Agenda and minutes

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2013.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th September were signed by the Chair as a true record.

There were none.

Councillor Capstick declared an interest in Item 7 as a Board member of the WNDC.

Councillor Hadland declared an interest in Item 7 as a Board member of the WNDC.

Cabinet Members to provide an update on their priorities for 2013/2014.

Leader of the Council and Environment

Councillor David Mackintosh addressed the committee and confirmed that he had regular meetings with the Health and Wellbeing Board and the GP consortia where the priorities would be brought forward.  The Hospital and health services agenda was good for the town and relationships had evolved with the Chief Executive of the Hospital. He suggested that Health and Wellbeing is an area that could warrant future Scrutiny input, particularly of the action plan when finalised.

In response to a question, Councillor David Mackintosh confirmed that the definition criteria had changed on jobs in the Enterprise Zone and different sections were reviewed to attract more businesses into Northampton.  Churches Shoes had just created 150 more jobs and Cosgrove had consulted with Northampton College to take on more trainees.  He considered that progress had been made.

Councillor Joy Capstick paid tribute to Councillor Mike Hallam with regard to a maintenance problem in her ward which he resolved and provided prompt feedback.  She highlighted the problems of other homeowners in her ward which were due to the Council not maintaining areas properly.

Councillor David Mackintosh confirmed that Councillor Mike Hallam was aware of the issues and would follow them up.

Housing

Councillor Mary Markham addressed the committee with regard to the stock option review and examined the most appropriate way it could be delivered in council homes.  Five people had been selected to go on the panel and the Employee Focus group reviewed stock conditions and the tenants survey.  The Government draft consultation paper developed the option criteria and had visited other local authorities to adopted best practise and experience they had.  The Employee Focus group and tenants had operated in a fair and transparent way and had made recommendations on factual information.  Both groups had recommended the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO)  for consideration  by  Cabinet and Full Council.

In response to a question from Councillor Phil Larratt she confirmed that street lighting could be reviewed before the suggested timescale of April 2014 although a lot of changes were still happening and they would have to ensure the appropriate time and effort would be invested in it.

There was further discussion on the structure of the team who were reviewing the HIMOs and their roles.

Councillor Mary Markham confirmed that resources had been put into the housing area and a helpline had been set up for residents which was guaranteed to give a response on the same day.  A survey in Semilong and Sunnyside had been completed which had detected more HIMOs than previously thought and 6000 more homes had to be visited.  They were setting their own policies and standards given to all Landlords.  She expected the HIMO policy to be completed by December 2013.

Finance

Councillor Alan Bottwood addressed the committee with regard to the monitoring of shared services.  He considered the transition had gone smoothly and had received positive feedback at NBC and NCC.  The staff which remained were positive about the future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Chair of the Community Safety Partnership to provide a progress report on the levels of performance.

Julie Seddon, Director of Customers and Communities submitted a report and confirmed that the serious acquisitive crime figures could be linked to the recession.  She confirmed that that the CCTV cameras had been decommissioned strategically and there had been no evidence of impact of the ones removed.

Councillor Phil Larratt suggested that the lights had been switched off unnecessarily and an inventory of lights were needed as the residents were suffering.  People did not feel safe and poorer areas were suffering.

In response to a question, Julie Seddon confirmed that domestic abuse had decreased although there were complex issues in under reporting.  Historically there was an increase over the Christmas period.  Good treatment was provided to people with drug issues and work would be carried out with street drinkers and beggars particularly in the town centre area.  There were professionals in place to help people with complex issues although the licensing department had been working with the police to tackle the problem.

Councillor Jamie Lane confirmed that there would be a further update in June.  They could review the figures and if necessary request the Police and Crime Commissioner to the committee.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and a further update be provided to the committee in June 2014.

The Committee to receive a briefing on the transition from WNDC to Northampton Borough Council (NBC).

Councillor Tim Hadland submitted a report and confirmed that the WNDC would be replaced by local control and would provide more accountability.  An agreement would be reached shortly and the council would not suffer financially.  There were 24 people left at WNDC who worked hard to keep the project going and had satisfactory resources.

In response to a question, Councillor Tim Hadland confirmed that the Bus station redevelopment was a medium to long term risk and would create an asset.  How it was financed was a matter for discussion which was on going.

Councillor Jamie Lane confirmed that an update would be brought to the Committee in January.

RESOLVED:  That an update on progress regarding the transition from WNDC to NBC be brought to the committee in January.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive a progress report from the Scrutiny Panels.

In accordance with the Scrutiny Panel Protocol this item is for the Committee’s information with no discussion.

Councillor Jamie Lane confirmed  that the Scrutiny Panel  will receive the Chair’s draft report at its meeting on 25^th November and would present the final report to this  committee in January for approval.  It would then be presented to Cabinet in March 2014.

Councillor Joy Capstick confirmed that at the next meeting on 18^th November there would be representations from senior officers regarding HIMOs and licensing.

Councillor Jamie Lane thanked Councillor Joy Capstick for her work on it.

The Committee to approve the terms of reference of the Reporting and Monitoring Working Group.

Councillor Lane advised that the inaugural meeting of the Working Group had set the Terms of Reference for 2013/2014, a copy of which was presented to the Committee for approval.

Councillor Jamie Lane confirmed that the next meeting was on  6th January 2014 and the suggestions from the Working Group on budget items for Scrutiny input would come to committee on 27^th January 2014 where the public could speak on it.

Councillor Matt Lynch to provide an update on the work of NCC’s  Health, Adult Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee. (Copy to follow).

Councillor Jamie Lane confirmed  that the written report from Councillor Matt Lynch  would be circulated to the Committee for information.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider any potential issues for future pre decision scrutiny.

There were none.

There were none.