Meeting documents

     HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

     Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on

     Monday 9 March 1998

     PRESENT

     Cllr Mrs C C Martens (in the Chair)

Cllr C D Bates*

Cllr P J Cartwright

Cllr I M Coleman

Cllr D A E Cox

Cllr D G Fieldhouse

Cllr A Gielgud

Cllr D A B Green

Cllr P J Herschel

Cllr B T A Holland*

Cllr R W Jennings

Cllr B R Pollock*

Cllr Mrs J Riddington

Also Present

Cllr A D Collingwood (for Minute No 74)

(Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs E M Barratt JP, S R Billingham*, J M Campbell, Miss B M Hughes and Mrs J S R Waite).

* Standing Deputies

1.     MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 January 1998 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

2.     MINUTES OF THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PANEL

The substantive Minutes discussed at the meeting held on 2 February 1998 were as follows:-

Minute 10 - Town Centre Management Annual Report and 1998/99 Work Programme

The Panel discussed the annual report and work programme for Town Centre Management.  The draft work programme was endorsed subject to the inclusion of Apromoting public transport initiatives@ under the activities for all four town centres.

Minute 11 - Housing Services Division - Performance Data

The Panel accepted the performance indicators as submitted and noted the action being taken to improve the performance of the maintenance service.  Members also requested revisions to the presentation of data on rent arrears and to the Customer Satisfaction Survey Form.  The Panel also suggested that consideration be given to a more detailed definition of a formal complaint.  Members of the Committee were advised that this issue was being considered corporately.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Housing and Economic Development Panel held on 2 February 1998 be received and adopted.

The Committee=s consideration was given to the tourism annual work programme and the tourism marketing plan.  In particular Members were asked to approve the renewal of the Council=s membership of the Southern Tourist Board.

The Committee was informed of the benefits of membership and also advised that the Southern Tourist Board had recently been displaying more positive support to the district by promoting Thames and Chiltern Country and by dedicating staff to the northern part of its area.  In view of the improved service, officers requested that future renewal of membership be delegated to the Director of Leisure, Health and Community.  Officers confirmed that the matter would be returned to Committee should any doubt arise regarding the work of the Southern Tourist Board or its value for money.

RESOLVED: That:

(i)  the Tourism Annual Work Programme be adopted as given in Appendix 4A to the report;

(ii)  Wycombe District Council renews its membership of the Southern Tourist Board;

(iii) future renewals of the Board=s subscription be delegated to the Director of Leisure, Health and Community; and

(iv)  the tourism marketing plan attached as Appendix A4B@ to the report be adopted.

The Committee was reminded of the decision by the former Housing Committee on 22 January 1996 to provide funding for the provision of a part-time occupational therapist for one year.  Members were advised of the difficulty of the occupational therapy service in recruiting to this post but noted that when this was achieved for a three month period in 1997 this resulted in an improvement in the turnaround period for occupational therapy assessments by addressing the backlog.

It was reported that there was still a need for a much more rapid occupational therapist response time for assessments and, in view of the previous difficulties in filling this post, Members were asked to agree to the extension of the contract to two years.  It was noted that the need for this service would be reviewed by the Housing and Economic Development Panel before the end of the two year period.

RESOLVED: That:

(i) the period to fund a part-time Occupational  Therapist be extended from 1 to 2 years; and

(ii)  the need for this arrangement be reviewed by the Housing and Economic Development Panel before the end of the two year period.

The Committee=s agreement was sought to a change in policy in the approach taken to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).  Members were asked to agree to the introduction of a priority based system for HMO inspections which would allow for better targeting of resources and help to ensure that premises with greatest risk were inspected first.

With respect to the HMO registration scheme introduced by the Housing Act 1996 the Committee was advised that, as many of the HMOs in the district would fall outside the Model Registration Scheme, officers considered that rather than introduce a registration scheme this authority should await the introduction of a licensing scheme.  In addition, once details of a licensing scheme were available consideration could be given to an accreditation scheme.

