Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence and no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2023.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2023 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

At this juncture, Councillor Parker commented that at the previous meeting he had a cold and was unwell, which may have made comments he made rather loud when speaking on item 4 – presentation on 2021 Census data for Stevenage, and also stated that the comments he made in respect of the presentation were directed towards senior officers rather than the report authors.

To consider the following Part I Decisions of the Executive taken on 13 December 2023.

2.          Minutes – 15 November 2023

3.          Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

4.          Corporate Performance – Quarter 2 2023/24

5.          Council Tax Base 2024/25

6.          Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting and Rent Report 2024/25

7.          Urgent Part I Business

Notice of Decisions to follow

2.         Minutes – 15 November 2023

            Noted.

3.         Minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

            Noted.

4.         Corporate Performance – Quarter 2 2023/24

            Members were advised that the Executive had received a presentation on the Council’s performance across key priorities and projects for Quarter 2.

            Officers gave the following answers/comments to a number of questions raised by members:

·         In relation to voids, these properties were the subject of both an independent review as well as a review by the Community Select Scrutiny Committee.  Officers were aware that improvements were still needed to the service and close monitoring was underway to ensure the voids backlog would be cleared.  Certain specialist work was contracted but the Council’s aspiration was for a fully internal workforce by 2025;

·         Tenancy Satisfaction Measures had been introduced in response to the Social Housing Regulator requirements.  The measures were to understand tenants’ satisfaction with the provision of Council services in relation to tenant engagement, home maintenance, ASB, complaint handling and communal spaces.  An independent research company had been commissioned to undertake the survey and reports would be presented to Executive and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Q1 2024/25;

·         In relation to rent arrears mitigation, Officers advised that the Council had put additional resources into the Team to carry out targeted support for tenants in difficulty as it was recognised that households were under immense pressure as a result of the cost of living crisis.  Work was also underway with Citizens Advice for debt and welfare advice for residents;

·         Officers agreed that the target of 100% EPC C rating by 2030 for every social housing provider was a challenge.  Further bidding for Government grants would have to take place for additional investment.  The Private Rented Sector would be monitored through the Planning and Environmental Health services;

·         In relation to waste, Officers agreed that the reduction in waste was the primary issue before recognising recycling percentages;

·         The numbers referred to in the report relating to Everyone Active visits would be reviewed to ensure it was clear that the numbers referred to visits and not the number of users which could be misleading;

·         The number of Stage one complaints made by tenants was a cumulative measure and had reduced from the first quarter.  Officers advised that complaints were welcome as they were used to drive forward improvements to that service.  Fortnightly complaints clinics were now being held to ensure the Council was responding effectively to these complaints.  Substantial new guidance was also now in place following national issues such as the Grenfell Fire and the tragic death of a child following damp and mould issues;

·         Following the suspension by the Government of benchmarking data, Officers advised that there were a number of mechanisms  used including a wide role for the office for Local Government (Oflog), the new performance body for local government.

5.         Council Tax Base 2024/25

Officers advised that the Council Tax Base had been calculated based on the number of properties as at October  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider any urgent Part I Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

None.

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

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.

To consider the following motions:

1.       That under Section 100A 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 Paragraphs 1 – 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.

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2023.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2023 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider the following Part II Decisions of the Executive taken on 13 December 2023.

9.          Part II Minutes – Executive – 15 November 2023

10.       Housing Benefit Overpayment and Sundry Debt Write Offs Greater than £10,000

11.       Urgent Part II Business

Notice of Decisions to follow

9.         Part II Minutes – Executive – 15 November 2023

            Noted.

10.       Housing Benefit Overpayment and Sundry Debt Write Offs Greater than £10,000

            Noted.

To consider any urgent Part II Decisions authorised by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

None.

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

None.