Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th June, 2009 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Further to Minute No. 188 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development Services held on 2^nd February, 2009, consideration was given to a report presented by the Events and Promotions Service Manager detailing progress with the planning of the Rotherham Show which would take place at Rosehill (Victoria) Park, Rawmarsh on the weekend of 12^th and 13^th September, 2009.

Discussion took place on the following matters:-

- the traffic management plan and park-and-ride and parking arrangements (officers had already responded to the small number of concerns expressed by local residents, about car parking);

- the forecast income from the Show, including trade display stands;

- the slight amendment made to previous years’ arrangements, because of the smaller space available this year, compared to other years at Clifton Park (eg: the vintage vehicle display taking place on both days in 2009, rather than Sunday only);

- ensuring that all Members of the Council are informed of the arrangements for this year’s Rotherham Show.

Officers were thanked for their efforts in making the necessary arrangements for the Rotherham Show.

Resolved:- That the report be received and its contents noted.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Library and Information Service Manager detailing the new contracts for the procurement of library materials (books, DVDs and CDs) which would last from 1^st April, 2009 until 31^st March, 2012, with an option to extend for a further year.

The report stated that, since the year 2000, Rotherham has been a member of the Yorkshire Book Consortium. For the new contract, this Consortium has joined with the North West Consortia (33 local authorities in total), with consequent growth in the volume of business leading to greater discounts.

The result of the new procurement contract is that:-

-     Adult and Children’s Fiction and Non-Fiction Books, DVDs and CDs have been awarded to Bertrams Library Suppliers (Morley, Leeds),

-     Reference Standing Orders awarded to Coutts;

-     Government and Official Publications awarded to Dandy;

-     Printed Music awarded to Cramers.

Members noted that purchases of other appropriate materials and stock for the authorities’ libraries would continue to be made from local bookshops and suppliers.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Rotherham Library and Information Service continues to be a member of the Yorkshire Book Consortium in order to benefit from the terms of the new procurement contract starting on 1st April, 2009.

Further to Minute No. 3 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Lifelong Learning, Culture and Leisure held on 23^rd May, 2006, consideration was given to a report presented by the Green Spaces Manager concerning the progress of negotiations with Sheffield City Council about the possible transfer of the ownership of Bar Park, Hesley Lane, Thorpe Hesley from Sheffield City Council to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Members heard from Ward Councillors Barron and Kaye, as well as from Mr. Tom Doncaster (Chair of the Friends of Bar Park group) about the involvement of the Friends’ group in the general upkeep of the Park.

Discussion took place on the following issues:-

-     the cost of the transfer of ownership and the financial implications of that cost for Rotherham Borough Council;

-     the current condition of the Park, the buildings within it and the ageing, dilapidated play area;

-     the adjacent woodland area might be eligible for grant funding from the South Yorkshire Forest;

-     arrangements for the future maintenance and development of Bar Park, its financial implications and the possible involvement of a community and voluntary sector organisation (such as the Friends of Bar Park);

-     the likelihood of obtaining external grant funding for the future maintenance and development of Bar Park;

-     other recreational development in Thorpe Hesley, notably the proposed play area for children and young people on land off Barnsley Road and Chapelfield Road (scheduled to be completed by 31^st March, 2010);

-     the probable costs of the transfer of ownership and future maintenance of the Park, identified in the report submitted, were estimates only and would require further assessment.

Reference was made to the alteration of the local authority boundary between Rotherham and Sheffield, with effect from 1^st April, 1994, which had resulted in a number of residential properties in Thorpe Hesley transferring from Sheffield City Council to Rotherham Borough Council (references: Minute No. 294, Policy and Resources Committee, 17^th June, 1992 and Minute No. 1332, Housing Services Committee, 29^th September, 1994). However, the ownership of Bar Park had not transferred to the Borough Council at that time.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That, subject to resolution (3) below, the appropriate officers continue negotiations with Sheffield City Council concerning the possible transfer of the ownership of Bar Park, Hesley Lane, Thorpe Hesley from Sheffield City Council to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, on the basis and terms described in the report now submitted.

(3) That the continuing negotiations, referred to at (2) above, shall be subject to:-

(a) the identification of the necessary funding for the associated costs; and

(b) the involvement of a community and voluntary sector organisation in the future management, maintenance and development of Bar Park, Thorpe Hesley.

Further to Minute No. 185 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development Services held on 2nd February, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Project Development Officer, describing the progress of phase one of the Steelos project which is a combined Heritage Lottery Fund oral and written history project linked with and informing a script writing initiative funded through the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund programme. The project will ultimately result in a performance piece on the folk memories of the steel industry in Rotherham. 

The report stated that an exemption from contract standing orders was being requested in order to commission a team of script writers capable of crafting the recollections and reminiscences of former steelworkers and their families into a coherent whole.

Reference was made to the involvement of Mr. John Tams, a nationally respected figure in the theatre and music scene and the Steelos project originator, who had proposed the commissioning of a play, called 'Steelos'. Details of this proposal were included in the report submitted.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the commissioning of a team of six script writers (including John Tams), to fashion a production from the recollections and reminiscences of former steel workers and their families, shall be exempt from standing order 47.6.3 (requirement to invite at least three quotations for contracts with an estimated value of between £20,000 and £50,000).

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Acting Finance Manager on performance against the 2009/2010 revenue budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate as at 30^th June 2009. The report also provided a forecast outturn for the whole of the 2009/10 financial year.

Discussion took place on the reported variance of the Culture and Leisure Services budget, which was due to unplanned expenditure on the security arrangements at the Ulley Country Park. Reference was also made to the need to ensure that the forecast levels of income for Cultural and Leisure Services were achieved.

Members noted that this report would also be considered by the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the forecast outturn position of an overspend of£262,000 in 2009/2010, for the Environment and Development Services Directorate, based on expenditure and income as at 30^th June, 2009, be noted.

Further to Minute No. 175 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development Services held on 7^th January, 2008, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Project Development Officer, stating that the round 1 bid for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Boston Castle Restoration Project had been approved. The report stated that a round 2 bid was now being prepared, to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the due date of 31^st August, 2009.

Discussion took place on the following issues:-

-     the role of the Friends of Boston Castle group;

-     the visitor/tourism and educational potential of Boston Castle and Boston Park;

-     forecasts of income and expenditure for this visitor attraction;

-     the need to obtain planning and listed building consent for the proposed restoration scheme works;

-     arrangements for the forthcoming meeting of the Boston Castle Project Board, to be held on Wednesday, 19^th August, 2009;

-     problems of vandalism at the Park and resultant security arrangements.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the outcome of the round 2 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund be reported to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Cultural Services and Sport.