Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest to report.

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

The Chair provided confirmation of a scrutiny review meeting by the Improving Places Select Commission on the Housing Strategy on the 9^th January, 2019 at 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1^st November, 2018.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission held on Thursday, 1^st November, 2018, be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given the report which provided an update on the progress and activities of Asset Management.

The Council’s Corporate Asset Management Plan 2017 - 2023, which incorporated the Council’s Asset Management Policy and Strategy, was now the guiding document for Asset Management activities and priorities with the decisions on property delegated to the Assistant Director Planning Regeneration and Transport and only those of a value greater than £100,000 or at the request of the Cabinet Member reserved for Cabinet.

Progress against the Corporate Asset Management Plan was monitored by the Asset Management Board, which was not a decision-making vehicle, but made recommendations. The latest monitoring position confirmed that all actions were “Green” or completed.

The process for dealing with surplus property and decisions and the procedure for the review of surplus operational assets had been revisited and the process both simplified and made more open and included the consultation with Ward Members after an asset had been deemed to be surplus to the Council’s requirements.

Additionally earlier consultation with Ward Members was now also included,  before recommendations to the Asset Management Board, where there was a proposal to retain, demolish or declare an asset surplus to the Council’s requirements.

At the request of the Service, the Internal Audit Service had carried out an Audit on the Statutory Compliance in the operational estate. This found that the Asset Management Service was ensuring compliance, but that the methods of compliance record storage and reporting upwards of that compliance required improvement. A set of actions have been agreed to improve compliance record storage and to instigate regular reports on compliance to the Regeneration and Environment - Directorate Management Team and the Asset Management Board.

Paul Smith, Head of Asset Management, provided further insight into Asset Management by way of a powerpoint presentation, which highlighted:-

·                Asset Management Governance Structure.

·                Post Review – The Asset Management Leadership Team.

·                Asset Management Budget.

·                Key Assessment Management Deliverables.

·                Partnership Working.

·                Corporate Asset Management Plan – Five Main Objectives.

·                Property Reviews.

·                Non-Operational Commercial Property Review

·                Commercial Investment, Acquisition and Development Strategy.

·                Condition Surveys.

Further information was also provided on the Property Review Flowchart Process and the contents outlined in detail to Members.

A discussion and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and clarified:-

·                Consistency in the management of former school caretaker’s bungalows as isolated properties.

Properties of this type would go through various stages and internal consultation whether to retain or dispose.  Any representation would be received by the Asset Management Board.  Officers would investigate outstanding concerns and return back.

·                Engagement with local residents on the Swinton precinct redevelopment.

·                Internal Audit Service audit on compliance and the details on the outcome.

External Audit reviewed all compliance documents and advised the compliant statutory record keeping needed improving and should be reported back more often to Asset Management Board.

·                Asset Management dashboard and those performance measures on hold identified as “green”, should these not be “amber”.

The performance measures deemed vital in terms of resource management and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Consideration was given to the report which set out the main points of the draft Rotherham Employment and Skills Plan.

The Plan was a joint Council/RTP document, with monitoring of its implementation the responsibility of the Employability and Skills Sub-Group of the Business Growth Board.

The Plan had two main objectives:-

·                A workforce with the skills and experience to support Rotherham’s economic growth and secure investment.

·                Supporting people back into sustainable employment.

Consultation was carried out with local businesses, providers and support organisations, by Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), to identify the main issues facing Rotherham in regard to employability and skills. The headline findings included:-

·                Skills shortages and recruitment difficulties for certain sectors.

·                Employers (un)willing to accommodate employees with multiple needs.

·                Most job information now via the internet and across a wide range of sources, which some people find difficult to access.

·                Returners to job markets have outdated skills (esp. IT) and lack confidence.

·                Assistance for job seekers has reduced considerably.

·                Welfare reform is excluding some people – “survival rather than job hunting”.

·                Need more employer involvement in developing the Rotherham skills and employment offer.

·                In work poverty.

Improved skill levels could underpin strong and sustainable economic and employment growth, while supporting an increase in the levels and quality of employment for local residents. To achieve this, Rotherham partners would seek to deliver the following priorities:-

·                Provide the support that Rotherham residents require to access the local job market and to maximise progression within their careers.

·                Assist businesses to source the training they require to unlock new jobs, new markets and raise productivity.

·                Develop enterprising young people and jobseekers, aware of the career options available to them and the breadth of local employment opportunities, including apprenticeships.

·                Use the University Centre Rotherham (UCR) and other local providers to drive an increase in the number of residents with Level 4 and higher qualifications.

·                Ensure that (young) people can find a job that meets their aspirations within Rotherham or the wider Sheffield City Region.

·                Broker close linkages between Rotherham based enterprises, many of whom are successful and growing, and Rotherham schools and colleges, to provide the workforce of the future – including teacher/industry placements and business involvement in curriculum delivery.

The Plan included a “delivery plan” setting out the actions needed to deliver these priorities, with each action having an outcome and timescale, which it would be monitored against.

It was, therefore, important for the Council to produce and implement a Rotherham Employment and Skills Plan - to deliver a fit for purpose strategy developed and endorsed by all the relevant stakeholders, which would meet the needs of both businesses and residents to ensure they could access sustainable jobs with the prospect of career progression.

The Plan would also ensure that Rotherham’s employment and skills activities dovetail with those of the wider City Region.

A discussion and question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and clarified:-

·                Future and current implications of the Plan, the success of its delivery and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Resolved:- That the next meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission take place on  Thursday, 14^th February, 2019 at 1.30 p.m.