Agenda and minutes

To receive comments or views from members of the public at the Panel’s discretion.

None received.

The Panel to be notified of any substitute members.

The Panel were notified that Councillor Kerr was substituting for Councillor Mrs Gaffigan for this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bisnauthsing and Councillor Sandall.

Members are asked to declare interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

None declared.

The action notes of the meeting held on 27th July are attached for information.

(Enclosure)

The action notes from the meeting held on 27th July 2006 were confirmed as a correct record.

None.

None.

The Panel to receive presentations/reports from the following services:

Building Control – a copy of the presentation in handout format is attached.

CCTV

Crime and Disorder

Conclusions:

(1)              That the possibility of a levy being put on businesses who supply alcohol at night time be investigated to help cover the costs of extra staff.

(2)              That the Chief Executive be asked what the current position is with regard to the siting of a camera at St Wulfram’s church.

(3)              That the Resources Portfolio Holder be asked to look again at the staffing of the Community Safety Team with the view to making the seconded posts permanent.

(4)              That the Cabinet be asked to look at the possibility of renting one of the units in either of the shopping centres for the Community Safety Team to use as a drop-in centre due to the success of the last drop-in centre.

(5)              That member and staff training be carried out with regard to Section 17 training under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

(6)              That a letter be sent in support of the CDRP letter to public service authorities asking for their full commitment to the CDRP partnership.

The Chairman informed the Panel that the item had been placed on the agenda following an e-mail he had received from the Chairman of Resources who had asked that the Community DSP scrutinize the overspend.

The Corporate Head of Finance and Resources gave a run down on the issue of the General Fund and the over spend of £552,000.    It was not all bad, as the supplementary estimates in May had not allowed £60,000 for the Housing Improvement Programme and a redistribution of the General Fund (GF) to reflect the separation of Tenancy Services and Housing Solutions had not been taken into account. Also £198,000 had been charged to the GF for the work done pre ballot in connection with the LSVT. She outlined other funding streams under the Community DSP and said that a full breakdown was available through the Constitution and Accounts Committee agenda and reports which had been held on 29th June 2006.     She then referred to the Gateway Reviews and the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Group meeting that she would be attending the following Monday to discuss the involvement of the DSPs in the Gateway Reviews.   Members needed to look at the Service Managers plans in terms of outcomes, where they still fit for purpose, are they still in line with the Council’s aims and objectives.  What level of resources they had, what Gershon savings were being achieved and planned etc.  A question was asked about savings and overspends to which the Corporate Head of Finance and Resources replied that with the help of the new computer system installed, a better budget control would be in place and a phased time recording scheme for staff was being introduced which would allow staff’s time to be correctly allocated to the current budget head giving a better base on which to work. 

The Service Manager for Building Control then gave a presentation to the Panel.  He began with an over view of the service which was unique, fee earning and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

·              Strategic Housing - Strategic Housing Services Audit re-inspection update from Housing Solutions Manager

·              Street Drinking – report to Cabinet in October

The Housing Solutions Manager updated members on the Strategic Housing Inspection.

The Scrutiny Officer informed the Panel that the issue of deciding which areas would be designated to restrict the consumption of alcohol would be decided in January 2007.  Reference was once again made to the inclusion of the Green, Dysart and Wyndham Park and the Paddock.

(Enclosure)

The Corporate Head Finance and Resources referred to BVPI 78a and highlighted two main issues, which impacted on the indicator, and contributed to its continually being shown red.   One was the down time by the computers when council tax bills were sent out and she was hoping to address this issue for this year and the other was information required from the Department of Work and Pensions. She referred to the council’s position nationally on dealing with claims which compared favourably with the rest of the country.   This raised the question as to whether or not the indicators actually showed a true picture of performance.  The Housing Solutions Manager spoke about SK81 and the reasons for this BVPI being red. Also BVPI 212 was highlighted and reference was made to the number of days at this time last year which was 53, currently the BVPI was 32 which showed a marked improvement.  A question was then asked about the use of B & B to which the Housing Solutions Manager replied.

(Enclosure)

Conclusion

The next meeting of the Community DSP will be held at Bourne on Wednesday 25th October at 10.30am.

The Scrutiny Officer referred to the Work Programme which he informed the Panel was subject to change as a new Forward Plan would be published shortly.  It was decided that the next meeting should be held in Bourne at 10.30am, possible issues to be discussed were travellers and an update on Care Services.

To receive updates from members on outside bodies.

None received.

None.

The meeting closed at 12.40pm