BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY (COMMUNITY SERVICES) COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2011
PRESENT: Mr J A B Long – Chairman
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Mr C W Arthey
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr B D Hurren
Mrs M O Munson |
Mr M Newman
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr B Riley
Mr D L Wood |
Mr A C Bavington and Mr J R A Sayers were unable to be present.
Quick links ...43 Substitutes
44 Declaration of Interests
45 Minutes
46 Petitions
47 Questions from Members
48 Update on Implementing the Flooding Action Plan
49 Budget Scrutiny
50 Recreation Contributions for the provision of Outdoor Recreational Facilities and Open Space secured from Developers under Section 106 Planning Obligations under Local Plan Policy HS32
51 Update on Suffolk County Council's Scrutiny arrangements and the effect on Babergh Representation
52 Work Plan
It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 5, substitutes were in attendance as follows:-
Mr C W Arthey (substituting for Mr A C Bavington)
Mr B Riley (substituting for Mr J R A Sayers)
The following Members declared personal interests in the item referred to in Minute No 49 below (Budget Scrutiny) in the capacity shown, but indicated that they were able to speak and vote on the matter concerned:-
Mr B Riley by virtue of being the Council’s representative on the Hadleigh High School Dual Use Sports Centre Management Committee.
Mrs M O Munson by virtue of serving on the Hadleigh High School Dual Use Sports Centre Management Committee and the Hadleigh Swimming Pool Trust Committee.
Mr C W Arthey by virtue of being a Trustee of Kersey and Lindsey Village Halls.
Mr M Newman by virtue of being a Great Cornard Parish Councillor and serving on the Stevenson Centre management committee.
Mr B D Hurren in his capacity as a Director and Chairman of The Quay Theatre Sudbury.
Mr A F D W Osborne by virtue of being a Sudbury Town Councillor and serving on the Board of Directors of The Quay Theatre Sudbury
Mr D L Wood declared a personal interest in the item referred to in Minute No 51 below by virtue of being a member of the Suffolk County Council Public Protection Scrutiny Committee, but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
Jane Burch, Flood and Coastal Policy Manager at Suffolk County Council, gave a presentation on flood risk in Suffolk, including an overview of the relevant provisions of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and answered questions from Members on various aspects. A copy of the presentation was circulated at the meeting and is attached to these Minutes (Paper K211).
Members noted that the County Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority under the 2010 Act, is currently working towards the production of a Local Flood Risk Strategy by the end of 2012. Further information on the Local Flood Risk Assessment and its implications for Babergh will be the subject of a report to a future meeting of the Committee and Members were asked to encourage the submission of local flooding related data by Parishes and individuals so that this could be fed into the assessment process.
Ms Burch was thanked by the Chairman for her helpful and informative presentation and for responding to questions.
Members had before them the following for scrutiny:-
1. General Fund Budget 2011/12
Savings and other proposals (as set out in Paper K166) and detailed draft Budget (Paper K193), together with a separate report (Paper K195) from the Head of Natural and Built Environment on the Future of Public Conveniences.
Members in scrutinising the above documents had regard to the Equality Impact Assessments in Paper K194, together with Appendix A (circulated at the meeting).
The Director of Finance updated Members on the grant settlement, details of which were received recently. He also made specific reference to a number of other matters including the following:-
- Choose Suffolk – Officers are awaiting further information in relation to the possible impact of a reduction in grant
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Substance Misuse Officer – the Head of Community Development has confirmed that the essential aspects of this area will be delivered by combining roles with other vacant staff posts but still achieving the agreed level of savings overall
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Babergh Matters – Officers continue to look for further savings while retaining the publication as a means of communication
Officers responded to Members’ questions on a variety of matters including
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Audit and inspection fees and future regime
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Trade and Bulky waste
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Change to the Concessionary Bus Fare arrangements
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Effect on BDC costs for dealing with fly tipping if SCC closes bring sites
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Proposals for some form of Community Toilet Scheme
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Impact of cuts to Community Grants
During the course of their discussions, Members asked for representations to be made in relation to the concessionary bus fares scheme and copies of correspondence on Audit Commission Fees to be circulated to the Committee.
