Agenda

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend the meeting.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 12 November 2025 and to approve them as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

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

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

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

In accordance with the outcome of the Governance Review in 2016, the following items are submitted for pre-scrutiny ahead of the Cabinet meeting on Monday 15 December 2025. Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board are invited to comment and make recommendations on the proposals contained within the report.

Report from Strategic Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Recommendations

That Cabinet recommends to Council to:

1.             Approve the proposed 2026/27 HRA Business Plan.

2.             Note that the Business Plan will be reviewed annually to provide an updated financial position.

3.             Agree that Council dwelling rents are increased by 4.8% and, dependent upon the Government announcement in January 2026, implement a policy of rent convergence. Allowing rents for social housing properties that are currently below the Government-calculated formula rent to increase by an additional £2 per week in 2026/27. If convergence is capped below £2 that will be the level applied.

4.             Agree that the Council should retain the policy of realigning rents on properties at below formula rent to the formula rent level when the property is re-let to a new tenant.

5.             Agree that affordable rents are calculated at relet, based on an individual property valuation.

6.             Agree that affordable rents are increased by 4.8% in 2026/27.

7.             Agree that shared ownership rents are increased by 5% in 2026/27.

8.             Agree that charges for communal facilities, parking spaces, cooking gas and use of laundry facilities are increased by 3% in 2026/27.

9.             Agree that charges for garages are increased by 10% in 2026/27.

10.          Agree that the District Heating unit charge per kWh remains at 13.09 pence per kWh.

11.          Agree that the decision to reduce the price of District Heating Charges during 2026/27 be delegated to the Assistant Director of Housing in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Financial Services following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing. The delegation would only be used to respond to a change in Government policy or a significant change in the Ofgem price cap that has the effect of a lower unit price.

12.          Approve the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2026/27 as shown in Appendix 8.

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1. Note the review of performance against the 2021–2026 Library Strategy, including key achievements and challenges identified during the Strategy period.

2. Approve the undertaking of a period of consultation with the public, partners, stakeholders and interested parties on the development of a new Library Strategy for the period 2027–2032 and a future service delivery model for the Libraries and Neighbourhood Hubs Service.

3. Agree that a further report be brought to Cabinet following the consultation to present a draft Library Strategy 2027–2032, which will identify potential service improvements and efficiencies.

4. Authorise the Assistant Director of Culture, Sport and Tourism to notify the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) of the intention to consult on the Library Strategy and any potential changes to service provision.

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1. Endorses the formal adoption of the Rotherham Employment and Skills Strategy 2026-31.

2. Notes that the Rotherham Employment and Skills Board is tasked with overseeing the delivery and monitoring of the Strategy and with reporting on progress to Cabinet and the Rotherham Together Partnership (RTP) on an annual basis.

To consider the Board’s Work Programme.

To receive updates from the Chairs of the Select Commission on work undertaken and planned for the future:

·       Health Select Commission

·       Improving Lives Select Commission

·       Improving Places Select Commission

To review and identify items for pre-decision scrutiny from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Link to: Browse plans - Forward Plan of Key Decisions, 2025 - Rotherham Council

As part of their role the Chair and Vice Chair of OSMB are appointed to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Chair of OSMB is the Vice Chair on this committee.  

This committee holds the MCA to account and ensure that all aspects of the decision-making process are transparent, inclusive and fair.   The Committee are responsible for checking that the MCA is delivering its objectives and that the decisions made in policies, strategies and plans have been made in the best interests of the residents and workers of South Yorkshire.

The published agenda packs and minutes can be accessed via: South Yorkshire MCA.

Members who have comments and queries regarding any item on any agenda should refer this to the Chair of OSMB and the Governance Manager at the earliest opportunity to ensure they’re reflected in debate during the relevant public meeting.

To consider any issues referred for call-in from recent Cabinet meetings.

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