Agenda item

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

1. That Cabinet note the strategic themes and intended programme of action laid out in the Rotherham Plan 2025.

2. That Cabinet endorse the updated Rotherham Plan 2025.

3. That Cabinet agree to the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Group to oversee delivery of the Plan and delegate approval of Terms of Reference to the Chief Executive in Consultation with the Leader and the Strategic Partnership Group.

Consideration was given to the report which sought endorsement of the updated Rotherham Plan which was attached to the report at Appendix 1. The original document was launched in 2017 and described how the Council and local partner organisations would work together to deliver an ambitious programme of activity through to 2025. A consultation on the updates had been conducted and the analysis of the consultation was contained in Appendix 2.

The update recognised the milestones that had been achieved since 2017 and introduced new themes in response to the significantly different national and local context. Key milestones and actions included a new university centre, the attraction of major investment highlighted by the opening of Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, the ongoing Town Centre development including new housing schemes, integrated health and social care arrangements, a range of employment support programmes, innovative social prescribing practices, and joint commitments on social value across partners.

However, more recently the Council and partner organisations had faced significant challenges, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic, the growing urgency of climate change to the rising costs of living. The Rotherham Plan 2025 therefore aimed to build on the successes whilst responding to both emerging and long-standing challenges.

The Plan had been signed off by the Rotherham Together Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer Group and Cabinet were asked to formally endorse it on behalf of the Council. If endorsed, Cabinet was also asked to agree to the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Group to oversee the delivery of the Plan and ensure connectivity across key partnership boards. It was proposed that the Chairs and one other representative from each of the involved partnership bodies (including at least one non-Rotherham MBC representative) would form a Strategic Partnership Group, to be Chaired by the Leader of the Council. Other members would include the Chair of the Rotherham Together Partnership Chief Executive Officer Group (currently the Council’s Chief Executive) and an additional voluntary and community sector representative. In addition, 2 showcase events would be held each year, giving a wider range of people the opportunity to hear about the progress made, including what has been delivered and the impact that it has had.

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet note the strategic themes and intended programme of action laid out in the Rotherham Plan 2025.

2.    That Cabinet endorse the updated Rotherham Plan 2025.

3.     That Cabinet agree to the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Group to oversee delivery of the Plan and delegate approval of Terms of Reference to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and the Strategic Partnership Group.