Agenda and minutes

The following report was submitted:-

Tourism Panel

2nd June, 2008

Andy Lee, Assistant Engineer, to report.

-           to consider extension of the lease.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Operations Manager, Green Spaces, relating to a request from Wheatley’s and Sons Amusements to extend the area of the children’s amusements and period of their existing lease until March 2025 for the operation of children’s amusements and mini golf within Clifton Park.

Reference was made to the submission of plans to the Heritage Lottery Fund  to enlarge this area.  It was reported that the current lessees were keen to invest in the site provided they could secure a longer term lease.

It was considered that extending the period of this lease would ensure that income and service levels could be secured from the children’s amusements provision until 2024, and would allow the lessee to invest in capital items for the site and reduce the council’s requirement to reinvest to provide a similar level of service.

It was reported that Wheatley’s had proven to be an excellent partner to Culture & Leisure and had continued to invest in the amusements site in Clifton Park from the outset of their existing lease.  It was therefore considered that this proposal did not bring with it any significant risk.  Also Legal Services had been consulted regarding extending Wheatley’s lease and had confirmed that this was allowed for within standing orders.

Resolved:-  That Wheatley’s and Sons Amusements existing 5 year lease (due to expire in March 2010) be extended to March 2025, and that an extended area of operation, in line with proposals previously presented to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Project Board, be negotiated with Wheatley and Sons Amusements.

Alan Matthews, Emergency and Safety Manager, to report.

-           to report progress to improve resilience against future flooding and information that has been shared with affected communities.

Consideration was given to a report, presented jointly by the Drainage Engineer, the Emergency and Safety Manager and the Planner, Forward Planning, updating Members on progress made by the Council to improve further resilience against future flooding, and information that has been shared with affected communities.

Reference was made to the following:-

-                      unprecedented rainfall in June 2007

-                      the Post Incident Report

-                      the national review undertaken by Sir Michael Pitt, and the summary of the main recommendations set out in the interim report

The report submitted set out detail of work which had been carried out in the following four main areas:-

(i)                   Drainage – noting:-

-                      public meetings held at Catcliffe, Dinnington and Laughton Common, Whiston Thorpe Hesley and Scholes

-                      completion of five reports re:  cause of flooding in these areas, and possible solutions and/or improvements

-                      ‘Drop in Sessions’ held by the Environment Agency in Catcliffe and Parkgate

-                      details of improvement works carried out with partners

(ii)                 Forward Planning – noting:-

-                      Engagement of consultants to undertake a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, which would inform the Local Development Framework

-                      Identification of what development control measures would be needed in certain areas

-                      Templeborough Flood Alleviation Scheme

(iii)      Emergency planning – noting:-

-                      work of the Corporate Recovery Group (fully detailed in the Post Incident Report) which had now been closed down

-                      number of properties which remained vacant pending outstanding work

-                      development of Local Multi Agency Flood Plans – main partners, aims and objectives, testing of the draft plan

-                      meetings with Area Assemblies, Parish Councils and other local communities

-                      Sandbag policy

-                      Investigation of alternative Borough Emergency Operations Rooms and satellite communications

-                      Enhanced stores and additional voluntary trained staff

(iv)                 Communications and Marketing – noting:-

-                      Post flooding public meetings

-                      Media relations

-                      Internal communications

The report also included a table setting out the summarised costs relating to flood damage, response and recovery.

Elected Members present commented on:-

-                      water table levels

-                      cellars

-                      gaps in the flood banks e.g. at Woodhouse

-                      lakes at the Waverley site

-                      gully cleaning schedule – frequency and cost

-                      public expectations

-                      linkages with the Parish Councils and communities

-                      the need for a regional approach as well as a local approach

-                      the help and work of John Healey M.P.

-                      the amount of work done and which was on-going

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

(2)  That the future financial implications for the council be noted.

(3)  That the Director of Planning and Regeneration presents a report to Corporate Management Team to examine the potential impact upon planning policy and development within the borough.

Dave James, LTP Delivery Manager, to report.

-           to report on progress.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Local Transport Plan Delivery Manager, updating the Cabinet Member on the development of the outline business case for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme between Rotherham and Sheffield.

It was explained that in July 2006, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Sheffield City Council (SCC) and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) were advised by the Department for Transport (DfT) to investigate bus-based alternatives to the previous 'Supertram Extensions' scheme.

In discussions with the DfT in October 2006, it was agreed that the partners would not simply consider the same alignment as the Supertram extensions.  Therefore options had been reviewed in the context of significant transport issues that needed to be addressed in the current area e.g.:-

§         Congestion issues at M1 Junctions 33 and 34, the barrier that the M1 creates and the consequent impact on public transport and economic development;

§         Air Quality in the vicinity of the motorway corridor. The area has been declared an AQ Management Area.

§         The quality and availability of transport links between the two urban centres and into employment areas;

§         Growing overcrowding on the Supertram system.

As a result the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network would comprise of two routes, a Northern route via Meadowhall and the LowerDon Valley and a Southern route via Waverley (illustrated on the plan accompanying the report).

The next steps would be to seek the views of the public on the proposals, including visits to Area Assemblies.

Funding for the scheme would be sought from the Department for Transport, via the submission of major schemes business cases.  Members were advised that the promoting authority had to provide 10% local contribution towards the cost of the scheme.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the work that has already taken place in developing submissions to the Regional Transport Board (RTB) be endorsed.

(2)  That the decisions of the RTB to support the Bus Rapid Transit Scheme - both Northern and Southern Route routes be noted.

(3)                 That the outline routes for both the BRT Scheme Northern and Southern, as shown on the drawing accompanying the report at Appendix A (Bus Rapid Transit – Northern and Southern Route Proposals Version 1.0) be agreed.

(4)  That the further development of Major Scheme Business Cases for both the BRT Scheme Northern and Southern Routes be noted.

(5)  That the report be referred for information to the Cabinet and the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel.

(6)  That further progress reports be submitted to future meetings of the Cabinet Member as appropriate.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under those Paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006).

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 those Paragraphs, indicated below, of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March, 2006).

-           to note the decision of the Complaint Panel

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Act – identify of an individual)

Consideration was given to the notes of a Stage 3 Complaint Panel held on 21^st May, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the decision of the Panel be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 & 2 – information relating to an individual/likely to reveal the identify of)

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to consider applications.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Act – information relating to individuals/business/financial affairs)

Further to Minute No.  226 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 Town Centre Manager, relating to the review of the current policy and procedure for the use of designated pitches within the town centre for the purposes of street trading.

Reference was made to the revised application procedure and to the 3 months licence period.

Consideration was therefore given to the five applications received from traders for a licence to sight a mobile catering unit in the town centre for the period 1^st July to 30^th September, 2008.

The Assistant Town Centre Manager presented an analysis of each application against the agreed criteria.  In recommending approval reference was made to specific conditions which it was suggested should be attached to the granting of licences, and these were detailed in the report submitted.

Resolved:-  (1)  That subject to the specific conditions, detailed in the report submitted, a licence be granted to the following for the period 1^st July to 30^th September, 2008:-

Messrs. M., B. & C.

(2)                  That the applications from Mrs. H. and Mr. R. be refused for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Act – information relating to individuals/financial and business affairs of individuals and the Council)