Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence or declarations of interest by Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E Harrington.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E Harrington.  

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2018.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Community Select Committee meeting of 27 March 2018 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Community Select Committee (CSC) meeting of 27 March 2018 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To note the Terms of Reference of the Committee approved by Annual Council on 23 May 2018.

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference are noted.

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference are noted.

To consider the Executive Member response to the report and recommendations made by the Committee following the review into Housing Allocations.

The Committee considered the Executive Member response to the report and recommendations made by the Committee following the review into Housing Allocations.

It was RESOLVED:

•           That the Executive Member response to Housing Allocation Review is noted

•           That with regard to the recommendation to provide a narrative on the bidding website to explain the scenarios that are likely to result in multiple unsuccessful bids over a long period of time, it be clarified on the website that one’s position on a bid did not have any bearing on future bids

•           That the issue of pre-tenancy gas checks be revisited in future

The Committee considered the Executive Member response to the report and recommendations made by the Committee following the review into Housing Allocations.

Members were informed that the recommendation to prioritise under occupiers wishing to downsize was now in operation. The Council had started implementing the recently approved local connection criteria. With regard to the bidding process, Members highlighted the need to manage the expectations of applicants. The Empty Homes Manager confirmed that the Choice Based Lettings website had been updated to clarify the process and that new communication material was now available.

It was RESOLVED:

•           That the Executive Member response to Housing Allocation Review is noted

•           That with regard to the recommendation to provide a narrative on the bidding website to explain the scenarios that are likely to result in multiple unsuccessful bids over a long period of time, it be clarified on the website that one’s position on a bid did not have any bearing on future bids

•           That the issue of pre-tenancy gas checks be revisited in future

To note the Work Programme and meeting schedule for the Community Select Committee for 2018-19.

The Committee considered the Work Programme and Meeting Schedule for 2018-19.

It was RESOLVED:

•           That the main review items, one off meetings, statutory and standing items, review revisits and policy development items on the Work Programme 2018-19 are noted

•           That the Meeting Schedule 2018-19 is noted

•           That details of the scope of the review into Resident Engagement will be discussed at the next CSC meeting on 20 June 2018

•           That SBC officers and representatives of Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) and Sports and Leisure Consultancy (SLC) be invited to a committee meeting on 04 July 2018

•           That Members consult residents and other stakeholders in preparation for a revisit on the Damp and Mould Review at a Committee meeting on 02 October 2018

•           That officers prepare a report to assess progress on the implementation of recommendations of the previous review into the Third Sector in Stevenage to be considered at a meeting of the Committee on 12 July 2018

•           That further meetings of the Committee be scheduled to deliver the other agreed Work Programme items for 2018-19

The Committee considered the Work Programme and Meeting Schedule 2018-19.

With regard to the Resident Engagement Review, Members highlighted the need to ensure that all resident groups were representative of the demographics of Stevenage. Whilst it was felt that there had been an improvement in diversity for some groups, Members believed there was further room for improvement. It was indicated that there was a risk of marginalising residents who are active in resident forums and that their time and contributions need to be valued. 

It was pointed out that there should be a focus on improving resident engagement and raising awareness of the various resident groups. Members also suggested ways of improving the resident survey including using a follow-up questionnaire to augment the original survey.

Members were informed that the Leisure Management contract was not due for renewal until 2023. It was indicated that a one-off meeting would focus on the outcomes and action taken in relation to the independent review that was undertaken in 2016/17.

Members indicated that the Community Centres review proposals would be brought to Members via a Policy Development meeting ahead of the matter being presented to the Executive.  

The Chair concluded the meeting by advising Members to consult residents on the review topics and bring practical cases for discussion during reviews.

It was RESOLVED:

•           That the main review items, one off meetings, statutory and standing items, review revisits and policy development items on the Work Programme 2018-19 are noted

•           That the Meeting Schedule 2018-19 is noted

•           That details of the scope of the review into Resident Engagement will be discussed at the next CSC meeting on 20 June 2018

•           That SBC officers and representatives of Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) be invited to a committee meeting on 04 July 2018

•           That Members consult residents and other stakeholders in preparation for a revisit on the Damp and Mould Review at a Committee meeting on 02 October 2018

•           That officers prepare a report to assess progress on the implementation of recommendations of the previous review into the Third Sector in Stevenage to be considered at a meeting of the Committee on 12 July 2018

•           That further meetings of the Committee be scheduled to deliver the other agreed Work Programme items for 2018-19

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

None.

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.

Not required.

Not required.

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

None.

None.