1F HOUSING MARKET RENEWAL PATHFINDER - 23/01/06

HOUSING MARKET RENEWAL PATHFINDER Monday, 23rd January, 2006

Present:- Councillor Ellis (in the Chair); Councillors Burke, Hall, Kaye and Smith.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N. Hamilton.

42. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (negotiation of terms).

43. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19TH DECEMBER, 2005

Agreed:- The minutes of the meeting held on 19th December, 2005, were approved as a true record.

44. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

45. FINANCE AND PROJECT UPDATE

Paul Walsh, HMR Programme Manager, circulated an up-to-date investment programme spend projection up to January, 2006.

Each project was discussed with any concerns regarding potential underspend highlighted.

Agreed:- (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That, wherever possible, large invoices be broken down to enable claims to be made for work that had been completed to increase spend in the 2005/06 financial year.

46. MEETING WITH MPS

A briefing note was submitted of the meeting held on 10th January, 2006, between Transform South Yorkshire officers, officers representing Barnsley, Rotherham and Councils and , Clive Betts and Nick Clegg.

The meeting had been very positive and had resulted in John Healey and Clive Betts agreeing to approach for a private meeting about HMR issues and future funding.

HOUSING MARKET RENEWAL PATHFINDER - 23/01/06 2F

The Rotherham HMR Team had since provided John Healey with more detailed briefing notes on the Rotherham programme.

Agreed:- That the report be noted.

47. HMR TEAM OFFICE ACCOMMODATION ISSUES

Paul Walsh, HMR Programme Manager, reported that due, to expansion of the team, the current accommodation was inadequate.

It was hoped that the team would be located at the Magna Centre from the start of the new financial year. The accommodation would meet the team’s requirements as well as the potential for further office space to come on line to accommodate further expansion of the team.

Agreed:- That the report be noted.

48. HMR STAFFING UPDATE

Paul Walsh, HMR Programme Manager, submitted the current staffing structure.

A further round of recruitment was currently underway with indications that there had been more interest than previously. Discussions were taking place with recruitment agencies in case the recruitment drive was not as successful as hoped.

Agreed:- That the report be noted.

49. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Agreed:- (1) That the following 2 items be included on the next agenda:-

Finance and Budget Draft Terms of Reference for Steering Groups

(2) That the Chairs of the ADF’s be asked for any items they would wish to be included on the agenda for the March meeting.

(3) After the end of the financial year, a report be included on regeneration activity outside of the Pathfinder area in particular housing regeneration.

50. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Agreed:- That the date of the next meeting be agreed by the Cabinet Members for Neighbourhoods and Economic Regeneration and Development Services.