Agenda and minutes

The Executive Director, Housing and Environmental Services was pleased to inform the Scrutiny Panel of the following recent announcements:-

“Inspection of Waste Services had received a 2-star rating and promising prospects.

Under the South Yorkshire Pathfinder Scheme funding had been awarded for the next 18 months of £8.5m for renewing the housing market and housing provision on four sites within the town centre area.

If the 2-star rating was achieved, funding would be made available for developing the ALMO.  Local Authorities were informed by the ODPM earlier in the year that they would receive between 80% -100% of their bid.  An announcement has been made that, for the first two years the Council would receive £52.5m – this is equivalent to our full bid for the first two years.  If the Council met their targets in the first two years, we assume therefore we will also receive our full bid which would be an extra £215m between the years of 2005 to 2010/2011.”

Resolved:-  That the announcements be noted with pleasure and that the work of all concerned, including the work undertaken by Members of this Scrutiny Panel, in achieving good results be placed on record. 

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no members of the pubic or press present.  

- presentation by Jeremy Jones, Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary Service

Lewis Coates, Assistant Principal Environmental Health Officer, submitted a report and gave a power point presentation about the Framework Agreement between Local Authorities, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver a risk based approach to Animal Health enforcement.  The Framework Agreement would be linked to and consistent with The Department’s business strategies such as the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy.

Its objectives in developing and testing a Framework Agreement were to:

-           Improve communications between The Departments and Local Authorities by working more in partnership.

-           Introduce a more risk-based and focused approach to enforcement.

-           Achieve greater consistency.

-           Develop best practice.

-           Give clear direction and achieve better planning.

-           Have better informed people.

-           Produce better management information.

-           To raise the profile of animal health and welfare work.

The Framework Agreement aimed to assist in the delivery of improved health and welfare services through facilitating prioritisation of enforcement activities.  With a well-developed framework, successfully piloted and implemented, this would achieve outcomes that included:-

-           Effective disease control.

-           A well educated and compliant farming industry, capable of greater self-   regulation.

-           Sound welfare practices.

-           Identifying and dealing consistently with breaches of legislation and best  practice.

-           Sound evidence to provide assurance to central government and to support the Departments’ Public Service Agreement objectives.  

The background to the consultation with stakeholders on the Framework Agreement was detailed.

Jeremy Jones, Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary Service, was then introduced and he gave a slide presentation which covered the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in 2001 and how the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was accountable in these matters to Parliament and the European Union.  

The Panel noted how Local Authorities were highly involved during the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak as they worked with the Departments to deal with it  demonstrating the value of local and central government working in partnership.

A question and answer session ensued with questions answered by both Lewis Coates and Jeremy Jones which were noted.  A particular question was asked regarding the availability of funding by the Government and it was confirmed that the Government had earmarked funding for the whole of the country of £10m.  Local authorities could have access to this if and when required. 

The Cabinet Member, Housing and Environmental Services, commented on the high quality of staff in this Service and referred particularly to Tony Lowe, Animal Health Inspector, who was due to receive a National Award. 

Resolved:- (1)  That the report be received and the new working partnership be welcomed.

(2)  That the contents of the report be endorsed and  Mr. Lewis Coates and Mr. Jeremy Jones be thanked for their informative and interesting presentations.

(3)  That Tony Lowe, Animal Health Inspector at Rotherham MBC, be congratulated on his impending National Award.  

- report of the Waste Strategy Manager

The Waste Strategy Manager submitted, for information, a copy of a report relating to the implications of the new Landfill Regulations 2004. 

The Strategy Manager reported on the Government’s announcement of the provisional allocation of landfill allowances which would be made to the Council under the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003 through The Landfill (Scheme Year and Maximum Landfill Amount) Regulations 2004 for each year from 2005/06 to 2019/20.   There were interim target years where statutory reductions to 1995 levels had to be achieved.  The scheme would operate from 1^st April, 2005.

Each waste disposal authority had now received details of the provisional allocation of allowances they would receive for the period 2005 to 2020.  The permit allocation reflected a year-on-year reduction in the amount of biodegradable waste the Council would be allowed to landfill to ensure the 2020 target for the United Kingdom was achieved.

An initial analysis of Rotherham’s allocation indicated that, based upon the trends in waste growth in Rotherham and the continued development of the recycling infrastructure, the Council would exceed its permit allocation with effect from the 2007/08 financial year.

For those local authorities that exceeded their allowances a fine of £200 per tonne may be levied.  It was currently projected that Rotherham would face an increase of approximately £2.5M in disposal costs to comply with the Legislation

It was reported that this report had been considered and approved by both the Cabinet Member, Housing and Environmental Services on 20^th September, 2004  (Minute No. 73 refers) and the Cabinet on 20^th October, 2004 (Minute No. B76 refers).  

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Scrutiny Panel notes the following recommendations of the report:-

-  the long term implications for the landfilling of Municipal Waste generated by Rotherham.

-   the diversion of biodegradable waste through the landfill permit scheme is given full consideration as part of the development of a waste strategy for Rotherham.

(2)  That the Waste Strategy be submitted to this Scrutiny Panel.

- report by the Head of Housing Services

The Head of Housing Services submitted, for information, a report setting out the background to the concept of choice based lettings and detailing the issues that would need to be addressed, with particular reference to continuing to meet the housing needs of vulnerable people in a fair and equitable manner.

