Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made at the meeting.

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

There were no communications to report.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission, held on 23rd July, 2014, be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman subject to the following amendment:-

Minute No. 13 (Private Rented Housing – Selective Licensing

“Resolved:-  (2)  That the Select Commission agreed that there was a need for action with regard to private sector rented properties in the areas identified by officers.

(3)  That where there was legal advice that the Local Authority had to pursue a voluntary scheme that be the first course of action, however, should that fail the Select Commission would wish to see the Council move to a mandatory scheme as quickly as possible.”

Consideration was given to a report of the above Scrutiny Review, Chaired by Councillor Wallis which set out the findings and recommendations of the above Scrutiny Review.

The 4 main aims of the Review had been:-

·                To analyse the impact of changes to local government finance – particularly business rates

·                To analyse how the Council could create the right conditions for growth in the private sector

·                To influence the development of the growth plan for Rotherham which in turn fed into the City Region growth plan

·                To develop a whole Council approach to increase business rates in Rotherham

The recommendations that emerged from the review findings had been broken down into those that could be implemented quickly and those that were more strategic in nature.  The latter focussed very much on structural responses within the Council and also working in a more multi-disciplinary manner including interaction with partners.

Deborah Fellowes, Policy Manager, gave the following powerpoint presentation:-

Background: The Challenges

-          Changes to local government finance especially business rates

-          Changes to the structure of the local economy

-          Future reductions in ERDF

-          Dependence on a small number of big players (including the Council itself)

Evidence

-          Focus on a whole Council approach by looking

Asset Management

Planning

Transportation

Housing

Economic Development/RIDO

Also Chamber and Private Sector

RMBC: The Key Actor

-          “The one constant”

-          Land supply

-          Networks and partnerships

-          Potential investor

-          Catalyst for generating the right investment

-          Role in skills development

Towards a new Strategy?

-          Council needs to generate income via business rates and Council Tax

-          Creation of jobs for local people – targeting deprived communities

-          Land supply is crucial

-          Where is the next Dearne Valley?

-          Council was key in driving forward the economy

Council’s Role

-          More flexible approach – less bureaucracy

-          Need to invest resources and take risks

-          Area based regeneration approaches with mixed land use proposals

-          Combined growth approach for all departments

-          Multi-functional force approach

-          “wear a big” hat – tell people

The broader context

-          Need to influence City Region to reflect Rotherham’s priorities

-          Need to create business friendly offer

-          Signs of upturn and timing is right for Council to intervene

-          Do nothing no longer an option

-          Further reduction in ERDF in 2015

Impact on local people

-          Transport, education and housing were key

-          Rotherham had poor results with 16-19 year olds – this needed to be tackled monitoring apprenticeships?

-          Adult skills and lifelong learning was lacking direction and leadership

-          Mandate for outlying town centres to be regenerated

Partnership

-          Reduction in resources for all partners

-          Need clear objectives and targets in growth plans – Rotherham and Sheffield City Region

-          Greater clarity about role within Sheffield City Region

-          More collaboration less duplication

-          Joint promotion of Rotherham

-          Dialogue with businesses

The review had made 12 recommendations:-

Early Implementation:

1.    The Economic Development Team within the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Paul Elliott, Business and Commercial Programme Manager, presented the proposed Rent Collection and Arrears Recovery Policy and associated processes which had been refreshed given the challenges faced to maximise income recovery to the Housing Revenue Account in light of the ongoing Welfare Reform agenda. 

The Government’s ongoing Welfare Reform, including the introduction of Under Occupancy Criteria, was having a direct impact on the number of active arrears cases being managed by the Housing Income Team.  The number of tenants affected had remained relatively stable since April, 2013, at approximately 3,300 tenants of which 2,500 were in arrears.  During the first 12 months of the Welfare changes, there had been limited intervention by the Income Team due to the low level of arrears that existed.  However, if unaddressed over time this would become a significant issue for both tenants and the Council’s finances.

The report set out details of the recovery process which started on the 3^rd week of non-clearance when a reminder letter was sent to the tenant.  The letter was only triggered when a balance exceeded £30 to ensure the process was cost effective and equitable.  A second reminder was sent on the 4^th week when arrears exceeded £45.  If the debt remained outstanding and no contact had been made, a visit to the tenant would be made to establish their personal circumstances and arrange to clear the balance by instalments.  If balances remained outstanding after 5 weeks and/or the agreement was breached, consideration would be given to the serving of a Notice of Intention to Seek Possession which was the first step prior to litigation.  Before considering litigation, it was the view that commencing action below £300 was disproportionate to the debt.  In the case of younger tenants, there would be a referral to Rush House and other appropriate agencies.

The proposed changes to the Rent Collection and Arrears Recovery Policy were set out in full in the report submitted.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

-          Brighton and Edinburgh Councils had stated that they would not evict a tenant if the individual’s circumstances were solely due to the Under-Occupancy penalty.  Rotherham’s approach was to be fair and equitable to all its tenants and not single out 1 particular group.  The impetus was to stop the debt and provide the support to prevent arrears.  Arrears needed to be targeted at £250 or below as it was felt at that point tenants could still recover from debt in the short term

-          The average cost of eviction was £8-9,000.  It included the costs of re-letting property, bringing the property up to a re-lettable standard and, generally, the actual debt itself

-          Local intelligence showed that there was an increase in the “working poor”.  There was a large number of tenants in arrears who were working and not in receipt of benefits but were still struggling to pay their rent

-          The Authority waited until the debt was proportionate as entering a case into Court Proceedings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

This item was deferred until the next meeting of the Select Commission.

Martin Beard, Parking Services Manager, submitted the proposed response to the Government’s consultation on various issues regarding parking.

The Government had stated that it wanted to make it easier for local residents and firms to challenge unfair, disproportionate or unreasonable parking policies.  This could include the provision of parking, parking charges and the use of yellow lines. 

The Government was proposing to introduce a requirement that in response to a petition from local residents and/or businesses, local authorities must review their specific parking policy in a specified location and produce a report for consideration and decision by Councillors in an appropriate public Council meeting.  This approach combined direct democracy (the right to petition and call a review) with representative democracy.  The Policy would initially be introduced through statutory guidance and consideration given to legislation.

The proposed response was attached as an appendix to the report submitted.

It was noted that the Authority already had policies in place for dealing with any challenges.

Resolved:-  That the proposed consultation response be noted.