Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

The following disclosures were made:

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 22 June 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 22 June 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to the following amendment to Minute 1 (Disclosures of Interest and Whipping Declarations) which should have read ‘Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’ in relation to Minute 8.

To consider any written questions that were submitted in advance and accepted in-line with the Constitution.  These will be read to the Committee and be followed by a response. The questioner will receive an emailed copy of the response given at the meeting. There will be no supplementary questions.

No written questions from the public were received.

To consider report HCS/23 of the Head of Community Services.

The Commission considered report HCS/23 of the Head of Community Services. The report sought approval of a new Alcohol Consumption PSPO when the current PSPO expires in October 2020. 

During the discussion, with the Leader of the Council and Deputy Chief Executive, Councillors made the following comments:

·       Confirmation that the new PSPO would replace the current alcohol PSPO.

·       Acknowledgement that the proposed PSPO would relate to the consumption of alcohol where it contributed to, was linked to or was associated with nuisance or annoyance to members of the public. 

·       It was noted that the proposed PSPO did not restrict the consumption of alcohol in a public place, but would be used to address anti-social behaviour associated with alcohol consumption which had a detrimental effect on the town and community.

·       Acknowledgement that the area covered by the PSPO was borough wide, excluding Gatwick due to restrictions covering that vicinity.

·       Explanations sought and obtained with reference to consultation and consumption of alcohol where the land and premises were council owned and/or operated.

·       Confirmation that it was anticipated the issuing of fixed penalty notices would be limited in relation to the street community. Previously when asked to stop drinking and hand over a vessel believed to contain alcohol there had usually been compliance.  Whilst fixed penalty notices can be escalated the PSPOs were within a suite of powers available.

·       It was noted that following lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic there had been an increase in antisocial behaviour. 

·       With reference to the antisocial behaviour data, it was felt it may be beneficial to understand the correlation between the number of instances and the time at which they occurred (for example if these were attributed to pubs’ closing time).

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.

To consider report FIN/505 of the Head of Corporate Finance.

The Commission considered report FIN/505 of the Head of Corporate Finance on the quarter 1 budget monitoring, set out a summary of the Council’s actual revenue and capital spending for the quarters to June 2020 together with the main variations from the approved spending levels and impact on future budgets.

During the discussion with the Leader of the Council, Head of Corporate Finance and Chief Accountant, Councillors made the following comments:

·       Acknowledgement that the report documented the financial viability of the council, particularly as a result of Covid19.

·       Recognition that work had continued during lockdown to support the homelessness and street community.  Diverted giving was still the preferred option of support.

·       Confirmation that the delays in the handover of new housing developments had impacted on the housing register. Although the register had also been subject to an increase of those who had seen a change in circumstances due to employment status resulting from the pandemic.

·       Recognition that the free parking provided at Orchard Street, together with Crawley Hospital choosing to suspend pay and display parking until the end of June had decreased car parking income.

·       Acknowledgement that the pay award had been higher than budgeted.

·       Explanations sought and obtained on the various schemes provided within the capital programme.

·       Confirmation that the increase in cancelled garage accounts, together with the inability to return garage keys safely to the town hall had resulted in a shortfall of rental income.

·       Officers confirmed that the favourable and unfavourable variation indications would be reinstated for future reports.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.

The Commission is asked to ratify and note the appointments as attached in OSC/288.

RESOLVED

That the Commission ratified and noted the following appointments:

West Sussex Joint Scrutiny Steering Group (JSSG) –

Councillor T Belben

West Sussex Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC) -

Councillor T McAleney

Climate Change Scrutiny Panel -

Councillors J Hart, K L Jaggard, T Lunnon, A Pendlington and vacancy, with Councillor K L Jaggard as Chair.

Council-owned Neighbourhood Parades Scrutiny Panel -

Councillors M Ayling, F Guidera, R A Lanzer, T Lunnon and D Peck, with Councillor R A Lanzer as Chair.

To receive a brief update on the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC).

Commission members were informed that the minutes from the most recent HASC meeting would shortly be available on the HASC webpages.

To consider any requests for future items. Those highlighted items have been referred to the Commission.

Cabinet 25 Nov 2020    OSC 23 Nov 2020  

Cabinet 13 Jan 2021 – PROVISIONAL  OSC 11 Jan 2021 

Cabinet 3 Feb 2021      OSC 1 Feb 2021  

Cabinet 10 March 2021               OSC 8 March 2021 

The Commission confirmed the following reports:

23 November 2020

·       Crawley Borough Local Plan 2021-2036

·       Budget Strategy 2021/22 – 2025/26

·       Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2020-2021

·       2020/2021 Budget Monitoring – Quarter 2

·       Proposed Article 4 Directions - Change of Use from C3 (dwelling houses) to C4 (houses in multiple occupation)

·       Economic Development Strategy

1 February 2021

·       2021/2022 Budget and Council Tax

·       Treasury Management Strategy 2021-2022

·       2020/2021 Budget Monitoring - Quarter 3