Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 1 July 2014 and 21 July 2014.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 1 July 2014, 21 July 2014 and 30September 2014 were approved as true and correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any Personal, Disclosable Pecuniary or other interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To receive an update on actions following the previous Commission meeting.

Resolved that the report be noted.

Purpose: To advise the Commission of items to be considered by West Berkshire Council from 01 November 2014 to 28 February 2015 and decide whether to review any of the proposed items prior to the meeting indicated in the Plan.

The Commission considered the West Berkshire Forward Plan (Agenda Item 5) for the period covering 01 November 2014 to 28 February 2015.

Resolved that the Forward Plan be noted.

The Commission considered its work programme and concluded that OSMC/14/154 (Self Insurance Fund review) would be discussed at the next meeting of the Commission.

Councillor Brian Bedwell proposed that the Commission conducted a review into the number of trained Midwives in West Berkshire. This followed a report in the local media which had suggested that there was a shortage of Midwives which, in turn affected local residents. The Commission concluded that the proposal would be considered in full at the next meeting.

Resolved that the work programme be noted.

Purpose: To assess the effect of the CHC operations policy and procedures in practise

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 9) concerning the operation, policy and procedures of the Continuing Healthcare arrangements in West Berkshire.

Nick Carter and Fiona Slevin-Brown, Strategy Director (on behalf of Cathy Winfield – North West Reading CCGChief Officer) introduced the report to Members which detailed the joint progress following the National Health Service (NHS) structural changes introduced in 2013. Nick Carter reminded the Commission that the Council commissioned an independent review into the operations of CHC prior to the structure changes. The review highlighted long Continuing Healthcare assessment waiting times and a need for a more coordinated approach. In response to this an action plan had been created and which was to be frequently monitored to assess the progress of tasks assigned to the PCT/CCGs and the Council respectively.

Nick Carter reminded Members that they received a positive update during the Commission meeting in April 2014. Overall waiting times had decreased and action had been taken to ensure the situation was closely monitored and controlled. Members concluded that suitable progress had been made and a follow-up report would be received 6 months later.

Nick Carter concluded that the report reinforced the positive progress made by the Council and CCGs. He was confident that newly introduced processes mitigated the risk of the situation deteriorating.

Councillor Brain Bedwell asked what measures had been introduced to manage the assessment process as stated in point 3 of the report. Nick Carter advised that roles and procedures for the Council and NHS had been jointly agreed and clarified. Standards had been reviewed and subsequently a multi-disciplinary team had been established to reinforce joint working and interpretation of the assessment criteria. Fiona Slevin-Brown advised that a lot of time and resource had been committed by the CCGs to ensure actions were delivered to address concerns which had been raised.

Councillor Garth Simpson highlighted that there were 6 cases reportedly ‘outstanding’ (a case which had not been concluded within 28 days). The Commission heard that the outstanding cases had been delayed due to missing information which was essential in order to make an informed decision.  Members received reassurance that the number of outstanding cases had decreased significantly and all inherited cases (from the PCT in 2012) had been addressed. In summary, the reason for delayed cases was significantly different to those which had been previously reported.

Councillor Alan Macro stated that the statistics contained within the report reflected the position of the North West Reading CCG only and two CCGs worked within the boundaries of West Berkshire. Rachael Wardell advised the performance report was similar for both areas; however, at present that statistics could not be disegregated.

Councillor Roger Hunneman asked why a decision had been made to reduce the number of advisors in the Council CHC team. Rachael Wardell explained that an additional advisor had been recruited on a contract basis to address the backlog of inherited cases. It was considered from the outset that the number of advisors would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

Purpose: To examine the process for delivering affordable housing within new developments.

(Councillors Sheila Ellison and David Goff joined the meeting at 18:45)

The Commission considered a report (Agenda Item 10) concerning the process for delivering affordable housing within new developments.

Councillor Brian Bedwell introduced the item to the Commission and reminded Members that the topic was agreed following a Call-In which sought to focus on the processes for delivering affordable housing in the District.

Gary Lugg advised the Committee that the planning policies and processes covered a broad area supported by the Council Housing Strategy 2010-15 which set out the Housing Vision and key Housing aims.

One of the key actions set out within the Council Housing Strategy was to increase the supply of affordable housing through the adoption and implementation of a Local Development Framework Core Strategy. In addition, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), introduced in March 2012, provided the Local Planning Authority (LPA) with the framework required to determine planning applications. Furthermore, the NPPF provided the definition of ‘affordable housing’ and ‘viability’.

The NPPF required LPAs to develop an evidence base to ensure the delivery of full, objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing in the housing market area.

