Decisions

None.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II decisions of the Executive held on 12 February 2020 be noted subject to Councillor Mitchell’s name being removed from the second paragraph.

The Scrutiny Officer submitted a report requesting the Committee to agree the Work Programme for the Committee for the new Municipal Year.

Following discussion it was agreed that the Council’s response to the Coronavirus would be a future topic to scrutinise.

In relation to the review of the Scrutiny process, it was agreed that this would carry over to the new Municipal year as a number of committee meetings had now been cancelled due to the coronavirus situation. Officers advised that due to the exceptional circumstances the Council was having to work in it might be that committees would have to work differently in the near future.

It was RESOLVED that:

(1)  That the Council’s response to the Coronavirus be a future topic to scrutinise;

(2)  That further details of what should be included in the Committee’s work plan be considered at the next meeting of the Committee in the new Municipal Year.

None.

None.

None.

The Committee considered the decisions on the following matters arising from the Executive meeting held on 11 March 2020:

Minutes of the Executive – 12 February 2020

Noted.

Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny and Select Committees

Noted.

Damp and Condensation Policy

Noted.

Aids and Adaptations Service Policy

Officers advised that other than sometimes experiencing some delay, the relationship between SBC and HCC was good in relation to aids and adaptation cases.

Variations of Tenancy Agreement and Conditions of Tenancy

It was noted that the reference to pets and other animals would be adapted to allow tenants to keep certain types of pets without needing to obtain permission.

In response to a question about smoking, officers advised that within the agreements, tenants were asked to refrain from smoking for two hours prior to a visit from Council officer. This provided the support for officers to rebook visits if necessary.

Community Wealth Building (CWB)

A Member requested that the work undertaken in and by community centres should be linked into the work on CWB.

In relation to procurement rules, Officers clarified that each contract was agreed on an individual basis. Contract Standing Orders do refer to local companies but the rules around the tender assessment must be published in advance of the tender process.

Corporate Performance 2019/20 – Quarter 3

Officers advised that cases of absence due to coronavirus would be recorded separately from the generic sickness figures. Officers advised that the Council was following NJC advice regarding self-isolation which did require a level of trust in employees.

In response to a question regarding the rise in sickness figures since the introduction of the new reporting regime, Officers suggested that this could be as a result of past under reporting and recording.

In response to a question regarding recycling rates for the Town, Officers confirmed that Stevenage was similar to other urban areas but that a range of issues were being looked at as part of the waste strategy which was currently under review.

Officers agreed to look at the overall in way performance data was reported to see if it could be made clearer.

3^rd Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report  - General Fund and Housing Revenue Account 2019/20

Noted.

3^rd Quarter Capital Monitoring Report  - General Fund and Housing Revenue Account 2019/20

Noted.

Urgent Part I Business

Officers advised that a briefing note would be sent to all Members with an update on the current situation in respect of Coronavirus.

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 Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by SI 2006 No. 88.

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

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 and 17 February 2020 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Michelle Gardner, Andy McGuinness, John Mead and Sarah Mead.

There were no declarations of interest.