Officer Decisions

Date of Decision:

9^th September, 2026

Title:

Rotherham Local Sites Update 2026

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Simon Moss, Service Director – Planning Regeneration and Transport

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Sub Scheme of Delegation - Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment

‘Designate, de-designate and amend the boundaries of Local Wildlife Sites and Local Sites for geodiversity interest (including Regionally Important Geological Sites) following recommendations from the relevant Local Sites panels.’

Page 18 refers.

Decision:

1.    That LWS 124 River Rother near Beighton, RIGS R70 Dog Kennels Quarry Kiveton Park and R101 Rosehill Warren Vale Roadcut as shown in Appendix 1 be approved.

2.    That the amendment to the boundaries of LWS 49 Wood Lee Common and RIGS R27 Canklow Woods as shown in Appendix 3 be approved.

3.    That approval is given to proceed with the integration of these Rotherham Local Sites in the determination of relevant planning applications.

Reasons for the Decision:

The sites’ approval and integration into planning policy would contribute towards the robustness of the Local Plan.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

none

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

none

Reports or parts of reports considered

Simon Moss

Rotherham Local Sites Update 2026

Date of Decision:

14^th September 2026

Title:

Tenter Street, Thornhill, Rotherham - Extension of existing no waiting at any time restriction.

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Simon Moss

Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport 

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

To promote, consider objections to and implement Traffic Regulation Orders under the Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Sub Scheme of Delegation - Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.pdf, Page 21.

Decision:

The key recommendation of the report is to continue with the making of the orders for the proposal.

Reasons for the Decision:

There is a risk that without providing the proposed extension of the existing waiting restrictions, then vehicles may be parked in a location that affects the sight lines for drivers exiting the proposed residential development, with the potential for a collision to occur.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

No other options considered. The extension of the existing waiting restriction is required to ensure the safe and free flow of traffic following construction of the adjacent residential development.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Tenter Street, Thornhill, Rotherham - Extension of existing no waiting at any time restriction.

Appendix A   Tenter Street, Thornhill, Rotherham - Extension of existing no waiting at any time restriction. General arrangement drawing

Appendix B   Equalities Assessment

Appendix C   Carbon Impact Assessment

Date of Decision:

1^st September, 2026

Title:

Town Centre Health Hub Phase 2 Consultation

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Simon Moss, Service Director, Planning Regeneration & Transport  

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

This report seeks to exercise the delegation to the Assistant Director for Planning, Regeneration & Transport and within the Sub Scheme of Delegation - Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment to undertake consultation related to the Town Centre Health Hub.

Sub Scheme of Delegation - Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment

‘In conjunction with the Government Departments or other bodies, the implementation of any decision in respect of the promotion of Economic Development and Regeneration. 

Page 22 refers.

Decision:

To give consent to proceed with borough wide consultation with Rotherham residents and stakeholders on health provision, in support of the proposed Town Centre Health Hub.

The consultation will consist of in-person events in the following locations as well as online: Rotherham Show, Town Centre, Rotherham Hospital, Swallownest Health Centre and Rawmarsh Health Centre, to ensure consultation is carried out in the north and south of the borough. 

Reasons for the Decision:

To ensure residents and stakeholders have an opportunity to provide their thoughts and feedback on borough wide health provisions.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Recommended: Borough wide public consultation and engagement is essential to understand the health provision requirements of residents and stakeholders to contribute to the justification of a need for town centre health provision. Therefore, the undertaking of in person and online formats are recommended to gather insights and data from residents and stakeholders.

Not recommended: The Council may choose to develop and implement the proposals without consultation. This option does not allow residents to feed into the plans, risking the creation of health provisions that don’t meet the needs of the community. It is therefore not recommended.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

Report author not made aware of any conflicts.

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports relevant to the decision being taken:

Health Hub Phase 1 Cabinet Report

Appendix 1 – EIA

Appendix 2 - CIA

Date of Decision:

4^th September, 2026

Title:

Local Highway Maintenance Contributions (LHMC) 2026-2027. Transparency Report which contains the Core Report and Technical Annex

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Andrew Bramidge – Executive Director, Regeneration and Environment.

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Sub Scheme of Delegation - Executive Director of Regeneration and Environment

‘Each to act in relation to matters within their remit unless absent in which case any other Service Director may act.

1.    In respect of all financial matters:

·       Authorisation to spend within approved budgets subject to the policies, Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules of the Council’

Page 3 refers.

The decision in this case is taken in line with paragraph 9.8 of the Council’s Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules as prescribed above.

