Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllrs Mrs S Griggs, F W Letch and Cllr E J Berry who was substituted by Cllr R L Stanley

Members are asked to note the Hybrid Meetings Protocol.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, the *Hybrid Meetings Protocol.

Note: *Protocol previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

Cllr R L Stanley declared a personal interest as a Director of 3 Rivers Developments Ltd.

Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe declared a personal interest as she was a private landlord.

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no members of the public present.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 19^th July 2021.

The Committee is reminded that only those members of the Committee present at the previous meeting should vote and, in doing so, should be influenced only by seeking to ensure that the minutes are an accurate record.

The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman.

To consider any decisions made by the Cabinet at its last meeting that have been called-in.

The Committee NOTED that none of the decisions made by the Cabinet on 3^rd August 2021 had been called in.

To receive any announcements that the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee may wish to make.

The Chairman expressed his disappointment that only 3 Members had attended the recent Work Programming Session but he hoped that Members would continue to engage in the Work Programming process.

To consider the draft strategy previously presented to Homes PDG on 20^th July 2021.

The Homes PDG at its meeting on 20^th July 2021:

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the draft Housing Strategy 2021 – 2025, attached at annex 1, be approved for external and public consultation.

The Committee had before it the *Housing Strategy Consultation Draft presented by Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing who gave an overview of the Strategy.

The Officer explained that the Consultation Draft had previously been presented to the Homes PDG where it had been well received.

He explained that homes were a basic necessity and a fundamental requirement for everybody and the Strategy would enable the facilitation of new housing within the district. The project team were taking a multi disciplinary approach to include a wide range of internal stakeholders and contributors.

The Strategy set out the 5 year vision to meet the housing needs and aspirations by offering new homes and adapting existing stock.

He explained the 4 key priorities of the Strategy which contained 40 specific objectives and specific targets and a delivery group would be formed to test progress against delivery.

Consideration was given to:

·         Consultation would be tailored to the consultees but would include current tenants, DCC, CHAT and existing partners

·         The views of some Members that the housing targets were not ambitious enough

·         The views of some Members that there was a lack of clarity on the housing mix and sight of costed plans

·         That the housing needs would be continually reassessed as more data became available such as the 2021 Census

·         The Strategy was realistic on the numbers of units which could be delivered and was the baseline and not the final numbers

·         The Authority was required to pay market value for properties which it previously owned and had been sold to tenants at a discounted price under the Governments Right to Buy scheme

·         Members views that the strategy should make reference to the Devon Carbon Plan

·         The correct term was Net Zero Carbon and the Strategy should reflect this

·         The Standard for Decent Homes had not changed

It was therefore RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that: the strategy be approved subject to:

o   Net Zero Carbon terminology be consistent throughout the strategy

o   The Project Board to only reference job titles and not named individuals

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Reason for the decision: To ensure the Council can progress to the next key consultation stage leading to the adoption of the Strategy

Note: *Housing Strategy Consultation Draft previously circulated and attached to the minutes

To receive an update on the recommendations of the Menopause Working Group from the Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, a *report of the Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste providing an update on the recommendations of the Menopause Working Group.

He explained that a staff survey was due to be implemented in the autumn to gauge success in the education programmes which had been introduced.

The Menopause would be included within the Wellbeing and Reasonable adjustments policy.

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

To receive an update report from the Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste on the Establishment.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, a *report of the Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste providing an update on the Establishment.

The Officer explained that sickness absence had dropped in 2020 and that there were many factors behind this, however there was expected to be an increase in the autumn.

Turnover did reduce in 2020 but had dramatically increased in the first quarter of 2021 due to lack of specialist staff. Agency spend had increased as a result of this but there was a lack of supply of essential workers such as HGV drivers.

The Covid 19 infection rates amongst the workforce had remained low with only two outbreaks. The Authority had been more affected by the pingdemic when 25% of the workforce had been required to self-isolate.

He continued by explaining that the Authority was looking at the longer term with regard to hybrid working and that would include decisions on redundant offices. He explained that there was a need to look at each service individually and ensure that public facing services were still offering a face to face service required by customers.

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Members are asked to consider any items within the Forward Plan that they may wish to bring forward for discussion at the next meeting.

The Committee had before it and NOTED the *Forward Plan.

Note: *Plan previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive an update from the Scrutiny Officer.

To Scrutiny Officer informed Members that at the Work Programming session on 5^th August Members had received an update on the items which were to be added to the work program. She informed Members that they could continue to identify items and that subjects to be added to the work program and this would be achieved via scrutiny proposal forms which she would assist Members to complete.

Members are asked to note the current Work Plan for the municipal year.

Members to have the opportunity to discuss additional items to be investigated by the Scrutiny Committee and added to the Work Plan.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, the *Scrutiny Committee Work Plan for 2021-2022.

No additional items were brought forward for consideration for inclusion on the Work Plan.

Note: *Work Plan previously circulated and attached to the minutes