Agenda and minutes

To note the opening of the tenders.

Resolved:-  That the action of the Cabinet Member on 10^th November, 2009 in opening the following tenders be noted:-

-           Former Eastwood Day Centre and Land adjacent Chesterton Road, Eastwood Trading Estate

Tourism Panel

2nd November, 2009

-                      for signature by the Cabinet Member.

(See Minutes to be presented to Council 9^th December, 2009 – white book – see page 78G)

Consideration was given to the minutes of a joint meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods held on 4^th November, 2009 in respect of Land at Wadsworth Road,

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

Consideration was given to a meeting of the Transport Liaison Group held on 23^rd November, 2009.

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

Ken Wheat, Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report receipt of an objection and accede to the objection.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Traffic Officer, in respect of receipt of an objection, and other concerns, relating to a proposed amendment to a length of unrestricted parking on Hall Street in Rotherham Town centre.  Reference was made to the plan accompanying the report (Drawing No. 16/18/TT391HS2) which illustrated the proposals.

It was explained that the objection had arisen as a result of implementing the changes to the controlled parking zone in the town centre.  The details of the objection and other concerns were set out in the submitted report.

It was considered that, in view of the concerns expressed by the representatives of the mosque and that the operator of the haulage company appears to be operating satisfactorily with the waiting restrictions maintaining access to his premises, it would be prudent to leave the parking bay in its current position. The period that return is prohibited should be reduced from 3 hours to 2 hours to enable visitors to the Mosque to attend morning and afternoon prayers.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the objection be acceded to such that the area identified on the submitted plan for vehicles to park remains on the side of the road where it is currently located.

(2)        That the time period that return parking is prohibited be amended to:-  maximum stay one hour with no return within 2 hours.

David Phillips, Principal Engineer, to report.

-           to seek approval to acquire an additional parcel of land as detailed on drawing No.122/A57.51/2009CPO2.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Engineer, seeking approval to acquire an additional parcel of land, as detailed on drawing No.122/A57.51/2009CPO2, by agreement and/or if necessary by compulsory purchase order in connection with the A57 Worksop Road-Sheffield Road Improvement Scheme. 

It was explained that the land was required for the construction of the Scheme but was omitted from the schedules and plan in The Rotherham Borough Council (A57 Worksop Road-Sheffield Road Improvement M1 Junction 31 to Todwick Road Crossroads) Compulsory Purchase Order 2009 (“the CPO”).   As land cannot be added to the CPO, a supplementary order was therefore  required.  The report detailed the reasons for the need to acquire the land for the scheme as a whole.

It was explained that this matter was urgent as the necessary advertisements needed to be placed in the press by 11 a.m. today.

Resolved:-  (1)  That, in exercise of its powers under Sections 239, 240, 246, 250 & 260 Highways Act 1980 and all other enabling powers and having regard to the “Convention rights” as applied by the Human Rights Act 1998, the Council makes a Compulsory Purchase Order entitled ‘The Rotherham Borough Council (A57 Worksop Road-Sheffield Road Improvement M1 Junction 31 to Todwick Crossroads) Supplementary Compulsory Purchase Order 2009’, for the acquisition of land and interests shown on the CPO drawing No. 122/A57.51/2009CPO2 which is required for the widening of the A57 Sheffield Road/Worksop Road from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway;

(2)                    That the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to affix the Common Seal of the Council to the said Supplementary Compulsory Purchase Order;

(3)  That the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services submit the said Order to the Secretary of State;

(4)  That the Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services pursue the acquisition of land and interests by agreement wherever possible and deal with all issues of compensation for any land or interest acquired compulsorily or by agreement;

(5)  That the Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services and the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services prepare and issue all associated documents and publish and serve all necessary notices and thereafter take all necessary steps including the conduct of a Public Inquiry to obtain the confirmation of the Supplementary Compulsory Purchase Order by the Secretary of State;

(6) That the Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services approve any modification to the Compulsory Purchase Order (including deletion of any land therefrom) as may be found to be appropriate following consultation;

(7)               That the agreement of the Mayor be sought to exempt these decisions from the provisions of the call in procedure on the grounds that they are urgent as additional delay could set back, or result in the loss of the scheme, and therefore seriously prejudice the public interest.

(In view of the reported urgency of this matter, the permission of the Mayor was sought, and granted, to exempt this item from the Call-in process.)

The following items are 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 relates to the financial or business affairs).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following items of business on the grounds they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Scheduled 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (business/financial).

Julie Roberts/Bernadette Rushton to report.

-           to consider the application for grant.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Town Centre Manager, seeking approval to award Rental Contribution and Capital Grant, under the Town Centre Business Vitality Scheme, to support a project relating to the use of four retail units within Imperial Buildings, Rotherham, for the sale and display of art and craft work and retailed material, and for use of the atrium within Imperial Buildings for art related events and displays.

It was explained that an application had been made by a local organisation that promoted and supported professional artists living and working in Rotherham.  The application covered 4 retail units together with the central atrium space.

It was confirmed that the application had been considered by the established Grants Panel and was supported.

Details of the proposed rental contribution and capital grant were set out in the submitted report.

It was anticipated that the units would be ready for occupation by the end of January or early February 2010

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 to include fitting out, sign writing, and purchase of furniture, subject to the submission and approval of satisfactory specifications and quotations.

Vaughan Titterton, Project Manager, to report.

-           to seek authority to accept the tender for the refurbishment and construction works at Rotherham Town Hall and to provide a progress up-date on the three projects; Doncaster Gate, Eric Manns & the Town Hall.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Manager, seeking authority to accept the tender for the refurbishment and construction works at Rotherham Town Hall.

A programme for the works was set out in the submitted report, together with financial information.  It was explained that some options within the tender had been excluded in order to bring the tender within the approved expenditure.

A brief update on progress with works to Doncaster Gate and the Eric Manns buildings was also given.

Resolved:-  That the adjusted tender, in the sum of £2,340,000, submitted by Mansell Build Ltd, dated 4^th December, 2009 be accepted.