Agenda item

QUESTIONS TO CABINET MEMBERS AND CHAIRMEN

Minutes:

(1)  Councillor Gilding asked the Leader to update Members with the situation regarding the Strategic Director of Resources.

 

The Leader confirmed that he had written to Members on two occasions to inform them firstly that the Strategic Director of Resources would not be available to undertake his duties whilst certain matters were considered and, secondly, to confirm the arrangements that have been put in place regarding  fulfilling  the Chief Financial Officer’s responsibilities in the interim.

 

Good progress was being made with regard to the procedures that needed to be followed to resolve the position and all of the duties of the Strategic Director were being undertaken.

 

(2)  Councillor Middleton asked since last year’s Roma Conference, what progress had been made in integrating the immigrant Roma community into the life of Rotherham and at what cost and had further Roma immigrants taken up residence and if so how many?”

 

Councillor Hussain confirmed that considerable progress had already been made in integrating the Roma community into Rotherham life.  Specialist workers were available with the right community languages to work with children and families and several schools have employed bi-lingual Teaching Assistants and Support Workers to promote attendance and attainment. Steps were also being undertaken by REMA and the NHS to recruit volunteers from the Roma community who would assist with local environmental and health initiatives The communities of Eastwood and Ferham have also held a number of events, festivals etc which were opportunities to bring communities together funded by Community First and other external funding

 

These initiatives were not funded by one organisation and there was no central record of total costs.

 

It was not possible, to say exactly how many Roma have arrived in Rotherham since the Roma conference. However in 2011 there were in excess of 400 new EU migrant workers who arrived from the eight EU accession countries, a proportion of whom would be Roma.

 

(3)  Councillor Gilding asked what details were available as to the “Visions of China” project?

 

The Leader reported that the concept for the ‘Visions of China’ (VoC) project was a unique cultural theme park, set in a totally authentic built and landscaped environment.

 

It was estimated that it would generate 400 sustainable jobs, safeguard 280 in supply chains and provide 760 direct and indirect construction jobs.

 

The developers have been working to secure investment into the project and was in advanced talks with an investor. To enable MCD to secure this investment, the Council had recently entered into conditional agreements for the lease of the Pithouse West site. 

 

(4)  Councillor Middleton referred to the Director of Children’s Service as having been shocked by the Interim Report of the Deputy Children’s Commissioner into child sex abuse and asked, in view of recent revelations in Rotherham, which particular parts of the report have come as a surprise to her?

 

Councillor Lakin reported that the Child exploitation, gangs and groups report identified two strands of grooming. These were ‘gangs’ and ‘groups’. Rotherham was familiar with the group sexual exploitation over recent years where people came together in person for the purpose of taking part in sexual exploitation. What the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services found disconcerting was the research findings on gang sexual exploitation, where mostly young men, aged between 13-25, took part in many forms of criminal activity. The gang was formed for a purpose such as criminal activity and not sexual exploitation. What was shocking was the reports from young women who were expected to fulfil sexual favours, on demand, to such gangs. This was not something that the Council had intelligence about in Rotherham. That was not to say it is not happening and this was what the Cabinet Member had asked the Child Sexual Exploitation Team to look into.

 

(5)  Councillor Gilding asked what progress had been made into the circumstances whereby the Strategic Director of Children and Young People’s Services authorised the removal of three children from UKIP foster carers?

 

The Leader confirmed that this matter was subject to confidential legal proceedings and, therefore, the information that could be disclosed was limited.

 

However, a detailed internal enquiry had been commissioned and, once the necessary judicial clearance has been provided, the report would be made available to the Secretary of State for Education.  In addition, appropriate information would be made public regarding the findings of that inquiry.

 

(6)  Councillor Middleton asked would the Leader confirm that membership of a legally constituted political party, who did not believe in multi-culturism, did not automatically disqualify that person from fostering or adopting a child?

 

The Leader confirmed that membership of a legally constituted political party, of itself, did not prevent an individual from fostering or adopting a child.  In all such cases full and detailed assessments of the child’s needs and the carer’s abilities and lifestyle were undertaken to ensure that the welfare of the child was safeguarded.

 

(7)  Councillor Gilding asked what was the present situation with Melton Court Care Home at Maltby?

 

Councillor Doyle confirmed that Melton Court Care Home at Maltby was a private care home and the issues arose due to the actions of the owner.  The Care Quality Commission had currently removed his licence due to the concerns of residents about conditions.

 

The Care Quality Commission, in consultation with the Council, decided that it would not be in the best interests of the residents to close the home and was working closely with the Council and the staff and residents to improve the situation and this was being closely monitored and inspected.

 

(8)   Councillor Gilding asked what was the position regarding Mr. Brian James at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust?

 

Councillor Wyatt reported that Mr. Brian James was in the process of retiring and the Acting Chief Executive, Matthew Lowry, was currently in position whilst the recruitment process took place.  Any further questions about Mr. James should be directed to he Rotherham Foundation Trust.