Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made at the meeting.

Two Members of Voluntary Action Rotherham came to observe the meeting.

The Chair announced that the Christmas lunch would take place following the next Panel meeting on 9^th December, 2010.

Mark Ford, Safer Neighbourhoods Manager, presented a report on the progress made with regard to the Bereavement Service in Rotherham since the inception of the partnership between Dignity Funerals Ltd. and the Council in August, 2008.

To date, the partnership with Dignity had seen the following improvements in Rotherham:-

-        Improvements to the Chapel including access to the waiting room, facilities for funeral directors and a covered canopy to the Chapel exit

-        A new bereavement services administration centre including  reception, interview room, records and archive section, location of an electronic Book of Remembrance and visitor parking provision

-        A new 120 space car park, with overspill provision for a further 40 vehicles, including improved arrangements for the disabled and other visitors to the Crematorium

-        The development of the Crematorium grounds to provide an extensive landscaped memorial garden offering increased memorial choice to the bereaved

-        A new depot for grounds maintenance staff built to modern standards, including shower and mess facilities and secure provision for plant and machinery

-        Introduction of a 24 hour telephone line that customers could use to request bereavement services 365 days a year

-        Improved security and management of Cemetery grounds to prevent crime, damage to buildings and infrastructure and to address anti-social behaviour

-        Management plan for the maintenance and development of Cemetery roads, pathways and grounds to meet vehicular access needs and the needs of pedestrians visiting the site

-        Under the financial agreement reached with Dignity, £400,692 would be paid to the Council in 2010/11

-        Fees and charges were set in accordance with the projections contained with the previously agreed financial model.  The level of fees reflected the costs incurred by Dignity in delivering the service

The following work was currently ongoing:-

-        Upgrading of the existing cremators to meet the essential requirements of new Environmental Legislation effective from 31^st December, 2012

-        Development of a new IT system that would permit electronic access to archived burial and cremation records

-        Work taking place on securing land to provide future burial space

It was viewed that the partnership with Dignity had delivered real improvements in Bereavement Services and this included provision of funerals for particular faith groups.

Further planned improvements were also explained.

It was confirmed that the financial model for the partnership still ensured a guaranteed income sum for the Council and there was provision for further “super profit” element where income produced in excess of a 20% internal rate of return.

The process for Fees and Charges together with the Council’s challenge and moderation elements were explained.  A benchmark chart of fees and charges from other local authorities was referred to. 

Mark identified continuing Council liability with regard to Cemetery Chapels and explained the current option appraisal, involving Ward Member consultation, being carried out.

The development of the risk and performance management systems was summarised.  These arrangements being the result of an Officer workshop on the 17^th June 2010.  The Business Regulation Manager would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The Director of Independent Living and Housing Choices Manager presented a report and powerpoint presentation on the proposed Local Lettings Policy for the new build Council Housing which the Authority had successfully attained funding for.  There would be a total of 127 properties built - 36 at Wood Street/School Street, Thrybergh, 29 at Albert Road, Kilnhurst, 8 at Newlands Avenue, Maltby and 4 at Stone Park Close, Maltby. 

All the new homes would meet high quality design standards and Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Housing resulting in a quality residential social housing offer.  It was important to ensure that all of the schemes were looked after by the new tenants, compliance with the Tenancy Agreement and that the estate(s) did not suffer from anti-social behaviour.  It was proposed that any prospective tenant must comply with the Local Letting Policy detailed in Appendix 1 of the report submitted.

The proposed local lettings would be closely monitored and reviewed in 6 months following the date of the first lettings.  All of the 127 properties would be advertised in accordance with the normal advertising quotas.  All properties would only be offered to existing Council tenant transfer applicants who had held a Council tenancy in Rotherham for the past 2 years and who had a clear rent account and no housing management issues.  The approach would be:-

-        All properties initially offered to Priority Plus applicants and then 50% to the Priority Group, 30% to the General Plus Group and 20% to the General Group

-        Approximately 10% of the total (13 properties) would be let only to tenants in employment

-        The following types of households would be excluded from applying:-

Housing Association tenants

Private rented tenants

People who were statutory homeless

Home owners

Applicants on the Housing Register living with friends or relatives

Due it being a major change to the current Housing Allocation Policy, wide consultation was taking place and would be completed by 5^th November, 2010.  The outcomes would be fed back to the Cabinet Member on 29^th November, 2010.

So far the consultation had revealed concern with regard to the management of the properties and the need for additional support and management as well as careful allocation of new tenants.

The Panel’s comments were sought on the proposed Policy.

The following comments were made:-

-              Local connection, family support, move for work purposes etc. should be added to the criteria for applicants

-              Could the 10% employment condition be seen as discriminatory against those who had retired?

-              Consideration be given to families with young children who had disabilities so the properties could be built with the necessary adaptations or be adapted more easily due to their newness

-              Important that the new properties should not stand empty and have  tenants from day 1

-              Could 10% of the properties be for key workers only?

-              Would the former Maltby Tarren tenants be given priority for the Maltby properties?

-              How would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

SionedMair Richards circulated information from the Government website on the Comprehensive Spending Review with particular emphasis on Housing.

Discussion ensued on the paper with the following issues raised:-

-        What is the Council’s Forward Plan?

-        What would happen to future Council tenants who would no longer have secure tenancies?

-        Changes to Housing Benefits

-        Review of the Housing Revenue Account

Resolved:-  That the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee as well as this Panel seek reports on the above due to the wide ranging effects on the Council.

Councillor Atkin gave a brief verbal report on the work of the above Review Group.

- 6^th September

- 20^th September

- 4^th October

The Panel noted the decisions made under delegated powers by the Cabinet Member for Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods held on 6^th and 20^th September and 4^th October, 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th September, 2010, were agreed.

The minutes of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee held on 10^th and 24^th September and 8^th October, 2010, were noted.

Arising from Minute No. D66 (Quarter 1 Performance), it was felt that Scrutiny should look at all the Indicators that were to be scrapped to ascertain if there were any which might be kept especially any specific to Rotherham.

It was also felt that a Scrutiny Member from the relevant Panel should be invited to attend performance clinics as part of their development/understanding of performance.

Resolved:-  That the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee be informed of the above.