Agenda and minutes

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report the results of the investigation into a request for a pedestrian crossing on the A631 West Bawtry Road, Canklow.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, detailing the results of the investigation into a request for a pedestrian crossing on the A631 West Bawtry Road, Canklow

Reference was made to:-

-                      the origin of the request

-                      current criteria, methodology and adjustment factors (as shown in Appendix A attached to the report)

-                      assessment results for this location which indicated that a pedestrian crossing at this location could not currently be justified

-                      locations of existing crossing facilities

-                      strategic function of the route

It was also reported that the Transportation Unit were currently re-examining the pedestrian crossing assessment method, and that should the review lead to a change in the assessment method it was intended that all requests for pedestrian crossings made in the last 18 months or so would be re-assessed in accordance with any revised criteria.

It was explained that as the request for a crossing did not meet the current criteria no costs had been considered.  However because of the nature of the road any controlled crossing in this vicinity would be relatively expensive to provide and would have to be prioritised in the highways capital programme.

Those present debated:-

-                      concerns about vehicle speeds on this route

-                      volume of traffic

-                      possibility of a mobile speed camera

-                      criteria not taking account of accidents

-                      the fact that the provision of a crossing may make it easier to cross but not necessarily safer

-                      priority of pedestrians and their safety 

Resolved:-  (1)  That, due to the site not meeting the Council’s current criteria for the provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing as set out in the Pedestrian Crossing Assessment Method as per Minute 182 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on 6 February 2006, a controlled crossing not be installed on the A631 West Bawtry Road, Canklow.

(2)  That the Rotherham South Area Assembly be informed of the results of the investigation and the reasons for the decision.

(3)               That it be noted that the pedestrian crossings assessment criteria and approach are being reviewed in light of the changes in policy emphasis and national and local transport plan objectives. This will be the subject of a future report to Cabinet Member once the review has been undertaken.

(4)  That consideration be given to measures to reduce vehicle speeds on this route and the use of a mobile speed camera be discussed with the South Yorkshire Safety Camera Partnership, and a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member.

Mike Shires, Implementation Manager, to report.

-           to consider RERF funding.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Implementation Manager, relating to a proposal, as part of the Westgate Demonstrator, to develop the void under the “deck of cards” public realm works as an undercroft car park.

It was confirmed that early design work had shown that the use of this space as car parking for 50 vehicles was technically feasible.

Details of the estimated cost of this proposal were set out in the report and approval was sought to ring fence part of the revenue stream created by this windfall development for ongoing maintenance/management of the car park and the surrounding public realm. It was estimated that the income from the car park would be £50,000 per annum.

It was reported that Yorkshire Forward funding was only available for the public realm works and therefore consideration was given to a request for funding from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund budget.

It was confirmed that there was sufficient funding in the RERF Capital budget to meet this request.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to funding the car park element of the Weirside development from the 2009 RERF Capital budget.

(2)  That approval is given to use part of the future revenue stream from car parking for ongoing maintenance of the car park and surrounding public realm.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)):-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (financial/business affairs).  It was considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption would outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information, as the enterprise’s commercial interests could be prejudiced by disclosure of commercially sensitive information.

Julie Roberts, Town Centre and Markets Manager, to report.

-           to consider the application for grant.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Town Centre and Markets Manager, seeking approval to award Rental Contribution and Capital Grant, under the Town Centre Business Vitality Scheme, to support a project relating to the opening of a jewellery, accessories and clothing outlet in Unit 12 Imperial Buildings, Rotherham.

It was confirmed that the application had been considered by the Applications Panel and that the application satisfied the eligibility criteria of the Scheme.

Reference was made to:-

-                      the type of business being proposed and its contribution to the town centre retail offer

-                      applicant’s previous experience

-                      quality of the submitted business plan

-                      impact of the proposed trade name

Resolved:-  (1)  That Rental Contribution be awarded to this project to provide a contribution of 50% of annual rent in year one and 25% of annual rental in year two.

(2)  That a Capital Improvement Grant be awarded to this project to cover 75% of total cost of eligible works (excluding vat), up to a maximum grant payment of £7,500 in respect of fitting out and shop front sign writing.