RESOLVED: That:

(i)  the adoption of a priority based inspection system from 1 April 1998 be agreed;

(ii)  the system be reviewed in November 1998 by the Housing and Economic Development Panel; and

(iii)  details of a licensing scheme be reported to this Committee once they are known.

6.     CASTLEFIELD CHALLENGE - PROJECT APPROVAL

The Committee was advised that work was progressing on the provision of a Training Advice Centre in Castlefield as part of the Castlefield Challenge.

,75,000 of District Council capital expenditure had been identified for this project to meet capital costs associated with refurbishment works required on the identified premises which were currently a retail unit and to provide basic equipment.  Members= approval to the release of this funding was sought.

Officers undertook to provide an Information Sheet detailing the actual refurbishment works and equipment required.  

RESOLVED: That up to ,75,000 from the approved Capital Programme allocation to Castlefield Challenge be approved as the District Council=s contribution to the Training and Advice Centre project to meet the capital costs associated with required refurbishment works and basic equipment.

Policy and Resources Committee had requested a new marketing strategy to be developed to promote improvements to off-street parking in the area.

The Committee received a presentation on proposals for a marketing strategy focusing upon improvements to safety and security for car park users and improved convenience in response to customers= identified needs.

It was proposed that a strap-line or theme Awe=re on your side@ be included in a campaign involving poster sites, leaflets, press and radio campaigns.  The use of an 0800 number would be available for people to check on the current situation in the town=s car parks, run in conjunction with regular updates on local radio.

Members were generally supportive of the concept of the campaign and welcomed the news that consideration was being given to the  Wycombe site on the Internet which they considered did not currently do justice to the district.

Officers undertook to investigate the potential use of other telephone systems in addition to the 0800 number.

RESOLVED: That:

(i)  the strategy described in the report be approved subject to further consultation with interested parties and the development of a detailed operating plan approved by the Director of Property and Housing; and

(ii)  negotiations and agreement with poster site management companies be delegated to the Director of Property and Housing.

8.     HOUSING ADVICE CENTRE

The Committee was updated on the latest position regarding investigations into the possible establishment of a housing advice centre (HAC) in the district.

Members were advised that officers had visited both Council-run and  voluntary-run housing advice centres and that it was now proposed that officers worked with the Briefing Group to consider the various options available and to prepare a report for a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Director of Property and Housing determine appropriate officers to meet with the Briefing Group of the Committee to consider the various options for the possible introduction of an HAC and the preparation of a final report to the Committee with recommendations.

9.     WYCOMBE WOMEN=S AID

Councillor Mrs C C Martens declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item, vacated the Chair for the discussion and did not vote.

Councillor A Gielgud, Vice-Chairman in the Chair

At Policy and Resources Committee on 9 February 1998, the Chairman of this Committee had agreed to a delay in the consideration of the additional grant support for Wycombe Women=s Aid pending the results of their approaches for financial support to other organisations.

Some information regarding the outcome of these approaches was tabled at the meeting, including that funding from BCC Social Services was to remain at the previous year=s level.

However, some responses were still outstanding and Members considered it prudent to defer a decision until all information was available.

In order that the request could be considered at the next meeting of Policy and Resources Committee it was agreed that the decision be delegated to the Director of Property and Housing in consultation with the Briefing Group.

RESOLVED: That authority be delegated to the Director of Property and Housing in consultation with this Committee=s Briefing Group to consider the application for additional funding for Wycombe Women=s Aid, taking into account any further information from that organisation, and to make an appropriate recommendation to the next meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Councillor Mrs C C Martens, Chairman in the Chair

The Committee was advised of the results of a feasibility study into the need for CCTV in the four local shopping areas.  It was noted that ,200,000 was available in the special short-term capital programme.

Members were of mixed opinions regarding the benefits or otherwise of CCTV.  The public perception and fear of crime was however recognised as was the desire for CCTV on the part of shopkeepers.

