Agenda and minutes

(1)  Following the merger of the Neighbourhoods and Adult Social Services Programme Areas to make up the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate, an invitation had been extended to this Scrutiny Panel to attend the Social Services Visits of Inspection, which take place on a monthly basis on a Monday leaving the Town Hall at 9.30 a.m. and returning at approximately 12.30 p.m.

A timetable of dates would be circulated to Scrutiny Panel Members and anyone wishing to attend should inform Jackie Lacock in Committee Services so they are included on the membership list to receive papers.

The Scrutiny Panel were also informed of a training event being organised, which would take place on Tuesday, 4^th November, 2008 and focus on working with vulnerable adults.  The details of the event would be circulated to this Scrutiny Panel and include co-optees.

(2)  The Chair reported that Councillor Sheila Walker was awaiting an operation and the Panel sent their best wishes.

There were no Declarations of Interest made at the meeting.

There were no members of the public and press present at the meeting.

- presentation by Kirsty Everson, Director of Independent Living

Consideration was given to a report presented by Kirsty Everson, Director of Independent Living, which provided an update requested by this Scrutiny Panel.  Following a report to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods on 28th July, 2008 recommendations were made for the revising the Council’s tenancy agreement. Policy matters relating to the management of the Council’s housing stock required Member involvement and approval under the Scheme of Delegation. 

A workshop had been held and several amendments were suggested, which were reflected in the revised agreement.  The draft Tenancy Agreement was submitted to go forward as part of the statutory consultation with a revised timeline.

An all Member Seminar was also scheduled for Tuesday, 21^st October, 2008, at 9.00 a.m. with relevant officers and representatives from 2010 Rotherham Ltd. being in attendance.

In considering the draft tenancy agreement, Members of the Scrutiny Panel asked various questions relating to:-

·              Section 20 – Garden – Specifically relating to the pruning of trees and expectation on tenants to have responsibility for large trees.  It was, therefore, suggested that the agreement have some words inserted reflecting action could only be taken following consultation with the Council’s Arboriculturist and for this to include species such as Sycamore and Japanese Knotweed.

·              Introductory Tenancies – Whether it was appropriate for visits to be made during the one year trial period to ascertain the suitability of the tenant and to ensure they were adhering to the tenancy agreement.

·              Section 13 – Vehicles – Clarification of Paragraph (c).

·              Section 16 – Dangerous Materials – Specifically relating to the use of bottled gas and the exceptions for BBQs etc.  It was suggested that the wording reflect the exceptions and that clarification be sought from the Neighbourhood Office.

·              Section 21 – Lost Keys – It was suggested that the exceptions to lost keys include the disabled.

·              Section 20 – Garden – Specifically relating to the restrictions on fencing off landscaped schemes for older people.  It was suggested that consideration be given to the Scrutiny Review of Open Spaces.

·              Section 25 – Insurance – It was suggested that the Council’s own insurance cover be promoted in this section.

·              Section 23 – Improvements and Alterations – Clarification of signage following the installation of CCTV.

·              Section 9 – Ending the Tenancy – Consideration needs to be given to the appropriateness of leaving some floor coverings, light fittings etc. when they were obviously of good quality.

·              Section 23 – Improvements and Alterations – Clarification of whether the decorating of your front door requires permission.

The Scrutiny Panel welcomed the revised tenancy agreement and requested that some of their suggestions be taken into account, along with those that may be forthcoming from the seminar on Tuesday.

Resolved:-  That the latest version of the draft tenancy agreement be agreed as part of the three month consultation process and reflect some of the suggestions above.

- update discussion

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services circulated a copy of a briefing note on Fireworks and the Law and drew attention to the project taking place involving partners from South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue called “Operation Fox”, which would deal with problems of anti-social behaviour during the period 21^st October and 7^th November.  It was also the intention to deliver a range of activities for young people in targeted hotspot areas, with the visibility of the Police and partners being increased between the hours of 6.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the briefing note, as circulated, be noted.

(2)  That copies of the briefing note be provided for all Members of the Council.

