Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Donna Hales, Sally Renshaw, Emma Stevenson and Jen Wilson.

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 matters arising out of those items

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

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements that the Chair of the Council may desire to lay before the meeting.

The Chair had no announcements to make.

To approve the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 8^th March 2023.

It was noted that in the list of those Councillors present Councillor Hinman’s first name needed to be inserted, so it read “Mark Hinman”.

Moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Deborah Watson   

RESOLVED that the minutes of a meeting of Council held on 8^th March 2023 be approved as a true and correct record.

The Assistant Director of Housing Management and Enforcement presented a report which sought approval for the creation of a permanent Housing Options Manager.  The report also sought an increase of the General Fund revenue budget for the costs associated with the establishment of the permanent post.

The report explained that the Assistant Director of Housing Management and Enforcement was seeking to create a permanent Housing Options Manager to lead the Homelessness Team.  Recently, there had been a significant increase in the volume of homelessness cases. The complexity of cases had also increased, which meant they took more time to consider, process, explain and record.  The new post would provide more capacity and experience to investigate cases to ensure applications were genuine and that robust decisions were made.

The post had been through job evaluation and had been determined as Grade 9.  With on-costs this role had a starting cost of £53,967, which would be met through the General Fund.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor David Bennett

RESOLVED that (1) a new full time permanent Housing Options Manager be added to the establishment;

(2) a revenue budget increase of £53,967 to the General Fund be approved.

(HR Business Partner/Service Director of Finance & Section 151 Officer)

This item had been withdrawn.  There would be an induction session for Councillors on Environmental Health on 12^th June 2023.

The Chair had no closing remarks.