Some disappointment was expressed that funding was not currently available for all of the four areas and it was agreed that the use of CCTV in High Wycombe and Marlow be monitored and further consideration be given to its implementation in the other areas at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

(i)  to proceed with the installation of CCTV in Marlow;

(ii) that the Director of Property and Housing be authorised to use the funding of ,200,000 in the special capital budget in accordance with standing orders; and

(iii) that the implementation of CCTV in Bourne End, Hazlemere and Princes Risborough be further investigated following a thorough monitoring and evaluation of CCTV in Marlow and High Wycombe, with a further report being made to a future meeting of the Committee

11.     FILE ON ACTION TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

The file on action taken under delegated powers since the last meeting was submitted for the Committee=s attention.  (File Sheet Nos 103-127).

12.     INFORMATION SHEETS

The Committee received Information Sheets distributed since the last meeting.  (Issue Nos: 9/98 - 10/98, 13/98 - 16/98).

EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED: That pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of Minute Nos 77-81 because of their reference to matters which contain exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1-15, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the aforementioned Act, more particularly as follows:-

Minute No 77: paragraph 8 (Expenditure Proposed)

Minute No 78: paragraph 9 (Terms Proposed)

Minute No 79:  paragraph 4 (Information relating to any particular applicant)

Minute Nos 80 - 81:  paragraph 7 (Financial or Business Affairs)

13.     STAR BLOCKS

A report had been commissioned to investigate and make recommendations in relation to the blocks of flats throughout the district colloquially known as star blocks.

The Committee was asked to agree that further consideration of the proposals be delegated to the Housing and Economic Development Panel which would then make appropriate recommendations to the  Committee.

RESOLVED: That in order to enable as effective a programme as possible and to allow the detailed consideration that this important matter deserves,

(i)  the consideration of the star blocks report from Professor Alice Coleman be delegated to the Housing and Economic Development Panel  which may hold additional special meetings as appropriate; and

(ii)  the Housing and Economic Development Panel  makes appropriate recommendations to the Committee in relation to the star blocks.

14.     HOUSING ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIPS

Members were informed of the funding allocations made by the Housing Corporation for 1998/99 and were asked to consider options for the forthcoming year based on available funding.

RESOLVED:  (a) That officers:

(i)  continue negotiations with Housing Associations which are willing to land-bank sites with no immediate prospect of funding being available;

(ii) seek approval from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) for the 1998/99 SCA allocation under the Capital Receipts Initiative to be used for LA SHG support for general needs housing and, if approved, to use this sum to support The Guinness Trust scheme for 22 units at the Lady Verney School site;

(iii)  advise the Rural Holding Trust/English Rural Housing Association that unless grant confirmation for their proposed development in Hambleden Parish is achieved by 30 September 1998 the Council=s offer of funding will be considered as withdrawn; and

The file on exempt action taken under delegated powers since the last meeting was submitted for the Committee=s attention.  (File Sheet Nos 53-56).

16.     EXEMPT INFORMATION SHEETS

The Committee received an exempt Information Sheet distributed since the last meeting.  (Issue No: 11/98).

17.     CRESSEX ENTERPRISE CENTRE

The Committee considered as a matter of urgency a report informing Members of certain terms which City of Winchester Developments plc had requested should form part of the lease for the Cressex Enterprise Centre.

Members were advised that, following extensive negotiations, the Director of Property and Housing was prepared to accept these terms and Members were asked to endorse his proposed action.

The report was considered as a matter of urgency with the agreement of the Chairman in order that the lease could be signed and the project commence without further delay.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed action of the Director of Property and Housing to accept the Failure Notice provisions be endorsed.

(The Meeting commenced at 7.00pm and concluded at 10.33pm)

     __________

     CHAIRMAN

The following officers were in attendance:-

Mr H Potts               Director of Property and Housing

Ms S Barszcz          Assistant Accountant

Mr B Holkham          Head of Housing Services (Client)

Mr R Illsley               Economic Development Officer (Minute Nos 65-70 only)

Mr D Ruddock          Assistant District Solicitor

Mr A Small               Principal Accountant

Mr P Marston-Weston     Head of Leisure Services (Minute Nos  65-67 only)

Mr I Westgate          Head of Environmental Services (Minute Nos 65- 69 only)

Mr J Willmore          Marketing and Communications Manager (Minute Nos 65-76 only)

Ms S Rogers          Principal Administrator, Committee Services