Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2017 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the second quarter financial, procurement and performance review 2017/18.  It was noted that an amendment was necessary to the table at paragraph 3.3 of the report to amend the council tax collection rate to 57.4%.

RESOLVED:

That the Second Quarter 2017/18 financial, procurement and performance positions as detailed in appendices A, B and C and summarised at paragraph 3.3 (as amended) of the covering report be noted.

The Committee considered the Council’s updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which presented the Council’s priorities in the context of the likely resources available, providing a financial context to future decision making.

RESOLVED:

That the updated Medium Term Financial Plan be endorsed and recommended to the Executive for approval.

The Committee considered the Alliance wide Empty Property Strategy, which set out the national and local context and strategic objectives to realise the potential benefits of bringing properties back into use.

A key policy with regard to empty homes is the New Homes Bonus, and members were advised that it was important to minimise the amount of empty properties within an area prior to the council tax base being set, which also forms the basis for the calculation of New Homes Bonus.  The strategy also aims to develop understanding of the reasons why properties are empty so that appropriate advice and assistance can be developed accordingly.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve the Empty Property Strategy and Implementation Plan.

The Committee considered the future use of a number of long-term vacant Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties.  It was noted that the proposals had also been considered by the HRA Working Group.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive be recommended to approve:

1.         The refurbishment and subsequent re-letting of the following properties:

•           23 Torr Top Street, New Mills; and

•           127 Padfield Main Road, Padfield, subject to there being a restriction that this property be not eligible for inclusion in the right to buy scheme;

2.         The disposal of the following properties:

•           17 Meal Street & 26 Church View, New Mills.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committees’ 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 item of business as there may be disclosure of exempt information as set out in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2017 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered an update on the Glossop Halls Project and made recommendations to the Executive.

The Committee considered the outcome of a procurement exercise for the renewal of housing properties gas servicing and maintenance contact.

The Committee considered the outcomes of the testing of radon levels in council dwellings and agreed the approach for remediation and further phases of testing.

The Committee considered a number of applications for council tax, business rates and sundry debt write offs.