Rotherham Council Sinks Beneath the Waves of Truth

Rotherham Council’s chickens came home to roost big time last week with the publication of the Casey report following on from the Jay report of last year. The Secretary of State announced that government commissioners would move in to take over executive duties in Rotherham and the serving cabinet of Labour Councillors resigned at once.

Yet what is not so well known is the part played in these events by our local Councillors, some of whom are still in office, others now bit players on Parish Councils.

Iain St John was Lord Mayor of Sheffield during the period in question and probably should have spent more time challenging officials and the Police instead of riding around in the big car opening things.

Judy Dalton is licensing supremo in Rotherham, at least was as this role will be passed to the government soon. Taxi drivers were lambasted by the Jay report for providing the means in many cases to ferry victims around Rotherham and further afield. She was also adviser to the now resigned Children’s Services supremo.

Jo Burton was a member of a scrutiny committee who were tasked with oversight of child protection. She was vice chair of the committee for a couple of years and also served on the licensing board during the worst of the abuses. She was a senior adviser to Sean Wright the disgraced Police Commissioner when he ran Children’s Services.

Dominic Beck has resigned as a cabinet member, he has also served on the licensing board

Jacqui Falvey has also served on the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel and on the licensing board when abuse was rife.

Jane Havenhand has had the following roles:

Licensing Board (May 2004 to date)

Licensing Committee (May 2005 to date)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services (May 2007 to May 2011)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services (May 2005 to May 2007)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Safeguarding and Developing Learning Opportunities for Children (May 2011 to May 2012)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Safeguarding Children and Adults (May 2012 to May 2013)

Why did they serve on all these committees and take on all these roles?

They got paid. Thousands of pounds.

What were they doing? Taking the money.

LoveDinnington says:

1. All RMBC Councillors should resign. Now. From all roles in public life.

2. All the Councillors who held licensing and child protection scrutiny roles should pay back all the money they collected over the years to be paid into a fund for the victims.

3. RMBC as an entity should be disbanded and each Area Assembly allowed a vote as to who governs them from now on.

The government should act now to kill the rot and punish the rotten Councillors and officials who through greed, inaction and incompetence ruined the loves of hundreds of children.

Rotherham Council to Consult Dinnington on Future House Building Next Week

Rotherham Council will be holding a drop in session in Dinnington next week to tell local residents about plans to build new houses and industrial units over the next 15 years.

6 Nov 2014      14:00 – 19:00   Dinnington Resource Centre, Laughton Road, Dinnington

Please do go along and have your say, also look online at http://rotherham.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/sp/finaldraftsandp and register your views for the record.

I would urge everyone who cares about our local area to take part and have your say, it’s no good doing nothing now and moaning later folks!

New Travellers Camp for South Anston?

Yet another of the recent “gifts” from Rotherham Council in their Local Plan, this proposed travellers site is situated on the RMBC works depot near Kiveton station. It actually falls within the boundaries of Anston, but appears on the Wales maps. Not that people in Thorpe Salvin, Kiveton or Wales are going to be chuffed about it, but a classic RMBC smoke screen manoeuvre to try and keep folks in Anston unaware.

Annual Parish Meeting in Dinnington April 14th 2014

Dinnington Town Council want to hear your view on all issues Dinnington related, be it Sure Start centres, protecting our greenbelt, dog poo or any of the other stuff we like to moan about.

A Parish meeting will be held at the Lyric on the above date and all residents of Dinnington are invited to come along and make their views known on the issues of the day.

All agenda items you wish to see included should be lodged with the Clerk no later than 4pm on Friday 28th March 2014.

In other news from Dinnington Town Council:

1. The Town Council refuse to allow a local referendum in Dinnington to decide on housing developers proposals to tarmac over our countryside. Chair of Council says it will have to come to the Parish meeting (see above)

2. The A57 works are due to end in early April, but works will soon start to sink a pedestrian tunnel on the Lindrick side of the road, this will involve some weekend closures and a diversion through Anston whilst being carried out.

3. RMBC are described as liars by certain Councillors, congratulations on catching up chaps, we told you that a couple of years ago!

North Anston Recycling Site sees Opening Times cut

The Magilla Recycling Site in North Anston will now open 6 days per week instead of the current 7. This is in line with changes throughout Rotherham as RMBC fights to balance it’s budget.

No sign of them cutting back on the number of Councillors or their stratospheric allowances (compare and contrast with nearby Sheffield), everyday services continue to take one for the team.

