Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 7th February 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 7th February 2022 were approved.

No disclosures were made.

No declarations were made.

No questions were submitted.

No questions were submitted.

There are no items of this nature on the Cabinet agenda for the Commission to consider.

There were no items of this nature on the Cabinet agenda for the Commission to consider.

The following items have been identified for pre-decision scrutiny from the Cabinet agenda for 10th March 2022:

A Cabinet report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services to update members on the Active Together Physical Activity Framework 2022-31, provide background information as to its purpose, objective, and relevance to the work of the Council and to seek Cabinet endorsement of the framework and a commitment to supporting the delivery of its priorities and principles.

A Cabinet report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services to update members on the Active Together Physical Activity Framework 2022-31, provide background information as to its purpose, objective, and relevance to the work of the Council and to seek Cabinet endorsement of the framework and a commitment to supporting the delivery of its priorities and principles. (item 7a on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Lead Member for Community Support and Equalities, the Head of Neighbourhood Services and the Sport and Active Recreation Manager assisted with the consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

1. The framework was intended to overcome the barriers preventing participation in physical activity. There were officers in post at the council that could assist individual sports and recreation clubs with looking at resourcing issues.

2. It was anticipated that the framework would be endorsed by all of the councils in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, along with other agencies. Charnwood Borough Council had been actively involved in the consultation which had shaped the framework.

3. It was acknowledged that the timescale of the framework was significant. The Active Partnership reported to the Active Together Board and would need to demonstrate how the objectives in the plan had been delivered. The ‘milestones to success’ were outlined in the framework document and these the key performance indicators for the framework would be based around these.

4. The annual Sport and Physical Activity commissioning plan for 2022/23 which has to be submitted by the Council’s Sport and Active Recreation Team includes activities that demonstrate how they will contribute to the the Active Together Physical Activity Framework 2022-31.

5. The framework was designed to be inclusive and would support individuals with physical disabilities to overcome the barriers to participating in activities. In addition, the framework would also support the improvement of mental health.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be informed that the Commission supports the recommendations as set out in the report of the Head of Neighbourhood Services.

Reason

The Commission, having carefully considered the report, felt the Cabinet should approve the recommendation set out.

Councillors K Harris and Popley, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in support of the recommendation set out in the report had they been physically present at the meeting and able to do so.

A Cabinet report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing to endorse the work completed to date, approve the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing Policies and Conditions, approve the publication of the Public Notices for the two designated schemes for three months and the implementation of the schemes thereafter.

A Cabinet report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing to endorse the work completed to date, approve the Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing Policies and Conditions, approve the publication of the Public Notices for the two designated schemes for three months and the implementation of the schemes thereafter (item 7b on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 The Lead Member for Private Housing and the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing assisted with the consideration of this item. An error in the ‘Selective Licensing Policy’ was highlighted on page 62 of the agenda, as the maps had been labelled incorrectly. It was clarified that the first map was Hastings Ward and the second map was Lemyngton Ward. This error would be corrected before the publication of the schemes. The following summarises the discussion:

1. It was highlighted that cases of antisocial behaviour would be considered on a case by case basis and that prevention methods were in place to avoid issues. Resolution efforts would be made before action was taken.

2. Data collected from consultation suggested overwhelming support of the schemes from residents and some Landlords.

3. The council would provide Landlords with anti-social behaviour and fire safety templates in order to support their compliance with the schemes when implemented.

4. The communications strategy associated with the implementation of the schemes included liaison efforts using a comprehensive mailing list, public notices, the ‘Staying Connected’ newsletter, Landlords Forums and consultation events.

5. The council had liaised with representatives at Loughborough University and had received endorsement of the schemes.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be informed that the Commission supports the recommendations as set out in the report of the Head of Strategic and Private Sector Housing.

Reason

The Commission, having carefully considered the report, felt the Cabinet should approve the recommendations set out.

Councillors K Harris and Popley, attending virtually, confirmed that they would have voted in support of the recommendations set out in the report had they been physically present at the meeting and able to do so.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Strategic Director: Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure, circulated to members.

THIS IS AN EXEMPT REPORT AND WILL BE CONSIDERED UNDER ITEM 13.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Strategic Director: Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure was circulated to Members and was considered under item 13 on the agenda.

A report of the Cabinet setting out its responses to recommendations of the Committee on pre-decision scrutiny items.

A report of the Cabinet was considered setting out its responses to the recommendations of the Commission on pre-decision scrutiny items (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

RESOLVED that the Cabinet’s responses to the Commission’s recommendations be noted.

