Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barley and Baum-Dixon.

Councillor Hoddinott noted her thanks and appreciation to Councillor Browne who had provided maternity cover for her over the previous six-months at Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meetings.

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.

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

Cabinet Portfolio:  - Corporate Services, Community Safety and Finance

Strategic Directorate: - Finance and Customer Services

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 24 January 2022 that detailed the Council’s financial position as at the end of November 2021 based on actual cost and income figures for the first eight months of 2021/22. It was noted that the report was the fourth of a series of financial monitoring reports for the current financial year. The Assistant Director - Financial Services and the Head of Corporate Finance attended the meeting to present the report. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Community Safety and Finance was unable to attend the meeting to present the report.

The report stated that as of November 2021 the Council was expecting to deliver the overall outturn within budget for the financial year 2021/22. It was noted that while the Directorates had a current forecast year end overspend of £8.5m on General Fund expenditure that this should be mitigated by the Government’s provision of COVID-19 emergency support grant and Sales, Fees and Charges Income Compensation. It the noted that the longer-term impacts of Covid-19, public health measures and the pace at which services can return to normal was unknown, with this situation being further exacerbated by current uncertainties that had been brought about by the Omicron Covid-19 variant that had the potential to create further financial implications for the Council.

The report provided a detailed narrative for the budget position of each directorate. The report also provided information on the delivery of previously agreed savings, the position of the Housing Revenue Account, the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant and the delivery of the Capital Programme.

Members noted that since the production of the report the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant had now been launched and that applications were now being accepted. Members noted that they hoped as many local businesses as possible who were eligible would apply for the additional support that they were entitled to.

Members sought clarification regarding the projected year end overspend of £8.5m on General Fund expenditure and whether all of the overspend could all be attributed to the impact of the pandemic or whether all or some of the overspend would have happened anyway. The Assistant Director - Financial Services noted that the detailed financial returns that were submitted to the Government in relation to Covid-19 Grants showed that these overspends were greater than the projected deficit, and as such this showed that many services across directorates were in fact underspending on agreed budgets, in the main linked to reprioritising work to deal with Covid for which the grant funding was available. The Head of Corporate Finance noted the budget underspends that directorates had delivered during 2020/21 and how the related savings had been used to increase the Council’s reserves. The Assistant Director confirmed that as many of the Covid-19 support grants that have been provided by the Government had not been ringfenced with regard to how they could be used that any unspent funds could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

Cabinet Portfolio:  - Transport and Environment

Strategic Directorate: - Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 24 January 2022 regarding the proposed Rotherham Cycling Strategy. The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment and the Senior Transport Planner attended the meeting to present the report.

The report noted that the draft Rotherham Cycle Strategy 2021 had been approved to be put forward for public consultation by Cabinet at its meeting on 22 March 2021.

In introducing the report, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment stated that the report provided an analysis of the consultation responses received, and the resulting revisions to the strategy. The Strategic Director advised that in promoting the use of cycling to benefit health and well-being, the economy and the environment, the strategy would deliver improvements to both the Council’s existing cycle network and would also set out its ambitions and objectives for investing in and expanding Rotherham’s cycling provision.

The full draft Cycling Strategy, along with a summary of the consultation responses were attached as appendices to the officer’s report.

Members sought clarification on how the additional cycle infrastructure, including cycle paths would be maintained. The Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment advised that in 2020-21 the Council had provided additional funding as part of a wider Streetscene allocation of £450,000 to improve the maintenance of existing cycle routes that included the Council’s cycle lane lining, the removal of overgrown vegetation and weeds and more regular maintenance being carried out on cycle paths. The Strategic Director noted that purpose of this investment had been to provide a well-maintained and attractive cycle network and to encourage cycling in the Borough. The Strategic Director confirmed that proposals were contained in the future budget setting report  that would be considered by Cabinet and Council in due course, and if approved would assist with to the maintenance of the existing and extended cycle network.

Members noted with concern the low number of responses (86) that had been received in response to the public consultation on the Cycling Strategy. The Senior Transport Planner advised that further consultation would take place for each scheme before it was implemented noting that consultations on specific proposed schemes attracted higher levels of responses than consultations on broader strategies.

Members noted the major and radical changes that were being implemented on Sheffield Road with regard to creating additional space for cyclists and asked what value there was in creating short and isolated pieces of cycling infrastructure in encouraging more people to cycle. The Strategic Director advised that the focus of the proposed Cycling Strategy was to create greater connectiveness across the network, rather than just implementing more schemes that may be isolated. The Strategic Director noted that the proposed strategy would also improve how the Council worked with other local authorities and agencies in order to ensure greater connectiveness of cycling infrastructure across the wider region.

Members noted the perception held by many residents across the Borough that cycling on roads was dangerous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

Cabinet Portfolio:  - Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Working

Strategic Directorate: - Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report that was submitted for pre-decision scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 24 January 2022 regarding the proposed Towns and Villages Fund. The Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Working, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment and the Project, Initiatives, and Improvement Officer attended the meeting to present the report.

In introducing the report, the Cabinet Member for Jobs and the Local Economy stated that the proposed Towns and Villages Fund was a new £4 million capital programme in Rotherham that aimed to improve the borough’s local town and village centres. It was noted that based upon projects put forward by ward members that had been developed in consultation with their communities, a work programme and associated processes for delivering projects has been produced. It was noted that the work programme would ensure that a range of projects that delivered on the different priorities raised by residents from across the Borough would be completed over the next three years

The report stated that the Towns and Villages Fund was a capital scheme with projects being allocated funds between April 2021 and March 2024. It was noted that the time taken to deliver all projects was expected to cover the full three-year period of the scheme.