Decision:

The Executive Director Regeneration and Environment approves the publication onto RMBC’s webpage of the Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report which contains the Core Report and Technical Annex in line with Department for Transport (DfT) requirements which is to publish them by 10^th September 2026.

Documents are signed by the Head of Service for Highways (or Cabinet Member for Highways) and Section 151 officer and submitted to DfT by 10^th September 2026.

Reasons for the Decision:

To approve publication of the 2026/27 Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report, comprising the Core Report and Technical Annex, in accordance with Department for Transport (DfT) requirements.

Publication of the report demonstrates the Council's approach to highway asset management, maintenance activities, performance, investment and future plans. Compliance with DfT reporting requirements supports transparency and accountability and is a condition of eligibility for Highways Maintenance Incentive Funding.

The report has been prepared using DfT guidance and approved data sources and has been reviewed by the relevant officers prior to publication.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

No viable alternative options were identified. The Department for Transport requires local highway authorities to publish an annual Local Highways Maintenance Transparency Report, comprising the Core Report and Technical Annex, as part of the requirements associated with Highways Maintenance Incentive Funding. Failure to publish the report, or delaying publication beyond the prescribed timescales, would result in non-compliance with DfT requirements and could adversely affect the Council's eligibility for incentive funding. Publication of the report is therefore considered necessary to ensure compliance with national requirements and to support continued funding for highway maintenance activities.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports relevant to the decision being taken:

Andrew Saxton – Highway Asset and Drainage Manager

Transparency Report (Core Report and Technical Annex)

Date of Decision:

11 September 2026

Title:

Raising the RAF Ensign Standard at Rotherham

Town Hall in recognition of Battle of Britain Wings

Appeal Week from Monday, 14^th and Monday,

21^st September 2026

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

John Edwards - Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Sub Scheme of Delegation - Chief Executive

Miscellaneous Functions - Flag Protocol for Riverside House and Rotherham Town Hall:

‘To determine requests that sit outside of the provisions of the protocol’

Page 20 refers.

Decision:

To fly the RAF Ensign Standard at full mast at

Rotherham Town Hall from Monday 14^th and

Monday 21^st September 2026 in recognition of

Battle of Britain Wings Appeal Week

Reasons for the Decision:

In recognition of and to show support for the Battle of Britain Wings Appeal Week.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

None

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports relevant to the decision being taken:

The RMBC Constitution - Flag Protocol and Lighting Up of Buildings Policy.

Date of Decision:

08.09.26

Title:

Ethical Procurement Policy Review  2026

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Judith Badger; Executive Director – Corporate Services.

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

The Executive Director of Corporate Services has delegated functions, as set out within the Council’s Constitution, Responsibility for Functions (Appendix 9), section 4C5 – 3. In particular that:

3. Setting, supporting and monitoring the Council’s policies and procedures for managing:- (d) Procurement and purchasing.

Decision:

To approve the updated and refreshed Ethical Procurement Policy for 2026.

Reasons for the Decision:

Following an annual review of the Policy, it has been updated as follows:

-       Section 1: Updates to expenditure made with third party suppliers and reference to the new Procurement Strategy.

-       Section 4:

o    Link to the 2025/2026 Modern Slavery Transparency Statement

o   Update from the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2022-2025, to the Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030.

o   Update to reflect the latest Corporate Safeguarding Protocol.

o   Updates to the case study.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

All the commitments within the Ethical Procurement Policy have been made by separate Cabinet decisions and Council motions.  The aim of the Ethical Procurement Policy is to pull all these decisions into one overarching document.  Therefore, there are no alternative options, as these will have been considered when the individual decisions were made.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

No conflicts of interest

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

No conflicts of interest

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

The report of the Executive Director; Corporate Services – Ethical Procurement Policy Refresh 2026

Date of Decision:

01 September 2026

Title:

Affordable Rent values for letting to new Council tenants in 2026/27

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Ian Spicer, Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Council meeting 14^th January 2026

109. RECOMMENDATION FROM CABINET - HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA)

5. Agree that affordable rents are calculated at relet, based on an individual property valuation.

Appendix 9, Section 4C3, of the Council’s Constitution provides that “The Executive Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health is authorised to discharge executive functions through the commissioning and provision of social services for adults and public health services for the whole population and delivery of housing for the Borough, including: (4) Strategic Commissioning; (a) Commissioning”. 

Decision:

To note that a new process for assessing the rent for affordable rent properties has been implemented as from Monday 6 April 2026, the first Monday in the new rent year.

