Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will read the following announcement:

“I would like to remind everyone present that this meeting will be broadcast live to the internet (or filmed) and will be capable of repeated viewing  (or another use by such third parties).

Therefore, by entering the Council Chamber and using the seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting and/or training purposes.”

The Chairman reminded everyone present that this meeting would be broadcast live to the Internet, and that the Council had adopted a protocol for the webcasting of its meetings.

To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Committee noted that Councillor H Kane had been appointed as substitute for  Councillor I Hadley.

To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Members’ Code of Conduct.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee have agreed the Terms of Reference and work programme for this Select Committee. Members are invited at each meeting to review both documents.

The Committee noted the Terms of Reference and Work Programme.

The Chairman advised the Committee that the Resident Involvement Strategy would be consider in the new municipal year.

To consider the update on our Customer Service Strategy and provide feedback on ‘what our customers are telling us’.

The Team Manager, Customer Services, S Lewis presented a Customer Services Strategy update report and what residents had been telling the council.

Members asked serval questions on the report and answers were provided by the Officers and Portfolio Holder in attendance.

            Resolved:

1.    That further information would be provided via the Members Bulletin following the success of the Warm Places initiative and the continued work with community groups.  

2.    That the Committee puts on record it’s thanks to the front-line staff and waste officers for the service they had provided to ensure residents were kept informed.   

To consider the attached Housing Revenue Account Business Plan.

The Interim Housing & Property Director, P Wharfe presented an interim update on the HRA Business Plan. It was noted that the stock condition survey was underway, and an Asset Management Strategy would be produced alongside the HRA Business Plan. It would be presented to the Committee in October 2023 and annually onwards.

Members asked a number of questions on the report and answers were provided by the officer in attendance.

            Resolved:

            That the Committee reviewed the interim HRA Business Plan update.

            Actions:  

1.    That HRA Business Plan is presented to the Committee in October 2023.

2.    That the Asset Management Strategy is presented to the Committee before adoption.

The Constitutional Working Group met on Thursday 16 March 2023, to discuss the future Scrutiny Structure. Following their considerations, it has been recommended that the next available scrutiny committee should also consider the options before it is referred to Council.

The Team Manager for Democratic Services and Elections, G Woodhall advised the Committee that the Constitutional Working Group had considered a report on the proposed Overview and Scrutiny Committee Structure for 2023/24 at their meeting on Thursday 16 March 2023.

It was proposed that they would recommend option 1 to Council, but requested that the next available scrutiny committee should consider the report before it was presented to Council on 4 April 2023 for adoption.

Members asked serval questions on the report and answers were provided by Officers, the Leader of Council and Portfolio Holder in attendance.  

            Resolved:

That the Committee supported the Constitutional Working Group’s recommendation.