Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Hardy and M Parsons.

To give consideration to the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2017

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2017 .

RESOLVED

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

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

Councillor S Hogben declared a pecuniary interest in minute 20 due to being a director of Ansa. In accordance with the Code of Conduct he left the meeting during consideration of the item.

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. 

Sue Helliwell attended the meeting and spoke in respect of Pot holes and the quality of repairs.

Town Councillor S Yates spoke on behalf of the Mayor of Crewe in relation to the increase of homelessness and rough sleeping. He highlighted the difficulties the homeless faced, the good work being done by Church Groups and welcomed the new strategy.

To give consideration to a presentation on Homelessness in Cheshire East

Consideration was given to a presentation on Homelessness in Cheshire East which detailed:

·         The definition of homelessness

·         Homelessness Strategy Review

·         Rough Sleeping

·         Prevention and Relief

·         Comparisons

·         Homelessness Reduction Act and Strategy

·         CE Allocations Policy

It was noted that the main cause of homelessness was being asked to leave the family home and that rough sleeping was on the rise. Members of the Committee agreed that ensuring that the private rented sector provided adequate accommodation and the changes to the benefits system was a challenge for the Local Authority.

In regard to bringing empty homes back into use, it was agreed that Members should notify the officer for empty properties if they were aware of any empty properties in their wards.

RESOLVED

That an update report be brought back to the Committee in due course.

To give consideration to a presentation on extra controls in the private rented sector

Consideration was given to a presentation on extra controls in the private rented sector which detailed:

·         Strategic Housing work plan 2017-2018, including Members concerns, and the requirement of greater regulation of HMO’s

·         The establishment of a working group

·         Extension to Mandatory Licensing of HMO’s

·         Implications for Cheshire East, the number of HMO’s would increase from 50 to 500

·         Additional Licensing of HMO’s, the Council had the option to introduce an additional Licensing scheme for the remaining HMO’s

·         Planning

·         Article 4 Direction process – removal of permitted development rights, to ensure that planning permission would be required for all HMO’s in a designated area.

·         Selective Licensing for areas with a high proportion of private rented housing.

It was noted that the possibility of implementing a selective licensing scheme in Crewe Central/South was being investigated, the Committee agreed to receive a report back on this in due course.

RESOLVED

That a report on the success of implementing  a selective licensing scheme in Crewe Central and Crewe South be brought back to the Committee in due course.

To consider Budget proposals as set out in the Council’s Pre-Budget Consultation 2018/21 document, specifically in relation to Outcome Two (Cheshire East has a strong and resilient economy) and Outcome Four (Cheshire East is a green and sustainable place).

The Pre-Budget Consultation 2018/21 Document has previously been circulated to Members.  Available online at:

http://cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/your_council/council_finance_and_governance/cheshire_east_budget/cheshire_east_budget.aspx

The Committee considered the Pre-Budget Consultation 2018/21 relating to Environment and Regeneration, specifically outcome 2 (Cheshire East has a Strong and Resilient Economy) and outcome 4 (Cheshire East is a Green and Sustainable Place) of the Council’s Corporate Plan.

The Executive Director of Place and Acting Deputy Chief Executive, gave a presentation on the key proposals in the budget book relating to the responsibilities covered by the Committee.

In relation to outcome 4 - Cheshire East is a green and sustainable place, the Committee raised strong concerns regarding the proposed £500,000 revenue saving relating to the Highways Contract and requested that if the saving was to be made, assurance be given that this would be achieved through efficiencies rather than a reduced level of service.

In relation to the development of a Car Parking Strategy, the Committee agreed that the main objective of the Strategy should be to ensure a Parking Policy that was fair to all residents of the Borough.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet be requested to give consideration to the following comments:

1. That further consideration be given to the proposed £500,000 revenue saving relating to the Highways Contract, and that if the saving was to be made, assurance be given that this would relate to efficiencies rather than a reduced level of service.

2. That the Car Parking Strategy ensure a Parking Policy that was fair to all residents of the Borough.

To give consideration to the mid year performance report for Ansa and Orbitas

Due to having a prejudicial interest, Councillor Hogben left the meeting during consideration of the report relating to Ansa.

Consideration was given to the mid year performance reports for Ansa and Orbitas. In regard to Ansa, it was noted that all performance indicators were being met, ranging from the number of parks with green flag awards to the tonnes of waste that was successfully reused. The operational performance indicators were all being met.

In regard to Orbitas, it was noted that the minor maintenance team had exceeded the contracted 1200 referrals per year. There were pressures meeting the demands of the Crematorium at Macclesfield, which were being met by increasing the hours of operation. The possibility of using the chapel to help alleviate the pressures was being considered.

RESOLVED

That the reports be received.

To receive a presentation on the Highway Service Contract

Consideration was given to a presentation on the Highway Service Contract which detailed:

·         The performance

·         Social values

·         Revenue key outputs

·         Winter Service

·         Capital update

·         Key achievements

·         Customer Satisfaction

·         Staffing

·         Third Party Liability

·         Community Engagements

It was noted that Cheshire East residents had a high level of expectation and customer complaints had recently increased. Members raised questions relating to the emptying of gullies and highway surface repairs. It was agreed that the cost of providing a gold standard level of service would be circulated to the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the costings of providing a gold standard level of service be circulated to the Committee.

To give consideration to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of this committee.

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

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received.

To give consideration to the work programme

The Committee reviewed its work programme.

RESOLVED

That an update report on homelessness and extra controls in the private rented sector be received by the Committee in due course.