Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member held on 6^th October, 2009 be signed as a true record.

Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Community Engagement Manager which detailed developments undertaken by Rotherham Library and Information Service during the construction and initial stages of the Big Lottery Funded Community Libraries Programme at Mowbray Gardens Library.

The main areas of work undertaken had been:-

·              Successful application for award from Big Lottery Fund and ongoing monitoring.

·              Consultation with local people in design of library facility and services.

·              Design and construction of new library facility.

·              Ongoing community engagement to enable local people to design, deliver and manage library services.

Rotherham Library and Information Service was one of 58 library authorities across England to be awarded a grant from Big Lottery Fund to renovate, extend or build new libraries so that they could offer a broader range of activities to their communities. Mowbray Gardens Library Project was put forward as a proposal to maximise the already positive work being undertaken with local people, especially children and young people.

The report also set out in detail information relating to:-

·              Consultation.

·              Design and Construction Phase.

·              Usage.

·              Current Initiatives and Future Plans.

·              Marketing.

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

(2)  That further opportunities be taken to participate in externally funded projects to renovate libraries.

(3)  That new methods of engaging with potential customers continue to be investigated.

Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Principal Officer for Community Arts which detailed proposals for a public art scheme close to the Bierlow Close Community Hall on Knollbeck Lane, Rotherham, commemorating the heritage of the local area.

The current proposal represented a further phase of such works, jointly developed by the Implementation Team, Andy Newton and Lesley Shepherd, working with colleagues in the Council’s Community Arts Service and comprising the introduction of a public art feature onto a retaining wall on Knollbeck Lane.

This feature comprised six ribbon shapes affixed to the wall, made from stainless steel and incorporating images generated with local residents, young people and school children about local heritage features and aspirations. The ribbons were preceded and followed by cart-wheeling figures based on local young people to symbolise moving energetically and with hope from the past into the future. The end figure was framed within a continuation of the metal ribbon, on the grassy knoll next to the wall, and would be surrounded by landscaping works.

This report was also being submitted to the Joint Meeting for the Cabinet Members for Economic Development, Planning and Regeneration and Streetpride for approval due to the temporary closure of the adjacent side of Knollbeck Lane with the narrowing of traffic to single carriageway.

It was felt that a press release should be issued as appropriate.

Resolved:-  That the proposed works and the associated funding arrangements be noted.