Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Stafford (substitute Cllr Woodley), Councillor Davies (substitute Cllr Moyies) and Councillor D Garston (substitute Cllr J Garston).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:-

(a)       Councillors Lamb, Holland, Flewitt, Moring and Byford (Executive Councillors) - interest in the referred items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011;

(b)       Councillor Flewitt – agenda item relating to draft HRA – non-pecuniary –  friends and relatives tenants of SEH;

(c)       Councillor D Norman MBE – agenda item relating to draft HRA - attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed by the Standards Committee on 19th February 2015, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011 to participate in the debate and vote;

(d)       Councillor Burzotta - agenda item relating to draft HRA - attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed by the Standards Committee on 19th February 2015, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011 to participate in the debate and vote;

(e)       Councillor Assenheim – agenda item relating to  draft HRA – non-pecuniary – sister lives in sheltered housing accommodation;

(f)        Councillor Assenheim – agenda item relating to Fees and Charges – member of Jewish Community and Jewish cemetary mentioned as part of debate;

(g)       Councillor Holland – agenda items relating to budget – disclosable non-pecuniary – son works for Council;

(h)      Councillor Lamb - agenda item relating to Summary Report – Hospital  non-pecuniary - Partner Governor, representing SAVS at Southend Hospital;

(i)        Councillor Ayling – agenda item relating to in depth scrutiny report update – non-pecuniary – son is a Police Special;

(j)            Councillor Holland - agenda item relating to in depth scrutiny report update – non-pecuniary – son is a Police Sgt.

Two written questions had been received from Mr Webb for the meeting. Mr Webb was not at the meeting so the responses will be circulated to him.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 1^st December, 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 19^th January 2016. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 645 of Cabinet held on 19th January 2017, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees, together with a report of the Chief Executive on the Council’s corporate approach to performance management for 2017/18.

In response to questions about Corporate Priority Action 32 (page 15, Appendix 2) relating to expanding the CCTV functionality at Tickfield, the Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning & Public Protection Services said that he would provide a written response to the Committee providing more detail on the investment / equipment etc.

In response to a question regarding the process for adjusting indicators, actions and targets in the light of quarter 4 information, set out in section 3.3 of the covering report, the Leader confirmed that he would be happy to additionally inform the Group Leaders in the process.

In response to questions regarding homelessness, the Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning & Public Protection Services agreed to circulate details to the Committee outlining the number of people housed and their status with regard to local connection.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1.     That the Corporate Priority Performance Indicators to be monitored via the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) for 2017/18, as set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2.         That the MPR will also include a small basket of indicators (as outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report) relating to areas where the Council does not have lead responsibility or direct control.

3.         That the Corporate Priority Actions, to support implementation of the Council’s 2017/18 Corporate Priorities, as set out at Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.”

Note:- This is an Executive Function
Executive Councillor:- Lamb

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 19^th January 2016. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to this Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 646 of Cabinet held on 19th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with a report of the Chief Executive concerning the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 and the submission of the National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR1) form to the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) by 31 January 2017.

In response to questions, the Director of Finance said that he would check 3% contingency allowance for non collection across the Council Tax bandings for consideration as part of the 2018/19 Council Tax base.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1. Thatin accordancewiththeLocalAuthorities(Calculationof Council TaxBase) Regulations 1992(as amendedbytheLocalAuthorities (Calculationof CouncilTax Base)(Amendment)(England)Regulations 2003)andLocalGovernmentFinanceAct2012(Calculationof billing authority’s council taxbaseSection 15):

(i)   TheLocalCouncilTaxSupport Schemefor 2017/18 approvedby Councilon 15 December 2016,beincorporatedinto theCouncil Taxbasesetting as outlined inAppendicesA and B to the submitted report.

(ii)    Thatthe following changes to CouncilTax discounts and exemptions approvedby Cabinet on 5 January 2016 will remain unchanged from1 April2017 andthese areincorporatedinto theCouncilTaxBase:-

-      Propertiesrequiringor undergoing structural alteration or major repairs(ClassD) as allowed by Section 11Aof the LocalGovernmentFinanceAct2012  ...  view the full minutes text for item 708.

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 19^th January 2016. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to this Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 647 of Cabinet held on 19th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with a joint report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) and Director of Finance and Resources, setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2017/18 together with the information necessary to set a balanced budget as required by legislation.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save the approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 14^th February 2017 is a Council Function. Executive Councillor:- Lamb

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 19^th January 2016. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 648 of Cabinet held on 19th January 2017, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees together with a report of the Corporate Management Team setting out the draft programme of capital projects for the period 2017/18 to 2020/21.

The Director of Digital Futures agreed to respond to questions from Cllr Gilbert about new scheme CE8 (ICT – Enterprise Agreement), detailed in Appendix 7 (page 5/28), about the proposed agreement and if there are some alternative solutions available with regard to licences.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

Note:- This is an Executive Function save that approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 14th February 2017 is a Council Function.
Executive Councillor:- Lamb

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 19^th January 2016. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 649 of Cabinet held on 19th January 2017, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees, together with a report of the Corporate Management Team detailing the fees and charges for services in 2017/18 included in the budget proposals for 2017/18.

