Venue: Civic Suite 0.1A, Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN
Contact: Mr Adam Green, Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny), Tel No. 01480 388008/e-mail Adam.Green@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Customers and Partnerships) meeting held on 10th January 2019. Contact: A Green 388008 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th January 2019 was approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item. Minutes: Councillor D R Underwood declared a non-statutory disclosable interest in relation to Minute Number 58 as he is the Chairman of Godmanchester Town Council’s Task Group. |
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NOTICE OF KEY EXECUTIVE DECISIONS PDF 175 KB 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. Contact: H Peacey 388169 Minutes: 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 February 2019 to 31st May 2019. |
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LUMINUS GROUP Luminus Group’s Managing Director, Mr Nigel Finney, will be in attendance to update Members on developments at the Luminus Group and to inform them of their development plans. Contact: A Green 388008 Minutes: Luminus’ Managing Director, Mr Nigel Finney and Head of Development, Mr John Walton was in attendance to provide the Panel with an update of the merger and inform them of their development plans. Mr Finney apologised that Luminus’ Chairman, Mr Mike Forrest, was unable to attend.
Members were informed that, in March, it will be 12 months since Luminus merged with Places for People. Compliance is now at 100%, the Senior Leadership Team has been restructured and a new Board has been appointed. Luminus have launched a new resident engagement strategy and a new Overview and Scrutiny Panel.
In addition, Luminus has been actively collaborating with Places for People. Places for People can provide a range of repair services. The repairmen are managed by the Property Management Division of Places for People but work under the Luminus branding.
As a result of the merger, Luminus are now in a position to pursue a development plan. Originally Luminus were forecast to lose £1.6m in March 2019 but, as a result of the merger and the changes they bring, Luminus are now forecast to break even.
In introducing Luminus’ development strategy, Mr Walton informed the Panel that Luminus has recognised that they have not development enough in the last two years but that they intend to develop 1000 homes in the next four to five years. In 2019/20, the intention is to start developing 100 new homes. Luminus intends to use the partnership that Places for People have with Homes England to access additional funds.
Mr Walton informed Members that Luminus will adopt a blended approach of tenures on sites and that the main aim is to provide affordable homes but will use private sale to offset the cost. In terms of rural affordability, Luminus are involved with a Community Land Trust in Great Staughton. As for modular constructions, Luminus will use them to help unlock unviable sites therefore speeding up the rate of delivery.
Following a question on Eden Place Sheltered Accommodation in St Ives and the need for more schemes like it, the Panel was informed that, at Eden Place, there are currently 5 vacancies out of 55. Members were informed that Cambridgeshire County Council identified a need for 10 schemes across the county and that currently on two have been built. However, whereas Luminus can provide the bricks and mortar, if there is no funding for the care then the scheme would not work.
Members were reassured that, when it comes to trees, Luminus works closely with the Council and looks to save as many trees as possible. When developing, Luminus aims to plant more trees than they take away.
In responding to a concern about tenants with disabilities, Mr Finney stated that Luminus’ policy for installing aids and adaptations has strengthened and for more expensive adaptations Luminus works with the Home Improvement Agency. If Luminus are made aware of someone vulnerable then they will do what is required as Luminus have specialist support ... view the full minutes text for item 55. |
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INCREASING SOCIAL VALUE IN CONTRACTS PDF 188 KB The Panel are to receive a report on increasing social value in contracts. Contact: N Arkle 388104 Additional documents:
Minutes: With the aid of a report by the Procurement Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) increasing social value in contracts was presented to the Panel.
The Panel was informed that by getting a policy it raises the Council’s credibility on the issue.
A Member questioned how the Council are going to be transparent and prescriptive in regards to implementation. The Panel was informed that the Council will try to put a financial value on the social value element.
Concern was raised with how the Council will be able to monitor that a company will implement the social value element of their contract. It was explained that part of the process will be a face to face meeting with the company, where they will explain what they meant in their application. Reassurance was given that a company will be monitored against each element.
A Member asked if the Council would consider a contract which stated that a company will stop using single use plastics. In response, clarification was given that the Procurement Manager will assess and score appropriately what has been written in each application.
It was confirmed that it is not compulsory for companies to inform the Council of any social value in their contract, however the element is scored.
The Panel was supportive of the policy and advises Cabinet that they approve the recommendations contained within the report. |
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EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC Minutes: RESOLVED
that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). |
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GODMANCHESTER NURSERY UPDATE Members will receive an update on Godmanchester Nursery from the Executive Councillor for Partnerships and Well-Being. Contact: Cllr J Palmer 01487 814063 Minutes: With the aid of a presentation from the Executive Councillor for Partnerships and Well-Being and the Head of Operations, the Godmanchester Nursery Update was presented to the Panel.
As background information, Members were informed of the current offering on the site, the challenges and the options available. Members were also informed that the Council is working closely with Godmanchester Town Council.
The Panel supported the preferred option and recommends that the Council continues to collaborate with Godmanchester Town Council on the issue. |
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RE-ADMITTANCE OF PRESS AND PUBLIC Minutes: RESOLVED
that the press and public be re-admitted to the meeting. |
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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME PDF 406 KB The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme is to be presented to the Panel. Contact: A Green 388008 Minutes: 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. |