Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Clifton Park Restoration Project Board held on 11^th June, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be noted, together with the progress being made.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report receipt of an objection to proposed waiting restrictions.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, detailing the receipt of an objection to a proposed No Waiting at any Time Traffic Regulation order on Pontefract Road Brampton.

It was explained that the objection was based on the grounds that the objector’s business will suffer as a consequence of the introduction of the no waiting restriction on the road adjacent to their premises.

It was reported that several site surveys had been carried out at different times of the day and it was noted that vehicles were obstructing the free and efficient flow of vehicles along the road.  Also there was conflict between opposing traffic flow and vehicles were parking on the footway which was obstructing pedestrians.  Thus the need for the No Waiting at any Time restriction was confirmed.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the objection to the proposed traffic regulation order be not acceded to and the order be made.

(2)  That the objector be informed of the decision.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report receipt and investigation into 2 petitions re: indiscriminate parking.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, setting out the results of an investigation into the request for residents’ only parking, or no waiting restrictions, following receipt of petitions from residents of Willow Road, Wath.

Resolved:-  (1)  That receipt of the petitions be noted.

(2)  That the request for residents’ only parking or waiting restrictions be not acceded to but the location be added to the Planning and Regeneration list of locations where residents permit parking has been requested

(3)  That the lead petitioners are informed of the decision.

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to consider proposed extension to existing system of street lighting.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer,  detailing a proposal to extend the existing system of street lighting on the B6463 Todwick Road, Dinnington.

The scheme was illustrated on the accompanying plan.

It was pointed out that the proposal would infill a gap within the existing system of street lighting along this road and extend it to the start of the proposed 40mph speed limit.

It was also reported that a pedestrian crossing was proposed as a separate scheme.

Resolved:- (1)  That detailed design be carried out and, subject to no objections being received, the scheme be implemented.

(2)        That the scheme be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Programme for 2008/09.

Andrew Nettleton, Business Investment Manager, to report.

-           to consider the report.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Investment Manager, relating to the progress in regenerating the former Dinnington Colliery site. 

It was reported that marketing of the site commenced in December 2005 and that from the outset demand had been strong and the site had been developed out faster than anticipated, attracting a good mix of quality end users across different sectors.

Particular reference was made to the number of jobs created.

It was also pointed out that Phase 2 (c40 acres) was planned for development by Renaissance South Yorkshire, and this would be aimed solely at end users not developers.  It was anticipated that a further 1,000 jobs would be created.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress achieved to date at the former Dinnington Colliery Site be noted.

(2)  That Rotherham Investment and Development Office continues to work with Renaissance South Yorkshire in promoting the site to business investors.

Geof Link, Enterprise Manager, to report.

-           to report success of the pilot and request support to roll out similar community initiatives.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Enterprise Manager, detailing the success of the pilot Business Incubation Development project in Dinnington.

It was explained that the project aimed to encourage new start up businesses from the local community and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Reference was made to the funding for the project and to the presence of a local business adviser/champion.

Outputs from the pilot were detailed in the report.

It was reported that it was intended to replicated the project in the north and central parts of the Borough working with the new regional Business Link, and to this end a bid for ERDF Priority 3 funding was in place.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the success of the pilot project be noted.

(2)  That support be given to the proposals to roll out other community projects in other deprived areas of the Borough using ERDF funding under Priority 3, as outlined in the report now submitted.

Andy Lee, Operations Manager, to report.

-           to consider provision of Youth Shelter.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Operations Manager, Green Spaces, proposing the installation of a temporary portable teenage seating area in GreenlandsPark, North Anston.

The Cabinet Member submitted a petition that had been presented to him by a local Ward Councillor, which contained signatures of local residents objecting to the proposal.

Resolved:- That consideration be deferred pending further consultation with local residents, and a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member.

Dave Phillips, Principal Engineer, to report.

-           to consider the appointment of Hydra-ject Services.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Highway Engineer, relating to progress following the Statutory Inspection of Thrybergh Reservoir in April 2007.

