Rotherham Council's new budget for the next financial year includes proposals for two new initiatives around parking and safety that are designed to attract more visitors into Rotherham town centre.
Thanks to an additional £1.3 billion in government funding for councils, Rotherham will benefit from a £14m boost in 2025/26—one of the largest funding increases for local councils in the country. The council said that "While this extra funding is welcome, it comes against the backdrop of years of austerity, inflation, and growing pressures on local services."
One key investment in the budget for 2025/26 is £570,000 to launch a new "Street Safe Team" focused on increasing safety in town and village centres.
This uniformed team will target high footfall areas including Rotherham town centre, and the principal towns of Dinnington, Wath, Maltby and Swinton, using local intelligence to tackle issues and offer a reassuring and familiar point of contact for residents and visitors.
A paper to the council's cabinet adds: "Negative perceptions of the town centre are seen to have a significant impact on people choosing to spend time in the town centre and when they do, not fully enjoying the experience, which is improving because of the Council’s focus on regeneration.
"The new "Street Safe Team", funded by this investment, will have dedicated resources and the ability to deploy various powers to bolster enforcement. Alongside existing uniformed officers, they will provide a welcoming and reassuring presence in the town centres.
"A highly visible team, they will act as the eyes and ears of the Council and will be expected to identify and report issues where they are unable to intervene directly. The team will focus on making best use of intelligence data and information in order to target resources and problem solve Community Safety issues."
The team will deal with issues such as street drinking, anti-social behaviour, parking enforcement, as well as enforcement for issues such as littering and wider environmental issues.
With investment in a dedicated team, the aim is to reduce both actual and perceived crime and increase feelings of safety. Rothbiz reported in September that this issue was fedback through the consultation for a £20m Long Term Plan for Towns where the idea of a coordinated town centre team made it into the draft plan.
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£50,000 has also been budgeted by the Council to offer free parking for the first hour in Council-operated car parks in the town centre. This scheme aims to "support local businesses, boost footfall, and encourage residents to shop locally."
Free parking is already offered in the town centre at all Council Off-Street car parks on Saturdays and Sundays and on street after 6pm.
A price freeze is also expected at Drummond Street, Wellgate North, Wellgate Multi Storey, Douglas Street, Unity Place, Westgate, Clifton Hall, Forge Island and Scala, ahead of the major developments planned in future years. A small increase in parking charges is listed at Clifton Park where £33,000 is set to be spent improving the overflow car park which can also double as an event space.
The move comes as the authority continues to report that the ongoing economic impact on Rotherham town centre footfall continues to see a reduction in income from parking charges.
Across the borough, investment is being made to improve the council's business centres, extend the Employment Solutions programme, drive forward negotiations and bring the Bassingthorpe Farm site to delivery, and invest in flood protection for Catcliffe.
The Council is proposing a 3% Council Tax increase and budget proposals will be presented to Cabinet on February 10, before going to Full Council for final approval on March 5.
Images: RMBC
Thanks to an additional £1.3 billion in government funding for councils, Rotherham will benefit from a £14m boost in 2025/26—one of the largest funding increases for local councils in the country. The council said that "While this extra funding is welcome, it comes against the backdrop of years of austerity, inflation, and growing pressures on local services."
One key investment in the budget for 2025/26 is £570,000 to launch a new "Street Safe Team" focused on increasing safety in town and village centres.
This uniformed team will target high footfall areas including Rotherham town centre, and the principal towns of Dinnington, Wath, Maltby and Swinton, using local intelligence to tackle issues and offer a reassuring and familiar point of contact for residents and visitors.
A paper to the council's cabinet adds: "Negative perceptions of the town centre are seen to have a significant impact on people choosing to spend time in the town centre and when they do, not fully enjoying the experience, which is improving because of the Council’s focus on regeneration.
"The new "Street Safe Team", funded by this investment, will have dedicated resources and the ability to deploy various powers to bolster enforcement. Alongside existing uniformed officers, they will provide a welcoming and reassuring presence in the town centres.
"A highly visible team, they will act as the eyes and ears of the Council and will be expected to identify and report issues where they are unable to intervene directly. The team will focus on making best use of intelligence data and information in order to target resources and problem solve Community Safety issues."
The team will deal with issues such as street drinking, anti-social behaviour, parking enforcement, as well as enforcement for issues such as littering and wider environmental issues.
With investment in a dedicated team, the aim is to reduce both actual and perceived crime and increase feelings of safety. Rothbiz reported in September that this issue was fedback through the consultation for a £20m Long Term Plan for Towns where the idea of a coordinated town centre team made it into the draft plan.
Advertisement
£50,000 has also been budgeted by the Council to offer free parking for the first hour in Council-operated car parks in the town centre. This scheme aims to "support local businesses, boost footfall, and encourage residents to shop locally."
Free parking is already offered in the town centre at all Council Off-Street car parks on Saturdays and Sundays and on street after 6pm.
A price freeze is also expected at Drummond Street, Wellgate North, Wellgate Multi Storey, Douglas Street, Unity Place, Westgate, Clifton Hall, Forge Island and Scala, ahead of the major developments planned in future years. A small increase in parking charges is listed at Clifton Park where £33,000 is set to be spent improving the overflow car park which can also double as an event space.
The move comes as the authority continues to report that the ongoing economic impact on Rotherham town centre footfall continues to see a reduction in income from parking charges.
Across the borough, investment is being made to improve the council's business centres, extend the Employment Solutions programme, drive forward negotiations and bring the Bassingthorpe Farm site to delivery, and invest in flood protection for Catcliffe.
The Council is proposing a 3% Council Tax increase and budget proposals will be presented to Cabinet on February 10, before going to Full Council for final approval on March 5.
Images: RMBC