Purpose

To implement the delegated authority to the Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport in consultation with the Service Director of Financial Services and Cabinet member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, to approve the specific detailed allocations and use of the Local Plan Reserve.

Decision

ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION

Date of Decision:

3rd July 2026

Title:

Local Plan Funding

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.

Budget and Council Tax report 2026-27,

Recommendation regarding approval of Local Plan reserve (Cabinet 9 February 2026, minute 122 refers),

https://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=103508

1. To delegate authority to the Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport in consultation with the Service Director of Financial Services and Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, to approve the specific detailed allocations and use of the Local Plan Reserve.

Decision:

1. That the Service Director of Planning, Regeneration and Transport in consultation with the Service Director of Financial Services and Cabinet member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, be authorised to approve the specific detailed allocations of the Local Plan reserve in accordance with the overall resource plan and delegated authority set out in the Cabinet report.
2. That use of the Local Plan reserve be reported quarterly to R&E’s Finance DLT and annually to Cabinet through the Financial Outturn Report

Reasons for the Decision:

To allow the prompt and flexible commissioning of the supporting evidence base required to achieve adoption of the new Local Plan within the Government’s 30 month timetable.

Quarterly monitoring to ensure the reserve is used in accordance with Council policies and procedures.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

To not approve delegated authority to use the Local Plan reserve.

This option would require separate reports and approvals for each proposed evidence base commission that used the Local Plan reserve. This would be inflexible and cumbersome and would not enable the Council to meet the Government’s 30 month timetable to adopt a new Local Plan.

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 report of Simon Moss, Service Director Planning, Regeneration and Transport – Local Plan Funding

Main report

Appendix 1 Local Plan resource plan EXEMPT.

Appendix 2 Equality Part A – Screening

Appendix 3 Carbon Impact Assessment

I certify that this is a true record of the executive decision to:

1. That the Planning Policy Manager be authorised to make use of the Local Plan reserve in consultation with the Head of Planning and Building Control and the Head of Finance Regeneration and Environment for the purposes of funding required staffing and commissioning work to support the new Local Plan.
2. That use of the Local Plan reserve be reported quarterly to the appropriate oversight meeting/committee.

I confirm that in making this decision, due regard was given to the seven principles of public life.

Signed by the Decision Maker:

Dated:          3rd July, 2026

Name:          Simon Moss

Job Title:     Service Director Planning, Regeneration and Transport