Reasons for the Decision:

To comply with the rent standard for affordable rent properties

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

To continue with the process to complete 6 monthly desktop valuation exercises to establish the rent values comply with the standard, however this method was deemed not compliant with the rent standard.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

Not applicable

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

Not applicable

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

Not applicable

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

Not applicable

Reports or parts of reports considered

Not applicable

Date of Decision:

28 August 2026

Title:

Hurley Croft Community Centre – Conversion to Housing: Appointment of Contractor

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Sarah Clyde, Service Director – Housing

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

This decision is made under the delegated authority approved by Cabinet through the Housing Delivery Programme Report (January 2026), considered by Cabinet on 19 January 2026 (Minute 105). The report confirmed the continuation of the Housing Delivery Programme and its delivery arrangements. Paragraph 5.1 states:

"The Service Director of Housing will have responsibility for implementing the programme. The Service Director of Legal Services will have responsibility for negotiating, approving and completing all legal documentation necessary to deliver the scheme, including contracts."

Cabinet previously approved the inclusion of the Hurley Croft scheme within the Housing Delivery Programme through the Housing Delivery Programme 2025/26 Update Report, considered on 7 July 2025. This approved the addition of five new homes through the conversion of the former Hurley Croft Community Centre. Paragraph 2.14 states:

"The final change to the Council Build workstream is the addition of 5 homes to be delivered via the conversion of an unused Neighbourhood Centre at Hurley Croft."

The January 2026 report also confirmed that the programme includes five new homes to be delivered through the conversion of the Hurley Croft Community Centre.

The appointment of a contractor to deliver the approved scheme is therefore being made by the Service Director of Housing under the authority delegated by Cabinet and in accordance with the Council's Constitution (Appendix 9, Responsibility for Functions).

Decision:

To appoint Sanderson Building Services Limited following a competitive procurement exercise to undertake the conversion of the former Hurley Croft Community Centre into five one-bedroom Council homes, in accordance with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules and the Housing Delivery Programme.

The works include the remodelling and refurbishment of the existing building together with associated structural, mechanical and electrical works and external works required to enable occupation of the completed homes.

Reasons for the Decision:

The Hurley Croft scheme is part of the Council's approved Housing Delivery Programme and will provide five new one-bedroom Council homes through the conversion of the former community centre.

A competitive procurement exercise has been carried out in line with the Council's Contract Procedure Rules. Appointing a contractor will allow the scheme to proceed and support the Council's commitment to increasing the supply of good-quality affordable housing.

Tenders were assessed against agreed quality and price criteria. The preferred bidder achieved the highest overall score and offers the most economically advantageous tender, representing value for money within the approved budget, subject to confirmation of the final evaluation results.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Option 1: Proceed with appointment of the preferred contractor (Recommended).

This option enables the approved scheme to proceed and deliver five new Council homes as planned.

Option 2: Do not appoint a contractor.

This option was rejected because it would prevent the delivery of the scheme and delay the provision of additional affordable housing.

Option 3: Re-procure the works.

This option was rejected because it would delay the project, increase costs and expose the scheme to further inflationary pressures, with no guarantee of a better outcome.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None declared

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

N/A

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None declared

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

N/A

Reports or parts of reports considered

Cabinet Report: Annual Housing Development Report 2022/23 (Cabinet 11 July 2022). REPORT TEMPLATE FOR CABINET & COMMISSIONER

Cabinet Report: Housing Delivery Programme 2024/25 Update (Cabinet 29 July 2024). https://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/documents/s147230/Report%20-%20Housing%20Delivery%20Programme.pdf

Cabinet Report: Housing Delivery Programme Report 2025-26 Update (Cabinet 7 July 2025), including Recommendation 3 and paragraph 2.14 approving the inclusion of Hurley Croft within the Housing Delivery Programme. REPORT TEMPLATE FOR CABINET & COMMISSIONER

Cabinet Report: Housing Delivery Programme Report - January 2026 and Cabinet Minute 105 confirming delegated authority arrangements. REPORT TEMPLATE FOR CABINET & COMMISSIONER

Tender Evaluation Report for Hurley Croft Community Centre Conversion (Draft).

