Agenda and minutes

Re:  Minute No. 254 -  Grants for Community Arts Projects – following advice from Legal Services this item was considered in open session, (the item having previously been published on the agenda as an exempt item)

Ryan Shepherd, Senior Planner, to report

-           to seek authorisation to consult on the draft document

Further to Minute No. 94 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development held on 17^th September, 2007, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Planner, seeking authorisation to undertake public consultation on the updated Rotherham Town Centre Strategic Development Framework, which is to be adopted as an Interim Planning Statement.

It was reported that the draft Interim Planning Statement, which may be subject to minor refinement prior to release for consultation, was now available to view in the Members’ Room at the Town Hall from 14^th April. It was pointed out that the IPS was now accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal undertaken by Ove Arup and this could be made available upon request.

The content of the document was summarised as follows:-

Part One:-  vision and aspirations for the town centre

Part Two:-  key activities and initiatives

Part Three:-  detailed guidance for individual sites, areas of change and future aspirations

Appendix 1:-  a range of broad development principles

Details of the consultation arrangements and timescale were set out in the report.

Reference was made to the dovetailing of this document with the on-going work of the Local Development Framework.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Cabinet Member notes the content of this report and approves public consultation on the Interim Planning Statement.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member detailing the outcome of the consultation process and for consideration of the consultation statement.

(3)  That this report be referred to Cabinet for information.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Manager, to report

-           to inform Cabinet Member of the draining fund grant

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, informing the Cabinet Member of the award of a grant for cycle training from Cycling England.

Reference was made to the following:-

•         Roll out of “Bikeability”

•         Appointment of Pedal Ready

•         Provision of cycle training in accordance with the newly introduced National Cycle Training Standards

•         Submission and success of a bid for Capital Grant provided through Cycling England

•         The South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan

•         Matched Funding

It was reported that the total funding now available for school and adult cycle training in 2008/09 was £80,000.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the report be noted and the Service be congratulated upon being awarded this additional funding.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Manager, to report

-        to consider objections to waiting restrictions on A618 Pleasley Road, at Whiston

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to receipt of a number of objections, including a 46 signature petition, against the proposed “No Waiting At Any Time” restriction on Pleasley Road, Whiston.  A further 8 representations had also been received by letter or email.

Details of the original proposals were set out in the report and illustrated on an accompanying plan.

A summary of the arguments raised by objectors, and the Service Area’s responses, were set out in detail in the report.

It was reported that, as a result of reviewing the objections and the level of concern about more congestion on Barfield Avenue, The Pieces (North) etc, amendments to the scheme had been made in order to maximise on-street parking opportunities.  These amendments were illustrated on Drawing No. 126/18/TT445B appended to the report.

The Cabinet Member commented on the existing location of the bus stop close to the crossroads and asked that this be reviewed in order not to jeopardise the flow of traffic at this location following the implementation of the major new road scheme.

Resolved:-  (1)  That in light of objections received the proposed scheme be amended as shown on Drawing No. 126/18/TT445B, attached as Appendix ‘B’.

(2)  That the objectors be informed of the change and reasons.

(3)  That the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, make the order.

(4)  That the Transportation Unit examine the proximity of the bus stop near to Whiston crossroads on Pleasley Road.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Manager, to report

-           to report results of an investigation into the issues raised in the petition

Further to Minute No. 198 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 18^th February, 2008,              consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the receipt, and investigation, of a 15 signature petition which requested a number of parking measures on Caine Gardens, Kimberworth.

The issues raised by the petitioners were listed in the report and the Service Area’s responses to each were also detailed.  Reference was also made to the Council’s current policy of prioritising the introduction of residents’ parking controls in and around the town centre.

It was pointed out that the issue of grass verges was a matter for the Neighbourhoods Directorate, as these were not adopted highways.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the petition to request a residents’ parking scheme or waiting restrictions on Caine Gardens be not acceded to, although the request be added to the Transportation Unit’s database and considered for future area wide review.

(2)  That the lead petitioner be informed of the decision and the reasons why

(3)  That the Ward Members be informed accordingly.