2. Council Housing (HRA) Budget 2011/12
Members considered Papers K171, K171A and K199 with amended Appendix A and covering note. Members were aware that Paper K199 had been considered and endorsed by the Housing Panel at its meeting on 28 January.
The Director of Finance highlighted some key aspects of Paper K199 as follows:-
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The average rent increase of 5% recommended by the Strategy Committee, which is reflected in the draft HRA Budget, is less than the 6.5% under the Government’s rent restructuring proposals and is at a level which would ensure no detrimental effect on the HRA
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Strategy Committee at its meeting on 10 February will consider the effect of the reduction in Supporting People funding on residents of sheltered accommodation
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The Budget makes provision for additional capital funding of £200,000 in 2011/12.
During the course of the ensuing discussion, Officers responded to questions on the way in which subsidy, reserves, depreciation and other considerations affected the preparation of the Budget, and undertook to respond outside the meeting to questions of detail raised. They also confirmed that Members would be advised in due course through Committee reports and workshops of the implications for the Council of the housing reforms which are being progressed by the Government.
RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE
(1) That the draft General Fund Budget for 2011/12 as set out in Papers K166 and K193 be approved.
(2) That the Council Housing (HRA) Budget 2011/12 as detailed in Papers K171, K171A and K199 including amended Appendix A be approved, subject to any changes required to Supporting People charges following further consideration by the Strategy Committee.
RESOLVED
That a letter be sent to Suffolk County Council in relation to the detrimental effect of any withdrawal of concessionary bus fares at peak times, especially in those communities which will be particularly affected.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K196) providing an update on the expenditure of Section 106 monies secured under Local Plan Policy HS32, and proposing changes to the eligibility criteria for the use of such monies. Members welcomed the proposed changes, together with the measures referred to in paragraph 6.8 of the report to improve publicity and increase the availability of information on the arrangements for spending recreation contributions.
The officers clarified various aspects of the criteria, procedures and Section 106 legal agreements in response to questions from Members.
RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE
That the proposed additions to the eligibility criteria for the expenditure of Section 106 monies secured under Local Plan Policy HS32 (development sites of up to 1.5ha) as set out below be adopted
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provision of allotments provided they are managed by Town/Parish Councils or vested in an allotment association which exists for community benefit in perpetuity;
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provision of appropriate equipment which will improve or upgrade the leisure usage of parish/town sports and recreation clubs (not necessarily owned by the Parish/Town Council) provided the land on which the equipment is provided is public land or has public access for the benefit of the community in perpetuity;
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car parking subject to it improving access and the quality of recreational provision.
The Director of Corporate Services reported that, following the recent SCC decision to replace its previous scrutiny arrangements with a single Scrutiny Committee, the new arrangements will be reviewed at the May 2011 meeting of the SCC. He will report back in due course on the development of local arrangements for the scrutiny of health related matters.
All former co-opted members of SCC Scrutiny Committees (including Mrs M Munson, who was the Council’s representative on the Health Scrutiny Committee) have been invited to suggest topics for possible inclusion in the new Committee’s work programme, including any which were outstanding from the Health Scrutiny Committee (as set out in Paper K197).
Members were advised that although the appointment of Mrs Munson (substitute – Richard Cave) to the Health Scrutiny Committee has been superseded, former co-optees have been asked to continue their involvement by contributing to the development of the new arrangements and work and may be invited to specific meetings. Attendance will continue to be treated as approved duty under the Members’ Allowances Scheme and any appointments relevant to the new arrangements can be considered following the May 2011 District Council Elections.
RESOLVED
That the position as set out above be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper K198) which provided details of the Committee’s anticipated work for the final meeting of 2010/11 including any items that may be the subject of call-in procedures.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan submitted as Paper K198 be noted.
Note: The meeting adjourned between 11.25 a.m. and 11.40 a.m. for refreshments.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.30 p.m.
Chairman
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