Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2017.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 November 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

Report of Director of Operational Delivery

Purpose of report

To consider the new legislation coming into force April 2018, the preparation undertaken for its implementation and the potential risks and challenges in meeting the Council’s duties

Recommendations

The Committee is recommended:

1.1      To consider the work being carried out to prepare the authority to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 in 2018;

1.2      To consider the potential impacts upon service delivery and resource implications in future years; and

1.3      To consider that the Shared Housing Service intend to adopt a collaborative approach to implement the new obligations imposed under the Act

Resolved

(1)       That the work being carried out to prepare the authority to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 in 2018 be noted

(2)       That the potential impacts upon service delivery and resource implications affecting the Council in future years be noted

(3)       That the intention of the Shared Housing Service to adopt a collaborative approach to implement the new obligations imposed under the Act be noted

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Operational Delivery that detailed new legislation coming in to effect from April 2018 regarding Homelessness Reduction.

The Housing Manager and the Housing Team Leader explained that it was not known what the level of change in demand would be as a result of the legislation.

A project plan had been put in place for use across Cherwell District and South Northamptonshire Councils. Government funding had been provided to assist with basic IT requirements, as there would be more information reported to government than was currently. Additional expenditure required was still being looked at.  

With regard to the Homelessness Review, the Housing Manager explained that it was due every 5 years, however the next review would be conducted in 12 months’ time, to compare and contrast the impact of the new legislation. The results from the review would then influence the new strategy.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Housing Manager said that the team had been preparing for the new legislation for 12 months, with the relevant tools in place to handle the changes. The main unknown was the volume of cases that would be generated.

The Committee requested that an update be provided in approximately 12 months’ time.

Resolved

(1)       That the work being carried out to prepare the authority to implement the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 in 2018 be noted

(2)       That the potential impacts upon service delivery and resource implications affecting the Council in future years be noted

(3)       That the intention of the Shared Housing Service to adopt a collaborative approach to implement the new obligations imposed under the Act be noted

Report of Interim Director and Executive Director, Finance and Governance

***Please note that this report will be to follow, as at the time of agenda publication it is being finalised***

Resolved

(1)       That the documentation be noted

The Interim Director, Richard Ellis, presented the report of the Chief Executive which sought consideration of the draft Business Planning and Performance Management documentation that would support the budget for 2018/19.

The Interim Director explained that the existing Business Plan was coming into the final year of its five year period. A ‘light touch’ refresh had been carried out, and as many of the South Northamptonshire (SNC) and Cherwell (CDC) themes and priorities were very similar, a joint plan had been put together. It was anticipated that over the summer, the process would start on a new plan for the next five year period, and a more detailed review would take place.

The Interim Director explained that the business plan for 2018-19 had been designed to fit on one page, rather than the 20 page document produced previously. The intention behind the one page document was to engage more people in the aims and priorities of the Councils.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Interim Director explained that some of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) had been carried over from previous years. A wholescale review of all indicators would take place as part of the review process for the next five years of the plan.

The Executive Director – Finance and Governance gave an overview of the draft budget for 2018-19 and the current position with the Medium Term Revenue Plan.

The Executive Director – Finance and Governance explained that details of the provisional settlement had been received from Government shortly before Christmas. The term of New Homes Bonus had been reduced from 6 years to 4 years as expected.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Executive Director – Finance and Governance explained that a 1% increase in Council Tax would equate to approximately £60-£65,000.

Resolved

(1)       That the documentation be noted

Report of Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To give an update on the Overview and Scrutiny work programme for 2017-2018

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         To review the draft work programme (Appendix 1).

1.2         To identify any items from the Executive Work Programme to form part of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2017/18

1.3         To identify any other possible future topics for scrutiny and consider whether these topics should have scoping documents produced, based on the considerations of risk and what value scrutiny can add through considering the issue.

Resolved

(1)       That the draft work programme be noted

The Committee considered the draft work programme for the remainder of the 2017-18 Municipal Year.

With regard to the mobile phone signal review, the survey monkey questionnaire had now been sent to all parish councils. It would be available for completion until 23 February, and so far 28 responses had been recorded.  

All parish councils had also been asked for suggested topics for consideration by the Committee in the new municipal year. Two suggestions had been received so far, and details of all suggestions would be submitted to the March 2018 meeting of the Committee for further discussion.

Resolved

(1)       That the draft work programme be noted