Agenda and minutes

Venue: De Montfort Suite, Hinckley Hub

Items
No. Item

313.

Apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Camamile.

314.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 66 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Ward, seconded by Councillor Williams and

 

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 5 November be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

315.

Declarations of interest

To receive verbally from members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

Minutes:

No interests were declared at this stage.

316.

Hinckley Leisure Centre performance pdf icon PDF 224 KB

To provide an annual update on the performance of Hinckley Leisure Centre.

Minutes:

Members received a report on performance of Hinckley Leisure Centre since the opening of the new building in May 2016. Simon Churchman, Contracts Manager from Places Leisure, provided a presentation for members and highlighted some of the work undertaken and planned for the leisure centre, along with achievements and challenges.

 

In response to questions from members, the following points were noted:

 

·         The opening of the new gym (previously Simply Gym) was a key development for 2019 and would support the business further

·         The potential for the leisure sector to affected by a reduction in disposable income, which had been accounted for

·         The opening of the leisure centre on time and within budget in May 2016.

317.

Performance and risk management second quarter summary 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 456 KB

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

Minutes:

Finance & Performance Scrutiny received the outturn report in relation to performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks for the second quarter of 2018/19.

 

Members expressed concern in relation to voids and the time taken to bring back into use, and the effect this had on the rental income. In response it was noted that this was partly due to having only one contractor at present, and members were assured that the second contractor was being appointed to start in January which would improve the situation. It was also noted that changes in requirements, for example asbestos checks, was causing further delays on some properties. Notwithstanding this, it was reported that a review of the voids process was being undertaken. Members requested a report on this matter following the conclusion of the review, including the cost in terms of lost rent.

 

Concern was expressed about the planning enforcement service and difficulty in recruiting experienced staff. It was agreed that this concern would be fed back to the relevant manager.

 

In relation to the increase in missed bins, members were informed that this was due to the change in waste rounds and that issues were addressed with specific crews when this happened.

 

The high performance of customer services was noted and members wished to congratulate officers on this. A member said he had had cause to contact customer services both in person and on the telephone recently, and had been very impressed with the service received.

 

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

318.

Business rates and pooling update quarter 2 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 202 KB

To inform the committee of business rates performance from 1 April to 30 September 2018 and to provide an update on pooling arrangements for 2018/19.

Minutes:

Members received the quarterly update on business rates and pooling. During discussion, the likely support from the government to unitary authorities to assist in funding social care was raised and it was noted that the district’s share of the rates was unlikely to be above 40% for that reason and that this had been taken into account when forecasting.

 

Members discussed the importance of bringing more businesses to the area and it was acknowledged that the discretionary rate relief for new businesses may assist in that, but that the area needed to be actively marketed as a location for new business.

 

RESOLVED – the report be noted.

319.

Finance & Performance Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Minutes:

In considering the work programme, the chairman stated that Scrutiny Commission had discussed the impact of universal credit on rental income and he had asked for a report on rents to come to Finance & Performance Scrutiny. A report on turnaround time for voids was also added to the work programme.

320.

Any other items of business which the Chairman decides have to be dealt with as matters of urgency

As raised under item 3.

Minutes:

Whilst not urgent business, it was agreed that the answers from two queries raised at the previous meeting could be recorded.

 

Members had asked for clarification of which housing repairs contracts were still to be tendered. In response it was noted that there were two – the voids contract and the contact for adaptations of HRA dwellings.

 

Members had queried green space improvement projects that had not commenced and were due to be rephrased. It was reported that these related to the awaited adoption of open space at Waterside Park and noted that once adopted, the schemes could commence.