Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors Mrs C L A Hockley and S D Martin.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 29 July 2017.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 29 June 2017, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman confirmed that this special Scrutiny Board had been convened to consider the Executive’s decision made on 10 July 2017 to approve:

(a)  the introduction of charging for rodent treatments, except for those on the lowest incomes;

(b)  the introduction of a £30 fee to survey and quote for flea and bed bug treatments; and

(c)  delegation to the Head of Environmental Health to waive any charges in appropriate cases.

The Chairman informed the Board that the decision has not yet been implemented because it has been called-in by 3 non-Executive members, as per the Council’s Constitutional arrangements.

The Chairman explained how the meeting would proceed. She confirmed that Councillors Price and Mrs Trott would be called upon to present the reasons they had given for the call-in. The Executive Member for Health and Public Protection would then be invited to explain how the recommendations on the pest Control service were reached. This would then be followed by any specific questions to officers.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

A report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The Board considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the reasons given for the call-in of the Executive Decision regarding the Pest Control Services. A number of appendices were attached to the report to further assist the Scrutiny Board in its review of the decision. Appendix A provided a copy of the call-in notice which cited the grounds for the call-in as being contrary to the Council’s budget. Paragraphs 10-17 of the report provides comments on this from the Director of Finance and Resources (Section 151 Officer).

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillors R H Price, JP, and Mrs K K Trott as representatives of the call-in, were invited to present the reasons they had given for the call-in.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, Councillor T M Cartwright, joined the meeting and was called upon to advise the Scrutiny Board of the process undertaken before making its recommendation to the Executive. The Executive Member then answered questions put to him. In accordance with the Code of Conduct for Members, Councillor Cartwright left the room and was not present for the remainder of the meeting.

The Head of Environmental Health answered questions put to him by Members of the Scrutiny Board.

The Chairman confirmed that having considered all the reasons given for the call-in, the Scrutiny Board now had to consider its options as set out in the report, that being either:

(a)  to accept the decision made by the Executive, in which case the decision can be implemented; or

(b)  to request that the Executive reconsiders the decision, giving reasons for such a request.

A motion was proposed and seconded to accept the decision made by the Executive and to allow the decision to be implemented which when being put to the vote was declared CARRIED.

(7 members voting in favour; 1 against).

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board accept the decision made by the Executive and to allow the decision to be implemented to:

(a)  introduce charging for rodent treatments but keep it free of charge for those on the lowest incomes;

(b)  introduce a £30 fee to survey and quote for flea and bed bug treatments; and

(c)  give delegated authority to the Head of Environmental Health to waive any charges in appropriate cases.