Agenda and minutes

-           to note the content and receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group held on 19^th June, 2009.

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

-           to note the contents and receive the minutes.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the RMBC Transport Liaison Panel held on 22^nd June, 2009.

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

-           to note the contents of the attached report.

Further to Minute No. 21 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods held on 29^th June, 2009, consideration was given to a report relating to an overview of the 58 neighbourhood centres attached to sheltered housing schemes.

The report detailed the review findings together with emerging proposals and recommendations relating to future use.  A full summary including site location maps, investment requirements and other financial information was attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

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

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to inform the Cabinet Member of a proposal to provide a recommended cycling route on Fitzwilliam Street to link the north of Wath to Wath Town centre.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, which detailed a proposal to provide a recommended cycling route on Fitzwilliam Street to link the north of Wath to Wath town centre and to the Trans Pennine Trail.

The proposal was illustrated on Drawing No. 122/U458 which accompanied the report.

It was explained that the proposal was part of the Council’s commitment to improve accessibility within the Dearne Valley and improve health by encouraging cyclists of all abilities to access leisure and employment facilities in the Wath area.

The proposal would be supported by a leaflet drop to all residents of Fitzwilliam Street asking that wherever possible they park their vehicles off the highway in order to provide a route for cyclists.  Schools would also be contacted.

Details of the engineering works associated with the introduction of the cycle route were set out in the report.

It was confirmed that the cost of the works would be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme 2009/2010.

Reference was made to the consultation undertaken and it was reported that no objections had been received.

Members presented commented on:-

-                      Maintenance and repainting of road markings

-                      Average traffic speeds at specific locations e.g. Treeton spine road

-                      National legislation regarding signing of speed limits

-                      Monitoring of the use of cycle routes and lanes

-                      Cycling in pedestrianised areas

-                      Doncaster Road cycle lane

-                      The differences between a cycle lane and a cycle way

Resolved:-  (1) That the results of the consultation exercise be noted.

(2)  That authority be given for the detailed design to be carried out and for the scheme to be implemented.

(3) That the scheme be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Programme for 2009/2010.

(4) That the issues raised by the Members in discussion be noted.

(5) That a post implementation report be submitted to a future meeting regarding the Doncaster Road, East Dene, cycle lane and other improvements.

Ryan Shepherd, Senior Planner, to report.

-           to consider a response to consultation draft PPS4.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Planner, which set out a draft response to the Government’s consultation on:-

(i)                   new Planning Policy Statement 4 ‘Planning for prosperous economies’

(ii)                 an accompanying good practice guide on assessing need, impact, and the sequential approach.

The proposed response to the above consultations were set out in Appendix A and B respectively, attached to the report.

Attention was drawn to the key changes in relation to PPS4, the details of which were set out in the submitted report.  It was noted that the Good Practice guide provided more detailed advice in respect of the key elements of the draft PPS4 relating to town centre uses.

Members present commented on and discussed:-

-                      how to enforce the parking standard

-                      lack of public transport services to centres of employment

-                      present trend to reduce driveway areas of houses to increase density and using garages for general storage with the effect that more cars were parking on the highway

-                      conflicting Government policies e.g. promote public transport and reduce car use; car trade in scheme to support car manufacturing;  agendas relating to climate change, social inclusion and health

-                      car use by staff for Council business

-                      Local Development Framework preparation

-                      resources

-                      Regional Planning Guidance re:  employment land targets

Resolved:-  That the content of the report be noted and submission of the proposed response as the Council’s reply to these consultation documents be approved.

Geoff Link, Enterprise Manager, to report.

-           to report on the grants and loans scheme for Rotherham.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Enterprise Manager, relating to providing funding to support pre-starts and small businesses by way of a package of grants and loans granted in trust to RMBC/RiDO by UK Steel Enterprises Ltd.

It was explained that £90,000 would be made available and this would be allocated as follows:-

(i)         £40,000 for grants to pre-starts

(ii)         £50,000 for loans to be made available to early stage businesses

Details of the 2 parts to the scheme were set out in the report.

The criteria for each part of the scheme was explained, together with the decision making process noting that the grant applications would be considered by a small panel with final approval being given by the RiDO Business Development manager.  The loans scheme applications would be checked by RiDO and referred to Donbac, which was a registered Enterprise Agency and Loan Fund provider.

It was pointed out that UK Steel Enterprise would wish the grant to be used for the benefit of ex-employees of Corus and other parts of the steel industry, or others looking to start a business in the Rotherham area.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the proposals to provide local small businesses and start-ups with grants and loans to help them with their business start-up and development, with a particular reference to ex-Corus employees and their families.

(2)  That a further report be submitted to this meeting in due course detailing the take up of the grants and loans.