To receive questions from members of the public who may wish to ask a general question of the Mayor, Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.
Minutes:
There were 4 public questions:
1.
Mr Mabbott: At the November 2024 Council meeting I asked whether
there were any plans for the '2025 Children's Capital of Culture'
to include an event about Gaza. I was told this would be considered
and I would be updated. This has not happened. Could the Leader of
the Council please provide an update and explain the lack of
progress so far?
The Leader apologised that there had been no further correspondence
but confirmed that the idea put forward by Mr Mabbott had been
suggested. The Leader explained the process for developing the
programme. Groups would submit proposals for consideration by both
the Cultural Partnership Board and a Youth Programming Panel. These
groups made the decision on what events were taken forward.
An Open Call for submissions first opened in summer 2024, and there
had been occasional reminders on social media since
then. To date, 36 had been received, 27
of which were approved to progress to full application. The Leader advised Mr Mabbott that should he
know of a group who would like to submit a proposal, the Cultural
Partnership could arrange for the Expression of Interest
documentation to be sent by email.
In his supplementary question, Mr Mabbott stated that the inclusion
of an event around Gaza would be a great opportunity as many young
people had been involved in various protests and meetings about the
conflict. Mr Mabbott had seen drawings, paintings, stories and a
rap produced by young people which showed that they cared about
this. It bothered them and they were not immune to what was going
on. In light of this, Mr Mabbott asked if the diversity of the
Rotherham community could be embraced?
The Leader stated that a diverse group of young people had been
involved in putting the programme together. The Leader could not
commit to specific events but if a group of young people wanted to
make a suggestion, the team would be happy to talk to them about
that and do something that was appropriate.
2. Mr Ashraf: Thousands of Rotherham and South Yorkshire taxpayers and SYPA scheme members have recently signed a petition for divestment of pension investments in Israeli government bonds, etcetera.
After I forward the information to you, can you give serious
thought to what is possible for Rotherham Council to action in
regard to the petition vis-a-vis SYPA, and reply with your
considered response?
The Leader explained that he was happy to receive information from
Mr Ashraf and then respond. However he was clear that in agreeing
to review the information, the Council could only make
recommendations to South Yorkshire Pensions Authority and it would
be up to them whether they decided to accept them.
Mr Ashraf thanked the Leader for his response and for the response
from Councillor Sutton to a supplementary question at the last
Council meeting.
3. Mr Azam: Can you please confirm the current capacity at the following cemeteries:
· Maltby
· Wath
· East Herringthorpe - Muslim Section
Mr Azam was not present to ask his question and would receive a written response.
4. Mr Griffin: In respect of the Linkswood Park development in Dalton, is there an agreement in place (under s.38 of the Highways Act 1980 or otherwise) to ensure the roads will be constructed to an adoptable standard within a specified timeframe, without further unnecessary delays for completion, by the developer (Gleeson Homes)?
Mr Griffin was not present to ask his question and would receive a written response.