Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Minute No. 137 of 5^th January, 2009, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report detailing progress and current performance.

The performance framework was now in place with the Council’s Community Protection Manager receiving monthly updates of ASB performance from the Community Intelligence Unit and 2010 Rotherham Ltd.  At the present time Framework data is captured from:-

South Yorkshire Police CMS  (recorded crime data)

SYP Procad (recorded incident data – ASB)

RMBC Siebel (Streetpride reports)

RMBC Flare (Environmental Services reports)

RMBC Anite (2010 Ltd. ASB reports)

SYFRS MIS (primary and secondary arson incidents)

This enabled the Council to have an up-to-date Borough-wide picture of how it was performing in addressing the problem of ASB enabling improved operational planning and activity.  Further development work was required to establish targets and to ensure the ability of a tactical review group within the SNP arrangements to analyse performance at a SNT level.  Further consolidation of the collation of data and effectiveness of the use of tools and powers across partners needed to be in place and was planned before September, 2009.

Sitting above the new Framework was the Safer Rotherham Partnership Performance Management Framework which was based on good practice within Neighbourhoods and Adult Services.  There would be a clear emphasis on accountability, robust action planning and monthly reporting which focused on delivering against the SRB’s agreed targets.  The SPR performance summary was reported in monthly and quarterly returns.

Performance clinics had allowed the SRP to focus on improvement to national and local standards and delivering against the SRP’s priorities identified through the JSIA.  The performance clinic regime had delivered a number of outcomes over the last 12 months although it was acknowledged that there was more progress to make in reducing crime and the fear of crime.

Appendices 1 and 2 of the report submitted showed the recent performance information.  The overall trend from the SYP data was a significant reduction in ASB incidents year on year.

Discussion ensued on the public’s perception of crime and the need to communicate the improvement in the reduction of crime.  A meeting was to be convened with South Yorkshire Police where it would be emphasised that communication and perception of crime had once again been prioritised by the Council. 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the establishment of the Anti-Social Behaviour Performance Framework be supported.

(2)  That the improvements made in addressing anti-social behaviour in Rotherham, as shown in Appendix 1, be noted.

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))

Further to Minute No. 16 of 15^th June, 2009, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report regarding the current financial situation of the IHSP.  The Interim Director of Property Services, 2010 Rotherham Ltd. presented an accompanying report setting out proposals for a significant restructuring of its workforce.

Appended to the report was a timetable for completion of the restructuring programme

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the intention of 2010 Rotherham Ltd. to significantly restructure its workforce be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any 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))

In accordance with Minute No. 116 of 24^th November, 2008, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted the proposed Decent Homes Environmental Work Programme for consideration.

The report set out the rationale behind the development of the proposed programme of activity, detailed the consultation undertaken to date to support programme development and identified the proposed individual schemes to be prioritised and funded.  Working with RMBC Neighbourhood Investment Service, the schemes had been prioritised against the Environmental Programme Strategy objectives and categorised into 4 categories with Category 1 being the highest.  Funding had been prioritised to schemes which fell within Categories 1-3 and fit with the Environmental Strategy.

Key issues for specific consideration included consultation and programme development and private sector properties.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report and the proposed programme of work and associated costs and fees be noted.

(2)  That support for the proposed programme of work, subject to completion of the following mitigating actions be supported:-

(a) to ensure joint working and value for money, a Service Level Agreement be drawn up with the Council and 2010 Rotherham Ltd. to ensure clarity of charges to be made and services to be provided;

(b)  submission of the level of cost and fees applied to the scheme proposals post-tender;

(c)  submission of a report post-tender containing the final costs on the work programme and communication strategy and

(d)  a clear programme of communication to those areas which would either benefit from or miss out on this programme of improvement.

(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 an update on the identification and development of a gypsy and traveller site in Rotherham.

The report set out:-

-        HCA Gypsy and Traveller sites Grant 2008-2011 resource framework together with regional funding allocations

-        Identified the resources necessary to make a Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant bid and Registered Social Landlord developer and on-site manager

-        Described progress on proposing a potential social rent site

-        Identified next steps subject to Council supporting delivery of a site

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made in identifying and progressing the development of a Gypsy and Traveller social rent site be noted.

(2)  That a report be submitted to Cabinet covering:-

(i)  sites identified as options for delivering Gypsy and Traveller Social Rented Accommodation

(ii)  the proposed delivery and management arrangements

(iii)  a bid to the HCA for grant funding up to the value of £1.225M.

(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)

In accordance with Minute No. 18 of 16^th June, 2008, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report highlighting actions taken to date and proposed actions to bring to light individuals causing harassment, alarm and distress to vulnerable elderly residents.

The anti-social behaviour issues raised by the petitioners had been addressed by the Rotherham South Safer Neighbourhood Team.  RMBC Officers had worked closely with partners within the Team in particular South Yorkshire Police and 2010.  Visibility in the area had been increased including regular Police patrols.

The Neighbourhood Team would continue to pay the area attention as well as monitoring by the Safer Neighbourhood Team and the social landlord. 

Resolved:-  That the actions taken be welcomed and the partnership work that had taken place to resolve the issue acknowledged.

(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)

In accordance with Minute No. 119 of 24^th November, 2008, the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report highlighting actions taken to date and proposed actions to effectively deal with perpetrators and to provide beneficial outcomes for the victims.

Following on from the interventions reported previously, RMBC Community Protection Officers had undertaken a number of actions against the perpetrators.  However, the perpetrators had continued to cause anti-social behaviour.

The area had been identified as a hotspot by the Wentworth Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team and would continue to be monitored.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the actions taken be noted and the partnership work that had taken place acknowledged.

(2)  That a further progress report be submitted in due course.

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

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

Mike Shaw, Finance Manager, Neighbourhood and Adult Services, submitted a report setting out details of the proposed Housing Investment Programme for 2009/10 and the resources to support the Programme.

The Programme was split between schemes managed by 2010 Rotherham Ltd. and those managed by the Council.  It was proposed that the Programme managed by 2010 should total £63.201M and the Council Programme £13.134M.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That a HIP Programme of £76.335M be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any 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 Finance Manager submitted a report showing that the HRA’s financial outturn position for 2008/09 was a deficit of £0.287M.  The report summarised the key income and expenditure variances from the budget. 

Appendix 1 of the report submitted was the HRA’s section of the Council’s 2008/09 Statement of Accounts showing the income and expenditure account, movement on HRA balances and more detailed notes. 

Discussion ensued on the report and the need to annually review the HRA business plan.

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any 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))

Consideration was given to a report presented by Mike Shaw, Finance Manager, which detailed the income, expenditure and net position for the Neighbourhoods Department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate compared to the profiled budgets for the period ending 31^st July, 2009.  It also included the projected year end outturn position which currently showed a balanced budget by the end of March, 2010, prior to any management actions which may be implemented following the current review of the Independent Support Service.

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

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any 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 Independent Living submitted the circumstances of an adaptation request for an extension.

4 tenders were received, in accordance with Standing Orders, with a further tender for a modular building sought.  However, due to the limited time and the customer’s deteriorating condition, several site visits were undertaken to modular building suppliers.  A written tender had been received following a positive site visit which was considered alongside the 4 tenders for the standard single brick built extensions.

Internal audit had pointed out that the quotation should not have been accepted without approval to waive Standing Order 47.6.2.

The supplier of the modular building was now the Council’s preferred partner to provide such.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the waiving of Standing Order 47.6.2 be approved.

(2)  That the actions implemented by the Adaptation Team to ensure future compliance with Standing Orders be noted.

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