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, 29 MARCH 2011
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53 - Declaration of Interests,
54 - Minutes,
55 - Petitions,
56 - Questions from Members,
57 - Performance Monitoring Arrangements and Target Setting for 2011/12,
58 - Development of the Role and Purpose of the Joint Scrutiny Committee (JSC),
59 - Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee - Annual Report,
60 - Report from Representative on Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership (LSP),
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 J R A Sayers
Mr D L Wood |
Mr A C Bavington was unable to be present.
None declared.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the Joint Meeting held on 7 December 2010 and of the meeting held on 1 February 2011 be confirmed and signed as correct records.
None received.
None received.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper K217) asking Members to agree the approach to be used for monitoring performance during 2011/12. The Committee was also asked to agree targets for Strategy Committee’s approval.
Members were aware that Paper K217 had been considered by Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee on 22 March, and agreed with that Committee’s suggested amendments to Appendices A and B, as follows:-
Appendix A – Row No. 13
‘Residual household waste per household – 2011/12 target’ to be revised to ‘486kg’ (from 500kg).
Appendix B – Row No. 5
To be reworded to read ‘% of abandoned vehicles removed within 24 hours’ (revised from ‘3 working days’).
Members concurred with the recommendation in 2.1 of Paper K217 on the monitoring approach for the year. During the course of the discussion on the proposed targets, specific concerns were raised in relation to the following:-
- The effect of Suffolk County Council’s decision to reduce the number and opening hours of its recycling centres.
In this connection it was noted that if such reductions resulted in significant variances to Babergh’s associated targets, this would automatically be referred to the Committee under the ‘exception reporting’ process. In answer to a question, Members were advised that capacity and landfill tax issues arising from new building development had been taken into account when setting the relevant targets.
- The average time in the 2011/12 Delivery Plan to relet Local Authority housing.
It was noted that the average time, which peaked at 43 days, had reduced to an average (Q3) of 33 days over a 9 month period and was showing continued improvement towards the target of 26 days. Members noted the effect on average times of works such as bathroom/kitchen refurbishments where longstanding tenants had not wished to have such works carried out during their tenancies.
- The effect of the Shared Revenues Partnership on Targets BV78a and BV78b.
The Director of Corporate Services confirmed that this had been taken into account when setting the targets. In response to a question, he also updated Members on progress in establishing the SRP, the physical move for staff having been delayed due to technical problems with the installation of the fibre optic link.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee concurs with recommendation 2.1 of Paper K217 that during 2011/12, the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee will monitor all strategic performance indicators, service standards and Delivery Plan actions on an exception basis each quarter and therefore that no Key Performance Indicator (KPI) basket is required.
(2) That the proposed targets in Appendices A and B to Paper K217, as amended in relation to Appendix A – Row No 13 and Appendix B – Row No 5, be agreed and included in a report from the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee to Strategy Committee.
The Director of Corporate Services introduced Paper K221 (which had also been considered by Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee), advising Members of the arrangements to date for the JSC, which had been set up as part of the governance of the integration/merger process. He also updated Members on the timescales envisaged for enabling the JSC and its Members to have some input into the Local Poll documentation. Councillor Hurren, one of the Babergh representatives on the JSC, emphasised his view that the JSC must have sight of the documentation.
RESOLVED
That the arrangements for the development of the JSC, as outlined in Paper K221, and the importance of the JSC being able to contribute effectively to the preparation of the Local Poll documentation be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted Paper K224 as a basis for the Committee’s Annual Report to the Annual Council meeting on 19 May. Members were asked whether they considered that the summary in paragraph 8.1 of the report required any amendment. They were advised that the format of the final report will include details of outcomes where known.
The Committee’s attention was drawn to the Planning Assessment Sheet and Pick Analysis (Appendices 2 and 3 respectively) to be used for identifying items for future consideration by the Committee, in addition to those included in the Draft Work Plan (Appendix 1). In considering the content of the Draft Work Plan Members asked that further thought be given to the timing of the Review of Community Grants item. Councillor Munson updated Members on the operation of interim arrangements for scrutiny of health-related matters, pending a report to the Committee once Suffolk County Council has reported on the development of local arrangements.
RESOLVED
That the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, complete the Committee’s Annual Report for submission to the Annual Council meeting, based on Paper K224.
Mrs S P Clarke, who is the Babergh representative on the LSP and also its Chairman, presented Paper K225 which outlined the achievements of the LSP and the contribution made to the Council’s objectives.
The Project and Programme Executive (Tim Mutum) updated Members on the possible future arrangements for LSPs (or their successors) which were the subject of discussions with Mid Suffolk and Western Suffolk LSPs, and awaiting further Government guidance. Mrs Clarke was thanked for her contribution to the success of the Partnership.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 11.15 a.m.
Chairman
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