Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 as a correct record.(copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2017 were approved as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

There were none.

No Cabinet decisions have been called in.

No Cabinet decisions were called in.

A copy of the latest Forward Plan is attached.

If any members of the Committee have any issues they want to raise in relation to the Cabinet Forward Plan, please inform Terry Collier, Deputy Chief Executive, 24 hours in advance of the meeting with reasons for the request.

The Committee noted the Cabinet Forward Plan.

To note the Cabinet response to the Committee’s recommendation for measures to deal with anti-social behaviour in Staines-upon-Thames town centre on Sundays.

The Committee considered the Cabinet response to the Committee’s recommendation for measures to deal with anti-social behaviour in Staines-upon-Thames on Sundays.

Members requested clarification of the powers the Joint Enforcement Team had devolved to them by the police. Members also voiced an interest in accepting the invitation from the police made at the Committee’s September meeting, to accompany them on patrols in Staines town centre.           

Resolved to note the Cabinet response to the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To note the progress being made on preparations for the Homeless Reduction Act in time for 1 April 2018 implementation.

The Housing Options Manager presented a report on preparations being made in readiness for the implementation of the Homeless Reduction Act on 3 April 2018.

He explained that this was the most significant change in housing legislation since 1977. It places significant additional burdens on all Local Authorities in England and workload is expected to increase by at least 30%.

The Housing Options Manager outlined the key provisions of the Act, and detailed what the Council was doing to meet the new requirements.

The Committee queried the financial implications to the council arising from the new duties and asked that an update on progress be provided at a future meeting identifying these costs.

Resolved to:

1. note the report, and that further essential work continues to be done in preparation for the Homeless Reduction Act; and

2. agree to review progress and the cost impact to the Council at the March 2018 meeting of this Committee.

To note the initiatives being considered to promote awareness of the Council’s procurement approach with local businesses and encourage economic development.

The Committee received a report on actions being taken and options being considered to increase awareness of procurement opportunities with local businesses.

The Group Head for Commissioning and Transformation read out a very positive response from the local chamber of commerce to the initiatives detailed in the report. The respondent congratulated the Council on a procurement strategy which showed commitment to the local business community.

Members of the Committee raised concerns about the loss of office space in Staines-upon-Thames town centre and the slow progress in completing the procurement contracts register.

Resolved to note the report on procurement and small and medium sized businesses.

To receive a presentation from the Chief Finance Officer on the Budget issues for the period 2018/19 to 2019/20.

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Finance Officer outlining the context of the budget for 2018/19 and the Council’s medium term financial strategy. He detailed:

·         Impacts from the Autumn Budget statement

·         Projected Budget gaps for each financial year from 2018 to 2022 and the factors driving those gaps

·         The effect of funding reductions

·         Impact of Surrey County Council financial position

·         2018-19 Business rates pilot 

·         Update on additional commercial income and external risks

·         Commercial asset acquisitions

·         Housing delivery

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor H.R. Williams responded to members’ questions about the Council’s risk management strategy in respect of some of its property acquisitions.

The Committee congratulated the Leader, Cabinet and Chief Executive on the positive results achieved from the Council’s asset acquisition strategy.

The Committee agreed to include an item at a future meeting on reviewing the Council’s approach to risk management with respect to property acquisitions.

Resolved to:

1.    note the presentation on the Budget issues for 2018/19 to 2019/20;

2.    congratulate the Leader, Cabinet and Chief Executive on the positive results achieved from the Council’s asset acquisition strategy and

3.    include an item at a future meeting on reviewing the Council’s approach to risk management with respect to property acquisitions

To note the Capital spend for the period ending September 2017.

The Committee considered a report on capital expenditure covering the period April to September 2017.

Members asked for an update on progress being made on the Laleham Park upgrade.

Resolved to note the current level of capital spend.

To note the Revenue spend for the period ending September 2017.

The Committee considered a report on revenue expenditure covering the period April to September 2017.

Members commended officers on the revised format of the report which made the subject matter easier to understand.

Resolved to note the current level of revenue spend and the improved report format.

To receive a verbal update on the work of the Leader’s Economic Development Engagement Task Group.

The Committee received a written update on the Leader’s Task Group which was circulated at the meeting. As neither the Leader nor the Chairman of the Task Group were able to attend the meeting to respond to questions from the Committee, it agreed to defer consideration of this item to the next meeting.

Resolved to defer consideration of the Leader’s update on the Economic Development Task Group until the next meeting of the Committee.

To appoint members of the Committee to serve on the Task and Finish Group which was set up at the September meeting to further review the effectiveness of the multi-agency response to anti-social behaviour, improving community engagement and increasing footfall in Staines town centre on Sundays.

The Committee agreed to appoint Councillors Barratt, Friday and Saliagopoulos to serve on the Task and Finish Group which was set up at the September meeting to further review the effectiveness of the multi-agency response to anti-social behaviour, improving community engagement and increasing footfall in Staines-upon-Thames town centre on Sundays.

Resolved to appoint Councillors Barratt, Friday and Saliagopoulos to serve on the Staines town centre Task and Finish Group.

To consider the Committee’s work programme for the remainder of the Municipal year.

The Committee considered its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. It noted that two further items raised at this meeting would be included in the future programme: a review of preparations for the implementation of the Homeless Reduction Act and a review of the Council’s risk management strategy as regards its property acquisitions.

Resolved to note the work programme subject to the inclusion of:

1. a review of preparations for the implementation of the Homeless Reduction Act at the March 2018 meeting; and

2. a review of the Council’s risk management strategy as regards its property acquisitions at a future meeting.