Decision details

The Committee considered a report by the Council’s Scrutiny Officer, which invited the Committee to agree the Scrutiny Work Programme for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year. The report was based on responses from all Members involved in the scrutiny process regarding current scrutiny arrangements and possible scrutiny topics. It was noted that the public had not raised any issues for consideration.

The Committee discussed the potential Scrutiny reviews items for 2019/2020 that were put forward by Members.

Members put forward the following issues as additional potential scrutiny items:

·         Council’s IT services

·         The perceived concern growing problem of “digital exclusion” for the town’s low-income groups, including older people and those with disabilities

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That Scrutiny Members’ feedback on ideas for improving Scrutiny (see section 4 of the Scrutiny Officer’s report) be noted

2.         That the Assistant Director (Housing & Investment) circulates to the Committee:

a)    A copy of the diagram in the Asset management strategy which shows the life cycle of each element

b)    Email address that can be provided for Members and for customers to contact to understand when an element might be replaced

3.         That the issue of homeless people living with family and friends be clarified in the Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy that is due to go to the Executive in July 2019

4.         That the Assistant Director (Housing & Investment) provides the Committee:

a)    A written response on current arrangements for fly-tipping recharges

b)    An update on issues relating to digital exclusion that were highlighted in preparation for the introduction of Universal Credit

5.         That the Assistant Director (Communities and Neighbourhoods) provides updates on the following:

a)    Current guidelines on the use of LCBs

b)    Cultural Strategy &Stevenage Museum

6.         That the Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services) provides an    update on the roll out of the new play areas across the town

7.         The Healthy Hub be a key focus for the 2019/20 annual Public Health session

8.         That having considered ideas put forward by individual Members the following matters be added to the list for consideration, prioritisation and scoping as possible Community Select Committee Scrutiny Work Programme items for 2019/2020

a)    Stevenage Leisure Limited, Fairlands Valley Park and Sports & Leisure across Stevenage (Paragraphs 5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.1.14 and 5.1.16 to the report referred). This would be covered under the heading of “Sports & Leisure in Stevenage”

b)    Neighbourhood Wardens (Paragraphs 5.1.8 and 5.1.15 to the report referred)

9.         That, the following statutory and standing items also be provided for within the Committee’s Scrutiny Work Programme for 2019/2020:

a)    Crime and Disorder Committee (Statutory Committee)

b)    Public Health Meeting (Standing Item)  

10.       That the following Portfolio Holder Advisory Group meetings to carry out policy development work identified so far be noted (Paragraph 7.1 to the report referred): 

a)    Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy (June 2019)

b)    Housing Older Persons Strategy (June 2019)

c)    Housing Service Charge Review (October/November 2019)

d)    Community Centres Review (October 2019)

e)    Rent Policy (December 2019)

f)     Tenancy Strategy

g)    Customer Strategy