(4)  That the report be referred to Neighbourhood Services.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Manager, to report

-           to consider proposed footway link

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to a proposal to construct a length of footway on the A57 Worksop Road, Todwick, at its junction with Goosecarr Lane to improve facilities for pedestrians.  The proposals were illustrated on Drawing No.  126/A57 attached to the report.

Reference was made to the following:-

•         demand for this scheme

•         cost

•         view of the Parish Council

•         location

•         the proposed major scheme for the A57

Resolved:-  That consideration be deferred pending a site visit.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Manager, to report

-           to inform Cabinet Member about the fitter for walking project

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to a 4 year “Fitter for Walking” project partnership between the Council and Living Streets.

It was explained that this project was a pilot project involving up to 12 local authorities across five regions in the UK.  Both Rotherham and Doncaster had been listed as participants for the Yorkshire and Humberside area.

The aims of the pilot and projected activities were detailed in the report.

Details of the funding split between Rotherham and Doncaster were set out in the report and it was pointed out that each had been asked to identify a modest amount of match funding over the lifespan of the project.  Reference was made to how this match funding could be assembled.

The outcomes for the project were also listed in the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the participation in the Fitter for Walking pilot project be endorsed.

(2)  That a copy of the report be referred to the Cabinet Member for Streetpride and to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Manager, to report

-           to acknowledge delays and consider options

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to improvement options at the junction of the B6093 Moor Lane and Holling’s Lane/Braithwell Road (‘Ravenfield Crossroads’).

It was reported that congestion and safety at the crossroads had been highlighted in the Ravenfield Parish Community Plan.  Also traffic surveys had shown that the junction was now over capacity. 

The following 4 “in principle” options were briefly described in the report, (with an accompanying plan being attached for each):-

•         widened entries from Braithwell Road and Holling’s Lane

•         mini roundabout

•         full roundabout

•         traffic signals

Resolved:-  (1)  That the extent of the delays at this junction and the need for improvements be acknowledged.

(2)  That a signalised junction be identified as the preferred option and be progressed to detailed design for inclusion in the 2008/09 Local Transport Plan Programme.

Ian Dixon, Manager, RotherValley CountryPark, to report

-           to receive report and approve action

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Green Spaces Manager, relating to a retrospective request for exemption from the provision of Standing Order 38.1 in order to purchase four Laser Bahia sailing boats which can only be purchased from Performance Sailcraft Europe Ltd.

The reasons for the request were explained.

It was noted that the boats were needed to ensure that the RYA continued to accredit the centre for running sailing courses.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the retrospective request for exemption from the provisions of Standing Order 38.1, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

Phil Rogers, Director of Culture and Leisure, to report

-           to approve applications

(Note:  this item was originally published as an exempt item.  However, following advice from Legal Services the Cabinet Member considered the item in the open session in accordance with item 1 on the agenda.)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Officer – Community Arts, relating to the Funding Arts in Rotherham grants scheme, for which there had been 21 applicants this year.

Reference was made to the scheme details and the criteria for assessing applications and awarding grants.  It was explained that the purpose of the grant was for small community groups to support creative activity projects or to employ local artists and raise the profile of Rotherham as a cultural destination.  It was reported that the value of funding levered into Rotherham through the use of this fund was in the region of £173,000 (10:1 gearing).

A summary of the projects and conditions of grant funding was appended to the report.  It was pointed out that the scheme was oversubscribed and it was not possible to fund all the projects; bids which evidenced high levels of active participation were prioritised for funding.

Resolved:-  That the grant applications, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following extra, urgent item in order for a response to be provided for the petitioners)

Chris Wilkins, Assistant Development Control Manager, to report.

-           to consider a response to the petition

Further to Minute No. 214 (i) of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 17^th March, 2008, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Development Control Manager, relating to a letter and petition which had been received from residents living on Glaisdale Close, in respect of a number of issues relating to planning applications at Station Way, Laughton Common for residential development.

Each of the issues raised by the petitioners was detailed in the report, together with the Service Area’s response.  It was confirmed that insofar as the Service Area was concerned all procedures had been carried out as appropriate.

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

(2)  That a letter be sent to the first named petitioner setting out the response to the issues raised, as detailed in the report now submitted.