Agenda and minutes

No Declarations of Interest were made. 

Consideration was given to the report that outlined the actions that had been taken following receipt of the petition from residents and users of York Gardens and Centre (Minute No. J32 of the meeting held on 1^st September, 2014) that raised concerns about the allocation of properties in the area. 

The report outlined how Area Housing Officers had met with the residents and reviewed the lettings of properties.  All property lettings had followed the correct procedures.  Area Housing Officers would remain in contact with the residents. 

Resolved: -  That the action taken following receipt of the petition be noted. 

The Finance Manager (Financial Services, Resources Directorate) presented the report that gave a forecast outturn position on the 2014/2015 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) based upon actual income and expenditure to the end of August, 2014.

The overall forecast was that the HRA will outturn on budget with a transfer from working balance (reserves) of £0.807m which is a reduction of £633k against the approved budget.

A commentary was provided that outlined the performance of the budget headings and service division. 

Resolved: -    That the latest financial projection against the budget for 2014/15 be noted.

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Service Improvement Officer that outlined 2013/2014 Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results for Housing and Neighbourhood Services.  Information was given relating to to performance in the previous yearand the performance outturn up to the first quarter of 2014/2015.

Housing and Neighbourhood Services managed 15 KPIs.  10 (67%) achieved year end targets with 9 of the measures improving on 2012/13 outturns.  Performance improvement action plans helped maximise outturns.  

Full commentary was provided on an exceptions basis. 

Resolved: - That the year-end position and the improved outturns of performance from Year 2012/13 to 2013/14 and up to the 1^st quarter of 2014/15 be noted. 

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Financial Manager, that outlined a financial forecast for the Neighbourhood’s General Fund within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate.  The forecast to March, 2015, was based on actual income and expenditure to the end of August, 2014. 

The forecast for the financial year 2014/15 was an overall forecast under-spend of -£101k, against an approved net revenue budget of £671k.

The report noted that the revenue budget had increased by £97k as an approval had been given to carry forward under-spends on the 2013/2014 Community Leadership Fund, Dispersed Units and Bereavement Services. 

An overview was provided that gave the net budget and forecast outturn against each service area heading.  An update was given on the main areas of variance against the budget. 

Resolved: - That the latest financial projection against budget for 2014/15 be noted. 

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Business and Commercial Programme Manager, which outlined the Housing Investment Programme at Period 5, to the end of August, 2014. 

The Housing Investment Programme for the period 2014-2015 was considered, along with the previously applied revisions.  A total revised budget 2014/2015 (as approved by the Cabinet Member on 1^st September, 2014) was £36, 804,759. 

Information was provided about areas of variance against the budget headings. 

Resolved: -  That the contents of the report be noted. 

The submitted report concerning the budget, income and expenditure, for the Environment and Development Services Directorate to the end of August, 2014, and also providing a forecast outturn to the end of the 2014/2015 financial year. 

Based on income and expenditure as at August, 2014, the Environment and Development Services Directorate was projecting an over-spend on £219k. 

A breakdown of the service headings and the main areas of variance was provided in the submitted report.

Resolved: - That the latest financial projection against budget for the year based on actual income and expenditure to the end of August, 2014, be noted. 

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Assistant Engineer concerning the scheme regarding town centre pedestrian accessibility improvements and complimenting the works currently ongoing as part of the new Tesco supermarket development. 

This scheme included: - 

·         Additional crossing points for pedestrians together with associated highway works including build-outs around the Eastwood Lane junction and Wharncliffe Street service road.

·         Removal of existing pedestrian barrier to assist in the provision of a footway, to link  the bus stop on the central island with the footway on Wharncliffe Street service road and Eastwood Lane.

·         A pedestrian refuge island on Wharncliffe Street near Percy Street allowing an additional crossing point for pedestrians to be provided between Drummond street car park, the surrounding residential area and the college restaurant, Civic theatre and nearby businesses whilst also enabling easier movement for the public between bus stops.

·         Associated footway works will also be required as there is currently a grass verge adjacent the proposed crossing point that will need to be partially removed to allow connection between the existing footway and the proposed island.

·         An over run build-out extension of the existing island between A6021 and the service road be constructed to restrict vehicles from turning right out of Eastwood Lane onto Wharncliffe Street, as the banned turn is widely abused.

