Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 April 2022 as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-

1.    That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 April 2022 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

The Chair advised that there were no members of the public or representatives of media organisations present at the meeting and there were no questions in respect of matters on the agenda.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair advised that there were no items of business on the agenda that would require the exclusion of the press or public from the meeting.

To consider an outline Enviro-Crime Plan and to provide feedback on each of three main objectives and associated activities.

Consideration was given to a report and presentation on early phase development of an Enviro-Crime Plan presented by the Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment and the Assistant Director for Community Safety and Street Scene. The main objectives of the Plan were presented for feedback from Members. The objectives were Prevention, Engagement, and Enforcement. Prevention is about designing out crime and making it harder for offenses to happen in the first place. The Engagement objective emphasises the need to communicate well the environment services available for people to dispose of their waste, the enforcement actions taken, and informing residents about environmental offenses and their responsibilities. The Enforcement objective is about effectiveness at all phases of the waste disposal cycle, working well with police, increasing outputs of fines and prosecutions and notices requiring demonstration of responsible waste disposal and appropriate documentation. The service leads provided examples of tactical measures for discussion.

In discussion, Members asked for more information about how the service will work with private landlords. The response from officers noted that Council does contact landowners to ask them to clear waste on land they own, and the Council does have the power to enforce the landowners to clear waste on private land, which can sometimes be problematic for landowners when they

Members also asked for clarification around waste on private versus common land, or land where it is difficult to pin down ownership of land. Land usually has an owner although it can be hard to identify.

Members requested further information around budget provision for clearing eyesores or public health concerns that are on private land. There is funding going into the service to help expand coverage, and there is a special team with expertise to design out crime.

A specific example was given of a trouble spot for fly tipping. A further conversation regarding the trouble spot was offered outside the meeting.

Members also suggested better communication around schemes that are affordable, for example, qualification for extra bins. The service noted that the Plan would include expanding communication around the available schemes. Further work is in motion around making it an offense to advertise irresponsible waste disposal.

Members noted favourably the involvement of Members in nominating bins or bin changes. The service noted that the local knowledge of elected Members can be very valuable prior to making changes to bins.

Members noted the difficulty with fly tipping on common land, and that the Plan include provision for this grey area. Service leads offered a direct conversation about specific pieces of land. Where it there is land that is not owned by anyone, this can make prevention and enforcement difficult in that area but at the same time must be addressed so that it does not become harmful to communities.

Members offered examples of successful engagement, including work in schools and work by a community grassroots litter picking organisation which are already performing an excellent service for the community by tackling hotspots. Members suggested that the service tie in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider and discuss an outline work programme for municipal year 2022/23 and invite suggestions of proposed items for scrutiny.

Consideration was given to an outline work programme for 2022/23. Several potential items for inclusion were identified and Members were invited to suggest possible items for the evolving work programme.

Resolved:-

1.    That the report and proposed schedule of work be noted.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Governance Advisor in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair to make changes to the schedule of work as appropriate between meetings, reporting any changes back to the next meeting for endorsement.

To consider and endorse findings and recommendations from the recent spotlight review on markets recovery and engagement and associated site visit to the Rotherham Town Centre markets complex.

Consideration was given to a summary report outlining the findings and recommendations of the recent spotlight review on Markets Recovery and Engagement. The report described a site visit to the indoor and outdoor areas of the Town Centre markets complex and outlined the discussion with national experts and service leads around the redevelopment of the Rotherham Town Centre Markets.

Resolved:-

1.    That a review of the Council’s Rules and Regulations in respect of Markets be added to the IPSC work programme.

2.    That the following recommendations from the review be endorsed for submission to Overview and Scrutiny Management Board:

a)      That face-to-face consultations and clear communication be prioritised in all interactions with vendors and traders.

b)      That the service avail case studies and resources available in the libraries of NABMA and NMTF to inform the strategic refresh of Rotherham markets.

c)      That the service re-evaluate the support offer for new vendors, in consultation with NABMA and NMTF, with a view to encouraging more new vendors to continue trading beyond the six-month introductory period.

d)      In view of relevant expert advice in respect of sustaining a market during redevelopment works, that retaining traders through the redevelopment phase be considered top priority.

e)      That any re-design of markets spaces duly consider usability and aesthetics, availing market research to optimise spaces for inclusiveness and accessibility, and to make the offer especially attractive to students and young people.

f)       That consideration be given to how the redesign and operation of the market may best cater to the needs and interests of younger generations by strengthening links with RNN student populations and extending opportunities to new entrepreneurs through the Young Traders Scheme.

g)      Recognising that the Town Centre markets complex represents a unique and distinct microeconomy with its own accompanying needs and character, that consideration be given to the ongoing management resource required to sustain the markets economy successfully over the long term.

h)      That consideration be given to design and development choices that would help the markets to incorporate cashless, up-to-date approaches to commerce that their potential customers expect.

To receive nominations for a representative member of IPSC to the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel for municipal year 2022/23.

Councillor McNeely volunteered to continue to serve as representative on the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.

Resolved:-

1.    That Councillor McNeely represent IPSC on the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel for 2022/23.

To consider any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised that there were no urgent items of business requiring the Commission’s consideration.

The next meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission will take place on 19 July 2022, commencing at 1.30 pm in Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved:-

1.    That the next meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission will take place on 19 July 2022, commencing at 1.30 pm.