Agenda and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest made.

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

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

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

There were no items that required the exclusion of the press and public.

To consider the call-in request which will discuss the Waste Collections Policy decision.

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

1.      That Cabinet approve the draft revised Kerbside Residential Waste Collection Policy for a public consultation.

2.      That Cabinet agree to the commencement of two pilots to test the approach to contamination, with the specific areas to be determined.

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Tarmey and Councillor Yasseen expressed their reasons for calling-in the Waste Collections Policy Cabinet decision. In their views the policy contradicted some previously made statements indicated contamination rates were low. A previous Cabinet Member had been asked about the contamination rates and had given assurance, at the time, that everything was fine, rates were low.

The Cabinet Member had recently provided reassurance that recycling rates were fine and now it felt like a policy was being introduced that would be quite punitive for residents. It was felt that education was the way to address this rather than punitive fines. A greater assessment of how residents’ behaviours could change should be undertaken as residents may be opting not to recycle as the documents provided to Cabinet did not indicate this. It was queried if residents would need to make additional trips to the household waste recycling centres or would lead to more being added to the non-recyclable waste bins?

The policy did not include enough detail regarding how waste could be attributed to an individual household and how this would be enforced, which could lead to inappropriately fining residents.

The carbon impact assessment did not cover the scope of things such as additional vehicle movements, which could be associated with either enforcement activities or residents making additional trips to the household waste recycling centres. The equality impact assessment did not contain enough detail.

It was noted that English was not the first language for some residents within the borough along with some multi-generational households not fully understanding the contaminations issues.

It was known that recycling rates had reduced however it was felt it was better to reinvigorate people’s desire to recycle rather than threaten people with fines. It was important that the reasons for recycling were highlighted and to address the barriers and challenges to communities where the capacity to recycle was lower.

It was felt that new stickers should be placed on bins to educate and encourage residents about recycling. It was noted that the Council Plan made reference to contamination affecting the money the Council received and that the data within the plan was not accurate and hard to understand if the Council was achieving its target. Examples were cited of milk cartons being classed as general waste at the recycling centres however they were put in the appropriate bin for plastics for the curb side recycling collections.

The report did not indicate if various solutions had already been tried to address some of the issues that had impacted on recycling rates going down. No other approaches or interventions had been tried prior to fining people.

Literacy rates within Rotherham were lower so residents may genuinely not understand the requirements. This would also affect the more deprived communities and households across the borough. It was felt that recycling targets needed to be met through consent and co-operation with the communities we served. People needed to feel good about recycling.

The Chair invited members of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To consider the presentation detailing an overview of the Home to School Service.

At the Chair’s discretion and the Boards agreement, this item was deferred to the next meeting.

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the overall position in relation to the Year Ahead Delivery Plan activities.

2.    Note the Quarter 2 data for the Council Plan performance measures.
 

3.    Note that a progress report covering the remainder of the year will be presented to Cabinet in July 2025. 

Councillors Pitchley, Tarmey and Yasseen, left the meeting during the discussions on this item.

The Chair invited the Leader and Chief Executive to introduce the report. The Leader explained this report was the regular update on the Council Plan performance, indicating where the Council was on its activities and the impact of some of those on the wider borough.

The Year Ahead Delivery Plan provided an updated position up to December 2024. In terms of the ‘Every neighbourhood thriving’ theme, ward plans had been agreed. The pavement parking hotspot activities were underway, and a register of locations was being compiled. The new pedestrian crossing at Upper Wortley Road had been opened. Most of the Towns and Villages fund works had been completed but there were a small number left outstanding. A scheme at Brinsworth had been delay due to the complex legalities however work was due to begin in a number of weeks.

Moving on to the ‘People are safe, healthy, and live well’ theme, it was noted that the new Learning disability Strategy and the all-age Autism Strategy were in place. Construction had begun at Canklow where the new Castle View facility on Warden Street would be supporting people with complex support needs, and acting as a hub for wider community activity, learning and skill development. More than 1.5 million pounds worth of food vouchers were issued to children from low-income households through the school holidays.

