Agenda item

Steve Eling, Principal Policy Officer, presented the submitted report which provided an update on progress of the “Strong and Prosperous Communities” Local Government White Paper, the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and the Council’s implementation plan workstreams.

Further developments contributed to the reform agenda, building on previous documents. The most recent key development was the “Communities in Control” White Paper, published on 9th July, 2008. This took forward some components of the previous White Paper together with aspects of the Governance of Britain Green Paper, published in July, 2007 and the Action Plan for Community Empowerment, published in October, 2007. The developments in “Communities in Control” were the subject of the second report, including new workstreams within the Council’s implementation plan.

The following sections provided the latest position on implementation of the 2007 Act and the “Strong and Prosperous Communities” White Paper and the progress to date on implementation in Rotherham:-

·              Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

·              Summary of action within Rotherham relating to implementation of Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

·              “Strong and Prosperous Communities” White Paper October, 2006

Most of the Government’s proposals arising from the Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper and the 2007 Act were assessed as cost neutral by Regulatory Impact Assessment, efficiencies meeting new costs or by the Government transferring funds as had been the case with LINKs.

Issues around the expectations on participatory budgeting etc. were expected to be about how the Council prioritised and allocated funds rather than growth budget items. Additionally, issues covering strategic commissioning and developing local markets would have an impact.

Final statutory guidance covering commissioning was published on 9th July, 2008. The national Participatory Budgeting Strategy was still awaited.

The Council would need to remain alert to cost implications of the Government’s reforms and incorporate into the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The RMBC Implementation Plan provided for risk assessments against each workstream in the plan.

The Council had made good progress in addressing each of the workstreams, reducing risk to the Council to a minimal level.

Existing project groups taking forward “Our Future” were addressing the implementation of relevant aspects of the reform agenda and legislative requirements.

The greatest level of uncertainty related to those aspects of the 2007 Act that had not yet commenced and where the commencement date was not yet known. These were issues beyond the Council’s control, but were monitored regularly and updated in the RMBC Implementation Plan.

Discussion and a question and answer session ensued and the following issues were covered:

• joint waste authorities

• stronger cities, strategic regions

• consultation with parish councils

• consultation on bye laws

• Councillor Call for Action and potential pilot scheme through an Area Assembly

• ability to resolve at local level

• delegation to members acting within their own Wards

• participatory budgeting

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress in implementing the requirements set out in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 be noted.

(2)  That the provisions of the Act not yet commenced be noted and further reports be received as appropriate when commencement details were known.

(3) That the possibility of implementing a ‘Councillor Call for Action’ semi live pilot scheme, through an Area Assembly, be discussed with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at the next meeting of Area Assembly Chairs.

(4) That the issues relating to participatory budgeting be considered by the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel.