How decisions are made and who represents you
Venue: Committee Room A & B - Town Hall
Contact: Democratic Services Email: democratic.services@crawley.gov.uk
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Disclosures of Interest and Whipping Declarations 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.
Minutes: The following disclosures were made:
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To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 3 September 2019.
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 3 September were approved as a correct record and signed by the Acting Chair.
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Public Question Time To answer any questions or hear brief statements from the public which are relevant to the items on this agenda. The period will end after 15 minutes or later at the Chair’s discretion.
Minutes: No questions from the public were asked.
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Council Tax Empty Property Premiums PDF 96 KB To consider report FIN/478 of the Head of Corporate Finance. Minutes: The Commission considered report FIN/478 with the Leader of the Council and the Head of Corporate Finance. Since April 2013, billing authorities have been able to charge an additional premium of 50% on properties which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than two years. This has meant that the council tax charged is 150% of the normal charge for that property. Legislation has changed to allow councils to increase the premium above the previous 50% limit, with the amount of the premium increasing the longer the property is left empty. The report sought agreement to increase empty homes premiums to ensure that empty homes are encouraged to be occupied. The intention behind the legislation for the charging of premiums is to encourage owners of long term empty properties to bring them back into use in order to increase the supply of housing
During the discussion, the following points were expressed: · Clarification was sought on the exemptions provided from the premium, particularly for those in care. · It was felt there was a moral duty to implement, particularly given the current housing situation, as it may incentivise owners to bring the properties back into use. · Recognition that there were currently inspections that took place in various forms to establish empty establishments. · Acknowledgement that any application to reduce or waive a premium was governed by legislation. · Explanation was sought as to responses to other authorities that had increased premiums beyond 50%. · Acknowledgement that there were no costs to the implementation of the scheme. · Support for the report and for publicity following Full Council in October.
RESOLVED That the Commission agreed to support the recommendations to the Cabinet.
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Crawley Homes Additional Staffing Requirements PDF 270 KB To consider report CH/186 of the Head of Crawley Homes. Minutes: The Commission considered report CH/186 with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Head of Crawley Homes. The report sought agreement for additional staffing within Crawley Homes owing to additional work created by Universal Credit, the approach to fire safety and adding further flatted properties with a cleaning requirement.
Councillors made the following comments: · It was noted that part of recommendation 2.2a within report CH/186 would be amended as follows (changes highlighted in bold): “Approve four FTE additional posts of Housing Officer immediately with the provision of two further FTE posts to enable efficient rent collection following changes relating to Universal Credit…” · Acknowledgement that staff receive full training to assist customers. Officers work to facilitate engagement with those in need to identify and resolve issues, as it was recognised that older debts were more difficult to remedy. · Recognition that currently were was not a timescale for the full rollout for Universal Credit. It was envisaged that the additional posts would be fulltime posts, however it was acknowledged that there was a natural turnover of the workforce and vacant posts would be reviewed as the roll-out of the scheme progressed. · Acknowledgement that whilst jobs change, it was important that arrears were kept to a minimum as much as possible. · Clarification was provided as each neighbourhood patch and the number of properties. · Further information was obtained as to early intervention together with the sanctions that could be applied for those tenants that did not keep to their agreements. · Confirmation was provided that the Older Persons Service was focused on those in need and tailored to meeting individual needs. · It was discussed that it would be beneficial for Councillors to gain further experience from staff ‘first hand’. An option was proposed for an introductory office visit for Councillors.
RESOLVED That Commission agreed to support the recommendations to the Cabinet.
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Establishment of and Appointments to Scrutiny Panels It is the responsibility of the Commission to establish Scrutiny Panels as required and to appoint a Chair to each Panel (allowing the Panel Chair to confirm the terms of reference for their review).
Climate Change Scrutiny Panel Following the Full Council meeting in July 2019, and in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Commission is recommended to consider the establishment and nominations received for the ‘Climate Change’ Scrutiny Panel based on a 5 member Panel consisting of Councillors: J Hart, K L Jaggard, G S Jhans, T Lunnon and A Pendlington.
The careful selection and prioritisation of review work is essential if the scrutiny function is to be successful, achieve added value and retain credibility. The work programme should also be realistic, flexible and retain spare capacity so that additional matters raised during the year can be addressed.
Minutes: Following the declaration of a ‘climate emergency’ at Full Council meeting in July 2019, the Commission was recommended to consider the establishment and any nominations received for the ‘Climate Change’ Scrutiny Panel. This Panel would focus on the workings and activities of Crawley Borough Council relating to carbon emissions.
Nominations had been received for the ‘Climate Change Scrutiny Panel’, along with nominations for Chair for Councillors K L Jaggard and G S Jhans.
A vote was taken. Both Councillors Jaggard and Jhans received 5 votes each and as a result the Acting Chair had to use their casting vote.
As a result of the vote, and in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Commission confirmed the establishment of the ‘Climate Change Scrutiny Panel’, with the membership of Councillors J Hart, K L Jaggard, G S Jhans, T Lunnon and A Pendlington with Councillor Jaggard as Chair.
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Forward Plan - and Provisional List of Reports for the Commission's following Meetings To consider any requests for future items. Those highlighted items have been referred to the Commission.
Minutes: The Commission confirmed the following reports:
25 November 2019 All the reports listed below for November (with the exception of Three Bridges Improvement Scheme Final Design and Waste & Recycling Contract are Policy Framework Documents) · Budget Strategy 2020/21 – 2024/25 · Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2019/2020 · Review of Statement of Licensing Policy Gambling Act 2005 (2020-2022) · Crawley 2035: Crawley Borough Local Plan 2020-2035 · Homelessness Strategy 2019 - 2024 · Tenancy Strategy 2019 · Three Bridges Improvement Scheme Final Design · Waste & Recycling Contract (provisional referral)
3 February 2019 · 2020/2021 Budget and Council Tax · Treasury Management Strategy 2020-21 · Capital Strategy 2020/2021
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