It was noted that the Housing event focussed on securing a pipeline of future investment in new affordable homes was delayed until Quarter 4, as the South Yorkshire Development Partnership Forum was brought forward from Quarter 4 to Quarter 2. Regarding the new homes at Eastwood, which were part of the Housing Growth Programme, these were delayed.

In terms of the ‘Every child able to fulfil their potential’ theme it was noted that the complete refurbishment of a second two-bedroom residential children’s home to make sure Children in Care and young people can stay in the borough had taken place, with three further homes being on track for completion. During the summer period, consultation was undertaken on the new Water Splash facility at Clifton Park with children, parents and carers. The baby pack scheme was going live, where mothers to be reaching the 26 weeks check with their midwives would be offered the opportunity to sign up to receive a baby pack. The Children’s Capital of Culture programme was underway, and it was worth nothing that no actions were off track in this theme.

Within the ‘Expanding economic opportunity’ theme the hotel and cinema at Forge Island opened in Quarter 2 2024-25. However, new eateries on the site had been delayed, but negotiations had taken place with alternative operators and were in advanced stages. The demolition of 3-7 Corporation Street had taken place. The redevelopment plans for Wath Library and Dinnington High Street were on track. The Levelling Up Fund schemes at Wentworth Woodhouse and Gulliver’s Skills Academy were slightly delayed but expected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Report from the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Note the current General Fund Revenue Budget forecast overspend of £4.6m.

2.    Note that actions will continue to be taken to reduce the overspend position but that it is possible that the Council will need to draw on its reserves to balance the 2024/25 financial position.

3.    Note the updated position of the Capital Programme, including proposed capital programme variations to expenditure profiles and funding.

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Alam, Cabinet Member for Finance and Safe and Clean communities introduced the report, noting that as of November 2024, the Council estimated the overspend at £4.6m for the financial year. This was due to demand led pressures on children’s residential placements, adults social care packages, home to school transport and the impact of the Local Government Pay Award.

In addition, the Council was still impacted by the inflationary pressures in the economy. Even though inflation had now fallen to 2.3% (albeit an increase from 1.7% in October), the Council’s base costs had significantly increased across the recent high inflation period by well in excess of 20%. Increased costs across this period were also being felt by the social care market, in particular leading to market prices increasing at above inflation levels and placing further pressures on the Council’s Budget. 

Whilst the Directorate overspend which stood at £15.5m was concerning, it had reduced from a peak of £17.2m and elements of this overspend were forecast with two key Budget contingencies created as part of setting the Council’s Budget and MTFS for 2024/25. The Council set a Social Care Contingency of £3.4m and a Corporate Budget Provision of £3.5m to support anticipated pressures across Social Care and Home to School Transport, whilst detailed review work of these services was undertaken, and operational improvements were delivered to reduce cost pressures and create cost avoidance.

The Council’s Treasury Management Strategy continued to perform well with the Council’s approach to borrowing adapted to minimise the level of borrowing and borrow short term, to ultimately minimise interest costs. It was estimated that this should see the Council generate savings of at least £4m for 2024/25, though again market conditions are out of the Council’s control. 

Although the final forecast overspend was £4.6m at this stage, further management actions were being identified along with trying to bring expenditure in line with budget setting.

The Assistant Director, Financial Services explained they had been actively working with all key service areas facing pressures to reduce costs were possible in year, to maximise grant funding and ensure any non-essential spend was removed. That activity would continue through to the end of the financial year and the aim was to minimise the use of reserves at year end.

Reserves would be required if there was an overspend at year end.  It was expected that the £4.6m would reduce a little further through those activities.

The Vice-Chair noted that the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) had been indicating that the government would allow ten percent of capital monies to be used for revenue purposes, would that flexibility become available the Council? The Assistant Director, Financial Services explained that local authorities had had the ability, since 2022, to capitalise some revenue activity if linked to change and transformation programmes however it was not known if the flexibilities for SYMCA would also be available to the Council. It was noted the Council would not was to push too  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

To consider the Medium-Term Financial Strategy update.

At the Chair’s discretion and the Boards agreement, this item was deferred to the next meeting.

At the Chair’s discretion and the Boards agreement, this item was deferred to the next meeting.

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

There were no urgent items.