Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 June 2013 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2013 were signed by the chairman as a correct record.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of Chief Officer (Environment).

The Chief Officer (Environment) presented a report to provide information relating to ‘empty houses, voids and why properties are in need of repair’ requested by the panel. The Cabinet member with responsibility for housing, and the Cabinet member with responsibility for Environmental Services were also in attendance to answer questions.

Members were reminded that at its meeting on 11 June 2013 the panel had discussed the briefing note ‘Empty Houses, Voids and Why Properties are in Need of Repair’. The panel had subsequently agreed a list of questions that they wished to form the basis of a report. Answers to these questions, provided by the Chief Officer (Environment), were appended to the report. The panel discussed the answers provided in detail, and asked questions accordingly.

The panel queried what the percentage turnover of tenants was in a year, and the Chief Officer (Environment) advised that this information could be provided to the panel.

Members discussed the average re-let times contained within the report. It was advised that these were used as a key performance indicator, but that there were many other factors that needed to be considered in terms of monitoring and managing performance. If the council were to focus solely on improving re-let times it was anticipated that other areas of activity would suffer as a result. It was the view of officers that the action already being taken would produce the desired results, without the need for fundamental intervention.

The panel discussed the figures in detail and it was suggested that for comparative purposes, it would be useful to see corresponding re-let figures from housing associations. It was agreed that this information should be requested and circulated to the panel when available.  

Resolved:

(1)        That information regarding the percentage turnover of tenants be provided to the panel.

(2)        That information regarding average re-let times be requested from appropriate housing associations and circulated to members when available.

Report of the Financial Services Manager.

The Financial Services Manager presented a report to provide members of the panel with the Provisional Revenue and Capital Outturn

Members were advised that a report titled Provisional Revenue, Capital and Treasury Management Outturn 2012/13 had been considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 23 July 2013. This Cabinet report and the minutes of the meeting were attached to the report for members’ consideration.

A member of the panel indicated that he wished to discuss details contained within the exempt appendix. It was agreed unanimously:

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

The press and public were excluded from the meeting at this point when it became necessary to refer to information in the exempt appendix.

The panel discussed the information contained within the exempt appendix and asked questions of officers accordingly.

The press and public were readmitted to the meeting at this point.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Councillor Rollins left the meeting during consideration of the following item

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced a report to present the corporate performance and financial monitoring reports at quarter 1 of the 2013/14 performance monitoring cycle.

The Leader of the Cabinet and the Cabinet member with responsibility for finance were also in attendance to answer questions.

The panel discussed the outcome ‘Our district is safe’ and members asked questions accordingly. The Corporate Planning & Performance Manager advised that information regarding the supplementary measures used to calculate the success measure ‘Increased number of diversionary activities for young people’ could be provided to the panel for information. It was agreed that this information should be requested and circulated to the panel by Democratic Services.

The panel discussed the outcome ‘Income generated from energy, including solar technology and climate change projects’. The Chief Officer (Environment) answered questions regarding the performance of solar panels at Salt Ayre Sports Centre. The panel was reminded that a briefing note regarding this issue had been circulated to members on 28 June 2013, following a request made at the meeting of the panel held on 11 June 2013.

The panel discussed the provision of museums in the district. It was advised that an analysis report of joint work with Lancashire County Council had been produced, and that the data would inform future developments and decision making. It was expected that more information would be provided in the Quarter 2 Corporate Performance and Financial Monitoring report.

The Financial Services Manager presented the Corporate Financial Monitoring Quarter 1 report. It was advised that the report now contained a Property Group Update which provided a general update on key Property Group business issues for the first quarter of the financial year 2013/14.

It was advised that the city council was currently carrying out a joint property review with Lancashire County Council. Members discussed this review in detail and asked questions accordingly. It was anticipated that additional information about the options being investigated would be available for the next quarterly update.

Resolved:

(1)        That the report be noted.

(2)        That the Corporate Planning & Performance Manager be requested to provide information regarding the supplementary measures used to calculate the success measure ‘Increased number of diversionary activities for young people’, and that this be circulated to members by Democratic Services.

Report of Chief Officer (Governance).

The Democratic Support Officer submitted a report to update members on the panel’s work programme. Members were asked to consider whether they would like to include any further items in the work programme.

Resolved:

(1)        That the report be noted and that the work programme be updated accordingly.