Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to a report relating to receipt of the following:-

(i)  a petition containing objections in respect of the following:-

The South Yorkshire County Council (Various roads Bramley and Wickersley) (Traffic Measures Consolidation) (Amendment) Order 2009

An extract from the total objections received was attached.

(ii) a petition containing 38 signatures in support of the rectification of the Traffic Regulation Order in Main Street, Bramley by the replacement of the words East to West by the words West to East.

A copy of this petition was attached.

It was noted that most of the signatures on this petition were not Bramley residents but from people who travelled through Bramley on a daily basis.  It was also pointed out that the most recent consultation event about Options had been publicised Borough wide through Rotherham News.

Resolved:-  That the receipt of the petitions be noted.

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) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person) (including the authority holding that information – noting that it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption would outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information, as the enterprises’ commercial interests could be prejudiced by disclosure of commercially sensitive information).

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

-           to consider the application.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Town Centre and Markets Manager, relating to an application for rental contribution and capital grant award under the Town Centre Business Vitality Grant Scheme in respect of a new town centre business wishing to establish in a unit in the Imperial Buildings.

Details of the application were set out in the submitted report and these were in accord with the Town Centre Retail Strategy and would contribute to the strategic priorities of the Community Strategy.

It was confirmed that the application met the scheme’s eligibility criteria and that the Applicant had already received planning permission.

It was reported that the Applicant needed to be able to sign a lease for the Unit with effect from 1^st September, 2009.

Those present discussed:-

•         type of business being proposed

•         claw back provision

•         receipt of quotations and grant payment method

•         involvement of a Business Adviser and support from Business Link and the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce

•         number of enquiries received

•         number of applications processed

•         source of the funding

•         publicity of the scheme

Reference was also made to the recognition of this Scheme by the DCLG as an illustration of Best Practice in helping retail in the high street.  It was also reported that a further sum of money had been made available for town centres across the UK, from which Rotherham was expected to receive a contribution which would be used to help to deal with empty town centre shops.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the award of Rental Contribution to this project to provide 50% of annual rent in year one and 25% of annual rental in year two, to be paid quarterly in arrears on submission by the Applicant of proof of payment of rent, be supported.

(2) That the award of 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 and shop front sign writing, subject to the submission and approval of satisfactory specifications and quotations. The grant would be paid in arrears on submission by the Applicant of proof of payment to suppliers and contractors, and upon satisfactory completion of the capital works.

(DUE TO THE URGENCY OF THIS MATTER THE MAYOR WAS ASKED TO CONSIDER THE REPORT AND GAVE APPROVAL THAT THE DECISION BE EXEMPTED FROM THE CALL-IN PROCEDURE)