BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE

 MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 12 JUNE 2007 

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1     SUBSTITUTES
2     ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
3     DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
4     MINUTES
5     PETITIONS
6     QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
7     WORK PLAN
8     SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISKS
9     PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – FINAL 2006/07 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
10   DELIVERING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BABERGH
11   EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)
12   REVIEW OF BABERGH’S CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION OPERATION



PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman

Mr A F D W Osborne was unable to be present.

1     SUBSTITUTES

It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5 a substitute was in attendance as follows:-

Mr D M Walton (substituting for Mr A F D W Osborne).

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2     ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED

That Mr D L Wood be elected Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee for the ensuing year.

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3     DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

There were no declarations of interest.

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4     MINUTES

RESOLVED

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2007 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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5     PETITIONS

None received.

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6     QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

None received.

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7     WORK PLAN

The Head of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper G27) which provided details of the Committee’s anticipated work for the remainder of 2007/08, including items that may be the subject of call-in procedures. The following were among the points noted:-

• An evaluation of strategic partnerships needed to be undertaken as soon as possible after the Council’s priorities had been confirmed. Officers were asked to draw up a firm timetable for this work and report it to the next meeting of the Committee.

• In relation to the audit of Babergh’s sustainability, it was noted that Suffolk County Council had established a Policy Development Panel to look at “green” issues. Members were informed that the Suffolk Strategic Partnership was taking action under an initiative entitled “Creating the Greenest County”, which included organising a conference at Trinity Park in October 2007. It was agreed that the issue of sustainability could be raised through a Members’ Seminar, if this was confirmed as a new corporate priority by the Council.

• It was suggested that at a future meeting the Committee should scrutinise the effectiveness of the new Safer Neighbourhood Teams. It was agreed that it would be necessary to complete a Planning Assessment Sheet in relation to this.

• It was noted that a review of the process for managing Council owned dwellings would be undertaken when the Council agreed to a full business process re-engineering exercise. With regard to the private sector, it was agreed that officers should be asked to undertake a scoping report to assess the number of empty properties and the costs incurred by Babergh in relation to them.

• With regard to the review of grants, it was noted that Members would be invited to a consultation event to be held in the Council Chamber on 23 July 2007.

• At the meeting to be held on 24 July, the Committee would receive reports on the management of dual-use sports centres and on progress on the Children and Young People’s Agenda.

• The Strategy Committee had suggested that the implications of enforcement of the new smoke-free policy should be covered as part of a wider report on enforcement matters to the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee as soon as possible. It was agreed to add this to the Work Plan.

RESOLVED

That the Work Plan submitted as Paper G27 be noted as amended.

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8     SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISKS

The Head of Finance presented a report (Paper G21) concerning the results of a comprehensive review of the Strategic Risks agreed in May 2005.

He explained that the 28 risks identified in 2005 had now been reduced to nine broad themes as summarised in Appendix A to Paper G21.

It was noted that, although risk management was the responsibility of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee, it was important for the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee to be aware of the issues. It was hoped to arrange a risk management workshop on the afternoon of a day scheduled for an Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee meeting later in 2007. Members of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee would be invited to attend.

RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE

That the nine significant business risk themes and risk scores as set out in Paper G21 and as summarised in the Appendices to that Paper be agreed.

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9     PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – FINAL 2006/07 PERFORMANCE
       INDICATORS

The Head of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper G28) setting out the 2006/07 end of year figures for the nationally set Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) and Local Performance Indicators (LPIs) set by Babergh which were included in the 2006/07 Corporate Plan. Jon Seed, Senior Policy and Performance Officer presented the report and answered Members’ questions on it.

It was noted that the Corporate Plan for 2006/07 contained a total of 146 BVPIs and key LPIs. Table 1 of Paper G28 showed that 56.2% of all LPIs either reached or exceeded target, 37.7% were below target and final data was still required for 9 PIs.

Members also noted that the Government had announced its intention to make changes to the performance management framework from April 2008. It was not yet clear exactly what the new arrangements would be, but the number of BVPIs relating to District Councils was likely to decrease. Local LPIs would probably become more significant, and there would be a new emphasis on the performance of LAAs.

RESOLVED

That the variations against the 2006/07 BVPIs and LPIs be noted as set out in Paper G28.

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10    DELIVERING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN BABERGH

Ian Tippett, Housing Services Manager, made a Powerpoint Presentation (subsequently number Paper G50) on the delivery of affordable housing in Babergh. He answered questions on a number of aspects of this work.

RESOLVED

That the presentation set out in Paper G50 be noted.

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11     EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)

That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below, on the grounds that if the public were present during this item, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item.

The Committee was also satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

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12     REVIEW OF BABERGH’S CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION OPERATION
         (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1)

The Head of Community Development submitted a report (Paper G29) outlining the results of an initial review of the effectiveness of closed circuit television (CCTV) in Babergh. Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager, presented the report and answered Members’ questions on it. Officers were seeking authority to investigate alternatives to the current arrangements.

RESOLVED

(1)     That the Community Safety and Leisure Manager be authorised, in conjunction with Babergh’s Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, to undertake a detailed feasibility study into the transfer of Babergh’s CCTV control centre to a local base and that the study include a detailed financial analysis and risk assessment before a final recommendation is considered by the Committee.

(2)     That the Community Safety and Leisure Manager be authorised to explore and cost the possibilities of alternative contractual arrangements with either Ipswich Borough Council or other local service provider.

Note: The Committee adjourned for refreshments between 11.15 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.

The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.10 p.m.

Chairman

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