Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development, held on 2nd September, 2013, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Resolved:- That the action of the Cabinet Member in opening the following tenders on Monday, 23rd September, 2013, be noted:-

-  land at Fenton Road (former Bradgate Quarry), Kimberworth.

A petition has been received by the Council, opposing the reductions in service for Service No. 4 affecting Sunnyside and Magna Lane. The petition contains 112 signatures and is from residents of the Dalton and Sunnyside area.

Consideration was given to a petition, containing 112 signatures, from residents of the Dalton and Sunnyside area, opposing the reductions in bus service number 4, serving Sunnyside and Magna Lane.

Resolved:- (1) That the petition be received.

(2) That the petition be referred to the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive for further consideration.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Finance Manager concerning the budget monitoring of the Environment and Development Services Directorate Revenue Accounts for the period to 31^st August, 2013, including the forecast out-turn of overspending of £711,000 to the end of the 2013/14 financial year. The submitted report included information on the variances reported by each Division of Service. 

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

(2) That the latest financialprojection against budget for the 2013/14 financial year, for theEnvironment and Development Services Directorate, based on actual income and expenditure to 31st August, 2013, be noted.

(3) That the report be referred to the Self Regulation Select Commission for information.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager describing a proposal to delete a road improvement line which currently safeguards the possible future improvement of the A630 Fitzwilliam Road, Eastwood, Rotherham.

The report stated that this section of Fitzwilliam Road has been protected from other development by a long-established road improvement line (imposed by the former Rotherham County Borough Council), because of a historical intention to construct a dual carriageway in this location. The recent improvement of this part of Fitzwilliam Road, together with the effects of current transportation policies, mean that the road improvement line is no longer required and may be deleted.

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

(2) That the highway improvement line along the A630 Fitzwilliam Road, Eastwood, now indicated on the plans submitted, be deleted and no longer declared on a Local Authority Search Enquiry.

Further to Minute No. 13 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 14th June, 2013, consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager concerning the objection from the South Yorkshire Police to the proposed 20mph zone extension on Main Street, Don Street and The Statutes, Rotherham.

Members noted that the South Yorkshire Police are generally supportive of the pedestrian improvement scheme, but feel that without additional traffic calming measures along Main Street, the speed of vehicles will not be in accordance with the guidelines issued by Department for Transport for the proposed speed limit. In turn, the Council has given assurances to the South Yorkshire Police that once the scheme is completed, a further speed survey will be undertaken and should vehicle speeds not be in accordance with the Department for Transport requirements, consideration will be given to the implementation of further measures to ensure that speeds are commensurate. However, given the proposed changes to the environment of Main Street, including the introduction of the Zebra crossing, the carriageway widening and junction amendments, changes to paving materials, it is considered that these features will result in the required reduction in vehicle speeds being achieved.

A drawing of the proposed pedestrian (Zebra) crossing and environmental enhancement scheme was appended to the submitted report.

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

(2) That the objection be not acceded to and the detailed design for the pedestrian improvement scheme at Main Street, Rotherham be undertaken and the scheme be implemented.

(3) That appropriate monitoring be undertaken to evaluate the success of the 20 mph zone at Main Street, within the initial six months of the scheme being completed.

(4) That, further to (3) above, should the monitoring indicate that vehicle speeds are not commensurate with the 20 mph speed limit, additional speed reducing measures be designed and be subject to consultation and further consideration prior to approval and implementation.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager describing the proposal to install traffic signals at the junction of the A630 Doncaster Road and the B6090 Kilnhurst Road, Hooton Roberts. Details of the results of consultations which have been carried out were included and the layout of the scheme was shown on the diagram appended to the report.

The report stated that the scheme had been identified as part of the South Yorkshire County-wide Road Safety Initiatives Project.  Statutory consultation with the emergency services and with Ward Councillors has been undertaken and no objections have been received. Consultation with local residents has resulted in some changes to the proposed layout being made, to overcome concerns about the position of the stop line and access to and egress from the shared driveway of numbers 2 to 8 Doncaster Road.

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

(2) That the detailed design for the scheme to install traffic signals at the junction of the A630 Doncaster Road and the B6090 Kilnhurst Road, Hooton Roberts, as detailed in the report now submitted, be undertaken and the scheme be implemented.

(3) That the scheme be funded from the Local Transport Plan Central Fund for 2013/14.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Transportation and Highways Projects Manager describing the progress of discussions between this Council, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and major public transport operators about making improvements to the bus offer in Rotherham, through the potential to enter into a voluntary agreement to form a partnership.

The report stated that the objective of improving the bus offer in Rotherham would be achieved principally through network design changes, new ticketing products and the agreement from bus operators involved in the partnership to adopt minimum standards for vehicles operating on the agreed network in Rotherham.

Members noted that the costs of the proposed consultation exercise would be met from the South Yorkshire Local Sustainable Transport Fund and the Local Transport Plan fund allocations in 2013/14.

