1ACABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08
CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Monday, 2nd June, 2008
Present:- Councillor Smith (in the Chair); Councillor Walker (Senior Adviser)
Also in attendance: Councillors Swift (Vice-Chair, Regeneration Scrutiny Panel), Pickering (Chair, Planning Board) and Dodson (Vice-Chair, Planning Board)
An apology for absence was received from Councillors Boyes.
19. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE TOWN CENTRE EVENTS GROUP HELD ON 19TH MAY, 2008
Consideration was given to theth minutes of the meeting of the Town Centre Events Group held on 19 May, 2008.
Resolved:- That the minutes be noted.
20. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES/MEMBERSHIP OF GROUPS/PANELS ETC - 2008/2009 MUNICIPAL YEAR
Consideration was given to the appointment of representatives on outside bodies and membership of the Council’s Groups/Panels etc for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year.
Resolved:- (1) That the following appointments to outside bodies be made:-
ACADEMY OF CONSTRUCTION TRADES (Formerly Mr. R. Poundford, Head of RiDO) To propose:- Mr. Paul Woodcock, Director of Planning and Regeneration
CHESTERFIELD CANAL PARTNERSHIP Councillor J. Whysall
CYCLE ENGLAND – CYCLING CHAMPION Councillor Barron
DEARNE AND DOVE INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD Councillor F. Hodgkiss
HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE TRADES – CONSULTATION MEETINGS Cabinet Member and Senior Advisor from Regeneration and Development Services, plus the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Licensing Board (Councillors Smith, Walker, Wootton and F. Wright)
KIVETON PARK MINERS’ WELFARE GROUNDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08 2A
Councillor Whysall
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH MARKET AUTHORITIES Councillor G. Smith
PLANNING AID COMMUNITY CHAMPION Vice-Chair, Planning Board - Councillor Dodson
ROTHERHAM ARTS CHARITY/ROTHERHAM ARTS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (6 places available) Trustees:- currently Councillors Smith, Walker, (Cabinet Member and Senior Adviser); Councillor Swift (from Regeneration Scrutiny Panel) and St. John together with Elenore Fisher, Cultural Services Manager and Lizzy Alageswaran, Principal Officer, Community Arts
SOUTH YORKSHIRE FOREST - Members’ Steering Committee:- Councillors Sangster and Wyatt
SOUTH YORKSHIRE FOREST ENVIRONMENT TRUST LTD. Councillor Sangster
SOUTH YORKSHIRE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ARCHAEOLOGY Councillor Walker (noting that Councillor Boyes is nominated as the Corporate representative)
SOUTH YORKSHIRE RURAL PARTNERSHIP Councillor Smith
SOUTH YORKSHIRE SPORTS PARTNERSHIP Councillor Smith (and Steve Hallsworth, Business Manager- Leisure & Green Spaces, Culture & Leisure Services)
SWINTON LOCK ACTIVITY CENTRE Councillor Doyle
TRANS-PENNINE TRAIL Councillor Pickering, Chair, Planning Board (or Substitute: Councillor S. Walker)
TREETON MINERS’ WELFARE BOWLING GREEN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (Ward 11 Rother Vale) Councillors Boyes, Nightingale and Swift
TREETON COMMUNITY CENTRE, PLAYING FIELDS AND MEMORIAL SCHEME COMMITTEE Councillors Littleboy and Swift
YORKSHIRE LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION Elenore Fisher, Cultural Services Manager and 3ACABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08
Bernard Murphy, Manager, Library & Information Service
YORKSHIRE TOURISM COUNCIL Councillor S. Walker and the Tourism Officer
(2) That membership of the following Groups/Panels be as follows:-
CLIFTON PARK RESTORATION PROJECT BOARD Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Development Services Councillor Walker, Senior Adviser, Regeneration & Development Services Councillor Rushforth, Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning Councillor Falvey, Senior Adviser, Lifelong Learning Councillor S. Wright, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People’s Services Councillor Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities & Involvement (also Ward 2 Boston Castle) Ward Members from Boston Castle and Rotherham East Wards:- Councillors Ali, Dodson, Kirk, McNeely and Wootton
HEALTH, WELFARE AND SAFETY PANEL :- Councillor Sharman, Deputy Leader Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Councillor S. Walker, Senior Adviser, Regeneration and Development
Councillor R. S. Russell, Cabinet Member for Streetpride
together with one Member (and a substitute) from each of the Scrutiny Panels (these will be confirmed in June 2008 by each Panel)
PARISH LIAISON COMMITTEE:- (General & Ad Hoc Meetings):- Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member, Regeneration and Development Councillor Pickering, Chair, Planning Board Councillor Dodson, Vice-Chair, Planning Board
ROTHER VALLEY COUNTRY PARK MEMBER’ STEERING GROUP Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Development Members from Wards Nos. 6 (Holderness), 11 (Rother Vale) and 18 (Wales)
TOURISM FORUM :- Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Councillor S. Walker, Senior Adviser, Regeneration and Development Councillor Boyes, South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership
TOURISM PANEL:- Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Councillor S. Walker, Senior Adviser, Regeneration and Development Councillor Austen Councillor Boyes, South Yorkshire Destination Management Partnership
CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08 4A
Councillor Littleboy, International Links (6 Elected Members – one place to be filled by an Elected Member)
Matthew Beck, Chief Executive, Magna Natalie Haynes, Holiday Inn Bernard Jones, South Yorkshire Transport Museum Keith Ayling, Chesterfield Canal Partnership Julie Williamson, Dearne Valley College Tom Waldron-Lynch, Hellaby Hall Hotel (6 industry representatives)
TOWN CENTRE EVENTS GROUP :- Councillor Smith, Cabinet member for Regeneration & Development The Mayor, Councillor G. A. Russell
TRANSPORT LIAISON PANEL :- Councillor Stone - The Leader Councillor Sharman - Deputy Leader Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development Services & SYPTA Representative - Chair Councillor R. S. Russell – SYPTA Representative
And One member from each Ward as follows:-
Ward 1 – Stonebridge Ward 12 – Dodson Ward 2 – McNeely Ward 13 – Akhtar Ward 3 – to be confirmed Ward 14 – Stone Ward 4 – to be confirmed Ward 15 – Clarke Ward 5 – Turner Ward 16 – Doyle Ward 6 – Austen Ward 17 – Pickering Ward 7 – Hodgkiss Ward 18 – Whysall Ward 8 – Barron Ward 19 – Atkin Ward 9 – to be confirmed Ward 20 – Billington Ward 10 – Whelbourn Ward 21 – Goulty Ward 11 – Swift
(3) That BARNSLEY CANALS CONSORTIUM be deleted from the list as representation was no longer appropriate.
21. ULLEY RESERVOIR - PUMPING SUPPORT AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES
Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Schemes and Partnerships Manager, detailing services provided by J N Bentley at Ulley Reservoir and seeking an exemption to the Council’s Standing Orders under the provisions of clause 38.2 such that these services can be retained until rehabilitation works are complete or until it is felt that other arrangements are more beneficial.
The reasons for the request were set out in the report and it was pointed 5ACABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08
out that retaining this company would ensure continued safety of the dam and reservoir and associated Country Park.
The current satisfactory performance of this contractor was noted
It was confirmed that both Legal Services and Financial Services had indicated their support for this request.
Resolved:- (1) That in accordance with Standing Order No. 38.2 an exemption to Standing Order 48 be granted and the Council continue the existing contractual arrangements with J N Bentley for the provision of the company’s services in connection with the works to the dam embankment.
(2) That the Director of Streetpride review from time to time the need for the continuance of the arrangements and whether the company continue to provide value for money.
22. MUSEUMS GALLERIES AND HERITAGE SERVICE FLOOD RECOVERY PROJECT
Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Officer, Museums, Galleries and Heritage Service, relating to the flooding of the Museums, Galleries and Heritage Service by contaminated mains drainage water in June 2007, and subsequent damage caused to the school loans and handling collections and social, industrial and natural history artefacts.
The report included an interim delivery plan together with a Flood Recovery Project designed to run over the next two financial years and which aimed to redefine some provision and to improve delivery capacity.
Reference was made to:-
- on going risks - costs associated with continuing the present storage and acquisition and conversion of a new storage facility - conservation/restoration of items - insurance - affect on the BVPI 170c and new National Indicator 10
Resolved:- (1) That the report be received.
(2) That the Flood Recovery Project Programme and budget be approved.
(3) That the interim service delivery measures be approved.-
23. FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME - DON BRIDGE/OLD GRAFTON BRIDGE
CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08 6A
Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Assistant Development Co-ordinator, seeking approval to undertake the development work for the potential removal of the Don Bridge/Old Grafton Bridge, which acts as a major obstruction to the river flow.
It was reported that Phase 1 of the flood alleviation scheme was on track for completion by the Summer 2008, and detail design of the remainder of the scheme was currently on-going.
It was pointed out that the technical analysis had shown that the determination of the levels of flood defence was significantly influenced by the presence of Don/Grafton Bridge and that the bridge was a significant obstruction to flood lows. The bridge itself was considered structurally unsound and closed to traffic in 1998. It was noted that although the Bridge was a Grade 2 Listed building the corroded superstructure had suffered significant repair with modern materials with little of the current appearance being original.