Councillors voted for the measure as they flocked in droves to approve the budget, all Labour Councillors followed the party line and said “Aye”

Another example of North Anston “going for a Burton?”

Rotherham Labour Party Target Dinnington Greenbelt Again!

Rotherham Council have unveiled their latest “consultation” in responses to comments made on their local plan by a government inspector who must approve before the house building on greenbelt extravaganza can begin.

Some highlights:

1. No priority given to brownfield first, lots of people even greenbelt campaigners believed the Council when they said they would go brownfield first, but they have now confirmed what a lot of us always knew, there is no instrument left in planning law to do this.

Therefore developers can leave brownfield sites derelict and go straight to green field.

2. The Council intend to set the level of Community Infrastructure Levy (a charge developers must pay to contribute to local infrastructure) ridiculously low in Dinnington and North Anston. It will be cheaper for developers to build on our countryside than derelict council estates in Sheffield.

3. An extra 200 and odd houses planned for Dinnington, the majority on greenbelt with no investment in local amenities and infrastructure.

4. No new retail developments, just 16% of Rotherham’s industrial units that will be moved out here.

5. Five percent of all houses in Rotherham to be built on our green belt.

Have your say on the consultation HERE.

What have our Councillors been up to?

Ever wondered just what your local Councillors actually do? How they spend their time and money whilst they are representing us? Me too, so join with me and digest the cornucopia of information below.

BECK Dominic  (Councillor from May 2011)

(a) committees

Vice-Chair of Self Regulation Select Commission (May 2013 to date)

Self Regulation Select Commission (May 2011 to date)

Health Select Commission (May 2011 to May 2013)

Licensing Board (May 2011 to date)

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (May 2013 to date)

Standards Committee (May 2013 to date)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Community Development, Equality and Young People’s Issues (May 2012 to May 2013)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Community Development, Equality and Young People’s Issues (May 2011 to May 2012)

Groundworks Trusts Panel (May 2012 to May 2013)

(b) other roles

Wales Educational Foundation  (May 2012 to date)

Rotherham Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Trustee Board (May 2012 to May 2013)

Rother Valley Country Park Steering Group (May 2012 to date)

Unity Centre Steering Group (2011 to 2013)

 

BURTON Josephine   (Councillor from May 2002)

(a) committees

Health Select Commission (May 2011 to May 2013)

Improving Lives Select Commission (May 2013 to date)

Licensing Board (May 2002 to May 2004 and May 2009 to May 2011)

Planning Board (May 2004 to May 2011)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Communities and Cohesion May 2013 to date)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Community Development, Equality and Young People’s Issues (May 2011 to May 2013)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Community Development and Engagement (May 2009 to May 2011)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Communities and Involvement (May 2007 to May 2009)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services (May 2005 to May 2007)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion  (May 2005 to May 2007)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Community Planning and Social Inclusion (May 2004 to May 2005)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Social Services (May 2002 to May 2004)

Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel (May 2005 to May 2007 and May 2010 to May 2011)

Vice-Chair of Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel (May 2007 to May 2009)

Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel (May 2007 to May 2009)

Democratic and Resources Scrutiny Panel (May 2003 to May 2004)

Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel (May 2002 to May 2003)

Environment Scrutiny Panel (May 2002 to May 2003)

Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel (May 2004 to May 2005)

Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee (May 2007 to May 2009)

Transport Liaison Group (May 2012 to date)

(b) other roles

Redbarn- Rowan Management Group (2006 to 2008)

Rotherham Alcohol Advisory Service (2006)

Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (2007 to 2008)

RMBC and Voluntary Action Rotherham Liaison Group (May 2009 to May 2010)

Voluntary Action Rotherham – Board of Trustees Executive Committee (2011 to date)

Women’s Refuge Group (May 2009 to date)

Women’s Strategy Group (2009 to date)

Yorkshire Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (May 2012 to date)

 

DALTON Judy    (Councillor from May 2011)

(a) committees

Vice-Chair of Health Select Commission (May 2012 to date)

Health Select Commission (May 2011 to date)

Licensing Board (May 2013 to date)

Licensing Committee (May 2013 to date)

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (May 2012 to date)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism  (May 2013 to date)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Culture, Lifestyle, Sport and Tourism (May 2011 to May 2012)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Safeguarding Children and Adults (May 2012 to May 2013)

Transport Liaison Group (May 2012 to date)

(b) other roles

Hospital Teaching and Home Tuition Service (2012 to 2013)

South Yorkshire Joint Committee on Archaeology (May 2012 to May 2013)

