To receive a statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.
Minutes:
The Leader was invited to present his statement. He stated that he was conscious that it was a long agenda with many questions. If a significant numbers of Members had left the meeting before the end, the Leader confirmed that he would want to draw the meeting to a close. Members would receive answers to their questions in writing.
The Leader highlighted the following:
Work had started on the site for a new café at Rother Valley Country Park. The works were part of a series of £7.4m improvements at the park which were long awaited.
Work had started on the new housing and independent living development on Warden Street in Canklow as part of the Castle Hill development. This was an £11m scheme which would bring state of the art facilities for people with learning disabilities.
Demolition works had started at Rotherham Markets with the demolition of the former Drummond Street shops – also known as the Guardian Centre buildings, paving the way for the development’s brand-new town centre library. This was the second biggest investment in the town centre.
Residents living in Rotherham could once again receive support with their energy bills this winter, as the latest round of the Council’s Crisis Support Scheme opened for application. The scheme offered payments of up to £250 for households that were struggling to meet the costs of their energy bills as a result of the significant rise in energy costs. The Leader urged Members to help residents access that support.
In conclusion, the Leader passed on his thanks to the team involved with the Bonfire Night event at Clifton Park which was very successful.
Councillor Currie stated that it would be better for the meetings to be held at 10am. He also asked that, if the meeting did finish early, could supplementary questions be emailed in for a written response?
The Leader confirmed that they could if this happened.
Councillor Reynolds asked a question in relation to the laying of tarmac and why it was rippling. He also asked if the new entrance to Parkgate would be open in time for the Christmas rush?
The Leader confirmed that a written response would be provided in relation to the tarmac question. He also confirmed that he expected the new entrance at Parkgate to open shortly. The delay had been due to flooding and drainage issues.
Councillor Z Collingham stated that the way in which public questions were being presented and asked was not beneficial to the questioners, the Members or anyone watching. This was an ongoing issue and the rules continued to be broken. He asked if the matter could be looked at on a cross-party basis as it was detailing the meeting.
The Leader agreed entirely with the comments. The Constitution Working Group would look into the matters raised.
Councillor Bacon asked why the Leader did not mention the Budget in his statement.
The Leader stated that he believed the Budget was a triumph for public services and the best for public services for 15 years. The Chancellor had been given a choice between making the austerity errors like George Osborne had in 2010 or making some difficult decisions to point the economy in the right direction. This chosen option would put money back into council services. The allocations for Rotherham had not yet been confirmed.
Councillor Bennett-Sylvester asked if conversations could be started regarding whether the Castle View development could be used by families fostering children with disabilities?
The Leader agreed to look into the question.
Councillor Steele asked why Members were not using scrutiny to ask Cabinet Members questions on policy and procedure? He asked the Leader if the Constitution could be looked at as the cut off from questions from Members used to be 20 minutes. He also urged Members to use the proper procedures for getting questions answered.
The Leader agreed and stated that the Constitution Working Group would look into the matters raised.
Councillor Bower referenced the event at Clifton Park which he thought was great. He had however been approached been approached by residents who felt unsafe, and Councillor Bower felt there was a lack of stewarding and security. He asked the Leader if this could be reviewed?
The Leader stated that an internal review would take place.