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 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (expenditure/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 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of another person (including the Council)).

Agreed:-  The minutes of the meeting held on 3rd April, 2006, be approved as a true record.

Arising from Minute No.62(2) (Transportation Study), it was reported that the joint study with Sheffield had been delayed for reasons outside of the Council’s control.  The submission date for the first draft was now September, 2006.

Arising from Minute No. 62(3) (Westgate Chambers), an update was given on the current situation with regard to acquisition and work taking place on feasibility and potential uses.  Proposals would be submitted to Transform South Yorkshire shortly.

Arising from Minute No. 67(2) (Whinney Hill), it was reported that HMR had received a report from Asset Management.  It had been established the majority of the site had no legal problems which would prevent its disposal for residential/mixed use development.  The report had been circulated to Ward Members.  It was also a similar position with the Wood Street and School Street sites.

Presentation by Tom Bell, HMR Team Leader.

Tom Bell, HMR Team Leader, gave a powerpoint presentation on the 2006-08 HMR Programme which highlighted:-

-              The HMR Programme to date

-              Strategic linkages

-              Strategic priorities

-              Programme for 2006-08

-              Governance and Programme approval process

-              Next steps

Discussion ensued on the funding received.  Jeff Goode, Transform South Yorkshire reported that all authorities had taken a 10% reduction in the funding.  The original bid had been £120M, reduced to £100M in accordance with the ODPM’s wishes and an award of £90M given.  Considerable discussions had taken place with all partners with regard to the approach to be taken with the funding and felt that the funding should be divided equally across all authorities. 

Consideration should be given to looking at the priorities between ADFs as well as priorities within them as there would be issues in 2008-10 in light of the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007. 

Jeff placed his thanks on record to Rotherham and the HMR Team for responding so well to the challenges of achieving the £90M.

Agreed:-  That the presentation be noted.

Verbal update by Kevin Price, HMR Manager, Wath and Swinton.

Kevin Rice, HMR Manager, Wath and Swinton, gave a verbal update on the current situation with regard to development of the ADF Steering Groups.

The report submitted to the previous meeting had subjected to extensive consultation with the Local Strategic Partnership, Legal Services, TSY and members of the ADFs.  It had been very well received in terms of the overall structure and the approach.  Further was taking place on the constitution, investment plan etc.

Agreed:-  That a further report be submitted to the next meeting.

Report and Presentation - Uzma Sattar, HMR Manager, Rotherham West, and Peter Glover, Equity Housing.

UzmaSattar, HMR Manager, Rotherham West, submitted a report which set out the concept and role of Shared Equity Housing Solutions, now referred to as Homebuy, in the context of Rotherham.

With a rapid increase in house prices nationally, in Rotherham there was now a significant gap emerging between the level at which households could afford to enter home ownership and the value of property for sale on the open market.  Homebuy offered those households on lower income waiting to enter home ownership with an affordable solution.

Peter Glover, Equity Housing, gave a powerpoint presentation on the work of his organisation with regard to Homebuy.

Agreed:-  That the report and presentation be noted.

Gordon Smith, Specialist Support Manager, Housing Market Renewal to report.

Gordon Smith, Specialist Support  Manager, HMR, submitted a report outlining the progress made in developing the Delivering Design Quality project in partnership with Transform South Yorkshire with reference to recent achievements. The report also included a proposed programme of training for Members, staff and stakeholders having influence over quality outcomes.

A Local Authority Design Enabling Panel of experts has been appointed to provide up to 650 days of advice on the various aspects influencing quality including public sector factors such as capacity.  The draft training programme envisaged 12 key topics being covered during a programme of lectures, group discussion, group work/workshops and case studies delivered over a period of 1 year.  The number of places would be determined by venue capacity and manageability in terms of effective learning, possibly 18-24.

The project was to be sponsored by Transform South Yorkshire so there was no direct cost to the Council.

Discussion ensued on the report.  The following issues were raised:-

-              Risk of insufficient commitment to participation in the project

-              Should be held at convenient venues and rolled out quickly

-              Need to target certain officers/Members with an interest e.g. Planning Board

Agreed:-  (1)  That the progress in developing local authority capacity and competence to raise design quality in the building environment and recent achievements be noted.

(2)  That Member and officer involvement in the emerging training programme, as appropriate, within Neighbourhoods be endorsed.

(3)  That a breakdown of the 18 places for training be submitted to the next meeting.

- report of any Board decisions.

Jeff Goode reported that at the last Board meeting 2 presentations had been made:-

Impact of City Regeneration, Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive, Sheffield City Council

Impact of New Arrangements for Regional Housing Board, Sue Jeffries, ???.

The Board had also discussed the new funding arrangement with the DCLG with which there were some problems.  The agreement had been revised and was currently being considered.

Agreed:-  That the report be noted.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the next meeting be held on 3rd July, 2006, to which ADF Chairs will be invited.

(2)  That after July, this group meet on a quarterly basis with supplementary meetings held when necessary.

(3)  That a report be submitted to the next meeting on “Prioritisation”.