Renewal or Discharge of Guardianship Order Panel (May 2013 to date)

FALVEY Jacqui    (Councillor from May 2007)

(a) committees

Vice-Chair of the Rother Valley South Area Assembly (May 2011 to date)

Chair of Improving Places Select Commission (May 2013 to date)

Vice-Chair of Improving Places Select Commission (May 2011 to May 2013)

Improving Places Select Commission (May 2011 to date)

Licensing Board (May 2007 to date)

Licensing Committee (May 2011 to May 2013)

Local Plan Steering Group (May 2013 to date)

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (May 2011 to date)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Cultural Services and Sport (May 2009 to May 2011)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning (May 2007 to May 2009)

Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel (May 2010 to May 2011)

Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel (May 2007 to May 2011)

Transport Liaison Group (May 2012 to date)

(b) other roles

Adoption Panel (2010 to date)

Redbarn- Rowan Management Group (2007 to date)

Chesterfield Canal Partnership (2013 to date)

 

HAVENHAND Jane   (Councillor from May 2004)

(a) committees

Chair of the Rother Valley South Area Assembly (May 2010 to date)

Vice-Chair of the Rother Valley South Area Assembly (May 2007 to May 2010)

Health Select Commission (May 2013 to date)

Improving Places Select Commission (May 2011 to May 2013)

Licensing Board (May 2004 to date)

Licensing Committee (May 2005 to date)

Education Consultative Committee (May 2008 to May 2013)

Rotherham Local Admissions Forum (May 2007 to date)

Senior Adviser to Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services (May 2007 to May 2011)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services (May 2005 to May 2007)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Safeguarding and Developing Learning Opportunities for Children (May 2011 to May 2012)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Safeguarding Children and Adults (May 2012 to May 2013)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning (May 2008 to May 2009)

Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel (May 2005 to May 2006)

Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel (May 2006 to May 2011)

Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel (May 2004 to May 2005)

(b) other roles

Adoption Panel (2007 to date)

Rotherham Holiday Aid (2006 to date)

Rotherham Women’s Refuge (2008 to 2009)

Dinnington Community Centre and Recreation Group – Trustee Group (2008 to date)

Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (2007 to 2011)

Rural Action Yorkshire (2011 to 2013)

 

JEPSON Clive    (Councillor from May 2012)

Improving Places Select Commission (May 2012 to date)

 

TWEED Simon     (Councillor from May 2008)

(a) committees

Planning Board (May 2008 to date)

Self Regulation Select Commission (May 2011 to date)

Standards Committee (May 2013 to date)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing (May 2013 to date)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Environment (May 2011 to May 2012)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Streetpride Services (May 2010 to May 2011)

Adviser to Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services (May 2009 to May 2010)

Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel (May 2008 to May 2011)

(b) other roles

Dinnington Community Centre and Recreation Group – Trustee Group (2008 to date)

Rotherham Holiday Aid (2008)

Local Government Association – Rural Commission (May 2011 to May 2012)

Rotherham Council to Introduce Compulsory Licensing of Landlords in Dinnington?

RMBC are to consult on whether it would be a good idea to introduce a compulsory licensing scheme for landlords in certain parts of Rotherham and Dinnington is one of the areas under consideration.

This would mean private landlords having to register with the Council and would attract a fee, details of the consultation are here.

The idea is to tackle social problems caused in certain areas by certain tenants and to reduce the turnover of private rental properties and create a more stable and cohesive population in certain areas.

The fees would go towards funding new Council posts for officers who would tackle problems and enforce the scheme.

If you are a landlord or tenant make sure you express your opinion on the proposed changes.

From the Council documents:

Dinnington Super Output Areas
The areas highlighted green cover the Super Output Areas which are identified as suffering from low housing demand and have high rates of privately rented accommodation. The map on the following page is the boundary map for the proposed selective licensing area.

 

 

Dinnington proposed Selective Licensing Area
The area outlined in red is the area where a Selective Licensing Designation is proposed.

 

Rotherham Council to Start Fining Parents who take Holiday in Term Time?

This is an extract from the agenda for the Council cabinet meeting this week.

Central Government recently tightened up the regulations allowing headteachers to exercise discretion when authorising parents to take their kids away on holiday in term time. Now RMBC have to decide how to enforce those rules locally and it looks like fines will be levied by the local authority on parents who cannot show they have exceptionally good reasons for taking their kids out of school.

The full document is here and reproduced in part below. As soon as I find out more I’ll post an update.

