Agenda and minutes

Fiona Earl, Acting Finance Manager, to report.

-           to report the current position.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Finance Manager, detailing performance against the revenue budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate as at the end of September 2009 and to provide a forecast outturn for the whole of the 2009/10 financial year.

It was reported that at this stage in the financial year, and based on current information, the Directorate had identified that it was likely to incur an overspend of £620,000.  It was pointed out that this was a reduction on last month’s forecast.

The following key pressures were identified:-

-                      Reduced consultancy work fee income

-                      Restructuring costs within Culture and Leisure

-                      Pressures regarding pools and unbudgeted security costs at Ulley Reservoir

-                      Under recovery of income due to a reduced number of planning                  applications

-                      Flood related costs (June 2009)

-                      Under recovery of income on the Parking Budget

-                      Energy costs on Street Lighting and shortfall within Street Cleansing

Reference was made to measures being implemented within the Directorate to manage the overspend.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the current forecast year end outturn position of an overspend of £620,000 for the Environment & Development Services Directorate based on expenditure and income as at September 2009 be noted.

(2)  That the report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

Fiona Earl, Acting Finance Manager, to report.

-           to report the current position.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Acting Finance Manager, detailing performance against the approved Environment and Development Services Directorate’s capital programme for the period April to September, 2009.

It was reported that at this point in the financial year the Environment and Development Services Directorate was reporting a capital programme which showed a balanced budget for the year end against its total approved capital budget for 2009/10.

The narrative of the report outlined progress against key projects in each area.

Those present commented on:-

-                      Possible acquisition of properties on High Street and Corporation Street

-                      Flood alleviation works, including the removal of Don Bridge

-                      Waste Management – Household Waste Recycling sites

-                      Parkway “Iconic” footbridge

-                      Waverley Link Road

-                      Play Pathfinder – cost to reinstate due to vandalism

-                      Roll over of schemes commenced in 2009 into 2010 and re-profiling of schemes not yet started

Resolved:-  (1)  That the projected outturn position as balanced for the Environment & Development Services Capital Programme, based on actual expenditure to September 2009 and forecast expenditure to 31st March 2010 be noted.

(2)  That the report be referred to the Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

(3)  That the Director Planning and Regeneration report to a future meeting in respect of the Parkway “Iconic” bridge.

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager/Martin Beard, Parking Services Manager, to report.

-           to consider a proposal for fee parking up to Christmas 2009, and RERF application to cover the cost.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Parking Services Manager, detailing the effect on the budget if parking charges were to be waived on Saturdays commencing Saturday 21 November until and including Saturday 19 December 2009.

It was explained that, as a result of the recent downturn in the economy, town centre businesses had approached the Council for initiatives to encourage shoppers into the town centre.

Reference was made to the various initiatives already in place in respect of town centre parking.

It was also explained that in order to compensate for the loss of income an application had been made to the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund.

Those present discussed:-

-                      the need to monitor the effect of the initiative in terms of increase footfall and trade

-                      possible take up by commuters (i.e. those working on Saturdays)

-                      any contribution from the traders towards these, and other town centre, initiatives

-                      other proposals put forward by the town centre businesses e.g. a town centre carnival;  Retail Business Awards

Resolved:-  (1)  That approval be given for the free Saturday parking initiative as detailed in the report now submitted.

(2)  That the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning & Transportation considers the application for Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) funding to pay for the initiative.