Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest to be made.

There were no questions from members of the public or the press.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of the Self Regulation Select Commission held on 8^th December, 2011 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Arising from Minute No. 33 (Council Tax Reform), information was sought on the Government’s proposed reform of Business Rate Retention Scheme.  Stuart Booth, Director of Finance, reported that a response had been submitted to the consultation that had run from 19^th-29^th December, 2011.  At present any possible any affect was not known but work was to take place on remodelling the potential impact.

Further to Minute No. 35 (Children’s Peer Challenge), the Caroline Webb, Senior Scrutiny Adviser, reported that further information had been sought regarding the feedback given about the role of Scrutiny.  A report was to be given to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board at its meeting on 13^th January, 2012.

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006 – information relates to finance and business affairs).

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 Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (as amended March, 2006 (information relates to finance and business affairs).

Further to Minute No. 48 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member, Safe and Attractive Neighbourhoods, held on 9^th January, 2012, consideration was given to a report presented by Dave Richmond, Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services, setting out the proposed housing rent, new build rents, garage rent, heating charge and communal facilities increases for 2012/13.

The report set out in fine detail the proposed housing rent, new build rents, garage rent, heating charge and communal facilities increases for 2012/13.

It was noted that this report was to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on the 18^th January, 2012.

Resolved:-  (1)That the request for Cabinet to recommend to Council be noted and that:-

(a)  An average rent increase of 9.45% based on the DCLG rent formula which resulted in an average weekly increase of £6.02 when collected over 48 weeks.

(b)  An average rent of £95.57 on new build Council properties.

(c)  Garage Rents be increased by 5.6%, in line with the annual Retail Price Index. 5.6%.

(d)  The standard communal facilities charge be increased by 5.6% in line with the annual Retail Price Index.

(e)  The standard cooking gas charge be increased by 5.6% in line with the annual Retail Price Index.

(f)  The various proposed increases to heating charges set out above.

(2)  That a Review take place on District Heating Charges under the remit of value for money.

(3)  That a report be submitted after 12 months implementation of the revised laundry charges with a view to ascertaining whether they provided value for money for the facilities provided.

Further to Minute No. 32 of the meeting of this Select Commission held on 8^th December, 2011, Stuart Booth, Director of Finance, reported on the latest position regarding the budget for 2012/13.

It was noted that at present no proposals had been considered by the Cabinet.  It was proposed that a special meeting of the Select Commission be held to discuss the proposals.

The Select Commission’s Sub-Group was to meet with Cabinet Members to question them on their area of budget responsibility.

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

(2)  That a special meeting of the Select Commission to be held in February, 2012.

Resolved:-  That the next scheduled meeting take place on Thursday, 26th January, 2012 at 3.30 p.m.