Meeting documents

Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Wednesday, 15th June, 2016 7.30 pm

Date:
Wednesday, 15th June, 2016
Time:
7.30 pm
Place:
New Council Chamber, Town Hall, Reigate
 

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillors B.A. Stead (Chairman from Item 2 onwards), R.H. Absalom, M. Blacker, R. Coad, J.C.S Essex, J.S. Godden, Z. Grant-Duff, N.D. Harrison, S. Parnall, D.A. Ross-Tomlin, J.M.A. Spiers, J.M. Stephenson and C. Stevens.
Also Present:
Councillor J. White.
Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
1 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED that Councillor B.A. Stead be elected Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2016/17.


(Councillor B.A. Stead took the Chair)
 

2 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED that Councillor S. Parnall be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2016/17.

3 MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2016 be approved as a correct record.

4 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

Committee Members: Councillors J. Clarke and R.S. Mantle.


Other Members: Councillor C.T.H. Whinney
 

5 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor J.C.S. Essex declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 8 ‘Quarterly Performance Report’, as a Director of Furnistore.

6 INTRODUCTION TO SCRUTINY

The Committee received a presentation which set out the role of scrutiny within the Council, and its procedures. The Chairman emphasised the importance of the role of the Committee and of Committee Members, and the value of the additional information provided in the eMembers’ Room.


RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.
 

7 PROVISIONAL REVENUE & CAPITAL OUTTURN 2015/16

The report before the Committee set out the provisional budget outturn, identified and explained key variances, and proposed changes to the levels of the Council’s reserves. It also reported on treasury management activity for 2015/16.


The capital programme had underspent by £7.17m due to payment timetable slippage relating to a number of projects. The revenue budget had underspent by £161,000 (1% of the overall budget).


The Committee had received three advanced questions and responses regarding the provisional outturn. The Committee discussed the outturn report, with further questions and comments made regarding:


• The processes for reviewing and re-profiling of capital projects where necessary.
• Increased provision in the 2016/17 budget for areas of significant and ongoing pressure relating to decreased recyclate prices and an increase in homelessness.
• Pay and performance – the Committee noted that the Pay Policy Statement agreed by Full Council each February sets out the Council’s approach to pay. It was noted that there had been no change to the decision-making processes for performance payments in the 2015/16 year. It was also noted that pay was generally better than the Surrey average in order to retain quality staff despite competition from neighbouring London Boroughs.
• The nature of the Council’s capital investments, which were listed in Treasury Management reports. It was noted that a prudent approach was taken to minimise risk;
• The impact of the EU Referendum on Council business.


The Committee expressed a concern about whether appropriate consultation was planned on the proposed creation of a property company, referenced in the report, and it was agreed that an extraordinary meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee would be held on 28 June 2016 to consider this matter.
It was agreed that a written response would be provided to a question regarding recycling contamination rates.


RESOLVED that:
(i) the report be noted; and
(ii) an extraordinary meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee be arranged to consider the proposed creation of a property company.
 

8 QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (Q4 - JANUARY TO MARCH 2016)

The Committee received a report that detailed the major variances on performance in relation to the Council's Key Service Indicators, Internal Audit reports and Risk Management. It also reported on progress against the Council’s 5 Year Plan 2015-20, and LGA Action Plan.


The detailed performance information had been placed in the eMembers Room and the Committee had received seven advanced questions and responses relating to the performance report.


The Committee discussed the report, with further questions and comments made regarding:


• Planning enforcement – the Committee were pleased to note the progress on a high profile case. It was noted that the Planning Committee would be receiving quarterly reports on Development Management performance in the future;
• The scheduling of reports to the Executive on the Asset Management Plan and Corporate Business Plan;
• Priority health areas and the importance of mental health services for young people. This was suggested as a future topic for external scrutiny;
• Proposals by the Surrey Waste Partnership for changes to waste collection and disposal, the potential impact on Council services and income, and the Council’s response;
• The Council’s approach to homelessness, which was a key topic of consideration for the Executive at present and would form a significant part of Service and Financial Planning for 2017/18. It was noted that a wide range of options was being explored, alongside ongoing discussions with Raven Housing Trust;
• Joint working with agencies such as Surrey County Council, Surrey Police and Raven Housing Trust;
• Resident satisfaction with Reigate & Banstead as a place and with the Council;
• New boundary signage provided recently, and within existing budgets, on key strategic routes into and out of the borough;
• Anti-social behaviour, planned JET initiatives, and the communication of the out of hours expansion of the JET programme to residents.


It was agreed that written responses would be provided to questions about the following:


• An increase in planning enforcement cases in May 2016.
• Contractual issues relating to household waste variances;
• Textiles recycling;
• Future expectations for Key Service Indicators relating to determination of planning applications and sickness absence;
• Resident perceptions of community safety;
• Highways maintenance.


The Committee were pleased to note examples of strong performance in the report and additional information provided.


RESOLVED that:
(i) the performance update and advanced question be noted; and
(ii) no observations be made to the Executive.
 

9 EXECUTIVE

It was reported that there were no items arising from the Executive that might be subject to the ‘call-in’ procedure in accordance with the provisions of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

10 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

None.

The meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.