Date of Decision:

8^th September 2026

Title:

The Allocation of Gambling Harms Prevention Funding 2026/27 and Gambling Harms Consultation

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Ian Spicer, Executive Director

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

Under Section 4C3 of Appendix 9 of the Constitution, the Executive Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health is authorised to discharge executive functions through the commissioning and provision of social services for adults and public health services for the whole population and delivery of housing for the Borough, including: -

3. Public Health

(a) Commissioning and Quality;

(b) Health Improvement;

(c) Health Intelligence; and

(d) Health Protection

Under Appendix 9 of the Constitution – Sub-Scheme of Delegation (page 25) the Director of Public Health is authorised to:

15. Public Health

(a) Ensure the council meets its duties to improve public health;

(b) Ensure the delivery of public health protections and health improvement responsibilities;

c) Ensure the council plans and responds to emergencies that present a risk to public health; and

(d) Ensure the council meets other local government public health responsibilities.

Decision:

To fund the delivery of gambling harms prevention activities and to approve a public consultation on issues related to gambling harms prevention to commence October to December 2026.

Reasons for the Decision:

Gambling harms prevention funding to the value of £67,021.71 has been allocated to Rotherham Council from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

The aim of this funding is to understand the local need related to gambling harms and to reduce gambling harms through prevention activity. 40% of the funding has been allocated to a regional pot to help build wider regional projects and coordination capacity. The remaining 60% of the funding will be spent in Rotherham on completion of a needs assessment, online campaigns and other prevention related activities. In order to assess local need, a public consultation will be required to take place in 2026/27.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

N/A

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Officer Decision Record to approve the spending of Gambling Harms Prevention funding and to approve a consultation on Gambling Harms Prevention.

Date of Decision:

28 August 2026

Title:

To award a construction contract for the delivery of 20 new Council homes on Tenter Street, Thornhill.

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Ian Spicer, Executive Director

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

The decision is in line with the Cabinet delegation set out within the July 2026 Cabinet Report – Housing Delivery

Programme.

July 2026 Cabinet Report - Housing Delivery Programme

The decision is also in line with the Sub-Scheme of Delegation – Executive Director of Adult Care Housing and Public Health which delegates responsibilities to Service Directors, including the Service Director of Housing. Sub-Scheme of Delegation to the Executive Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health, paragraph 3.2, page 3.

Sub-Scheme of Delegation - Executive Director of Adult Care Housing and Public Health

3. In respect of procurement, contract administration and

best value:

• In accordance with Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules, matters relating to the specification for works, goods and services, the seeking of estimates, quotations and tenders, the evaluation of the same and acceptance of tenders relating to contracts for works, goods and services in accordance with approved budgets or supplementary estimates.  

• Where a contract for support and maintenance is renewed within five years of the original contract, authority to award such a contract.

Pages 2 and 3.

Decision:

To award a construction contract for the delivery of 20 new Council homes on Tenter Street, Thornhill.

The site forms part of the Housing Delivery Programme, most recently approved by Cabinet in July 2026. Full planning permission has been secured for the development of 20 affordable homes, which will be added to the Council’s housing stock and let at Council rent.

The development comprises:

Tenter Street, Thornhill (20 units) – Planning permission reference: RB2025/1435

Reasons for the Decision:

This site forms part of a wider package of Council housing development sites brought to market. Extensive work has been undertaken to assess delivery options, procurement routes and site packaging to ensure the scheme attracts suitably qualified contractors, delivers value for money and supports successful project delivery.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Option 1: Do not award the contract
Rejected as this would delay the delivery of 20 new Council homes, increase programme risk and potentially lead to higher construction costs.

Option 2: Re-procure the contract
Rejected as a compliant competitive procurement process has already been completed. Re-procurement would result in unnecessary delay and additional cost with no guaranteed benefit.

Option 3: Use an alternative delivery route
Rejected as alternative delivery options were considered and were not assessed as offering the same level of value for money, programme certainty or risk management as the recommended option.

Recommended Option: Award the contract
Award the contract to the successful tenderer as the most economically advantageous tender, offering best value for money and the capacity and capability to deliver the scheme.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None declared

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

No

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None declared

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

No

Reports or parts of reports considered

Delegated Officer Decision Report - Award of Construction Contract for 20 Council Homes at Tenter Street, Thornhill.

Outline Business Case (OBC) – (Exempt Confidential)

Date of Decision:

17^th August 2026

Title:

Replacement Contract for Civica EDRMS

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Judith Badger

Section 151 Officer

Executive Director Corporate Services

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

The Executive Director Corporate Services has delegated functions, as set out within the Council’s Constitution, Responsibility for Functions (Appendix 9), section 4C5 – 3.

And within the sub-delegations:

“In respect of procurement, contract administration and best value: • In accordance with Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules, matters relating to the specification for works, goods and services, the seeking of estimates, quotations and tenders, the evaluation of the same and acceptance of tenders relating to contracts for works, goods and services in accordance with approved budgets or supplementary estimates.”

