Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made at this meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods held on 3^rd November, 2014, were considered.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as an accurate record.

·         A631 Maltby. 

A petition containing 66 signatures relating to the volume and speed of traffic on the A631 through Maltby was submitted for consideration.

Resolved: -  (1)  That the petition be received and forwarded on to Officers in the Environment and Development Services Directorate to investigate the matters raised.

(2)  That a follow-up report be presented to the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods in due course. 

·         To note the action of the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods in opening two tenders on 18^th November, 2014. 

The action of the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods in opening two tenders in relation to the former District Office and Library, Rawmarsh Hill, and land off Browning Road, Herringthorpe on 18^th November, 2014, was noted.  

Resolved: -  That the opening of the two tenders be noted.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Housing Options Manager (Housing and Neighbourhoods, Neighbourhood and Adult Services Directorate), stating that an e-petition signed by 2 people had been received from residents of East Dene, raising concerns about the levels of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in East Dene Park at Park Road, East Dene.  A copy of the petition was appended to the report. Members noted that the petition had been acknowledged and that officers had had discussions with the lead petitioner in respect of the issues raised. The report contained a detailed explanation of the action being taken to address those various issues.

The submitted report also outlined the historic and subsequent actions taken in the area.  The petition had raised issues around glass smashing, general noise and drug use.  Since its receipt, assurances had been provided to local residents regarding CCTV and tidying-up; The Walk was litter picked on a weekly basis.  The St. James Community Group was also keen to litter-pick and an application for a £250 grant from Rother Fed had been made in support of this. 

The Safer Neighbourhood Team would retain the issue on their agenda as a watching brief and continuing contact with the Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Manager, an evaluation of the CCTV camera on site would continue.

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

(2) That the details of the e-petition be noted.

(3) That the action taken in response to the issues raised within the petition, as detailed in the report now submitted, be noted.

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Finance Manager (Financial Services, Resources Directorate) that set out proposed budget virements within the Housing Investment Programme for 2014/2015. 

Virements requested in relation to the budget headings that showed the budget and revised budget: -

·         Other capital works - £1,901 increase;

·         Environmental works - £106,901 increase;

·         Empty Homes - £200,000 decrease;

·         Electrical board and bond - £30,000 decrease;

·         Asbestos removal and testing - £90,000 decrease;

·         Boundary wall treatments - £40,000 increase;

·         Community centre improvements - £200,000 increase;

·         External insulation (EPC Improvements) - £25,000 reduction;

·         Community centre improvements – creation of a new budget of £100,000 with regards to the lighting and fire-equipment within the centres;

·         Canklow phase one and two - £339,649 reduction. 

Questions were asked on the proposed virement of funds: -

·         There were two references to community centre improvements, were the works referred to separate? – Yes, the two budget headings represented different work projects;

·         Further information was requested on the Council’s strategic acquisition policy.

Resolved:-  That the virements as set out in the submitted report and appendix one be approved in relation the Housing Investment Programme, 2014/2015. 

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Planning Officer, providing a brief summary of the Town Centre Sequential and Impact Tests: Good Practice Guidance. The report stated that this document was intended to provide additional guidance to policies in the adopted Local Plan Core Strategy, where sequential and impact tests are required for planning applications for main town centre uses. 

Members were informed that Core Strategy Policy CS12 established the retail centre hierarchy within Rotherham. This Policy also provided the more detailed guidance for applying sequential and impact tests, including the local threshold for undertaking the impact test. The full guidance document was appended to the submitted report and comprised various sections which addressed these issues:-

- When a sequential or impact test is required;

- Agreeing the scope of the assessment;

- Carrying out a sequential test,

- Carrying out an impact test;

- How the assessments will inform planning decisions.

The Good Practice Guidance was intended to ensure that applicants for planning permission receive consistent advice regarding sequential and impact test assessments. It would also clearly establish the Council’s expectations and provides a document which could be a material consideration when making planning decisions.

The Cabinet Member welcomed the document that provided advice and guidance to individual applicants and/or their agents. 

Questions were asked on: -

·         Did the Planning Service have the capacity to support assessment of the applications;

·         Was the guidance accessible for lay-people?;

·         The Protection of the Town Centre Policy and the impact on other areas;

·         Guidance to streamline the process and ensure that applications were submitted correctly the first time. 

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

(2) That the contents of the submitted report and the preparation of robust Good Practice Guidance, to guide the preparation and decision-making of future planning applications and setting out clear requirements for applicants when submitting their proposals, be noted.

(3) That the publication of the Good Practice Guidance, as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications, be supported.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Traffic Engineer (Transportation and Highways Design, Environment and Development Services Directorate), concerning a proposal to revoke the existing pedestrianisation orders on parts of roads at Whinney Hill, Dalton, to create an all-purpose highway which will form part of a proposed new road layout for a new development in this part of Dalton.

