Meeting documents

Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
Thursday, 30th January, 2014 6.30 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
718 Apologies and substitutions.
 There were no apologies for absence.
719 Declarations of interest.
 The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a) Councillors Holdcroft, Moring and Salter - interest in the pre-Cabinet scrutiny/referred/called-in items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;

(b) Councillor Salter - agenda item relating to Southend-on-Sea Homeless Prevention Strategy - non-pecuniary - private landlord in Borough;

(c) Councillor Borton - agenda item relating to Southend-on-Sea Homeless Prevention Strategy - non-pecuniary - DWP / JobCentre Plus mentioned - work for DWP at the Basildon BDC;

(d) Councillor Woodley - agenda item relating to MPR (Corporate Performance 1.1) - non-pecuniary - Chair Burges Estate Residents Association.
720 Questions from Members of the Public.
 There were no questions from members of the public.
721 Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 28th November, 2013
 Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 28th November, 2013 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.
722 Council Tax Base & Non Domestic Rating Base 2014/15
Business for item 722
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003) and Local Government Finance Act 2012 (Calculation of billing authority's council tax base Section 15):-

(a) That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme approved by Council on 13th December 2012 and confirmed by Council on 12th December 2013, be incorporated into the Council Tax base setting as set out in appendices A and B to the submitted report.

(b) That there are no changes to Council Tax discounts and exemptions with effect from 1 April 2014 to those that were approved by Council on 13th December 2012 and these will be incorporated into the Council Tax Base:-

• Second homes (Classes A and B) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 will be set at 0%
• Long-term empty homes (Class C) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012, a surcharge of 50% will be set allowing a full charge of 150% where they have been unoccupied for more than 2 years
• Properties requiring or undergoing structural alteration or major repairs (Class D) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 be entitled to receive a discount of 25% for up to 12 months
• Vacant and substantially unfurnished properties (Class C) as allowed by Section 11A of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 to be entitled to receive a discount of 100% for up to 3 months
• That a continuous 6 week period of occupancy is required between empty periods before a further discount can be awarded.

2. That it be noted that the amount calculated by Southend-on-Sea Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2014/15 shall be 53,755.87

3. That it be noted that the amount calculated by Southend-on-Sea Council as the Council Tax Base in respect of Leigh-on Sea Town Council for the year 2014/15 shall be 8,326.44

4. That the Head of Finance and Resources, in conjunction with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to approve the NDR1 form for submission to the DCLG, and that the Head of Finance and Resources will include an explanation in a subsequent report to Council as to why it was not practical for Cabinet to use its own delegation."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
723 Draft Housing Revenue Account Budget 2014/15 & Rent Setting
Business for item 723
Resolved:

1. That:

(a) In the current circumstances, the Committee would prefer the lowest level of rent increase of 5.48%; however

(b) As detailed in section 4 of the report, if the proposed conversion period is set at 1 year, the Committee would prefer the higher level of rent increase of 8.97%.

2. That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"2.1 That subject to 1 above, the HRA budget, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be endorsed.

2.2 That the increases in other charges as set out in section 5 of the submitted report, be endorsed.

2.3. That the management fee proposed by South Essex Homes as set out in section 6 of the submitted report, be noted.

2.4. That the appropriations to the Repairs Contract Pensions earmarked reserve and the HRA Capital Investment earmarked reserve, as set out in section 8 of the submitted report, be noted.

2.5. That the proposal to declare the value of the Council's capital allowance for 2014/15 at £31.502m, as determined in accordance with regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) Regulations, be endorsed."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 13th February 2014 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Salter.
724 Draft Capital Programme 2014/15 to 2017/18
Business for item 724
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That the current approved Programme for 2014/15 to 2017/18 of £66.1m, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the changes to the approved Programme, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, be noted.

3. That the proposed new schemes and additions to the Capital Programme for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18 (and later years) totalling £60.7m, of which £52.7m is for the General Fund and £8m for the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report, be noted.

4. That it be noted that the proposed new schemes and additions, as set out in appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report, along with other adjustments as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, will result in a proposed capital programme of £132.4m for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18 (and later years), as set out in appendix 8 to the submitted report.

5. That it be noted that the level of external funding supporting the total programme of £132.4m for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18 (and later years) is £35.4m.

6. That it be noted that a final exercise is being undertaken on the 2013/14 projected outturn, with the results to be included in the report to Cabinet on 13th February 2014."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that the approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 13th February 2014 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
725 Draft Fees & Charges 2014/15
Business for item 725
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"That the proposed fees and charges for each Department as set out in the submitted report and appendices, be endorsed."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 13th February 2014 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
726 Draft General Fund Revenue Budget 2014/15
Business for item 726
Resolved:-

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That the 2014/15 draft revenue budget and any required commencement of consultation, statutory or otherwise, be endorsed.

