Agenda and minutes

Venue: De Montfort Suite, Hinckley Hub

Contact: Tan Ashraf, Democratic Services Officer, tel 01455 255834 

Items
No. Item

339.

Apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

It was noted that Councillor Collett would be arriving late.

 

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Gibbens and Webber-Jones.

340.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Cope, seconded by Councillor Sheppard-Bools and

 

RESOLVED - the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2020 be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

 

341.

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.

342.

Performance and Risk Management Framework 3rd Qtr 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 538 KB

To provide the third quarter 2019/20 outturn position for performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were provided with the third quarter 2019/20 outturn report for performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks and service area risks. In response to members’ questions the following points were made:

 

·         Blaby District Council was putting together a proposal to provide additional support in relation to information governance and freedom of information requests as the current arrangements were working well

·         Resources had been realigned in relation to health and safety

·         The coronavirus would not impact on sickness reporting figures as this would be recorded separately but it could impact on capacity

 

A member asked if future reports could show if progress had been made or if improvements were necessary and it was agreed that this would be considered.

 

Following on from the last meeting it was clarified that the high levels of risk identified in the planning service area had been removed as this had been due to a recording issue.

 

It was noted that a new risk, ‘Planning - five year housing land supply’ had been added to the corporate risk register and was due to be discussed at Thursday’s Scrutiny Commission.

 

It was highlighted that a report on the market would be coming to the meeting on 10 August.

 

The report was noted.

343.

Frontline Service Review: Environmental Health (food hygiene rating scheme, pest control services & dog control) pdf icon PDF 555 KB

To provide an update on the performance of the Environmental Health Service regarding the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, Pest Control and Dog Control.

Minutes:

Members received an update on the performance of the Environmental Health Service regarding the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, Pest Control and Dog Control.

 

It was highlighted that in Scotland and Wales it was mandatory to display the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme stickers and though businesses were encouraged to display stickers in England to show their rating it was not compulsory. It was hoped that the necessary legislation would be amended to make this mandatory in England as well.

 

Councillor Collett entered the meeting at 6.53pm.

 

In response to the Environmental Services Manager members indicated that no charges should be introduced for the reassessment of businesses for the hygiene rating scheme.

 

Regarding the pest control service it was noted that it was difficult to predict trends as there were many variables. In reply to a question from a member it was noted that some poisons for rat control were limited as regulations had become more stringent, however a variety of active poisons were still available.

 

Members recognised the hard work of the dog warden over thirty years and welcomed the new apprenticeship opportunity that would continue this work.

 

Members considered the areas they wanted the next report to focus on and agreed on alcohol, taxi and gambling licensing, tattooists and body piercing and scrap metal dealers.

 

The report was noted and the chairman thanked presenting officers for an excellent report and service.

 

 

 

344.

Financial outturn Q 3 - 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 323 KB

To present the financial outturn position as at December 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The financial outturn position as of December 2019 was presented to members and it was noted that there was a slight improvement since the last report. This should improve further as a larger planning application is expected to come in.

 

It was highlighted that there was still uncertainty from central government in the longer term and it was hoped the coming budget would provide some indication of the government’s priorities.

 

Members noted the report.

 

345.

Business rates and pooling update Q 3 - 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 393 KB

To report on business rates performance from 1 April – 31 December 2019.

Minutes:

Members were updated on the business rates performance from 1 April – 31 December 2019. It was noted that there were no major changes and the situation was fairly stable.

 

The report was noted.

346.

Finance & Performance Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 149 KB

Minutes:

The work programme was noted and the chairman highlighted that the meeting on 10 August 2020 would now include a report looking at the market.