Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  (1)  That the attendance of the Council on other Bodies be as follows:-

Decent Homes Partnership                           2 reps. from Sustainable Communities

                                                                        Scrutiny Panel

Rotherham Licence Watch Steering Group  Councillor Wootton

                                                                        (Chair of Licensing Board)

Rotherham Rent Bond Guarantee                 Councillor Akhtar

Scheme                                                           1 rep. from Sustainable Communities

                                                                        Scrutiny Panel

Rush House Management Committee          1 rep. from Sustainable Communities

                                                                        Scrutiny Panel

Social Concerns Committee Churches         1 rep. from Sustainable Communities

Together                                                         Scrutiny Panel

South Yorkshire Trading Standards               Councillors Akhtar and Jack

Executive Committee

South Yorkshire Trading Standards               2 reps. from Sustainable Communities

Sub-Group                                                       Scrutiny Panel

National Society for Clean Air and                 4 reps. from Sustainable Communities

Environmental Protection – Yorkshire           Scrutiny Panel

and Humberside Division                                Councillor Wyatt

Women’s Refuge                                            1 rep. from Sustainable Communities

                                                                        Scrutiny Panel

Transform South Yorkshire Board                 Councillor Akhtar

(2)  That the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel be requested to nominate representation to those indicated above.

In accordance with Minute No. 157 of 2^nd March, 2009, the Director of Independent Living submitted a progress report on the above review detailing the findings to date, emerging proposals and recommendation relating to future use.

The review findings to date highlighted that the use of the centres, revenue expenditure and investment required in each centre varied significantly.  Initial findings and recommendations relating to each of the centres were provided in an overview which was attached as Appendix 1 of the report submitted, the details included:-

-           Centre location

-           Ward

-           The facilities available within each centre

-           Condition of the centre

-           Service requirements/usage

-           Risks

-           Rental income, expenditure and the payback period

-           Costs to improve to ensure ‘fit for purpose’ and DDA compliance

-           Initial community comments/concerns/aspirations

-           Other community facilities located within the neighbourhood

63% of all Ward Members, or at least 1 Ward member within each Ward, had attended meetings with the Neighbourhood Centres Manager and Neighbourhood Investment Services to discuss and develop initial recommendations and assess the potential impact of the review findings for each Centre within their Ward.  The issues raised included:-

o                   The importance of the Centres in preventing isolation and social exclusion

o                   Loss of laundry as some bungalows could not accommodate independent washing facilities: in addition reduction of Borough-wide Laundry Service

o                   Further loss of services for aged persons following changes to Meals of Wheels Service, Laundry Service etc.

o                   The rental income exceeded the expenditure on the majority of centres and no visible or recent investment or ringfencing of monies was apparent

o                   Misuse of Centres by Council and 2010 Ltd. operatives

o                   The need to explore the potential to opt out of the charge and service

o                   Support for increased use e.g. NHS locality based services and Safer Neighbourhood Teams

o                   Sensitive letting of void flats and accommodation attached to Centres

Based upon the identified use, investment requirements, revenue expenditure and proximity to other communal facilities, initial recommendations were as follows:-

§                     46 Centres (79%) to be retained and their use maximised – they would be programmed for essential repairs and improvements as per the indicative 15 year investment programme attached at Appendix 2

§                     5 Centres (9%) needed further investigation to determine options for alternative use -

§                     7 Centres (12%) required more detailed consultation to inform recommendations due to the potential for decommissioning – consultation to take place in July

Discussion ensued on the report covering:-

·                    Right to Buy

·                    Implications for sheltered accommodation without communal facilities

·                    Use of decommissioned Centres

·                    Potential of “opt outs”

·                    Funding for refurbishment

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress of the review to date be noted.

(2)  That it be noted that the 4 indoor schemes were to be reviewed separately with a report submitted at a later date.

(3)  That the report be referred to the Cabinet Members for Adult, Social Care and Health and Economic Development, Planning and Transportation.

(4)  That an all Member Seminar be held  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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 I 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 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 I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

The Director of Independent Living reported receipt of a petition on 24^th April, 2009, from residents living within the Francis Howlett Sheltered Housing Scheme expressing concern that the Relief Warden previously covering the Scheme had been removed and placed elsewhere due to an incident with a resident.

A letter had been sent to the lead petitioner on 27^th April explaining the situation as well as a visit by the Independent Support Manager to explain the role of a Relief Warden.  The view of the lead petitioner was that the residents would prefer to have a dedicated Warden on site to ensure consistency and so that they felt safe and knew who would be visiting them on a daily basis.

The report set out the current position together with the reference to the recent review of the Warden Service/Independent Support Service.   Consultation on the proposed changes had yet to commence with residents as the final proposals had yet to be submitted to the Cabinet Member.

The Independent Support Manager would continue to keep in regular contact with the lead petitioner.

Resolved:-  That the report and action taken be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on issues that had arisen following the completion of the roll out of the alternate week bin collection and the enforcement options available.

There were a number of occupiers that persisted in leaving excess waste at the side or on top of their bin or the bin in the street for unreasonable periods after it had been emptied.  Despite considerable efforts to inform and advise occupiers on how to manage their waste, the problems still continued. 

It was proposed that the current practice of informing and educating occupiers as to what they should do with their waste and removal of their wheeled bin following emptying on collection day be continued.  It was also proposed to use legal powers contained within the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Highways Act 1980 to deal with occupiers who persistently disregarded such advice and assistance.

Discussion ensued on the proposal.  It was felt that where there were problems, contact be made with Streetpride and that attempts be made to resolve the problems informally in the first instance without recourse to enforcement action.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed compliance procedures, as amended above, including the use of enforcement powers, to deal with persistent problems of waste being left at the side and on top of wheeled bins and empty bins being left in the street for unreasonable periods, be approved.

(2)  That, for the purposes of Fixed Penalty Notices issued under Section 47ZA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a statutory default penalty (currently £100) be approved.

(3)  That the proposed compliance procedures be publicised through Rotherham News and the media.

(4)  That Cabinet be requested to recommend to Council the following delegations:-

(i)         The Safety Neighbourhood Manager be authorised to issue Section 46 Environmental Protection Act 1990 Notices and to authorise prosecutions for offences under Section 46 of the 1990 Act and Section 137(1) of the Highways Act 1980.

(ii)         That Officers of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services be authorised to conduct interviews under caution, the power to investigate offences under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and, on behalf of the Council in its capacity as the local highway authority, offences under Section 137(1) of the Highways Act 1980.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual)

It was noted that a meeting of a Complaints Panel held been held on 9th June, 2009, comprising Councillors Atkin (in the Chair), J. Hamilton and Pickering.  The Panel heard a complaint received from Mrs. F. relating to her request for her property to be extended to include a second bedroom and for the Ward Service to be removed from her tenancy.

The Panel had not upheld the complaints.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Panel’s findings be noted.

(2)  That the Director of Independent Living review the designation of the properties concerned.

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals)

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual)

It was noted that an Appeals Panel had been held on 11th June, 2009, comprising Councillors Atkin (in the Chair), Havenhand and F. Wright, to review a decision to terminate an Introductory Tenancy.

The Panel had confirmed the decision made on 11th May, 2009.

Resolved:-  That the Panel's decision be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act - information likely to reveal the identity of an individual)