Board of the background to, and the proposed introduction of, a Town Centre Safety Management project and the subsequent delivery of a Town Centre Crime Action Plan.  The initiative included the appointment of a Town Centre Safety Manager.

It was reported that funding from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) had been approved.

Resolved:-  That the approval of RERF funding from the remaining 2006/2007 revenue allocation to support the Town Centre Safety Management initiative be noted.

Development Team Manager to report.

-  to note approval of RERF.

Further to Minute No. 8 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 4^th June, 2007, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Officer, relating to the employment of a Police Architectural Liaison Officer to ensure that anti-crime features were planned in to the new Town Centre developments from the outset, and to implement the anti-crime Action Plan.

Resolved:-  That the approval of part-funding from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) be noted.

Programmes Officer to report.

-  to report details of project activity during 2006/07.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Officer, detailing the following elements in respect of the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund:-

(i)                   Inform Members of the actual expenditure and activity in 2006/07 for individual projects

(ii)                 to note the carry over amounts requested to complete project activity in 2007/08 and

(iii)                Provide a current position on RERF allocations in 2007/08

Resolved:-  That the Board notes:-

(i)         the actual expenditure for RERF of £373,303 (split £266,620 capital and £106,682 revenue) in 2006/07.

(ii)         the current position of RERF in 2007/08

(iii)        the carryover of £1,119,941 consisting of £917,976 capital and £201,965 revenue into 2007/08.

Asset Manager to report.

-           to provide an update on progress of the Aston-cum-Aughton Service Centre.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Asset Manager, updating the Board on the progress of the development of the Aston-cum-Aughton Service Centre.

The report detailed the practical and financial implications of this significant development. Board Members welcomed the proposals for a comprehensive customer – focussed development in connection with the Council’s partners, which it was hoped would be completed in 2008.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

Valuation Manager and HMR Manager, Rotherham East, to report.

-           to report details of a proposed extra care housing development.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the HMR Team Leader, detailing a proposed extra care housing development to be provided at the Longfellow Drive sites.

The Board was asked to consider requests to dispose of the sites to a Housing Association for this purpose.

Details of the development of extra care housing 2007/2008, site identification, the proposed Longfellow Drive scheme and finance were set out in the report.

The Board carefully considered the loss of income involved compared with the significant grant income to be achieved which would lead to the provision of a high class development, as part of the Council’s Older Person’s Strategy and housing needs.

Resolved:-  That the freehold sale of the land to Chevin Housing Association, at the discount stated, and on the basis that the Council receives all of the benefits detailed in this report, be approved.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           To seek approval for the appropriation of the above-mentioned land from Asset Management Service to Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Asset Manager, seeking approval for the appropriation of land at Ridgeway Road, East Herringthorpe, from Asset Management Services to Neighbourhood Services for the purpose of an extension to the cemetery.

Appendix 1 to the report illustrated the land required.

Resolved:-  That:-

(1)        the appropriation of Sites A, B, C and D from Asset Management Service to Neighbourhood Services at a value of £38,000 be approved.

(2)        the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services completes the necessary documentation.

(3)        the Director of Central Finance arranges the appropriate budgetary adjustments.

(4)        the Director of Neighbourhood Services ensures that all necessary rights are reserved over the land to protect the Council’s retained land.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to seek authority to settle a claim for registered title on land at Milton Street, Swinton.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Asset Manager, seeking authority to settle a claim for registered title on land at Milton Street, Swinton.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the  Director of Asset Management be authorised to negotiate a settlement with the registered owner of the land on the basis described in the report and a subsequent sale or lease to adjoining owner(s).

(2)  That the Assistant Chief Executive of Legal and Democratic Services be asked to complete the necessary transfer documentation.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to provide an update on the current position.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, which highlighted changes to the forecast of capital receipts resulting in a revision to the Council’s capital programme.

Details of the various transactions were set out in the report.

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

(Consideration was given to the following matter as an urgent item to enable discussions with the developer to proceed)

The Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services gave a presentation showing the design, as of today, of the Council OfficeBuilding to be provided as part of Rotherham Renaissance.

The presentation gave illustrative sketches, backed up by outline details.

Reference was made to the aims of the building being to provide first class customer services in an iconic building, taking into account energy use, natural lighting, space and quality.

It was noted that the design would include an allowance for flooding.

Resolved:- That the present position be noted.