Venue: Exe Room, Phoenix House, Tiverton
Contact: Julia Stuckey Member Services Officer
Link: audio recording
No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any). Minutes: Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs G Doe. |
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PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 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. Minutes: There were no members of the public present. |
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MEMBER FORUM An opportunity for non-Cabinet Members to raise issues. Minutes: There were no issues raised under this item. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 248 KB To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the last meeting of this Committee (attached).
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.
Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman. |
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DECISIONS OF THE CABINET To consider any decisions made by the Cabinet at its last meeting that have been called-in. Minutes: The Committee NOTED that none of the decisions made by the Cabinet at its last meeting had been called in. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive any announcements that the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee may wish to make. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Cllr S Flaws to the Committee and welcomed Cllr T G Hughes back following an injury. |
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To receive a report from the Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Transformation updating Members on numbers of staff, staff movement and any areas of concern. Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee had before it and NOTED a report * from the Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Transformation updating Members on numbers of staff, staff movement and any areas of concern. The officer explained that a significant amount of change had been undertaken during the past 12 months and this continued to deliver a more effective and efficient service. It was clear, however, that more needed to be done and changes to the structure of the Council would be ongoing. As a result of service restructures, 16 posts had been removed from the establishment. In addition, 7 employees were dismissed, 5 completed their fixed term contracts, 1 was a non-starter and the remaining 43 were voluntary resignations/retirements. The officer explained the thorough process that had to be completed in order to gain authority to fill a vacancy, which included asking the manager to consider other options such as reduced hours or splitting the role.
Discussion took place regarding:
· Succession planning and the need to ensure that staff had the right skills to move forward in the future;
· 6 apprentices had been taken on and some had been appointed to permanent posts;
· Agency workers and the fact that they could be used to cover annual leave and sickness;
· Discussions that were taking place with Waste and Recycling staff regarding ‘catch up’ Saturdays following Bank Holidays;
· Managers had been trained to help them identify the signs of stress;
· Staff turnover was 12.75% with the national average being 9%;
It was AGREED that a report regarding the establishment be received annually by the Committee.
Members thanked officers for the work that had been done to bring down stress levels from 17% to 10%.
Note: - * Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes. |
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PERFORMANCE AND RISK PDF 117 KB Report to Follow
To provide Members with an update on performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets for 2016-17 as well as providing an update on the key business risks.
Please note: If Members have questions regarding this report please submit them to the clerk in advance of the meeting so that the appropriate officer can be asked to attend or provide a written response. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee had before it and NOTED a report * providing Members with an update on performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets for 2016-17 as well as providing an update on the key business risks.
The Audit Team Leader explained that the Performance Indicators within the report had been amended to reflect the new Corporate Plan.
Discussion took place regarding:
· An officer had been appointed in conjunction with Exeter City Council to look at initiatives to bring empty homes back into use;
· Planning performance and the fact that 37 applications had exceeded 13 weeks;
· Car parking issues at leisure centres and the options available to relieve the problem;
· Structural issues at the Pannier Market with the glass doors and the potential to make changes to the area.
A staircase in a property at St Andrews Street that did not meet current building regulation standards due to conservation requirements was discussed and it was AGREED that further clarification be sought regarding this.
Note: - * Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes. |
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CABINET MEMBER FOR HOUSING PDF 122 KB The Cabinet Member for Housing will update the Committee regarding areas covered by this remit.
Minutes: The Committee had before it and NOTED a briefing paper * from the Cabinet Member for Housing updating it regarding areas covered by his remit.
The Cabinet Member outlined the contents of the report and discussion took place regarding:
· DARS (Deposit and Rents), a loan scheme that provided deposits so that people could rent a property privately;
· The number of repairs that were carried out and procedures that were in place to recharge when appropriate;
· The housing stock was old and therefore expensive to maintain;
· Tenancy Agreements stipulated that properties and gardens must be kept in good order;
· The caretaker service which maintained communal areas;
· The cost of repairs for void properties;
· Rent reductions imposed by Government and the impact on funding available for future repairs and investments;
· The potential future expense of removing asbestos from properties;
· The project at Palmerston Park which had fallen behind schedule and the work that had been undertaken with the contractor in an attempt to resolve issues;
· Waddeton Park and the possibility that the developer would not be progressing the project at this stage;
· The potential to buy ‘off plan’ from developers;
· ‘Pay to Stay’ and the difficulties in operating the scheme.
The Committee commended the Cabinet Member for his report.
Note: - * Briefing paper previously circulated and attached to Minutes. |
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IDENTIFICATION OF ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING Members are asked to note that the following items are already identified in the work programme for the next meeting:
Car Parking – six month update Planning Enforcement update Cabinet Member for Finance
Note: - this item is limited to 10 minutes. There should be no discussion on items raised. Minutes: · Planning Design Guides – how do Mid Devon Planners agree housing design? · Flood Prevention, Land drainage responsibilities · An overview of the expenditure Section 106 monies · Clinical Commissioning Group |