It was noted that there would be no cost to the Council as the developer had already committed to fund costs regardless of whether the development went ahead, or not. 

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

(2) That an application be made to the Department for Transport for permission to revoke the current pedestrianisation order made under the provisions of Town and Country Planning legislation, for the areas of roads at Whinney Hill, Dalton and shown on the submitted drawing number 126/17/TT303.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Traffic Engineer (Transportation and Highways Design, Environment and Development Services Directorate), concerning a proposal to trial an advisory part-time 20 mph speed limit outside Ravenfield Primary School at Moor Lane North, Ravenfield. The report stated that this proposal was the product of recent discussions between Council Officers and John Healey MP about concerns being expressed by the parents of children who attended Ravenfield Primary School and staff members, in relation to the speed of vehicles along Moor Lane North during pupil arrival and leaving times. Moor Lane North was currently subject to a 40mph speed limit.  Members noted that a petition about vehicle speeds near to this Primary School may also be presented to the Council and, as such, will be the subject of a separate report to the Cabinet Member.

It was proposed that new signing on both approaches to Ravenfield Primary School be installed, indicating a maximum speed of 20 mph when lights show.  This speed limit would be of an advisory nature and will not require a Traffic Regulation Order to be processed prior to implementation, allowing the measures to be installed within a relatively short timescale. Details of the approximate location of the proposed signs, together with an example of the permitted signing, were shown on drawing number 126/46/TT101 appended to the report.

Discussion followed and it was noted that a speed trial would be taken before and after the programme had been implemented and the outcomes would be used to inform future scheme.  The scheme would cost approximately £3,500 and would be financed from the Council’s 2014/2015 Capital Programme.

Questions were asked on: -

·         Was the proposed scheme based on strong evidence that excessive speeds or accidents were an issue in the local area, or the anecdotal reports of local stakeholders?

·         Did the scheme offer value for money?

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

(2) That approval be granted for the detailed design to be carried out for an advisory part-time 20 mph speed limit outside Ravenfield Primary School at Moor Lane North, Ravenfield and, subject to no objections being received, for the scheme to be implemented as a trial.

(3) That the scheme be funded from the Council’s 2014/15 Capital Programme for converting existing traffic calmed areas to 20 mph.

(4) That, after an initial six months of operation, the effectiveness of the advisory part-time 20 mph speed limit at Moor Lane North, Ravenfield be reviewed in order to inform the potential further use of this type of road safety scheme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Traffic Engineer (Transportation and Highways Design, Environment and Development Services Directorate), concerning the objections received by the Council to the proposed introduction of ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on Fitzwilliam Street, Festival Road, Stump Cross Road, Cross Street and Fitzwilliam Avenue, Wath upon Dearne.

The report stated that the proposed introduction of ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions around the junctions of these various roads in Wath upon Dearne was in response to a significant number of complaints about parking around the junctions during school drop-off and pick-up times. A request had also been received from South Yorkshire Police, via the Wentworth North Safer Neighbourhood Team. Parking at these locations had caused obstruction to driveways and footways, thereby causing pedestrians to be diverted from their desired line of travel and walk into the carriageway.  This had seriously reduced visibility at the road junctions.

Members were informed that, after the advertisement of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order (May 2014) and consultation with stakeholders, six objections have been received by the Council to the originally proposed parking restrictions. As a consequence, some amendments were made and the revised proposal was shown on drawing number 126/18/TT599 (appendix 2a submitted to this meeting).

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

(2) That the objections to the proposed scheme, as now reported, be not acceded to.

(3) That the objectors be informed of the decision and the reasons why.

(4) That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services make the proposed Traffic Regulation Order, as advertised, for the introduction of ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on Fitzwilliam Street, Festival Road, Stump Cross Road, Cross Street and Fitzwilliam Avenue, Wath upon Dearne, as shown on drawing number 126/18/TT599 (appendix 2a to the report) now submitted.

Further to Minute No. 6 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development Services held on 19th May, 2008, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Traffic Engineer (Transportation and Highways Design, Environment and Development Services Directorate), concerning the objections received by the Council to the proposed introduction of ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ and ‘Limited Time waiting’ restrictions on Worrygoose Lane, Reresby Drive and Lathe Road, Whiston. The report described the various parking issues in this area, including:-

: the use of a time limited waiting bay in the lay-by adjacent to the shops at Worrygoose Lane;

: complaints received from local residents about the number of vehicles parking on the junctions of Worrygoose Lane/Reresby Drive and Worrygoose Lane/Lathe Road; vehicle parking at these locations has caused obstruction to driveways and footways and has also seriously reduced visibility at the junctions;

: the proposal to introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions (double yellow lines) on both sides of the junction of Worrygoose Lane/Reresby Drive to a minimum distance of ten metres and ‘Time Limited Waiting’ restrictions (single yellow line) Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, extending from Worrygoose Lane into Lathe Road by approximately 70 metres (these proposed waiting restrictions were shown on drawing number 126/18/TT473, appended to the report).

