Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Clifton Park Restoration Project Board held on 19^th June, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes, and the excellent progress reported, be noted.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group held on 20^th June, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes, emerging issues and progress, be noted.

-           to note the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the RMBC Transport Liaison Group held on 23^rd June, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes and issues raised be noted.

Bronwen Peace, Development Control Manager, to report.

-           to consider the implementation of the strategy.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Planning Manager, relating to the formulation of a pre-application planning advice strategy which aimed to provide advice to potential planning applicants before the submission of their applications. 

It was explained that the proposal would include the introduction of charging for advice on major planning schemes.   The overall aim was to improve the quality of the applications and to ensure that planning applications were dealt with within the statutory timescale.

It was explained that under Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003 Councils were able to charge for services for which they are authorised to provide.  It was therefore proposed to introduce a scheme of charging for pre-application advice on major proposals.  Details of the scheme were set out in the report submitted.

Resolved:-  That approval be given to implement the pre-application advice strategy as now reported with effect from 1st August, 2008.

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, and Marie Hayes, Events and Promotions Service Manager, to report.

-           to consider suggested partnership arrangements to the end of March 2009.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Town Centre Manager, relating to suggested partnership arrangements for the period to end March 2009 and beyond.

A summary of the project’s progress, and achievements of the partnership during 2007/2008, was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Reference was made to the formal approach that had been made by the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, with an offer for Rotherham to be part of the network of live sties during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Details of Phase 1 of the project and the benefits for Rotherham were explained.  However it was pointed out that Phase 2 arrangements were more complex and included specific obligations from each partner for the period 2009-2012 and these were set out in the report.

The risks, uncertainties, areas requiring further consideration and discussion, including legal aspects and staffing requirements, together with anticipated future financial commitment, were highlighted.

The Cabinet Member requested that consideration be given to the town’s Armistice Service held at the church and also the Mayor’s Parade being shown live on the Big Screen.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress and achievements of the project in year 2007/08 be noted.

(2)  That negotiations be entered into with LOCOG, the BBC and the ADI Group Ltd with a view to committing to Phase 1 of the ‘Live Sites’ project.

(3)  That focus be on the Cultural Olympiad Celebratory Event, rather than the Handover Event.

(4)  That the indicative detail of Phase 2 of the project be noted at this stage and a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member.

(5) That the suggestions of the Cabinet Member, as noted above, be investigated.

Phil Turnidge, Local Development Framework Manager, to report.

-           to consider the proposed consultation.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Planner, relating to BT’s proposal to remove various public call boxes throughout the Borough as part of a national programme to remove unviable public call boxes.

It was explained that procedures laid down by Ofcom, under the Telecommunications Act 2003, required the Council to organise consultations with local communities about the proposed removals. The consultation procedure would culminate in the Council publishing a Final Notification of the outcome of consultations detailing reasons for support or opposition to BT's proposals.  The Final Notification would be sent to BT and the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform within 90 days.  It was pointed out that BT cannot proceed to remove any call box that is the subject of objections supported by the Council in the Final Notification - known as the "local veto".

It was reported that the consultation procedure had commenced and Local Ward Members, Parish Councils and Area Assembly Managers had been invited to respond to BT's proposals for call box removals in their localities within the initial 42 day consultation period. Also the Emergency Services and Transportation Unit had been invited to comment on whether call boxes need to be retained for emergency purposes and in accident blackspots.

BT had also been asked to extend the 90 day consultation period to assist the proper analysis and publicity of responses over the summer holiday period together with details of call box cash receipts to assist assessment of their viability.

Attention was drawn to the significant unprogrammed administrative burdens on staff resources and cost implications in terms of staff time, photocopying, postage, GIS manipulations and map printing, etc.  It was explained that these costs had yet to be quantified but that there was no budget provision for this additional work which would be absorbed in the Forward Planning budget which was already under pressure from Local Development Framework preparation requirements.

The Cabinet Member reported that additional funding may be available to bid into from Local Authority Business Growth Initiative (LABGI).

It was noted that the Council’s Scrutiny Section was undertaking a review of the Post Office closure programme.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the actions taken to instigate the consultation procedure be noted and endorsed.

(2)                   That in the light of the outcome of the consultation process, the Final Notification be reported to the Cabinet Member for approval prior to forwarding to BT and the Secretary of State within the 90 day "local veto" period.

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management to report.

-           to consider the receipt of the application.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Property Manager, relating to receipt of an application received by the Council, as Commons Registration Authority, from Manvers Green Residents’ Group under Section 15 of the Commons Act 2006, in respect of land jointly owned by the Council and Gladedale (South Yorkshire) Ltd in Wath upon Dearne,

Plans distributed at the meeting illustrated the area of land in question and highlighted the areas owned by the Council.

The report detailed the functions of the Council, as Commons Registration Authority; the effect of registration; and the right of those with an interest in the land to object to registration.

Reference was made to the evidence which had been provided and it was reported that it was considered worthy of the Council raising an objection.

It was confirmed that the land was urban green space and not designated as green belt.

Reference was made to the anticipated costs involved.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the submission of an objection to the registration of the land as a village green, as now shown on the plans now submitted.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member regarding the outcome of this application.