2. That it be noted that the draft budget has been prepared on the basis of a Council tax freeze and consequent acceptance of the Government's Council Tax freeze grant offer for 2014/15.

3. That it be noted that the 2014/15 draft revenue budget has been prepared using the provisional finance settlement and that the outcome from the final settlement will need to be factored into final budget proposals for the Cabinet and Council.

4. That the 2014/15 draft revenue budget, as approved, be referred to the Scrutiny Committees to inform Cabinet, which will then recommend the Budget and Council Tax to Council.

5. That the Schools budget position and recommendations from the Schools Forum on 15th January 2014, as set out in Appendices 14 and 14(i) to the submitted report, be noted and referred to People Scrutiny Committee before going to Cabinet and Council.

6. That the direction of travel for 2015/16 and beyond, as set out in section 15 of the submitted report, be endorsed."

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on the 13th February 2014 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
727 Corporate Performance Management 2014/15
Business for item 727
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

"1. That the corporate performance measures to be monitored via the Monthly Performance Report for 2014/15, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2. That the corporate priority actions to support the implementation of the Council's 2014/15 Corporate Priorities, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
728 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 7th January, 2014.
 
Airport Business Park
Scrutiny Comment for item 728
Business for item 728
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That subject to the adoption of the Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) as referred to in the submitted report, the land north of Aviation Way identified in the JAAP for development as a business park be actively marketed and brought forward for development as the Airport Business Park, including a MedTech Campus.

2. That a sum of £10 million be put forward for consideration as part of the Capital Programme review profiled over 2015 to 2018 to support the development of the Airport Business Park, particularly to fund any up-front infrastructure, enabling works and renewable energy and to address any existing tenancies.

3. That subject to the final decisions on overall funding of the scheme in the development arrangement, the capital outlay be recovered through the sale of some parts of the land and from on-going revenue generation through ground rents and other income-generating opportunities (including from renewables if achievable).

4. That the progress made in bringing forward the MedTech Campus be noted, particularly the award of European Regional Development Fund money to develop and deliver a £5.24 million package of support to medical technology businesses and supply chains. In addition, the progression of an Assisted Living workstream by the partnership which is investigating assisted living technology, be noted.

5. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Corporate Services, to engage appropriate professional advice and support up to financial close with a development partner.

6. That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to select the preferred development partner following the outcome of the OJEU procurement process.

7. That the possibility of locating a solar farm in the area north of the proposed development be explored."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Moring
This matter had previously been subject to pre-Cabinet scrutiny.
729 Item called in from The Cabinet minutes of Tuesday, 7th January, 2014.
 
Council Debt Position 2013/14 - April to November
Scrutiny Comment for item 729
Business for item 729
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That the current outstanding debt position as of 30th November 2013 and the position of debts written off to date in 2013/14, as set out in Appendices A and B to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the individual write-offs greater than £25,000 as set out in Appendix B to the submitted report, be approved."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor: Moring
730 The Southend-on-Sea Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2014-17 (Draft)
Business for item 730
Resolved:-

1. That the Committees' comments on the draft Strategy are as follows:

• Look into clarifying situation regarding the Mortgage Rescue Grant (page 41);
• The recommendations of the in depth scrutiny project on Welfare Reform should feed into the Strategy;
• Look into clarifying situation re the spare room subsidy and recent DWP announcement (page 23);
• Aim 3 - noted the partnership / multi agency working;
• Would like an annual report back on progress and also views on the focus for the action plan in year 2.

2. That the Homelessness Prevention Strategy and Action Plan be endorsed for final consultation with stakeholders.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Salter
731 Monthly Performance Report (MPR)
Business for item 731
Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive function.
Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.
732 Minutes of the Meeting of Chairmen's Scrutiny Forum held on Monday, 20th January, 2014
 Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting of Chairmen's Scrutiny Forum held on Monday, 20th January, 2014, be received and noted and the recommendations therein endorsed.

