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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, 24TH MAY 2005
PRESENT: Mr C J Hunt – Chairman
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Mr K Grimsey |
Mr J A B Long |
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Mr D G Grutchfield |
Mr J W Roberts |
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Mr B D Hurren |
Mr J R A Sayers |
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Mr R E Kemp |
Mr D L Wood |
1. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED
That Mr J A B Long be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Mr R E Kemp declared a prejudicial interest in Paper E33 (see Minute 9 below) by virtue of the fact that he had a financial interest in three properties within a conservation area and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.
3. MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 April 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
4. PETITIONS
None received.
5. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
None received.
6. WORK PLAN
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E30) which provided details of the Committee's work for the remainder of 2005/06, including items which may be the subject of call-in procedures.
It was noted that at its meeting on 19 April 2005 the Council had noted the Committee's annual report and agreed that the Committee should be requested to consider including the following items in the Work Plan:-
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Review of our approach on the corporate priority of health improvement;
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Future use and occupation of East House;
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Reviewing the work and effectiveness of Babergh's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
In relation to the future use and occupation of East House, a planning assessment sheet was attached as Appendix 2 to Paper E30. In the Committee's discussion on the Work Plan the following were among the points noted:-
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Members were in favour of including in their work plan items including health improvement and the use of East House, but were unsure at this stage as to the usefulness of reviewing the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
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The Audit Commission had issued guidance about how it intended to approach its inspection in the areas of housing, environment and leisure. Mr. Kistner was asked to circulate this information to Members of the Committee.
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The Housing Panel would be considering amendments to the Council's Housing Lettings Policy. Members were welcome to make their views on this issue known to the Head of Housing through their political groups before the proposals were finalised.
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The Committee was due to consider a report about estate maintenance work on 23 August 2005. The Head of Technical Services was asked to arrange a meeting of the relevant Member Group as soon as possible.
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At its previous meeting the Committee had requested information about the programme for street cleansing, not only in the towns but also in rural parts of the District. The Head of Environmental Services was asked to circulate a briefing note on this subject to all Members of the Committee.
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Officers were asked to investigate the possibility of arranging a visit for all Members to the Materials Recycling Facility at Great Blakenham.
RESOLVED
(1) That a review of the Council's approach on the corporate priority of health improvement be included in the Committee's Work Plan following consideration of a Planning Assessment Sheet at the Committee's meeting scheduled to be held on 12 July 2005.
(2) That a review of the future use and occupation of East House be carried out as outlined in Appendix 2 to Paper E30.
(3) That a decision as to whether or not to carry out a review of the work and effectiveness of Babergh's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership be taken following further consideration of this subject at a future meeting of the Committee.
(4) That before November 2005 the Head of Housing be asked to explore the role of Members in the Council's Housing Lettings Policy.
7. SERVICE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
Mr. Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director, presented a report (Paper E25) concerning arrangements for service and financial planning for 2005/06. The Committee was also requested to consider nominating Members to serve on the Service and Financial Planning Group.
It was noted that the Political Leaders Group had agreed that the recommendations of the Service and Financial Planning Group at the end of December 2005 should be submitted directly to the Strategy Committee on 12 January 2006. However, members of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee had suggested that there would be benefit in calling a joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) and Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committees in December 2005, solely for the purpose of considering the recommendations of the Service and Financial Planning Group.
RESOLVED
(1) That Mr C J Hunt, Mr B D Hurren and Mr K Grimsey be nominated to serve on the Service and Financial Planning Group for the year 2005/06.
(2) That a joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) and the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committees be held in December 2005 solely for the purpose of considering the recommendations of the Service and Financial Planning Group and that the timetable set out in the Appendix to Paper E25 be adjusted accordingly.
8. REVIEW OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ROLE AND APPROACH
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E26) concerning the proposed review of the Overview and Scrutiny role and approach including the appointment of Members to serve on a Working Group.
It was noted that a Members' Seminar had been held on 19 May 2005 when the review of the Constitution had been discussed. As a result of this, changes to the current Committee structure might be proposed. The review of the Overview and Scrutiny role and approach would take place concurrently with the discussions on the Committee Structure.
RESOLVED
(1) That a Working Group be established to undertake a review of the Overview and Scrutiny role and approach and that the basis on which the Review is to be carried out as set out in Section 4 of Paper E26, be approved.
(2) That Mr D L Wood and Mr D G Grutchfield be appointed to serve on the above group.
9. CONSERVATION – PRIORITIES AND RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE
Mr R E Kemp declared a prejudicial interest in this item (see Minute No. 2 above) and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration.
Mr J A B Long declared a prejudicial interest in this item by virtue of the fact that he had a commercial interest in some listed buildings and withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.
Mr K Grimsey declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of the fact that he lived in a listed building, but indicated that his interest was such that he could speak and vote on the matter.
Mr J R A Sayers declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of the fact that he owned land in a conservation area, but indicated that his interest was such that he could speak and vote on the matter.
The Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development and the Head of Planning (Control) presented a report (Paper E33) on Conservation, Priorities and Resources for the Future.
It was noted that good progress was being made on a range of conservation issues. The Council had so far been unsuccessful in persuading the Government to allow it to charge a fee for applications for listed building consent. Officers were asked to continue to lobby for such a change.
RESOLVED
(1) That progress on the current Conservation Programme as set out in Appendix A to Paper E33 be noted.
(2) That the priorities for future conservation work as set out in Appendix B to Paper E33 be noted.
10. REVIEW OF UPDATED RACE EQUALITY SCHEME AND ACTION PLAN 2005/08
Mike Hammond, Corporate Director, presented a report (Paper E31) concerning a review of the updated Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan for the period 2005 – 2008. It was noted that in line with statutory requirements, the Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan adopted by the Council in May 2002 must be reviewed and updated within three years of adoption. In the course of the discussion of this item it was noted that officers would welcome information from Members on any local minority associations.
RESOLVED
That the draft Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan as set out in the Appendix to Paper E31 be approved for publication as a draft by 31 May 2005, with comments required by 9 June 2005.
RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE
(1) That the Race Equality Scheme and Action Plan as set out in Paper E31 be approved subject to any amendments considered necessary as a result of the consultation process.
(2) That Mike Hammond, Corporate Director, be authorised to make any final adjustments to the Scheme and Action Plan as a result of the consultation process or as required by the Strategy Committee.
11. PERFORMANCE UPDATE
The Corporate Support Manager presented a report (Paper E32) concerning the proposed new Performance Update.
It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee had suggested that it would be useful if a brief update on a range of performance information could be e-mailed to all Members on a monthly basis. The Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee had requested information on a range of topics including staff costs and sickness levels. Members of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee were asked to determine whether any performance indicators relevant to that committee should form part of the monthly update.
RESOLVED
(1) That no specific performance indicators be added to the Performance Update at this stage.
(2) That the matter be kept under review so that if any particular performance indicator becomes a matter of concern, it can be added to the monthly Performance Update.
Note: The business of the meeting was concluded at 11.40 a.m.
Chairman
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