Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business to be considered at the meeting.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

To consider the minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 16^th September

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Clive Moesby

RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of the Executive held on 16^th September 2019 be approved as a true and correct record.

None

No items were recommended to this meeting by the Scrutiny Committee.

None

There were no budget and policy framework items at this meeting.

Recommendation on Page 17

RESOLVED – That Executive considers and notes the Derbyshire County Council commissioned Older People’s Housing, Accommodation and Support: A Commissioning Strategy for Derbyshire.

Executive considered the report of the Portfolio Holder – Housing and Community Safety which informed Executive of the Older People’s Housing, Accommodation and Support: A Commissioning Strategy for Derbyshire report developed by Derbyshire County Council.

The strategy had been developed following input from district and borough councils to address issues with an aging population across Derbyshire. Locality profiles were included in the strategy which outlined a need for a range of additional housing and accommodation for older people. Derbyshire County Council hoped to continue working in partnership to achieve the aims of the strategy.

A five year implementation plan was included with the strategy outlining key activities and projects which needed to take place. This was to be reviewed on an annual basis by Derbyshire County Council.

Members agreed with the need to work effectively with partners to support older people however the District Council needed to be careful not to commit to additional responsibilities in financial terms that should be that of the County Council or other partners.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED – That Executive considers and notes the Derbyshire County Council commissioned Older People’s Housing, Accommodation and Support: A Commissioning Strategy for Derbyshire.

REASON FOR DECISION:

By working in partnership with Derbyshire county Council and other agencies, the Council could work towards improving the lives of older people by providing accommodation that would be suitable for their needs.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

Not receiving the strategy was rejected as the Council recognised the District had an aging population and that Derbyshire County Council were a strategic partner in supporting these people.  

(Acting Joint Head of Economic Growth)

Recommendation on page 65

RESOLVED – That the report be deferred to a future meeting.

It was proposed that the report be deferred in order for further consideration of the proposals to be carried out.

Moved by Councillor Liz Smyth and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED – That the report be deferred to a future meeting.

REASON FOR DECISION:

In order to allow for further consideration and assessment of the most suitable bid to submit.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

The option to consider the report and determine which Town Centre to be the subject of the bid at this meeting was rejected as there was an opportunity to consider the proposals further before the call for bids opens.

(Acting Joint Head of Economic Growth)

To move:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the stated Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and it is not in the public interest for that to be revealed.” [The category of exempt information is stated after each item].

PART 2 – EXEMPT ITEMS

RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the stated Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and it is not in the public interest for that to be revealed. [The category of exempt information is stated after each Minute].

Exempt - Paragraphs 1,2 and 3

Recommendation on page 72

RESOLVED – that Executive –

(1)       notes the challenges within the Environmental Health service and the opportunity to improve Environmental Enforcement

(2)       supports on Environmental Health and Enforcement Review to include

·           A review of existing staffing structures, including functional synergies and the skills mix of staff.

·           Exploration of opportunities to establish a multi-functional, joined-up environmental enforcement team.

·           A review of salary levels and individual posts to address job evaluation discrepancies.

·           Business process improvements including the use of technology and other efficiency measures.

Executive considered the report of the Portfolio Holder – Street Scene and Environmental Health which outlined the current challenges within the joint Environmental Health Service and proposed a review of Environmental Health and Enforcement.

Various aspects of the performance of Environmental Health and issues faced by the service were addressed in the report including Environmental Enforcement, fees and charges, technology and the vacancies within the team. The report outlined the interim arrangements in place and proposed that a review be undertaken to address these concerns on a longer term basis.

Moved by Councillor Deborah Watsonand seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED – that Executive –

(1)       notes the challenges within the Environmental Health service and the opportunity to improve Environmental Enforcement

(2)       supports on Environmental Health and Enforcement Review to include

·                    A review of existing staffing structures, including functional synergies and the skills mix of staff.

·                    Exploration of opportunities to establish a multi-functional, joined-up environmental enforcement team.

·                    A review of salary levels and individual posts to address job evaluation discrepancies.

·                    Business process improvements including the use of technology and other efficiency measures.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The review was to look at ensuring that the Council had a modern service that would be able to respond to the challenges that it faced.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

The alternative option of continuing with current arrangements, prioritising actions and using contractors was rejected due to the potential risks to public health, the reputational risks arising from external scrutiny and the inability to meet expectations through effective environmental enforcement.

(Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3)

(Joint Strategic Director – Place)

Exempt - Paragraph 3

Recommendation on page 78

RESOLVED – that –

(1)       Executive approves the schemes to deliver 16 properties as outlined in the report, subject to planning approval;

(2)       Executive recommend to Council that the scheme be funded through the Housing Revenue Account New Build Reserve in the first instance with the option to utilise Housing Revenue Account borrowing if required; and

(3)       subject to Council approval of financing the Joint Head of Property and commercial Services be granted delegated power to enter the construction contracts on behalf of the Council.

Executive considered the report of the Portfolio Holder – Housing and Community Safety which informed Executive of the outcome of feasibility works undertaken on four potential development sites in Whitwell and which sought funding approval to develop 16 new Council dwellings through the B@Home framework programme.

An Exempt Minute contains further details of information discussed at the meeting which cannot be published in the public Minutes.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peakeand seconded by Councillor Deborah Watson

RESOLVED – that –

(1)       Executive approves the schemes to deliver 16 properties as outlined in the report, subject to planning approval;

(2)       Executive recommend to Council that the scheme be funded through the Housing Revenue Account New Build Reserve in the first instance with the option to utilise Housing Revenue Account borrowing if required; and

(3)       subject to Council approval of financing the Joint Head of Property and commercial Services be granted delegated power to enter the construction contracts on behalf of the Council.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To advance the proposed scheme to further exceed the Councils corporate target of building new Council properties.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED:

The option not to support the development of the sites was rejected as the chosen sites were considered to meet the recognised housing demand in the District and should these schemes not be progressed demand would have remained.

(Paragraph 3)

(Joint Head of Property and Commercial Services)