Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Kirby and Wallace.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2016.

On the motion of Councillor Camamile, seconded by Councillor Williams, it was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

No interests were declared at this stage.

To inform members of the revenue & capital outturn at the end of the second quarter.

Members were informed of the revenue and capital outturn at the end of the second quarter of 2016/17. During debate, members requested the following:

·         More information on the outturn variance in relation to car parking to the next meeting;

·         More information on the outturn variance in relation to IT support to the next meeting;

·         That, in future, the position in relation to the housing revenue account be also reported to this body along with the revenue and capital outturn;

·         That future reports be presented differently to avoid a lot of small print.

A member referred to the speed in which the Crescent was filling with tenants and asked whether the management of the other blocks were offering greater incentives as they were filling faster than block C, which was owned by HBBC. Officers agreed to look into it but suggested that the other landlords may have different risk profiles but it was important that HBBC was prudent with public money and had to balance the risk against the cost.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To inform members of the treasury management activity in the second quarter of 2016/17.

A report was presented which informed of the council’s treasury management activity during the second quarter of 2016/17.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To present proposed write-offs to members prior to approval by the Executive.

Members were informed of debts over £10,000 in respect of outstanding business rates which were recommended for writing-off by the Executive. A member referred to paragraph 3.3 and asked the cost of court proceedings, which would justify writing off some of the debts. Officers agreed to provide this following the meeting.

RESOLVED – the report be noted and RECOMMENDED to the Executive for approval.

To inform members of the position on sundry debts at the end of the second quarter.

Members were informed of the position on sundry debts as at 31 October 2016.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To inform members of business rates performance from 1 April to 30 September 2016 and to provide an update on pooling arrangements.

Members were updated on business rates performance between 1 April and 30 September 2016 and provided with an update on pooling arrangements for 2016/17. Officers agreed to provide members with their response to the Government’s consultation on business rates retention.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

To present the first of the programme of frontline service reviews, for the Environmental Health Service.

In presenting the frontline service review for Environmental Health, reference was made to both commercial and pollution services, including performance on food hygiene and health & safety inspections, pest control and noise complaints. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         In relation to kennels and catteries, it was noted that new standards had been brought in, but a pragmatic approach was taken to enforcing these and supporting the premises to raise their standards

·         There had been fewer reports of rats, which could not necessarily be linked purely to the implementation of charging for rat treatments

·         A successful counter-terrorism awareness event had been held for businesses, but had not been well attended by small businesses, although the police were interested in working with the council to hold further events

·         A member suggested it would be interesting to see the impact on the air quality around congestion hot-spots in the borough

·         In relation to the number of service requests (complaints), it was requested that a comparison of complaints over the last three years be provided for members

·         In response to a question about business continuity with regard to IT system back-up, it was noted that there were arrangements in place to safeguard against data loss

·         Members valued the quarterly report from Environmental Health but requested a more concise format.

RESOLVED –

(i)            The report be noted;

(ii)           The information requested be provided.

To provide the second quarter outturn position in relation to performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks.

Members were updated on the outturn position for the second quarter in relation to performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks. Concern was expressed in relation to the number of lost calls, and in response the chairman referred members to the discussion on this at the previous meeting and the scheduled progress report scheduled for the April meeting.

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

The work programme was noted.