Agenda item

Deputy Leader – Pages 14D to 26D (Section D)

Children and Education Services – Pages 21F to 39F (Section F)

Environment – Pages 24G to 30G (Section G)

Adult Social Care and Health – Pages 32H to 40H (Section H)

Business Growth and Regeneration – Pages 13I to 25I (Section I)

Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Pages 41J to 59J (Section J)

A number of questions were raised in relation to the minutes of the meetings of Cabinet Members as follows:-

Minute No. D31 (Individual Electoral Registration) – Councillor Middleton considered this a very good idea and referred to the Minute text indicating verification of a person’s identity was undertaken with records held by the Department for Work and Pensions.  The Minute also indicated that those people who could not provide this information may prove their identity using an alternative form of evidence and asked what other forms could be used?

The Deputy Leader confirmed identity information was required in the form of a date of birth and national insurance number.  Specific details on what was required in terms of alternative forms of evidence would be supplied in writing.  A briefing note was to be circulated to all Elected Members on Individual Electoral Registration to coincide with National Registration Day.

In a supplementary question Councillor Middleton referred to the telephone registration service which had been in operation since the 1^st July, 2014 and asked how many people had taken advantage of this service?

The Deputy Leader would provide a response to this question in writing, but drew Members’ attention to Resolution No. 2 and the briefing note with all the details which was to be circulated shortly.

Councillor Parker also pointed out the implications to Individual Electoral Registration and the 20,000 people who may have dropped from the Electoral Register.  There was evidence of electoral fraud in some areas and hopefully Rotherham would not be one of them.

The Deputy Leader confirmed there were concerns that some people may disappear from the Electoral Register.  However, Individual Electoral Registration provided the necessary safeguards, but required people to register themselves, including young people whose parents could no longer register on their behalf. 

Minute No. D23 (Webcasting) – Councillor Parker welcomed webcasting in the Council Chamber for members of the public, but expressed his concern about the apparent “editing” when the webcast was posted to the webcast library and asked how was the Council going to ensure independence of the system?

The Deputy Leader confirmed webcasts were not edited in any way.  However, there had been occasions where the sound had been quieter on occasions and this had been traced to the microphones.  It was suggested that Elected Members receive some training moving forward to ensure clarity to the webcasts in the future.

Councillor Parker believed editing did take place.  Members of the public had voiced concerns at editing differences and would be watching the permanently installed system closely.

Minute No. D28 (Revenue Budget Monitoring) – Councillor Parker referred to the pressures relating to printing in Legal and Democratic Services and the high income target set against the budget which had not materialised and asked why this target had not been met?

The Deputy Leader did not have the actual figures to hand and would supply the detail in writing, but this did relate to the Central Print Unit and utilising more the provision available and making better use of the resources.

In a supplementary question Councillor Parker asked who met the cost for the purchase of the equipment as it may be more cost effective to have the printing provision outsourced.

The Deputy Leader did not have these figures to hand, but confirmed the detail of the question asked would be provided in writing.

Minute No. F29 (Questions from Members of the Public) – Councillor Parker referred to the Council’s website believing it to be unfit for purpose and the statement in the minutes on Page 25F in the second paragraph where matters were included on the website, but members of the public were unable to access or use it.  He suggested that certain details be provided on the website for members of the public to be able to access relevant information and referred specifically to licensed taxi matters.

The Deputy Leader reported on the accessibility of the website, particularly to pay bills.  Any feedback received about the website would be taken on board and listened to.

In a supplementary question Councillor Parker pointed out that basic questionnaires requiring online completion always met with problems and it would appear obstacles were deliberately put in the way.

The Deputy Leader agreed that the points raised would be taken on board.

Minute No. I23 (Petition – Badger Culling) – Councillor Parker referred to the Council’s opposition to cull badgers on Council-owned land and asked if the Council would be liable if a farmer claimed his farming stock had contracted tuberculosis from a badger if it could be proven they were previously on Council-owned land.

The Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration referred to the petition which sought support for the prohibition of badger culling on Council-owned land, to which he and the Council were in support of. As a Local Authority it had no control over land which it did not own.

In a supplementary question Councillor Parker asked if the Council were opposed to badger culling on their land and a badger known to have been living on Council-owned land was responsible for infecting livestock was the Council culpable and had the matter been looked into further from a legal perspective?

The Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration pointed out there had been no cases of bovine tuberculosis above the West Country reported.  A report had been submitted which supported this Minute and a map could be shared which illustrated this.  Legally it was not believed that the Council would be responsible as these were wild animals who were free to roam.  The Cabinet Member shared the petition’s view about the duty to protect badgers and reaffirmed there would be no badger culling on Council-owned land.

Councillor Watson in his professional capacity reported that there was no proof that an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis was from a badger in general and it was believed this would ever come up in a court of law.

Minute No. I36 (Rotherham Town Centre – Expansion of Street Market) – Councillor Middleton asked how the benefit was calculated and if there had been any research undertaken on the influence for surrounding retailers if the street market was expanded?  Was this expansion taking trade away from the current retailers or was it improving trade?

The Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration confirmed consultation had taken place with retailers, independent and national shops and the plan was for the current sixty-two street market stalls to increase in number to ninety.  All the stalls would be replaced as they were in a state of disrepair and would cost in the region of £46,000.  This increase would provide additional income and greater revenue which would be reinvested.  This expansion was timely and result in increased footfall and trade in that area of the town centre following the relocation of Tesco.

In a supplementary question Councillor Parker asked if an impact assessment had been undertaken on the general market area and what effect this could have?

The Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration explained all the existing stallholders in the general market had been consulted.  The two markets were not exclusive and shoppers may choose to visit all areas of the town centre. It was not felt there would be a negative impact with this expansion as the street stalls needed to be replaced and the relocation of Tesco could lead to greater footfall into the market area given its proximity. There were plans to include the indoor market area for investment, which would improve the whole area and make it more inviting to shoppers.

Resolved:- That the reports and minutes of the meetings of Cabinet Members as listed below be adopted:-

·                Deputy Leader – Pages 14D to 26D (Section D)

·                Children and Education Services – Pages 21F to 39F (Section F)

·                Environment – Pages 24G to 30G (Section G)

·                Adult Social Care and Health – Pages 32H to 40H (Section H)

·                Business Growth and Regeneration – Pages 13I to 25I (Section I)

·                Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods – Pages 41J to 59J (Section J)

Mover:- Councillor Lakin                           Seconder:- Councillor Hoddinott