Agenda

Delegated planning decisions for the week beginning 16 December 2019 are attached.  Contact for enquiries: Jean McPherson, Group Manager: Development Management on 01293 438577.

Consideration report HPS/22 of the Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services is attached.

Further to a written question submitted by Councillor Crow to Councillor Lamb (Leader of the Council) at the Full Council meeting on 16 December 2019, a schedule is attached showing the number of rent reviews/lease renewals at the various parades over the five year period 2018 to 2022. There is little value in showing 2023 as this will likely repeat the number of events for 2018, given the five year cycle.

Further to a verbal question asked by Councillor Eade to Councillor Irvine (Cabinet Member for Housing) at the Full Council meeting on 16 December 2019, the following information has been provided by Councillor Irvine:

The repairs operatives are regularly reminded that they must uphold the reputation of the Council and the company they work for by parking appropriately, and they must also drive courteously and be polite at all times.  Following the matter being raised at Full Council the issue has been discussed again at toolbox talks.  Most of the vehicles (although not all as we have some on temporary lease to run up to the end of the contract end of March 2020) have a fleet number in a large font so they can be easily identified if anyone sees something inappropriate.  If an individual is identified they are obviously dealt with on an individual basis, which can include disciplinary action.  Where operatives live in Crawley and take vans home at night they must also park appropriately.  I encourage any Councillor who sees anything inappropriate to report it through to the repairs team on the following email: housing.repairs@crawley.gov.uk 

Further to a query raised to Councillor Irvine (Cabinet Member for Housing) at the Overview and Scrutiny Commission meeting on 25 November 2019, the following information has been provided by Councillor Irvine:

Having looked into the question of a peer review for Crawley Homes, I have been advised that as registered social landlord there is a responsibility to comply with the regulatory framework overseen by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).  For a number of years local authority landlords have had a very light touch regime but from 2020 must submit annual data on performance and the RSH will review and can inspect if there are concerns.  Crawley Homes submitted data on a voluntary basis in 2019 (2018/19 data) which has been judged satisfactory.  From this I conclude that as the regulator will now have the power to inspect, it is not necessary to carry out a peer review of Crawley Homes.

Due to ongoing construction works at the Town Hall, no meetings (including Group meetings) will take place in the Town Hall building until 9 February 2020.  The first meeting due to take place back at the Town Hall will be Planning Committee on 10 February 2020.

It should be noted that the majority of the meetings will be held in the Charis Centre, however the following are expected to be held at Furnace Green Community Centre:

·         Monday 20 January 2020 – Licensing Committee.

·         Monday 3 February 2020 – Overview and Scrutiny Commission.

For accurate venue information, please refer to the relevant agenda.

Press releases are available at www.crawley.gov.uk/news