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

(2) That the principle of entering into an agreement in respect of a Bus Voluntary Partnership for Rotherham, as described in the report now submitted, be supported.

(3) That consultation procedures be commenced and a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development describing the outcome of the consultation process.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Business and Retail Investment Manager, seeking approval for the allocation of £24,000 from Environment and Development Services revenue budgets in order to offer free parking in Council-owned car parks and in on-street parking bays in the Rotherham town centre on the six Saturdays before Christmas: on 16th, 23rd and 30th November, 2013 and on 7th, 14th and 21st December, 2013.

The suggested funding would also cover the cost of implementing a comprehensive marketing and communications plan, to inform shoppers and residents of the free parking incentive.

The promotional materials would include reference to the fact that the free parking would only be available in Council-owned car parks (to avoid confusion with the car parks on Westgate, near the entrance to the multi-storey car park and the surface car park opposite the railway station entrance at Bridge Street/College Road, which are owned by other organisations).  In addition, all promotional material would include reference to the fact that ‘Maximum Stay still applies’ which identified to the shopper that where a parking space was limited to, for example, a two hours stay, there must still be adherence to the maximum stay period of two hours.

It was noted that the people would have to pay to park their vehicles, once again, in Council-owned car parks and in on-street parking bays on Saturday, 28th December 2013.

Members were informed of the study which will be undertaken to ascertain the overall benefit to the Rotherham town centre economy of this free parking arrangement (including feedback from town centre businesses). A report about the study will be submitted to Members during 2014.

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

(2) That an allocation of £24,000 from Environment and Development Services revenue budgets, as detailed in the submitted report, be approved to cover (i) the loss of revenue and (ii) the marketing activity associated with offering free parking on Saturdays in Council car-parks and in on-street parking bays for the period 16th November, 2013 to 21st December, 2013 (inclusive).

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve 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)).

Further to Minute No. 34 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation held on 27^th July, 2009, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer, concerning an application from the owner of a town centre retail shop for a grant from the Rotherham town centre Shop Frontage Improvement Scheme. The report stated that the objective of this scheme was to improve the quality of individual shop frontages in the town centre and contribute towards the overall street scene. Grant aid of up to 75% of eligible costs (excluding VAT) is available to independent businesses towards the cost of ground and upper floor improvements. Eligible works include the restoration of traditional/historical features, repairs to rendering or stone-work, the removal of inappropriate signage and fittings and the introduction of appropriate lighting. The applicant’s proposals to improve the premises were described in the report and also shown on a plan submitted to the meeting.

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

(2) That a grant of £7,500 from the Rotherham town centre Shop Frontage Improvement Scheme be awarded to the town centre retail premises, now identified and in accordance with the details contained in the submitted report.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Business Investment Manager concerning an application for a Business Development Grant in respect of a retail shop situated within the Rotherham town centre.

The report stated that the Town Centre Business Development Grant Scheme is designed to encourage and support existing retail and catering businesses to improve their businesses in the Rotherham town centre. Members noted that this project satisfied the eligibility criteria of the Scheme.

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

(2) That a Business Development capital grant of £7,500 be awarded to the premises at Corporation Street, now identified, as a contribution towards the cost of refurbishing the premises and making improvements in order to increase sales capacity at the premises.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Business Investment Manager concerning applications for a Business Vitality Grant and a Street Café Grant in respect of two retail shops situated within the Rotherham town centre.

The report stated that the Town Centre Business Vitality Scheme is designed to encourage and support new independent niche retail businesses to open up in the Rotherham town centre. The applicants for the Street Café Grant wish to re-instate a street café area outside the premises. Members noted that both of the projects satisfied the eligibility criteria of the Scheme.

With reference to the application for the Business Vitality Grant, Members noted the reasons for the increase in rental charges for the premises, payable by the applicant business, due to the change of landlord.

With reference to the Street Café Grant (which is part of the Business Vitality Grant scheme), Members were informed of the previous grant to the former owner these premises, in respect of the provision of a street café. The new owners will be required to submit a fresh application for planning permission only if the area of the proposed street café is larger than the area previously granted planning consent.

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

(2) That, further to Minute No. 28 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 15^th July 2013, a Business Vitality capital grant of £2,250 be awarded to the premises at High Street, now identified, as a contribution towards the cost of fitting out the premises.

(3) That, further to the award of a grant described at (2) above, a rental contribution be approved for the subject premises at High Street, to provide 50% of annual rent (exclusive of VAT) in year one and 25% of annual rent (exclusive of VAT) in year two and the grant shall be paid quarterly in arrears on submission by the applicant of proof of payment of rent.

(4) That, further to Minute No. G19 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity held on 18^th July, 2011, a Street Café grant, to a maximum of £2,335 (being 75% of eligible costs, excluding VAT, of the purchase of street café furniture by the new owners of the premises), the grant awarded being a maximum sum of £2,000 for this independent business within the Imperial Buildings, plus a maximum sum of £335 towards the cost of planning application fees, should such fees be required.