Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12^th February 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2015 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Leader.

Councillor Marcus Franks declared an interest in Agenda Item 7, but reported that, as his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

There were no public questions submitted.

There were no petitions presented to the Executive.

(CSP: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8)

Purpose: To present the basket of key accountable measures and activities for 2014/15; to report quarter three outturns against the key accountable measures and activities contained in the 2014/15 Council Performance Framework; and to report by exception those measures/activities not achieved/expected to be achieved and to cite remedial action taken/its impact.

Resolved that:

1.     Progress against the key accountable measures and activities be noted.

2.     Those areas reporting as ‘red’ or ‘amber’ be reviewed to ensure that appropriate corrective or remedial action is put in place.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      Report is to note only

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 6) which presented the basket of key accountable measures and activities for 2014/15, which reported quarter three outturns against the measures and activities contained in the 2014/15 Council Performance Framework, and which reported by exception those measures/activities not achieved/expected to be achieved and the remedial action taken/its impact.

Councillor Roger Croft introduced the report by explaining that its purpose was for the Executive to ensure that the objectives laid out in the Council Strategy were being delivered, that areas of importance were performing, and that areas not performing as anticipated were flagged up at an early stage with adequate remedial action being put in place.

Councillor Croft continued by noting that the education measures reflected the attainment results for exams taken in the summer of 2014 as these had now been confirmed.

Turning to the contextual and volume measures, Councillor Croft highlighted that:

·         Unemployment in West Berkshire continued to fall from already low levels, both in young people and overall.

·         The average house price had increased by 8%.

Both these points reflected the strength of the local economy. Continuing the subject of the economy, Councillor Croft explained that a new digital method of recording footfall had been introduced for Newbury Town Centre which showed the weekly average rather than a daily average.

Councillor Croft then explained that outturns were available for 45 of the reported measures. Of these 45, 36 were reported as ‘green’, 7 reported as ‘amber’ and 2 reported as ‘red’. The red measure which related to the flood alleviation scheme in Purley, already reported red at quarter 2, was assessed as such as the target for completing the scheme was August and it was completed in September.

Councillor Alan Law commented that this was an excellent report which particularly demonstrated the improving West Berkshire economy with reduced unemployment, increasing footfall etc.

Councillor Roger Hunneman suggested that it would be useful for the report to include benchmarking data to compare West Berkshire’s performance against its statistical neighbours and against national trends. Councillor Gordon Lundie agreed it would be useful for this data in order to aid comparisons. Councillor Croft added that work had commenced to consider ways to enhance performance reporting and felt that the suggestion for additional benchmarking data could also be considered as part of the scrutiny input into the Council’s measures and activities.

Councillor Hunneman then asked for comment on the worsening situation in relation to the target to bring 80 empty homes back into use by 31 March 2015. 48 had been achieved by quarter three for this measure which was reported as ‘amber’. In response, Councillor Croft explained that the very good performance achieved in 2013/14 had been difficult to replicate to date in the current financial year.

Councillor Hunneman then queried the reasons behind the reducing number of discretionary housing payments awarded. Councillor Croft stated that this was a demand led activity and, in response to Councillor Hunneman’s supplementary question on whether active steps were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

(CSP: 1)

Purpose: To provide the Executive's response to the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission.

Resolved that the Officers’ response to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission be endorsed by the Executive.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      the item has been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission, or has been the subject of a review undertaken by another body within the preceding six months.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

(Councillor Marcus Franks declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 by virtue of the fact that he worked for a registered housing provider. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 7) which proposed the Executive’s response to the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission (OSMC) following its review into the reasons for the apparent prevalence of homelessness amongst young families in West Berkshire.

By way of background, Councillor Roger Croft advised the Executive that in November 2012, the OSMC agreed to undertake a scrutiny review into homelessness in West Berkshire and this was conducted in 2013. A year later, the OSMC decided to conduct a separate review, specifically into the issue of young families being made homeless by a lack of accommodation support from their extended family and friends. Eight recommendations were made by the scrutiny task group, which were then endorsed by the OSMC in the summer of 2014.

The recommendations and the proposed responses were set out in the report and Councillor Croft asked the Executive to approve the responses.

Councillor Alan Macro noted the comment made in the scrutiny report that no research had been identified that looked into the reasons why homelessness occurred. He questioned whether the Council could request that this research be commissioned via appropriate bodies. Councillor Croft responded with the view that research was available and referred to reports provided to the Council’s Homelessness Forum from Shelter (housing and homelessness charity). Councillor Gordon Lundie also questioned the accuracy of the comment made in the scrutiny report and felt this should be reviewed. Councillor Macro felt that further clarity would be useful on this point.

Councillor Quentin Webb, Chairman of the scrutiny task group for this review, advised that this view was reached based on the information readily available for the scrutiny work.

Councillor Macro then expressed disappointment with the response to the recommendations to review the information made available within West Berkshire’s secondary schools and academies. The response stated that this could not be implemented due to limited resources, but Councillor Macro queried whether at the very least schools could be signposted to information already available. Councillor Webb stated the scrutiny review did identify that information leaflets were available in schools.

Councillor Croft gave the view that information provided to schools in relation to housing was an area of strength with registered housing providers already liaising with schools. Councillor Marcus Franks reinforced this point by adding that information on housing options was provided to schools. Councillor Lundie noted these points, but felt that further signposting mechanisms should be explored in order to advise young people as much as possible.

Councillor Macro then turned to the response to the recommendation for Public Health to develop the role of health visitors to help identify young families at risk of homelessness. He noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

Members of the Executive to answer questions submitted by Councillors in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution. (Note: There were no questions submitted relating to items not included on this Agenda.)

There were no Member questions submitted.