Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Business Growth and Regeneration held on 12th January, 2015, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Finance Manager, on the performance against budget for the Environment and Development Services Directorate Revenue Accounts as at 31st December, 2014 and providing a forecast outturn for the whole of the 2014/15 financial year. Members noted the forecast outturn position of an under-spend of £455,000 for the Environment and Development Services Directorate, based on expenditure and income as at 31st December, 2014.

During discussion of this report, Members raised the following salient items:-

-          Asset Management, Audit and Insurance;

-          Streetpride (possible pressures on the Winter maintenance budget, which are dependent upon weather conditions).

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

(2) That the latest financial projection against budget for 2014/15, based on actual income and expenditure to 31st December, 2014, as outlined in the submitted report, be noted.

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

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).

Further to Minute No. G59 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development, held on 7th October, 2013, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Business and Retail Investment Manager, concerning a request for the variation of the previous approval of a Business Vitality Grant for an applicant trading in a retail shop situated at High Street in 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 Rotherham town centre. Members were informed that the applicant business proposes to move into adjacent larger premises in April 2015, to develop the business further. As part of this proposed expansion, the applicant business also intends to begin a partnership and to share the premises with another town centre retailer.

Members noted the terms and conditions of the grant scheme and considered the suggestion that the applicant business be allowed to claim the remaining amount of the original Business Vitality Grant award and to utilise it against the rent for the new business property at High Street. The financial implications of this proposal were detailed within the submitted report.

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

(2) That the payment of the remaining balance of grant, awarded in October 2013, to the applicant now identified, be approved on the same terms as the original award, but instead shall be based upon the occupation of a different retail property at High Street, Rotherham, as described in the report now submitted.