Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Members’ Sustainable Development Advisory Group held on 11^th June, 2010.

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

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group held on 18^th June, 2010.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes, and emerging issues, be noted.

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

-           to report proposals to improve accessibility for pedestrians around the grassed area between Addison Road and laburnum Parade, Maltby.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, detailing proposals to improve accessibility for pedestrians around the grassed area between Addison Road and Laburnum Parade, Maltby.

It was explained that this proposal had arisen from officers of the Council working with “Living Streets”, a charity that promotes the use and development of safe street spaces, on the “Fitter for Walking project”, and it was considered that this area would benefit from improvements to pedestrian links.

Reference was made to the proposals on Drawing No. 126/17/TT95B appended to the submitted report.

It was confirmed that an information giving exercise was planned.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed footway and accessibility improvements are approved for implementation.

(2)  That the community group and local ward Members be informed of the decision and a letter drop to nearby frontages is undertaken.

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager, to report.

-           to update on progress to date of the delivery of the Future Jobs Fund in Rotherham by the Council and Phoenix Enterprises.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Manager, updating the Cabinet Member on progress to date of the delivery of the Future Jobs Fund in Rotherham by the Council and Phoenix Enterprises

It was reported that up to the end of June 2010, the fund created 271 jobs that offer benefit to the community.  These had been filled by local people who had been on benefits for coming up to 12 months.

Work continued to create 282 further jobs, which gave Rotherham a cumulative total of 543 jobs, by the end of September 2011.

Job opportunities had been created within the Council’s Economic and Development Services Directorate and also with Rotherham 2010, Ministry of Food, Speak Up, ROAR and at the Unity Centre.

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

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval on the submission to Yorkshire forward of a response to the consultation process.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Manager, seeking Member approval on the submission to Yorkshire Forward of a response to the consultation process that is currently taking place for the development of a new Priority 6 (Adaptation to and Mitigation of Climate Change) under the 2007-13 European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Reference was made to the changed economic climate since the Programme was written and to a subsequent review.  The review decided to include an additional Priority that would deliver under four objectives:-

•         Creating low or zero carbon employment sites and premises with high accompanying environmental specifications

•         Contributing to a low carbon economy through generating or utilising low or Zero carbon energy, or utilising carbon capture technology.

•         Delivery of environmental systems, services and facilities and land remediation to support sustainable urban regeneration activity tat reduces environmental impact and improves competitiveness.

•         Addressing the economic risks of environmental degradation and climate change to employment sites, areas and individual businesses.

The Council’s proposed response to the consultation on the above was appended to the submitted report.

It was however pointed out that the funding was on the basis of 2/3rds ERDF and 1/3^rd Council/other and the main risk could be accessing match funding in the current financial situation.

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

(2)  That the RMBC consultation response be endorsed and be submitted to Yorkshire Forward.