Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the action of the Cabinet Memberin opening the following tenders on Tuesday, 15^th January, 2013, be noted:-

-  Land at Sheffield Road, Fence

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Assistant Conservation Officer stating that within the Borough there are 27 existing Conservation Areas. The Local Planning Authority has a duty under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to review the exercise of its functions in respect of the designation of conservation areas and to consider the designation of further parts of its area as conservation areas.  Additionally, ENV2.10 of the Unitary Development Plan identified a potential twelve further settlements, including Ulley, for designation as Conservation Areas.

A further request has been made by Ulley Parish Council to designate the village of Ulley as a Conservation area as a consequence of which, a public consultation exercise has been carried out in order to gauge local opinion. One objection only had been received to this proposal.

The proposal, as shown on the plan submitted to the meeting, will create a new Conservation Area to include the majority of the village of Ulley.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the proposed Ulley Conservation Area be approved as shown on the submitted plan and as described in the Ulley Conservation Area Appraisal.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager outlining the Highways Agency’s proposed Managed Motorways programme on sections of the M1 motorway within South Yorkshire, which is due to commence in April 2013. The proposals involve the introduction of a new All Lane Running standard which sees the conversion of the Hard Shoulder to a permanent running lane. The report also sets out the risks associated with the proposals and the views of the emergency services.

Members discussed the suggested response of this Council to the Highways Agency’s consultation document. The deadline for responses is 11^th February, 2013. Reference was made to the road safety concerns affecting the Tinsley viaduct, especially the difficulties for high-sided vehicles during high winds.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the Highways Agency’s proposed Managed Motorways All Lane Running (MM-ALR) programme, as described in the report now submitted, be noted.

(3) That it be noted that, due to the timescales associated with responding to the Highways Agency’s formal consultation, the Cabinet considered the draft consultation response at its meeting on 16th January 2013 and subsequently the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board has considered the report on 25th January 2013.

(4) That approval be granted for this Council’s response to the consultation document, as now submitted and including the further comments suggested by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, to be sent to the Highways Agency by the due deadline.

(nb: subsequent to this meeting, The Mayor gave the necessary authorisation to exempt this decision from the Council’s call-in procedure)

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager seeking an exemption from standing order 47.6.3 (requirement to invite three written quotations for a contract with an estimated value of between £20,000 and £50,000) in order that WSP Development and Transportation may be commissioned to undertake the preparation of business cases for submission to the Department for Transport regarding the Local Pinch Point Fund.  The report stated that there is a limited time available for local authorities to make bids for this funding, which have to be submitted to the Government Department for Transport by 21^st February, 2013. The local contributions to these projects will be sought from the Local Transport Plan programme and also from the Council’s capital programme, subject to Cabinet approval.

It was noted that two specific projects were proposed to be financed from the Local Pinch Point Fund:-

(i) replacement of the “Old Flatts Bridge” on the A630 Parkway;

(ii) Pool Green roundabout (Centenary Way/Main Street/Masbrough Street, Rotherham) – conversion to a signalised crossroads.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That an exemption from Standing Order 47.6.3 (requirement for contracts valued between £20,000 and £50,000) be granted and the Council commission WSP Development and Transportation to undertake the preparation of business cases to submit to the Department for Transport for this Council’s bid for funding from the Local Pinch Point Fund.

(nb: subsequent to this meeting, The Mayor gave the necessary authorisation to exempt this decision from the Council’s call-in procedure)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial/business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Business and Retail Investment Manager introducing the prospect of holding an International Business Convention in Rotherham, possibly during the Autumn 2013.  The Convention will provide an opportunity in terms of raising the Borough’s profile and generating business and investment leads. The report explained that this Council should underwrite the event, up to a maximum sum specified. It was noted that this sum will not be required should the event reach its target for sales and sponsorship. Members requested information about the experience of other local authorities in hosting this event.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the proposal be supported, in accordance with the details contained in the report now submitted and further reports be submitted to Elected Members in due course.