Agenda item

To receive a statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

The Leader was invited to present his statement. He started by recording his thanks to Councillor Sheppard for his service as Deputy Leader of the Labour Group and of the Council, following his decision to leave the Labour Party.

It was announced that Councillor Cusworth had been appointed as the new Deputy Leader of the Council and that she would continue to lead on Children’s Services. Further announcements regarding Cabinet portfolios and appointments would be made in the coming days.

The Leader confirmed that a preferred candidate had been chosen to be the new Chief Executive by a cross-party appointment panel. For employment reasons details could not yet be disclosed but it was expected that a report would be brought to the Council meeting on 21 May 2025.

The Leader expressed his delight that the current Chief Executive had been shortlisted for the Municipal Journal Chief Executive of the Year. The Housing Service had also been shortlisted for two awards relating to the East Herringthorpe Energy Efficient development and the Small Sites Homebuilding Initiative. Member congratulated all involved.

The Leader highlighted the following:

-       Sport England grant to help Rotherham tackle high levels of inactivity – the Council was set to receive more than £455,870 for a range of programmes to increase physical activity levels amongst residents.

-       The Rotherham Apprenticeship Live Event took place on 12 March at the New York Stadium.

-       The Employment Solutions Job Fair had taken place on 21 March.

-       Work was underway at Clifton Park Water Splash which was the largest free water splash in the country.

Councillor Z Collingham offered his congratulations to Councillor Cusworth and the Chief Executive. He referenced the Employment Solutions Service and the recently announced funding from the DWP aimed at helping people back into work. Councillor Collingham asked if work was being done to avoid duplication. He also asked if the Leader and Council would take a stance against the proposed Whitestone Solar Farm development that would impact a large number of residents in the Rother Valley for the majority of the lifetimes.

The Leader explained that he believed the Council needed the Employments Solutions Service and the Pathways to Work scheme. The Economic Inactivity Rate in Rotherham was higher than the national average and higher than anywhere else in South Yorkshire. If the Leader thought the Council was being wasteful, it would of course revisit the matter, but it was his belief that the extra funding was needed on top of the agreed budget investment. In relation to Whitestone Solar Farm, the Leader confirmed that he would be informed by local representatives on the matter, but he expected the Council to raise the concerns of residents as part of the consultation.

Councillor Currie was pleased that Councillor Cusworth had been appointed as Deputy Leader as he believed that the role of Deputy Leader should always sit with the portfolio holder responsible for Children and Young People. Councillor Currie believed this was good practice following the publication of the Jay Report. 

The Leader confirmed that he could not make a commitment in perpetuity that the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People would always be the Deputy Leader. That had not been the case for a number of years prior to Councillor Cusworth appointment.