- report of Mike Clements, Service Accountant (Neighbourhoods)

Consideration was given to a report presented by Mike Clements, Service Accountant, which provided information in respect of the 2007/08 outturn position, current year performance and the 2009/10 budget and a presentation by Michelle Musgrave, Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services.

The presentation drew specific attention to:-

·              2007/08 Outturn.

·              Funding Streams.

·              General Fund.

·              Neighbourhood Services – Key Achievements.

·              Community Services – Key Achievements.

·              Neighbourhood Development – Key Achievements.

·              Moving into 2008/09.

·              Additional Funding above Base Budget.

·              Investments.

·              Investments Not Approved.

·              Efficiencies Identified.

·              Key Objectives – Service Plan.

·              Improving access to and standards of public services.

·              Reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and fear of crime.

·              Increasing affordable housing and making better use of housing assets in neighbourhoods.

·              Risks in 2008/09.

·              Budget Monitoring 2008/09.

·              Potential Issues Impacting on the 2009/10 Budget.

The report set out in detail:-

·              The 2007/08 Outturn Position with the General Fund revenue outturn position for Neighbourhoods for 2007/08 being an overall under spend of £136k. 

·              The Housing Revenue Account Outturn position for Neighbourhoods for 2007/08 was an overall overspend of £2.1 million.

·              Current Performance 2008/09 for each service area.

·              Neighbourhoods Directorate received an additional £243k of approved Investments (formerly known as BIPs), but had £373k of Efficiencies (formerly known as SIPs) also approved.

·              Budget Monitoring 2008/09.

·              Potential Issues Impacting 2009/10 Budget Setting

A discussion and a question/answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and clarified:-

-                 Homelessness Service and the proposal for Rotherham to access funding for the Enhanced Housing Options Trailblazer Programme.

-                 Capital Stream and its links to the Housing Investment Programme.

-                 Budget pressures associated with increased energy charges.

-                 Pressure on the Housing Revenue Account.

-                 Pressure points on the Neighbourhoods Directorate.

-                 Performance Indicators and their contribution to CPA.

-                 Performance of void management, empty property relet times and repair targets.

-                 Reduction and perception of crime being at an unacceptable level.

-                 ALMO inspection and the impact of not reaching 2*.

-                 Proposals for SIPs.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)  That Mike Clements be thanked for his work with the Scrutiny Panel and he be wished every success for the future in his new job with the NHS.

- Conference report by the Chair

The Chairman summarised briefly the Conference she had attended with the Scrutiny Adviser in London last week.  The Conference was interesting and highlighted some useful information regarding voids.

A copy of the information would be circulated to Members shortly.

The Scrutiny Adviser suggested that consideration be given to exploring the views and experiences of customers and tenants by way of a short Scrutiny Review.  

Resolved:-  That Councillors Atkin, Falvey, McNeely and Nightingale and Mr. D. Corkell be nominated to sit on this Scrutiny Review.

-  minutes of the meetings held on 1^st, 15^th and 29^th September, 2008

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods held on 1^st, 15^th and 29^th September, 2008.

Reference was made to Minute No. 64 of the meeting held on 1^st September, 2008. It was requested that the report on Dog control be submitted to this panel once agreed by the Cabinet Member.

Minute No. 75 of the meeting held on 15^th September, 2008 referred to sub-groups discussing Housing Futures.  It was agreed that Membership details of the groups be forwarded to the panel for information.

Further information was to be provided on Minute No. 84(5) by the Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services as to how consultation with Members about the Sheltered  Housing Community Buildings review would be undertaken.

- minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September, 2008

The minutes of the meeting held on 11th September, 2008, were noted.

With regard to Minute No. 37 (Conference – Housing and Health) the report was circulated for information for all those present.

- minutes of the meetings held on 12^th and 26^th September, 2008

The minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 12^th and 26^th September, 2008 were noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 8^th September, 2008

The minutes of the above Advisory Group held on 8th September, 2008, attended by Councillors Wyatt (in the Chair), Currie, Doyle, McNeely and Pickering, be noted.

- minutes of meeting held on 24^th September, 2008

The minutes of the above Working Party held on 24th September, 2008, attended by Councillors Sharman (in the Chair) and Rushforth were noted.