Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 March 2025 as a true and correct record of the proceedings and to be signed by the Chair.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th March, 2025  be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings and signed by the Chair.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

Councillor Allen declared a personal interest in Minute No. 64 (Housing Strategy 2022-25 Final Progress Report) on the grounds of being the former Cabinet Member for Housing.

Councillor Sheppard declared a personal interest in Minute No. 62 (Independent Equalities Review of Bereavement Services Provision) on the grounds of being the former Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member involved.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

The Chair advised that there were no members of the public or representatives of media organisations present at the meeting and there were no questions in respect of matters on the agenda.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair advised that there were no items of business on the agenda that would require the exclusion of the press or public from the meeting.

To consider the Independent Equalities Review of Bereavement Services Provision which was commissioned to assess the end-to-end bereavement support and burial services for the Muslim community in Rotherham.

Consideration was given to the Independent Equalities Review of Bereavement Services Provision presented by the Monitoring Officer, which was commissioned to assess the end-to-end bereavement support and burial services for the Muslim community in Rotherham, thus encompassing the roles of statutory and community voluntary agencies before, during, and after bereavement.

Kaushar Tai, the specialist consultant commissioned to carry out the review, was asked to identify the need to learn from examples of good practice, explore areas for improvement and make key recommendations across all areas of services in Rotherham to ensure good practice was implemented wherever possible and practical to do so.

This report addressed each of the proposed recommendations highlighted within the review and provided a position statement on the current situation with these across the board.

The Chair invited Kaushar Tai to report his findings and in doing so he confirmed he had consulted with communities and bereavement services to review current practices with particular emphasis on Muslim burials within twenty-four  hours and comparisons with other religious practices.

Positive feedback from stakeholders had been received including from medical examiners, coroners, staff, bereavement services, mosques, and communities.

It was suggested that as part of the improvements in the process just simplifying requirements, streamlining processes with co-working and joined up working would be beneficial.  In addition, this would enhance and accommodate religious timelines especially with Muslim burials taking place without delay.  This was compromised with the new medical examiner requirements of a further check and whilst this was a legal requirement adherence would allow for the peaceful departure of the soul.  Not only did this help with the bereavement process, but assist with those wishing to mourn.

The report considered how best to address bottlenecks in the system and looked at flexible G.P. and medical examiner appointments and pathways.

Whilst training did take place there needed to be some competency training in bereavement services in other aspects, with improvements to staff recognising efforts, encouraging dialogue, building trust and co-operation and also adhering to Equalities Act 2010.

In addition, the need for full access to disabled and fair crisis centres was needed to prevent discrimination, protect characteristics and to coincide with reasonable accommodation outside normal hours to align to inclusivity.  

Respect for faith burials was important, provide dignity for traditions and, therefore, strengthen community trust.

The review also considered details about burial sites, headstone restoration, locating and relocating missing headstones, ongoing work around digital mapping of graves consistency in the size of the grave and separation distances. 

There was also a need to ensure clean maintenance around gravestones, active land allocation for future burials, appropriate spacing between graves, construction of pathways to ensure disabled access and taps for washing.

There was a need for exploration in community led burial practices to ensure consistency with appropriate commissioning from those involved. It was suggested that there be uniformity in burial practices with some bench installations and to take into account Muslim visitation practices with  car park provision to be managed.  This integrated partnership  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the presentation on the Rotherham Employment and Skills Strategy.

Consideration was given to the Rotherham Employment and Skills Strategy and the Chair invited the Cabinet Member Councillor Williams to introduce and in doing so he acknowledged the work going on behind the scenes and the research analysis taking place to inform the strategy.

The Strategy, therefore, provided a vision for employment and skills to help residents prosper and businesses succeed.  In addition, it provided a framework for actions over the next five years and aligned with regional and national focus on employment for a skilled workforce.

This Strategy supported the local economy, promoted inclusivity and its education/training would be responsive to the job market.  Its successful delivery was by way of collaboration with partners and included residents.  The Strategy’s progress delivery would be monitored, prosper growth and work would remain ongoing with partners.

Simon Moss, Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport (by way of Powerpoint) gave a presentation to highlight the Strategy’s:-

·            Aims and Objectives.

·            Strategic Context.

·            Approach.

·            Implications Review 1.

·            Implications Review 2.

·            Implications Review 3.

·            Proposed Missions.

·            Strategic Framework.

·            Intervention Areas.

·            Implementation Plan.

·            Draft Actions.

·            Various Appendices.

