Agenda and minutes

Members of the Committee and Officers stood and observed a minute’s silence in respsect of all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Barrow be appointed as Chair and Councillor Douglas be appointed as Vice-Chair of Corporate Select Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2017 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31 March 2017 (“Fourth Quarter 2016/17”).

Particular reference was made to the net increase in the General Fund contingency reserve and the surplus on the HRA Account.

Concerns were expressed regarding the underspend on gully emptying, and in view of the issues with flooding experienced late last year, it was requested that the gullying cleaning routine be changed so that problem gullies are cleaned and cleared manually at least twice a year. The Committee were reminded of additional funding being made available for gully cleaning in 2007 and 2011 and the Executive Councillor undertook to investigate the matter. It was clarified that the savings identified within the report related to budget that had been carried forward into 2016/17 and that the full amount of budget should be being spent next year.  It was further commented that some of the gullies had broken down which was the responsibility of DCC rather than HPBC.

In response to the performance information around answering telephone calls, it was acknowledged that performance was unsatisfactory due to a number of factors including the channel shift programme, staff training and technical issues and that measures were being put in place to assist residents.  It was also noted that the complaints procedure and benchmarking processes were being reviewed.

With reference to the response to the planning survey, the committee were advised that an annual agents survey would now be taking place in an attempt to improve the response rate.

It was requested that investigations be undertaken as to what was required to bring the vacant shops at Winster Mews back into use and whether a business case for this would be going ahead.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to:

·         Note the Fourth Quarter 2016/17 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report;

·         Approve allocation of the surplus on the General Fund Revenue Account and Housing Revenue Account to reserves as detailed in Appendix A (paragraph 2.7 and 5.7); and

·         Approve the proposal to carry forward capital budgets as detailed in Appendix A (paragraph 6.6 and 7.4 of the report).

The Committee considered the Performance Framework, which incorporated the Annual Report 2016/17, the Performance Framework 2017/18 and the revised Corporate Plan 2017 – 19. 

The Performance Framework and associated targets had also been the subject of a members’ scrutiny workshop on 15 May 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the Performance Framework 2017/18.

The Committee considered the Corporate Annual Health and Safety Report for the Financial Year 2016/17.

It was noted that the health and safety management undertaken across the Alliance was rated by Zurich Mutual as good to best practice and that an application had been made for a ROSPA Gold Award.

Discussion ensued around what constituted a RIDDOR accident, joint working with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, improved monitoring of contractors and types of accidents had by both members of the public and employees.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The following additions were requested:

·         A report back from both the HRA Working Group and Asset Management Working Group

·         An update on the riverbank works in Chapel en le Frith

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee Work Programmes be noted.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2017 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the outcome of a procurement exercise to provide aids and adaptations to HRA properties and made recommendations to the Executive.