Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Clifton Park Restoration Project Board held on 15^th December, 2008.

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

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Play Pathfinder Project Board held on 15^th December, 2008.

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

Phil Rogers, Director of Culture and Leisure, to report.

-           to seek approval to the setting up of a Project Board to oversee Rotherham’s response to 2012.

Consideration was given to a report, submitted by the Director of Culture and Leisure Services, relating to the setting up of a Project Board to oversee Rotherham’s response to Olympics 2012.

It was explained that this Board would have a broad overview of Olympic related activity in the Borough and would have a central point of reference of potential activities.

It was also suggested that this Board be Chaired by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Development Services and include the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, together with a third Elected Member (invited at the discretion of the Chair). Officer support for the Board would be led by the Director of Culture and Leisure Services and operational activity would be led by two Officer working groups, one concentrating on Sport, and the other on Culture, with interested and relevant organisations being asked to nominate suitable representatives.

It was pointed out that these arrangements would also include the Paralympics.

Those present contributed to the debate about other Elected Member representation and the involvement of other organisations.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a Project Board be set up, as detailed in the submitted report, to oversee Rotherham’s Olympic response.

(2)  That the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services confirms the third Elected Member and representation of other organisations as and when required.

Andy Duncan, Strategic Policy Team Leader, to report.

-           to seek endorsement of the Council’s consultation response.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Strategic Policy Team Leader, detailing the Council’s proposed responses to the consultation on Spatial Options for housing growth, as part of the 2009 Update to the Regional Spatial Strategy, which the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly were consulting on.

The main issues of interest for the Council were:-

-                      the suggested level of housing growth for Yorkshire and the Humber

-                      4 spatial options re: distribution of the higher housing growth

-                      awarding of Growth Point status to South Yorkshire

The proposed response to the review and consultation was set out in the appendix accompanying the report.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed response to the Spatial Options consultation, as now reported, be endorsed insofar as the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services is concerned.

(2)  That the report be forwarded to Cabinet for information.

Geof Link, Enterprise Manager, to report.

-           to consider the request for RERF funding.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Enterprise Manager, detailing a request for funding from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund to provide continuity of business adviser support to RiDO’s business incubation centres: Century Business Centre; Moorgate Crofts Business Centre; Fusion@Magna Business Centre and Matrix@dinnington Business Centre.

The reasons for the request were fully explained. 

Reference was made to:-

-                      the change of provision from Business Link

-                      the current economic climate

-                      anticipated increased need for advice re:  setting up self-employed

The current RERF position was confirmed.

Resolved:-  That approval be given for funding via the Rotherham Economic Development Fund in the sum of £50,000 for the period April 2009 to March 2010 to provide continuity of business adviser support to RiDO’s business incubation centres, as detailed in the report now submitted.

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to consider the final designs and the recommended process for approval/ implementation.

(Please note that copies of the Appendices to this report will be provided separately.)

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Town Centre Manager, detailing the final designs for a landscaping scheme and vinyl wrap to compliment the Big Screen in All Saints’ Square.

It was pointed out that these proposals would satisfy Condition 2 of the original planning permission.

Copies of the proposed designs and illustrations of proposed installations were provided.  It was confirmed that these reflected the results of the public art consultation carried out in 2008 which highlighted the general public’s wish to see both metal and glass incorporated into the public art to reflect the town’s history and heritage.  In terms of the wrap for the screen it was reported that students from RCAT had been involved in a design competition.

It was confirmed that funding had previously been allocated from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (Minute No. 18 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 22^nd May, 2006 refers).

Details of the proposed publicity were also reported.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the final design for the Big Screen landscaping scheme, as now presented,  be approved and implemented.

(2)  That the proposed presentation of the landscaping scheme design to Planning Board (for information purposes only) be noted.

(3)  That the proposed final design of the ‘Wrap’ and its implementation (subject to the obtainment of the necessary Advertisement Consent) be approved.

(The Cabinet Member authorised consideration of the following extra, urgent item in order to access RERF funding for the grants scheme.)

Julie Roberts, Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to consider a request for funding from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund to contributed towards the delivery of Town Centre Business Grants.

Consideration was given to an extra, urgent report, presented by the Town Centre Manager, requesting a contribution from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund to facilitate a grant scheme for Town Centre businesses.

The report detailed the objectives, eligibility (and ineligible) criteria and application process associated with the introduction of a Town Centre Business Vitality Grant Scheme, providing a package of grants to both new and existing business.

It was explained that the aims of the project were:-

-                      to increase the quality and diversity of the retail offer

-                      to reducing the number of vacant retail units

-                      to provide assistance to both new and existing businesses

-                      to enhance the quality of the shop frontages and the street scene

-                      to support the wider Renaissance agenda

-                      to strengthen the quality of the street café culture

The project was also supported by funding of £200,000 from the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) which had been endorsed and agreed with the Chamber of Commerce, Town Centre Strategy Group, Corporate Management Team and the Cabinet.

A full explanation of the following aspects of the scheme, was given:-

-                      Scheme A – Rental Contribution Grant (eligibility and repayment of grant details)

-                      Scheme B – Capital Grant Schemes (including Shop front improvements;  fitting out costs;   street café improvements)

A chart, set out within the submitted report, detailed the funding arrangements.

Attention was drawn to the risks and uncertainties associated with the funding application.

Resolved:-  That revenue funding to the value of £225,000 capital and £30,000 revenue be allocated from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund to contribute towards the delivery of Town Centre Business Grants.

(The Cabinet Member authorised consideration of the following item in order that places for Elected Members could be reserved)

Consideration was given to attendance at the following:-

TRA – Securing Community and Infrastructure Funding through Planning Agreements and related mechanisms – 2 Day Workshop – 12^th March to 13^th March, 2009, Madingley Hall, Cambridge

Resolved:-  That attendance be approved (2 or 3 places), and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services finalise who the delegates would be.