In response to some questions, the Executive Councillor for Corporate & Community Support Services agreed to forward a written response to the Committee about the burial costs to the Jewish community.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save the approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 14^th February 2017 is a Council Function.

Executive Councillor:- Lamb

The report has been circulated with the Cabinet Agenda for its meeting on 19^th January 2016. The relevant Minute and report will be referred direct to all Scrutiny Committees for consideration.

The Committee considered Minute 650 of Cabinet held on 19th January 2017, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to all three Scrutiny Committees, together with a report of the Corporate Management Team presenting the draft revenue budget for 2017/18.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

Note:- This is an Executive Function, save the approval of the final budget following Cabinet on 14^th February 2017 is a Council Function.

Executive Councillor:- Lamb

Minute 593 (Cabinet Book 1 – Agenda Item 4 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 593 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet. This concerned the Notice of Motion considered by Council on 15^th December 2016, in relation to the possible compulsory purchase of properties in York Road as a means of addressing anti-social activities in the area. The Motion had been proposed by Councillor Assenheim and seconded by Councillor Terry and was referred to Cabinet in accordance with standing order 8.4.

The Director of Legal & Democratic Services confirmed that while the Council has Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 to facilitate the carrying out of development, redevelopment or improvement, the Council has no specific CPO powers to tackle criminal or anti-social behaviour and CPO powers must be exercised for their intended Legislative purpose.

Resolved:-

1.         That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1.1   That it be noted that compulsory purchase order action is not an appropriate procedure to address the problems in York Road.

1.2      That it also be noted that any criminal and anti-social issues in York road should be addressed under the criminal law and the remedies available under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

1.3      That the situation in relation to York Road be kept under review.”

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor :- Flewitt

Minute 594 (Cabinet Book 1 – Agenda Item 5 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 594 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet. This concerned the Notice of Motion considered by Council on 15^th December 2016, proposing that “the Council calls upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age (SPA) with lack of appropriate notification.” The Motion had been proposed by Councillor Ware-Lane and seconded by Councillor McDonaldwas referred to Cabinet in accordance with standing order 8.4.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

“That the Motion be adopted.”

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor :- Moring

Members are reminded to bring with them the most recent MPR for period ending November 2016 which was circulated recently.  Comments / questions should be made at the appropriate Scrutiny Committee relevant to the subject matter.

The Committee considered Minute 596 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017 together with the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) covering the period to end November 2016, which had been circulated recently.

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.

Minute 597 (Cabinet Book 1 – Agenda Item 8 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 597 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with a report of the Chief Executive informing Members of the current outstanding debt to the Council as at 30^th November 2016 and debts that had been, or are recommended for write-off.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:-

“1. That the current outstanding debt position as at 30th November 2016 and the position of debts written off to 30th November 2016, as set out in Appendices A and B to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the write-offs as set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.”

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillor:- Moring

Minute 604 (Cabinet Book 1 – Agenda Item 15 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 604 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, concerning the recommendations of the Performance Related Pay Panel held on 13^th December 2016 on senior managers pay.

Resolved:-

That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:

“1.     That Senior Manager pay ranges move to a ‘spot’ salary as detailed in Appendix 1 to the submitted report to the Pay Panel.

2.         That the principles of the Council’s PRP Scheme be maintained and that the scheme be amended in line with 1 above. The revised scheme will continue to ensure that the performance of Senior Managers against agreed objectives will be monitored and assessed through an annual appraisal cycle.

3.         That the changes be incorporated in the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 and are therefore effective from 1^st April 2017.”

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillor:- Lamb

Minute 605 (Cabinet Book 1 – Agenda Item 16 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 605 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017, which had been referred direct to scrutiny by Cabinet.

Resolved:

That the submitted report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item

(i)            Essex Fire Authority

(ii)          Southend University Hospital

(iii)         Essex Police & Crime Panel

(iv)         Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority

Further to Minute 370 of the meeting held on 13th October 2016, the Committee considered the following reports:-

(a)  Essex Fire Authority – Report from Councillor Woodley and Report from EFA to Constituent Authorities presented by Councillor Holland;

(b)  Southend University Hospital – Report from Councillor Davidson;

(c)  Essex Police & Crime Panel – Report from Councillor Flewitt; and

(d)  Kent & Essex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority – Report from Councillor Lamb.

Resolved:

That the Summary Reports be noted.

The Committee received an oral update on the progress that had been made in respect of the agreed joint in-depth scrutiny project for 2016/17 entitled 'To investigate the case for additional enforcement resources for Southend'.

Resolved:-

That the progress be noted.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function.

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below, on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Minute 608 (Report circulated separately – Agenda Item 19 refers)

Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 608 of Cabinet held on 10^th January 2017, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) on the above.

Resolved:-

That the following decision of Cabinet be noted:-

Note:- This is a Council Function

Executive Councillor:- Lamb