Decision:

The Executive Director Corporate Services grants approval to procure a new contract for the Civica EDRMS system

Reasons for the Decision:

The Council’s existing call-off contract with Civica UK Limited for the provision of Revenues and Benefits–related software and associated services is due to expire on 31 July 2026, with no further options to extend.  A replacement contractual arrangement is therefore required to ensure the continued delivery of critical system functionality supporting statutory service provision.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

As part of the procurement business case various routes to market were considered and this was deemed to be the best approach for the council.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Procurement Business Case

Date of Decision:

6^th August 2026

Title:

Post-16 Travel Assistance Annual Policy Statement 2026/27 (Annual Review and Update)

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Sam Barstow, Service Director Community Safety and Street Scene

Details of Specific Delegation

or

Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.

The Regeneration and Environment sub-scheme of

delegation grants the Service Director the following authority:

To discharge the duties in relation to school transport

contained in Chapter II (ancillary functions of local

authorities) of Part IX (ancillary functions) of the Education

Act 1996.

And to Execute the Council’s Home to School Policy and

where appropriate grant or refuse supported transport

provision. Flex the in-house home to school transport fleet

and service function, and externally contracted resource,

ensuring service demands are met.

Page 33 refers.

Decision:

The decision required is to approve the updated Travel Assistance Policies and Post-16 Travel Assistance Policy Statement for publication to ensure compliance with statutory duties.

Reasons for the Decision:

This decision is required to ensure that the Local Authority remains fully compliant with its statutory duty to annually review, update and publish a Post 16 Policy Statement (for Travel Assistance).

Decisions made in accordance with this policy have a considerable impact on the Council’s financial resources. Given the statutory duty to provide travel assistance to eligible children and young people resident in Rotherham, it is essential that the policy is clear, up-to-date and applied consistently to ensure transparent, robust and defensible decision-making.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

No alternative options were considered, as the Local Authority has a statutory duty to annually review and publish a Transport Policy Statement for learners aged 16–19 in further education and training, and for continuing learners with a learning difficulty and/or disability (LLDD) aged 19 and over.

This requirement necessitates the review and publication of the policy and therefore does not allow for alternative approaches.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Summary of Proposed Changes

The current ‘Home to School Transport Policy’ has been reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with the Local Authority’s statutory duty to annually review, amend and publish a Post-16 Travel Assistance Policy Statement.

Minor changes relate to the restructuring and terms used in the policy framework.

Previously, the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement was incorporated within a single, overarching Home to School Transport Policy covering compulsory School age and Post 16 age ranges. To strengthen governance, clarity and compliance, the policy has now been separated into two distinct documents:

1. A Travel Assistance Policy for compulsory school age (5–16), which will be comprehensively reviewed during the next academic year and where there are significant changes to the policy, appropriate consultation will be undertaken, and Cabinet approval will be sought.
2. A Post-16 Travel Assistance Policy Statement (16–19 and relevant 19+ learners).

This ensures each policy is clearly targeted, easier to manage, and aligned with specific statutory requirements for each age category.

There have been no changes to eligibility criteria or entitlement provisions within the Post 16 Travel Assistance Policy Statement. The amendments are primarily focused on terminology and clarity.

Key updates include:

Terminology modernisation:

“Home to School Transport” has been updated to “Travel Assistance” throughout.

“Transport services” and related team references have been updated to “Travel Assistance Service”.

“Transport solutions” have been replaced with “Travel solutions” or “Travel options” to reflect a broader, more flexible approach to provision.

Renaming of financial support mechanisms:

“Parental Transport Budgets (PTB)” have been renamed to “Personal/Parental Travel Grants (PTG)”.

“Parental Transport Claims” (PTC) have been renamed to “Travel Assistance Claims” (TAC).

Policy clarity and consistency improvements:

Definitions have been strengthened, including clearer descriptions relating to ‘Travel Assistance’ and ‘Travel Solutions’ in definition of terms.

Content has been reviewed to improve readability, remove ambiguity, and ensure consistent terminology in the Post 16 Travel Assistance Policy Statement.

Financial information continues to be assessed only to determine whether a contributory charge is payable where a place has been offered on an existing route.

Applicants must therefore provide suitable evidence to support this assessment. Free travel is not automatic and will only be confirmed where the information supplied demonstrates that no contributory charge applies under the policy.

General updates and housekeeping:

Links, contact details, and supporting information have been reviewed and updated where required.

Minor structural amendments have been made to improve navigation and usability.