The scheme was estimated to cost £60,000 and funding had been identified from the 2014/ 2015 Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport block.

It was requested that the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods agree for the proposal to undertake a consultation process, and subject to no concerns being raised, that the scheme be implemented this financial year. 

Resolved: -  (1)  That detail design work be undertaken on the proposed improvements and the scheme be implemented as shown in drawing 126/17/TT305.3.

(2) That Public and Statutory consultation be undertaken on the proposed improvement to Wharncliffe Street and the surrounding area as shown in drawing 126/17/TT305.3. and, that, subject to no objections being received, the proposal be implemented this financial year.

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Director for Housing and Neighbourhoods Services that outlined the actions needed to facilitate the implementation of the community trigger in Rotherham, in accordance with Section 104 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, 2014, which was due to come into force on 20^th October, 2014, and to also be consistent with the Home Office document ‘Reform of Anti-Social Behaviour Powers – Statutory Guidance for Frontline Professionals’ published July, 2014.

The submitted report outlined what the trigger was and those who could use it, the thresholds that needed to be met and the contact details of the responsible officers. 

These actions were: -

·         The responsibility for the administration and monitoring of the Community Trigger process in Rotherham will sit with the RMBC Crime and ASB Manager who would ensure regular updates were reported through the Safer Rotherham Partnership (SRP) and the county-wide Anti-Social Behaviour Working Group, chaired by South Yorkshire Police;

·         The Communications Plan was subject to joint discussion between the police and the four local authority communication teams and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office;

·         Performance monitoring and management;

·         Potential for administrative costs regarding the operational management of the Community Trigger process.

Resolved: - (1)  That the proposed procedures to be put in place to facilitate the implementation of the Community Trigger in Rotherham be noted. 

(2)  That periodic update reports on the use of the Community Trigger and the response from partners to address the issues raised be presented to the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods. 

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Director for Neighbourhood and Adult Services that detailed proposals for alternative delivery methods for the vulnerable tenants’ gardening scheme. 

The submitted report outlined the scheme that had existed for tenants over the age of 65 provided initially by the Council and later by Morrisons. 

The report outlined how the Service operated and issues it experienced being a reactive scheme, capacity issues, Council subsidy, income recovery and the lack of assessment criteria.

Three options were considered for the continuation of the garden scheme: -

• Continue use of Morrison FS;
• Tender works;
• Investigate options for delivery through a social enterprise/CVF sector organisation.

Neighbourhood and Adult Service’s Directorate Leadership Team supported the expansion of the Age UK Rotherham gardening scheme to enable it to provide a service for appropriate council housing tenants.  Age UK Rotherham was issued with a small grant agreement and service specification to ensure that monies were spent accordingly and work was undertaken in-line the Council’s local offer to customers. 

The funding provided by the Council had enabled Age UK Rotherham to offer gardening services to more older people across the borough, supporting them to maintain their gardens and continue to live independently and safely in their own homes.  Age UK Rotherham gardening client base had substantially expanded, making their service more sustainable long term. 

The costs of enabling Age UK Rotherham to expand their current operation and provide a gardening service to appropriate council housing tenants was £22,727.24 

The funding was used for the following activities:

• To support the cost of short term hire of vehicles and the purchase of short life gardening equipment.
• To support the cost of the short term Coordinator time to cover the initial transfer of clients

The cost of enabling Age UK Rotherham to undertake the garden rectification work due to the gardens not being duly maintained as part of Rotherham MBC’s gardening scheme was £6,140.00.

Resolved: - That £5000 from the Housing Revenue Account be allocated to cover any future garden rectification works required by Council tenants who approach Age UK Rotherham for a regular garden service. 

Resolved: -  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972. 

Resolved: -  That the tender submitted by Hall Construction Ltd dated 29th August, 2014, be accepted. 

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 – financial affairs)

Consideration was given to the report that outlined the Introductory Tenancy Review Panel that took place on 11^th September, 2014, which comprised of Councillor Ellis in the Chair, along with Councillors Foden and Pitchley. 

Resolved: - That the Panel’s decision to confirm the termination of the Introductory Tenancy be noted. 

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 – information likely to reveal the identity of an individual)

Resolved: -  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods take place on Monday 3^rd November, 2014, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall.