Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and to note the attendance of any substitute members.

The Panel noted the attendance of the following Substitute Member:

Councillor Mrs Angel for Councillor Finnie

Councillor Brossard for Councillor Mrs Fleming

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 08 December 2009.

It was reported that the Waste Satisfaction Survey results were being analysed and would be circulated to the Panel once available.

The Panel was advised that work on the connecting path development at Ringmead was scheduled to commence in January 2010 and finish in February 2010.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment, Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 08 December 2009 be approved as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, including the existence and nature of the party whip, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

Councillor Mrs McCracken declared a personal interest as the spouse of the Executive member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection and the Chairman of the Cultural Partnership.

Any other items which, pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman decides are urgent.

There were no urgent items of business.

To consider key themes and priorities for the Environment, Culture and Communities Department as outlined in the Council’s Draft Budget Proposals for 2010/11, together with the attached report from the Panel’s Working Group on Highway Maintenance.

The Panel received extracts from the proposed 2010/11 Revenue Budget and Capital Programme reports relating to Environment, Culture and Communities which were presented to the Executive on 15 December 2009. 

The Director of Environment, Culture and Communities introduced the budget proposals which included detailed information on service pressures and developments, key decisions, fees and charges risk areas and contingency.

The budget for 2010/11 was under extreme pressure due to the present economic circumstances, which was unusual for the Council. An in year savings package and contingency fund would reduce projected overspend. In year savings identified by Departments amounted to £1,639,000 of which £478,000 would be a result of spend reduction and savings made in Environment, Culture and Communities (EC&C).

Changes in Commitment Budget 2010/11-2012/13 included; Local Development Framework adjustments in accordance with the timetable change and funds brought forward for the South Hill Park Grounds maintenance due to early approval from the government for the associated restoration project.

Service pressures and development amounted to £726,000 for  EC&C with a total of £1,524,000 for Bracknell Forest Council. Whilst EC&C were responsible for the most significant service pressure it was noted that the Department were also responsible for the greatest service economies with savings of £1,318,000 out of a total Council saving of £3,243,000.

The Panel noted that the Contingency Budget had been increased to try to cover risks identified if they were to occur. In total, £1.7 million of potential risks had been identified but it was highly unlikely that these would all occur at the same time.

The Council had an estimated £9.3 million available in General Reserves at 31 March 2010.

Arising from the subsequent discussion it was noted that:

• It would be helpful in future budget proposals to include percentages against figures referred to, to allow the amount to be seen in context of the entire departments’ budget.
• The Panel expressed disappointment that the Government’s proposed changes to the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme would result in no payment of grant to the Borough. 

Key Revenue Budget Pressures relating to EC&C included a statutory change to the accounting of Land Charges resulting in a loss of income totalling £35,000, a loss of leisure income as a direct result of the recession, an increase in the number of domestic waste properties where waste had to be collected leading to increased cost, and a review of the contract for line rentals for the borough’s library computers.

Arising from members’ questions and comments the following points were noted:

·         The saving proposals for highway maintenance of £315,000 related to surface dressings and did not take in to account winter maintenance.

·         Concern was expressed by the Panel that the proposal to discontinue the resource to collect stray dogs and patrol for dog fouling issues was potentially damaging for partnership working in the borough. Discussions would be held with Partners to look at the possibility of joint support for this service. Details would be reported to the Panel once  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To discuss with the Chairman and Lead Officer of the Strategic Housing Partnership its governance, performance management, financial management, and related issues, with reference to the questionnaire sent in advance of the meeting.

As part of the agreed approach to Overview and Scrutiny of the Bracknell Forest Partnership, the Panel received a completed questionnaire detailing the Strategic Housing Partnership’s (SHP’s) governance, performance management, financial management, and related issues. The Partnership’s terms of reference were also received which included details of the SHP’s membership. 

The Panel received a presentation from the Chief Officer for Housing in respect of the Strategic Housing Partnership. The presentation included details of the main aims of the SHP and the work it undertook across the Borough.

The terms of reference of the SHP had been recently reviewed and a list of membership created. The election of a Chair for the Partnership would be held on 25 March 2010.

The main aims of the SHP were to:

• Enable the efficient operation of the housing markets in Bracknell Forest;
• Regularly assess housing market intelligence in Bracknell Forest so as to establish interventions to improve the operation of the housing markets;
• To identify market weaknesses or failures and propose partnership solutions. 

The Strategic Housing Partnership reported on 11 National Indicators and 2 Local Area Agreement target National Indicators, NI 154 and NI 155.

It was noted that the SHP needed to be more strategic to identify where partners could intervene to improve operation of the housing market e.g. rent in advance deposit process and Council mortgage provision and work closely with other partnerships such as the Climate Change Partnership.

The Panel noted that the SHP would promote any development in the borough regardless of who the development was provided by.

It was noted that representatives from the various industries would be representing the industry as a whole and not their particular organisation. There were industry forums in place which could feed back to the SHP on specific issues. 

The Panel thanked the Chief Officer for his presentation and looked forward to seeing the Strategic Housing Partnership evolve.

To consider forthcoming items on the Executive Forward Plan relating to Environment, Culture and Communities.

The Executive Forward Plan items relating to Environment, Culture and Communities were noted.

The next meeting of the Environment, Culture and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel would be held on 09 March 2010 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber, Easthampstead House.