The report detailed the two objections to and the three letters of support for the proposed scheme of parking restrictions.

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

(2) That the objections to the proposed scheme, as now reported, be not acceded to.

(3) That the objectors be informed of the decision and the reasons why.

(4) That the letters of support for the scheme be noted.

(5) That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services make the proposed Traffic Regulation Order, as advertised, for the introduction of ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ and ‘Limited Time waiting’ restrictions on Worrygoose Lane, Reresby Drive and Lathe Road, Whiston, as shown on drawing number 126/18/TT473 now submitted.

(6)  That monitoring be undertaken when the scheme had been implemented. 

Further to Minute No. G118 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Environment held on 4th April, 2011, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, seeking an exemption to the Council’s Standing Orders to facilitate the commissioning of Systra to assist this Council in making an application to the Sheffield City Region Infrastructure Fund (SCRIF) in respect of the Waverley Link Road scheme. The report stated that the Waverley Link Road scheme had been identified by the Sheffield City Region Local Transport Body as one of two priority schemes, within the Rotherham Borough area, which may have the largest impact on jobs and the economy in the Sheffield City Region.

Members were informed that Systra (formerly MVA Consultancy Ltd) currently hosted the Multi-Modal Transport Model and until a decision was made on the future of the Framework Contract for Multi-Modal Transport Modelling, were the only organisation which could currently operate and interrogate this model. The requirements of the SCRIF Infrastructure Fund necessitated the Council making a full business case application for the Waverley Link Road scheme.

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

(2) That, for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted, approval be granted for an exemption from Standing Order 47.6.3 (requirement for contracts valued at less than £50,000) and Systra shall be commissioned to support the Council in making an application to the Sheffield City Region Investment Fund for funding in respect of the Waverley Link Road scheme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Senior Engineer, seeking an exemption to the Council’s Standing Orders to facilitate the award of the maintenance contract for the Accsmap software. The report stated that Accsmap software was a map-based road collision analysis and database system used to identify road safety problems and generate remedial road safety engineering schemes and road safety education initiatives.  The software was also used by the other South Yorkshire local authorities, South Yorkshire Safety Cameras, South Yorkshire Police and the South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Partnership. The Council hosted the software on behalf of these partners.

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

(2) That, for the reasons detailed in the report now submitted, approval be granted for an exemption from Standing Order 47.6.3 (requirements for contracts valued at less than £50,000) and the maintenance contract for the Accsmap computer software shall be awarded to Buchanan Computing for a period of one year commencing on 1st January, 2015.

The following items are likely to considered be in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (financial affairs relating to an individual, including the Council, and information relating to legal professional privilege). 

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 Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relates to financial or business affairs, including those of the Council and information relating to legal professional privilege).

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Housing Options Manager, concerning the review of supported temporary accommodation for homeless households being undertaken as part of the Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2014 to 2018. The report contained a proposal for a review of the number of properties on lease arrangements used for homeless households and also to change the property types and locality of some of the properties.          

In addition, Members were informed that there was a pool of 25 Council-owned properties, known as “crash pads”. These Council properties are managed by the Housing Options team. The report outlined a proposal to dispose of properties to achieve a saving for the Supporting People budget.  

Resolved:- (1) That a decision be deferred until further information was available on the financial options of each proposal. 

(2)  That the portfolio of 36 dispersed properties be reduced by 10 units to be managed and supported by the SYHA, and renew the leases for the remaining 26. 

(3)  That the current “crash pad” provision of 25 units be retained. 

Further to Minute No. 238 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9th April, 2014, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Legal Service Manager (Commercial and Governance) that contained an update in respect of the litigation brought by Property Search Companies against the Council, (in common with all other local authorities) and recommending settlement of the second part of the litigation on terms proposed nationally. The report detailed the involvement of the Local Government Association in this matter, as well as the receipt of Counsel’s advice.

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

(2) That it be noted that the property searches litigation matter has now reached a conclusion.

(3) That the terms of the proposed settlement in respect of the second set of claims, brought by APPS Claimants, as detailed in the report now submitted, be agreed.

(4) That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to complete the necessary documentation in respect of the proposed settlement of this matter.

·         Additional meeting arranged for: - Monday 8^th December, 2014, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall;

·         Scheduled meeting: -  Monday 12^th January, 2015, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved: -  That the next meeting of the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods take place on Monday 8^th December, 2014, to start at 10.00 a.m. in the Rotherham Town Hall.