Here's a summary of the Rotherham Council Cabinet meeting held on 15 September 2025.

The Cabinet endorsed Rotherham's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030, approved the publication of the 'How Did We Do?' Local Account for Adult Social Care for 2024-2025, adopted a revised Housing Allocation Policy and Strategic Tenancy Policy, and approved the adoption of the Bassingthorpe Farm Supplementary Planning Document. They also agreed to recommend to full council the adoption of the Local Development Scheme and the proposed Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Policy.

Bassingthorpe Farm Supplementary Planning Document

The Cabinet approved the adoption of the Bassingthorpe Farm Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Councillor Linda Beresford, Cabinet Member for Housing, declared a personal interest as her ward and property bordered the site.

Bassingthorpe Farm, located near Whiston, is a strategic allocation in the Rotherham Local Plan for approximately 2,000 new homes, 11 hectares of employment land, a local centre, and a primary school. The SPD provides detailed guidance to support planning applications, ensure timely delivery of infrastructure, and secure appropriate community facilities. It also aims to support future funding bids.

A public consultation on the draft SPD took place in February and March 2025, resulting in 59 representations. Key issues raised during the consultation were addressed in the Consultation Statement, which will be published alongside the adopted SPD.

Housing Allocation Policy and Strategic Tenancy Policy

The Cabinet approved the adoption of a revised Housing Allocation Policy and Strategic Tenancy Policy, set to be effective from 1 December 2025. The decision followed a 12-week public consultation, which included 220 formal responses.

Key changes to the Housing Allocation Policy include:

• Reducing the local connections criterion from three years to a two-year residency test. According to Councillor Chris Read, Leader of the Council, this change aims to ensure that housing is prioritised for Rotherham residents.
• Awarding Band One priority to Rotherham care leavers and Band Three to out-of-borough care leavers.

Five amendments were made to the original 22 changes proposed after the consultation.

Housing Strategy 2025-2030

The Cabinet approved the Housing Strategy 2025-2030, which sets out the council's strategic priorities for housing over the next five years. The strategy was developed following a 12-week consultation with tenants, residents, officers, and key stakeholders.

The four priorities of the strategy are:

• Building high quality, sustainable, and affordable new homes.
• Improving the safety, quality, and energy efficiency of council homes.
• Supporting residents to live independently, including through the prevention of homelessness.
• Ensuring that neighbourhoods are safe and thriving.

Councillor Victoria Cusworth, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, noted the positive impact that more quality housing would have on young people's lives. Councillor Chris Read referenced homelessness statistics and the need to address housing problems through the New Local Plan and further housing developments, even if difficult decisions were required. Councillor Joanna Baker-Rogers, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, welcomed the progress already made.

The Cabinet accepted a recommendation from the Improving Places Select Commission (IPSC) to include a paragraph in the strategy addressing the problems and impact of antisocial behaviour, along with details of training for housing/tenancy officers. However, they rejected a recommendation to remove the word happy from Priority 4, stating that it ensured consistency with the Council Plan.

Local Development Scheme

The Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council that the Local Development Scheme (LDS) be adopted. The updated LDS reflects the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Rotherham's increased housing target, which has more than doubled to 1,111 new homes a year.

The updated LDS replaces the Core Strategy Partial Update and sets out a timetable for producing a new Local Plan. Councillor Chris Read reiterated the council's belief that the housing targets imposed by the government were wrong, but confirmed that there would be no immediate changes following the approval of the LDS.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, published in March 2025, introduced Spatial Development Strategies (SDS), to be prepared by combined authorities. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will be responsible for preparing the SDS for South Yorkshire, and local plans must conform to it.

Community Safety Strategy 2025-2028

The Cabinet endorsed the Safer Rotherham Partnership Strategy 2025-2028 and recommended it to the Council for approval. The strategy sets out priorities and commitments for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.

The three main priorities shaping the new strategy are:

• Safer Neighbourhoods
• Tackling violence, abuse and exploitation
• Preventing offending and building resilience

Cross-cutting themes impacting all community safety priorities include online crime, service user voice, and equality.

During the meeting, the dangers of online crime and the difficulties in dealing with it were discussed. Actions to address the perception of antisocial behaviour were confirmed as a small part of the Strategy, with the key element being addressing antisocial behaviour in its entirety.

No Family Left Behind Strategy

The Cabinet approved the No Family Left Behind Strategy, which addresses child poverty in Rotherham. The strategy was developed following a motion passed in September 2024, calling for a coordinated approach to reduce the impact of child poverty.

