Meeting documents

To sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2016

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2016 were agreed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee were advised that the Homelessness Strategy report and the Strategic Housing Framework report due to come to the 21 March Services meeting would now be brought a later meeting.

 It was advised that there would be an additional report from the Waste team to this Committee and Chiltern & Wycombe Joint Waste Collection Committee in March.  The report would cover Serco’s improvement plan and the introduction of 360 degree cameras on waste collection vehicles.

The Economic Development Strategy being considered by Cabinet in February would be made available to Members in the form of a presentation of the main findings in March 2017.

Note 1:  Councillor E Culverhouse entered the meeting at 6.40 pm

RESOLVED:

1.      That the 28 Day Notice for the Cabinet meeting on 4 April 2017 be noted.

2.      That the next Waste Performance report would be considered at the next meeting.

The Shared Service Plan Summaries were considered by the meeting.  It was noted that the business case for Planning Services had been approved and the shared service reviews would be complete in 2017.

With regard to the aims and objectives of Community & Leisure, it was requested that the wording of the first item “Enable the Council to safeguard vulnerable adults and children and young people” be extended to include the Council’s work with other agencies.  It was agreed that there was already a focus on partnership working.

Under the achievements and outcomes during 2016/17 for Planning Policy, it was agreed to add Chalfont St Giles among the neighbourhood areas supported for a Neighbourhood Plan.

Key Performance Indicators for Freedom of Information requests showed a response rate of only 71% compared to current levels of 90% and an explanation was requested.  This information would be reported back at a later date.

Councillors considered that the number of “unique” visitors to the website was high in comparison to the number of residents in the district.  It was requested that a definition of “unique” be circulated to Members of the Committee.

With regard to Homelessness strategy, it was asked whether the Council was engaging with faith groups to assist with provision.  It was advised that this was done in addition to groups such as Housing Interaction Trust charity and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The Chairman drew the attention of the Committee to the key achievements and outcomes during 2016/17 for Revenues and Benefits.  A study had been commissioned to identify empty homes in the district generating a potential new homes bonus of £1.6 million for Chiltern and £1.3 million for South Bucks District Council. 

RESOLVED -

That the Service Plan Summaries be noted.

Note 2:  Councillor Stannard entered the meeting at 6.45 pm and Councillor I Darby at 6.50 pm.

There had been a good response to the public consultation with over two and a half thousand replies being received.  The consultation ran from 5 November to 12 December 2016 and sought opinion on the need for a new facility and on what should be included in that facility.  The general profile of respondents was in line with the profile of residents in the district including the difficult to reach under 16 age group.

Overall there was a positive and clear mandate to proceed, with agreement for mixed facilities in a leisure hub.  There was 90% in agreement that there should be continuity of service during the building phase.  Many challenges were identified that would have to be addressed in the new scheme:

1.      Historic Barns.  They were well thought of by the community and needed to be accommodated.

2.      A link to the outdoor play provision.

3.      Parking needs.  No scheme would be accepted without adequate parking provision.

4.      Gateway club and other community centre users to be consulted with to meet their concerns.

5.      All stakeholders need to be incorporated into any plan.

6.      Impact of the outlook on houses in Chiltern Avenue.

It was agreed that it was too early to recommend one of the options in the report and the Committee welcomed a further feasibility study with cost/benefit analysis. 

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations contained in the draft Cabinet report be endorsed by the Services Overview Committee and that the comments of the Committee be forwarded to the Cabinet.