From RMBC:

Amendments have been made to the Pupil Registration Regulations and the Penalty
Notices Regulations. These amendments came into force on 1st September 2013.
Amendments to the Pupil Registration Regulations remove references to ‘family
holiday’ and extended leave as well as the statutory threshold of ten school days.
The amendments make clear that head teachers may not grant any leave of
absence during term time unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Head teachers should determine what circumstances are to be considered
‘exceptional’ reasons for taking a holiday in term time and Heads must also
determine the number of school days a child will be permitted to be away from
school if the leave is granted.
Under the provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 it is possible that in
certain cases of unauthorised absence a fixed penalty notice may be issued to the
parents of compulsory school age children. These notices require an out of court
fine to be paid by parents of pupils who have unauthorised absence from school.
Amendments to Penalty Notice Regulations have reduced the timescales for paying
a fixed penalty notice fine. Parents must, from 1st September 2013, pay £60 within
21 days or £120 within 28 days of a penalty notice being issued.
After a period of consultation, with all schools including academies and the police,
every local authority is required to draw up and publish a code of conduct for issuing
fixed penalty notices for unauthorised absence from school. The code should set out
the criteria that will be used to trigger the use of a penalty notice. This should include
arrangements to issue penalty notices for unauthorised holidays.
DfE guidance requires that the local authority administers the FPN scheme for all
schools in its area, including academies and Free schools

This option would allow control and consistency for the local authority. Education
Welfare Service will need to conduct a review of volume and appropriateness of the
referrals to allow an assessment to be made with regard to Education Welfare
Service capacity at current levels. This option will allow the Education Welfare
Service to support all schools with the initial introduction of the FPN scheme.
Guidance does allow for schools and or the LA to issue penalty notices in line with
the agreed local code of conduct. However, whatever is agreed with regard to who
is permitted to issue the notices, the code of conduct is always administered by the
Local Authority .
CYPS will reserve the right to amend the code of conduct, transferring the
responsibility to issue FPNs to schools and individual Head Teachers. Under such
circumstances the Education Welfare Service will continue to monitor and administer
the FPN scheme for the local authority.

Regulations provide that the LA can retain revenue for any penalty notices issued to
cover the costs of issuing or enforcing notices or the costs of prosecuting parents
who do not pay.
Local Authorities should produce an auditor statement showing that income received
from penalty notices does not exceed enforcement.
Penalty Notices will only be issued for offences where the Local Authority is willing
and able to prosecute should the out of court fine remain unpaid.
FPNs can be issued to each ‘parent’ liable for a child’s attendance. Under the
provisions of the Education Act 1996 ‘parent’ means all natural parents ,whether they
are married or not, and includes any person who ,although not a natural parent , has
day to day care for a child . A person with whom the child lives and who looks after
the child, irrespective of what their relationship is with the child, is considered to be a
parent in education law.
Previously, Head Teachers could grant extended leave for more than ten school
days in exceptional circumstances. Such absences usually occur where a family
requests leave of absence to visit the family’s country of origin. In Rotherham such
requests are predominantly made for extended holiday periods to Pakistan.

Have your say on RMBC spending!

Got the following email today from RMBC, they are having to make yet more savings over the next few years and are inviting the public to take part in a consultation on what to cut and what to keep.

I’m sure we all have our own pets hates and loves so dig in and have your say!

Good Afternoon,

As somebody who gave time to helping with a previous Council consultation, I hope that you will be interested in giving your opinions on a matter that affects everybody in Rotherham. I hope you have time to go to our online forum to contribute to the discussions that are already taking place about the budget.

Budget consultation

Money matters

Rotherham Council has been required to make cuts over the last few years, as part of the Government’s drive to reduce public debt. Due to the decrease in funding given to us, the next two years will see even more changes. The total cuts under the current government will amount to over 100 million, that’s 39% of our total budget. These cuts have affected places like Rotherham more than other parts of the country. We have done all we can to lessen the impact onRotherham people but the next two years are going to be even more difficult.

This is an issue for everybody who lives in Rotherham and we want to ask for your ideas and advice on the best way to spend your money. We must also look for new and different ways of delivering services in order to ensure value for money. This is your chance to have a say.

Get Involved   

Go onto the online forum where you can talk with others about your views

Or make a suggestion on ways we could save money

Many thanks in anticipation of your contributions.

Karl Battersby

Strategic Director
Environment and Development Services
Karl.battersby@rotherham.gov.uk
01709 823815