An indicative work programme for the proposed projects to be delivered by the Towns and Villages Fund was attached as appendix to the officer’s report.

Members sought confirmation that officers would work with members who had submitted requests for improvement projects that did not fit the criteria of the scheme to develop alternative proposals. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Working assured members that officers and the relevant Cabinet Members were working with and supporting members in their wards to identify potential projects that could be delivered by the Towns and Villages Fund. The Deputy Leader also confirmed that ward members would be supported by the Neighbourhoods Team to identify and obtain additional and alternative funding streams to deliver improvement projects in their wards where the projects could not be delivered via the Towns and Villages fund.

Members noted their approval for the scheme and how they were pleased to have seen how well communities had been engaged with and empowered in order to establish their priorities for improvements in their local areas. Members also noted how well the scheme had been received by residents in their wards. The Deputy Leader stated how excited she was by the development of the programme and how well residents had engaged and provided ideas on how their local areas could be improved and be made better places to live.

Members noted examples of projects that they had suggested for implementation but that had not met the criteria for the scheme but expressed thanks to officers who were now working with them to develop schemes that could be delivered by the Towns and Villages Fund. Members stated that it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

Councillor Yasseen, as Chair of the Health Select Commission presented a report that detailed the findings of the Health Select Commission sub-group that had carried out a spotlight review of Community Hubs.

Resolved: -

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That the following recommendations be forwarded to Cabinet for consideration and response: -

a)    That the excellent work of Rotherham Community Hub be commended, especially in respect of the befriending service which helped relieve loneliness and isolation throughout the pandemic.

b)    That Members be encouraged to add the Community Hub to their ward priorities and e-bulletins to better support vulnerable residents and families.

c)    Whereas the current Community Hub model is due to end in March 2022, should there be a further evolution of the Community Hub model, that an update be brought in 12 months’ time.

Councillor Clark, who had been a member of the Improving Lives Select Commission that had conducted a in-depth review of post-CSE support in Rotherham presented a report that detailed the findings of the review.

Resolved: -

1)    That the report be noted, and the following recommendations be submitted to Cabinet for consideration: -

a)    That post-CSE services are transferred to the Adult Social Care, Housing and Public Health directorate to enable the greater integration and coordination of support pathways that are available to adult victims of trauma as children.

b)    That further work is undertaken with relevant partners and survivors to improve the ways in which survivors’ voices are captured to inform future reviews of post-abuse services (for example drawing on the research from Sheffield Hallam University, the development of voice and influence groups or other survivor’s forums).

c)   That consideration is given to appropriate governance arrangements to enable elected members to provide a steer on the activity that is taking place within the Borough to stop CSE/CCE and support survivors.

d)    That the Improving Lives Select Commission continue to monitor the provision of post-abuse support to survivors of CSE. 

e)    In relation to recommendations c) and d), that consideration is given how survivors’ voices to inform these processes.

f)      To emphasise the shared responsibility of all elected members, that an annual training event/workshop is delivered. This is to ensure that all elected members are kept up to date with the activity within the Borough to protect young people from being at risk of harm from CSE/CCE and support adult survivors to move forwards in their lives.

g)    That the relevant Strategic Directors explore options for sharing best practice with other local authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

h)    Drawing on the good practice from Durham County Council, that consideration is given is given to the language used in the provision of post-CSE support to ensure that it is positive and inclusive of the needs of those accessing services.

2)    That the response of Cabinet to the recommendations be reported back to Council within two calendar months of its submission.

Councillor Yasseen, as Chair of the Health Select Commission presented a report that detailed the findings of the Health Select Commission sub-group that had carried out a spotlight review of the support that was available for young carers.

Resolved: -

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That the following recommendations be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and response: -

a)    That action plans and performance matrix be supplied as part of the next update in 12 months’ time.

b)    That a plan be developed to address the current data gap in respect of young carers who mature into adult carers, with a view to providing the best preparation possible and making this transition as seamless as possible for young carers who may continue to have caring responsibilities into adulthood.

c)    That consideration be given to how best to provide additional support to young carers seeking to access employment skills, education and training.

Councillor Wyatt, as Chair of the Improving Places Select Commission presented a report that detailed the findings of the Improving Places Select Commission sub-group that had carried out a spotlight review on external funding sources that were available to the Council for regeneration and transformation projects..

Resolved: -

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That the following recommendations be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and response: -

a)    That the ambition of the service in submitting bids be commended.

b)    That the feedback from the government regarding the Dinnington and Wath bids for Levelling Up Funds be circulated when available.

c)    That the Governance Advisor liaise with the Regeneration Strategy team to coordinate upcoming scrutiny work on markets with a view to feeding into future bids involving markets.

d)    That efforts to ensure Rotherham receives its fair portion of gainshare or “single pot” funds from the Mayoral Combined Authority be noted.

To review and identify items for pre-decision scrutiny from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions covering the period from 1 January - 31 March 2022.

The Board considered the Forward Plan of Key Decisions from 1 January – 31 March 2022.

Resolved: - That the Forward Plan be noted.

To consider the Board’s Work Programme.

The Board considered its Work Programme.

Resolved: - That the Work Programme be approved.

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

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will be held on Thursday 27 January 2022 at 11am at Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved: - That the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board will be held at 11am on Thursday 27 January at Rotherham Town Hall.