Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 March 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 19 March 2024 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 the report which provides an update on progress for year 2, from March 2023 to April 2024.

The Chair welcomed James Clark, Assistant Director of Housing and Sarah Watts, Strategic Housing Manager to the meeting.

The Assistant Director of Housing provided an overview of his portfolio stating that he was responsible for the Council’s landlord function, indicating the Council owned and managed around 20,000 council homes. He also managed the homelessness, housing needs and housing options services along with the housing development program. He noted that the private sector including licensing did not fall within his portfolio but explained that it was managed by Sam Barstow, Assistant Director of Community Safety and Street Scene.

He explained that the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Allen had requested that a specific Member Development session be arranged to cover all things related to housing to ensure Members knew how the service operated and how they could get in touch with them.

Assistant Director of Housing provided a recap of Rotherham’s 30-year vision for housing, originally established in 2013. The Housing Strategy underwent a refresh every three years to ensure its aligned with current perspective. The vision aimed to create a comprehensive 30-year plan with clear objectives whilst maintaining the flexibility to adjust focus areas as circumstances evolved. The presentation covered an overview of the current housing strategy adopted in 2022, serving as the annual report to the committee.

The Assistant Director of Housing provided an update on the housing market in Rotherham, noting that it reflected national trends. Key points included the national housing shortage, with private rents rising faster than incomes, the loss of council homes due to the Right to Buy scheme, and the growing demand for housing with around 7,300 households on the council's housing register. As a result of all those pressures, homelessness had increased. He also highlighted that the regulatory framework for Rotherham as a landlord had changed significantly as of 1^st April, requiring adherence to a proactive consumer regulation regime, including inspections by the national regulator. The previous commission had received updates on preparations for this regulation and inspection. The chair and members might have wanted to continue receiving these updates as part of the forward program for the current commission.

He focused on Priority 1 - High quality new homes of the Housing Strategy and highlighted the progress made:

·       At the beginning of 2023/24 new homes in the Town Centre were completed and almost fully occupied. This had a positive impact on businesses as it increased the number of residents in the Town Centre, thereby boosting footfall and benefiting local businesses.

·       The Town Centre development was the largest single council build scheme undertaken in decades, providing valuable lessons in both the technical aspects of construction and the sensitive integration and support of new residents.

·       The Council committed to strengthening its partnership with Homes England and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to secure funding for delivering more homes. This includes obtaining affordable housing grants, with the first tranche expected imminently under the new housing program.

·       The Council aimed to complete  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To seek a representative from the Improving Places Select Commission (IPSC) to sit as a member on the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.

Meeting dates for 2024-2025:

·       Thursday 11 July 2024

·       Thursday 17 October 2024

·       Thursday 30 January 2025

·       Thursday 24 April 2025

The Chair sought a representative from the Improving Places Select Commission to sit as a member of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.  Councillor Tinsley volunteered to be the representative for 2024/25.

Resolved: That the Improving Places Selection Commission appointed Councillor Adam Tinsley as its representative on the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel for 2024/25.

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

Consideration was given to a draft outline programme of scrutiny work for the 2024-2025 municipal year. 

The topic of Grounds Maintenance was put forward for scrutiny, in relation to the Council’s ability to maintain grass cutting and weeding at some of it’s cemetery sites.  Concern was expressed that this team was under resourced to manage its programme of activity.

Following on from the Selective Licensing Review last year, an update was requested on progress made with the HHSRS inspections, to be provided in the form of an off-agenda briefing.

It was clarified that the Scrutiny Review Recommendations – Nature Recovery were being presented to Cabinet and would be brought back to the Commission once Cabinet had provided a response to those recommendations.

It was also suggested that the Commission may wish to consider a review of the Small Road Safety Scheme.

Resolved: That the Improving Places Select Commission:

1.    Noted the outline work programme for 2024-2025

2.    Agreed that consideration would be given to shortlisting the following topics:

a.    Grounds Maintenance.

b.    Small Road Safety Scheme.

3.    Agreed that an off-agenda briefing be requested to set out progress made with the HHSRS inspections following the Selective Licensing Review conducted last year.

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.