Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor P W Whittle.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 19 November 2015.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 19 November 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

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.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources, which gives a preliminary review of the Panel’s work programme for 2015/16 and draft work for 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which reviewed the Board’s work programme for 2015/16 and draft work programme for 2016/17.

The Director of Finance and Resources invited members to put forward suggestions for the 2016/17 work programme. The following suggestions were received:

·         An Update on Hampshire Cultural Trust

·         Youth Service Review

·         Adult Services Review

·         An Update on Community One

·         Project Integra

·         PUSH Review

It was AGREED that the Board:-

(a)  approves the work programme for 2015/16; and

(b)  approves the addition of the items listed above to be added to the 2016/17 work programme.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Finance Strategy, Capital Programme, Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2016/17.

The Board was informed that since the publication of the report, the figures on page 39 that relate to littering and fouling have now changed with the proposed fee for Dropped Litter being £80.00 and the proposed fee for Fouling of Land being £100.00.

The Board recommended that further clarification be provided to explain what the unallocated fees that are shown throughout the report are for. The Director of Finance and Resources confirmed that he would provide more detail on these figures.

It was AGREED that, subject to the further clarification being added to the Executive report to explain the unallocated fees, the Executive notes the Board’s approval of the report.

To receive a presentation by the Executive Member for Public Protection on the performance of services within the Public Protection portfolio over approximately the last two years and on future plans.

The Board received a presentation by Councillor T Cartwright, the Executive Member for Public Protection, on the service areas that fall within the Public Protection remit.

The presentation gave an overview of each service area within Public Protection and an explanation on how the services were performing. These Services included:

·         The Environmental Health Partnership Working between Fareham and Gosport

·         Air Quality

·         Contaminated Land

·         Pollution

·         Dog Control

·         Pest Control

·         Food Safety

·         Out of Hours Service

·         Community Safety Partnership

·         Successful Initiatives

·         Corporate Health and Safety

·         CCTV

·         Parking Enforcement

·         Traffic Management

·         Emergency Planning

·         General Duties of Out of Hours

·         Abandoned Vehicles

·         Fly Tipping

·         Dog Fouling

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Trott addressed the Board on this item. She informed the Board that she had recently attended a Tenants Forum meeting and that an issue had arisen surrounding parking on Housing Land. Several tenants have asked if the Council could introduce a parking permit scheme on Council Housing Estates. The Executive Member for Public Protection explained to the Board that this had been reviewed previously and it was decided that it was not financially viable for the Council to do and many Council tenants would struggle to pay the additional costs that a permit scheme would incur.

It was AGREED that the Executive Member for Public Protection be thanked for his informative presentation.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2016/17.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Finance and Resources on the Housing Revenue Account Budget and Capital Plans 2016/17.

It was AGREED that the Board recommends to the Executive the proposals as set out in Appendix A of the report.

To consider a report by the Head of Environmental Health which reviews the Licensing Policy.

The Board considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on a review of the Licensing Policy.

The Board commented that the policy document was very clear and easy to read and understand.

It was AGREED that the Board recommends the Executive approve the Licencing Policy as set out in Appendix A of the report.

If requested by a member, to consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive, since the last meeting of the Board. The relevant Executive meetings are 7 December 2015 and 11 January 2016.  (This will also include any decisions taken by individual Executive members during the same time period.)

The Chairman invited members to indicate if they wished to consider any other item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Board. There were no other items of Executive Business considered.