Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) meeting held on 7th March 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th March 2024 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.

Councillor D Shaw declared an other registerable interest in minute 23/70 as an employee of the Environment Agency.

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

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

The Panel received and noted the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme and the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) which had been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st April 2024 to 31st July 2024.

To comment on the Supporting Residents – Domestic Abuse Policy Report.

Executive Councillor: S Ferguson

By means of a report by the Housing Needs and Resources Manager, (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Supporting Residents – Domestic Abuse Policy was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor Harvey, the Panel were assured that the team undertook work and liaised with multiple partners including charities as appropriate to residents needs.

In response to a question from Councillor Bywater, the Panel heard that the Council had a good relationship with local housing providers and that many social landlords were also working towards the same DAHA accreditation as the Council.

Further to a question from Councillor Hunt, the Panel heard that the team were working hard to meeting the accreditation requirements and were working with the assessor to ensure compliance. It was also observed that training would be rolled out for both staff and Councillors later in the year.  

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

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

To resolve:-

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To comment on the Material Recovery Facility Contract Procurement Report.

Executive Councillor: S Taylor

The Panel gave consideration to an exempt report by the General Manager Operations, (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), on the Material Recovery Facility Contract Procurement which was presented to the Panel.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

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

The Panel is invited to comment on the Civil Parking Enforcement – Agency Agreement Report.

Executive Councillor: S Taylor

The Panel gave consideration to an exempt report by the Assistant Director Strategic Insight and Delivery and the Operations Manager, (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), on the Civil Parking Enforcement – Agency Agreement which was presented to the Panel.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

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

To resolve:

that the press and public be readmitted to the meeting.

RESOLVED

that the press and public be readmitted to the meeting.

To receive and comment on a presentation regarding the Climate Emergency UK – Council Climate Scorecards GAP Analysis Update.

Executive Councillor: L Davenport-Ray

By means of a presentation by the Operations Manager (Parks and Open Spaces), (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Climate Emergency UK – Council Climate Scorecards GAP Analysis Update was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor Shaw, it was clarified to the Panel that the score had been achieved by the Council’s work over their area, and that Cambridgeshire County Council’s score had been achieved by the work they had undertaken across the County. It was also clarified that aims were HDC aims and fields of influence, such as what does HDC want to do to manage emissions within the district.

Councillor Alban stated that he was reassured that the Council were in charge of their own destiny and that this could be tailored to the needs of residents. Councillor Kerr agreed with this statement and added that it was useful to be able to compare the results of the Council with other similar Council’s.

To receive and comment on a presentation detailing the One Leisure Annual Performance Review for 2023-2024.

Executive Councillor: S Taylor

By means of a presentation by the Head of Leisure Services, (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the One Leisure Annual Performance Review 2023-2024 was presented to the Panel.

Councillors Kerr and Bywater praised the team for the work undertaken and recognised the hard work undertaken by the service to recover from COVID.

In response to a further question from Councillor Bywater, the Panel heard that discussions with local health partners were open and ongoing and positive outcomes were expected from integration into this complex network.

The Panel heard, in response to concerns expressed by Councillor Bywater at the lack of Council owned swimming facilities in the North of the district, that opportunities to develop this were being investigated and would be brought back to the Panel should they prove fruitful.

In response to questions from Councillors Alban and Kerr, the Panel heard that the work being done to engage with Care Home residents by the team had been partially funded by the Health and Equalities Fund.

Councillor Hunt expressed praise that the booking system had been improved, and in response to a further question from Councillor Hunt, the Panel heard that opportunities to reopen the Pure Spa at One Leisure Huntingdon were being developed.