Reason

The Commission was satisfied that it added value where appropriate and welcomed the Cabinet’s consideration of the Commission’s views and recommendations as part of its decision making process.

To consider updates on the work of scrutiny panels.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to review the progression of scrutiny panels was submitted (item 9 on the agenda files with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with the consideration of this item. The following summarises the discussion:

1. The appointed Chair of the ‘Promoting Tourism in Charnwood’ Scrutiny Panel was yet to meet with officers regarding the formation of the scoping document. This was due to availability issues.

2. The appointed Chair of the ‘Crime, Youth Crime and ASB’ Scrutiny Panel explained that he had met with officers to discuss the panel. At that meeting it was highlighted that an ASB review was taking place at the council and that it would be beneficial to defer the start of the panel in order to allow the ASB review to be undertaken. It was suggested that the Scrutiny Commission should reconsider the need for a panel in September or October 2022.

3. The appointed Chair of the ‘Digital Transformation’ Scrutiny Panel stated that the group had met and had refined the scope of the panel.

4. The appointed Chair of the ‘Loneliness’ Scrutiny Panel stated that there had been three expressions of interest, making the membership of the panel four members. This panel would start work imminently.

RESOLVED

1. That the Scrutiny Commission reviewed the progression of scrutiny panels.

2. That the ‘Crime, Youth Crime and ASB’ Scrutiny Panel be reconsidered by the Scrutiny Commission in September or October 2022.

Reason

1&2    To ensure timely and effective scrutiny of the matter and subject.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support enabling the Commission to review and agree the scrutiny work programme.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support was considered to agree the Scrutiny A report of the Head of Strategic Support to enable the Commission to review and agree the Scrutiny Work Programme. This includes reviewing the changes made by the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee and adding items to their work programme (item 10 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with the consideration of this item.

It was highlighted that the Digital Transformation Scrutiny Panel had asked that the web development contract procurement be scrutinised by the Scrutiny Commission at the appropriate time.

RESOLVED

1. That the Scrutiny Commission review the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Work Programme and make any amendments the Commission feel necessary.

2. That the Scrutiny Commission agree that the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Work Programme be updated in accordance with the decisions taken during consideration of this item and any further decisions taken during this meeting.

3. That the Scrutiny Commission agree that the annual Community Safety Partnership Review remained on the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee Work Programme, and that any issues identified during the scrutiny of this item be referred to the Scrutiny Commission.

4. That the Scrutiny Commission scrutinises the web development contract procurement at the appropriate time.

Reasons

     1-4  To ensure timely and effective scrutiny of the matter/subject.

      2.  To ensure that the information contained within the Work Programme is up to date.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support setting out the list of forthcoming Executive Key Decisions and the Group’s Work Programme for consideration, in order to identify items for future scrutiny.

A report of the Head of Strategic Support was considered, to enable the Commission to consider its work programme and forthcoming Key Decisions and decisions to be taken in private by the Cabinet in order to schedule items for pre-decision scrutiny (item 11 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The following item was added to the work programme:

·         Shepshed Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Project – 4th April 2022.

RESOLVED

1. That forthcoming Executive Key Decisions or decisions to be taken in private by the Executive, set out in Appendix 2 to the report, and scheduled scrutiny of those matters, be noted.

2. That the Commission’s current work programme be noted.

3. That the Shepshed Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Project be added to the Scrutiny Commission Work Programme for the meeting on 4th April 2022.

Reasons

1&3  To ensure effective and timely scrutiny, either to provide Cabinet with advice prior to it taking a decision or to ensure that the Council and external public service providers and partners were operating effectively for the benefit of the Borough.

2     To ensure effective and timely scrutiny.

It is recommended that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of this item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest of disclosing the information.

RESOLVED that members of the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of this item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest of disclosing the information.

At this point in the meeting the sound recording was switched off.

An exempt Cabinet report of the Strategic Director: Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure, circulated to members.

For information, further meetings of the Scrutiny Commission are scheduled as follows;

4th April 2022

3rd May 2022

An exempt Cabinet report of the Head of Leisure and Culture was considered for pre-decision scrutiny (exempt item 7c on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Leader of the Council and the Strategic Director: Commercial Development, Assets and Leisure assisted with the consideration of this item. A summary of the Commission’s discussion on this matter is provided in the exempt minute (Scrutiny Commission Minute 114E. 2021/22).