Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor C J Wood.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 19 May 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Board meeting held on 19 May 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 receive a presentation by the Executive Member for Health and Housing on the performance of the services within the Health and Housing portfolio over approximately the last two years and on future plans.

The Board received a presentation by Councillor Mrs K Mandry, Executive Member for Health and Housing, on the areas of responsibility that fall within the Health and Housing Portfolio remit.

The presentation gave an overview of the areas of service within the portfolio, providing details on how the service was performing, any achievements made and the key priorities for the future. These services included:

·         Health Services

·         Tenancy Services

·         Responsive Repairs

·         Housing Options

·         Private Sector Housing

·         New Developments

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Trott addressed the Board on this item and raised the issue of homelessness, and enquired how the Council are looking to handle this in the future. The Head of Housing, Revenue and Benefits addressed the Board and explained the challenges that they face in trying to tackle this issue, with the biggest challenge being that a large number of people who are homeless are choosing to sleep rough and do not want the help of the Council as there is an expectation that by accepting support they will agree to taking help to combat drug/alcohol/mental health issues and they are not ready for this. She also informed the Board that the Homelessness Strategy will be reviewed next year and time will be given to looking into the issue of homelessness and how it can be tackled.

Councillor Mrs Mandry further addressed the Board and offered all new members the opportunity to have a visit to the newly completed Collingwood Court. 

It was AGREED that Councillor Mrs K Mandry, Executive Member for Health and Housing be thanked for her informative presentation.

To receive the minutes if the meetings of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 01 March 2016.

The Board was asked to receive the minutes of the meetings of the Policy Development and Review Panels held since 1 March 2016.

The Chairman of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor A Mandry was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2016.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor L Keeble was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2016.

He informed the Board that at the next meeting of the Panel there will be a Member’s Open Forum, this is an opportunity for any member to ask questions of the Streetscene Officers on any Streetscene related topic. All questions must be submitted to the Committee Officer 5 clear working days prior to the meeting.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

The Chairman of the Public Protection Policy Development and Review Panel, Councillor M J Ford, JP was invited to present the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016.

Councillor Bayford asked for clarification as to where the two Air Quality Monitoring Areas were within the Borough, and was informed by the Director of Planning and Regulation that they were in Hartlands Road and Gosport Road.

Councillor Ford also referred to the same minute item from the previous minutes but in relation to the Panel’s question on how many Hybrid cars there were currently within the Borough. He informed the Board that as of March 2016 there were 17 Hybrid Cars within the Borough.

It was AGREED the minutes be received.

To consider a report by the Director of Finance and Resources which invites members to review the Board’s work programme for 2016/17.

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

Councillor Ms Pankhurst requested that the unallocated report on Universal Credit be added on to the work programme. The Head of Housing Revenue and Benefits informed the Board that a report on this will going to the Health and Housing Panel, but at present does not feel that it needs to come before the Scrutiny Board yet as it is still in the early stages and is only being applied for a very small number of people, it is anticipated that it will be another 5 years until it is fully rolled out across the Borough. It was agreed therefore to leave the item as unallocated until such time that there is more information to report to the Board.

It was AGREED that the work programme for 2016/17 be approved.

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 meeting is 6 June 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.

Councillor Cunningham referred to the report on Local Governance in Hampshire which was presented to the Executive on 6 June 2016. He enquired as to whether all members will be briefed on details of this and the devolution bid.

It was AGREED that the Director of Finance and Resources ensured that the Chief Executives recent “E-bulletin” which outlined outlining the progress on the Devolution Bid and the Local Governance in Hampshire review be circulated to all members.