Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group held on 17^th October, 2008.

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

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of Clifton Park Restoration Project Board held on 27th October, 2008.

Resolved:-  That the minutes be received.

-           to receive the minutes.

The following report was submitted:-

Tourism Panel

5th November, 2008

Consideration was given to a petition which was submitted to the meeting of the Wentworth South Area Assembly at its meeting held on 13^th October, 2008, relating to controlled access to Schoolfield Drive from RosehillPark, Rawmarsh.

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

(2)  That the Director of Planning and Regeneration investigate the issue raised and submit a report to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member.

-           to note the opening of the tenders.

Resolved:-  That the action of the Cabinet Member, in opening tenders on 12^th November for the Transport of Children and Young People and Vulnerable Adults, be recorded.

Carolyn Barber, Ecology Development Officer

-           to summarise the development of the Rotherham Local Wildlife Site system and recommend the adoption and implementation of the system.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Ecology Development Officer, summarising the development of the Rotherham Local Wildlife Site system.

The initial 96 candidate sites were listed and illustrated in the accompanying appendices to the report.

Consideration was given to the adoption and implementation of the system, noting that this would enable its integration into a range of planning and performance frameworks now requiring biodiversity evidence.

It was reported that the management of local sites was now to be monitored as national indicator (N! 197 Improved Local Biodiversity) within the new performance framework for local government via the Local Area Agreement.  Also the system would be integrated in the planning regime via preparation of a Supplementary Planning Document within the Local Development Framework delivery process.

It was pointed out that the system had been developed to allow continuous site assessment.  However, attention was drawn to the resource implications to undertake survey and monitoring work.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Rotherham Local Wildlife Site and the initial 96 identified sites be accepted as Local Wildlife Sites be endorsed insofar as the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development is concerned

(2)  That the Cabinet be asked to consider recommending to Council that:-

(i)  the Rotherham Local Wildlife Site system be adopted and implemented, and the initial 96 identified sites be accepted as Local Wildlife Sites.

(ii) the integration of the Local Wildlife Site system into the planning framework and into relevant performance monitoring systems be approved and implemented.

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to identify recommended traders to whom licences would be issued for the purpose of siting a mobile catering unit in the town centre for the period 1^st January, to 31^st March, 2009.

Further to Minute No. 33 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 16^th August, 2008, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Town Centre Manager, detailing the recommended traders to whom licences would be issued for the purpose of siting a mobile catering unit in the town centre for the period 1^st January to 31^st March, 2009.

Consideration was given to the five applications received.

It was also reported that the proposed public realm works to the fountain at Market Square had been delayed and would not therefore interrupt the forthcoming licence period.

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 January to 31^st March, 2009:-

-                      Messrs M. and C.

-                      Ms. C. (Saturdays only)

(2)  That the two applications submitted by Mrs. H. be refused for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted.

Greg Lindley, Partnership Implementation Manager, and Stephen Smith, Assistant Development Co-ordinator, to report.

-           to seek approval to undertake work for the removal of this bridge.

Further to Minute No.  23 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services held on 2^nd June, 2008, consideration was given to a report presented by the Partnership Implementation Officer, detailing proposals for the bridge removal.

The report detailed the following:-

-                      Proposal details

-                      Re-use of the bridge components

-                      A budget cost

An outline design proposal was presented which incorporated components of the existing bridge as part of the reconstruction of the riverside wall at the points where the bridge will be taken out.

The report also detailed highway consideration that had been highlighted and three options in respect of pedestrian, cyclist and traffic management during the works were considered.

Details of the finance allocated, together with further requirements, were also set out in the submitted report, noting that an application had been made for funding from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF).

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given for work to be undertaken in respect of the removal of the Don Bridge/Old Grafton Bridge  including:-

(i)                   Process for ListedBuilding consent for demolition

(ii)                 Highways procedures

(iii)                Planning application

(iv)                Design and Construction contract

(v)                 Continued consultation

(2)  That the application to the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) for match funding be noted (Minute No. 139 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services refers).

(3)  That option 1A, as detailed in the report now submitted, be pursued to assist pedestrians.

(4)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member on final budget costs and proposal details.

Chris Majer, Economic Strategy Officer, to report.

-           to seek RERF funding allocation.

Further to Minute No. 138 above consideration was given to a report, presented by the Partnership Implementation Officer, seeking approval for the allocation of £140,000 of Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) capital to the Flood Alleviation Scheme to support the match funding from the Environment Agency Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee funding for the removal of Don Bridge.

It was confirmed that the request had been assessed and scored successfully against the approved criteria.

Resolved:-    That  £140,000 of Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) capital be approved to match fund Environment Agency – Regional Flood Defence Committee funds for the removal of Don Bridge.

Charles Hammersley, Project Officer, to report.

-           to consider amendment to the draft strategy, and approve the statutory public consultation.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Townscape Heritage Initiative Project Officer, relating to the appointment of Gillespies, urban designers, in March 2007 to prepare a draft Public Realm Strategy to bring about transformational change to the image and identity of public spaces in Rotherham Town Centre.

It was reported that the draft strategy went out to public consultation during April and May 2008, and over 200 comments were received.

Details of the assessment of those comments were set out in the appendix to the submitted report and these would be incorporated into the final document.

It was reported that it was now intended to adopt the Public Realm Strategy as a Supplementary Planning Document and therefore a sustainability appraisal was needed and this would be done by WSP.  An application to fund this work had been made to Yorkshire Forward.  This process would require a further two rounds of public consultation.

Resolved:-   (1) That the Draft Public Realm Strategy be amended to incorporate the ‘Recommended Changes’ stated in the schedule Appendix A attached to the submitted report.

(2)  That the statutory public consultation required as part of the Sustainability Appraisal process be approved.

(3)  That following the Sustainability Appraisal a further report be presented to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development for consideration.

(4)  That following (1) above, the matter be presented to Planning Board and to the Area Assemblies for information only.