Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting re:  Treeton Institute Garage Site held on 3^rd February, 2010.

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

-           to record the opening of the e-tenders.

Resolved:-  That the action of the Cabinet Member in opening e-tenders on 12^th February, 2010 for Top Soil be recorded.

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval to work with Cluj-Napoca and Arad Councils on a joint project for assisting people from the Roma and disabled communities back into employment.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Planning and Regeneration, seeking approval to work with Cluj-Napoca and Arad Councils (Romania) on a joint project, funded by the European Commission, for assisting people from the Roma and Disabled communities back into employment.

It was explained that the Council’s main remit would be to provide expertise to the project and to generally engage with employers and provide support to deprived people and communities to assist them back into training and employment.

Further details of the project were set out in the submitted report, together with the composition of the pool of experts from Rotherham who would be involved.

Emphasis was placed on the Council being a Beacon Council for removing barriers to employment.

Resolved:- (1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)  That agreement be given for the Council to progress the joint bid with Cluj-Napoca and Arad.

(3)  That a retrospective agreement be approved on the signing by Rotherham MBC of a “Partnership Agreement” and “Statement of Eligibility” for the project.

Tom Finnegan-Smith, Acting Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to inform the Cabinet Member of a proposal to provide controlled pedestrian crossing facilities within the existing signalised Station Street/Lime Grove junction, Swinton.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Transportation Unit Manager, informing the Cabinet Member of a proposal to provide controlled pedestrian crossing facilities within the existing signalised Station Street / Lime Grove junction, Swinton.

It was explained that the existing Station Street / Lime Grove signalised junction only had one leg in which pedestrians cross the road utilising a controlled pedestrian facility i.e. red / green man.  When pedestrians press the push button to cross the road the traffic signals go to an all red phase i.e. vehicles stop on all arms of the junction and pedestrians are then permitted to cross Station Street East on a green man.

However it had been observed that pedestrians were crossing the Lime Grove and the Station Street West arms of the junction during the all red phase and during the normal traffic signal cycle without any pedestrian control facilities.

A modelling exercise had been undertaken to ascertain how the efficiency of the junction would be affected if pedestrian crossing facilities i.e. red / green man were introduced on Lime Grove and Station Street West.  The result of this modelling exercise demonstrated that the junction would be able to cope with the introduction of pedestrian facilities on Lime Grove and Station Street West even though there would be an increase in the number of times that the pedestrian phase was called and traffic held at red as a consequence of pedestrians using the new crossing facilities.

Consultation had been carried out with the South Yorkshire Police and local Ward Members and no objections to the proposal had been received.

It was estimated that the works would cost approximately £30,000 and funding was anticipated to be available from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2010/11.

Although no survey had been undertaken on statutory undertakers’ apparatus.  it was not envisaged that any apparatus would need to be diverted and as such costs should be in line with the estimated cost.

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, subject to no objections being received, for the scheme to be implemented.

(3)  That the scheme be funded from the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Programme for 2010/2011.

Tom Finnegan-Smith, Acting Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to inform the Cabinet Member of proposed accessibility improvements for Flanderwell Lane.

Further to Minute No. 8 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Regeneration meeting on 1st June, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Transportation Unit Manager, relating to proposals to rationalise the previously approved Accessibility Improvement scheme for Flanderwell Lane.

It was explained that the initial scheme had been rationalised due to an increase in the cost estimate following detailed design of the scheme that was originally proposed.  The main reasons for the increased cost estimate were set out in the submitted report.

Reference was made to the elements of the rationalised scheme and these were illustrated on Drawing No.  126/17/TT17A appended to the submitted report.  It was pointed out that the rationalised scheme costs were commensurate with the original budget (i.e. £80,000), for which provision had been made in the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Capital Programme 2010/2011.

It was acknowledged that consultation had been carried out on the original scheme and it was therefore proposed to send a letter to Ward Councillors, Bramley Parish Council and frontages informing them of the revised accessibility scheme.  Should objections be received to the revised scheme these would be reported back to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member.

Members present discussed:-

-                      the significantly increased cost estimate following commencement of design works etc

-                      raised public expectation and the need for further consultation

-                      specifications of the pedestrian refuges and national guidelines

-                      benefits of the rationalised scheme

Resolved:-  (1)  That the revised scheme with a cost estimate of £80,000 as illustrated on Drawing No. 126/17/TT17A appended to the submitted report, be now approved.

(2)  That information on the changes be provided to Ward Councillors, Bramley Parish Council and frontages.