In accordance with Standing Order 38.2, consideration was given to a request, detailed in the submitted report, to appoint Hydra-Ject Valve Services for works relating to the Draw Off Tower renovation and repair at Thrybergh reservoir.

Reference was made to the specialist skills of this company and to the work they had carried out at Ulley Reservoir.  It was also pointed out that to obtain further quotations for the work required would necessitate further ‘confined space’ man entry into the valve tower and tunnels which raised safety concerns. Thus exemption from the provisions of Standing Order 47.6.3 was sought.

Finance for the works had been included in the Maintenance Capital Investment Programme approved by the Regeneration and Asset Board on 18^th June, 2008 (Minute No. 8 refers).

Resolved:-  That, in accordance with Standing Order 38.2, approval be given for the exemption from the provision of Standing Order 47.6.3 and the Council appoint Hydra-Ject Valve Services for works relating to the Draw Off Tower renovation and repair as detailed in the report now submitted, subject to funding being made available.

Arnold Murray, Asset Manager, to report.

-           to consider a request for the plaque.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Building Manager, detailing a request that had been received from a relative of Alderman Wallhead for the plaque within Crinoline House which commemorates him.

Resolved:-  That the request be granted in return for a donation to the Mayor’s Charity.

Andy Duncan, Strategic Policy Team Leader, to report.

-           to present a brief overview.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Policy Team Leader, relating to the issuing by the Secretary of State a revised Regional Spatial Strategy (The Yorkshire and Humber Plan).

The report set out a brief overview of the matters of interest for Rotherham and the future arrangements for review of the RSS.

The following issues were highlighted:-

-                      changes to the wording of Policy YH5 Principal Towns to allow more local flexibility

-                      revised housing targets, noting on-going work as part of the Local Development Framework Site Allocations DPD

-                      revised RSS which takes account of more recent data which reflects the strong improvements in Rotherham’s economy

-                      acknowledgement of the AMP at Waverley but noting that the major potential for housing was not reflected

It was noted that an update to RSS had commenced and there would be further consultation. Draft spatial options would be presented later in the year for consideration.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the report be noted.

(The following advice from Legal Services the following item was considered as an open item, having previously been listed on the agenda as an exempt item.)

Chris Majer, Economic Strategy Officer, to report.

-           to inform Cabinet Member of the actual expenditure and variations against planned expenditure, along with highlights of activity in 2007/078 for individual projects and provide a current position on RERF allocations in 2008/09.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – financial/business affairs)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Officer, detailing the following:-

(i)                   actual expenditure and variations against planned expenditure, along with highlights of activity in 2007/08 for 13 individual projects.  Particular reference was made to the incubation centres at Dinnington and Magna;  Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder;  All Saints Building:  Town Centre Safety Manager and Town Centre Police Architectural Liaison Officer posts.

(ii)                 current position on RERF allocations in 2008/09

Reference was made to the outputs achieved from expenditure in 2007/08 along with the amount of public and private match funding attracted.

Resolved:-   (1)  That the actual expenditure for RERF, £27,072 capital and £56,718 revenue, in 2007/08 be noted.

(2)                                                   That the current position of RERF in 2008/09, £792,462 capital and £260,574 revenue, to allocate to new projects, be noted.

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:-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in  Paragraph 3 of Part I 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))

-           to note progress and receive the minutes.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 3 & 4 of the Act – financial/business affairs and labour relations matters)

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Rother Valley Country Park Members’ Steering Group held on 6^th June, 2008.

The Director of Culture and Leisure referred to the progress being made and highlighted various issues within the minutes.

Members commented on:-

-                      the S26 postcode and the need for the Council to pursue a Rotherham postcode for the Park.

-                      length of the lease

-                      proposed consultation

-                      continuance of the CountryPark

-                      facilities for disabled

-                      future investment at the Park

-                      profit share, management and maintenance arrangements

-                      sub-leasing

Resolved:-  That the minutes be noted, together with the progress being made.