Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting of the Regeneration and Asset Board held on 18^th April, 2007.

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

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer, Development Team, relating to a review of the Gateway Improvement Plan 2006/2007 and an Annual Plan for 2007/2008.

A PowerPoint presentation was also given which highlighted the following:-

Total expenditure and funding of projects in 2006/2007, principally via the HMRA Pathfinder Programme.

A6109 Meadowbank Road phased improvements:-

      from M1 Junction 34N  funded by HMRA Pathfinder Programme

      South Street to No. 286 Meadowbank Road

      Reserve Scheme – M1 Jct 34N to 286 Meadowbank Road with potential funding from South Yorkshire Forest Partnership

Rotherham East HMR:-

      Doncaster Road, Dalton

      2007/2008 extension of the works to East Dene via Herringthorpe Valley Road to Clifton Park

      Fitzwilliam Road QBC

      2007/2008 works in the area of the frontages at Eastwood Trading Estate

 Rawmarsh/Parkgate HMRA:-

      Phased work:  phases 1 and 4 completed. 

      2007/2008 extension of work in the commercial centre; at Rosehill Park; the Church and War Memorial – in conjunction with Groundwork Dearne Valley using potential funding from Objective 1

Swinton/Wath HMRA:-

      Completion of phase 1 – east

      2007/2008 work in the areas of Rockery Road Peace Garden; Rowms Lane; Bridge Street car park with complementary funding

Brampton HMRA

      Works on Knollbeck Lane and WAth Road in consultation with the community

The Appendix set out in detail the funding for the Gateways in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007.

Members commented on:-

      the value of the improvements made and the overall appearance of the major approaches to the town.

      Use of energy efficient and sustainable street lighting

      Streetpride maintenance budget

      Use of Pathfinder and other funding sources

      Value of the work in terms of attracting investment

Resolved:-  (1)  That the officers be congratulated on the progress made.

(2)                 That the Gateway Review/Annual Plan be received.

(3)                 That approval be given to the Annual Plan for 2007/2008 as detailed in the report submitted, subject to funding and further appropriate consultation.

(4)  That the Plan be subject to an annual review and subsequent report to the Board, which will also contributed to future Annual Plans.

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 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 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))

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to consider transfer of land.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, seeking approval for the transfer of land to the rear of 21 Spencer Street, Ravenfield, from Ravenfield Parish Council to the Borough Council.

A plan identifying the area of land in question was appended to the report.

An explanation of the title history to current use and management of this land was detailed in the report, together with the legal and financial implications.

It was pointed out that the site would be retained as part of the garden of No. 21 Spencer Drive.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the transfer of land from Ravenfield Parish Council to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

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

Strategic property Manager to report.

-           to update the Board.

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

The report also set out the year end 2006/2007 position of the property bank.

Reference was made to the value of capital receipts obtained in 2006/2007 set against the target.

The Board noted the following:-

      Receipt earmarked for modernisation of Howarth House

      Long standing sales – Daneshill, Moorgate and Flash Lane, Bramley

      Change in planning policy resulting in many sales being taken out of the 2006/2007 programme and deferred to later years.

      Return to Neighbourhoods from the Property Bank of 2 sites at Thrybergh to support Neighbourhood regeneration initiatives

      abandoned asset sales

      sites sold at less than best consideration to Registered Social Landlords

      sites put forward as part of the Local Development Framework review

The Board was reminded that, although work continued to identify further sites, the supply of suitable property assets for disposal continued to diminish.  Thus it would become increasingly difficult to achieve targets in future years.

Reference was made to:-

-                      land at Brook Hill, Thorpe Hesley, and an application for village green status.

-                      Sites in Dinnington and commencement of discussions with the Parish Council

Resolved:-  (1)  That the current status of the capital receipts, which supports the capital programme, be noted.

(2)                      That the Director of Asset Management submit a report to the June 2007 meeting regarding the position, and costs to date, of the application for village green status.

(3)   That the Strategic Property Manager submit a report to a future meeting of the Board outlining a possible timescale for the disposal of sites in Dinnington which are programmed for sale in 2007/2008.

Strategic Property Manager to report.

-           to consider disposal of the property.

Consideration was given to a report, introduced by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to the options for the disposal of the above mentioned site.

The site was identified on a plan appended to the report.

It was noted that the property had been declared surplus to requirements by the Director of Learning Disability Services. 

Reference was made to the established use of this property as residential.

Two options for the future use of the site were detailed in the report and considered by the Board.

The Acting Director of Housing Services detailed the benefits of the option to sell the land to a Registered Social Landlord.  Reference was also made to the need for affordable housing in this area.  It was suggested that this option would enable the property to be offered for sale by the RSL on a shared ownership (50:50) basis.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the property be offered for sale to a Registered Social Landlord on the basis now reported.

(2)                      That the Director of Rotherham Investment and Development Office negotiates the terms of the disposal.

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

Director of Asset Management to report.

-           to consider approval to Capital Maintenance Block/programme 2007.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Facilities Manager, Environment and Development Services, which outlined a programme for the maintenance capital investment block of the Capital Programme 2007 to 2012.

Reference was made to the capital receipts target, and allocation for maintenance projects, strategic projects and a contingency fund which had been agreed by the Cabinet.

Appendix 1 to the report listed all the maintenance projects which had been identified.  Reference was made to the validation process which was carried out

The Board considered Appendix 2 to the report which set out the recommended programme for 2007/2008.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to the programme for the maintenance capital investment block of the Capital Programme for 2007/08 as scheduled in Appendix 2 to the report now submitted.

Director of Asset Management to report.

-           to approve strategic capital investment block.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Facilities Manager, Environment and Development Services, which outlined a programme for the projects under £300,000 in the strategic capital investment block of the Capital programme for 2007 to 2012.

Attention was given to:-

Appendix 1 which set out all the projects under £300,000 currently identified. 

Appendix 2 which listed projects by Service Area.

Appendix 3 which contained all the submissions and priority rating forms for each of the projects.

It was noted that the total for 2007/2008 of all the projects listed was under the allocated £1.5m.

Members of the Board commented on:-

-                      Alterations and improvements to Bailey House to meet service area requirements (the Strategic Director gave an explanation)

-                      Fit out critical to the Maltby Joint Service Centre project

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the priority projects under £300,000, scheduled in Appendix 1 to the report now submitted, for inclusion in the strategic capital investment block of the Capital Programme 2007 to 2012.

(2)  That the Director of Asset Management submit a report to a future meeting regarding the need for funding for the fit out of the Maltby Joint Service Centre Project.

Consideration was given to the minutes of meeting of the Project Board held on 25^th April, 2007.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Project Board held on 25^th April, 2007 be received.

WEDNESDAY, 13^TH JUNE, 2007 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.

WEDNESDAY, 13^TH JUNE, 2007 at 10.00 a.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.