It was reported that the report had been considered and approved by the Cabinet Member, Housing and Environmental Services, on 30^th July, 2004 (Minute No. 43 refers).

Resolved:-  That the report and its recommendations as follows be noted:- 

-  approval of the proposals for a choice based lettings policy;

-  that officers will carry out further feasibility work on a proposal to develop a Property Shop able to provide other key services;

-   that officers develop further matters relating to the approach to choice-based lettings, and procedures, and return with a final report prior to implementation.

- the Executive Director of Housing and Environmental Services to report the Corporate Management Team’s response to the Review Group’s recommendations

Consideration was given to a joint report by the Executive Director Neighbourhoods and the Executive Director, Economic and Development Services, relating to the Fly Tipping Review.  The twelve recommendations made by the Scrutiny Review Group had been assessed by the Corporate Management Team (CMT) and their comments were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report submitted.  It was explained that on the basis of the information presented by CMT, amendments could be made to the recommendations of the Flytipping Review by the Scrutiny Panel. This report would then be forwarded to Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee for their comments and endorsement, prior to its submission to Cabinet for their decision.

The Scrutiny Panel went through each of the twelve recommendations and officers expanded on the Corporate Management Team’s comments:-

Particular reference was made to the following issues in the report that were not supported by the Corporate Management Team or where they had reservations: -   

13.2    - that a dedicated Environmental Streetpride Team be set up by Rotherham Connect –  this recommendation was not favoured as the Management Team considered that sufficient staff were already employed to deal with environmental issues. If a dedicated team was established this may lead to staffing problems when cover was needed for sickness or holidays.

13.4  -  Enforcement – increase the numbers of prosecutions– CMT’s reservations were noted particularly the strict protocols on enforcement and prosecution.  CMT suggested that low fines that did not act as a deterrent and that the Environment Scrutiny Panel meets with the Rotherham Magistrates’ to make the case for the environment and higher sentencing.

13.5(a)(ii) – Streetpride Banners  - the subject of each banner needing to be relevant to the area in which it was displayed not agreed and therefore recommended for deletion.   It was noted that the numbers of banners would be increased and rotated on a regular basis as part of a new publicity strategy. 

13.6(c) – Reservation by CMT noted on the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and the Crime and Disorder Strategy - need to align to reflect the Council’s commitment to Environmental Crime and the Streetpride concept - this would be carried out if  resources were available. 

13.8 – Community Skips –  Reinstate the provision of Community Skips until the Landfill Site at Thurcroft was opened in September, 2005 – this recommendation was not supported by CMT. It was outlined that the cessation of the community skip service had been previously endorsed by Members of the Environment Scrutiny Panel as a consequence of legislative changes limiting the types of waste that would be accepted at landfill sites.   

13.9 – Bulky Waste Collection Service – Review the cost of this service with a view to providing a free collection service for all users. This recommendation was not supported by CMT as the service had been subject to an annual price review which was approved by Members of Environment Scrutiny Panel.

13.10 – Blue Bag/Box/Green Bin Recycling Scheme – Review the timing of collections was not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

- Finance and Accountancy Manager to report

The Finance and Accountancy Manager submitted the Budget Monitoring Report relating to the Housing Revenue Account and the Housing and Environmental Health General Fund, together with detailed appendices for the period April, 2004 to July, 2004. 

The Housing Revenue Account identified the impact of the Right to Buy on budgets and consequent recalculations of housing subsidy for both the current and last financial years.

The Housing and Environmental Health General Fund report detailed the projected outturn for the first third of the year and the budget position.

Resolved:-  That the reports be accepted and the amendments to the Housing Revenue Account Budget be noted.

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet  Member for Housing and Environmental Services held on 20^th September, 2004 and 11^th October, 2004. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 23^rd September, 2004 were noted.

The Panel noted the minutes of a meeting of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 24^th September, 2004.

The Panel noted the minutes of the Asylum Seekers Working Party held on 29^th September, 2004.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:-

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs, indicated below, of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Authority)

The Finance and Accountancy Manager submitted the Budget Monitoring Reports for Waste Services DSO and Housing Services DSO for the period April, 2004 to July, 2004, together with the trading account for the Refuse Collection and Recycling Services DSO. 

Resolved:-  That the reports be noted and that the Scrutiny Panel be provided with a copy of the trading account for the Housing Services DSO. 

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – report contains expenditure proposed to be incurred by the Authority)

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 8 of the Act – employees of the Council/provision of work or supply of goods/services)

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report on the obligation of the Council and ALMO to demonstrate that its service delivered value for money to service users.  The report addressed the procurement issues facing the Repairs and Maintenance Service and set out the arguments for and against the various options available.

It was reported that the report had been considered and agreed by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Environmental Services on 6^th September, 2004 (Minute No. 70 refers) and the Cabinet on 6^th October, 2004 (Minute No. B71 refers).

Resolved:- (1)  That report and its recommendations as follows be noted:-

 (a)  That Housing Services develop a market analysis and consultation action plan, for gauging the strength of the market and identify issues that can help scope the subsequent competitive process.

(b)  That (a) above be completed by 31^st January, 2005 and a decision be taken regarding an appropriate procurement option by the ALMO for its repairs and maintenance service by 28^th February, 2005.

(2) That a report be brought to this Scrutiny Panel outlining the procurement options prior to a decision being taken.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 1 and 8 of the Act – financial and staffing matters)