Gary Lugg advised that the NPPF specified the policy for meeting the affordable housing need on a development site. However, consideration would be given to off-site provisions or a financial contribution of broadly equivalent value if reasonably justified.

The NPPF stated that to ensure viability and deliverability “the scale of development identified in the plan should not be subject to such a scale of obligations and policy burdens that their ability to be developed viably is threatened.  To ensure viability, the cost of any requirement likely to be applied to development, such as requirements for affordable housing, standards, infrastructure contributions or other requirements should, when taking account of the normal costs of development and mitigation, should provide competitive returns to a willing land owner and willing developer to enable the development to be deliverable”. In addition, where obligations are being sought, local planning authorities should be sufficiently flexible to prevent planned development being delayed.

Gary Lugg advised the Commission that the Government further relaxed the rules on the provision of affordable housing in the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013. Section 7 of the Act related to the “Modification or discharge of affordable housing requirements” which allowed a developer to appeal directly to the planning inspectorate to remove the requirement for affordable housing or reduce the level of affordable housing.

The Council’s Core Strategy was developed in line withnational planning policy and contained the local policy on affordable housing (CS6).  The Inspector made a number of changes to the wording of the Council policy following a public examination.  Overall, the West Berkshire Core Strategy Policy was, at the time, groundbreaking due to the number of development sites which it specified would require an affordable housing contribution (The national standard was 15 units and West Berkshire set 5 units or more).

Gary Lugg provided Members with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

Purpose: To monitor quarterly the performance levels across the Council and to consider, where appropriate, any remedial action.

The Commission considered a report (Agenda Item 11) on the quarter one performance levels across the Council. Nick Carter advised that 10 items had been reported as ‘amber’ and no items had been reported as ‘red’ at present.

Councillor Mike Johnson questioned the terminology used in item 1.4 of the covering report and asked that future reports clearly stated the purpose of the information which followed. Nick Carter advised that the report would be reviewed to avoid confusion.

Councillor Alan Macro challenged the RAG status associated with reintroduction of empty homes which had been set a target of 80 for the year (2014/15) and was currently reported as 0. Nick Carter advised that the RAG status considered anticipated delivery by the end of the year and therefore the current RAG status informed Members that the service expected that the target would be achieved by year end.

Councillor Macro asked whether there was any information behind the decrease in planning applications received. Rachael Wardell suggested that the figures would not reflect the number of properties delivered; one application could be submitted for a number of dwellings on one site and therefore, the number was not a significant concern.

Councillor Roger Hunneman stated that items which referred to the number of days to make a decision regarding new benefit claims and changes to benefit claims required further explanation within the report. Nick Carter acknowledged the suggestion and agreed that items reported as ‘amber’ required contextualising via supporting commentary. The Commission heard that the current RAG status for both items was not unusual at an early point of the financial year. Nick Carter stressed that, as per previous year’s performances, the speed of processing increased through the year as volume of claims stabilised.

Councillor Jeff Brooks asked what could be done to address the number of delayed transfers of care as outlined within the report. Rachael Wardell advised that a significant amount of time and staff resources had been allocated to ensuring transfer times were managed effectively. The Commission heard that resources were committed to delivering against the target but transfer times were often influenced by contributing factors outside the Council’s control. Rachael Wardell stressed that the target was important to ensure services were focused on delivering quick and efficient transfers but stressed that the conditions of the system sometimes delayed the process. In her opinion the current level of delayed cases were not a concern; the service would continue to try and reduce the number of delayed cases in line with the target.

Councillor Macro asked whether Section 106 negotiations would influence the time required to process ‘major’’ planning applications within 13 weeks. Nick Carter advised that complex negotiations influenced processing times but it was not a regular occurrence. He advised the Commission to retain the current target level until the situation was understood further.  Councillor Quentin Webb advised that the Task Group challenged the target and was satisfied with the justification provided by the service. He concurred with Nick Carter’s suggestion.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Purpose: To note the report following a review of the annual targets for 2014/15.

The Commission noted the report (Agenda Item 12) issued following a review of the annual targets set for 2014/15.

Councillor Macro suggested that mechanisms to monitor the number of Foster Careers and availability of Affordable Housing should be retained and therefore, included in within the report going forward.

It was agreed that the Commission would monitor the number of Foster Careers through item OSMC/14/159 (Reducing external placements costs) and that the report should be amended to include the number of affordable homes in West Berkshire.

Resolved that

1.    The report be noted.

2.    That the report be amended to reflect the number of affordable homes in West Berkshire.