Agenda and minutes
With effect from 1 April 2016 Agenda and Minutes will be available in both Welsh and English. Reports are working documents and produced in English only in accordance with Welsh Language Standard 41 of this Council’s Final Compliance Notice from the Welsh Language Commissioner.Venue: Council Chamber, Guildhall
Contact: Craig Stevens Scrutiny Facilitator
Media
No. | Item |
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Apologies for absence Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were
submitted on behalf of Councillors David Maddocks and John Phillips. The Chair welcomed Councillor
Ronnie Prince to his first meeting as a Member of the Scrutiny Committee. |
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Confirmation of Minutes To sign as a correct record
the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 February 2019 Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13
February 2019 be signed as a correct record. |
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To consider the report of the Head of Finance Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Finance submitted
a report (HF/27/19s) to assist Members in agreeing a list of potential scrutiny
topic areas for the next 12 months and possibly longer term. In introducing the report the
Scrutiny Facilitator drew particular attention to paragraphs 4.1 to 4.4, which
highlighted the changes made to the Work Programme arising from the last
meeting and proposed future changes. During the debate the
following proposals were agreed: ·
That the report
and site visit in respect of ‘Council House Voids’ be considered at the meeting
on 10 July 2019. The report to include
information with regard to Housing Lettings. ·
Residents Parking Task and Finish Group to report to the June 2019
meeting. ·
That an
information report on development regarding glyphosate and its usage will be
provided to Members of the Committee this month. AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme as attached to the report (HF/27/19s) be agreed. |
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Environmental Improvements To consider the report of the
Lead Member for Place
- Housing Additional documents:
Minutes: The
Lead Member for Place – Housing submitted a report (HHE/04/19s) allowing
Members to consider the current issues and limitations which impacted on the
delivery of the Environmental Improvement Scheme which was funded by the
Housing Revenue Account and was approved by the Executive Board in March 2017;
the report also provided an update on progress with implementation of the
scheme, following the creation of a new team to manage the delivery. The
Property Investment Lead gave a detailed presentation which provided further
information in relation to: - current issues and limitations which impact
on the delivery of the Environmental improvement schemes - project compliance with the approved scheme;
and - an
update on progress with schemes following the creation of a new team to manage
delivery. During
the debate, the Head of Housing and Economy responded to Members questions
accordingly and the following points were noted, in particular: ·
Environmental
Improvement Schemes is funded through the Housing Revenue Account in agreement
with tenants and funding is approved as part of the HRA Business Plan agreed by
Council. ·
Each
scheme was considered on its own merit and must satisfy the legal use of HRA
funding as well as meeting the approved scheme criteria. ·
Some
concern from Members regarding the level of subjectivity that would need to be
applied when determining schemes against the criteria. Members referred to the importance of
ensuring consistency in terms of the schemes selected for inclusion. Officers confirmed that whilst the scheme
required a level of determination, sufficient checks and balances were in place
and an independent assessment was made by internal Audit. ·
Confirmation
that the external works programme for WHQS sat alongside the Environmental
improvement scheme and this allowed for wide ownership of the scheme going
forward. ·
A
restructure of the Housing Estates Team was currently taking place to allow greater
visibility of staff within communities and to foster improved relationships
between the estate management teams and tenants. ·
There
had been a period of under investment in external works over a number of
decades and consequently major refurbishments were taking place at part of the
WHQS programme. ·
Acknowledgment
that it was more difficulty within rural areas to identify schemes that would
solely benefit tenants given the dispersal of social housing units. ·
Confirmation
that schemes would not be progressed without prior approval from the relevant
ward Member. It was also noted that
funds remained with the relevant ward and there was still time to identify and
progress schemes. ·
Concern
from some Members that step 1 within the procedure for delivery of the
Environmental Programme (Appendix 3 to the report HHE/04/19) was not always
followed. The Head of Housing and
Economy stressed that the procedure was used purely as a guide in terms of a
process to follow for the delivery of projects.
He confirmed that the Estate Manager would continue to consult with
Local Members beyond March and that the programme notes would be revised
accordingly. · The Head of Housing and Economy agreed to send a reminder ... view the full minutes text for item 48. |