Agenda and minutes

The Former Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation from May 2009 to July, 2010. - Monday 16 November 2009 10.30 a.m.

Venue: Training Room, 3rd Floor, Bailey House, Rawmarsh Road, ROTHERHAM.

Items
No. Item

80.

Minutes of a meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel held on 16th October, 2009 pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Minutes:

The following report was submitted:-

 

 

Health, Welfare and Safety Panel

16th October, 2009

 

Present:-  Councillor R. S. Russell (in the Chair); Councillors Dodson, Nightingale, Swift and Wootton. and Mrs. S. D. Brook (NASUWT), Mr. J. W. Clay (ATL), Mrs. J. Adams (NUT), Mrs. C. Maleham (UNISON), Mr. K. Moore (UNITE), Mr. M. Eyre (GMB) and Mr. P. Waterworth (UNSION).

 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. A. Russell,Sharman, Smith, Walker and Whelbourn and from Mr. C. Booth (GMB) and Mr. P. Scholey (UNISON).

 

G80(9) 

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th July, 2009

 

 

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel, held on 10th July, 2009, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

 

G80(10) 

Health and Safety Bulletin

 

 

Consideration was given to the Health and Safety Bulletin, containing recent articles and reports of legal cases relating to health and safety.

 

The following items were highlighted:-

 

-     matters of interest from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE asbestos campaign (ruling of Advertising Standards Authority); health and safety in schools);

-     myth of the Month (wearing school ties; use of ear plugs at music concerts; health and safety at village fetes);

-     recent Court Cases.

 

Resolved:- That the Principal Health and Safety Officer distribute copies of the bulletin throughout the Authority and also publish the bulletin on the Council’s Intranet web site.

 

G80(11)    

Health, Welfare and Safety - Overview of Initiatives and Procedures

 

 

The Panel considered a report, presented by the Senior Health and Safety Officer, summarising issues dealt with by the Emergency and Safety Team since the last Panel meeting :-

 

- asbestos in school buildings;

 

- demolition of warehouse at Thrybergh;

 

- paddling pool at Clifton Park and e coli;

 

- delivery vehicles at Greasbrough Road depot;

 

- Rinnai 556 model range heaters – safety notice.

 

The Health, Welfare and Safety Panel received a copy of a briefing paper from the Senior Emergency and Safety Team meeting which had taken place on Thursday, 15th October, 2009.

 

The Panel also welcomed the recent improvement works at Habershon House, Filey.

 

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

 

G80(12)    

Statistics of Accidents, Injuries and Incidents of Violence to Employees

 

 

The Senior Health and Safety Officer presented the graphs and statistics which illustrated the following details:-

 

(i) Incident totals for Borough Council Employees - January 2008 to August 2009 – including a breakdown for Children and Young Peoples’ Services, Neighbourhood and Adult Services, Economic and Development Services, Corporate (including RBT) and Finance;

 

(ii) Violence to Borough Council staff - January 2008 to August 2009; and

 

(iii) Incidents involving members of the public, pupils/work placements/schemes and other – January 2008 to August 2009.

 

Discussion took place on the possible under-reporting of incidents of violence to the Council’s employees, including teachers and non-teaching staff in schools. It was agreed that there should be further publicity and awareness-raising amongst employees, to ensure familiarity with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

81.

Minutes of a meeting of the Members' Sustainable Development Advisory Group held on 30th October, 2009 pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Members’ Sustainable Development Advisory Group held on 30th October, 2009.

 

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

82.

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings) of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 is requested, as this report deals with advice from Counsel in relation to judicial review proceedings in respect of the Rotherham Town Centre Interim Planning Statement (adopted 13 October, 2008).  It is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption would outweigh the pubic interest in disclosing the information, as the proceedings could be prejudiced by disclosure of Counsel’s advice).

Minutes:

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 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings).  It is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption would outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information, as the proceedings could be prejudiced by disclosure of Counsel’s advice.

83.

Rotherham Town Centre IPS

Ken MacDonald, Solicitor, to report.

-           to consider withdrawing the Rotherham Town Centre Interim Planning Statement adopted on 13 October, 2008.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Solicitor, detailing advice from Counsel in relation to judicial review proceedings in respect of the Rotherham Town Centre Interim Planning Statement, adopted 13th October, 2008.

 

The Service Solicitor for Environment and Development Services, and the Solicitor, Contentious Team, explained the background to this issue.  Further information was provided by the Senior Planner.

 

Attention was drawn to:-

 

-                      written advice from Counsel regarding the best options open to the Council

-                      implications for making planning decisions and for the Local Development Framework

-                      risks and uncertainties

-                      possible cost implications

 

Resolved:-  That Counsel’s advice be noted and the Assistant Chief Executive, Legal and Democratic Services, be authorised to take all necessary steps to conclude the proceedings.