Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Elizabeth Gowen and  Christopher Malpas.

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 2017 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

There were none.

There were none.

Members to undertake performance monitoring Scrutiny:

HM107

PP16

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertook performance management Scrutiny of:

·         HML107

·         PP16

HML107

Phil Harris, Head of Housing and Wellbeing, provided information regarding HML107 – number of households that are prevented from becoming homeless.  Phil Harris highlighted the salient points to the Committee.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         The Head of Housing and Wellbeing and his Team was congratulated by the Committee on the results received regarding assisting homeless individuals.

·         In answer to a query, the Committee heard that Community Law and other Agencies do not count statistics in respect of homelessness but play an important role in assisting those who are homeless. The advice they provide is very important.

·         The Social Lettings Agency should assist in helping those claiming benefits to obtain private rentals.

·         The Committee welcomed the provision of the Night Shelter in the town.

·         The Night Shelter is for males only.  Females are temporarily housed in bed and breakfast accommodation whilst alternative accommodation is located.

·         In answer to a question, Phil Harris advised that an audit of beggars is planned for the autumn 2017; it will take place both during day time and night time hours.

·         An app. is being developed that will make it easier for people to make donations should they wish.

·         The Night Shelter has helped a number of people.

·         The Committee was pleased to note that NBC had donated a number of allotments to the Hope Centre.

·         In answer to a query, Phil Harris advised that over 60 volunteers had been trained to work in the Night Shelter and he had a lot of contact with other Agencies and services.

PP16

Ruth Austen, Environmental Health Manager, provided details regarding PP16 – Percentage of Off licence checks that are compliant.  Ruth Austen referred to the written briefing paper and elaborated upon the information provided.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         Ruth Austen undertook to provide statistical data in relation to enforcement to the Scrutiny Officer for circulation to the Committee.

·         In answer to a query regarding psychoactive substances, Ruth Austen advised that there was no specific information available in this respect but a lot of Multi Agency checks are undertaken.

Phil Harris and Ruth Austen were thanked for providing information to inform the Performance Management Scrutiny role.

AGREED:      That the information provided is noted.

The Committee to review the Performance Monitoring Report (Quarter 4.)

The Committee reviewed the Corporate Performance All Measures Report – March 2017.

In response to the Committee’s queries regarding KPIs ASTO5a, ASTO5b, the Deputy Leader confirmed that he was working with the Head of Service on these and up to date data would be provided in the next report.

The Committee asked that it undertakes performance management Scrutiny on KPI  PP06 - %age change in serious acquisitive crime from the baseline (m).

 It was AGREED:  The Cabinet Member for Community Safety, and the Director, attends the next meeting of the Committee to provide data and information in relation to KPI  PP06 - %age change in serious acquisitive crime from the baseline (m).

·         NBC Owned Street Lighting

Councillor Jamie Lane took over the role of Chair from item 6.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a briefing note regarding an update about the recommendations contained within the Overview and Scrutiny report: NBC owned street lighting. John Dale, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration highlighted the salient points contained within the briefing note.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee asked questions, made comment and heard:

In response to a query, John Dale confirmed that any street lights that would remain on would be brought to Northamptonshire County Council standard.

A query was raised regarding retrospective billing for the lighting.

It was requested that a further update is brought to the Committee at its meeting on 25 September 2017.

The Deputy Chair requested that updates are brought to the Committee at its meeting on 25 September 2017 regarding:

o   Match Day Parking

o   Health Check of the Local Economy

John Dale, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration was thanked for attending and providing an update.

AGREED:      (1)   That the progress to date is noted.

(2) That the Cabinet Member and Director for Enterprise, Regeneration and Planning are asked to attend the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 September 2017 to provide a further update.

(3) that the Cabinet Member and Director for Enterprise, Regeneration and Planning are asked to attend the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 25 September 2017 to provide a further update – Match Day Parking and Health Check of the Local Economy.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive the Scopes of the three Scrutiny Panels for consideration for approval.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the scope of the Review – Cemeteries.   It was noted that the Scrutiny Panel felt that the required objectives should be:

·            To review cemeteries in the Borough, concentrating on:

Maintenance and health and safety requirements

Amenities and facilities

Financial implications

AGREED:          (1) That the scope of the Scrutiny Panel 1 – Cemeteries is  approved.

(2)  That the   objectives of the Review – Cemeteries is  :

·                               To review cemeteries in the Borough, concentrating on:

Maintenance and health and safety requirements

Amenities and facilities

Financial implications

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the scope of the Review – Culture and Tourism. The Committee noted that in discussing the purpose of the Review, the Scrutiny Panel felt that the purpose/objectives of the Review should be expanded:

·           To promote Northampton’s heritage and culture on a national and global platform.

·           To increase visitor numbers to Northampton through its diverse heritage and cultural offering.

·           To increase jobs and spending linked to tourism.

·           To use the vehicle of tourism to provide learning about Northampton.

AGREED:          (1) That the scope of the Scrutiny Panel 2 – Culture and Tourism is approved.

                            (2)  That the objective of the Review – Culture and Tourism is:

·                    To promote Northampton’s heritage and culture on a national and global platform.

·                    To increase visitor numbers to Northampton through its diverse heritage and cultural offering.

·                    To increase jobs and spending linked to tourism.

·                    To use the vehicle of tourism to provide learning about Northampton.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the scope of the Review – Dementia Friendly Town.    

AGREED:          (1) That the scope of the Scrutiny Panel 3 – Dementia Friendly Town.

The Chair of the Working Group to provide an update.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a progress update from the Chair of the O&S Reprovision of the Environmental Services Contract Working Group.

AGREED:      That the progress update is noted.

The Committee to confirm membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Reporting and Monitoring Working Group.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee was asked to confirm the membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Reporting and Monitoring Working Group.

AGREED:      That membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Reporting and Monitoring Working Group is:

                        Councillor Jamie Lane (Chair)

                        Councillors Alan Bottwood, Mohammed Aziz, Janice Duffy, Dennis Meredith, Brian Sargeant, Sam Kilby-Shaw and Zoe Smith

Councillor Brian Sargeant to provide an update on the work of NCC’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received a report back from Councillor Brian Sargeant, NBC's representative to NCC's Health and Social Care  Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Sargeant confirmed that he would be attending the Health Scrutiny event organised by the Centre for Public Scrutiny on 27 June 2017 and would provide an update to the Committee at its September meeting.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Committee to consider the draft Annual Report 2016/2017.

The Overview and Scrutiny considered the draft Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/2017. The draft report gives a summary of the some of the work that Overview and Scrutiny has undertaken over the year.

The Chair requested that page 13 is updated to remove the words “in the Spring” regarding the monitoring of the Match Day parking report as this would now be taking later in the year.

AGREED:      That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2016/2017 is approved and the Chair of the Committee presents it to the July 2017 meeting of full Council.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider any potential issues for future pre decision scrutiny.

There were none.

There were none.

At this point the Chair informed the Committee that Councillor Hallam had today become a father to a baby girl named Isla. The Committee conveyed its congratulations to Councillor and Mrs Hallam.