OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday,19th September2017 at WorksopTown Hall
Present:
Councillor:J C Shephard (Chair)
Councillors:D. Brett, R B Carrington-Wilde, M. F. T. Critchley, S. Fielding, D. Foley, D Hare,G. Jones, D R Pressley, M. Richardson and K Sutton.
Officers: S. Brown, J. Davies, D. Hill, C. Staniforth, N. Taylor, E. Whittles and J. Wilson
Others Present: Andrew Beardsall, Head of Quality & Primary Care, Dr. Victoria McGregor-Riley, Director of Primary Care, Bassetlaw CCG, Cllr J.Evans, Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr S. Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing.
(Meeting commenced at 6.30pm.)
(The Chair read out the Fire Evacuation Procedure, and also enquired as to whether any member of the press or public wished to film/record the meeting or any part thereof; however, no members of public were present.)
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.
31.APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence received from Councillors A. Chambers, S. E Farncombe, G A N Oxby, H. M. Richards, J.White and D. Armiger, Director of Regeneration and Neighbourhoods.
32.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS AND OFFICERS
(a)Members
There were no Declarations of Interest by officers.
(b)Officers
There were no Declarations of Interest by officers.
33.MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 25TH JULY 2017
(a)Welfare Reform Update (Key Decision 556)
The Chair advised the meeting that in light of the Member briefing on Universal Credit on 26th September at 5:30pm in the Ceres Suite with DWP, rather than send a letter Members could address their concerns directly to DWP. Ahead of the meeting,the Policy Team will circulate information from the CAB and the Work & Pensions Select Committee which is currently reviewing the Universal Credit rollout to Members.
(b)Revised Sheffield City Region Consultation (Key Decision 530)
Cllr Critchley reported that members had not received the details of the costs incurred by Bassetlaw District Council in the SCR devolution process as agreed at the last meeting.
RESOLVEDthat:
- The minutes of the meeting held on 25TH July 2017 be approved.
- Information from the CAB and the Work and Pensions Select Committee which is currently reviewing the Universal Credit rollout be circulated to members in advance of the DWP Briefing on Universal Credit on 26th September, 2017, at 5:30pm in the Ceres Suite.
- Details of the costs incurred by Bassetlaw District Council in the SCR devolution process be circulated to Members.
34.MINUTES FOR ACTION AND IMPLEMENTATION
(a)Quarter 4 2016/17 Performance
The meeting was advised that in relation to the delivery of action 4.2.2 Safeguarding, samples of the draft posters to be used in the Awareness Training will be sent out to Members for comment, to be returned to Gerald Connor, Community Safety, Co-Ordinator by 30th September 2017.
(b)Update Review of NHS Bassetlaw CCG – Response from Cabinet
The Policy and Scrutiny Co-ordinator advised that all the recommendations of the review had been passed to the Bassetlaw Clinical Commissioning Group and the concerns about the lack of GP provision on the north of Worksop was restated.
RESOLVED that:
1.The Minutes for Action and Implementation be noted.
2.Members receive draft posters to be used in the Awareness Training for comment, to be returned to Gerald Connor, Community Safety, Co-Ordinator by 30th September 2017.
35.OUTSTANDING MINUTES LIST
(a)Sheffield City Region Strategic Economic Plan Refresh
Members were advised that the Plan had not been received and would be circulated in October 2017.
RESOLVED that the Outstanding Minutes List be noted.
36.REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RESOURCES
(a)Review of Extended Access to General Practice in Bassetlaw
Andrew Beardsall and Dr Victoria McGregor-Riley, from Bassetlaw CCG were welcomed to the meeting.
Members were presented with background paperwork to support the review and a copy of the Extended Hours Survey Results was tabled at the meeting.
