Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Business Growth and Regeneration held on 1st December and on 12th December, 2014, be approved as correct records for signature by the Chairman.

Reference was made to the forthcoming visit (January 2015) by the American business consultant, Mr. Bruce J. Katz, who would be providing advice to the Sheffield City Region authorities about the regeneration of the Rotherham to Sheffield economic corridor, which includes the Templeborough and Lower Don Valley areas.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Project Officer (Economic and Development Services) proposing the creation of a Members’ Steering Group, with appropriate Terms of Reference, to progress the development of the remaining disused section of the Chesterfield Canal in the Borough of Rotherham, situated between Kiveton Park Station and Killamarsh (Derbyshire).

Discussion took place on the history of the Chesterfield Canal, as well as the restoration work which will be overseen by the proposed Steering Group. The suggested Terms of Reference were appended to the report.

It was agreed that appropriate publicity be arranged for the Chesterfield Canal restoration scheme and that Parish Council representation on the Steering Group be considered further, in due course.

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

(2) That the formation of the Chesterfield Canal Members Steering Group, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

(3) That the Terms of Reference outlining the composition, objectives, frequency of meetings and reporting procedures of the Steering Group, as now submitted, be approved and adopted.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Leisure and Green Spaces Manager, concerning the proposed fees and charges for Leisure and Green Spaces’ Services, including allotments rents and charges, to be levied during the 2015/2016 financial year.

Members noted that most of proposed fees and charges would take effect on 1st April 2015.  However, the proposed charges for water-sports at Rother Valley Country Park would start on 10th February 2015, because this is the date when the service re-starts for the 2015 season. 

During discussion of the fees and charges, Members gave due consideration to the present and future financial position of the Borough Council. Reference was also made to (i) recent case law concerning the setting of rents for allotment plots; and (ii) historical subsidies for certain fees and charges and the implications of full cost recovery upon the overall level of fees and charges.

Reference was made to Minute No. 52 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Culture and Tourism held on 13th March, 2012, concerning the impact of the rate of inflation on the setting of fees and charges for Leisure and Green Spaces Services and for allotments.

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

(2) That the Leisure and Green Spaces fees and charges 2015/16, as set out in the report now submitted, be approved.

(3) That the allotment rents and charges for 2015/16 and 2016/17, as set out in the report now submitted, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Economic Development Manager, concerning the approval of two schemes, granted under delegated powers by the Director for Planning, Regeneration and Culture, from the Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) allocation to the Rotherham Growth Fund.  Details of the two schemes were included within the submitted report.

Discussion took place on the overall benefits of these schemes to the economic regeneration of the Borough area.

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

(2) That the allocation of Rotherham Economic Regeneration Fund (RERF) funding to the following projects, during 2014/15, be noted:-

(a) Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District  :  £50,000;

(b) Rotherham Markets redevelopment  :  £15,000 (Minute No. G94 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 25th February, 2014 refers).

Further to Minute No. I13 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Business Growth and Regeneration held on 6th October, 2014, consideration was given to a report presented by the Economic Development Manager, concerning the draft Rotherham Growth Plan, for which there is currently a consultation process including relevant stakeholders and interested parties. The report described the ambitions of the Rotherham Growth Plan, which are:-

: stimulating the local economy and helping people into work;

: protecting the Borough’s most vulnerable people and families, enabling them to maximise their independence;

: ensuring all areas of Rotherham are safe, clean and well maintained;  and

: helping people to improve their health and well-being and reducing inequalities within the Borough.

In addition, Members noted the principal themes of the Rotherham Growth Plan, which are similar to those of the Sheffield City Region Strategic Economic Plan:-

- Growing existing and developing new businesses.

- Skills for employment.

- Social inclusion and combating poverty.

- Employment Land and Housing.

- The Rotherham town centre.

- Transport.

Members commented upon various aspects of the consultation document, including business regeneration issues affecting both the Rotherham town centre and the business improvement districts around the Rotherham Borough area, as well as possible public and private sector partnerships in respect of training opportunities for young people.

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

(2) That the comments of Elected Members be included in the consultation process for the draft Rotherham Growth Plan.

(3) That a further report be submitted to Elected Members, in due course, about the implementation and timescale of the Rotherham Growth Plan.

Further to Minute No. G67 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 26th November, 2012, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Retail Investment Manager, describing a proposal to extend the street market, held on Tuesdays within the Rotherham town centre, from 62 to 95 stalls. The report set out the business case for the proposed extension of the street market which, subject to approval, would be introduced in April 2015.

The report provided details of the financial investment, as follows:-

(i) One-off estimated capital costs (subject to tender):-

:  £35,000 to replace all existing stalls and to purchase 33 new stalls.

:  £8,000 to purchase a small trailer and a suitable vehicle for transporting equipment (plus associated servicing contract).

:  £5,000 to purchase additional trestles and boards, required for the market stalls.

(ii) The continuing revenue costs of £12,000 per year for employees and on-costs (essential to accommodate the setting up and dismantling of the increased number of stalls).

Members noted the business case and the potential for an increase in income to the Council, resulting from these street market proposals.

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

(2) That the proposal to expand the street market, held on Tuesdays within the Rotherham town centre, as described in the report now submitted, be approved, including the replacement of existing market stalls and the acquisition of additional stalls.

(3) That the initial capital expenditure of £48,000 and the proposed repayment arrangements in the subsequent financial years, as detailed in the report now submitted, be approved.

(4) That the increased staffing costs required to service the additional market stalls, estimated to be £12,000 per annum, as now reported, be approved.

(5) That a further report be submitted for consideration by Elected Members, in due course, relating to the review of fees and charges for market stalls.

To consider the following appointments:-

South Yorkshire Joint Committee On Archaeology -

Cabinet Member and Adviser (two places)

South Yorkshire Joint Committee On Archives -Cabinet Member or Adviser (or an officer from the Archives and Local Studies)

Resolved:- That the following appointments be made to the outside bodies shown, for the remainder of the 2014/2015 Municipal Year:-

(1) South Yorkshire Joint Committee on Archaeology

Councillor D. Beck and Councillor K. Wyatt

(2) South Yorkshire Joint Committee on Archives

Councillor D. Beck and Councillor J. Whysall

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 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the local authority)

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 I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended (information relating to the financial/business affairs of any person (including the Council) and is commercially confidential).

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Retail Investment Manager concerning an application for the approval of a Business Vitality Grant for the purchase, fitting-out and re-use of a currently vacant retail unit situated within the Rotherham town centre.

Members noted that the Town Centre Business Vitality Scheme is designed to encourage and support new and/or independent niche retail businesses to open up in the Rotherham town centre. The report stated that this project satisfies the eligibility criteria of the Business Vitality Scheme.

Having considered the report, Members were in favour of the award of a grant because of the strength of the business plan and the significant investment from the applicant and because the proposal presents an opportunity for an established and valued Rotherham town centre business to grow and operate from a significantly larger and more prominent retail unit, which should attract more customers.

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 retail premises, as now identified and situated in the Rotherham town centre;

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