Agenda and minutes

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 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government act 1972 (negotiation of terms).

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 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (negotiation of terms).

Agreed:-  The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th December, 2005, were approved as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

- verbal update

Paul Walsh, HMR Programme Manager, circulated an up-to-date investment programme spend projection up to January, 2006.

Each project was discussed with any concerns regarding potential underspend highlighted.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That, wherever possible, large invoices be broken down to enable claims to be made for work that had been completed to increase spend in the 2005/06 financial year.

- verbal update of meeting held on 10^th January, 2006

A briefing note was submitted of the meeting held on 10^th January, 2006, between Transform South Yorkshire officers, officers representing Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield Councils and John Healey, Clive Betts and Nick Clegg.

The meeting had been very positive and had resulted in John Healey and Clive Betts agreeing to approach Yvette Cooper for a private meeting about HMR issues and future funding.

The Rotherham HMR Team had since provided John Healey with more detailed briefing notes on the Rotherham programme.

Agreed:-  That the report be noted.

- verbal report

Paul Walsh, HMR Programme Manager, reported that due, to expansion of the team, the current accommodation was inadequate.

It was hoped that the team would be located at the Magna Centre from the start of the new financial year.  The accommodation would meet the team’s requirements as well as the potential for further office space to come on line to accommodate further expansion of the team.

Agreed:-  That the report be noted.

- verbal update

Paul Walsh, HMR Programme Manager, submitted the current staffing structure.

A further round of recruitment was currently underway with indications that there had been more interest than previously.  Discussions were taking place with recruitment agencies in case the recruitment drive was not as successful as hoped.

Agreed:-  That the report be noted.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the following 2 items be included on the next agenda:-

Finance and Budget

Draft Terms of Reference for Steering Groups

(2)  That the Chairs of the ADF’s be asked for any items they would wish to be included on the agenda for the March meeting.

(3)  After the end of the financial year, a report be included on regeneration activity outside of the Pathfinder area in particular housing regeneration.

Agreed:-  That the date of the next meeting be agreed by the Cabinet Members for Neighbourhoods and Economic Regeneration and Development Services.