Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships) meeting held on 7th April 2022 and 18th May 2022.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 7th April 2022 and 18th May 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st July 2022 to 31st October 2022.

The Energy Bills Rebate – Local Scheme Policy is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book), the Energy Bills Rebate – Local Scheme was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor McAdam, the Panel heard that around 7,000 residents would initially benefit from the scheme.

Councillor Criswell praised the officers for the work that they had undertaken over the course of the pandemic in ensuring that the needs of residents had been met. He further welcomed the report and the pragmatic approach of the team to ensure best use of the funding available to the benefit of residents.

These sentiments were echoed by Councillor Bywater, who further enquired how residents would know that they were eligible for further support. The Panel heard that affected residents would be contacted directly and that a comprehensive communications plan was in place to support that message.

Following an enquiry from Councillor Shaw, the Panel heard that around 150 residents in Council Tax bands E to H would also benefit from the scheme having been identified as in receipt of Council Tax support.

Councillor Harvey enquired on the anticipated timescales for the project as it was observed that some residents were not yet in receipt of the initial rebate. The Panel heard that those residents who do not pay their Council Tax by direct debit had been contacted for their payment details but that this was a considerable piece of work. It was noted that should no contact be received from these residents by the end of July, their rebate would be credited to their Council Tax account in place of a payment to their bank account. The Panel were further appraised that the roll out of this proposed scheme would begin in August and is anticipated to run smoothly due to the payment detail collection and verification work done so far.

Following a question from Councillor Lowe, the Panel were advised that residents eligible for the rebate were identified on 1st April 2022. In the unlikely circumstance of a deceased resident since this date, the rebate would be passed to their estate.

Councillor Alban enquired whether this work had resulted in a positive increase in direct debit uptake. The Panel heard that this was indeed the case and that it was too early to tell if there would be any direct debit drop out following the initial increase.

The Panel were advised that eligible residents would be contacted directly but that Councillors would be able to signpost to a dedicated webpage should they receive any enquiries.

Having widely praised and welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations within the report.

The Overview and Scrutiny – Remit, Role and Studies Report is to be presented to the Panel.

By means of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Overview and Scrutiny – Remit, Roles and Studies report was presented to the Panel.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.

To appoint a non-voting co-opted Member and substitute Member to the Cambridgeshire County Council Health Committee.

The appointment of Councillor McAdam as a non-voting co-opted Member to the Cambridgeshire County Council Health Committee was noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme is to be presented to the Panel.

With the aid of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was presented to the Panel.