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, 6 OCTOBER 2009
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26 - Substitutes
27 - Declaration of Interests
28 - Minutes
29 - Petitions
30 - Questions from Members
31 - Update on Implementation of Actions resulting from the Pitt Review
32 - Babergh District Council and South Suffolk Leisure - Partnership Development Report
33 - Non-Domestic Rate Collection
34 - Housing Rent Collection
35 - Work Plan
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mrs S P Clarke
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr B D Hurren
Mr M Newman |
Mr J R A Sayers
Mrs C A Todd
Mr D L Wood |
Mrs M O Munson and Mr A F D W Osborne were unable to be present.
It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr D G Grutchfield (substituting for Mrs M O Munson).
Mrs S P Clarke declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No. 31 below, by virtue of being the Council’s representative on the Suffolk Flood Risk Management Joint Scrutiny Panel but indicated that her interest was such that she was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 August 2009 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
Peter Quirk, Policy and Communications Manager, introduced Paper J99 providing an update on the Suffolk wide approach to the local Implementation Plan for recommendations from the Pitt Review.
The Chairman welcomed Alan Points, Pitt Review Project Manager of the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit, who was present at the meeting and made a Powerpoint presentation (subsequently numbered Paper J109) relating to the Pitt Review Implementation Project.
Following the presentation Alan Points, Peter Quirk and Stewart Schleip, Open Space Manager answered Members’ questions.
In the ensuing discussion Members expressed concerns regarding funding and the usefulness of any mitigation measures.
Mrs S P Clarke, who together with Mr L H Young, represents the Council on the Suffolk Flood Risk Management Joint Scrutiny Panel advised the Committee of its work so far and confirmed that she would submit Members’ concerns to the Panel.
RESOLVED
(1) That the content of the report be noted.
(2) That Members’ concerns be submitted to the Suffolk Flood Risk Management Joint Scrutiny Panel for consideration.
Paul Little, Community Safety and Leisure Manager introduced Paper J100 providing an update on the performance and development of a key strategic and operational partnership between the District Council and South Suffolk Leisure (SSL) and together with Tracey Copping, SSL Chief Executive, answered Members’ questions on various issues including the following:
· Confirmation that records are kept regarding users of the free swimming programme to enable access to this service to be investigated.
RESOLVED
That the content of the report be noted.
Members were aware that at its meeting on 19 May 2009, the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee had considered the Council’s performance for the final quarter of 2008/09, which indicated that the percentage of Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) collected was below target.
Consequently a report was requested to be submitted to this Committee detailing how the collection of Non Domestic Rates is being managed in 2009/10.
Andrew Wilcock, Senior Revenues Manager introduced Paper J101 and answered various questions from Members including staffing costs and the possibility of sharing services with neighbouring authorities in the future.
RESOLVED
That the action being taken to improve the collection of Non-Domestic Rates be noted.
Members were aware that at its meeting on 19 May 2009, the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee had reviewed the Council’s performance for the final quarter of 2008/09 which indicated that the percentage of housing rents collected was below target.
Consequently a report was requested to be submitted to this Committee detailing how the collection of housing rent is being managed in 2009/10.
Andrew Wilcock, Senior Revenues Manager introduced Paper J102 and answered various questions from Members including the possibility of visiting other rent-collecting authorities with a view to transferring best practice.
RESOLVED
That the action being taken to manage and improve the collection of housing rents be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper J103) which provided details of the Committee’s anticipated work for the remainder of 2009/10 including any items that may be the subject of call-in procedures.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan submitted as Paper J103 be noted.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 12.20 p.m.
Chairman
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