Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made at this meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

There were no communications to report.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission, held on 25th November, 2015, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Councillor Godfrey, Chair of the Task and Finish Group, gave the following presentation on the findings of the review:-

Scope of the Review

-          To explore the current provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres and special household waste collections (green waste and bulky collections)

-          Examine options for future provisions identifying potential areas for savings and/or income generation

-          Explore options for increasing recycling rates and introducing re-use into the Waste Collection Service

Legal and Policy Drivers

-          Environmental Protection Act 1990, Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 and Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011

-          Collection of household waste including at least four types of recyclable waste must be free of charge

-          Must provide HWRCs for depositing household waste free of charge open at all reasonable times; Legislation does not stipulate the number of sites or opening hours

-          The Council can charge for green waste, non-household waste (such as DIY wastes, hardcore, rubble) and commercial waste

-          RMBC’s Waste Strategy covers the period 2005-2020 but it does require review; this is in progress of production with BDR partners

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC)

-          Four centres in Rotherham all of limited size

-          Managed and operated by FCC Environmental under BDR contract due for renewal in 2018

-          No business waste is accepted

-          All Centres closed one day per week with deferred decision to close for additional day in 2013

-          Some impact from closure felt in terms of increased congestion, traffic queues and customer service

-          One day closure has not led to any significant increase in flytipping although there have been isolated incidents at the entrance to sites

HWRC’S Charging for Non-Household Waste

-          Examined successful scheme in North Yorkshire

-          Kier runs the scheme and takes the income; North Yorkshire Council benefits through avoiding haulage and disposal costs

-          Extensive consultation prior to introduction

-          73% reduction of deposited waste but no discernible increase in flytipping; increased use of skips

-          Scheme also available to small businesses

-          Task and Finish Group recommends the Council to explore introduction of charging for non-household wastes – FCC supportive

HWRC’s – Introduction of Re-use Service

-          No current provision on any of our HWRCs

-          FCC introducing limited re-use in conjunction with WEEE Service provider and Doncaster refurnish.  Reluctant to scale up within existing contract

-          British Heart Foundation keen to establish re-use on HWRCs

-          Task and Finish Group recommend establishment of re-use on HWRCs as part of new contract

HWRCs – Joint BDR Contract

-     Work should commence now by BDR for contract renewal in 2018

-     Benefits of HWRC provision being considered as a whole across the partnership – greater economies of scale

-     Investigate longer term options for providing larger sites with greater scope to accept commercial waste, enhance recycling and re-use provision

Bulky Goods Collection

-          Statutory requirement but can make a reasonable charge

-          Price sensitive and operates at small loss

-          Some goods recycled but no current re-use

-          Potential to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Simeon Leach, Regeneration Manager, to present

Simeon Leach, Economic Development Manager, reported that the draft Masterplan had been received the previous day.  Due to the size of the document it was not possible to e-mail but a link would be provided to Members to access it online.

The final draft of the document would be submitted to the Advisory Cabinet on 15^th February, 2016 and this Select Commission on 24^th February before consultation began on 1^st March, 2016. 

The broad headlines of the draft Masterplan were as follows;-

Background

-          Town Centre Renaissance Programme initially produced in 2005

-          25 year plan

-          Funded by Yorkshire Forward

-          Progress slowed down after recession, public sector funding squeeze and the winding up of Yorkshire Forward

-          Revision of Masterplan agreed on the back of Rotherham’s Economic Growth Plan

Progress to Date

-          Delivered a number of projects:-

Westgate Demonstrator

Tesco Superstore

New Council offices

Redevelopment rail station

Main Issues in Draft Masterplan

-          Gold routes to best connect parts of the Town Centre (i.e. Clifton Park to High Street)

-          Enhanced gateways to the Town centre (i.e. Sheffield Road)

-          Better utilise the River/Canal

-          Re-model markets to provide a smaller better quality offer

-          Freeing up development space

-          Increase the residential offer

Forge Island

-          Cinema-led leisure development (potential for residential element)

-          Improve linkages to rest of the town and station

-          Developments on Weirside/Corporation Street

-          Utilise riverfront location

Next Steps

-          Sign off of Masterplan by Advisory Cabinet

-          Widespread consultation with stakeholders

-          Adoption of Supplementary Planning Document

-          Implementation overseen by sub-group of Business Growth Board

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

-          When the consultation commenced it would be made clear that it was a vision of what was hoped to be delivered subject to funding being available

-          British Waterways would be fully involved in the consultation as the waterways were a vital part of the redevelopment

-          There were difficult market conditions and the consultants would look at the possibilities of funding.  Discussions had been taking place with the City Region and the Authority had been requested to put forward its priorities one of which would be the need to get more money for urban renaissance

-          A development such as a cinema would hopefully bring custom into the town centre which would then have a knock-on effect.  Town centres were changing with smaller retail cores

-          The Masterplan would be used as a prospectus for investors

-          A recent visit by DCLG had revealed interest in potentially two pilot housing projects

Resolved:-  That the presentation be noted and a further report submitted to the 24^th February, 2016, meeting of this Select Commission.

Councillor Atkin to give update

Councillor Atkin, Chair of the Task and Finish Group, reported that the report was now being finalised and would be presented to the 24^th February meeting of this Select Commission.

It was noted that representatives from the Parish Council Joint Working Group would be invited for that item.

Resolved:-  That the Task and Finish Group’s draft report be submitted to the 24^th February, 2016, Improving Places Select Commission.