Agenda item

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

The Leader was pleased to say that the Council’s Adult Social Care Services had been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission and was now the second joint top-scoring authority in the region. He thanked Councillor Baker-Rogers, the Executive Director Ian Spicer, the wider leadership team and officers within the Directorate for their hard and incredible work.

National Primary School Offer Day had been on 16 April 2026 and 98.5% of applications for reception entry in September were allocated one of their three preferences. For those moving from Year two to Year three, 100% of first preferences were satisfied. These were exceptionally high figures when compared to many places in the country.

In relation to major investments, the Leader reported that the new Tram stop at Magna was now open, as was the waterside restaurant at Rother Valley Country Park. The children’s play areas at Thrybergh Country Park and Rosehill Park had been completed. Public realm worked had commenced in Swinton. The Leader also stated that Rotherham Theatres had been awarded £200,000 in government arts funding.

Finally, the Leader reported on the St George’s Day event in Clifton Park that had taken place on Saturday 18 April. He believed that it had been a great event that brought communities and people together. Whilst flags had been used in recent months to divide and scare, the event in Clifton Park united people of all backgrounds, religions and beliefs with that same symbol.

The Leader of the Majority Opposition Group, Councillor Z. Collingham,

was invited to respond. He congratulated all those involved in achieving the Good rating for Adult Social Care and asked if Outstanding was achievable. He also praised the work in relation to the Royal Mail Land Swap and Corporation Street developments. However Councillor Collingham asked if the recent progress would mean that a greater focus could be applied to the old bank and to the Regal Cinema.

Councillor Collingham referenced the Street Safe Team who had been met with some criticism in Dinnington as it was felt by some that they were ineffective in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour. Councillor Collingham stated that this concerns had been foreseen and asked if the Leader had any further feedback and impact data regarding the Street Safe Team that demonstrated they were actually working and achieving their aims and objectives.

Councillor Collingham referenced the upcoming elections in Barnsley and Sheffield and asked if the Leader would promise to be ruthlessly pragmatic in channelling regional attention to Rotherham following the impact of what could be sizable change in the region in relation to politics and personalities.

Finally, Councillor Collingham stated that there had been reports that the Prime Minister had misled Parliament, that inquiries were needed and that the Leader of the country did not know what was happening on his watch in his government. When this last happened, the Leader and Labour Group had been very vocal in calling for the resignation of the Conservative Prime Minister. He asked if the Leader still thought the same.

The Leader was invited to respond to Councillor Z. Collingham. He stated that achieving Outstanding was the next step, but it would take a lot of time and work. In relation to the old bank and Regal Cinema, the Leader confirmed that their remained challenges with those projects and he did not want those challenges to delay the other redevelopment work that could be undertaken.

The Leader did not have any further data relating to the Street Safe Team in the meeting but would provide the latest information from the service outside of the meeting. However, he did state that positive comments had been made about the Street Safe Team from business owners in Swinton. In relation to Dinnington, the Leader stated that there were serious issues to address that could not be fixed by the Street Safe Team. It would take the Police, Neighbourhood Coordinators and Local Community Protections Teams to tackle those issues related to Anti-Social Behaviour. The Leader stated that he had not been asked to be directly involved in these issues but that could be requested.

In relation to the upcoming elections, the Leader confirmed that he would work with all parties across South Yorkshire for the benefit of Rotherham and the wider region.

The Leader declined to give a running commentary on the Prime Minister and Peter Mandleson situation as it seemed to change hourly. The Leader stated that he wanted a Prime Minister who would deliver for local communities, put money back into public services and be on the side of people who needed an active government in place, and as such, he wanted a Labour Prime Minister, whoever that person might be.

Questions on the Leader’s statement were invited from all other Members.

Councillor Bennett-Sylvester stated that he did not share their Leader’s view on the St. George’s Day event. He did not believe that the genuine concerns expressed by those who were being exploited by the far right had been addressed.

The Leader stated that audience research had been undertaken as part of the event so that would be analysed. It was never the intention of the event to specifically appeal to those who had been conned by the far right and take them on a journey. It was about bringing people together so that they could be comfortable around different people. It was hoped that the event had reached different communities, particularly more white, low income communities that would not usually attend Council run events.

Councillor C. Carter asked if the café at Rother Valley Country Park would be appropriately staffed as she had visited the café at Thrybergh Country Park and it had been poorly run due to staffing level. She asked if assurances could be provided.

The Leader stated that he was confident that the café’s would be appropriately staffed as further staff had now been recruited at Thrybergh. He confirmed that a written response would be provided setting out further information on this.

Councillor Bacon stated that the Leader should not need to be asked to get involved in solutions for major antisocial behaviour issues. He should just do it. With regard to regeneration, Councillor Bacon stated that the paving had not been cleaned, and he asked if the Leader would work with organisation’s such as Historic England and look at further funding for planning enforcement to change the way high streets across the borough looked, with a particular focus on signage.

The Leader stated that he would be happy to let Councillor Bacon’s residents know that Councillor Bacon was unable to sort the anti-social behaviour out in his ward. 

Councillor Currie stated that the Children’s Capital of Culture initiative had been fantastic but, since it had now finished, he asked if the outdated signage could be taken down.

The Leader confirmed that it would be taken down.

Councillor Reynolds referenced the Street Safe Team and stated that some people did not want to be helped. He asked if warm places could be provided in the winter for homeless people He also stated that the Team were the best placed people to advise on what needed to be delivered.

The Leader confirmed that emergency shelter was available during adverse weather. He also confirmed that the Homelessness Team included people who had lived experience of homelessness themselves.