To receive questions from members of the public who may wish to ask a general question of the Mayor, Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.
Minutes:
(1) Mr. D. Smith asked did this Council believe that Child Sexual Exploitation was still happening in Rotherham?
The Leader explained Rotherham, perhaps more than any other Council, knew there would always be perpetrators who targeted children. As of last week the Council’s multi-agency support hub was supporting forty children who may be at risk of child sexual exploitation.
In a supplementary question Mr. Smith asked, during the period covered by the Jay Report, Rotherham’s Children Services continued to be inspected by Ofsted and be rated ‘good’ so what credence could be given to any Ofsted report for Rotherham given the failings.
The Leader pointed out that Ofsted would inspect and over that period of two decades Rotherham had come on a journey with more understanding about the form of abuse and responses.
From the point of view of services in Rotherham, Ofsted had taken a particular interest, but Rotherham’s response to potential child sexual abuse cases was strong. In fact the whole country and even the world were on a journey of improving responses to it.
Rotherham would continue to challenge itself, and along with experts outside the Borough, continued to challenge. The response was strong and children were kept as safe as they could be.
(2) Ms. S. Earnshaw was unable to attend the Council Meeting so would receive a response in writing.
(3) Mr. B. Cutts asked why did the circumstances require the Remembrance Day Parade to be contained within the confines of Clifton Park, with the Parade to march up and down the centre path?
Councillor Sheppard explained last year’s parade was held virtually, but was pleased it could go ahead this year. In 2019, the Council was notified by South Yorkshire Police (SYP) that there would be a shift in responsibility for managing parades and it was now for the local Traffic Authority (the Council, not the Police) to decide on the road closure or other legally enforceable traffic management measures it considered any local on-road event to be held. For the Remembrance Day Parade, the Council was both the event organiser and the local Traffic Authority and matters of public safety, security and associated costs rested with RMBC.
When parades were organised, the event organiser assumed liabilities and needed to be satisfied that there was an appropriate plan and resources in place to mitigate risks. This now needed to include use of stewards, volunteers, signs and/or professional traffic management.
On that basis, discussions had been held with the Mayor of Rotherham, Armed Forces Champion, Parade Commander, local Royal British Legion, Vicar of Rotherham Minster and Rotherham MCVC who were all supportive of changing the format to this year’s Remembrance Civic event which would utilise Clifton Park:-
· Reduces the need to visit three venues for the event (Town Hall, Minster and Cenotaph).
· Introduces a new shorter, flatter route contained within one centralised space off road at Clifton Park helping to eliminate risks and maintaining the highest levels of safety taking into account the audience, environment and weather conditions.
· Removes the need for the Council to hire in transport.
· Provides individuals with the option of attending the Church Service at Rotherham Minster.
In a supplementary question Mr. Cutts asked for clarity and prospects of the parade being outside Clifton Park.
Councillor Sheppard explained the parade would remain within Clifton Park and this decision was taken to ensure everyone could take part in the celebrations safely following meetings with other agencies.