Agenda item

To set out to the Committee emerging priorities and seek approval to update the Strategic Assessment approved by this Committee in June 2021 and extend until 31 March 2024.

Sean Murphy presented the report (Agenda Item 9) which set out the emerging priorities to the Committee and sought approval to update the Strategic Assessment approved by the Committee in June 2021 and to extend it until 31 March 2024.

Sean Murphy noted that the existing Strategic Assessment cross-cutting priorities; eCrime, Climate Change and Environmental Protection, Protecting Vulnerable Adults and Children, Safeguarding, and Safer Streets; would be retained. In addition, Protecting and Improving Health would be added as a cross-cutting priority.

Proposed new priority areas were Licensing, Cost of Living, and Service Improvement Priorities.

Changes were also proposed in order to broaden existing priorities. This would cover Health and Safety Enforcement, Tackling Fraud, and Impact of Nuisance on Residents and Communities.

Councillor John Harrison asked whether trophy hunting and the importation of overseas animal products could be included under the Animal Welfare point. Sean Murphy responded that it had been recently raised and a bill was under consideration to ban such importation, and that he would see what issues fell under local authority enforcement.

Councillor John Porter raised concerns about the significant number of unlicensed HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) and asked what could be done to combat them. Sean Murphy responded that a number were being investigated with Housing Officers, but that identifying them was a lengthy and complex process. Councillor Porter asked whether it could be added to the PPP website to make the definition clearer for residents. Sean Murphy responded that he would pick up the issue and advised that members of the public were encouraged to come forward to report any concerns. He agreed that local Member intelligence would be a useful asset in this area.

Councillor James Cole asked if the PPP should be planning for a future pandemic. Sean Murphy responded that resources and information had been kept, such as processes and procedures, and that they would be available for review should a similar situation arise again. He also explained that officers had been involved in a West Berkshire scrutiny review on this topic.

Councillor Cole asked whether the changes to priorities, such as from ‘noise’ to ‘nuisance’ constituted an expansion that required additional resources. Sean Murphy responded that priorities were always subject to change, some of which could be unforeseen. He stated that benefits of the shared service were increased resilience and the ability to be more adaptable to changing priorities. However, it was recognised that resources were still limited and the need to prioritise would remain.

Councillor Cole asked whether the PPP had an obligation to ensure the security of the site of the former Institute for Animal Health facility at Compton. Sean Murphy responded that the responsibility was with the land owner in the first instance. However, he would consider the Council’s remit beyond the PPP and involvement from partner organisations.

RESOLVED that:

·         The Committee considered the emerging priorities as set out in the report.

·         The PPP Strategic Assessment of June 2021 be updated to reflect these emerging priorities.

·         The updated Strategic Assessment would form the basis of the PPP priorities for 2023/24.