The strategy articulates the ambition to address poverty-related barriers, including ensuring children get the best start in life, are safe from harm, feel empowered to succeed, and have fun things to do and safe places to go.

The Cabinet accepted a request from the Improving Lives Select Commission (ILSC) to include cultural education and associated available schemes within the Strategy.

July 2025-26 Financial Monitoring Report

The Cabinet noted the July 2025-26 Financial Monitoring Report, which set out the financial position as of the end of July 2025. The report forecasts a £2.4 million overspend, made up of a directorate overspend of £7.7 million, offset by a projected central service underspend of £5.3 million.

The directorate overspend is largely due to demand-led pressures in relation to children's residential placements and placement types. Increased costs are also being felt across the wider children's social care market, leading to market prices increasing at above-inflation levels.

The local government pay award of 3.2% has resulted in a cost of £2.3 million above the allocated budget. Central Services is forecasting an underspend of £5.3 million, reflecting the use of the £5.4 million Social Care Contingency and savings generated within the Council's Treasury Management Strategy.

New Applications for Business Rates Relief

The Cabinet approved applications for Discretionary Business Rates Relief for three organisations:

• Grimm And Co. Limited, a registered charity delivering free literacy education projects to children, young people, and families in Rotherham Town Centre.
• Food Aware CIC, a not-for-profit social enterprise redistributing surplus food and other items to local community groups across Yorkshire and Humberside.
• City of Sheffield Gymnastics Club CIC, a not-for-profit gymnastics club providing sports and fitness to children and some adults, with 60-70% of members from the Rotherham borough.

Investing in Community Facilities

The Cabinet approved works to be carried out on several community buildings, funded by a £600,000 investment. The facilities identified for investment are:

• The Black Hut
• Oaklea Retreat
• Clifton Learning Partnership
• The Meeting Place (Wingfield)
• Artworks, Brook Hill

The Assistant Director for Property and Facilities Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Community Safety, has the authority to amend the works as required within budget. Ward members will be informed of condition survey findings and consulted regarding investment planning in community facilities within their ward.

Local Validation List Consultation

The Cabinet approved a public consultation on the draft Local Validation List, which outlines the supporting documents required for planning applications. The current list was last reviewed in 2019, and the National Planning Policy Framework requires local validation lists to be reviewed every two years.

Following the consultation, approval of the updated Local Validation List will be delegated to the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, unless there are substantive changes required.

Licensing Act 2003 - Statement of Licensing Policy

The Cabinet agreed to recommend to the full council that the proposed Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Policy be adopted. The policy was developed following informal consultation with partner agencies, licence holders, and members of the public. It promotes environmental best practice and provides guidance on practical steps licensed venues can take to keep women safe.

Rotherham Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030

The Cabinet endorsed Rotherham's Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2030. The strategy's vision is to enable the people of Rotherham to live happy, healthy, independent lives within thriving communities, regardless of background and personal circumstance. It focuses on children and young people, physical health, mental health, and the wider determinants of health.

How Did We Do? Adult Social Care Local Account 2024-2025

The Cabinet approved the publication of the 'How Did We Do?' Local Account for Adult Social Care for 2024-2025. The account summarises achievements for the last 12 months and sets out priorities for the coming year, aligned with the Council Year Ahead Delivery Plan (YADP) and the Adult Social Care Strategy (2024 – 2027).

The council has been inspected by the Care Quality Commission, with an announcement of the results due in November 2025.

Rotherham's All Age Autism Strategy 2024-2027 Update

The Cabinet noted the progress being made to improve the lives of autistic people living and working in Rotherham and supported the proposal for the transformation of Rotherham's Autism Partnership Board, led by Rotherham Parent Carers Forum. They also approved the commencement of co-producing the next Rotherham All Age Autism Strategy.

Councillor Chris Read thanked Councillor Joanna Baker-Rogers for her dedication to this area of work, particularly the drive to improve standards.

Public Questions

Members of the public raised questions regarding East Herringthorpe Cemetery, webcasting footage, and investments made by the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority.

Mr. Hussain raised concerns about water getting into graves on the Christian side of East Herringthorpe Cemetery and asked for the council's help in resolving the issue. He also asked about the next phase of the process to rectify issues at the cemetery.

Mr. Azam requested clarification on the use of webcasting footage and asked for a strategic, long-term plan for the East Herringthorpe Cemetery expansion. He also raised concerns about a site in the cemetery that had been reserved for burial but was later paved over.

Mr. Ashraf asked about the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority's engagement with Border to Coast regarding PIMCO's rationale for purchasing Israeli government bond holdings. He also inquired about the response to the environmental, social, and governance risks associated with these investments.