Agenda and draft minutes

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted the 2012/13 proposed fees for Community Protection Services including those involved in Housing and Environmental Protection Enforcement.  They also included those associated with the Pest Control and Stray Dog Services which had transferred to the management of EDS Streetpride as from 1^st April, 2012.

The proposed charges were as follows:-

Houses in Multiple Occupation

A fee was payable to the Local Authority in respect of licenses for houses in multiple occupation once every 5 years.  Government guidance suggested a minimum fee of £350.  Having studied the guidance and comparative fees in neighbouring councils, it was proposed that the charge be increased with the current rate of inflation i.e. 5%.

Pollution Control

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 provided for the setting of fees and charges at levels that would recover costs of local authorities.

Fees for EPA Part A2 and Part B processes were set in accordance with statutorily prescribed DEFRA guidance and national fees.  In recognition of the economic climate nationally there had been an across the board freeze on the fees and charges.

Over the past year, income generated in Rotherham from such permitted premises had reduced as a consequence of a number of businesses closing.  During 2011/12 the budgetary income target had been revised to reflect the reality of process numbers within the Borough.  For 2012/13 an additional £4,000 had been built into budget requirements which could be achieved provided the current number of processes continued to operate.

Pest Control

The current level of fees had been compared to those set by other local authorities and private sector operators during a value for money exercise.  Whilst Rotherham’s Pest Control fees were in the upper quartile of local authority charges, they remained below those made by private enterprise.

It was proposed that the fees and charges be increased to achieve a 5% increase in income compared to the budgetary income target set for 2010/11.

Stray Dog Fees

Rotherham’s current fees had been compared to those of other local authorities and found to be in the upper quartile.

It was proposed that the fees be increased with the current rate of inflation i.e. 5%.

A full schedule of the proposed 2012/13 fees and charges were set out at Appendix A of the report submitted.

Resolved:-  That the proposed fees and charges for 2012/13 be approved.

Consideration was given to the report presented by the Finance Manager, Neighbourhood and Adult Services, in relation to the budget monitoring during the 2012-13 financial year of the Neighbourhood General Fund.  The report detailed the projected end of year outturn position as at the end of February, 2012.  The latest forecast showed a projected underspend of £370,000 by the end of March, 2012. 

All Service areas, with the exception of Asylum (grant funded) were projecting underspends at year end:-

Housing Access                                 £18,000 underspend

Housing Choices                                £94,000 underspend

Safer Neighbourhoods                       £177,000 underspend 

Business and Regulation                    £52,000 underspend

Neighbourhood Partnerships £23,000 underspend

Neighbourhood Investment                £7,000 underspend

To date there was no spend on either Agency or Consultancy within Neighbourhoods.  Actual expenditure to the end of February, 2012 on non-contractual overtime for Neighbourhood Services was £5,851.

Resolved:- That the report be received and noted.

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.

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 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods Services submitted the Three Year Housing Investment Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15.

The report detailed how the Programme had been compiled and how various individual schemes of work included within the Programme had been drawn up from the APEX System (Stock Condition Survey) identifying newly arising decency work and capital investment requirements across the Borough for all Housing Revenue Account dwellings.

The report also identified commitments from ongoing private sector regeneration schemes and Aids and Adaptations (Private Sector).

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)  That the current pressures around the Private Sector Adaptations and the ongoing work to identify the need for additional resources be noted with a further report submitted identifying the extent of the current shortfall.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – information relating to any consultations or negotiations in connection with any labour relations matter)

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a proposed restructure of the Trading Standards Team including the creation of an additional post to provide better oversight of Bereavement Services.

The Trading Standards was under significant Service pressure and was currently undermanned.  The need to undertake a restructure of Trading Standards was set against the background of the financial challenges faced by the Council

Resolved:-  That the implementation of the proposed structure of the Trading Standards Team, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report submitted, be approved.

(Exempt under Paragraph 4 of the Act – information relating to any consultations or negotiations in connection with any labour relations matter)

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council))

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted proposals to decommission and declare surplus to requirements the above under utilised, unsustainable garages.

The sites had been brought forward ahead of other garage sites proposed for disposal due to the high level of anti-social behaviour issues and other associated problems.

The Elected Members concerned were supportive of the proposals.

Resolved:-  (1)(a)  That the decommissioning of the Winterhill Road, Richmond Park, garage site be approved and existing garage tenants offered priority relocation to an alternative site.

(b)  That the site be declared surplus to requirements subject to proposals for new Council housing not being taken forward.

(2)  That the Hirst Drive, East Herringthorpe, garage site be declared surplus to requirements.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).