Meeting documents

CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Meeting of the SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

held on 30 July 2002

IN ATTENDANCE: Councillors Mrs M A Hamilton and D W Phillips.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors Ms J E Bramwell, Sir John Horsbrugh-Porter, M A Peters, C H Spruytenburg and G E Sussum.

NOT PRESENT (WITHOUT APOLOGIES): Councillor Mrs J Ottaway

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 July 2002, copies of which had been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillor R T Young declared a personal interest as the appointed representative of Chiltern District Council for the Chiltern Leisure Trust.

17.     SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 21 November 2001, were submitted and considered.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 21 November 2001 be approved and accepted.

18.     SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 25 July 2002, were submitted and considered.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 25 July 2002 be approved and accepted.

     Note: Councillor P T Lole entered the meeting at 6.37p.m.

The Council’s Housing Strategy Statement provided the framework for the housing-related activities undertaken within Chiltern District by the Council and its partners. The Strategy summarised national and regional housing policies and local housing needs and issues. This information had been the basis for setting down the strategic housing priorities for the district and producing a clear action plan for activities for the next few years.

The Council’s current Housing Strategy Statement covered the period 1998-2002 and, consequently, needed to be reviewed and revised. The Officers had prepared a new draft strategy statement that reflected the “Fit For Purpose” criteria set down by the DTLR. This strategy was directly linked to the Council’s Aims and Objectives and the Chiltern District Community Plan and covered the period from 2002-2005.

As the Housing Strategy Statement would change the existing Policy and Budgetary Framework it had been referred to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration (Executive Minute No. 62 of 16 July 2002 refers). A provisional response would be sent to the Government Office for the South East by 31 July 2002, subject to the comments made by Members and final approval by full Council.

A revised draft of the Housing Strategy Statement incorporating the comments made by the Housing and Planning Policy Advisory Group on 10 July 2002 and the Executive on 16 July 2002 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Members discussed various aspects of the right to buy and the issue of the lack of affordable housing in the area. Constraints existed due to the shortage of suitable land to build on and the subsequent high price of properties. Affordable housing had been one of the main issues raised during the public consultation process for the Community Plan. Members agreed that they would like to have a clearer definition of  ‘affordable housing’.

Councillor Rose advised that the issue of land shortage for building purposes would be addressed next year with the review of the Local Plan.

Members concluded that it was a realistic strategy despite some of the factors considered in the Strategy being outside the control of the Council.  

     RESOLVED –

That the recommendations contained in Minute No. 62 of the Executive meeting of 16 July 2002. be approved.

Note:      Councillor A Walters left the meeting at 7.20p.m.

Councillor N Rose left the meeting at 7.45p.m.

20.     DRAFT ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Committee was asked to consider the Asset Management Plan as part of the Policy Framework. The purpose of the Asset Management Plan was to ensure that the Council was managing its assets efficiently and, in conjunction with the Capital Strategy, enabled the Council to obtain Basic Credit Approvals, although these were of little use to the Council as it was debt free.

The Government Office for the South East (GOSE) considered the 2001/2002 Asset Management Plan needed to identify a Corporate Property Officer, expand on the corporate involvement and clarify the terms of reference. These issues had been addressed and a copy of the draft plan was attached to the report. Should the Asset Management Plan be assessed as having “achieved a good standard” the need to make an annual submission of the Plan would cease but Performance Indicators would still be required.  

Members were informed that Management Team reviewed assets held by the Council twice a year. Members were updated on the assets that were being considered for sale by the Council.

RESOLVED –

That the recommendations contained in Minute No. 63 of the Executive meeting of 16 July 2002. be approved.

Note: Councillor P Priestley left the meeting at 8.10p.m.

21.     DRAFT ANNUAL FINANCIAL STRATEGY REVIEW

The purpose of the annual financial strategy was to examine and forecast the Council’s financial position both currently and in the medium term. It also enabled the Council to ensure that appropriate finance and resources were available to meet its objectives and be able to respond to opportunities and changing circumstances.

The Committee was asked to consider the draft annual financial strategy as part of the policy and budgetary framework before it was submitted to the Council for approval.

The Director of Corporate Services outlined the report in detail to Members and the changes in policies made by the Executive.  The objectives for the Committee in considering the strategy was to firstly provide them with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the financial strategy and secondly for them to comment on it. It was suggested that a second meeting might be required to allow Members time to digest the information being presented to them.

Members agreed that the wording for C4, one of the key financial policies which guide the Council’s plans should be altered to replace “minimal or no revenue” with “adverse revenue”.

AND RESOLVED –

     Note: Councillor P T Lole left the meeting at 8.50p.m.

22.     FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY AUDIT

As the Food Law Enforcement Plan formed part of the Policy Framework, this item was to be considered by Scrutiny before going to full Council for approval.

The Food Standards Agency carried out an audit between 30 April to 2 May 2002 which covered the Council’s food hygiene law enforcement service. A draft report of the findings had been received which was both positive and constructive. Overall the impression given by the inspectors was of a food enforcement service that was balanced, satisfactorily managed and did not present any major concerns that required immediate action or intervention. The Agency acknowledged that the Council was a high performing authority and that the inspection rate exceeded 90% each year.

The Health and Housing Division had 20 days to respond to the auditor’s report, amend any factual corrections and produce an action plan based on the recommendations of the report. This had been done. Work had already begun on meeting the findings of the report.

A number of areas were highlighted that required improvement and a complete review of the Food Policy had been undertaken. Within the Food Service Business Plan an action plan had been produced and was included in the report.  

     RESOLVED –

That the recommendations contained in Minute No. 69 of the Executive meeting of 16 July 2002. be approved.

     Note: Councillor  D W Phillips left the meeting at 8.52p.m.

          Councillor D J Lacey left the meeting at 8.53p.p.m.

The meeting ended at 8.54 p.m.