Agenda and minutes

Paul Smith, Worksmart Manager.

The WorkSmart Manager gave a presentation on the proposed internal layouts for the office accommodation in Riverside House, including provision for a library and associated arts space.

Reference was made to:-

-                      basement, ground floor and upper floors layouts

-                      specific provision for Children and Young People’s Services and Neighbourhoods and Adult Services;  Registrars;  events space; elections; emergency planning; urban traffic management centre; prayer room

-                      anticipated footfall

-                      desk to staff ratio and new working methods

-                      heath and safety

-                      orientation

-                      heating and cooling

-                      contemporary style interiors

-                      provision of community art

Members present commented on:-

-                      hearing loops for meeting rooms

-                      lockers for staff who cycle or walk to work

-                      access, planning and transportation issues

-                      future development of the remainder of the site

-                      site levels and flood risk

-                      elected members access to officers

Resolved:-  That the WorkSmart Manager be thanked for his informative presentation.

Imran Mohammed, to report.

-           to consider proposals for a traffic calming scheme on Walesmoor Avenue.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to proposals for a traffic calming scheme on Walesmoor Avenue, Littlemoor Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Kiveton Park.

It was explained that the scheme had been initiated as a result of the new housing development currently taking place to the south-east of Walesmoor Avenue.  The layout of the roads within the new development had been designed to encourage motorists to travel at low speeds.

It was explained that Walesmoor Avenue, along which vehicles will have to travel between the new estate and Wales Road, was different in character, due to the era in which it was constructed and as a consequence vehicle speeds were likely to be higher. Therefore to ensure consistently lower vehicle speeds in the area it was proposed to introduce traffic calming on Walesmoor Avenue and adjacent roads.

Funding for the traffic calming had been made available by the developer.

Details of the results of the associated consultation exercise were set out in the submitted report, and it was pointed out that approximately 90% of the respondents were in favour of the proposals.

The proposals were illustrated on Drawing No. 129/U118 appended to the submitted report.

The scheme was in line with objectives set out in the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan, and the associated Road Safety and Casualty Reduction Strategy, for improving road safety and managing traffic

Members raised and discussed their views on roads that are covered by traffic calming and these included general issues around:-

-                      increased noise

-                      added problems in winter weather

-                      possible localised flooding

Resolved:-  (1)  That the results of the consultation exercise for the proposed scheme be noted.

(2)  That authority be given for the detailed design to be carried out and for the scheme to be implemented.

Simeon Leach, Economic Strategy Manager, to report.

-           to inform Cabinet Member of the submission of an ERDF bid.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Strategy Manager, informing the Cabinet Member of a European Regional Development Fund bid, to be submitted by the RiDO Business Development Team, which would seek funding support to deliver the Soft Landing Zone activity in the Council’s Business Incubation Centres.

It was explained that this new programme was aimed at helping companies break into new markets.  The project also aimed to attract and grow high technology businesses into Rotherham delivering 15 foreign businesses locating in Rotherham, and 30 businesses to have developed a business plan to expand into foreign markets.

It was reported that the outline business plan had been submitted and approved.  Work was now required on the Full Business Plan.

The total cost was of the proposed project was £1,384,615, of which ERDF would provide £900,000 and the remainder would come from the Council through the time of existing staff and use of facilities within the Business Incubation Centres.

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

(2)  That the submission of the Outline Business Plan (OBP) and the development of a Full Business Plan (FBP) for the project be endorsed.

Neil Ayrton, Streetpride UKPMS Engineer, to report.

-           to summarise how Streetpride salt bins are provided and maintained and sets out proposals to change the way they are managed and consider the proposed salt bin policy.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Streetpride UKPMS Engineer, which summarised how Streetpride salt bins were provided and maintained.  Following a review of the service, and in the light of last year’s severe winter, the report set out proposals to change the way the salt bins were managed.  The proposed salt bin policy was attached to the submitted report at Appendix A.

Reference was made to 6 specific criteria (detailed in the submitted report) that would need to be assessed for each salt bin application.

It was pointed out that it was proposed to fill and secure the lids of bins and to leave them on site throughout the year.  It was reported that the savings from doing this would be used to fund the provision of additional bins meeting the new criteria (max. 25 new bins per annum).

Those present raised and discussed the following:-

-                      provision of bins and salt by parish councils

-                      vandalism and mis-use

-                      areas of need identified by elected members e.g. aged persons’ complexes

-                      reports and requests for bins via RBT Connect

-                      role of 2010 Rotherham Ltd

Resolved:-  That the proposed policy for the management of salt bins be agreed.

Keith Hirst, Building Control Manager, to report.

-           to considerthe Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Building Regulations Charging Scheme 2010 (including the proposed fees),  to come into effect from 1^st October 2010.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Building Control Manager, relating to the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 which came into force on the 1st April, 2010, and provided the legal framework for the setting of a new Building Regulations Charging Scheme. 

It was explained that the Council was required to issue a new scheme of charges to comply with the new legislation between the 1st April, 2010 and the 1st October, 2010.

The proposed new Building Control charging scheme was set out in detail in the submitted report.  It was pointed out that this new scheme had been designed to introduce more flexible charging arrangements whereby the charges set should relate to the costs of carrying out the building regulations chargeable service.  The costs had been worked out based on an hourly rate and in comparison with neighbouring local authorities.

Members raised and discussed the following:-

-                      exemption for some disabled people

-                      dealing with retrospective applications

-                      powers under dangerous structures

Resolved:-  That the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Building Regulations Charging Scheme 2010 (including the proposed fees), as set out in the report now submitted, be approved to come into effect from 1st October, 2010.