(3)  That detailed design be undertaken and the scheme be implemented in the 2010/ 2011 financial year.

Tom Finnegan-Smith, Acting Transportation Unit Manager, to report.

-           to report the current position.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Transportation Unit Manager, setting out the current position regarding the Bus Rapid Transit Project and seeking approval to submit the Major Scheme Business Cases to the Department for Transport

Reference was made to the background to the development of the Bus Rapid Transit proposals which had lead to two distinct routes being identified – North and South.  It was pointed out that both routes greatly improved the link between the urban centres of Rotherham and Sheffield which were recognised as being one joint inter-dependent economic centre.

A plan illustrating both routes was appended to the submitted report, together with executive summaries of each route.  Key features of both routes were also detailed in the report.

It was pointed out that both routes would require additional land, which would be acquired firstly through negotiation, followed by compulsory purchase where necessary.

Details were set out in the report in respect of current cost estimates, financial contributions, capital and revenue costs.  Key strategic risks were also detailed.

Those present discussed:-

-                      Type of vehicles to be use i.e. clean diesel bus rather than electric vehicle

-                      Current congestion levels and journey times

-                      Rotherham’s preferred route

-                      Requirement of 10% local contribution

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given to the submission of a Major Scheme Business Case for the Bus Rapid Transit North and South proposals to the Department for Transport.

(2)  That scheme preparation continues in advance of Programme Entry.

(3)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation to seek approval to issue a draft order for the compulsory purchase of land that may be required.

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager, to report.

-           to consider a bid for RERF funding.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Planning and Regeneration, seeking approval of an allocation of £150,000 from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund revenue funding to carry out repairs to the Rotherham road network caused by the recent, exceptional, winter weather.

It was confirmed that the bid met the aims and objectives of the RERF programme.

It was pointed out that the repair work would be concentrated on locations on the precautionary gritting routes that comprise mainly the classified network, bus routes and spine routes through estates.

Resolved:-  That £150,000 of RERF revenue be approved to fund repairs to the Rotherham road network as detailed in the report now submitted.

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 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 items of business on the grounds that they involve 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).

Paul Woodcock, Director of Planning and Regeneration, to report.

-  to outline a project that will address the hoardings surrounding the former All Saints’ Building at minimal cost to RMBC.

Further to Minute No. 40 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1^st July, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Renaissance Marketing Officer, outlining a project that would address the hoardings surrounding the former All Saints’ Building at minimal cost to RMBC. 

Details of the project were set out in the submitted report.

It was explained that there was only one company who had provided the concept and therefore consideration was given, in accordance with Standing Order No. 38.1 to exempt the project from the provision of Standing Order No.  38.4.2.

It was pointed out that the project would directly benefit the businesses in the vicinity, particularly the new businesses recently opened in Imperial Buildings, thus aiding the town centre’s economic growth.

It was noted that the proposal would be subject to the granting of advertising consent.

The cost of the project would be funded from LABGI and Yorkshire Forward, together with income generated by businesses buying advertising space.

Resolved:-  That approval be given under Standing Order No. 38.1 for the exemption from Standing Order No. 38.4.2 to permit the appointment of the company, Rainforest, due to the specialist nature of the project as detailed in  report now submitted.

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to consider a grant application.

Further to Minute No. 93 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation held on 15^th December, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Town Centre Manager, relating to a request for an additional rental contribution for an additional unit within the internal quadrant of Imperial Buildings (totalling approx 200 sq ft).  It was reported that this unit was previously unavailable at the time of the application for the ROAR project.  This project aimed to establish an independent and sustainable arts centre in Rotherham.

It was explained the applicant had now negotiated a lease on this additional unit and has requested that an additional rental contribution be offered to enable expansion of the project into this last internal unit. The project would ensure that all internal units would offer a similar unique offer.

Consideration was given to the proposal to amend the original grant offer to reflect the increased rental value of the project.

It was however pointed out that the Grants Panel held differing views regarding the award of a second capital grant and their reasons were set out in the report.  Consideration was therefore given to the officer’s reasons for not recommending the issue a second capital fit out grant.

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given for a variation to be issued in relation to the Business Vitality Grant awarded to the applicant on 14th December, 2009, in respect of rental contribution for units to be occupied within Imperial Buildings, as detailed in the report now submitted.

(2)  That an additional capital grant to cover the fit out of an additional retail unit, as detailed in the report now submitted, be not approved.