A discussion and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and clarified:-

·              Mention of several areas of high deprivation, emphasising the need to target all areas, not just specific ones.  Discussions were taking place on potential links to different approaches.

·              Ongoing conversations about working with CYPS, academies, and resources to assist with those not in education, employment or training.  Pathways were highlighted to work and collaborate with the voluntary and community sector to engage parts of the community not otherwise engaged with the Council.  There were aspirations to align with families in poverty, with plans for a workshop to address this.  Better understanding would be emphasised to target individuals through pathways to work.

·              Engagement with the voluntary and community sector through Voluntary Action Rotherham, but how would it ensure this would be captured.   Officers reported this would be done through a number of contracts through pathways to work and learning through the multiple programme engagements through voluntary and community sector.

·              How could aspirations be raised through retaining, offering opportunities and enable training access.  It was reported the provision was focused on getting people back to work.  The advanced programme would provide support and upskilling opportunities for people in work through the Employment Solutions Team.  The third mission of the Strategy was to enhance better signposting.

·              Could there be more upskilling by offering more evening or weekend courses.  Officers recognised the need for flexibility for people already in work.  For those who were carers who needed the flexibility the pathways to work programme would minimise duplication and ensure this provision was signposted clearly.

·              Different levels of inactivity were reported in ethnic minorities and highest was there a reason for this.  It was reported deep dive activity was looking into the reasons to understand through pathways to work.  Work was going with people to understand and how to address/resolve these problems.

·              How were barriers for access being overcome for learning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider the report which provided a final position statement for the three-year strategy period between April 2022 – March 2025.

Consideration was given to the Housing Strategy 2022-25 which was approved by Cabinet in June 2022 and published in July 2022.

The Chair invited Councillor Beresford, Cabinet Member, to introduce where it was highlighted the Strategy recognised the key issues affecting housing in Rotherham and the impact these have on residents.  It set out how the Council would work in partnership to address the priorities identified.

The Housing Strategy was being refreshed, subject to Cabinet approval towards the end of the year. This report was presented for information and provided a final position statement for the three-year strategy period between April 2022 – March 2025 and was presented to this Commission annually.

The thirty year vision was set to provide high quality homes and this Council wanted to be the best provider to reduce the gap for healthy and vibrant communities.  This would ensure people were living in energy efficient homes, would revitalise the town centre and provide a real community of living.

Sarah Watts, Strategic Housing Manager, delivered a presentation via Powerpoint which highlighted:-

• The thirty year vision.
• Local Context.
• Six key priorities for the 22-25 period:-

v   High quality new homes.

v   Affordable homes to meet local need.

v   Investing in existing homes.

v   Bringing empty homes back into use.

v   Supporting people to live independently.

v   Strengthening communities.

• Achievements against each of the six priorities.
• Housing Strategy Next Steps.

A discussion and question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and clarified:-

·              There had been tremendous work done with incredible achievements and Members were proud how this had moved on.  What were the biggest challenges to achieving those policy areas and what had been the learning from this that would shape the future.  Officers confirmed the development programme was an ongoing challenge as it was ambitious with the delivery of homes in the current climate, with increases and the need to weigh up value for money in the building of high quality homes.  The sector was under scrutiny from the Regulator of Social Housing, so it was a balance between providing the new homes needed and the need to invest in existing homes, whilst still losing stock via Right To Buy  for the investment into existing homes. 

The Social Housing Regulation Act was a real challenge with HRA investment going into making homes safe. There was only so much funding available.  The Regulator expectations were high and the Council would be subject to inspection in the next few years.

·              How many new homes had been built in the last three years but then bought through the Right To Buy Scheme.  Officers did not have this figure to hand and would provide this in writing.

·              Clarification was sought and provided on banning orders and how  Cabinet approved the policy in 2022 giving the Enforcement Team the tools for persistent offenders when all other actions had failed.

·              Empty homes enforcement tools were available, what were these.  It was reported these were enforcement tools against non-compliant owners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider and endorse the outline schedule of scrutiny work for the 2025-2026 municipal year.

The Governance Manager introduced the work programme report and highlighted how Councillor Steele, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, would be emailing out requesting items for future work for incorporation into this year’s work programme.

It was also noted that two workshops were ongoing; one on the Water Bylaws and the other School Road Safety.  Anyone wishing to join these review groups should contact the Governance Manager.   

Resolved:-  That the update on the Work Programme be received and noted.

To consider any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised that there were no urgent items of business requiring the Commission’s consideration other than nomination for a member of the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel.

Resolved:-  That Councillor Tinsley be appointed as the Improving Places Select Commission’s representative for 2025/26.