Andrew Beardsall explained that there still was an ongoing process to ask patients about their preferences for the extended hours service. Supply will follow demand with the fixed number of appointments located where people need to access them. This service provision could be in hubs servicing more than one practice across Bassetlaw.He also explained the background and reasons for the survey. The CCG has to commission 30 minutes of appointment time totalling 57.2 hours outside normal GP opening hours across Bassetlaw. It is an extra resource in addition to the current funding for Enhanced Service for extended hours operated by 8 out of 10 practices in Bassetlaw. Members raised comments/ questions on the difficulty of contacting surgeries by phone and length of time that people have to wait for a GP appointment. In response they were informed that indirectly, it could improve access to in hours appointments by releasing appointments in the daytime.
Dr. Victoria McGregor-Riley explained that there has been an increase in demand for GP’s and a new telephone approach had been piloted at Newgate surgery to assess a patient’s need for a GP. Patients do not always need to see a doctor and practice teams are changing to include a range of skills such as paramedics and associate practitioners. Practice staff will ask questions so that the patient accesses the correct service, which may be a GP. The CCG has also worked with BCVS to develop a Directory of Services to help patients access the correct service.
Members were given an example of how the new service could work with the establishment of hubs at Bassetlaw Hospital for all patients, Retford and Village hub, Larwood Hub and Newgate Hub. The main finding from areas that have adopted this approach is to balance continuity with access. In response to a question on sharing services and the impact on budgets it was explained that the money usually follows the patient.
Reference was made to the National GP Patient Survey Results 2016/17 which identified that out of 207 CCG’s Bassetlaw CCG has a high level of satisfaction with patients and ranks joint 3rd in the country for convenient appointments.
The results of the GP Extended Hours Survey Question 1 on Opening Hours showed the preference for morning or afternoon appointments on each weekday and there was a high preference for Saturday (57%) and Sunday (42%) mornings, which was unexpected as Sunday surgeries have received a low response elsewhere in the country. Question 3 on consultation method showed the preference for telephone consultations(54%), Skype/video calls (21%) and e-consultation(22%). Question 4 on the preference of using a different GP practice demonstrated the strength of the existing system.
Members raised comments/ questions and were informed that the consultation will continue for three months so rural areas can still respond; Bassetlaw CCG is trying to future proof Primary Care with the use of technology and Care Homes and the elderly in their own homes can use Skype Calls; home visits will continue and the development of Primary Care Hubs bringing together mental health, social services and district nurses will allow access to the correct care.
RESOLVED that the contents of the presentation be noted.
37.FORWARD PLAN
(a)Housing Strategy – Final Report(Key Decision 599)
Christine Staniforth, Strategic Housing Manager, gave a briefing on the report. The draft strategy was approved by Cabinet in December 2016 and following consultation, the final report will go to October Cabinet. It sets the strategic direction for the Council and the Equality Impact Assessment identified that there were no negative impacts to any specific group in Bassetlaw.
Members raised comments/ questions and were informed that the Strategy aims to strengthen the delivery of affordable housing and Bassetlaw District Council uses Section 106 money or makes a contribution itself to build affordable homes. The Council has delivered 44 homes in Harworth. The Chair explained that this Committee would be reviewing the provision of affordable homes shortly and the use of Section 106 would be part of the review.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
(b)Townscape Heritage Initiative (Key Decision No.628).
Joelle Davies, Site Delivery Manager, provided an update on the meeting held on 14th September 2017 and advised that the outcome of the funding bid of £1.2m to invest in Bridge Street, Worksop, should be announced on September 22nd 2017. The funding includes the appointment of a member of staff to deliver the project.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
(c)Response to Sheffield City Region Strategic Economic Plan Refresh (Key Decision No. 634)
The Chief Executive informed Members that the SCR Economic Plan has still not been released yet so this item will be deferred to a future meeting.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
(d)Planning Service - Utilisation of Fee Increase (Key Decision No. 639)
Members were informed that the Council is awaiting information from Government about the Fee Income legislation, therefore discussion of this item is deferred to a future meeting.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
(e)Community Centres Review (Key Decision No.659).
Cllr Scotthorne gave an update on the progress of the report on the 11 Community Centres owned by A1.
