Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development, held on 7th October, 2013, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to the minutes of a meeting of the Transport Liaison Group held on 25th September, 2013.

Resolved:-  That the contents of the minutes be noted.

Resolved:- That the action of the Cabinet Member in opening the following tenders on Monday, 7th October, 2013 and on Wednesday, 16^th October, 2013, be noted:-

-  land and buildings known as the former Kimberworth Park Library and Health Clinic, Wheatley Road/Duke Street, Kimberworth Park.

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 30^th September, 2013, including the forecast out-turn of overspending of £755,000 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 30th September, 2013, be noted.

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

Consideration was given to a petition, containing 406 signatures, signed by residents of various parts of Rotherham and by some of the Rotherham town centre businesses, requesting the Council to extend the duration of the ‘Rotherham-by-the Sea’ activities which took place during the schools’ Summer holidays in August.

The Marketing and Events Manager submitted a report stating that the ‘Rotherham-by-the-Sea’ activities have been taking place in All Saints’ Square for the past eleven years.  Originally, the event had lasted for two weeks, but has been a one-week event since 2005. All Saints’ Square is transformed into a beach area for the week, complete with deckchairs, buckets and spades.  Daily entertainment (from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m.) is provided by professional entertainers, working to various themes appropriate for young children. The event is extremely popular, attracting approximately 2,000 attendees during the week.  Some of the businesses in the immediate vicinity of All Saints’ Square have reported additional trading whilst the event is taking place.

The report referred to the costs of staging the event for one week and also to the additional costs which would be incurred if the event reverted to its original two-weeks format. Members noted that the petitioners have offered to undertake fund-raising as a contribution towards the additional costs of the requested two-weeks event.

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

(2) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(3) That consideration of this matter be deferred until a future meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development.

Further to Minute No. 54 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Children, Young People and Families Services held on 16^th October, 2013, consideration was given to a report of the Principal Officer, School Organisation providing an update about the development of the residential housing estate at Waverley. The report also described the action being taken in response to a proposed deed of variation to the agreement made under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which concerns the eventual provision of a three-forms entry primary school within the Waverley development.

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

(2) That Elected Members continue to be informed of progress with this issue.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006 – information relates to finance and business affairs).

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 Investment Manager concerning an application for the approval of a Business Vitality Grant for the restoration of a currently unused retail building situated very near to the Rotherham town centre.

Members noted 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 report stated that this project satisfies the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, except that the premises lie very close to, though just outside, the Western edge of the official boundary of the grant-aided area as defined by the scheme.

Having considered the report, Members were in favour of the award of a grant, exceptionally in this case, because of the premises’ status as a listed building and the fact that an unused building will be brought back into use for the wider advantage of the Rotherham town centre economy. In addition, it was suggested that the owners of the premises should be encouraged to discuss the building restoration scheme with the Rotherham Civic Society. Members also instructed that the boundary of this town centre grant aid scheme be reviewed for the purposes of consideration of future Business Vitality grant applications.

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

(2) That, in accordance with the details contained in the report now submitted:-

(a) a one-off capital grant of up to a maximum £10,000 is awarded to support the fitting-out element of the redevelopment and re-use of the listed building, as now identified and situated in Central Rotherham;

(b) the award of this Business Vitality grant is subject to the terms and conditions as detailed within the submitted report.