Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Barton and A Martin

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To approve the minutes as a correct record

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2014

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation updating members on the progress made in relation to establishing a Planning Support Company

Consideration was given to a presentation by I Bunn and D Laycock on the progress made on the Building and Planning Support ASDV. The presentation outlined:

·         The services in the scope – Building Control, Local Land Charges, Planning Support and Street Naming and Numbering.

·         The budget

·         Staff – 47.6 FTE

·         Planned timeline

·         Key drivers

·         Market share – Building Control

·         Valuing the opportunity

·         Issues to resolve

·         Possible options

·         Next steps

It was suggested that the proposals would be submitted to Cabinet in January 2014 and the company would start trading from 1 April 2014.

It was agreed that technically and financially there was a case for establishing the company as if the Council continued to do nothing it would lose the market share, money and staff, however there were still legal issues to be addressed. 

With regard to valuing the opportunity, it was suggested that the new company would  mitigate loss to deliver cumulative surplus over 5 years of £90k. Members questioned the evidence to support this and agreed that Councillors K Edwards and M Hardy meet with finance officers to analyse the evidence.  The findings from that meeting would be reported to all Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED

1.    That the presentation be received

2.    That Councillors K Edwards and M Hardy meet with the finance officers to examine the financial evidence supporting the proposal.

To give consideration to the areas of the Councils budget which fall within the remit of the Committee

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Operating Officer on the pre-budget report.

The Budget setting process for 2015/16 had followed a four stage process of:

·         Set parameters

·         Gather evidence and develop proposals

·         Consult and refine

·         Approve

The Council was currently in the consult and refine stage, and this Committee was therefore being consulted on the areas of the budget which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the report be received

To give consideration to the Cabinet report.

Consideration was given to a Cabinet report requesting permission to transfer the existing Vulnerable and Older persons’ Handypersons Service and to enter into contractual arrangements with Orbitas. It was noted that Orbitas had the ability to operate commercially and innovatively, reducing operating costs and increasing income by aligning skill sets, infrastructure and technical expertise with the electrical service and any new service development opportunities. The estimated aggregated contract value was £700,000 over a five year timeframe.

It was noted that a procurement exercise carried out in April 2014 concluded that value for money could not be secured through delivery by a private sector or community sector organisation and was not affordable within the Councils 3 year business plan.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet be recommended to:

1.    Authorise officers to enter into contractual arrangements with Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd in order for them to act as an agent of the Council in the delivery of the Vulnerable and Older Persons’ Handyperson Service for a term of five years.

2.    Transfer staff currently employed by the Council in the delivery of the Vulnerable and Older Persons’ Handyperson Service  to Orbitas Bereavement Services Ltd in accordance with TUPE regulations. 

To note the current forward plan, identify any new items, and to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

Consideration was given to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be noted.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. L Butcher reported that due to the Bentley expansion in Crewe, there would be a need for the Council to exit Pymms Lane through a phased approach. The Committee may wish to be involved in securing an alternative location for the depot.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be approved