Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th June 2016

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6^th June 2016 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Committee

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee or the Chief Executive

There were no announcements.

·         Business Improvement Sub-Committee

·         Finance and Performance Sub-Committee

·         Social Inclusion and Health Sub-Committee

The Terms of Reference (TOR) were approved by the committee.

The Chairman of the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee agreed to report any overlap between the TOR for the Business Improvement Sub-Committee and the TOR for the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee.

The TOR for the Crime and Disorder Sub-Committee would be presented at the next meeting.

The minutes of the meeting are available on the website

The Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny gave an update on the Chairman of the Business Improvement Sub-Committee’s behalf. The Chairman reported that the Sub-Committee had been discussing the possibility of Members of Development Management (North) working with Members of Development Management (South) on issues regarding S106 monies for both North and South planning applications.

The Chairman of the Business Improvement Sub-Committee would provide further information at the next O&S Committee meeting.

RESOLVED

That an update from the Business Improvement Sub-Committee be given.

REASON

All updates of Sub-Committee meetings are to be received by the Committee.

The minutes of the meeting are available on the website

It was reported that the Sub-Committee would continue to work in partnership with Sussex Police and the Horsham District Community Safety Partnership to create, refine and enforce their proposed action plans.

RESOLVED

That an update from the Crime and Disorder Sub-Committee be given.

REASON

All updates of Sub-Committee meetings are to be received by the Committee.

The minutes of the meeting are available on the website

It was reported that the Sub-Committee would receive an update from CenSus Revenue and Benefits at the next meeting.

RESOLVED

That an update from the Finance and Performance Sub-Committee be given.

REASON

All updates of Sub-Committee meetings are to be received by the Committee.

The minutes of the meeting are available on the website

It was reported that the Sub-Committee would be investigating ways for the Council to improve Council Tax collection and the flexibility surrounding it.

RESOLVED

That an update from the Social Inclusion and Health Sub-Committee be given.

REASON

All updates of Sub-Committee meetings are to be received by the Committee.

Members noted the contents of the report.

Members were in favour of the ‘next steps’ as stated in the report.

Members agreed to review the progress of the ‘next steps’ section in 6 months’ time.

RESOLVED

The Members noted the contents of the report.

Councillor Britten represented Horsham District Council on the West Sussex Joint Scrutiny Task and Finish Group on Housing Provision for Care Leavers and provided the Committee with an update on the progress of the review.

RESOLVED

The Members approved the recommendations as set out in the report.

Members discussed potential programmes, based on examples used by other authorities, for inviting Cabinet Members to speak at Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

Members agreed to hold further discussions on the topic with the Director of Corporate Resources before presenting a draft programme to the Committee.

Work Programme 2016 attached

Members suggested that an Empty Homes Strategy report be presented at the next meeting.

Members also suggested that a Review of the properties that HDC owns, combined with a Q&A with the relevant Cabinet Member, be added to January’s agenda.

Items not on the agenda which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as urgent because of the special circumstances

There was no Urgent Business.