Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor James Fraser.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 15 January  and 29 January 2019.

Minutes attached

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees held on 15 January and 29 January 2019 are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Executive taken on 13 February 2019

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2019.

Minutes of the Executive – 23 January 2019

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Final General Fund and Council Tax Setting 2019/20

The Committee noted that the Executive had requested the Leader’s Financial Services Group to give consideration and closely monitor the single person occupancy rate for Council Tax premiums for 2020/21.

Officers referred to an issue that had been raised regarding some recent misinformation provided to residents in connection with the Council’s budget.

In response to a question regarding staff affected by efficiencies, the Chief Executive advised that steps were in place to ensure that compulsory redundancies were the last resort for the Council.

Members were pleased to note that the Council’s digital plan included the issue of accessing committee papers electronically resulting in the reduction in printing costs.

Final Capital Strategy 2018/19 – 2023/24

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Annual Treasury Management Strategy Including Prudential Code Indicators 2019/20

The Assistant Director Finance and Estates referred to a replacement page 206 of the agenda which had been tabled at the meeting and corrected a figure on page 192 of the report.

In relation to the misinformation which had been provided to residents around the Council’s cash reserves, the Assistant Director advised that the £60million referred to in the report had been allocated to various schemes. Members requested that officers ensure this is clearly communicated where possible to ensure the public was fully informed.

Community Engagement Framework

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive on the report.

In response to a question, officers advised that the new Community Engagement Framework was still in development but there would be further work around engagement with Councillors to ensure ward Members were introduced to the Resident Involvement/Neighbourhood Wardens and Community Development Officers working in their areas. Officers advised that the role of the Community Development Service would be to support and encourage residents groups and attend resident meetings in their allocated areas through a practical framework and toolkit approach.

In relation to Diversity and Inclusion, the Community Development Manager agreed to contact Councillor Michelle Gardner when looking to undertake any work around the Council, building diversity in groups and services.

In terms of locality working, Members were concerned with the initial breakdown of areas but was advised that these could change once other Business Units within the Council came on board with locality working.

None.

None.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) 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 described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That, under Section 100(A) 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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

2.         That having considered the reasons for the following items being in Part II, it be determined that maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

To consider the following Part II decisions of the Executive taken on 13 February 2019

Notice of Decisions to follow

PLEASE BRING YOUR AGENDA AND REPORTS FOR THE EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2019

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

None.

None.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

North Hertfordshire College

The Chief Executive updated the Committee on matters regarding North Hertfordshire College.