Agenda and draft minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 December 2024 as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10^th December, 2024 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

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

There were no declarations of interest to report.

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 the overview of the portfolio of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Safe and Clean Communities.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Finance and Safe and Clean Communities to the meeting.

Councillor Alam shared details of his Cabinet portfolio which ensured residents and employees were treated fairly and with dignity.

The portfolio also had an overview of the proper and efficient working of the Council and its processes, and with key elements of the Community Safety agenda and led on key Waste and Street Scene Services that were integral to the quality of life of residents.

Councillor Alam confirmed he also led on the ambition to secure “Excellent” accreditation under the Equality Framework for Local Government. Specific responsibilities included:-

·              All matters relating to Waste Management, collection and recycling, including engagement with the BDR Waste Partnership.

·              Street Scene, Street Cleansing, Litter & Fly Tipping.

·              Household Waste Recycling Centres.

·              To lead on Emergency Planning issues.

·              To lead on day to day working of financial activity (including Revenues and Benefits), and to support the Leader in development of the Budget and Capital Strategy.

·              Human resources strategies, policies and procedures.

·              To lead on ICT, particularly on new ways of working and Digital Inclusion.

·              To lead on Internal Audit and Risk Management.

·              To lead on Health, Safety and Equalities at Work.

·              Community Safety, Crime Reduction and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategies.

·              Chair of the Safer Rotherham Partnership.

·              All matters relating to the Channel Duty.

·              All matters relating to the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (including “Protect” and “Prepare”).

·              All matters relating to the deployment of portable CCTV.

·              Overall responsibility for Enforcement policy and performance (including Community Protection, Environmental Health, food hygiene and the joint agreement with Doncaster MBC).

·              To lead on all matters relating to Legal Services.

The Commission welcomed the opportunity to consider the content of the portfolio in detail and in doing so sought clarification on the term “channel duty”, recruitment and retention of Legal staff and costs associated with hiring locums, the biggest challenges facing Emergency Planning and whether there were any particuarly “at risk” areas within the Borough associated with extremism.

Councillor Alam appreciated the opportunity to respond to questions and confirmed that “channel duty” related to where concerns were expressed and referrals were made about children in an educational setting and the need for them to receive the correct level of support with regards to Prevent.

In terms of recruitment and retention of Legal staff and the desire to keep costs to a minimum, plans were already established within the Legal teams for training and development of Para Legal officers and on the job training.  There was a shortage of Legal staff within Local Government and Rotherham was taking action to help plug those gaps.  There were occasions where specialised Locums were required, but every effort was being made to keep this to a minimum.

Emergency Planning was facing some difficulties in the recruitment of volunteers in the event of an incident.  Naturally with staff turnover there were some changes, but more volunteers were required to be on call.

In terms of Rotherham’s risk of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To consider the presentation regarding the Rotherham Gateway (Mainline & Tram Train) Station.

Consideration was given to a presentation on Rotherham’s Gateway (Mainline and Tram Train) Station.

The Chair issued a welcome to Councillor Taylor, Cabinet Member, Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment, Simon Moss, Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport, Lucy Mitchell, Regeneration Manager - Investment Zone and Leisure Economy and Nat Porter, Interim Head of Transportation Infrastructure Service.

The Cabinet Member introduced the presentation pointing out that in the last forty years the rail connection to Rotherham had been poor.  This needed to be addressed if there were to be any serious aspirations for growth and prosperity within the borough.

This Gateway Project would not only provide a new mainline station, but a host of other transport and economic growth solutions.  This was a serious undertaking and there were many hurdles to overcome before the plans became a reality.  However, there was determination to make this happen and most importantly with the support of the Regional Mayor and the Government.

Simon Moss was invited to give his presentation which highlighted:-

·            What Rotherham’s Gateway Station was.

·            Key Outcomes for the Station.

·            Local Context for the Station.

·            Project Background.

·            Five Current Workstreams:-

v   Land Acquisition.

v   Mainline Station and Tram Train Stop Outline Business Case.

v   Masterplan.

v   Business Centre Feasibility Study.

v   Effingham Street Active Travel Feasibility Study completed.

·            Station Design.

·            Phase 1: Station Opening 2030/31.

·            Indicative Timeline & Next Steps to Delivery.

·            Waverley Station.

The Chair thanked officers for their informative presentation and invited any questions.

A discussion and answer session ensued and information was shared on:-

The station was an exciting and innovative economic growth project for Rotherham and the support provided by officers was applauded.  It was confirmed that approaches had been made to a number of rail operators and there was interest in various considerations with invitations onto the Steering Group.  One operator also sat on the Board and involved in plans for the station’s development.

Questions were also raised around the project if funding was secured, when construction would start, the timeframe and what kind of disruption would local residents face. 

Representatives confirmed that indicative timeframes were available, but with any major construction there would be some disruption for those that lived in and around the area.  The extent of what this would involve still remained uncertain.

Selection of the location between the two train lines and the anticipated delivery of Bassingthorpe Farm was acknowledged, but further information was sought on whether any realistic consideration had been given as to how people would get into the centre of Rotherham from the station with the constraints of bridges, the canal and river in between.  Was it an expectation that in arriving at the station passengers would continue on the tram into Rotherham Central or catch public transport.

Representatives pointed out the importance of the Bassingthorpe Farm development on the station business case, but all considerations formed part of the masterplan work which was ongoing.  However, Effingham Street was to be the main corridor and improvements and challenges  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To consider and endorse the outline schedule of scrutiny work for the 2024 - 2025 municipal year.

The Governance Manager introduced the work programme report and highlighted activity to date which included:-

• Members of the School Road Safety Working Group meeting on 28^th January and scoping the review.  Officers have been asked to carry out some research ahead of the next meeting in early March. 
• Clarification was being sought from officers if members of Improving Places still had the opportunity to scrutinise the Housing Allocations Policy.
• Nature Recovery Strategy - South Yorkshire Mayor Combined Authority – this item was due to be considered at the March meeting, however this would need to be deferred to a future meeting. 
• For members to consider an off agenda briefing to view progress in the  Towns and Villages Fund and an update to the Our Places Fund.

When questioned it was confirmed that the Grounds Maintenance Review sat within the remit of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and representatives from Improving Places were included.  The scoping meeting had taken place and plans were in the early stage of convening the first meeting.

Resolved:-  That the update on the Work Programme be received and the activity noted.

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.