Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ashraf and  Meredith.

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.

Councillor Smith declared an interest in agenda item 7(c ) as a Board member of NPH.

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2020

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2020 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to undertake monitoring of the accepted recommendations contained within the O&S Reports:

·       Dementia Friendly Town

·       Culture and Tourism

Marion Goodman, Interim Assistant Chief Executive, presented the action plan – Dementia Friendly Town and highlighted the salient points.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         The consultation process in accordance with the study undertaken by the University of Northampton and Urban Splash is underway.   It was confirmed that a copy of the consultation would be shared with the Committee.  Following the consultation, the business case would be produced.

Marion Goodman was thanked for producing the update and it was requested that a further update be presented to the January 2021 meeting of the Committee.

AGREED:      That the update is noted and a further update be presented to the January 2021 meeting of the Committee.

Marion Goodman, Interim Assistant Chief Executive, presented the action plan – Culture and Tourism and highlighted the salient points.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         The majority of the actions progressing, however, the green badge has not progressed but this will be taken forward as part of the Unitary plans

·          It will not be possible to hold Heritage Weekend this year but a virtual tour will be arranged

Marion Goodman was thanked for producing the update and it was requested that a further update be presented to the January 2021 meeting of the Committee.

AGREED:      That the update is noted and a further update be presented to the January 2021 meeting of the Committee.

The Committee to undertake performance management Scrutiny on the following:

·       % of major planning applications determined in 13 weeks or agreed extension

·       % of minor planning applications determined within 8 weeks or agreed extension

Peter Baguley, Interim Assistant Chief Executive, presented the briefing note detailing information regarding:

·                         % of major planning applications determined in 13 weeks or agreed extension

·                         % of minor planning applications determined within 8 weeks or agreed extension

The salient points were highlighted.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         Both large scale and small scale major applications have a determination period of 13 weeks, unless an Environmental Statement is submitted with the application, then the determination period will be 16 weeks.  The government acknowledges that most major applications can be complex and there could be many related technical issues to be resolved to make development acceptable. 

·         98.7% performance for minor applications in 2019/20 and 100% in 2018/19.

·         Development Management have achieved 100% performance for major applications, with extensions of time, for major applications in both of the time periods.

Peter Baguley was thanked for his informative briefing note.

AGREED:                  That the information is noted.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive an update from the Chairs of the Scrutiny Panel and Working Groups.

The Committee to receive a progress report from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel – Food Poverty.

In the absence of the Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Russell advised that the work of the Panel is coming to a conclusion. There had been good attendance and a wealth of evidence received.  It is possible that further evidence could be appended to the final report.

It is expected that the final report will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its November 2020 meeting for approval.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Committee to receive a progress report from the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Gangs and Knife Crime Working Group.

Councillor Walker, Chair of the Scrutiny Working Group, advised that the work of the Working Group is coming to a conclusion.  The Working Group had received a lot of evidence both from desktop research and from expert advisors.

It is expected that the final report will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its November 2020 meeting for approval.

AGREED:      That the update is noted.

The Committee to receive a progress report from the Chair of the Pre Decision Scrutiny Working Group - Trial of Buy Back of Properties Working Group

Councillor Roberts, Chair of the Scrutiny Working Group,  advised that the Working Group had concluded its work and had received  a very comprehensive report from the Director of Housing and Wellbeing.  She emphasised the need for further Scrutiny of this issue.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

The need for social rent, rather than affordable rent, for the 30 additional properties was emphasised

It must be ensured that further, regular Scrutiny of this issue takes place. The Chair advised that the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing would provide regular updates to the Committee.

The Committee queried the impact of evictions form both private tenancies and temporary accommodation and asked that an update is provided to the next meeting of the Committee and details of how many evictions there have been and details of the process is also provided.

AGREED:      1) That the update is noted.

                        2) That regular updates are presented to the Committee.

3) That the Cabinet Member for Housing and Wellbeing attends the next meeting of this Committee and provides an update is provided to the next meeting of the Committee including details of how many evictions there have been and details  of the process.

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

There were none.

There were none.