Venue: THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, PATHFINDER HOUSE, ST MARY'S STREET, HUNTINGDON PE29 3TN
Contact: Mr A Roberts Democratic Services, Tel 01480 388009 / email Anthony.Roberts@huntsdc.gov.uk
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6th March 2007.
2 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 6th March 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda item. Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.
2 Minutes Minutes: Councillors Mrs M Banerjee and K J Churchill declared personal interests in Minute No. 79 by virtue of their membership of Luminus Board of Directors.
Councillors D Harty and J M Sadler declared personal interests in Minute No. 81 by virtue of being members of the Huntingdonshire Federation of Volunteer Bureaux. |
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000 - FORWARD PLAN A copy of the current Forward Plan, which was published on 15th March 2007, is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.
10 Minutes Contact: R Reeves 388003 Minutes: The Panel considered the current Forward Plan of Key Decisions (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which had been prepared by the Leader for the period 1st April to 31st July 2007.
In response to a request, the Central Services Manager undertook to circulate to all Members a report on Hinchingbrooke Hospital consultation feedback. |
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THE ENVIRONMENT STRATEGY To consider and comment on a report by the Head of Technical Services giving details of those aspects of the Environment Strategy that fall within the remit of the Panel.
30 Minutes Contact: R Preston 388340 Minutes: With the aid of a report by the Head of Technical Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the progress of current and proposed projects under the “Service Impact” and “Sustainable Communities” strands of the Environment Strategy’s delivery structure. Members were informed that each project would be “scoped” and prioritised. A five year action plan would then be produced which would be reviewed annually.
The Panel discussed a number of projects in detail. With regard to a proposed project to reduce the depth of swimming pools, Members expressed concern that this might discourage their use and reduce their effectiveness as swimming teaching facilities. They also made suggestions aimed at encouraging farming through the provision of a permanent outlet for local produce and the production of bio-ethanol. The latter was already being pursued by Officers.
In discussing transportation, the Panel suggested that the standard of buses needed to be improved, that taxi “routes” should be investigated and that consideration should be given to extending bus passes to include free journeys. Pursuant to Minute No. 71, the Panel re-iterated the view that through the Core Strategy enhanced requirements should be placed on larger developments to include renewable energy sources.
Having requested that a methodology was developed to assess the environmental benefit of projects against their cost, the Panel requested that the final Strategy document include costing and that prior to its publication it was submitted to a future meeting. |
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CHOICE BASED LETTINGS - CONSULTATION LETTINGS POLICY To consider and comment on a report by the Head of Housing Services on progress with the implementation of a sub-regional Choice Based Lettings Policy and a proposed Lettings Policy.
30 Minutes Contact: S Plant 388240 J Collen 388220 Minutes: By means of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the Choice Based Lettings - Consultation Lettings Policy. Having been reminded of its background Members were informed that under the new sub regional system applicants would have the same eligibility to apply as the previous system, that it contained local connection criteria and would enable cross boundary moves to be made. It would be based on bands rather than a points system, which would reflect the length of time applicants had been registered within a band and it would provide assistance for vulnerable people.
In response to concern expressed by the Chairman that the Council would have to compromise its service within a sub regional system, the Panel was informed that each Council would retain its own existing policy.
The Panel discussed detailed aspects of the bidding process and the ways and length of time properties would be advertised. The latter had yet to be finalised but would be subject to budget provision. With regard to the Council’s wider housing responsibilities, the Panel was acquainted with the eligibility criteria and options available under the various schemes operated by the Council. Members stressed the need to manage expectations that the new system could provide increased numbers and quality of accommodation. Having noted that this would be taken care of through the feedback generated by the automated bidding system, it was
RESOLVED
that the Choice Based Letting Consultation Lettings Policy be endorsed. |
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THE GENDER EQUALITY DUTY To consider and comment on a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services on the Gender Equality Scheme and associated Action Plan.
20 Minutes Contact: L Sboui 388032 Additional documents: Minutes: The Panel gave consideration to a report by the Head of Policy and Strategic Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached the Gender Equality Scheme. The scheme had been produced as part of a duty on all public bodies to promote gender equality. It had been produced on the basis of feedback on the Council’s services and although the figures revealed little difference by gender, the Council was actively required to promote gender equality in the same way as it was required to promote race and disability equality.
Members were informed that the Action Plan, which formed part of the Scheme, was liable to change following consultation with employees. Having noted that the Scheme now would be used to conduct impact assessments of all the Council’s services, it was
RESOLVED
that the Gender Equality Scheme appended to the report now submitted be endorsed. |
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To note details of the Council’s grant schemes and to consider further avenues for study in this area.
10 Minutes Contact: E Smith 388157 Minutes: Pursuant to Minute No 52(a) the Panel received details of the Council’s grant schemes (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book). Members agreed to incorporate Shop Mobility grant aid into the study on disability access. The Small Scale Environmental Improvements Working Group was requested to examine the remaining schemes, in particular their criteria, publicity, application process, Officer involvement and approval processes. |
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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PANEL (SERVICE DELIVERY) - PROGRESS To consider a report by the Head of Administration on the Panel’s programme of studies.
10 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The Panel received and noted a report by the Head of Administration (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), which contained details of actions taken in response to recent discussions and decisions and reviewing the programme of studies. Having been informed that a pilot scheme, which had been requested by the Town Centre Cleaning Working Group, would not be introduced until September, Members requested that every effort was made to introduce a revised cleaning rota on a shorter time scale.
With regard to an item on recycling credits, the Central Services Manager reported that proposals to change the payment of recycling credits would be considered towards the end of the year.
Councillor Mrs M Banerjee reported that the Small Scale Environmental Improvements Working Group had conducted site visits the previous day at which a number of matters had been raised for further consideration and investigation. |
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SCRUTINY To scrutinise decisions taken since the last meeting as set out in the Decision Digest (TO FOLLOW) and to raise any other matters for scrutiny that fall within the remit of the Panel.
10 Minutes Contact: A Roberts 388009 Minutes: The 72nd edition of the Decision Digest was received and noted. |