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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, 25 NOVEMBER 2008
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mr D M Busby
Mr B D Hurren
Mrs M O Munson
Mr M Newman |
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr J R A Sayers
Mrs C A Todd
Mr D L Wood |
Mrs S P Clarke was unable to be present.
39 - Substitutes and Apologies
40 - Declaration of Interests
41 - Minutes
42 - Petitions
43 - Questions from Members
44 - West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership - Progress on the Action Plan
45 - Review of the Council's Affordable Housing Programme
46 - Developing Babergh's Monitoring Framework for South Suffolk Leisure
47 - Review of Street Trading in Babergh as Controlled by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982
48 - Work Plan
It was noted that, in accordance with Council procedure rule No.5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr D M Busby (substituting for Mrs S P Clarke).
None declared.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2008 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
Mr C M Spence, the Council’s representative on the West Suffolk LSP introduced Paper H147 and referred to the real and tangible benefits for Babergh, which he considered the LSP is delivering. He and David Wood, Manager of the West Suffolk LSP then highlighted various matters including:-
· The progress being made on the Action Plan
· The implementation of a media campaign “Wasted”
· The proposed extension of “Wos-Up” to other areas within Babergh.
Together with the Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Corporate Services they then answered Members’ questions. During the course of the debate, various points were noted including:-
· The way in which community cohesion is encompassed within the Action Plan
· The Action Plan, which is available on the LSP website www.onesuffolk.co.uk/wslsp (under the heading “Strategy and Reports”) is updated on a quarterly basis and any suggestions for improving it’s accessibility are welcomed
· The link between County-wide achievements on the LAA targets and the allocation of funding
· In relation to assisting specific groups, the LSP’s role is to identify areas where it can provide funding to relevant bodies including voluntary organisations which can then deliver initiatives such as “Sloppy Slippers” and the “Good Neighbour Scheme”
· A useful document “Update to the Community Strategy” will be available following the Annual Conference on 26 November.
RESOLVED
That the progress on the Action Plan as detailed in Paper H147, together with the updates given at the meeting, be noted.
Circulated at the meeting were Appendices 1 to 4 to Paper H148 as detailed in paragraph 11 of the report.
Mrs S M Wigglesworth, Chairman of the Housing Panel introduced the report and highlighted various matters including:-
· Some villages in the Babergh area now have affordable homes for the first time in many years
· A full report on the findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment will be available in the Members’ Room shortly.
Ian Tippett, Strategic Housing Manager then presented Paper H148 detailing the progress made to date with the affordable housing target and the main findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the Housing Needs Survey. He also commented on the effect of the current economic climate and down-turn in the housing market.
Members noted various matters (including those listed below) which arose from the discussion and that some of them would be given further consideration through the appropriate channels:-
· The role of the LDF and Parish Councils particularly in relation to bringing forward Rural Exception Sites
· The work to find empty properties within Babergh and to offer grants and management assistance where appropriate
· The change to the proposed start date for the re-development of Poplar Road shops in Gt Cornard
· Further consideration to be given to the appropriateness of the term “Social Housing” bearing in mind the difficulties facing first time buyers in many villages.
RESOLVED
(1) That the progress to date on achieving the affordable housing target as set out in Paper H148 and relevant appendices be noted.
(2) That the core findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and the Housing Needs Survey as summarised in the report be noted.
Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager, presented the report of the Head of Community Development (Paper H149) outlining the progress being made to strengthen the strategic relationship between Babergh and South Suffolk Leisure in light of the Audit Commission’s recommendations and together with Tracey Copping, SSL Interim Chief Executive and Mike Hill, Managing Director Leisure Net Solutions, answered Members’ questions on various issues including the following:-
· Customer surveys including means of communication with current non-users
· Maintaining the link between Babergh’s Corporate Objectives, LAA2 Targets and SSL’s own business planning process
· Issues around free use of facilities, e.g. swimming
· Review of the catering operation.
RESOLVED
That the contents of Paper H149, particularly in relation to the way in which the 4 recommendations of the Audit Commission are being addressed, be noted.
John Rainer, Food and Safety Regulation Manager, presented the report of the Head of Natural and Built Environment (Paper H150) outlining an informal review of street trading controls in Babergh and suggesting that changes be made to the current arrangements. Members were also asked to recommend the adoption of a Street Trading Enforcement Policy (Appendix B).
RESOLVED
That no change be made to existing street trading controls.
RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE
That the Street Trading Enforcement Policy attached as Appendix B to Paper H150 as endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee be adopted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper H151) which provided details of the Committees anticipated work for the remainder of 2008/09 including items as referred to in the Appendix to the report that may be the subject of call-in procedures.
Members noted that a report on the Finance and Performance Management issues relevant to this Committee will be considered at the February meeting and that a report on CCTV would be added to the Work Plan.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan submitted as Paper H151 be noted.
The Committee adjourned for refreshments between 11.00 a.m. and 11.15 a.m.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 12.20 p.m.
..................................................................... Chairman
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