Members present commented on:-
- possibility of retaining the coat of arms - re-use of the walkway, railings and stonework elsewhere in the locality - historical vs. aesthetic value - possible rebuild with modern materials - involvement of a university or college - funding
Officers pointed out the engineering costs and health and safety issues re: the above.
Consideration was therefore given to the recommendations of Jacobs that the bridge be removed on the grounds that:-
• it will result in community wide benefits in lowering the required flood defence levels upstream of the bridge by up to 670mm • lowering the visual impact of defences needed upstream • lowering the required defence heights and reduce the extent of defences adjacent to the Scheduled Ancient Monument near Chantry Bridge • reduced costs of the flood defence scheme ( by £400-£450k ) • reduced risk of debris blockage which would create additional flood risk.
Resolved:- (1) That development work be undertaken in respect of the possible removal of the Don Bridge/Old Grafton Bridge including:-
(i) Process for Listed Building consent for demolition (ii) Highways procedures (iii) Planning application 7ACABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08
(iv) Budget and Timetable (v) Continued consultation (vi) Assessment of transportation impacts
(2) That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet Member in three months time in respect of:-
• proposal details • final budget costs • possible re-use of the bridge’s components elsewhere in the Borough.
24. ROTHERHAM PLAY PATHFINDER
Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Project Development Officer, relating to the proposed selection process which had identified the 28 play areas of the lowest quality in the Borough (priority listed in Appendix 1 to the report).
Consideration was also given to the request to publicise which sites had been selected and where necessary the initial financial allocations against specific play areas.
It was pointed out that in a limited number of cases, the play areas identified were not considered suitable and so alternatives in the vicinity of the original area would be considered to ensure coverage in the same target area.
Consideration was also given to the request to exempt the contract for the play area works in relation to Clifton Park from the provisions of Standing Order 48.1.
Reference was made to the master planning for Clifton Park and linkages which could be made to that project to incorporate an innovative “Adventure Play Park” funded through the award from the Play Pathfinder programme.
With this in mind, arrangements were in hand to extend the Clifton Park Restoration project design consultant's commission to include the planning of the play park area to ensure a good fit with the existing proposals. It was therefore suggested that the works in connection with the play park be included within the package of works to be undertaken by the main contractor whose appointment will follow the completion of the procurement process for the HLF funded works. This would mean that one firm would be responsible for contract operations across the whole site, and avoid the possibility of two firms on separate contracts working in close proximity to each other with the risks that would bring of complications, delays and claims.
It was confirmed that both Legal Services and Financial Services were in
CABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08 8A
support of the proposals.
Members commented on:-
• the amount of consultation needed • keeping facilities within the locality • initiatives to tackle vandalism and anti social behaviour • Safety of surfaces e.g. sand • links to the other events e.g. Library Services story telling
It was noted that it was proposed to engage Groundwork Dearne Valley, through a secondment, to carry out the consultation.
Resolved:- (1) That the priority list of play areas be approved and that work now commences to deliver these areas as soon as possible.
(2) That, in accordance with Standing Order No. 38.2, the contract for the construction of the Clifton Park Adventure Play Park be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 48.1 (requirement to invite three to six tenders for contracts with an estimated value of £50,000 or more) and be awarded to the contractor appointed to deliver the Clifton Park Restoration project.
25. 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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (financial/business affairs).
26. BUDGET SAVINGS - LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES
Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Director of Culture and Leisure Services and the Cultural Services Manager, relating to the budget exercise planning for the financial year 2008/09 which requested a number of base budget savings from the Library and Information Service equating to £120,000. It was pointed out that this was a year on year saving.
It was explained that to date savings of approximately £107,000 had been identified and these were highlighted, along with the service impact, in the report.
The savings suggested were to be accrued from:-
• the cessation of Mobile Library 3 which was approaching the end of its usable life 9ACABINET MEMBER FOR REGENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES - 02/06/08
• significant reduction in hours at Kimberworth and Kimberworth Park Libraries minor adjustments to opening hours at Swinton and Wath Libraries
Also included in the report were details of the alternative provision which would be available for members of the public affected by these proposals. It was also pointed out that there was adequate provision within the home delivery service.
The impact of each proposal was indicated and it was stressed that no facility had to close.
The proposals would also provide an opportunity to explore future more cost effective joint/community provision.
Reference was made to the anticipated opening of the new Wickersley Library.
Resolved:- (1) That the restructuring of opening hours, as outlined in the report now submitted, be approved to achieve the listed savings..
(2) That a further report to be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member identifying the remainder of the savings required.