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
(f)Trading Company (Key Decision No.660).
David Hill, Head of Finance and Property briefed Members on the operating aims of the company and progress on the preparation of the Business Plan
RESOLVED that the information be noted.
SECTION A – ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION IN PUBLIC
Key Decisions
38.KEY DECISIONS OF CABINET – 5TH SEPTEMBER 2017
(a)Performance Indicator Outturn Report Q1 2017/1 (Key Decision 642)
RESOLVED that Minute No. 33(a) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
(b)Community Infrastructure Levy: Local Monies (Key Decision No. 493)
Joelle Davies, Site Delivery Manager, briefed Committee on the process to spend the local aspect of the Community Infrastructure Levy in areas where there are no parish or town councils.
Members raised comments/ questions and were informed that the money re- invested back into an area is 15% but is 25% if there is a Neighbourhood Plan in place and were advised that the CIL Advisory Groups for Worksop and Retford will be meeting to identify priority projects.
RESOLVED that Minute No. 33(b) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
(c)Budget Monitoring and Capital Programme Update Report Quarter 1 (Key Decision No. 650)
RESOLVED that Minute No. 35(a) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
(d)Bassetlaw Community Health and Well-being Plan (Key Decision No.635)
RESOLVED that Minute No. 36(a) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
(e)Homeless Prevention Strategy/ Consultation (Key Decision No. 625).
Christine Staniforth, Strategic Housing Manager, explained that it is a legal requirement to have a strategy setting out the priorities and intentions for managing homelessness. The priorities have been identified and action plan produced. The focus is on prevention. The Homeless Reduction Act to be introduced in April 2018 will extend the need for provision.Bassetlaw District Council will be taking part in National Empty Homes Week October 16th 2017.
In response to a question, Members were advised that CAB and Framework provide support to the homeless in Bassetlaw.
RESOLVED that Minute No. 37(a) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
(f)Supported Living Scheme (Key Decision No. 653).
Christine Staniforth, Strategic Housing Manager, explained that the Council had been approached by Nottinghamshire County Council to work in partnership to tackle bed blocking in fully supported units The aim is to allocate two A1 Housing one bedroom units (which are difficult to let), as a trial for people to come out of residential care into semi -independent living accommodation. The scheme will be monitored and report back to Cabinet
RESOLVED that Minute No. 37(b) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
(g)Parks and Play Policy (Key Decision No. 607)
RESOLVED that Minute No. 38(a) of Cabinet held on 5th September 2017 be endorsed.
Other Decisions
39.WAIVE OF CALL-IN/ DECISION TAKEN WITHOUT SUFFICIENT NOTICE
The Chairman explained that he had agreed a waive of call-in for the item scheduled for Extraordinary Cabinet on 28th September - Approval of Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme (Key Decision No. 657).David Hill, Head of Property & Finance, sought approval to waive the call in period because of the urgency in distributing the money in the £481,000 rates relief scheme to local businesses.
(a)Approval of Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme (Key Decision No.657)
David Hill, Head of Finance and Property, explained the background to the scheme. From 1st April 2017, all commercial buildings, land and offices in the district have been given a new rateable value, which has increased business rates. In this year’s Budget, the Government announced £300 million of support for local councils to finance business rates relief but details of the scheme were delayed by the General Election purdah.
A Pub Relief Scheme has been put in place. Each authority has to set up its own Discretionary Revaluation Relief Scheme and Bassetlaw has adopted national guidance from DCLG in consultation with stakeholders. The Council has received £482,000 to be distributed over four years (2017/18 to 2020/21) to the businesses that qualify for the scheme (approx.335 businesses). The consultation received five responses and four agreed with the Council’s proposals.
The DCLG will name local authorities that have not made sufficient progress on 3rd October 2017. Bassetlaw District Council will approve their scheme at Council on 28th September 2017 and revised bills will be sent out to businesses on 2nd October 2017.
RESOLVED that the Waive of Call-In be agreed.
