Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

That Cabinet:

1. Approve delivery of Phase 1 of the Town Centre Health Hub project within the scope and budget as detailed at Appendix 1 and Exempt Appendix 2.

2. Approve the allocation of funding from the Pathfinder programme to progress to final design and implementation of Phase 1 and feasibility work for Phase 2.

3. Note the intentions for Phase 2 of the Town Centre Health Hub and approve the commencement of negotiations with interested parties for the provision of General Practice or other walk-in health services.
   
   
4. Note the intentions for the Town Centre Music Venue project.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to progress a proposal to refurbish 42-46 Effingham Street (the former Boots building) in Rotherham Town Centre for the purpose of developing a Town Centre health facility. The proposal was to develop the building in two phases, with the first phase being to secure the provision of a pharmacy within the facility and to support the pharmacy’s required relocation.

The second phase would be to develop the wider building in collaboration with health care service providers to provide a building that was equipped to facilitate the delivery of multiple health services direct to the public. The proposal was to reallocate a portion of funding from the Town Centre Music Venue project, part of the Pathfinder programme, to fund the Phase 1 works and Phase 2 feasibility studies.

42-46 Effingham Street was a large property in a key, prominent Town Centre location, neighbouring the new Rotherham Markets and Central Library. There was a negative visual impact with the building remaining empty without activity that supported and added to a vibrant Town Centre. While the Council had not actively marketed the building, there had been no approaches from the private sector to let or redevelop the building.

Rotherham Town Centre was currently limited in its provision of health care services and the Council had been working in partnership with health service partners to consider how that provision might be increased. This project would see the first step in improving the provision of health services for the Town Centre and surrounding communities. A phased approach to development was proposed with the intention of maximising available funding and the opportunity presented by the estate requirements of partners. The report sought approval to proceed with the implementation of the first phase and development of the feasibility of the later  phase(s).

Feasibility works would be undertaken to RIBA Stage 4 following professional advice from the Building Design team and a proposed budget for this was outlined in exempt Appendix 2. This would provide the full suite of feasibility works including initial designs and cost analysis. It was requested that this funding be allocated from the Pathfinder funding.
The timeline for the project was set out in section 5 of the report.

Councillor Baker-Rogers was fully supportive of the project as the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care.

The proposals were subjected to pre-decision scrutiny at the Health Select Commission on 26 June 2025. They fully supported the recommendations and asked that the proposals developed upon the conclusion of Phase 2 return to the Health Select Commission for pre-decision scrutiny.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve delivery of Phase 1 of the Town Centre Health Hub project within the scope and budget as detailed at Appendix 1 and Exempt Appendix 2.

2.    Approve the allocation of funding from the Pathfinder programme to progress to final design and implementation of Phase 1 and feasibility work for Phase 2.

3.    Note the intentions for Phase 2 of the Town Centre Health Hub and approve the commencement of negotiations with interested parties for the provision of General Practice or other walk-in health services.

4.    Note the intentions for the Town Centre Music Venue project.