Agenda and minutes

Greg Lindley, Partnership Implementation Officer/Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager, to report.

-           to seek approval of allocation of £7,892 RERF revenue funding to support the activity being planned in the atrium space at the Imperial Building by new businesses supported by ROAR.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Manager, seeking approval to allocate £7,892 of Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund revenue funding to support the activity being planned in the atrium space at the Imperial Building by new businesses supported by Rotherham Open Arts Renaissance.

It was explained that ROAR’s Business Model proposed the use and hire of the artrium space.  However it was considered that, in order to encourage use of this space for e.g. exhibitions, conferences, film nights, talks, meetings etc, this space needed to be heated.  It was confirmed that ROAR had found a supply of heaters considered appropriate by the Conservation and Urban Design Officer.  The cost of running heaters would be covered by ROAR.  The developer, Iliad, had agreed to the installation of the heating.

It was also confirmed that the project had been scored by the Economic Strategy Team and met the gateway criteria for receiving RERF funding.

Resolved:-  That £7,892 of RERF revenue be approved to fund the provision of space heating in Imperial Building.

Lisa Taylor, Technical Assistant, to report.

-           to consider a request to adopt a public call box situated at New Road, Firbeck.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Technical Assistant, relating to a request to adopt a public call box (01709) 812380 situated on New Road, Firbeck S81 8JT, which had been received from Firbeck Parish Council.

It was explained that BT was undertaking a national programme of removing financially unviable public call boxes.  The details of the programme and two schemes within it were detailed in the submitted report.

It was explained that Firbeck Parish Council wished to adopt the unserviced box for heritage purposes.  Details of the consultation procedure were also set out in the appendices to the submitted report and, in accordance with that procedure, it was necessary to report the objection which had been received to maintain the box and its services in the event of an emergency.  It was confirmed that there had no been objections from either the Emergency Services or the Police and reference was made to the availability of other communications facilities in the locality.

Consideration was therefore given to supporting Firbeck Parish Council to adopt the unserviced kiosk.

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

(2)  That the removal of the telephony services to and adoption of public call box (01709 812380), situated on New Road Firbeck, by Firbeck Parish Council be supported.

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) (financial/business affairs).

Bernadette Rushton, Assistant Town Centre Manager, to report.

-           to consider the grant application.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Town Centre Manager, detailing an application under the Town Centre Vitality Business Grants scheme in respect of a proposal for a Chocolat Café and Patisserie in either Units 12/13 Imperial Buildings, or Unit 16 Corporation Street.

Reference was made to Minute No. 155 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation held on 19^th April, 2010, in respect of a different application for Units 12/13.  It was explained therefore that the application now being considered included a case for the use of alternative premises on Corporation Street, also within the area covered by the scheme.

It was confirmed that the application satisfied the criteria for the scheme.  It was noted that the Grants Panel had agreed to a maximum of three café operators in the scheme.

Those present also discussed:-

-                      placing of café furniture and ‘A’ boards on street

-                      current license arrangements and enforcement

-                      health and safety issues and environmental health standards

-                      All Saints site, currently being used as site compound for works to improve access to the Minster

Resolved:-  (1)  That a 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 this Rental Contribution be awarded to the project in connection with any eligible town centre unit, subject to the condition that an up to date cash flow forecast and/or business plan is circulated to and supported by the Grants Panel (with an update for information only to be provided to the Cabinet Member at the next available opportunity).

(3)  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 (1) fitting out, (2) shop front sign writing and (3) the purchase of street café furniture, subject to the submission and approval of satisfactory specifications and quotations.