Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) meeting held on 7th June 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th June 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note responses received to questions asked at previous meetings.

The responses to questions previously asked at meetings were noted.

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 2023 to 31st October 2023.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Tenancy Strategy.

Executive Councillor: S Wakeford

By means of a report by the Regeneration and Housing Delivery Manager (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Tenancy Strategy was presented to the Panel.

Following an observation from Councillor Pickering that lifetime tenancies did not motivate tenants to become self-sufficient in terms of their own housing, the Panel heard that whilst there was no easy answer to this,  Housing Associations awarded tenancies based upon making best use of the existing housing stock.

In response to a question from Councillor Corney, the Panel heard that whilst it was difficult to anticipate how Housing Associations would deal with tenancy issues, a balance had been struck to ensure that they would meet their obligations to residents.

Councillor Gardener observed that it would have been helpful to see where changes had been made from the previous policy and queried the life expectancy of the policy. The Panel were advised that the anticipated review date of 10 years would be fluid to allow for earlier or later revision depending on external factors and best interests of residents. Following a further question from Councillor Gleadow on the anticipated review date of 10 years, the Panel were advised that this was a normal review date for this type of strategy.

The Panel heard, following a question from Councillor Gleadow, that analysis of active RPs had been undertaken to ensure that the policies being adopted were aligned. It was further assured to the Panel, that all consultees mentioned within the document were active within the district following an enquiry from Councillor Blackwell.

The Panel were assured that despite the unknown of the future, the policy would provide flexibility and security.

Whereupon, it was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations contained within the report. 

a)  The Panel are to receive the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme

b)  Members to discuss future planning of items for the Work Programme

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.