Meeting documents

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Contact: Peter Druce (Democratic Services) 01494 421210 ext 3210 Email: peter.druce@wycombe.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

33.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

34.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Improvement and Review Commission held on 11 January 2017, be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

35.

CABINET MEMBER FOR HOUSING - UPDATE ON HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Housing; Councillor Mrs Langley and the Housing Service Manager, Brian Daly were welcomed to the meeting. 

 

It was noted that the recommendations of the Houses in Multiple Occupation Task and Finish Group had been submitted to Cabinet in February 2015.  It was reported that since that time the Chairman of the Commission and the Cabinet Member had maintained contact on the work being undertaken on the recommendations.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that following the HMO Task and Finish Group recommendations the Government issued a technical discussion paper on extending the mandatory of licensing of houses in multiple occupation.  The Governments proposed legislation following the consultation was expected in 2017 however no information had been released. 

 

The Cabinet Member confirmed that a decision had been taken to delay going ahead with the recommendations of the HMO Task and Finish Group until the outcome of the Government legislation was known.  There was concern at the financial impact of any proposed legislation and it was through no fault of the officers or Members that any recommendations had not yet been implemented.  The Cabinet Member went on to give her thanks again to all who had taken part in the HMO Task and Finish Group.

 

Brian Daly then provided an update on any work that had been undertaken regarding the recommendations.  He noted the following:

 

·         A Housing Condition Survey would need to be completed when the mandatory licensing of HMO’s comes into force in 2017 to enforce the new licensing regime.

 

·         The recommendation for additional licensing may need to be reviewed once the impact of the extension to include all HMOs with 5 persons or more regardless of the number of storeys has been evaluated.

 

·         Due to the Government’s proposed mandatory licensing the recommendation regarding a Supplementary Planning Policy would no longer be applicable.

 

·         The Council has considered the potential for additional resources required regarding the extension of the mandatory licence scheme during the budget setting and cost would be met from the Corporate Contingency.

 

·         The requested work up of the detailed scheme regarding the recommendations from Cabinet Members has been superseded by the Governments response to the HMO consultation.

 

It was noted that no information had been released from the Government regarding the HMO legislation since October 2016.   It was expected that the legislation would be confirmed in 2017 but as yet nothing had be received.

 

Members received clarification on a number of points and noted the following:

 

·         A ‘desktop’ survey of properties would initially be undertaken using information already held on file by the Council.  Then a ‘door knocking’ exercise could be required to obtain detailed information.  Ward Members would also be encouraged to share any information known regarding HMOs in their areas.

 

·         Currently HMOs were considered as 5 or more households in 3 stories or more.  It was estimated that there were currently 2,000 HMOs in the district.  The Government were expected to change the legislation to include properties less than 3 stories and would also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

36.

CABINET MEMBER FOR ICT - UPDATE ON TASK AND FINISH GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for HR, ICT & Customer Services; Councillor D Shakespeare and the Head of HT, ICT & Customer Services: John McMillan were welcomed to the meeting. 

 

The Cabinet Member updated the Commission on projects due for completion in 2017/18 which included:

 

·         Laptop refresh – It was noted that some laptops were over 7 years old and new laptops were expected to be issued to staff during April/May/June with the end date of July 2017.

 

·         Replacement of VDI servers and software – The hardware had been procured and would be installed at the weekend following the meeting.  This was earlier than scheduled.

 

·         Replace the Uniform server and application upgrade – It was noted that the Uniform server ran the planning system and the upgrade had been completed in December 2016.

 

·         Upgrade the telephony and introduce Skype for Business – This was on track for completion in July 2017.

 

·         Implementation Office 365 - Members email was scheduled for April/May 2017 and officers scheduled for July 2017.  The MS Office upgrade to Office 13 was scheduled for April 2017.

 

·         Upgrade internet capacity - There had been a slight delay regarding pricing however the upgrade was expected within the next few days.

 

Regarding Members ICT it was reported that some Members wished to work differently and preferred devices dependent on the way they worked.   It was reported that a trial was being undertaken providing access to network accounts using iPads using the Horizon View Client and this would provide Members with access to application network drives, outlook etc.  It was noted that a joint meeting between the ICT Task and Finish Group and the Portfolio Advisory Group was due to take place on 15 March 2017 to consider recommendations. 

 

Regarding the Council Chamber ICT equipment it was reported that a decision would not be made until consideration of the broader future use of the Chamber was determined.

 

Mr McMillan confirmed that the lifetime of laptops were able to be lengthened as they were used as ‘thin technology’, (e.g. the processing power of the laptop was not required), however  it was now difficult to obtain spare parts for some of the laptops and were now being replaced.

 

Members asked a number of questions and received responses from Mr McMillian, which included the following:

 

·         It was noted that iPads had been introduced to Members in 2015 and at the time this seemed the best option.  These did need to be connected wirelessly to be able to access the network.  Also if required iPads could be used with a Bluetooth keyboard. 

 

·         Training had been provided for Members on iPad usage however only six members had attended at the time.  Individual training was now offered on a request basis if required.   The suggestion regarding offering training sessions in advance of the full Council meeting would be investigated.

 

·         There had been an issue with planning information being accessed.  It was reported that the Cabinet Member for Planning had trialled the VRM View Client access on iPad and in his  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

37.

COMMISSION'S WORK PROGRAMME AND CABINET FORWARD PLAN

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The status of the current task and finish groups was considered and discussed.

 

It was noted that training would be taking place in London on 7 March and a space was available if anyone wished to attend.

 

The Rural Issues Task and Finish Group recommendations had been presented to Cabinet and these had been well received. 

 

The Budget Task and finish Group recommendations had been accepted almost without exception by Cabinet on 6 February 2017.

 

A letter had been received from the Cabinet Member for Transport at Bucks County Council regarding the Handy Cross Traffic Management Task and Finish Group partnership.  It was noted that the offer to undertake a joint scrutiny review had been refused and the Commission would discuss this further at the next meeting in June 2017.

 

The Local Plan Task and Finish Group was due to meet in May 2017 to review the final proposal for the Plan, however it was noted that a further meeting may be required.

 

It was noted that the Budget Task and Finish Group was due to be established in September 2017 to consider the Budget for 2018/19.

 

Members were encouraged to complete the Work Programme Suggestion Form appended to the agenda (Appendix C) in respect of items they wished to suggest for consideration by the Commission or a Task and Finish Group.

 

No topics were identified on the attached Cabinet Forward Plan for review by the Commission.

 

RESOLVED:  That the update on the Work Programme and current task and finish groups be noted.

38.

INFORMATION SHEETS

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Commission noted the submission of following information sheet:

 

·         1/2017                  ICT Update - Briefing

39.

COUNCILLOR CALL FOR ACTION

Minutes:

There were no Councillor Calls for Action.

40.

CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS

Minutes:

The Chairman thanked all the Members, especially his Vice Chairman (Cllr Collingwood) and the officers, for their invaluable support and contribution during the Council year. He confirmed that he and Cllr Collingwood would be standing for election as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Commission respectively, next month for another term of office.