40.POSSIBLE CALL-IN/ DECISION TAKEN WITHOUT SUFFICIENT NOTICE
None.
41.REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RESOURCES
(a)Overview and Scrutiny Committee Programme 2017/18
Members were presented with an overview of the meeting programme for 2017/18 and were informed that the new review of Availability of Affordable Housing – Presentation and Scoping has been added to December 2017 meeting.
RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted and Members contact the Policy and Scrutiny Unit should they have any queries regarding future meetings.
(b) Complaints Annual Report 2016/17
Members were presented with an annual summary of complaints dealt with by the Council during 2016-17. It was noted that there had been an increase in the number of complaints received (122), compared to the previous year (78). The number of Stage 2 complaints has also increased from the previous year 25 compared to 22; however, 21 were not upheld.A breakdown of service areas and categories for complaints was contained within the report. The Council uses the complaints procedure to identify patterns and make service improvements.
There was a discussion about the reason for the increase and it was noted that 75% of complaints were made digitally which can make it easier to complain. The Chief Executive highlighted concerns at the growing trend of persistent complainers.
RESOLVED that the Council’s Annual Report for Complaints 2016/17 be received and progress/ points of interest be noted.
(c)Local Government Ombudsman Annual Review 2016/17
Members were presented with an annual summary of complaints dealt with the Local Government Ombudsman for 2016/17.
As part of the Council’s complaints process procedure, complainants may exercise their right to seek advice from the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO). The LGO received 20 complaints and enquires about the Council for 2016/17, the same as 2015/16. A comparison with previous years was contained within the report. 20 decisions were made during the period of which one was incomplete/invalid, two were upheld, seven not upheld, five closed after initial enquiries, and five referred back for resolution.
RESOLVED that the Local Government Ombudsman’s Annual Report for Complaints 2015/16 be received and progress/ points of interest be noted.
(d)Q1 Performance Indicator Report 2017/18
Members were presented with an analysis of the Quarter 1 Performance Indicator Outturn report 2017/18 against the suite of “required returns”. This is usually reported on an annual basis but is being presented as an alternative report due to the finalisation of the monitoring of the new Council Plan 2017 – 20. The Report had previously been presented to Cabinet
RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.
(e)Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2016/17
Members were presented with an annual overview of the work programme of the Committee during 2016/17 and the key areas for review for the year 2017/18.
.
RESOLVED that the annual report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s activities be noted and the report be referred to Council in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.
(f)Report on Review of South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Sustainability and Transformation Plan (SYBSTP)
Members were presented with a summary of the findings of the Review of SYBSTP, and final recommendations.
The Chair thanked the Committee and Members of the Working Group for their contributions and it was noted that there had been a positive outcome to the review with Cllr Susan Shaw, Cabinet Member for Health and Community Well-being, receivinga place on the Oversight Group.
RESOLVED that:
- The recommendations of the Review, as detailed in Section 3.19 of the report, be approved
- This report is submitted to Cabinet for approval with subsequent agreed recommendations monitored for a period of twelve months, as is usual practice.
42. LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985
RESOLVED that, in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and after considering the public interest test as set out by the officer in the body of the report, Members agreed that the following items of business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2 and 3, and therefore, in accordance with Section 100A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting:
Agenda Item 42(a) - Special Purpose Vehicle for the Delivery of New Housing (Key Decision No. 633)
Agenda Item 43(b) - The Future of A1 Housing as an Arms Length Management Organisation (Key Decision No. 646)
SECTION B – ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION IN PRIVATE
Key Decisions
43.KEY DECISIONS OF CABINET – 5THSEPTEMBER 2017
(a)Special Purpose Vehicle for the Delivery of New Housing (Key Decision No. 633)
The Head of Finance and Property explained the background to the establishment of the Special Purpose Vehicle and the recommendations approved at Cabinet held on 5th September 2017, which are required to allow the Council to establish a Joint Venture Company with the nominated partner.