Agenda and minutes

(1) The Chairman referred to the absence of Dawn Mitchell, Senior Democratic Services Officer, following an accident at home.

Resolved:- That Dawn be wished a speedy recovery.

(2) Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor Lakin, Hilary Cahill, Jack Carr and Keith Stringer.

(3) Reference was made to an e-mail to All Members from Councillor Stonebridge asking for views on co-option to Scrutiny Panels.

Resolved:- That any comments be submitted to Councillor Stonebridge before 26th March, 2008.

(4) The Chairman invited Members to submit their views on items to be included in the 2008/09 Scrutiny Work Plan.

Resolved:- That any views be submitted to the Scrutiny Officer.

(5) Reference was made to the review being undertaken of the Housing Register.

Resolved:- That Sandra Tolley be asked to provide details of the review document to members of this Panel.

There were no Declarations of Interest made at the meeting.

There were no questions.

Mark Ford, Safer Neighbourhoods Manager, outlined the matters set out in the report circulated.

The report set out the current position with regard to the development of the new 2008-2011 Local Area Agreement. This report referred to an emerging list of indicators taken from the National Outcome and Indicator set that could form the basis of our second Local Area Agreement 2008-2011.

The key risks around the project were ensuring buy in to both the process and the refreshed strategy and plan across the Council and partners, given the tight timescale for delivery. Delays in information being made available from central Government for example in relation to Indicator definitions and the reward could impact on the ability to deliver the plans by the proposed date.

Mark gave a presentation which drew particular attention to those Priority Indicators in the possible “Top 35” that related to Sustainable Communities.

Scrutiny members asked questions including reference to the following :-

• The RESPECT agenda
• Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour
• Alcohol abuse
• Monitoring arrangements
• Possible reward grant

It was noted that the Cabinet would be considering which Performance Indicators to include in the Local Area Agreement shortly.

Resolved:- (1) That the emerging list of potential Indicators that could form the basis of the 2008-2011 Local Area Agreement be noted.

(2) That the matters being considered for the Local Area Agreement 2008-2011 and the further steps being taken to complete the work be noted.

Mike Clements, Service Accountant (Neighbourhoods) presented the submitted report.

The report detailed the income, expenditure and net position for the Neighbourhoods department within the Neighbourhoods & Adult Services Directorate compared to the profiled budgets for the period ending 31^st December. It also included the projected year end outturn position.

This was the position after nine months and following a thorough budget monitoring exercise it was anticipated that the service areas would outturn on budget as a result of the management actions outlined.

Key points were noted in respect of the following Services:

-                      Neighbourhood Services Management

-                      Neighbourhood Standards

-                      Community Safety

-                      Neighbourhoods Management

-                      Community Services

-                      Neighbourhoods Development

The forecasts were based on financial performance to the end of December 2007 and known commitments to 31 March 2008. The forecast outturn was dependent on planned management actions being achieved and thus effective budget monitoring remains essential.

Scrutiny members were provided with information on a range of issues including the following :-

• GreasbroughCemetery development
• Landfill sites
• The Independent Support Service (formerly Warden Service)
• Filling of vacancies

Resolved:- That the report be noted.

Tom Bell, Neighbourhoods Investment Manager, to report.

Referred by the Cabinet Member.

Tom Bell, Neighbourhood Investment Manager outlined the matters set out in the report circulated.

The report stated the current contract with 2010 Rotherham Ltd expired in December 2010 and outlined the steps required to determine the future options for managing and developing the council housing function post 2010.

The report also set out the business planning considerations on the run up to achieving decency and having achieved it, what future opportunities could be explored, set within the context of local and national housing and neighbourhood policies.

Any move away from the 2010 Ltd. ALMO structure from 2010/11 onwards – either back in-house or via stock transfer would required extensive tenant and leaseholder consultation and a ballot of all tenants (under the terms of the new Housing and Regeneration Bill).

Public services funding was presently being squeezed due to a range of global and national factors. It was not unreasonable to expect housing subsidies to be affected by this (although the Government remained committed to delivering 3 million new homes by 2016)

Housing demand and house prices were at their most uncertain in the current climate. Most indicators showed that price growth was plateauing or falling slowly.

Core performance of 2010 Rotherham Ltd. had experienced some fluctuations since its inception and those core areas should be delivered at a consistent and sustainable high quality before any new businesses could be adopted.

Rotherham 2010 Ltd. still needed to achieve a minimum of 2 stars at inspection, before additional funds for decent homes could be released.

Scrutiny members noted the options available and the need to review them.

Reference was made to adding a Scrutiny representative to the Forum reviewing the future arrangements.

Resolved:- (1) That the position be noted.

(2) That the establishment of a Housing Stock/ALMO Futures Group be supported and Councillor Walker be proposed as a member,

(3) That regular reports be submitted on work carried out by the Housing Stock/ALMO Futures Group.

Shaun Mirfield, Area Partnership Manager (Rotherham South) to report.

Referred from Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel.

Shaun Mirfield, Area Partnership Manager, outlined the matters set out in the report circulated.

The report provided an update on the progress to date in delivering against Our Futures 3 (OF3) - Objective No. 10:

Review, develop and implement multi-agency Neighbourhood Charters tailored to meet individual Area Assemblies.

The ‘project’ highlighted that in a small number of service areas there was at present a lack of performance monitoring data. Moreover, across all service areas no performance monitoring data was disaggregated down to an Area Assembly level. The project had been, and was, however, an important opportunity to increase community awareness of service standards, setting out what they could expect from both the Council and partners, and Area Assemblies profile. The Working Group had identified ways of improving Charter development for the future.  

Scrutiny members supported the development of the Charter and the progress being made by the Area Assemblies. Information was provided on the following :-

• The Clean, Green and Safe agenda
• Activity to prevent Anti-Social Behaviour
• The role of the partners
• Links with the public

It was noted that the Governance arrangements for Area Assemblies were to be considered by the Cabinet shortly.

Resolved:- That the progress made be noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 18^th February, 2008

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 18th February, 2008

- minutes of meeting held on 14^th February, 2008

The minutes of the meeting held on 14th February, 2008, were noted.

- minutes of meetings held on 1^st and 15^th February, 2008

The minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 1st and 15th February, 2008, were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 26^th February, 2008

The minutes of a meeting of the Recycling Group held on 26th February, 2008, attended by Councillors R. Russell (in the Chair), Akhtar, J. Hamilton, Falvey and Walker were noted.