Note: This is a Scrutiny Function.
18:30 / 21:10

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor Woodley (Chairman),
Councillor Burdett (Vice Chairman), Councillors Ayling, Brown, Borton, Byford, Collins, Evans, D Garston, Godwin, Gilbert, Habermel, Hadley, Holland, Longley, Robertson and Stafford
In attendance:
Councillor Holdcroft, Moring, Salter (Executive Councillors)
Councillors Terry and Ware-Lane
R Tinlin, J K Williams, S Holland, F Abbott, J Chesterton, J Lansley, I Ambrose, J Ruffle, N Corrigan and T Edwards

Scrutiny Comment

ItemComment
728 Called in by Councillors M L Borton and I D Gilbert.
Final call on 14/01/2014 at 16:48
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That subject to the adoption of the Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) as referred to in the submitted report, the land north of Aviation Way identified in the JAAP for development as a business park be actively marketed and brought forward for development as the Airport Business Park, including a MedTech Campus.

2. That a sum of £10 million be put forward for consideration as part of the Capital Programme review profiled over 2015 to 2018 to support the development of the Airport Business Park, particularly to fund any up-front infrastructure, enabling works and renewable energy and to address any existing tenancies.

3. That subject to the final decisions on overall funding of the scheme in the development arrangement, the capital outlay be recovered through the sale of some parts of the land and from on-going revenue generation through ground rents and other income-generating opportunities (including from renewables if achievable).

4. That the progress made in bringing forward the MedTech Campus be noted, particularly the award of European Regional Development Fund money to develop and deliver a £5.24 million package of support to medical technology businesses and supply chains. In addition, the progression of an Assisted Living workstream by the partnership which is investigating assisted living technology, be noted.

5. That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Corporate Services, to engage appropriate professional advice and support up to financial close with a development partner.

6. That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to select the preferred development partner following the outcome of the OJEU procurement process.

7. That the possibility of locating a solar farm in the area north of the proposed development be explored."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor:- Moring
This matter had previously been subject to pre-Cabinet scrutiny.
729 Called in by Councillors G Longley and P Collins.
Final call on 14/01/2014 at 17:27
Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

"1. That the current outstanding debt position as of 30th November 2013 and the position of debts written off to date in 2013/14, as set out in Appendices A and B to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the individual write-offs greater than £25,000 as set out in Appendix B to the submitted report, be approved."

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Executive Councillor: Moring

Business

ItemBusiness
722The Committee considered Minute 672 of Cabinet held on 21st January 2014, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services concerning the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2014/15 and the submission of the Non Domestic Rates (NDR) Return to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DLGC).

In response to a question, the Head of Finance & Resources said that he would be happy to look into the situation re the Valuation Office and banding changes on exchange of properties.
723The Committee considered Minute 673 of Cabinet held on 21st January 2014, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services and Corporate Director for People setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2014/15, together with the information necessary to set a balanced budget as required by legislation.

The views of the Committee were requested on the level of rent increase - 5.48% up to 8.97%.
724The Committee considered Minute 674 of Cabinet held on 21st January 2014, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Management Team setting out a draft programme of capital projects for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18.
725The Committee considered Minute 675 of Cabinet held on 21st January 2014, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Management Team detailing fees and charges for services included in the budget proposals for 2014/15.
726The Committee considered Minute 676 of Cabinet held on 21st January 2014, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with the report of the Corporate Management Team presenting the draft revenue budget for 2014/15.
727The Committee considered Minute 677 of Cabinet held on 21st January 2014, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with a report of the Chief Executive & Town Clerk, detailing the Council's approach to performance management for 2014/15.
728The Committee considered Minute 640 of Cabinet held on 7th January, 2014, which had been called in to scrutiny, together with a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services. This updated Members on the progress of the Airport Business Park Development (including the MedTech Campus initiative), the procuring of a development partner and identified the need for Council funding for 2015-2018.
729The Committee considered Minute 641 of Cabinet held on 7th January, 2014, which had been called in to scrutiny, together with a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services. This informed Members of the current outstanding debt to the Council as of 30th November 2013 as well as providing information on debts that had been written off or recommended for write off in the current financial year.
730(This is a pre-Cabinet scrutiny item).

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director for People by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny. This outlined the contents of the draft Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2014 - 2017 which reviews the current homelessness situation in Southend-on-Sea and set out the Council and partners approach to tackling the issue.

The Council's Head of Procurement, Commissioning & Housing said that the draft Strategy had been considered by the Health & Wellbeing Board earlier in the day and the comments will be included in the revised Strategy.
731The Committee considered the Monthly Performance Report covering the period to the end of November 2013 and the Exceptions Report which had been circulated on 24th January 2014.

The Corporate Director for Corporate Services gave a verbal update on CP 1.1 (crime) and the Chairman reminded the Committee that Chief Inspector Matt Bennett would be attending a Members briefing session on 25th February 2014.

 

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