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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 25 MARCH 2008
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mrs S P Clarke
Mr B D Hurren
Mrs M O Munson
Mr M Newman |
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr B Riley
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr D L Wood |
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69 Declaration of Interests
70 Minutes
71 Petitions
72 Questions from Members
73 Review of Strategic Partnerships
74 Finance and Performance Management - Quarterly Monitoring Report
75 Managing the Transition to a New Performance Management Framework: Progress Report
76 Constitution Review
77 Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee
Mr D L Wood declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No. 73 below by virtue of the fact that he is a Member of the Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership and of the Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership as a Member of the Police Authority, but he indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
Mrs S P Clarke declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No. 73 below by virtue of the fact that she is Chairman of the Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership, but indicated that her interest was such that she was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
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RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2008 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
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None received.
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None received.
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The Project and Programme Executive presented a report (Paper G230) advising Members of the outcome of a review of the following key Strategic Partnerships:-
Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP)
Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership (LSP)
Haven Gateway Partnership (HGP)
Suffolk Development Agency (SDA)
Western Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership (WSLSP)
In the ensuing discussion the following were among the points noted:-
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The uncertainty surrounding the review of Local Government currently underway in Suffolk had had some bearing on the recommendations contained in Paper G230. For example, it seemed inappropriate to make changes to the CDRP or to the Babergh East LSP until the results of the Local Government Review were known. -
If the Babergh East LSP were to continue, it would need to address the key problem of the lack of a co-ordinator.
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The proposal to seek the inclusion of the whole of Babergh District within the HGP was supported, especially in view of the fact that neighbouring Authorities such as Mid Suffolk District Council and Braintree District Council were believed to be seeking inclusion in the Gateway Partnership.
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The review of SDA was being carried out by EEDA. Babergh was likely to be consulted on this through its representative on the Agency, Mr J R B Cave.
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It was intended that the original consultees and the Board of the Babergh East LSP would be advised of the Committee’s recommendations and that any views received would be reported direct to the Strategy Committee which would consider the matter at its meeting on 1 May 2008.
RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE
(1) That the existing arrangements for Babergh’s participation in the following partnerships be continued:-
Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership
Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership
Western Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership
(2) That the Council approaches the Haven Gateway Partnership seeking the inclusion of the whole of the area of the Babergh District within the Haven Gateway.
(3) That further consideration be given to the Council’s position regarding the Suffolk Development Agency when the outcome of the reviews referred to in paragraph 5.4(d) of Paper G230are known.
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The Head of Finance and the Head of Corporate Services submitted a joint report (Paper G224) providing an integrated picture of the significant issues relating to finance and performance management in the current year to date.
It was noted that in Appendix 1a columns 5 to 9 should refer to the year 2006/07 not 2005/06.
In the ensuing discussion, the following were among the points noted:-
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In relation to BVPI199a – Members expressed concern about local street and environmental cleanliness, particularly regarding litter near supermarkets and fast food outlets. It was suggested that some commercial waste bins were not being properly covered, causing litter to be blown about. Officers were asked to look into this.
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In relation to BVPI184a – it was noted that Officers were confident the Council was on target to meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2010. Members requested further details about this.
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Babergh still had some way to go to reach internal and national targets set for “minor” and “other” planning applications (BVPI109b and 109c). Members expressed concern about this and requested further information about steps being taken to improve performance.
RESOLVED
(1) That the key points relating to variations against the 2007/08 Budget, Best Value Performance Indicators and Local Performance Indicators as set out in Paper G224 be noted.
(2) That, as part of the street cleansing review, Officers report on the approach used to deal with litter emanating from retail and fast food outlets, and the prosecution options used or open to the Council.
(3) That, through the next quarterly performance monitoring report, Officers set out details on how the Council will achieve the Decent Homes Standard by the statutory date of 31 March 2010.
(4) That the Chief Planning Control Officer be requested to attend the next meeting of the Committee to discuss the actions in place or planned to improve turnaround times for all types of planning applications.
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The Head of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper G225) updating Members on the transition to a new Performance Management Framework.
It was noted that this report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee at its meeting on 18 March 2008. That Committee had noted that consideration of targets for 2008/09 would require a considerable amount of detailed scrutiny and had therefore proposed that a Working Group be established jointly with the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee, in order to consider in detail the proposed performance targets for 2008/09 and make recommendations direct to the Strategy Committee at its meeting on 1 May 2008.
The Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee agreed with this proposal. Members gave initial consideration to the information set out in Paper G225, and highlighted the following points for further consideration by the Working Group:-
NI195 – appeared to set a target for street and environmental cleanliness which was lower than current performance. The technical details surrounding this should be scrutinised.
NI189 – referred to flood and coastal erosion risk management. Further information was requested on this in view of problems relating to coastal erosion in Shotley.
RESOLVED
(1) That the progress made in developing Babergh’s new Performance Framework and the next steps proposed in Paper G225 be noted.
(2) That a Working Group be established jointly with the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee, in order to consider in detail the proposed performance targets for 2008/09 and make recommendations direct to the Strategy Committee at its meeting on 1 May 2008.
(3) That the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee’s representatives on the Working Group referred to in (2) above be:-
Mr J A B Long, and
Mr D L Wood
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The Head of Corporate Services reported that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee at its meeting on 18 March 2008 had considered a report on various matters connected to the review of the Council’s Constitution (Paper G226 refers). That Committee was recommending to the Annual Meeting of the Council that the review of the Council’s political structure be deferred, and that the Constitution Review Task Group be stood down for the time being. The Head of Corporate Services also reported that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee had resolved that no alterations relating to the other matters covered by Paper G226 be made to the Constitution at the present time.
RESOLVED
That the position as set out above be noted.
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The Head of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper G231) advising that in accordance with the Constitution, the Committee must report annually to Council on its work during the previous year and make recommendations for future work programmes and, if appropriate, amended working methods.
Members suggested amendments to the draft report to highlight the following points:-
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There was disappointment at the outcome of the Council’s debate on Post Office closures.
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It was disappointing that despite good publicity, the meetings held in Sudbury in 2007/08 had not been attended by members of the public. Nevertheless, the Committee saw value in occasionally holding meetings away from the Council offices, and expressed the wish to hold at least one meeting in 2008/09 away from the Council offices, possibly in a village hall. This would be considered further at a future meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Head of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, complete the Committee’s annual report for submission to the next meeting of the Council based upon Paper G231 and the views expressed at the meeting.
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Note: The Committee adjourned for refreshments between 11.35 a.m. and 11.55 a.m.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 12.20 p.m.
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Chairman
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